Once again England crashed out of a major tournament at the Quarter Final stage when losing on penalties to Italy.Those are the bald facts but there's an underlying problem with our game that needs addressing quickly if our game is to grow allowing our national team to compete with the World's football powers.If not we will remain in the "Also Rans" paddock...
I have not seen the stats from our four games in Ukraine but i'd wager a hefty bet that we had the least possession coupled with the least successive pass completion and that includes a very poor Irish team.This is nothing new as older England fans will tell you.Even the so called "Golden Generation" of Beckham & Co failed when it came to the basics of International football.
English players have never been found wanting when it comes to fighting spirit and a never say die attitude.These are admiral qualities but can only get you so far.Technically we are far behind many teams and not just the best...
I am not talking about beating four or five players or blasting in a 30 yard volley.I'm talking about the very basics of the game.Ball retention,passing to a teamate and creating the space to receive a pass.
When Paul Scholes came out of retirement last season we were all purring at his passing ability.In any other country it would be seen as nothing special but over here we were agog with admiration...What a sad state of affairs.
Before i am shot down in flames let me ask a question.How many English players are currently playing in a country with a strong International team? Spain,Italy,Germany...None have,or seemingly want,our players in their leagues.The only English player i can think of is Joe Cole playing in Northern France with Lille.There must be a reason for this.It's because our players are inferior...Simple.
It's all well and good banging the drum that we have the best league in the world in the England,Yes it's the most watched Worldwide but that does'nt mean best in my book.How many World class players does it produce? Very few if any.People will point to Rooney but he's never done it on the International stage versus any of the top dogs.Even if we had then one or two players is a poor return for the amount of money pumped into the game over here and that's because we're constantly looking for the quick fix rather than investing for the future.
So how do we get English players who're as good as their international counterparts? Root & Branch...
From an early age work with the ball.Don't worry about results.Get the young lads--i'm talking from when they first kick a ball---concentrating on the ball,how to pass and make space.Learn to enjoy possession and not worry about losing either the ball or the game.
Look at the plaudits Swansea got by playing a very simple possession game.Their manager had given them licence to wait till the opportunity arose while holding the ball rather than hit it into the box whenever they got near the opponents area.Almost as important the fans were onside with this approach too.In any other country this would'nt be seen as anything other than normal.Over here it was almost revolutionary...Their players also proved that they had the basic skills to do just that.
So maybe the problem lies with coaches who want to win at all costs rather than developing skills required to improve no matter the cost.The Swansea midfielder Leon Britton had one of the highest successful passing completion rates in Europe last season.Never got a sniff of getting near the England squad.Go figure...
Also a vast majority of us fans need educating too.I have seen it myself at Wolves in the few times we retained possession for a period of time the moans go up that we should bang it forward.I'm sure this is repeated at many English football grounds.Thus putting pressure on the team to play the sort of game that knocks out the pass move pass move pass move approach.
Until the approach of the Owners,managers,coaches and fans change in this country we will continue to reach no higher than the Quarter finals in major tournaments.Or worse we will be overtaken by so called minor football countries who have embraced the basics of the game...
Monday 25 June 2012
Thursday 21 June 2012
Eurozoned...Quarter Final Preview.
The Business end of the Euro Championships is upon us with the Quarter Final games starting tonight...
Czech Republic V Portugal
----------------------------
The Czech's have steadily improved since an opening humiliation by Russia,who ultimately flattered to deceive in this tournament.Proving the old adage( Which i may have just made up) That it's not how you start that counts but how you finish...
Goalkeeper Cech seems to have found his confidence after two dodgy games and he will have to be on top form tonight.I have been impressed with Selassie as an attacking right back too.Their midfield is the strong point of the team.Jiracek,Plasil,Pilar all have goals in them too. If Rosicky is fit and on his game he could be the difference...
It's a good job the midfield can score cos' striker Milan Baros is have a 'mare upfront.Not only is he yet to score he's yet to get a shot on target in three games.Don't be surprised if he cracks in a thunderbolt tonight...
