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!!!

Why are they still being called Boyz?

I was just going through skysports' team of the weekend wherein some Spurs fans have lodged protests against the team Arsenal still being described as full of youngsters while Spurs squad for y'day's derby indeed had lesser average age. 18 year old Jamie O'Hara played amazingly well for his first North London derby putting in meaty challenges to stop the marauding gunners. Juande Ramos is a brilliant coach dedicated to playing attacking football which suits Spurs team as well who try to play rather than stifle play like many mid-table teams in England do. However, I doubt if he or any other coach in England would be willing to take risks/gambles to the extent which Wenger has taken.

Assuming Jamie O'Hara works his socks off in the remaining part of the season. Will Juande get rid of Zokora/Jenas to accommodate his precocious talent? Compare this with the situation involving Cashley Cole, who despite his tantrums and sick attitude was commitment personified on field and was the soul of the English representation. Wenger could have called truce and retained him. Cashley also has age on his side. Still Wenger decides to offload him to one of his fiercest rivals. Compare this with what Fergie did to Gabriel Heinze's proposed move to Liverpool. Wenger was supremely confident on Cashley's understudy Clichy's abilities that he didn't mind him moving across the capital. And the lad, Clichy, has been more than filling in traitor Cashley's boots in the past two seasons, thankfully with minimum injuries. No worries even if he does get injured, as Armand Traore is also evolving spectacularly for Wenger's team.



The basic point is Spurs' pride in fielding a more youthful team is down to lack of options rather than a deliberate ploy to give more opportunity to youngsters.Had Wenger not fielded Fabregas and Clichy against Wolves in 2003, BPL would have had to wait longer to see these youngsters bloom.



Would any manager have the guts to sell a World cup and Euro winner, who was the best of his kind at that time, fading but still effective midfielder in Patrick Vieira to accommodate the tiny Fabregas?

Lord Fergie has brought in exciting talents Anderson and Nani as long term successors to Scholes and Giggs. The high price tage alludes to the fact that these youngsters were certainly more accomplished than the erstwhile reserve team players like Fabregas, Clichy and van Persie. But the angry Scot, for all the plaudits, no longer takes risks these days. Had he tried to 'do a Wenger', he would have offloaded the veterans, who are playing with more hunger and zest than their potential replacements.The Scot's decisions in recent times have been 'result driven' rather than 'passion driven' like it used to be earlier. Otherwise, the man who had produced the 'Class of '92' wouldn't spend 29+7+6=42 million pounds on his backline. For all their exciting counter attacking play up front, again aided by 27+20/17=47/44 million pounds, the key to United's success has to be attributed to their rock solid defensive partnership testifying Fergie's cautious approach.

Liverpool, even worse. Tinkerman Rafa wants two established full internationals for each position. Not even an under-19 captain would do and he still whines about lack of support from board after splashing on Torres, Kuyt, Babel and Benayoun.

Chelsea, less said the better. They got no mind of their own. Encroach into others' transfer targets. Huth was a good home grown lad lost due to their ridiculous transfer tactics.

Spurs, they would buy anything prefixed/suffixed with English.

The final verdict, is these so called youngsters,are still being called so, unfairly, because people still remember these players as the little guys who came into fill boots of very many giants, and deliver eye catching football on a consistent basis. Apart from Barcelona, no other club can boast of such rich array of talent and an avenue for realizing them.

Goodbye Va Va Voom

The tabloids say it all. It was just a matter of time before the most decorated foreign player in EPL for a good part of last decade decided to seek pastures new. Tributes pouring in from fans spanning several clubs, even arch rivals Spurs and ManU stands testimony to the man who has wow-ed fans in England for the last 8 years. It is a sad moment in the history of the premiership having lost another influential player, a goal machine Ruud van Nistelrooy and midfield engines Roy Keane and Vieira in the last two seasons. If Beckham was glitz and glamour, Roy Keane was the symbol of ManU's playing philosophy. Henry was the glamour as well as soul and spirit of the French revolution at Arsenal and his presence will be sorely missed at the Emirates.Afterall this was one guy people would pay to watch in England.

Rewind to June 2004: After helping Barcelona finish 2nd in La Liga, Barca's tradition and Ronaldinho's lure were too good to resist for the likes of Eto'o, Deco Edmilson and Larsson. These 4 were key people in Barca's surge towards two successive titles. Rewind to June 2006, Henry was probably expecting similar impact signings to boost his chances of winning European title with Arsenal. However, Arsenal's financial status meant the club had to sell to buy and they did that last year by swapping Cashley for Gallas and Baptista for Reyes. Henry's injury problems and tantrums got the better of him and Arsenal limped to 4th.

