View Full Version : World Cup 2010 qualifying groups
Firstly i think it'll just be easier to rename this section World Cup/Euro Championships instead of just World Cup 2006.
Anyway, here are the European qualifying groups for the 2010 world cup:
Group 1 Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta
Group 2 Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg
Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland, NORTHERN IRELAND, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino
Group 4 Germany, Russia, Finland, WALES, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
Group 5 Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia
Group 6 Croatia, ENGLAND, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra
Group 7 France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands
Group 8 Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro
Group 9 Holland, SCOTLAND, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Iceland
inter-1908
25-11-2007, 13:27
I am extremely delighted, at the news of Italys group, it seems very beatable. Heere is an article i found at football italia-channel 4:
Italy have drawn Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro in 2010 World Cup qualifying Group 8.
The Azzurri were one of the nine seeds in the European draw for the qualifying round that was performed this afternoon in Durban.
They were assigned to Group 8 and avoided all the potential banana skins, such as England and Scotland.
Instead their toughest opponents would appear to be Bulgaria and the Republic of Ireland, neither of them qualified for Euro 2008.
Georgia were also in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and were beaten home and away, while Montenegro and Cyprus are not expected to cause many problems.
Although they won the trophy in Germany in 2006, the Azzurri must still go through the qualifying process.
Only hosts South Africa are guaranteed a place in the finals.
Group 1 Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta
Group 2 Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg
Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino
Group 4 Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein
Group 5 Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia
Group 6 Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra
Group 7 France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands
Group 8 ITALY, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro
Group 9 Holland, Scotland, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Iceland
ukrainian_CA
26-11-2007, 16:29
Group 1 Portugal, Sweden, Denmark
Group 2 Greece, Israel, Switzerland
Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland
Group 4 Germany, Russia, Finland
Group 5 Spain, Turkey, Belgium
Group 6 Croatia, England, Ukraine
Group 7 France, Romania, Serbia
Group 8 ITALY, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland
Group 9 Holland, Scotland, Norway.
How did the Greek get their World rating above the Croats and the English?
Do I understand the fixtures correctly that the worst runner-up team will be eliminated on the spot w/o playoffs?
Well, all I can ask for is two draws between England and Croatia.
And even then, I do not think Ukraine can repeat what Russia did in Moscow and I do not believe that England will play so poorly again.
ukrainian_CA
26-11-2007, 16:37
My prediction:
Winners and Runner-ups
Group 1 Portugal, Sweden
Group 2 Greece, Israel - toss-up, IMHO, Israel ... just a guess
Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland - or vice versa.
Group 4 Germany, Russia
Group 5 Spain, Turkey
Group 6 England, Croatia - England get more points vs Ukraine than Croatia.
Group 7 France, Romania
Group 8 Italy, Bulgaria
Group 9 Holland, Norway - Scots are done for now, IMHO.
inter-1908
26-11-2007, 19:43
My prediction:
Winners and Runner-ups
Group 1 Portugal, Sweden
Group 2 Greece, Israel - toss-up, IMHO, Israel ... just a guess
Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland - or vice versa.
Group 4 Germany, Russia
Group 5 Spain, Turkey
Group 6 England, Croatia - England get more points vs Ukraine than Croatia.
Group 7 France, Romania
Group 8 Italy, Bulgaria
Group 9 Holland, Norway - Scots are done for now, IMHO.
I agree very much with your group 8 prediction. From whats happened in the past, it seems thats what may happen. Forza Azzurri! :clap:
Group 1 Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta - Portugal, Sweden
Group 2 Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg - Greece, Switzerland
Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland, NORTHERN IRELAND, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino - Czech Republic, Poland
Group 4 Germany, Russia, Finland, WALES, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein - Germany, Russia,
Group 5 Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia - Spain, Turkey
Group 6 Croatia, ENGLAND, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra - England, Croatia
Group 7 France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands - France, Romania
Group 8 Italy, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro - Italy, Bulgaria
Group 9 Holland, SCOTLAND, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Iceland - Holland, SCOTLAND
As a country i hope to be ready after the Euro 2008 to fight in the World cup qualifications, we have a tighted team, we are not Brazil so we should not underestimate our opponents and i hope at least to be second to play two dead games although there is a big chanse for us to finish 1st after this draw and to qualify for World Cup of 2010 in Africa because participating in a World cup after 1994 is a motive for us. Go Greece !!
So here we go again, another rollercoaster ride for England fans. Slim hopes & expectations which i'm sure will be crushed by rubbish performances & results.
Starting away to Andorra (though it's being played in Barcelona), usually i would like to think England would be at least capable of beating them, but i'm not even sure of that anymore. With a few players injured or not picked, plus some squad members looking set to miss this match, it could be another nervy match. Andorra, as always, will have nothing to lose and with England being in some sort of disarray right now, it all points to a nightmare waiting to happen. However, i still think we should have enough to get 3 points, even if i do think it'll be through a disjointed performance and only by 1 or 2 goals at best.
Then on to the away match against Croatia. I had hoped we'd be in a good state to play them and look to get some kind of revenge. However, the Croats have an even better chance to beat us this time with us being possibly worse (playing wise and definately squad wise) than the last time we met in Croatia. I think this is definately a match Croatia should be looking to win and in all honesty, they should probably be disappointed if they don't beat us at home. Still, i live in hope and would definately be happy with 4 points from these 2 matches.
havent seen england match yesterday, but it was 2:0. Joe Cole scored both. Croatia played great, but it was only Kazakhstan on the other side.
on wednesday its England with Cappello, Rio, Terry, A.Cole, Lampard, Joe Cole, Beckham, Rooney... Kranjčar in out injured, so is Eduardo of course. But Kranjčas sucks anyway, Rakitic is 3 times player he is. No Gerrard for England. It will be a great match. lets enjoy it in sports spirit. In Zagreb there will be insane atmosphere before and in the game, Im sure.
