World Cup 2010 Blog: Euro 2012 Qualifying Matchday Preview

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Euro 2012 Qualifying Matchday Preview Posted: 07 Oct 2010 05:18 PM PDT For the second time in a little over a month, we’re enticed with Euro 2012 qualifying before heading into hibernation until late March, so enjoy it while you can. The bulk on the games will be played on Friday, with a couple stragglers on Saturday so as not to keep your weekends international free. UEFA’s all about the people. Fixtures Kazakhstan v Belgium Austria v Azerbaijan Germany v Turkey Armenia v Slovakia Andorra v Macedonia Ireland v Russia Serbia v Estonia Northern Ireland v Italy Slovenia v Faroe Islands Luxembourg v Belarus Albania v Bosnia and Herzegovina France v Romania (Sat.) Hungary v San Marino Moldova v Netherlands Georgia v Malta Greece v Latvia Israel v Croatia (Sat.) Wales v Bulgaria Montenegro v Switzerland Cyprus v Norway Portugal v Denmark Czech Republic v Scotland Spain v Lithuania Groups/Games to Watch Group A Kazakhstan v Belgium Austria v Azerbaijan Germany v Turkey Game to Watch: Germany v Turkey Group A has intrigue and potential for fireworks, with Austria, Turkey and Belgium all plausible for that second spot behind Jogi & Co, and that makes this game important from a football perspective. However, this one has a greater cultural significance, with Germany’s young revolutionaries having a multicultural tinge. Only one player of Turkish lines made the squad, but it’s the man spearheading the new-look Germany, Mesut Özil. And with the players only a very small percentage of the population, you can rest assured the Turkish fans of both teams will be waging battle – some internally. Group B Armenia v Slovakia Andorra v Macedonia Ireland v Russia Game to Watch: Ireland v Russia There are a number of similarities between this game and CR v Scotland (below): an English-speaking country looking to widen the gap at the top against a struggling once Eastern power. However, one slight different in Group B: no Spain. Slovakia is obviously a footballing nation on the rise, but Ireland could crack out a massive 9 points in 3 games, while Russia is struggling to find that swagger, entering the room with humility, it had in Euro 2008. Breaking away is a distinct possibility. Group C Serbia v Estonia Northern Ireland v Italy Slovenia v Faroe Islands Group D Luxembourg v Belarus Albania v Bosnia and Herzegovina France v Romania (Sat.) Game to Watch: France v Romania One of these days both sides will enter a competition and only be able to wave to each other from afar: Euro 2008, World Cup qualifying, and now Euro 2010 qualifying. But maybe the downfall of both teams could be traced back to Euro 2008, when both teams failed to make it through the groups. Since, neither team has had what might be called their finest run – or an even remotely decent run. France might blame Domenech, and Romania might blame…well, I’m not really sure…but maybe this is just football’s version of a toxic relationship, destroying all it touches. As the Saturday game of note – one of two with Israel v Croatia – the world will be watching, waiting for the meltdown with curious eyes, just like a toxic relationship of the romantic variety. Group E Hungary v San Marino Moldova v Netherlands Group F Georgia v Malta Greece v Latvia Israel v Croatia (Sat.) Group G Wales v Bulgaria Montenegro v Switzerland Game to Watch: Montenegro v Switzerland Quietly, ever so quietly, Montenegro is becoming a Cinderella of European football. Still in its infancy, it’s been rocketing up the FIFA rankings table while netting two wins in two thus far in 2012 qualifying. A third win, against a solid team no less, could vault them up several notches in the eyes of the football world. Switzerland, meanwhile, will be trying to reclaim the momentum from their stunning upset of Spain this summer. Or perhaps they’ll just take any momentum whatsoever – small group, smaller window with which to get in line. Group H Cyprus v Norway Portugal v Denmark Game to Watch: Portugal v Denmark The last time these two danced in Portugal, it produced arguably the ten best minutes of football during World Cup 2010 qualifying. The added subplot is that Portugal will be featuring their new coach, Paulo Bento, having taken over for Carlos Queiroz just a couple weeks ago, thereby making his debut with the demons of Lisbon hanging over his team. Luckily this one’s at the Dragao in Porto. Group I Czech Republic v Scotland Spain v Lithuania Game to Watch: Czech Republic v Scotland Scotland haven’t qualified for a major tournament since 1998 and weren’t really done any favors by being drawn into a group with Defending Everything champions Spain. However, a short group and a blinding start just might sneak them second-place (Spain have been put into first with an erasable pen) and, at the very least, a chance in the playoffs. Their biggest competitor on paper? The Czech Republic. Of course they’ve looked decent only on paper, with everywhere else a minor disaster. On the pitch, off the pitch, in the hotel rooms, out of the hotel rooms, etc. The game is in Prague, which helps, but a Scottish victory could easily make group an early two-horse race.

