Czech Republic The Czech Republic has qualified for four European Championships in four attempts and has only lost two qualifying games along the way.
How they qualified They topped Group D beating out Germany by two points and finished a mammoth twelve points ahead of third place the Republic of Ireland. Jan Koller led the scoring with six goals.
The Coach Karel Bruckner took over the full national team in 2001 after a successful spell in charge of the under-21 side. Since then Bruckner has integrated many of the players from the under 21s that finished second in the 2000 European Championship with remnants from the 1996 European Championship side that finished as runners-up to Germany.
A failure to qualify from the group stages at the 2006 World Cup nearly cost the veteran coach his job but he managed to ride out the criticism. Nonetheless the 67-year-old has decided to retire at the conclusion of the 2008 Euros.
Key Players Tomas Rosicky is injured and he will be badly missed by a side that many consider to be in decline. Goalkeeper Petr Cech will be a key to Czech hopes and confidence as will a back four that has depth with the likes of Grygera, Jankulovski, Rozehnal, Ujfalusi and Kovac to choose from.
Milan Baros was the top scorer at Euro 2004 and is an enigma. The striker has consistently failed to deliver the goods at club level with Liverpool, Aston Villa, Lyon and Portsmouth but put a Czech top on him and another player appears. A scoring rate of almost a goal every two international games places his striking rate among the best in the world.
Great Euro Memory It took a golden goal by Germany’s Oliver Bierhoff in the 1996 final to kill off Czech hopes of becoming European Champion at the first attempt. The Czechs battled Germany all the way and with a break at the right time they could well have won the 1996 tournament.
Synopsis Their finish ahead of Germany while scoring twenty-seven goals and conceding only five flatters to deceive. There is a fine line between experience and old age when it comes to a soccer team and it may just be that the balance has tilted too far in a squad in which nine players the wrong side of 30. Martin Fenin who moved to Eintracht Frankfurt last summer after impressive performances at the under-20 World Cup is the only player under the age of 23 in the squad.
Coming Up in World Cup Qualifying Drawn in Group 3 with Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and San Marino.
Portugal Portugal has now made it to the last four European Championship Finals and qualified for the knock stages in 1996, 2000 and 2004.
How they qualified Portugal finished a point behind Poland in Group A and three points above Serbia and Finland while drawing six of their fourteen games. Ronaldowas the top scorer with eight goals.
The Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s relationship with the Portuguese media has plummeted to depths so low that the Brazilian coach might even be regretting turning down the England job in 2006!!
Scolari has proven time and time again that he can create teams that are difficult to beat and in a number of cases his teams have been incredibly successful. Conversely the Scolari-approach more often than not sacrifices players natural flair at the twin alters of the isms – pragmatism and cynicism.
Key Players Cristiano Ronaldo’s importance almost goes without saying (but I thought it should be mentioned anyway) but if you look through the squad of players available to Scolari you cannot fail to be impressed.
The likes of Alves, Bosingwa, Carvalho, Meira, and Miguel are all excellent defenders, while the midfield has a mixture of creativity, strength, experience and pace with Deco, Petit, Nani, Moutinho, Veloso and and Raul Meireles all pushing for spots.
If you look past Ronaldo perhaps the key forward for Portugal might be Werder Bremen’s Hugo Almeida. Almeida’s abilities might be best described as rugged and willing but he might be given the chance to complete a Portuguese puzzle that has repeatedly been missing a piece up top.
Great Euro Memory It was 3-2 loss but the 1984 semi-final against France was an extra time epic in Marseille.
Synopsis Finished as runners up to Greece when they hosted four years ago and a lack of goals from their recognized strikers (or striker) has cost Portugal silverware at past European Championships and World Cups. Portugal looks solid defensively and Cristiano Ronaldo could carry his country deep into the tournament once more.
However, all the other teams are more than aware of Ronaldo’s capabilities and no doubt they will set out to try and nullify him. Deco has been an important part of Scolari’s plans but his form has been generally disappointing over the last year. No goals and only three helpers for Deco during the qualifying stage carries a warning that his most effective days at the top level may be on the wane.
Coming Up in World Cup Qualifying Drawn in Group A with Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania and Malta.
Ahhh, Portugal with its rich crop of midfielders... but no attacking options.
do you believe the best Portual striker plays for Paris St. Germain, a team that survived relagation last year, and yet, It's best midfielder won the Champions League.
Terry, any speculation about the Euros is pointless since much of this event is often used as a buildup to the World Cup
Why not give your inner wanna-be-soccer-elitist pose a few weeks rest and focus on closer-to-home issues?