What of Portugal? Or Ronaldougal as they should be renamed.Let's be honest it's a one man team and if that man is on form, as he was against the Dutch, he's pretty much unstoppable. However having the hopes of an entire nation on the shoulder of one man is a heavy burden to carry.He's only shone spasmodically and wearing my Czech hat i hope he has an off day.
I'm going for a Czech win...Heart ruling head maybe but they're a team whereas Portugal are a one man band...
Germany V Greece
-------------------------
We all know about the political sideshow attached to this game by now so no need to go into that(Finance is not my strong point as my Bank Manager would tell you) On a purely football front Germany should walk this but happily the game does'nt always work out that way.
Germany are a fine team.In midfield they have the wonderfully named Schweinsteiger(look up the translation!) and Ozil pulling the strings helping to set up chance after chance for the best attack in the tournament.Gomez,Klose,Podalski and Muller would probably walk into any other team here...
What the Greeks lack in ability they more than make up for in spirit.But as any Wolves fan will tell you team spirit can only get you so far...If Greece start slowly, as they did in two of their games, Germany could be out of sight by half time.Probably need to score first to have a chance...
Germany win but probably not as easy as many think...
France V Spain
----------------------
France are probably surprised to be playing Spain...They had control of the group and looked set for a Quarter Final match with Italy but came unstuck against a proud Swedish team who really put the cat among pigeons by beating them relatively easily.Laurent Blanc needs to get his team firing on all fronts for this one.I have them down as my dark horses to win the title and will not change now...
Spain are a fine team by any degree.You don't become World & Euro Champions otherwise.But i can detect their star is fading a little bit.Croatia were unlucky not to beat them last time out and if Iniesta can be shackled their performance drops off a fair way...Still having problems upfront too...
Time to put my neck on the block here...France to win.Poss after extra time or even on Penalties...
England V Italy
-------------------
Both coaches are essentially cautious and defence minded so don't expect a free flowing classic.This could even come down to how one man reacts to playing against many of his club teamates.Balotelli is of course the man in question.He comes in direct opposition with his work colleague ex Wolves youth graduate Joleon Lescott.
It's well known Balotelli is a loose cannon and sometimes explodes, and far be it for me to suggest Lescott indulges in the black arts of the game,but hell if he does'nt try to wind him up from the first whistle it would be a derilection of professional duty...
An Italian woman i work with maintains this is one of the worst Italian teams she has ever seen but that's all relative.They're still not a bad outfit.Old stager Pirlo is still pulling the strings in midfield and if John Terry does his usual trick of giving away free kicks around the area England could pay dearly...
Sorry but Italy to win.Probably on Penalties...
Czech Republic V Portugal
----------------------------
The Czech's have steadily improved since an opening humiliation by Russia,who ultimately flattered to deceive in this tournament.Proving the old adage( Which i may have just made up) That it's not how you start that counts but how you finish...
Goalkeeper Cech seems to have found his confidence after two dodgy games and he will have to be on top form tonight.I have been impressed with Selassie as an attacking right back too.Their midfield is the strong point of the team.Jiracek,Plasil,Pilar all have goals in them too. If Rosicky is fit and on his game he could be the difference...
It's a good job the midfield can score cos' striker Milan Baros is have a 'mare upfront.Not only is he yet to score he's yet to get a shot on target in three games.Don't be surprised if he cracks in a thunderbolt tonight...
What of Portugal? Or Ronaldougal as they should be renamed.Let's be honest it's a one man team and if that man is on form, as he was against the Dutch, he's pretty much unstoppable. However having the hopes of an entire nation on the shoulder of one man is a heavy burden to carry.He's only shone spasmodically and wearing my Czech hat i hope he has an off day.
I'm going for a Czech win...Heart ruling head maybe but they're a team whereas Portugal are a one man band...
Germany V Greece
-------------------------
We all know about the political sideshow attached to this game by now so no need to go into that(Finance is not my strong point as my Bank Manager would tell you) On a purely football front Germany should walk this but happily the game does'nt always work out that way.