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World Cup 2010 Blog: US Squad Completes Second Training Session in Chicago

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US Squad Completes Second Training Session in Chicago Posted: 05 Oct 2010 06:31 PM PDT The rumble of freight trains, the rattle of trucks traversing the adjacent Harlem Avenue and the peculiar scent of corn starch (manufactured by the ton nearby) may not be the ideal setting for soccer training. But Chicago did cooperate with unusually spectacular October weather. So it was that with a temperature tipping to the warm side of 70 degrees and a sky devoid of the faintest cloud coverage, the United States men’s national team completed their second full training session on the training pitch at Toyota Park on Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s match against Poland. Integration Time It’s immediately apparent that it will take some time for Jermaine Jones to integrate himself with his new national team. Jones tended to stay close to fellow Bundesliga players Michael Bradley and Steve Cherundolo during warm-ups and drills. Bradley, who figures to play alongside Jones, seems to be the one tasked with helping Jones along. In a moment of confusion during drills, Bradley held up proceedings and trotted over to Jones, and the two conversed in German until Jones nodded with understanding and play continued. To Jones’ credit, the moments of disconnect with teammates that occurred occasionally throughout the rest of the session didn’t seem to ruffle his feathers. Jermaine Jones: Trying to get off on the right foot. (AP Photo/Charles Cherney) The Beat of a Different Gooch While the US players looked sharp in their red training kits, one player just had to be different. Oguchi Onyewu took the field in a battered pair of gray sweatpants, but it was not immediately known if “Gooch” was paying tribute to Arjen Robben or if the pants are just that comfortable. Down to Business Following possession drills, the meat of the session began with a 9X7 across the full pitch. It was clear that coach Bob Bradley was paying special attention to Jozy Altidore through much of the early portion of this segment. Bradley reminded Altidore to apply pressure to defenders bringing the ball up and had to remind Altidore not to drop too deep as a lone striker. Coach Bradley was not particularly enthused with the energy level early on. About 10 minutes into the 9X7 session he shouted “Don’t just stand next to a guy.” As the team transitioned to an 8X8 segment, play predictably opened up a bit more, but Bradley still found himself stressing the importance of exploiting opportunities as they occur in order to build a rhythm, as several players had been foiled by a moment of indecisiveness up to that point. Something that cropped up during the World Cup was in evidence throughout the session, namely that there was a tendency for the both sides to play rather narrowly. Only as the session progressed did one see more balls going out wide and more runs deep into the corners. Ups and Downs Already a dead ringer for a 14th round Rocky Balboa courtesy of a black eye picked up against West Ham, Clint Dempsey went down for the count after taking the biggest knock of the session in a confrontation at the touchline, inches from the spectators. After a contemplative moment with ankles crossed on the ground, the Fulham man trotted gingerly back into the action and was soon up to speed again. A lot of the players were loosey-goosey, but perhaps no one more than Tim Howard. Finally getting that first EPL win of the season may have brightened his spirits, and he made a fantastic stop of a Michael Bradley laser beam in the 8X8 session. No one found the net in either the 9X7 nor 8X8 segments. In the closing shooting segment though, it was bombs away against both Howard and Brad Guzan and the nets quickly filled. Steve Cherundolo took on the role of Marv Albert, calling out an exaggerated “Yes!” after each success. Notes on the Day With late arrivals Altidore, Maurice Edu, Clarence Goodson and Michael Parkhurst ready to roll, coach Bradley had his full compliment of players available. About 40 die-hard fans, some of whom came from as far as 5 hours away, were allowed access to the practice pitch and watched from just beyond the touchline. According to US Soccer’s Michael Kammarman, it was the first time that the US team has opened a training session to the public. The team will train at Toyota Park in closed sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, before moving to Soldier Field for Friday’s session. Our on-site coverage will continue Thursday when coach Bob Bradley and an as-yet unnamed player hold a press conference.