Like why the Hubcaps can't compete without having to poach at least three players from Montreal and how that will affect their upcoming Canada Cup games against the Impact.
And what are YOU doing to help make the new stadium project a reality? Or would you rather see them stadium share with the Lions?
Well,the problem with Portugal is relying too much on Ronaldo.
I still remember the friendly game against Italy,Ronaldo was completely fade out!! No one can deny his abilities,and we all know how good of a player he is,but I think Portugal as a team does not function really good!
As for Czechs, I really don't think they have the depth to go all the way to final.
As much as I love Holland and I think they have a lot of great players in the team,yet again I don't think they will go any further than quarter finals.
I think Spain this time is a very strong team, they have good players all around the park, and of course the depth is pretty good as well.
Then you have Germany,most of these players been playing together for a while and just the way Germans play in competitions is a major fact of success for them.
After these two you can look for Italy and France,but I don't think Italy is hungry enough, and French players need more time to play along side each other.
Bobby, if I was your editor, I'd have made this whole Euro preview a fully linked sidebar, separate from your normall bloggifying.
I'd be making you focus on what's relevant to North America. And there's lots to work with.
That said, nice to hear good things about Capel. Just hope Spurs get the deal done.
By the way, one of my favorite blogs is at www.harryhotspur.blogspot.com. Check out the title-page image of Jimmy Greaves in a post-game change room chat. Can't picture him and his team mate enjoying those sort of refreshments nowadays under Juande Ramos.
Like why the Hubcaps can't compete without having to poach at least three players from Montreal and how that will affect their upcoming Canada Cup games against the Impact.
I am not a fan of the whitecaps. they don't inspire me at all. I will be driving back and fourth to Seattle to watch the MLS team there. Whitecaps are amateurs. Altough it will be tough with these new border controls. can you believe they will search our laptop and ipods to look for pirated music? it's time the citizens fear their own gov't
And what are YOU doing to help make the new stadium project a reality? Or would you rather see them stadium share with the Lions?
The mayor of Surrey, a city near vancouver, is itching to get the stadium project for his own city if vancouver is dragging their feet. Sure surrey is not in city center, but it's reachable by skytrain (what you call metro in your big city crazy world of Toronto). so, the pressure is on and the stadium will be build very soon. I still like Swangard's gorgeous view, but the parking situation there is impossible.
Last edited by Thierry_Henry on May 29th at 1:00 PM.
thierry henry, dont critize pauleta; have you seen his strike rate? he is 35; and led PSG to two cup finals this year. He is great but now they have no strikers.
remember helder postiga, nuno gomes? i think that it will be their downfall, because ronaldo cant handle the pressure and they rely too much on him. i fully expect the tough swiss and czech to pass
If it goes underground here in Toronto, it's just called 'the subway'. On rails along the city streets, they're called 'streetcars'. The rest are buses.
You should always take pride in being able to go and see soccer live, no matter what level it is at. It's the only way the game will get better.
Hey, the Lynx were a largely unlovable bunch, but we'd go and make a fun day of it, even heckling the home side if they messed up.
They would laugh and sometimes reply back. At least they knew we were watching. Somebody must have been paying attention, otherwise we wouldn't have TFC in MLS.
The game won't get better unless it's supported and Swangard is a stadium site of surpassing quality. I found the bus routes in from my hotels near city hall or downtown or from over by the university to be quite simple to take. Didn't worry about having an extra quaff in the beer garden. Got to have a nice chat with Sam Lenarduzzi last time I was there. Wonderful, idyllic setting.
And he was telling me about the big kid in the play area at the other end who wins all the kid's contests. You should stick with it. Maybe they'll offer you a tryout.
You under-exaggerated the gap between forwards and midfielders for Portugal TH.
That midifleder is going to win FIFA player of the year and the 2 best strikers are over 30 and play for PSG and Benfica.... Bobby is pretty spot on with the analysis. Its pretty much on Hugo making an impact as Gomes is way past his prime. Problem is will Scolari realize this and go with him right away or is he going to live and die with Gomes until its too late.
BOBBY
OMG Bruno Conti - that brings some sublime footballing memories back.
This part two is better. We're you just teasing us with the part one. If you have the time how about this kind of treatment for some of the teams that didn't make the finals (Scotland and England for two) and perhaps with the USMNT in full flow something similar on them.
Still appreciate anything MLSy as well.
When are you on the goggle-box next?
LGB
Ah the old big is better chestnut.