Germany are a fine team.In midfield they have the wonderfully named Schweinsteiger(look up the translation!) and Ozil pulling the strings helping to set up chance after chance for the best attack in the tournament.Gomez,Klose,Podalski and Muller would probably walk into any other team here...
What the Greeks lack in ability they more than make up for in spirit.But as any Wolves fan will tell you team spirit can only get you so far...If Greece start slowly, as they did in two of their games, Germany could be out of sight by half time.Probably need to score first to have a chance...
Germany win but probably not as easy as many think...
France V Spain
----------------------
France are probably surprised to be playing Spain...They had control of the group and looked set for a Quarter Final match with Italy but came unstuck against a proud Swedish team who really put the cat among pigeons by beating them relatively easily.Laurent Blanc needs to get his team firing on all fronts for this one.I have them down as my dark horses to win the title and will not change now...
Spain are a fine team by any degree.You don't become World & Euro Champions otherwise.But i can detect their star is fading a little bit.Croatia were unlucky not to beat them last time out and if Iniesta can be shackled their performance drops off a fair way...Still having problems upfront too...
Time to put my neck on the block here...France to win.Poss after extra time or even on Penalties...
England V Italy
-------------------
Both coaches are essentially cautious and defence minded so don't expect a free flowing classic.This could even come down to how one man reacts to playing against many of his club teamates.Balotelli is of course the man in question.He comes in direct opposition with his work colleague ex Wolves youth graduate Joleon Lescott.
It's well known Balotelli is a loose cannon and sometimes explodes, and far be it for me to suggest Lescott indulges in the black arts of the game,but hell if he does'nt try to wind him up from the first whistle it would be a derilection of professional duty...
An Italian woman i work with maintains this is one of the worst Italian teams she has ever seen but that's all relative.They're still not a bad outfit.Old stager Pirlo is still pulling the strings in midfield and if John Terry does his usual trick of giving away free kicks around the area England could pay dearly...
Sorry but Italy to win.Probably on Penalties...
Monday 18 June 2012
Eurozoned... Half time report
We are now exactly halfway through the Euro's .Time for a team report then...
Czech Republic;
After their opening 1-4 defeat to Russia even the most fanatical Czech fan must've feared the worst.However they pulled it back with a win over seemingly doomed Greece then broke Poland's hearts with a pulsating win over the co hosts...All that with Milan Baros still plodding around upfront too...
Greece:
What can you say? Total rubbish to exhilarating in the space of not one game,not two games, but all three! Nobody can explain how they got to qualify for the Quarter Finals but they have and it would be a churlish soul who would deny them their little bit of joy.The Footballing Gods being mischievous buggers have of course pitted them against Germany in the Euro's to go with their match in the Euro.I expect Germany to win both...
Poland:
If they could play for the full ninety minutes and take their chances they'd be through to the next round.They don't and they can't so they're not...Can take pride in co hosting a great tournament.
Russia:
The most exciting team in the competition so far...Gone home due to complacency and arrogance thinking all they had to do was turn up against Greece.Once again the biggest nation in Europe fall short...
Denmark;
So near yet so far...Gave themselves a great chance by beating Holland and scared the bejesus out of Portugal before coming up against the Juggernaut that is Germany...Sad to see them out.
Germany;
The aforementioned Juggernaut.The only team with a 100% record.I still think their defence is more suspect than previous German teams but have the midfield & attack to counter that small failing...There's lots of goals in this team...
Holland;
Oh dear.Always expect the unexpected with the Dutch.Pre tournament favourites who managed to lose every game and go home earlier than they should've done.Bad managerial decisions coupled with the usual Dutch in-fighting did for them.The best thing about the Dutch were their shirts in the V Portugal.
Portugal;
The biggest one man band since Wham! If Ronaldo plays well they win.If not they struggle...
Croatia;
Have yet to implode al la Holland.Always dangerous both on and off the pitch...If they beat Spain tonight it will be the shock of the tournament so far...