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World Cup 2010 Blog: FIFA Suspends Nigerian Football Federation

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FIFA Suspends Nigerian Football Federation Posted: 04 Oct 2010 09:08 AM PDT As usual, in such bureaucratic pissing contests, fans are the real losers… In a drastic move, FIFA has suspended the Nigerian Football Federation as a result of the government’s ongoing interference in the Federation’s affairs.  If you remember earlier this year, after the World Cup, the President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, suspended the football team for 2 years.  That suspension was lifted, but FIFA are not satisfied that the Federation and Nigerian government are compliant with FIFA’s regulations which demand that the Federation be transparent and independent of the government. The complete FIFA statement… The FIFA Emergency Committee decided today, 4 October 2010, to suspend the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with immediate effect on account of government interference. This decision follows the latest events linked to the NFF, such as the court actions against elected members of the NFF Executive Committee preventing them from exercising their functions and duties, the stepping down of the acting NFF General Secretary on the instructions of the National Sports Commission, the decision of the Minister of Sports to have the Nigerian League start without relegation from the previous season, and the fact that the NFF Executive Committee cannot work properly due to this interference. The suspension will be maintained until the court actions have ceased and the duly elected NFF Executive Committee is able to work without any interference. During the period of suspension, the NFF will not be able to be represented in any regional, continental or international competitions, including at club level, and also not in friendly matches. In addition, neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials can benefit from any development programme, course, or training from FIFA or CAF while the federation remains suspended. Some Reactions… Is Nigeria’s decision a smart or fatale move?  [Please note:  This was written in reference to first suspension, but it is still is relevant and provides a range of opinions on FIFA's rules against government interference] “We know that it will soon be election time into the FIFA executive committee. It is possible that some of those who intend to secure the vote of Nigeria may be courting support from those in the NFF whose election was annulled by the court. It is quite interesting that some FIFA members who frown at mixing football with politics are themselves not averse to playing a little politics!” – Daily Trust (complete article here)

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GMC Never Say Never Moments

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World Cup 2010 Blog: Cesare Prandelli’s Attack Of The Idiots

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Cesare Prandelli’s Attack Of The Idiots Posted: 30 Sep 2010 07:31 AM PDT Let’s get this out in the open: Antonio Cassano, Francesco Totti, Mario Balotelli….none of these men could have split the atom. Extraordinary, occasionally unbelievable, physical and athletic talents, but they don’t quite possess the same intellectual prowess. Totti’s written a book of jokes about it (alright, maybe ghostwritten), Balotelli has hinted at such recently and with enough digging, I’m sure there’s a slightly depressing, Mike Tyson-esque quote of resignation from Talentino in which he waxes on how stupid he be. Maybe Cesare Prandelli has something up his sleeve, or maybe he’s referring to their footballing IQs (likely, but let’s ignore it for a second), but he has a quote in which he claims to want players of Balotelli’s “intellectual capacity” directly after hinting at a return of the telepathic duo of Totti & Cassano to the Italian attack. “The idea of seeing Totti and Cassano together in the national team is a particular desire, we’re talking about friendship, a relationship that exists between them. We wanted to create an occasion which would be an example for kids who would want to watch the match. I said it would be great for two friends to rediscover each other on the pitch.” Another player Prandelli wants to see back in his squad is 20-year-old Balotelli. “I miss him because I really want to try out an attack with players of his intellectual capacity,” added Prandelli. This could spawn a sequel to Totti’s novella of yuckers: How best to stop the Italian Cassano-Totti-Balotelli tridente? Long division.

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