Euro 2008 kicks off on Saturday, June 7th. After co-hosts Austria and Switzerland, every team is believed to have a shot at winning the title. With Greece's triumph in 2004, countries such as Romania, Poland, Turkey and Croatia will genuinely believe that they can make deep runs through the tournament. Of course, the real favorites are Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain and the Netherlands. Even with all the injuries though, expect the level of play to be high, and the competition to be intense. It will certainly be riveting television, as there's nothing in sports quite like the spectacle of country versus country on the soccer pitch. Much of the world (and certainly all of Europe) will tune in to winess which country will earn spectacular pride from accomplishing the grand feat.
Previews of my favorites and predictions coming on Friday...
Friday, May 30, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
England - USA preview
Tomorrow night's fixture between England and the United States at New Wembley in London promises to be a riveting spectacle, regardless of which country you follow. The friendly has all kinds of storylines, the prevailing one still being the scrutiny of the Fabio Capello era, which enters it's 3rd match tomorrow. The England skipper, who gave his first news conference in (a much improved) English yesterday, named John Terry captain for the match, which will take place exactly a week after his Champions League failure from the penalty spot.
For the Americans, this match represents a giant opportunity to further announce their presence on the global stage. Though England failed to qualify for Euro 2008, they are still a world power, and still clear favorites to win at Wembley. The United States though, in the midst of a three match away winning streak, knows that a win over soccer's oldest power at soccer's most famous venue would rattle lots of cages and force much of the European and English press to reevaluate the Americans' merit as an international side. World Cup '06 was a huge disappointment for the US, but they have since won the Gold Cup with a brilliant win over archrival Mexico, as well as gained valuable experience by competing in last summer's Copa America in Venezuela. Recent wins over Switzerland and Poland away, have the US brimming with confidence under Bob Bradley, who appears to have concocted an effective mixture of young talent and savvy veterans (but mostly young talent).
For England, the game carries a strange risk, in that they are certainly expected to win, but further they are expected to win in style. The British press will be salivating for a dominating Capello performance, after the March 26 defeat to France in Paris. They will not take the Americans lightly, and shouldn't, but its almost as England will be playing both the US and themselves tomorrow night, as they strive to show their country how they've improved under their new boss. Steven Gerrard should be more rested than his midfield teammates Frank Lampard and Joe Cole, who just last week were fighting tooth and nail in the Moscow final. He will look to provide service up front to Wayne Rooney and likely Peter Crouch, who should be able to get in deep and cause problems for the US defense.
Demarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, and Ricardo Clark will have to play at their best for the US, if they hope to contain England in the midfield (a srategy that has worked in recent international fixtures) and funnel the opposition's attack into tough circumstances. Donovan, who has been dinged up as of late, will undoubtedly see the field so he can accrue his 100th interational cap, a great achievement for the 26 yr old American icon. He'll also be playing against his LA Galaxy teammte and recent inductee into the 100 cap echelon, David Beckham.
So there is lots of intrigue, lots of stories, and lots of reasons to tune into the England - USA friendly tomorrow night at historic Wembley. And as far as a prediction? How about 3-2 England.
For the Americans, this match represents a giant opportunity to further announce their presence on the global stage. Though England failed to qualify for Euro 2008, they are still a world power, and still clear favorites to win at Wembley. The United States though, in the midst of a three match away winning streak, knows that a win over soccer's oldest power at soccer's most famous venue would rattle lots of cages and force much of the European and English press to reevaluate the Americans' merit as an international side. World Cup '06 was a huge disappointment for the US, but they have since won the Gold Cup with a brilliant win over archrival Mexico, as well as gained valuable experience by competing in last summer's Copa America in Venezuela. Recent wins over Switzerland and Poland away, have the US brimming with confidence under Bob Bradley, who appears to have concocted an effective mixture of young talent and savvy veterans (but mostly young talent).