Italy;
Doing what Italy do.Just enough...Have shown they still have what it takes to win major tournaments and could well be on the same road again.The match up of Cassano & Balotelli upfront is intriguing...
Eire;
Bitterly disappointing.Have prided themselves on being hard to beat over the last couple of years but that singular skill has eluded them to such an extent that in footballing terms they're the runt of the Euro's litter...They do have the best fans though,much to the chagrin of Roy Keane...The Wolves players in the squad must be thinking the only way to get the fans behind them is to get dicked with alarming regularity...
Spain:
Favourites and will probably win the cup...Ho hum...
England:
Four points from two games is probably more than anyone dared hope for.Got a tough game coming up tomorrow versus co hosts Ukraine who can still qualify themselves.Think it may well be a tense evening...The constant complaints keep cropping up.We don't keep the ball long enough,our defence is suspect,midfield uninspiring ect ect...All true of course but despite that a quarter final game V Spain beckons...
France;
Quietly going about their business.Could end up winning the whole damn thing...
Sweden;
Already out of the competition. Which is good news as far as the Zaltan Ibramivitch question goes. Is he world class or a showpony flat track bully? I tend toward the latter...
Ukraine;
If they beat England tomorrow they go through.Simple as that.They must fancy their chances especially with England's occasionally moribund defence and a resurgent Schevchenko.This could well be his moment...
Czech Republic;
After their opening 1-4 defeat to Russia even the most fanatical Czech fan must've feared the worst.However they pulled it back with a win over seemingly doomed Greece then broke Poland's hearts with a pulsating win over the co hosts...All that with Milan Baros still plodding around upfront too...
Greece:
What can you say? Total rubbish to exhilarating in the space of not one game,not two games, but all three! Nobody can explain how they got to qualify for the Quarter Finals but they have and it would be a churlish soul who would deny them their little bit of joy.The Footballing Gods being mischievous buggers have of course pitted them against Germany in the Euro's to go with their match in the Euro.I expect Germany to win both...
Poland:
If they could play for the full ninety minutes and take their chances they'd be through to the next round.They don't and they can't so they're not...Can take pride in co hosting a great tournament.
Russia:
The most exciting team in the competition so far...Gone home due to complacency and arrogance thinking all they had to do was turn up against Greece.Once again the biggest nation in Europe fall short...
Denmark;
So near yet so far...Gave themselves a great chance by beating Holland and scared the bejesus out of Portugal before coming up against the Juggernaut that is Germany...Sad to see them out.
Germany;
The aforementioned Juggernaut.The only team with a 100% record.I still think their defence is more suspect than previous German teams but have the midfield & attack to counter that small failing...There's lots of goals in this team...
Holland;
Oh dear.Always expect the unexpected with the Dutch.Pre tournament favourites who managed to lose every game and go home earlier than they should've done.Bad managerial decisions coupled with the usual Dutch in-fighting did for them.The best thing about the Dutch were their shirts in the V Portugal.
Portugal;
The biggest one man band since Wham! If Ronaldo plays well they win.If not they struggle...
Croatia;
Have yet to implode al la Holland.Always dangerous both on and off the pitch...If they beat Spain tonight it will be the shock of the tournament so far...
Italy;
Doing what Italy do.Just enough...Have shown they still have what it takes to win major tournaments and could well be on the same road again.The match up of Cassano & Balotelli upfront is intriguing...
Eire;
Bitterly disappointing.Have prided themselves on being hard to beat over the last couple of years but that singular skill has eluded them to such an extent that in footballing terms they're the runt of the Euro's litter...They do have the best fans though,much to the chagrin of Roy Keane...The Wolves players in the squad must be thinking the only way to get the fans behind them is to get dicked with alarming regularity...
Spain:
Favourites and will probably win the cup...Ho hum...
England:
Four points from two games is probably more than anyone dared hope for.Got a tough game coming up tomorrow versus co hosts Ukraine who can still qualify themselves.Think it may well be a tense evening...The constant complaints keep cropping up.We don't keep the ball long enough,our defence is suspect,midfield uninspiring ect ect...All true of course but despite that a quarter final game V Spain beckons...