Gianfranco Zola, Juniniho , Di Canio, Beardsly, Fabregas, Arteta, all have a good laugh at that one at the "semi casual short arses who set the premier league alight gentleman's club".
Although Matthew Le Tissier and Ronaldo think you may have a point.
Who is Buddy? Someone called Buddy died in a plane crash in the 50's or something.
Backbone would typically be an attcker a midfielder a defender and possibly a goalkeeper, often referred to as the spine of the team. Yes this is important and if you add another defender and another midfielder you have maybe 6 players.
Which (if my maths is correct) is a bob shy of a best XI.
Thus unless you have sneakily changed the definition (widely accepted I might add) of spine (or backbone if you prefer) it isn't what I was actually referring to.
I deffo think the sarcasm 101 would benefit you (and perhaps football 101 as well).
I'll take a pass on the England Scotland and US analysis. I'm already sick of the hype English media talking about 2010 and the US mens team like they deserve our attention before doing anything. Can save that #### for after the Euro in between transfer lulls.
FLASH
Have you just been to a Hotspurs Anonymous meeting?
A thoroughly erudite post without reference to those London male chickens.
WOW! (I've seen that done very nicely with a sharpie, the bloke had drawn a "W" on each cheek...)
The NBA announced to its teams this week at its annual pre-draft camp that fines will be imposed on players starting next season for clear cases of "flopping," ESPN.com has learned.
The NBA announced to its teams this week at its annual pre-draft camp that fines will be imposed on players starting next season for clear cases of "flopping," ESPN.com has learned.
I am an avid follower of the NBA, but I think it's not the NBA that should be targetting floppers. It's soccer that should. yes, NBA has some, but they CANNOT change the outcome. In soccer, they do.
I think thats the irony and why I posted it TH. The NBA is so pro-active at tweaking their game for the fans they are willing to root out minor problems while Soccer is so slow guys like Blatter are worrying about where players are from instead of the actual product on the field.
The fact major leagues don't send letters warning players who blatantly simulate after the fact to say "Hey we saw it clearly on replay don't make us tell the refs to ignore you or fine you or even suspend you!" is mind boggling.
craigy_f - I just wanted to do a "soft" introduction to the Euro so there was some context and history for first or second time watchers. Obviously it didn't work for you.
The previews of the other 14 teams are in the can and get the same treatment but I have yet to finalize the predictions. The dart board will come out in a couple of days.
I just noticed that Sevilla announced the signing
of Argentina under-20 striker Lautaro Acosta from Lanus for $11M. This might give more credence to the Capel transfer to Spurs story. I think Acosta may be a wide player.
henry, no Portugal does not have any strikers, but Ronaldo is one of the best attacking players in the world. And Nani can attack(tho he can't really score) but ronaldo can do more than enough on the attacking side.
henry, no Portugal does not have any strikers, but Ronaldo is one of the best attacking players in the world. And Nani can attack(tho he can't really score) but ronaldo can do more than enough on the attacking side.
ah, don't be fooled. The reason Ronaldo scores a lot for UNITED is b/c of the threat Rooney & Tevez pose around the defenders and Ronaldo can come from behind...
You do realize that the reason Ronaldo has become a great player, it's b/c ROONEY has had to make sacrifice. I think Portugal could use a Trezeguet who just been left out.
Last edited by Thierry_Henry on May 29th at 2:59 PM.
"Backbone" would be those players that are automatic selections.
Surely you don't think there are 11 US players that are automatic selections?
First if my assumption is correct, then you are talking about a backbone, or spine if you like, that would consist of Donovan, Gooch, Beasley, Bocanegra and Howard. Or something to that nature.
The rest would be all fringe players who are vying for the final five spots and Bradley would be foolish not to give them all looks. In fact, he should give those that play the same position as the "backbone" looks in case one or more got hurt.
If my assumption is incorrect and you think there are 11 players in this US side that are not only automatic choices but automatic choices to fit into Bradley's system...well then please give me this XI. Very interested to see.
Again the size issue is great:) Yes I said Zola, Messi, Arteta, et al are all terrible players. Thats exactly what I was arguing.
Hey wait a minute, looks like that first sarcasm 101 class worked!
So you and Gong were saying something about putting words into people's mouths...???
Although if I didn't rate/enjoy you I'd be writing the sort of responses that I occasionally level at Webster and Trecker, or not writing at all.
Your Portugal bit contains depths I haven't yet plumbed and I would add that with two full backs in Janukulovski and Ujfalusi the Czechs have some power and pace to attack down the flanks.