For England, the game carries a strange risk, in that they are certainly expected to win, but further they are expected to win in style. The British press will be salivating for a dominating Capello performance, after the March 26 defeat to France in Paris. They will not take the Americans lightly, and shouldn't, but its almost as England will be playing both the US and themselves tomorrow night, as they strive to show their country how they've improved under their new boss. Steven Gerrard should be more rested than his midfield teammates Frank Lampard and Joe Cole, who just last week were fighting tooth and nail in the Moscow final. He will look to provide service up front to Wayne Rooney and likely Peter Crouch, who should be able to get in deep and cause problems for the US defense.
Demarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, and Ricardo Clark will have to play at their best for the US, if they hope to contain England in the midfield (a srategy that has worked in recent international fixtures) and funnel the opposition's attack into tough circumstances. Donovan, who has been dinged up as of late, will undoubtedly see the field so he can accrue his 100th interational cap, a great achievement for the 26 yr old American icon. He'll also be playing against his LA Galaxy teammte and recent inductee into the 100 cap echelon, David Beckham.
So there is lots of intrigue, lots of stories, and lots of reasons to tune into the England - USA friendly tomorrow night at historic Wembley. And as far as a prediction? How about 3-2 England.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Congrats to Manchester United!
Manchester United won the Champions League, 6-5 on penalties over Chelsea after playing to a 1-1 draw through 120 minutes at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. FAlex Ferguson wins his second Champions League title at the helm of United, and first since 1999. Chelsea remain without their owner's coveted European crown, and watching Roman Abramovich on television during penalty kicks, it's a safe bet to assume that he got really, REALLY drunk on some expensive Russian vodka last night after the crushing defeat.
And it was a crushing defeat for Chelsea. After conceding the opening goal and being on the back foot for the first 40 minutes of the first half, Chelsea were gifted an equalizer on a fortuitous deflection of an Essien shot that fell right to a rushing Lampard in stride, and suddenly the contest was level at 1-1 and Chelsea had confidence going into the locker room that they could play better in the 2nd half. They didn't just play better in the 2nd half, they dominated, but their touch in the final third still eluded them, and twice in the final 75 minutes the Blues hit the woodwork. They controlled possession in midfield, and completely denied any United chances save for one created by a stellar Patrice Evra run that led to Giggs' chance being heroically headed from goal by John Terry. Once 120 minutes were up, I felt that Chelsea had missed a golden opportunity to win, as they were the better team in the 2nd half. Still, once Cristiano Ronaldo duffed his penalty it looked as if Chelsea would waltz to the winners platform by virtue of a 5-4 spot kicks winning margin. But the Chelsea captain lost his footing on the game winner and sent his would-be winner into the post and out, giving United a new life.
And you can't grant a team like Manchester United new life, even on something as arbitrary and unpredictable as penalty kicks. Once Terry missed, there couldn't have been much doubt among the millions of spectators watching around the world that United woul prevail. Each of Alex Ferguson's three subs - Nani, Anderson, and Giggs - made their spot kicks, whereas one of Avram Grant's late subs - Nicolas Anelka - missed the clincher. And that was that. Manchester United are champions of the UEFA Champions League, and can proudly claim the coveted "double" for the '07/'08 season as winners of Europe as well as of England's top flight league.
Congratulations to Manchester United.
And it was a crushing defeat for Chelsea. After conceding the opening goal and being on the back foot for the first 40 minutes of the first half, Chelsea were gifted an equalizer on a fortuitous deflection of an Essien shot that fell right to a rushing Lampard in stride, and suddenly the contest was level at 1-1 and Chelsea had confidence going into the locker room that they could play better in the 2nd half. They didn't just play better in the 2nd half, they dominated, but their touch in the final third still eluded them, and twice in the final 75 minutes the Blues hit the woodwork. They controlled possession in midfield, and completely denied any United chances save for one created by a stellar Patrice Evra run that led to Giggs' chance being heroically headed from goal by John Terry. Once 120 minutes were up, I felt that Chelsea had missed a golden opportunity to win, as they were the better team in the 2nd half. Still, once Cristiano Ronaldo duffed his penalty it looked as if Chelsea would waltz to the winners platform by virtue of a 5-4 spot kicks winning margin. But the Chelsea captain lost his footing on the game winner and sent his would-be winner into the post and out, giving United a new life.