The question is how much Arsenal will struggle without Henry?Provided they don't lose any more players, not much. If you see the last two seasons with identical finishes in table, in 2005 Arsenal had to thank Henry's 27 goals that helped them to that position and also the European final. Last season, Henry couldn't even manage to get into double figures. He was getting very injury prone from the beginning of 2005 which wasn't the case till 2004 when he almost played all matches in a season. Wenger has got it late albeit right again, but could have gained 34 million pounds more had he sold him last season, but his injury problems weren't expected to be so severe at that time. Opportunities are wide open for the likes of Bendtner and Theo.When Ferfie offloaded RVN, he had the confidence that Saha who was firing on all cylinders would replace him. Wenger doesn't have anyone for replacement and Titi's boots are too big for anybody to fill in. Unlike Fergie's cautious approach in recent years, gambling has always been Wenger's forte. How else could EPL have got the teenage prodigy, finest passers also dubbed the next Nedved, in Fabregas for peanuts?

Will Titi succeed in Spain?Yes, provided he gets enough playing time and crowd support.Spanish audience is very unforgiving and Henry who took 9 games to open his account for Arsenal will not get any favors from Camp Nou faithful if situation is to repeat. It is a risky project for Barca. They were unable to keep Eto'o and Ronaldinho happy. Now there is another inflated ego to contend with. The fact that Rijkaard lost Henk ten Cate last season has apparently led to these dressing room feuds. It will be a tough ride to keep the 4 attackers happy. Trying to accommodate all 4 could be disastrous as they will be liable to be hit on the counter attack and without any world class anchor man, Barca would be blown away.However, I can't help feel, Henry wants to be like a #12 in Les Bleus than #14 in Arsenal. If that is going to help him win Champions League so be it. Will the move help him become World player of the year?Dont know. Probably the charm of Johann Cryuff's #14 jersey would motivate him.

The Gulf ain't as wide as it seems to be

The final grand slam weekend of the season has drawn to a close. Bookies certainly got it right. And Macca is developing amazing consistency in predicting the scoreline in Arsenal- Manchester United clashes.

Both United and Chelsea suffered contrasting defeats away at the Emirates and Anfield respectively. Chelsea were decimated in defence, flowless in midfield and toothless in attack. Carragher in particular nullified Drogba's threat. Ballack still is in no man's land and I'm finding it difficult to decide the slowest to adapt to EPL, Ballack or Sheva. Liverpool were organized, but Chelsea's makeshift defence was hassled by the industrious Kuyt and at-times-annoying-at-times-brilliant Crouch. And one thing I can't stand is Jose whining about squad size and complaining that he cannot play with school kids.It just simply infuriates me. But for someone who got Maniche as back-up for half a season, this should have not been the most shocking words we would hear. I believe Jose doesn't know a s*** about academies and home grown talent. And Shameless Kenyon says they would become the biggest club by 2014. Worse for Jose, Roman also feels Chelsea should nurture academy players. I read a lot in recent times about their young attacking Israeli, Ben Sahar. He ain't getting a chance. And Wenger himself admits Lassana Diarra would have been a player he would have liked to have. He is not in the scheme of things. All Chelsea did was present their best buy for $12 million, stolen from Manchester United, the next Djemba-Djemba, Obi Mikel. Swapping Gallas for that thug would be the worst mistake Kenyon did all his life.And I pray B****** Cashley spend his Chelsea career like Beckham did at Real Madrid, no silverware.

Moving on to real footballing teams, all those who expected a goal feast including me were disappointed as it was a scrappy affair predominantly for as many as 60 minutes. United were quick to move off the blocks and started confidently. Fergie also got his tactics right by playing a fluid formation allowing United to have 5 across midfield at times. This stifled Arsenal at times and Carrick very much did "the Invisible Wall" Gilberto does for Arsenal so many times. He was quietly demonstrating his distribution skills. Though great things were expected of the hottest player in EPL currently, except for the pass to Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo was a damp squib. And whoever says he doesn't dive need not rewind their memories to more than 24 hours. Earlier in the season, a similar dive in Riverside set United up for victory with a penalty and good Samaritan Fergie backed his protege. Atleast two seasons back, the young lad was puny and there was some logic behind him getting muscled out. But he has developed good physique (anyone read that article in the Sun on the biggest book on ManU where Ronaldo is shown strutting his stuff) it is an ultimate shame.

Coming back to the game, a cagey first 40 minutes saw both sides enjoying equal possession before Rooney's long ranger and Larsson's subsequent header from the corner in the final few minutes of first half caused some flutters in the Arsenal camp. The second half started brightly for Arsenal with Cesc firing straight at Edwin from 25 yards. As they have done umpteen number of times, United caught Arsenal on the counter attack with Eboue and Cesc losing their mand Evra who delivered a crisp cross for Rooney to convert expertly with his first headed goal. But for one, I didn't expect United to sit back on the lead which cost them probably a point. When everybody was thinking from where gunners would get a goal, what with midfield being clogged with Blue shirts, Cesc atoned, with his perseverance paying off and Rosicky's perfect cross expertly screwed up by Henry evaded Neville and was into the top corner of the net from Van Persie's left foot. With six minutes to go, you could see clearly that the home side had the hunger to win. Their perseverance paid off again in the dying moments, when Henry scored one of the most memorable goals of his career, has to be the best headed goal of his career. Vidic, who had an excellent match till that point and Eboue who had a very average match till then saw a contrasting change in their fortunes.