JAY
I'm sure a Scot could come up with a scathing or at least darkly tongue in cheek piece about england and could come up with a suitably self effacing piece on his countryman - and a canucks view on the USMNT is always worth a read.
Of course they may not be as glowing and wrong as his autumnally famous Arsenal Piece that everyone seemed to be smitten with a while back.
LGB
No matter how you twist things around (or misinterpret other people) around you are still wrong.
Nope, perhaps some more advanced sarcasm is required, that last attempt was poor.
And perhaps some remedial soccer education with the kindergarteners wouldn't be a bad idea as well.
Oh and I didn't see any reference to Gerrard, which I was looking for to see how you would integrate your footballing idol into the discussion. Your msuing son him always fascinate.
Oddly enough I thought that the Copa America was a testing ground for USMNT players.
Seemingly unconnected - Bradley had a relatively settled squad and first eleven for the Gold Cup. I haven't seen that many nuggets coming through to change his squad, maybe five or six.
Bradley is seemingly a little lost on how to build a squad to compete fo
I think it's bull shiiit that there is a qualifying competition for the Canadian Champions League spot. It should be given to Toronto FC b/c they are the only Pro team in Canada.
This is my thougt on the sriker postion,Portugal does not need one to win.Pauleta is and has been a world class striker for Portugal.With that being said he has had next to no service at the last two tournaments that eliminating him from the resulte.We have the GOLDEN BOOT OF EUROPE WINNER Christiano.By the way Manchesters 3 strikers scored the same amounte of goals in the EPL as the man.Portugal has the best mid-field in Europe, Ricardo Quaresma,Simao Sabrosa,Luis Nani and there is more.Are defence is second to none.VIVA PORTUGAL VIVA ALL THE WAY THIS TIME!!!
True they don't have any strikers I know that. Ronaldo is got good because of SAF. Besides Rooney is way overrated. He doesn't even compare to Tevez much less Ronaldo.
Group A is wide open if the rest of the Portugal squad don't rise to back Ronaldo up. He can only do so much without some backup. Pretty sure the gameplan for all three teams will be to mark and hack him out of the game and force his team to actually do something.
If the rest of the guys step up like they can the game will open up to Ronaldo. If they don't its going to be pretty frustrating games of heavy possession 0 results.
1. Germany (they can stroll to the finals if they have their stuff together)
2. Italy (makes me sick inside but they can do it)
3. Spain (Torres + Cesc on good form + easy group off the bat)
Edit: I was going to put France 3rd but their coach is just nuts and they are minus Zidane from the WC squad and the rest of the important guys are 2 years older now.
Craigy-You and Gong keep saying that I'm twisting things around, that I'm putting words into people's mouth.
What exactly am I twisting? What words have put in your mouth?
Nice picture of the skeleton. Backbone doesn't mean it just comes down the center, kind of like when Terry said that Arsenal needed an English backbone. It meant they needed some of their key players to be English, didn't matter where they played on the pitch.
Also I loved how you went away from my previous post. So you either agree with me about the backbone thing or you think we have an automatic eleven. Which one we going with?
And please keep up the class 101 jokes and saying I know nothing of football. It just makes better reads when we argue and your own manager comes out saying he needs players of size.
1)Portugal
2)France
3)Netherlands
I'm not trying to be bias,i really think they have a great chance of winning this ####.Last four years finalist and semi-finalist,can you see why!!score-3 1
I don't have a horse in this race so I'll enjoy the football even though I'll be deprived of laughing at "world class" England's putrid performances and mocking the gap between the optimistic hype churned out by the red tops and reality.
Just scanning the lineups, France -- Boumsong aside -- has an unbelievable amount of talent to field. I'm not convinced by Domenech, but les Bleus managed to win Euro 2000 despite being encumbered with Roger Lemerre in the technical area so anything is possible.Thierry Henry has not played as much this year so I'll be interested to see how fresh he is in this tourney.
The same could be said for Spain -- a talented lineup with a trainer with questionable pedigree. They never seem to fulfill the expectations placed on them, but I look at Torres, Villa, Fabregas, Ramos, Puyol and Caillas and wonder how the hell they can possibly bother the semi finals.
Portugal also impress me. They have a solid looking back four, a good keeper, a shrewd manager and the best player in the world. Tournaments have been won with a lot less. If Andrade were healthy and in form, I'd probably pick them.
Russia have a great manager -- I was in Korea when Hiddink led the Reds to the semis in 2002 and he is a great tournament coach. The Ruskies have no shortage of talent and the schedule lines up nicely for them -- they just started their domestic season so they should be fresh.