And you can't grant a team like Manchester United new life, even on something as arbitrary and unpredictable as penalty kicks. Once Terry missed, there couldn't have been much doubt among the millions of spectators watching around the world that United woul prevail. Each of Alex Ferguson's three subs - Nani, Anderson, and Giggs - made their spot kicks, whereas one of Avram Grant's late subs - Nicolas Anelka - missed the clincher. And that was that. Manchester United are champions of the UEFA Champions League, and can proudly claim the coveted "double" for the '07/'08 season as winners of Europe as well as of England's top flight league.
Congratulations to Manchester United.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Champions League Final Preview
The Champions League/European Cup Winners' Cup has never seen an all-English final until now. Italy and Spain have each had two representatives square off in the championship game, but never has England, with all its proud history and illustrious clubs, been able to say that the two top clubs in Europe hail from its shores. Tomorrow in Moscow, two of the EPL's juggernauts will vie for the Champions League trophy on a less-than-stellar pitch a long distance from home.
Fans of both teams have made the trip in large numbers, joining an already existing base of both United and Chelsea fans in Russia. Surely there will be more Muscovite Chelsea supporters, given the clubs Russian ownership, but early televised news reports suggest there are plenty of Russian Manchester United fans hanging out in Red Square this week. Manchester United is, after all, the largest club in the world in terms of global support (perhaps Real Madrid has an argument there). The atmosphere promises to be electric and positive, with plenty of police presence to prevent against any incidents. After last week's UEFA Cup, organizers are taking no chances, having installed upwards of 5,000 additional police for this game.
Speaking of the game itself, what to expect? Conventional wisdom favors Manchester Utd, but take a look closer and you might start to believe in Chelsea's chances. I believe Chelsea will win this game because of the stingy way in which they defend. This is not to say that United are not excellent at the back, because they are, but Chelsea seem to play a more dogged, impenetrable style in their ultra important contests. So it then comes down to a question of which team breaks through? Well, sadly, I see this as a 0-0 game after 90 minutes, and quite likely after extra time as well. And then I just think Chelsea have more big name penalty takers, and that will be that.
BUT WAIT A MINUTE! I can't be so lame as to predict a 0-0 draw that goes to penalties, can I? No, I cannot. So... let me go out on a gigantically frail limb and predict that Chelsea win 2-0, with goals from Joe Cole and Michael Ballack. Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo will each be denied great chances by Petr Cech, and Michael Carrick will even have a headed goal disallowed on a set piece for interference. There. How's that for bold?
It's going to be a compelling atmosphere, and an intriguing match tactically and strategically at the start. Then it will be dodgy and cagey until half time, with Joe Cole breaking through in the 55th minute, followed by a Ballack clincher in the 86th. Chelsea will frustrate Rooney and Ronaldo, and Evra will be sent off for a second yellow near the 70 minute mark. Tevez will look liveliest for United, but will never quite be able to take his chances, and Drogba and Vidic will most likely get in three to eight altercations. Avram Grant will go into convulsions after Ballack's goal, and will kiss the pitch at midfield at the final whistle, and then point into the owner's box at Roman Abramovich, who will have already made up his mind to sack him anyway because Chelsea still play such unattractive football. And that's that!
Fans of both teams have made the trip in large numbers, joining an already existing base of both United and Chelsea fans in Russia. Surely there will be more Muscovite Chelsea supporters, given the clubs Russian ownership, but early televised news reports suggest there are plenty of Russian Manchester United fans hanging out in Red Square this week. Manchester United is, after all, the largest club in the world in terms of global support (perhaps Real Madrid has an argument there). The atmosphere promises to be electric and positive, with plenty of police presence to prevent against any incidents. After last week's UEFA Cup, organizers are taking no chances, having installed upwards of 5,000 additional police for this game.