France;
Quietly going about their business.Could end up winning the whole damn thing...
Sweden;
Already out of the competition. Which is good news as far as the Zaltan Ibramivitch question goes. Is he world class or a showpony flat track bully? I tend toward the latter...
Ukraine;
If they beat England tomorrow they go through.Simple as that.They must fancy their chances especially with England's occasionally moribund defence and a resurgent Schevchenko.This could well be his moment...
Tuesday 12 June 2012
Eurowatch...Week One
As i write this The Euro's have just finished week one and we're embarking on the second round of games--The Czech's currently beating the hapless Greeks 2-0.
So far i'd say it's been a pretty decent tournament.
Footballwatch: Been some decent games in the opening week.No classic's that will live in the memory as yet but ok nonetheless.
Best team: Russia. They beat The Czech's 4-1 with consummate ease with fast flowing attacking football.Not been tested yet--They have a potential humdinger V Poland tonight---Be interesting to see how their defence copes when under pressure.Closely followed by Italy who looked good V Spain.
Best Player: I am going to give this to Andre Schevchenko of Ukraine.In football terms a doddering old man.Many doubt his ability to last the pace at this level but given the opportunity still know's how to score.His two winning goals V Sweden have lifted an entire nation.England beware...
Having a 'Mare; Two players with big reputations in the Premiership stand out here. Petr Cech and Robin Van Persie.
Cech has been handing out gifts like a drunk Santa Claus on Xmas Eve.How Barca must wish he'd bought this abject form to the European Cup Final.
Van Persie has been like Bambi on ice upfront for Holland.To be fair he's not been helped by Robben who defines the term one trick pony,not a very effective trick either.The Dutch in general were far from convincing all round in their defeat to Denmark.
Tacticswatch; England took on Chelsea's mantle of parking the bus V France.Very effective it was too but whether it will enough to get them out of the group remains to be seen.
Spain on the other hand decided to start without a striker V Italy,Then bought on Torres.Thereby continuing with the imaginative formation...
Mediawatch; In the UK the games are split between the two major channels. BBC & ITV...The commercial channel,ITV are based in Poland whilst the BBC are based in,er,Manchester...Most people would prefer to watch all the games on the Beeb.Not only because they don't have advert breaks but because they actually "Do" football quite well.Whereas ITV...Well let's just say they don't.
The BBC have the elegant & erudite Clarence Seedorf and ITV have the uninterested & Malevolent Roy Keane who has the menace of an aggressive drunken uncle with a dodgy past.
ITV also have Adrian Chiles.A man who divides opinion.Some despise him.Many loathe him...There's something about his faux Working Class everyman schtick that sticks in the throat...Oh and then there's Gordon Strachan...
The highlight on the Beeb is seeing Alan Shearer actually having a damn good time pitchside! I don't think i have ever seen him smile before but his little face lights up like an eight year old given a Moutain Bike. An image highlighted by twining him with a very tall reporter...
As usual the cameramen have been given the task of finding the most attractive women in the crowd.A job they seem to do with relish. I know i should be a new man about this and tut loudly but what the hell? There's even a Twitter hashtag celebrating the fact #Eurotottywatch
So that's the first week.Going to settle down now for Poland V Russia...A nice little friendly game i'm sure...
So far i'd say it's been a pretty decent tournament.
Footballwatch: Been some decent games in the opening week.No classic's that will live in the memory as yet but ok nonetheless.
Best team: Russia. They beat The Czech's 4-1 with consummate ease with fast flowing attacking football.Not been tested yet--They have a potential humdinger V Poland tonight---Be interesting to see how their defence copes when under pressure.Closely followed by Italy who looked good V Spain.
Best Player: I am going to give this to Andre Schevchenko of Ukraine.In football terms a doddering old man.Many doubt his ability to last the pace at this level but given the opportunity still know's how to score.His two winning goals V Sweden have lifted an entire nation.England beware...
