Hours to go before Euro 2008
Austria and Switzerland, are you listening? "Should host teams ranked as low as 91 and 44 be made to come to the tournament through the qualifiers route"
Jens Lehmann having a ball - "I have had a few problems with the official balls, I only started working with them a week ago, but they are very different from the ones used for the 2006 World Cup"
Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson find champions league to me more entertaining than Euro
Questions galore, nationalistic sentiments, pundits working overtime, a trial run for club managers and aspiring players alike, Euro 2008 promises to be a cracking 1 month of extravaganza for football fans. Let us run through the favourites and my personal picks (usually the underdogs :)) and also some players to watch out for in each of them...
Italy
The reigning world champions are coming in with lot of confidence as evident by press releases having statements from the tall Bianconeri custodian, Gigi Buffon. Something seems to bind Italians together like Germany when they wear the national jersey, something which is sorely missing with England, who have failed to gel as a team, more so on big occasions, which costed them a place in Euro 2008. Coming back to the Azzurri, the midfield duo of Pirlo and Gattuso remain the key, particularly with Captain Cannavaro pulling out of the tournament due to injury. The international credentials of Bonera and other replacements are questionable. The man who made the headlines on July 1, 2006, Marco Materazzi is expected to be the first choice centre back. Another startling selection in the team is that of Cassano ahead of experienced hitman, Pippo Inzaghi. But we can expect Luca Toni to be consistent up front.
Players to watch out for: Striker Fabio Quagliarella, Midfielders Aquilani and Daniele De Rossi, (#10)
Germany
The traditional European powerhouse and 3rd place finishers in WC '06, Germany no longer have the inspirational Klinsmann at the helm, but the team still remains a galvanized unit under coach, Joachim Low. Captain Michael Ballack, after struggling in his first season in EPL has been in great form for Chelsea this season and can be counted upon to be the engine of this team. Expect the Polish-German duo of Podolski and Klose to rain in goals up front.
Players to watch out for: Left back Lahm, Defensive midfielder Trochowski, Left winger Schweinsteiger
France
Arguably, the talent pool of Europe along with Holland, the team has been struggling for goals up front, with the usual problem of Thierry Henry not able to translate club form onto the international stage plaguing them. With injury scares to Henry and Ribery, and Vieira already out of the tournament, things dont look rosy for them. But the assuring presence of Gallas, Thuram and Makelele make it a tough defense to get through. Personally, I would like to see attacking Evra at left back instead of defensive Abidal. Also, up front, Karim Benzema and Nasri in midfield are exciting prospects. Temperamental, Nicholas Anelka, would serve as an adequate replacement if Henry doesnt get fit. France remains a great example of how as a home team, a squad can move from oblivion to superstardom
Players to watch out for:Benzema, Nasri, Ribery, Toulalan
Netherlands
Another talent pool, U-21 Euro champions, the greatest team to have never won the world cup, Holland would have my support. The last time they won the Euro was 2o years ago. So I don't have much to tell. Hope they deliver and before that qualify from the Group of death
Players to watch out for: Klass Jan Huntelaar,Wes Sneijder, Ibrahim Afellay
Spain
The perennial underachievers, runner up in 1984, nothing much to cheer about. But I couldnt agree with Mourinho and Linekar as Spanish league has been dull this season with mot much exertion for players and EPL know-how for exciting young talent like Torres and Fabregas. Add this with the experience of Casillas, Puyol and Xavi and you have a potential champion in the making. No longer is the case of someone getting selected because he is from Real Madrid, because he is Raul. So hoping for the best from Aragones' men,another personal favourite...
Portugal
They call them the one man army. I would be shocked if he doesnt become World Player 2007. But there is more to this team than Cristiano Ronaldo. Scolari is a master tactician. Quaresma and Simao are under rated wingers who can run riot in the flanks like Ronaldo. Up front they do have problems with old dog Nuno Gomez expected to do bulk of the scoring. But can they better their runner up finish in 2004 Euro? Catch them against Turkey at 21 15 hours IST
Along with these, teams like Czech, Greece, Denmark and Sweden also cannot be discounted. Expecting a tight fight to the finish. Cheerio!!!