Speaking of the game itself, what to expect? Conventional wisdom favors Manchester Utd, but take a look closer and you might start to believe in Chelsea's chances. I believe Chelsea will win this game because of the stingy way in which they defend. This is not to say that United are not excellent at the back, because they are, but Chelsea seem to play a more dogged, impenetrable style in their ultra important contests. So it then comes down to a question of which team breaks through? Well, sadly, I see this as a 0-0 game after 90 minutes, and quite likely after extra time as well. And then I just think Chelsea have more big name penalty takers, and that will be that.
BUT WAIT A MINUTE! I can't be so lame as to predict a 0-0 draw that goes to penalties, can I? No, I cannot. So... let me go out on a gigantically frail limb and predict that Chelsea win 2-0, with goals from Joe Cole and Michael Ballack. Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo will each be denied great chances by Petr Cech, and Michael Carrick will even have a headed goal disallowed on a set piece for interference. There. How's that for bold?
It's going to be a compelling atmosphere, and an intriguing match tactically and strategically at the start. Then it will be dodgy and cagey until half time, with Joe Cole breaking through in the 55th minute, followed by a Ballack clincher in the 86th. Chelsea will frustrate Rooney and Ronaldo, and Evra will be sent off for a second yellow near the 70 minute mark. Tevez will look liveliest for United, but will never quite be able to take his chances, and Drogba and Vidic will most likely get in three to eight altercations. Avram Grant will go into convulsions after Ballack's goal, and will kiss the pitch at midfield at the final whistle, and then point into the owner's box at Roman Abramovich, who will have already made up his mind to sack him anyway because Chelsea still play such unattractive football. And that's that!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
No Champions League for Milan
AC Milan will miss out on next season's UEFA Champions League, after finishing 5th in Serie A, two points behind 4th place Fiorentina. The Italian giants will not be deprived of European football altogether, as they will be like Bayern Munich this year and compete in the UEFA Cup as a small consolation. But what a travesty for the club with the second most European triumphs only to Real Madrid, and a club who won the trophy last season! While they watch their city and stadium cotenants Inter hoist the league trophy for a 3rd consecutive year, Milan are now forced to look inward, and to reevaluate their direction. Will Ancelotti be shown the door? Do they need to take a similar cue as Barcelona, and build around their youth and dismiss some of the aging, though legendary names? Kaka and Pato are clearly the future, and who knows if Ronaldinho will be arriving? Getting Flamini from Arsenal was a boon for Milan and a blow to Arsenal, to be sure, but what of the other, older players? Milan will be an incredibly interesting team to follow next season, and I half-suspect they will do what Bayern Munich did this year, and take out their European frustrations on the rest of their league, and Milan could wrest the scudetto back from Inter next season.
One thing is certain: the '08/'09 Champions League just won't feel the same without AC Milan. Kudos to Fiorentina though, for breaking through.
One thing is certain: the '08/'09 Champions League just won't feel the same without AC Milan. Kudos to Fiorentina though, for breaking through.
Friday, May 16, 2008
FA Cup Final
Portsmouth v. Cardiff City, in what should be an epic FA Cup Final....
Well, ok, maybe it won't be epic, but still, the drama alone of having an FA Cup final without the presence of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool is story enough. And then when you add a lower division team (from Wales, no less!), who is having to petition FIFA for potential inclusion in next season's UEFA Cup should they win, due to their current status as not being part of England's FA, you have enough storylines to influence even the most casual football fan to tune into this one. The oldest competition in the history of global football (it started in 1882), is expected to go the way of Pompey, but don't count out the Cardiff Giant (points for those who identify the reference here), a resiliant and feisty bunch who have not been daunted by their opposition in this historic run to Wembley. I am not going to be so bold as to predict a Cardiff City victory, but I do suspect it will be a hotly contested affair for an hour, with Portsmouth ultimately pulling away late with a crushing 2nd goal for a 2-0 win.