Having a 'Mare; Two players with big reputations in the Premiership stand out here. Petr Cech and Robin Van Persie.
Cech has been handing out gifts like a drunk Santa Claus on Xmas Eve.How Barca must wish he'd bought this abject form to the European Cup Final.
Van Persie has been like Bambi on ice upfront for Holland.To be fair he's not been helped by Robben who defines the term one trick pony,not a very effective trick either.The Dutch in general were far from convincing all round in their defeat to Denmark.
Tacticswatch; England took on Chelsea's mantle of parking the bus V France.Very effective it was too but whether it will enough to get them out of the group remains to be seen.
Spain on the other hand decided to start without a striker V Italy,Then bought on Torres.Thereby continuing with the imaginative formation...
Mediawatch; In the UK the games are split between the two major channels. BBC & ITV...The commercial channel,ITV are based in Poland whilst the BBC are based in,er,Manchester...Most people would prefer to watch all the games on the Beeb.Not only because they don't have advert breaks but because they actually "Do" football quite well.Whereas ITV...Well let's just say they don't.
The BBC have the elegant & erudite Clarence Seedorf and ITV have the uninterested & Malevolent Roy Keane who has the menace of an aggressive drunken uncle with a dodgy past.
ITV also have Adrian Chiles.A man who divides opinion.Some despise him.Many loathe him...There's something about his faux Working Class everyman schtick that sticks in the throat...Oh and then there's Gordon Strachan...
The highlight on the Beeb is seeing Alan Shearer actually having a damn good time pitchside! I don't think i have ever seen him smile before but his little face lights up like an eight year old given a Moutain Bike. An image highlighted by twining him with a very tall reporter...
As usual the cameramen have been given the task of finding the most attractive women in the crowd.A job they seem to do with relish. I know i should be a new man about this and tut loudly but what the hell? There's even a Twitter hashtag celebrating the fact #Eurotottywatch
So that's the first week.Going to settle down now for Poland V Russia...A nice little friendly game i'm sure...
Thursday 7 June 2012
Eurozoned...The Euro's go East...
Don't worry this is'nt a post about The Euro...
No it's a post about The Euro's...Beginning this coming Friday
It's said by some that The European Championship is harder to win than The World Cup.There may be some merit in that as it contains supposedly the best sixteen teams in the continent in the finals after the dross has been eliminated.
This year's finals are jointly held by Poland & Ukraine.Hopefully all will go well but there have been worrying stories coming out concerning racism & Anti Semitisim combined with old school and very nasty football hooliganism...Unfortunately extreme Right Wing Nationalism is on the rise in both countries and they crave the free oxygen of publicity to forward their warped ideology.Maybe things are'nt as bleak as they're being painted but i still doubt it will be without some unsavoury incident...
So what of the teams? There are four groups of four with each team in their group playing each other in the hope of finishing in the top two thereby qualifying for the knockout stages.
Group A
------------
Czech Republic; Have to declare an interest here as my Dad was Czech so obviously have a soft spot for them.May have a chance to qualify out of a weak group but it all could depend on the last game V hosts Poland.
Greece; Mention Euros to a Greek and you'll probably end up with a plate smashed over your head.However mention The Euro's and they'll regale you with their great triumph in the 2004 competition.Ok they parked more buses than Chelsea could ever dream of but hell they won it.Absolutely no chance.But we said that in 2004...
Poland: One of the hosts so will have home pressure.Many Poles i speak to in UK think they have no chance It's a weak group though so fervent home support may see them through to quarter finals
Russia: The great Bear are favourites of the group and should get through with comparative ease but will have to be strong against both The Czechs & Poles who love shoving it up their former Soviet allies/rulers* Always have talented players and should have done better than just one semi.Be interesting to see if the new oil money has bought any improvement.*Delete as applicable.
Group B
--------------
Denmark; Always a good team despite only having a population akin with Scotland.Probably won't get out of the group this time but capable of springing a surprise as they did in 1992 when replacing war torn Yugoslavia at the last minute and only going on to win the damn thing!