Any thoughts that United were lucky to not get a point would lose some cognizance, when Neville escaped in the first half in what looked to be a standard penalty decision. Definitely if Rooney rapping his own knees and coming down like a house on fire in September 2004 was a penalty, this was definitely a penalty.

And how many times have we seen United nick it in the last few minutes or get lucky?Liverpool beaten by Ferdinand header in OT last season in stoppage time. Most recently, how United avoided an FA cup replay against Villa when Kiraly's clanger enabled a stoppage time win. Or the most famous Champions League win in 1999. Fergie must now realize how Bayern felt as quoted by Sun. You don't always get it your way Fergie. It's a cycle and would definitely come back to haunt you. Sometimes the hunter becomes the hunted.

The best league in the World

It was a ripper of a match, not withstanding Cashley being booed and Drogba getting back to doing the man 'on the diving trapeze'.Chelsea had to thank a tireless Essien who was hero as well as villain in missing one late chance. The picture would show Chelsea had tons of chances till the last minute. However, the difference in the two sides lies in the very approach. Attacking teams try to work around the opposition on the field and overpower them through sheer skill.Take for instance, there is a confusing maze to pass through. Arsenal would go through the route using their ingenuity and skill and make it through the maze. Chelsea would use a battering ram to break through the walls of the maze and come out. Arsenal call it pretty foorball, Chelsea justify theirs as effective.Imagine, You have money to feed the entire African continent. You can get any player you want. You are the most sought after club in the country(for more pounds per week you offer obviously).Would you still prefer to play like Bolton who have to do with all superannuated veterans due to their weaker financial clout? Mr. Kenyon will have to answer this question first before opening his big mouth about transforming a club with 'no history' to 'the biggest club in the world' by 2014.



Now coming to the main topic, one weekend is enough for all critics and the ever fickle media to forget the misgivings(literally) of this season. For all the hype surrounding it, EPL has been the most frugal league this season having conceded the fewest goals. With more cynical defenders (Boulahrouz, Sonko, Meite, etc.)and more attacking players leaving(Ruud, Reyes, Pires, etc), Catennachio doesn't seem no longer applying only to Italy. No surprises for guessing who is the harbinger for this trend. Again, TrueBlue is the answer. If the league leaders themselves are happy to sit back after a goal advantage, you can't expect the pack to play any entertaining football for they'll be made to look like jackasses as Chelsea keep winning playing ugly. It was the problem with Italy. With 'dark arts' expert, Juventus not dictating terms, Serie-A has shed its bad boy image, atleast on field. Roma are going great guns and poor losers Inter are on a purple patch as well. Arguably, La Liga leads the pack when it comes to attacking football with atleast one major goal rout guaranteed every week. Heartening to see Sevilla doing well. They seriously have the look of the champions. More of matches like the London Derby last night is needed if EPL is to live up to its name as the most entertaining football league in the world.

In a world of Sanity

Well, there's not much to brag about atleast from the Emirates and Anfield who are doing their worst in trying to join the bandwagon of 'also-rans'.

However, I feel my imagination deserves a pat on the back(!). I can envisage some events which can change the landscape of English Football. Following are the headlines that flash across my mind frequently.

1) Following Titus Bramble's rock solid performances at the back helping Newcastle avoid relegation on the last day of the premiership and in guiding the Geordies to Quarter-finals in UEFA cup, he has been awarded the coveted Ballon D'Or in a grand function to be held at the Stadium of Light, just a few miles across the St.James Park. Titus joins the likes of legendary defenders like Mathias Sammer and Franz Beckenbauer and our very own Michael Owen(People still can't digest how Michael won the award 4 years back. All the legendary figures, kindly forgive me)



2) For his consistency in front of goal (in scoring or missing is an entirely different issue altogether), Aston Villa's prolific hitman Juan Pablo Angel is being awarded the Players' Writers Association award of the year.



3) The situation is like this: A new award is being constituted to be given at the end of the season for the Most Fair play Team award which commits minimum of fouls and shoulder barges.The headlines goes as follows:

Under the astute helmsmanship of Kevin Nolan and Sam Allardyce, Bolton Wanderers creates history by picking up the inaugural Fair play award for this season.