Well, ok, maybe it won't be epic, but still, the drama alone of having an FA Cup final without the presence of Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool is story enough. And then when you add a lower division team (from Wales, no less!), who is having to petition FIFA for potential inclusion in next season's UEFA Cup should they win, due to their current status as not being part of England's FA, you have enough storylines to influence even the most casual football fan to tune into this one. The oldest competition in the history of global football (it started in 1882), is expected to go the way of Pompey, but don't count out the Cardiff Giant (points for those who identify the reference here), a resiliant and feisty bunch who have not been daunted by their opposition in this historic run to Wembley. I am not going to be so bold as to predict a Cardiff City victory, but I do suspect it will be a hotly contested affair for an hour, with Portsmouth ultimately pulling away late with a crushing 2nd goal for a 2-0 win.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
UEFA Cup Final
Zenit St. Petersburg v. Glasgow Rangers
Unfortunately, the bigger story emerging from the UEFA Cup Final is the fan violence by Rangers supporters on local police in Manchester, instead of the amazing and unlikely success story of Zenit, who grabbed the UEFA Cup crown against all odds. For Zenit to beat Rangers is not the eye-turner, for that one must look to the semifinals, where Zenit thoroughly dismantled Bayern Munich in two legs to announce clearly their intentions in this competition. Congrats to them, but wags of the finger towards the Glaswegians responsible for perputrating violence on Manchester's finest.
Unfortunately, the bigger story emerging from the UEFA Cup Final is the fan violence by Rangers supporters on local police in Manchester, instead of the amazing and unlikely success story of Zenit, who grabbed the UEFA Cup crown against all odds. For Zenit to beat Rangers is not the eye-turner, for that one must look to the semifinals, where Zenit thoroughly dismantled Bayern Munich in two legs to announce clearly their intentions in this competition. Congrats to them, but wags of the finger towards the Glaswegians responsible for perputrating violence on Manchester's finest.
Monday, May 12, 2008
League Champions
Manchester United - England
Real Madrid - Spain
Inter Milan - Italy
Olympique Lyonnais - France
PSV Eindhoven - Netherlands
Bayern Munich - Germany
FC Porto - Portugal
Real Madrid - Spain
Inter Milan - Italy
Olympique Lyonnais - France
PSV Eindhoven - Netherlands
Bayern Munich - Germany
FC Porto - Portugal
Monday, May 5, 2008
Premiership and Clausura Review
United and Chelsea both won, setting up an exciting finish with both clubs level on 84 points with one game remaining. Man U have the edge on goal difference, and therefore know that a win will clinch the title for a second year in a row.
The smart money has to be on Man U, but credit to Chelsea for taking this to the wire and making United sweat. A month ago all the focus was on the Arsenal-United race, and with Arsenal's fade has come Chelsea's rise, and they're now in striking distance of of a historic title theft from the holders.
....
In the superclasico in Argentina, Boca Juniors defeated archrival River Plate, 1-0 at La Bombonera in La Boca, Buenos Aires. The two giants of Argentine football are locked in a close race with emerging giant Estudiantes La Plata for the '08 Clausura title. Any time both Boca and River are in contention for a crown, the Argentine domestic league is all the more compelling. And traditionally, this is always the case, but in recent years we've witnessed the rise of other challengers to the Boca-River stranglehold on AFA dominance. Estudiantes, Lanus, and San Lorenzo have each claimed championships more recently than either Boca or River. Now that the two glamour clubs seem to back in great form though, the race for the Clausura will be all the more interesting and dramatic to follow.
The smart money has to be on Man U, but credit to Chelsea for taking this to the wire and making United sweat. A month ago all the focus was on the Arsenal-United race, and with Arsenal's fade has come Chelsea's rise, and they're now in striking distance of of a historic title theft from the holders.
....
In the superclasico in Argentina, Boca Juniors defeated archrival River Plate, 1-0 at La Bombonera in La Boca, Buenos Aires. The two giants of Argentine football are locked in a close race with emerging giant Estudiantes La Plata for the '08 Clausura title. Any time both Boca and River are in contention for a crown, the Argentine domestic league is all the more compelling. And traditionally, this is always the case, but in recent years we've witnessed the rise of other challengers to the Boca-River stranglehold on AFA dominance. Estudiantes, Lanus, and San Lorenzo have each claimed championships more recently than either Boca or River. Now that the two glamour clubs seem to back in great form though, the race for the Clausura will be all the more interesting and dramatic to follow.
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