Germany: The Behemoth of any tournament.Respected & feared in equal measure.Universally hated but not by me,Always liked Germany as a country and their football.One of the favourites but that may be just because of their record in World Cups & Euro's.Unlike Germany to have a leaky defence but they have one now.
Holland: Everybody's second favourite team even after abandoning their footballing principles to kick seven shades of shit out of any Spaniard that moved in the last World Cup final.Notoriously flakey in terms of team spirit so expect stories of infighting from day one coupled with a trip to the final...Eagerly awaiting one of the biggest international grudge matches with hated neighbours Germany...
Portugal: Europe's showponies.Look good but to little effect when the pressure's really on...
Group C
-----------
Croatia; Oh those crazy Balkans! Like all Balkan teams can be a joy to behold on their day but also have a habit of imploding to laughable proportions.Will struggle to get out of the group but will also have the loudest and most fanatical support.
Italy; Another giant of world football.Like Holland nearly always seem to be mired in some sort of pre tournament in fighting and scandal but nearly always pull through.As is the Italian way will probably just do enough to qualify.Game V Eire is key...
Republic of Ireland; Wolves fans will be following their progress with more than a passing interest as their squad contains many current & ex players.Unfortunate to be in a very strong group but are on a tremendous run of form and have proven to be hard to beat.May spring a surprise and qualify...The only qualms i have about Eire doing well is the better they do the more those talentless pricks Jedwood will be in evidence to ride on their success...
Spain; Current World Cup & Euro Cup Champions and the obvious favourites.Obviously a very talented team who can rip any team apart quite easily.They're so far ahead of many teams that most games resemble a training session of Attack V Defence as they camp out in the opponents half for much of the game.Truth to tell it starts to get boring as hell after about twenty minutes.They also are world class in petulance,constantly harassing the officials at every turn.Hope they don't win the thing this time...
Group D
--------------
England ; Ah the old country...For the first time i can remember many England fans are totally underwhelmed by our prospects.The squad looks a bit thin on the ground with regards to quality---It was ever thus---So will have to rely on those age old qualities of fighting spirit and never say die attitude.New manager Hodgson always makes his teams hard to beat first and foremost so don't expect open attacking football.However his pragmatic approach may just be enough to get a quarter final place...
France; The group favourites.After the debacle of the last World Cup have bought in Laurent Blanc as boss and he appears to have sorted out the mess left by the previous incumbent in the managers hot seat.Most importantly has stamped out the infighting which has plagued French football for a while.Could well win the whole thing...
Sweden; Solid,dependable Sweden.Certainly enjoy playing England who have'nt beaten them for forty years.May well qualify at England's expense.
Ukraine: The other host nation who i have to admit i know little about.If they manage to get to the quarter finals that will be seen as a triumph.
That' that then. I suppose i now have to pick a winner...Spain are obvious favourites but i think--or hope--they may falter in defence of the title.Germany will always be there or there abouts but their leaky defence may scupper them...
I am going to plump for Holland with France as my dark horses...
Most importantly though lets all hope it's a trouble free three weeks and we see some memorable games...
No it's a post about The Euro's...Beginning this coming Friday
It's said by some that The European Championship is harder to win than The World Cup.There may be some merit in that as it contains supposedly the best sixteen teams in the continent in the finals after the dross has been eliminated.
This year's finals are jointly held by Poland & Ukraine.Hopefully all will go well but there have been worrying stories coming out concerning racism & Anti Semitisim combined with old school and very nasty football hooliganism...Unfortunately extreme Right Wing Nationalism is on the rise in both countries and they crave the free oxygen of publicity to forward their warped ideology.Maybe things are'nt as bleak as they're being painted but i still doubt it will be without some unsavoury incident...
So what of the teams? There are four groups of four with each team in their group playing each other in the hope of finishing in the top two thereby qualifying for the knockout stages.
Group A
------------
Czech Republic; Have to declare an interest here as my Dad was Czech so obviously have a soft spot for them.May have a chance to qualify out of a weak group but it all could depend on the last game V hosts Poland.