I see the winner coming from one of these four. I'll pick France owing to all the former, current and future Gunners in the side. I'll root for attractive, attacking football.
Last edited by albertagooner on May 29th at 9:15 PM.
craigyf: Apart from being as busy as a dog with two ####(easy Bobby, just two guys talkin', way over here on the MLS side of your blog, won't become a habit), I'm Not sure what to say about Spurs these days except WOW. This Ramos guy is working fast.
First Spurs signed Bale, looked a good pick until the broken bone in the foot. Wonder if Ramos had any input into that signing since we've now learned that Spurs and Ramos were a-courtin' for many months before he joined them.
Then along came Hutton and Woodgate in January and the result was London's only trophy-winning team this past season.
Now, apparently, it's a done deal for Richard Dunne. This would make for a nicely balanced back four with good mobility on the flanks like Ramos prefers to use. And two big ####s in the middle, like any manager would prefer to use.
Add in Modric, Dos Santos and, with a minor haggle or two to sort out, Capel, apparently, and nice as it might be, it's all a bit soon to spout off about.
The icing on this cake would be to finish business properly with ManCity and get Joe Hart for goal and Martin Petrov on left wing to keep Berbatov on board. Maybe work in a role for Tedi Velinova, Berb's girlfriend in Guy Ritchie's next flick, one where she can show off all her, ahem, enhancements.
Bobby - I noticed how you mentioned Petr Cech as being the key to the Czech Republic's possible success, but I was disappointed that you did not mention anything about Portugal's goalkeeper Ricardo. Do you see him as being a possible liability to the strong Portuguese side?
LGB: Heart- Don't have one, I'm a republican remember?
Come on. I like republicans. I went hunting with Diick Cheney last week. He shot me in the shoulder by mistake, and it was really my fault. So, I appologized and he accepted my appology 100%. You see, he's a nice guy.
Last edited by Thierry_Henry on May 29th at 11:16 PM.
Comparative revenue breakdowns for the ‘big five’ European leagues in the 2006-07 season:
England 2273 mill
Germany 1379 mill
Spain 1326 mill
Italy 1163 mill
France 972 mill
Salaries 2006-2007
Chelsea 132,817,000
Man Utd 92,310,000
Arsenal 89,703,000
Liverpool 77,589,000
Newcastle 62,475,000
West Ham 44,160,000
Tottenham 43,804,000
Aston Villa 43,194,000
Everton 38,427,000
Middlesbro 38,270,000
Portsmouth 36,888,000
Blackburn 36,712,000
Man City 36,381,000
Fulham 35,169,000
Charlton 34,297,000
Bolton 30,715,000
Reading 29,815,000
Wigan 27,480,000
Sheff Utd 22,421,000
Watford 17,636,000
Arsenalueberalles-Cech has yet to recover the form he showed before his horrific injury. If he can rediscover his form at Euro 08 then it will provide the Czechs with a massive boost. Ricardo is an outstanding penalty shot stopper but I would not consider him to be a top class international goalkeeper.
Flashman - Your description of Spurs reminds me of a Technical teacher I had some years ago. He would often remind us that it was important to to take good care of your tools.
He would then show us a hammer that he said was the best he had every bought and that it was in pristine condition just like it was when he had purchased it 25 years. During that time he had only had to replace the head twice and the shaft three times.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on May 30th at 7:00 AM.
Modric + Gio + Cappel? Whats Ramos plan here Flash? apply to La Liga?
I think the combined weight of those 3 players is 1 Huddlestone or Robinson.
Really would love to see Spurs become more competitive but with those guys in the lineup and moving ever closer to emulating Arsenal you to will feel what its like to be kicked off the pitch.
As for Portugal's attack, there's a lot of pressure on Ronaldo. If he doesn't score a couple of goals even though he's a midfielder he'll be criticized since he scored so much this year. Something like Rolandinho at the World Cup.
do u think this 6 to 5 rule is going to be a good idea in my views i think blatter is jus angry over how the champions league turn out. ppl watch league to see great football n there star at there favorite club..n i think if someone want to join a club its up to the person n italian soccer well i dnt even watch it so ep is a great league n if they start stoppn players from coin there football is going to suffer greatly in years to come.
Just to anticipate your next blog on the remaining teams in this group, I peronally think that Turkey will cause hell for many teams and will emerge from this group....Forget the checks they were over the hill in 2006, so imagine now!! Turkey are hot blooded and will frustrate skilled teams like Protugal, and the Checks some what. Not to say the are not skill, but they mostly seem to work a very good counter attack. Look forward to your next blog. But I can't wait to get to group C......
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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