4) It's that time of the year when all the hardwork and perseverance of players will pay off. From a tough shortlist that included Patrick Vieira and Mark van Bommel, Didier Drogba manages to come out trumps and claims the prestigious World Player of the Year. Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho had this to say: "He should have won this long time back. Though it has come late, it's a just reward for his all round displays" (All round includes pulling shirts, diving, using all parts of the body including hands to nick a goal and surreptitiously evading yellow cards).According to inside sources, the apparent reason why PV and Bommel missed out inspite of them being the masters in the fields of card collection and diving respectively is that they lacked all round qualities like Drogba did.



The harbinger for these rude shocks has to be the continuing stupidity in picking winners. Right from 2003 when Zidane was picked for virtually no great feat performed that year, things have taken turn for the worse. In 2004, Ronaldinho was awarded because his influence helped a struggling Barcelona to second place, likewise if a previously relegation threatened Portsmouth manage to get a UEFA cup spot at the end of this season, they should give World Player award to Kanu who incidentally is joint top scorer in EPL till now. Plain logic. Barcelona from midtable to second, Portsmouth from the fangs of relegation last season to UEFA cup spot. By that logic someone from Blackburn Rovers must've got it now. Shouldn't they? There should not be any favour towards specific players in specific clubs in specific leagues.

Cannavaro and Zidane who had very average and poor seasons respectively with their clubs are chosen for World Player just on the basis of their World Cup Heroics. Ronaldinho, on the contrary is there inspite of the most insipid performance in the World Cup. Henry, who had an above average performance individually has not even been considered. Deco who had a good World Cup showing to back his two medals with Barcelona isn't there. There has never been any talk of the dirty work being done before Cannavaro decelerating the opponents. If Lippi was the brain, Gattuso was the soul of the Italian fightback. Cannavaro can be termed brilliant for his individual performance (without Gattuso and Pirlo, imagine!) and his marshalling of his troops. Nothing more.

Time and again, this awards process has been proven to be a farce. This only reinforces my belief.

Familiar Stories

I've been away for some time. Wasn't there to pour my thoughts on Arsenal's remarkable victory at OT or their successful passing of the physical test at Hamburg which preceded the United game. I also missed out on Dirk Kuyt(Strangely enough, spelled as "Khout") getting off the blocks with two clinical finishes thereby getting Liverpool's season back on track. But atleast I'm back now albeit at a time when it becomes business as usual in the premiership.

To start off, Arsenal against United. Has been a complete contrast. United are used to letting gunners hog around and tire them out before scoring a goal against the run of play. However, they were to get a taste of their own medicine. The pressure to be at the top must've got to Fergie, like it did to Wenger two seasons back when 50 not out beckoned. Arsenal have suffered at the hands of teams which funnel them down by packing the centre. United went on the atatck too much for my expectation. Inspite of some amplification, justice was done as Kuzczak saved a stumbling Gilberto delivery. I was unhappy with Ronaldo, who was sporadic throughout and was the culprit for giving the ball inside his own half. This quality will make him a good material for Real Madrid. Arsenal's penetration were to pay off eventually as they came away with a deserved and satisfying victory to end United's hegemony in the United-gunner clashes.



However Gunners resurgence was to only return familiarity to premiership with Drogba's outrageous thump robbing Liverpool of atleast a point. Needless to say, Chelsea started motoring along and are sitting pretty at the top of the summit.

Champions' League action saw Arsenal maintain remarkable composure to put two past stubborn Porto. Surprise Surprise, Henry scores with his head for the second game running. United's scrappy performance against Celtic was mirrored in Lisbon with Ronaldo and Saha saving them the blushes to give them their first European away victory in 3 years. How terrible can it be for the most successful manager premiership has seen!!! Champions Barcelona also scrapped through thanks to Messi's 89th minute finish. Real used whipping boys Dynamo Kiev to restore some lost confidence. Reyes' stock is rising in Madrid. Baptista, better pull up your socks!!!
Poor losers Inter made it three in two matches, not goals, but red cards. Little Juve fares in same proportion also when it comes to performance. Valencia climbed to the top of the group after beating Roma 2-1 at home.

Imagine, Valencia has not lost to Barcelona at Camp Nou for six years running.Miraculous, indeed. They were good value for their 1-1 draw last sunday at Camp Nou. Iniesta saved the La Liga champions the blushes. Now with Eto'o KO-ed till end of year, they have a major problem.Coming back to Valencia, they look quite serious contenders for Europe as well as La Liga. Morientes and Villa look a lethal combination. Vicente and Joaquin make a intimidating line-up.



Milan made heavy weather of a light weight group match against Lille, drawing 1-1. I'd love to see young Gourcuff in action. Liverpool were rickety throughout and were on course to do an Istanbul again. They held on and managed a 3-2 win over Galatasaray.

Wenger's 10th year celebration have started well. But the chasing pack need to keep pace and also hope some dark horse knocks the stuffing out of Chelsea.