Italy
Why England should trust Young Guns
Whilst we are distracted by the ease at which English teams have dominated the Champions League, it only serves to cement the exile of our young players. Messi has been the star in Europe, but few English players have shone as domestic clubs look abroad for youth of the future. It’s time to change this worrying trend.
Fall back on full backs
France in 1998 proved you can win a tournament with no recognised strikers. Denmark in 1992 proved you can win one based around a great goalkeeper. But these days, no international team can have a hope of success without a top quality full back, or two.
Don’t believe me? Look at the history: [...]
Scout Report: Marco Amelia (Livorno)
Italy’s number two goalkeeper has shone above everyone else at struggling Serie A outfit Livorno Calcio and, as an extremely competent back-up to Gigi Buffon, plying his trade at the bottom end of the league and fighting against relegation rather than turning out for a major club participating in European competition seems incongruous for the [...]
Captivating Cassano stakes his Euro claim
Antonio Cassano is an enigma in the mould of compatriot Francesco Totti.
He can act like a spoilt brat and make a coach tear his remaining hairs out with his impetuousness - ultimate Cassanata attributes - or alternatively, when in the mood, Cassano looks as if he could be Italy’s stand-out player, and playmaker, at this [...]
Romania land Group of Death - Euro 2008 Draw
Romania’s reward for qualifying for their first major tournament in eight years is a place in the ultimate European Championship Group of Death along with World Cup finalists France and Italy, as well as group seeds Holland.
Holland, who will be based in Swiss capital Berne, were the fourth seeded team along with co-hosts Switzerland and [...]
England Fight On - International Review
GROUP A
Two goals from prolific forward Ebi Smolarek gave Poland a 2-0 win and the three points they needed to seal qualification. Despite having finished third in the World Cups of 1974 and 1982 and qualifying also in 1978, 1986, 2002 and 2006 it is the first time Poland have ever made the European [...]
Brits Blow It: International Update
GROUP A
Portugal left it late it Almaty to beat Kazakhstan 2-1. Hugo Almeida had a goal disallowed in the first half before young striker Azila Makukula finally headed Portugal in front in the 84th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the lead in the last minute before a stoppage time Dimitri Byakov header gave the [...]
Euro 2008 Round-Up
Group A
Portugal got their campaign back on track with a 2-0 win in Azerbaijan. Bruno Alves headed in a Deco corner before Hugo Almeida turned in Miguel’s cross before half-time to seal the win against ten-man Azerbaijan. Serbia have it all to do after being held goalless in Armenia, whilst Poland gave their [...]