Greece; Mention Euros to a Greek and you'll probably end up with a plate smashed over your head.However mention The Euro's and they'll regale you with their great triumph in the 2004 competition.Ok they parked more buses than Chelsea could ever dream of but hell they won it.Absolutely no chance.But we said that in 2004...
Poland: One of the hosts so will have home pressure.Many Poles i speak to in UK think they have no chance It's a weak group though so fervent home support may see them through to quarter finals
Russia: The great Bear are favourites of the group and should get through with comparative ease but will have to be strong against both The Czechs & Poles who love shoving it up their former Soviet allies/rulers* Always have talented players and should have done better than just one semi.Be interesting to see if the new oil money has bought any improvement.*Delete as applicable.
Group B
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Denmark; Always a good team despite only having a population akin with Scotland.Probably won't get out of the group this time but capable of springing a surprise as they did in 1992 when replacing war torn Yugoslavia at the last minute and only going on to win the damn thing!
Germany: The Behemoth of any tournament.Respected & feared in equal measure.Universally hated but not by me,Always liked Germany as a country and their football.One of the favourites but that may be just because of their record in World Cups & Euro's.Unlike Germany to have a leaky defence but they have one now.
Holland: Everybody's second favourite team even after abandoning their footballing principles to kick seven shades of shit out of any Spaniard that moved in the last World Cup final.Notoriously flakey in terms of team spirit so expect stories of infighting from day one coupled with a trip to the final...Eagerly awaiting one of the biggest international grudge matches with hated neighbours Germany...
Portugal: Europe's showponies.Look good but to little effect when the pressure's really on...
Group C
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Croatia; Oh those crazy Balkans! Like all Balkan teams can be a joy to behold on their day but also have a habit of imploding to laughable proportions.Will struggle to get out of the group but will also have the loudest and most fanatical support.
Italy; Another giant of world football.Like Holland nearly always seem to be mired in some sort of pre tournament in fighting and scandal but nearly always pull through.As is the Italian way will probably just do enough to qualify.Game V Eire is key...
Republic of Ireland; Wolves fans will be following their progress with more than a passing interest as their squad contains many current & ex players.Unfortunate to be in a very strong group but are on a tremendous run of form and have proven to be hard to beat.May spring a surprise and qualify...The only qualms i have about Eire doing well is the better they do the more those talentless pricks Jedwood will be in evidence to ride on their success...
Spain; Current World Cup & Euro Cup Champions and the obvious favourites.Obviously a very talented team who can rip any team apart quite easily.They're so far ahead of many teams that most games resemble a training session of Attack V Defence as they camp out in the opponents half for much of the game.Truth to tell it starts to get boring as hell after about twenty minutes.They also are world class in petulance,constantly harassing the officials at every turn.Hope they don't win the thing this time...
Group D
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England ; Ah the old country...For the first time i can remember many England fans are totally underwhelmed by our prospects.The squad looks a bit thin on the ground with regards to quality---It was ever thus---So will have to rely on those age old qualities of fighting spirit and never say die attitude.New manager Hodgson always makes his teams hard to beat first and foremost so don't expect open attacking football.However his pragmatic approach may just be enough to get a quarter final place...
France; The group favourites.After the debacle of the last World Cup have bought in Laurent Blanc as boss and he appears to have sorted out the mess left by the previous incumbent in the managers hot seat.Most importantly has stamped out the infighting which has plagued French football for a while.Could well win the whole thing...
Sweden; Solid,dependable Sweden.Certainly enjoy playing England who have'nt beaten them for forty years.May well qualify at England's expense.
Ukraine: The other host nation who i have to admit i know little about.If they manage to get to the quarter finals that will be seen as a triumph.
That' that then. I suppose i now have to pick a winner...Spain are obvious favourites but i think--or hope--they may falter in defence of the title.Germany will always be there or there abouts but their leaky defence may scupper them...
I am going to plump for Holland with France as my dark horses...
Most importantly though lets all hope it's a trouble free three weeks and we see some memorable games...
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