Austria and Switzerland, are you listening? "Should host teams ranked as low as 91 and 44 be made to come to the tournament through the qualifiers route"
Jens Lehmann having a ball - "I have had a few problems with the official balls, I only started working with them a week ago, but they are very different from the ones used for the 2006 World Cup"
Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson find champions league to me more entertaining than Euro
Questions galore, nationalistic sentiments, pundits working overtime, a trial run for club managers and aspiring players alike, Euro 2008 promises to be a cracking 1 month of extravaganza for football fans. Let us run through the favourites and my personal picks (usually the underdogs :)) and also some players to watch out for in each of them...
Italy
The reigning world champions are coming in with lot of confidence as evident by press releases having statements from the tall Bianconeri custodian, Gigi Buffon. Something seems to bind Italians together like Germany when they wear the national jersey, something which is sorely missing with England, who have failed to gel as a team, more so on big occasions, which costed them a place in Euro 2008. Coming back to the Azzurri, the midfield duo of Pirlo and Gattuso remain the key, particularly with Captain Cannavaro pulling out of the tournament due to injury. The international credentials of Bonera and other replacements are questionable. The man who made the headlines on July 1, 2006, Marco Materazzi is expected to be the first choice centre back. Another startling selection in the team is that of Cassano ahead of experienced hitman, Pippo Inzaghi. But we can expect Luca Toni to be consistent up front.
Players to watch out for: Striker Fabio Quagliarella, Midfielders Aquilani and Daniele De Rossi, (#10)
Germany
The traditional European powerhouse and 3rd place finishers in WC '06, Germany no longer have the inspirational Klinsmann at the helm, but the team still remains a galvanized unit under coach, Joachim Low. Captain Michael Ballack, after struggling in his first season in EPL has been in great form for Chelsea this season and can be counted upon to be the engine of this team. Expect the Polish-German duo of Podolski and Klose to rain in goals up front.
Players to watch out for: Left back Lahm, Defensive midfielder Trochowski, Left winger Schweinsteiger
France
Arguably, the talent pool of Europe along with Holland, the team has been struggling for goals up front, with the usual problem of Thierry Henry not able to translate club form onto the international stage plaguing them. With injury scares to Henry and Ribery, and Vieira already out of the tournament, things dont look rosy for them. But the assuring presence of Gallas, Thuram and Makelele make it a tough defense to get through. Personally, I would like to see attacking Evra at left back instead of defensive Abidal. Also, up front, Karim Benzema and Nasri in midfield are exciting prospects. Temperamental, Nicholas Anelka, would serve as an adequate replacement if Henry doesnt get fit. France remains a great example of how as a home team, a squad can move from oblivion to superstardom
Players to watch out for:Benzema, Nasri, Ribery, Toulalan
Netherlands
Another talent pool, U-21 Euro champions, the greatest team to have never won the world cup, Holland would have my support. The last time they won the Euro was 2o years ago. So I don't have much to tell. Hope they deliver and before that qualify from the Group of death
Players to watch out for: Klass Jan Huntelaar,Wes Sneijder, Ibrahim Afellay
Spain
The perennial underachievers, runner up in 1984, nothing much to cheer about. But I couldnt agree with Mourinho and Linekar as Spanish league has been dull this season with mot much exertion for players and EPL know-how for exciting young talent like Torres and Fabregas. Add this with the experience of Casillas, Puyol and Xavi and you have a potential champion in the making. No longer is the case of someone getting selected because he is from Real Madrid, because he is Raul. So hoping for the best from Aragones' men,another personal favourite...
Portugal
They call them the one man army. I would be shocked if he doesnt become World Player 2007. But there is more to this team than Cristiano Ronaldo. Scolari is a master tactician. Quaresma and Simao are under rated wingers who can run riot in the flanks like Ronaldo. Up front they do have problems with old dog Nuno Gomez expected to do bulk of the scoring. But can they better their runner up finish in 2004 Euro? Catch them against Turkey at 21 15 hours IST
Along with these, teams like Czech, Greece, Denmark and Sweden also cannot be discounted. Expecting a tight fight to the finish. Cheerio!!!
posted by Marauder | 11:41 AM
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