Football/Soccer

[yandee]

[Truman Capote]

[Eight of nine lives]

[yandee]

[Truman Capote]

[Cracked Pleasures]

[Truman Capote]

[Cracked Pleasures]

England of course brings tradition to the tournament, and many fans. However, Croatia is an excellent replacement.

Not sure if many qualifying games were broadcasted in South America, but believe me: Croatia has been really impressive in the qualifiers. They did not have an easy group (England is never easy, Israel is especially at home very difficult to beat, and Russia is also never an easy opponent). Despite tough position, Croatia got really excellent results and what's more: they got these results by attacking football, they always tried to attack and it was really a pleasure to see a team play like that.

Honestly, I think Croatia maybe can even become an outsider to win the Euro 2008. If they play the same way as in the qualifiers, then they will be a very tough opponent for even the best teams in Europe.

I think the Euro 2008 line-up is quite interesting. Apart from England all "traditional countries" have qualified, with Czech Republic and Croatia we have two dangerous outsiders, and apart from host nation Austria there is no weak teams in the tournament. I look forward to the Euro 2008. The only thing I fear is that Austria will get embarrassed in every game they play, which may stir up discussions if it is a good idea to have the hosting country directly qualified.




As for the South American qualifiers: I always hope Brazil would miss the World Cup. I don't like them, I dislike their arrogance. Ronaldinho said before the World Cup 2006 that everybody feared Brazil and that only Brazil would be a deserved winner of the cup. Very arrogant to say such things, especially when Brazil then got kicked out before the semi finals.

I don't like the Brazilian team. Argentina however, I do like them. Passionate supporters, great skilled players, attacking football... I hope Brazil fails to qualify while rivals Argentina go to the World Cup.

Is it still 5 South American nations that qualify for the World Cup? In that case, Uruguay should have a more than decent chance!

[elko]

[Truman Capote]

[Cracked Pleasures]

And McClaren is fired. This was of course easy to guess. England missing out on a tournament is something no coach will ever survive, and by sacking McClaren the press have a person to put the blame on.

Interesting fact: in the world cup qualifiers, England will play Croatia again.

More interesting games in the World Cup qualifiers:
North Korea - South Korea
Turkey - Armenia
Cuba - USA

I predict a riot, lots of riots actually :ph34r: It would be cool if Cuba beats USA in their stadium where Che Guevara is painted on the wall behind the goal.

[elko]

[Cracked Pleasures]

I wonder who will want the England job. Many people seem to want Mourinho, but Mourinho does not seem too interested. Louis van Gaal told a Dutch paper that he'd be interested to coach England, but if I were an England fan I would not be too happy with that outcome, after all Van Gaal was succesful at Ajax but failed to impress at Barcelona and with the Dutch national team. Knowing Mourinho is good in dealing with the press and not letting himself be too influenced by the tabloids, he would be a good choice if he wants to do it.

Meanwhile the Euro 2008 draw has taken place without England, but we got some nice groups to look forward to. France, England, Holland and Romania are in the "group of death" and this group is very unpredictable, also I think the group with Germany, Austria, Poland and Croatia is very interesting and has a bit of a derby atmosphere. I'd not be surprised if Germany or Croatia win the actual tournament.

[Cracked Pleasures]

Fabio Capello is the new England coach. Notorious for speaking very bad English, notorious for a rather defensive style of football. He may prove me wrong, but this seems like a dead-born child to me. Is there really no decent British coach wanting to do the job? What about Martin O'Neill for example?

On the other hand, knowing how shamelessly the tabloids deal with the English coaches, you can somewhat understand why nobody fancies the job.




On a positive note: Ivan Klasnic is back after two kidney transplants!

Klasnic was a Croatian international and top scorer for German top team Bremen. Last year however a kidney non-functioning was diagnosed and a transplant was needed. It seemed Klasnic was lost for top football... His mom donated a kidney which his body rejected. A second transplant, this time with his father donating a kidney, worked out well however. And look: 6 months after the transplant, Klasnic is back in Bremen's first team and has scored his first two goals since recovery.

Wonderful story which must give a lot of hope to other people facing transplants. I wonder if Klasnic is the first ever soccer player to recover from an organ transplant and reach the top again?

[elko]