Then on to the away match against Croatia. I had hoped we'd be in a good state to play them and look to get some kind of revenge. However, the Croats have an even better chance to beat us this time with us being possibly worse (playing wise and definately squad wise) than the last time we met in Croatia. I think this is definately a match Croatia should be looking to win and in all honesty, they should probably be disappointed if they don't beat us at home. Still, i live in hope and would definately be happy with 4 points from these 2 matches.
This is not the Croatia of the past - the best player they did have was not even born in their country lol. Why not us pick up every immigrant at the age of 14 from the streets and give them an English shirt?
England have a lot of improving to do though so here's me hoping England and Croatia get through and Turkey putting the latter in their place again, oh how beautiful that was.
Gule-Pirlo
07-09-2008, 10:41
GROUP 9 - Holland,Scotland,Norway,Iceland,Republic of Macedonia - Macedonia and Holland.
And to remind you we're not FYROM we are MACEDONIA!!!
I will talk only to Jim on this subject England-Croatia as he actually talks about football. Ghost ( Cappelo is your coach, we can also pay any coach that just does the job for money to coach our NT ), ask French people do they support Ben Arfa, Nasri, Benzema, Makelele, ZIDANE, Trezeguet, Lizarazu... its sport in the end. Turkey had great EURO, they deserved semi finals, won fair and square in quaters. And first, only ONE team goes through from the group, the second plays extra qualifiers. Qualifiers are long and hard, Ukraine and Belarus are EXCELLENT teams, and the jurney to the WC will be very long.
And it Is the same "croatia from the past", only Da Silva ( Olić will take that place )and Kranjčar ( Rakitić will play there ) missing. And Šimić is on the bench, while Pranjić from Herenveen plays LB and Simunic CB. As in the first match in Zagreb Simunic played LB and Simic CB.
MY APOLOGIES FOR THE DOUBLE POST.
Qualifiers are long and hard, Ukraine and Belarus are EXCELLENT teams, and the jurney to the WC will be very long.
Sorry Marko, but I don't think that you've actually seen Ukraine or Belarus play if you think that they're excellent teams. Watching the Ukraine-Belarus game yesterday are disgusting and an insult to football, both teams are absolutely clueless and a string of more than two successful passes was rare. Cyprus yesterday was infinitely than either Ukraine or Belarus.
The best I am hoping for for Ukraine is third place. I don't expect them to get a point from Croatia or England, maybe a draw at home if they get lucky like yesterday. It hurts me to say this, but Ukrainian football is in a pathetic state right now, and I can't see it improving in the near future.
I am not convinced by England's and France's strength. I guess they will have a hard time..
lindapret0186
07-09-2008, 22:46
Paraguay vs Venezuela
some idea for this match.
:proud:http://www.goonlinesport.com/search/label/Uefa%20World%20Cup%202010%20Qualifying
This is not the Croatia of the past - the best player they did have was not even born in their country lol. Why not us pick up every immigrant at the age of 14 from the streets and give them an English shirt?
I'm not comparing the Croatia of now to that of the mid/late 90's, but it's not like todays Croatia has changed at all from the one that was better than us in the Euro qualifying groups or from the team that was one of the better sides in the actual Euro competition.
I'm not sure what to make of the rest of your comment, seems a bit insensitive/rude to me, but maybe i'm mis-reading it.
England have a lot of improving to do though
This i can agree with you on.
while Pranjić from Herenveen plays LB
I think this guy is ace, he never stops running, almost as good as Zhirkov and would be a welcome addition to the Milan squad.
I think Capello will play a 5 man midfield against Croatia, make it harder to break us down. Against Andorra Joe Cole & Rooney ended up dropping far too deep to pick up the ball that they left Heskey completely isolated, so if they both play on Wednesday they'll have to try and not do this. I don't think Defoe & Rooney will work against Croatia, so i would play this line-up:
--------------------James-----------------
---Johnson---Lescott*---Terry---Bridge*---
-Bentley*--Bullard---Barry---Lampard--J.Cole-
------------------Heskey------------------
* - I'd only play Lescott if Ferdinand was unfit (if he does miss the match i wouldn't be surprised if he played for Utd on the saturday/sunday).
* - Not sure if Bridge is even in the squad, but i'd play him ahead of Ashley Cole, who after beating his man stops and goes backwards.
* - I'd prefer to play Agbonlahor on the right, but again can't remember if he's in the squad. I'd probably have Walcott come on as a sub, he did very well at times against Andorra.
It would be ugly, but we'd just have to put in lots of crosses for Heskey and hope Lampard, Bullard and the opposite winger to where the cross is coming from can get up in support.
I'm not comparing the Croatia of now to that of the mid/late 90's, but it's not like todays Croatia has changed at all from the one that was better than us in the Euro qualifying groups or from the team that was one of the better sides in the actual Euro competition.
I'm not sure what to make of the rest of your comment, seems a bit insensitive/rude to me, but maybe i'm mis-reading it.
This i can agree with you on.
I think this guy is ace, he never stops running, almost as good as Zhirkov and would be a welcome addition to the Milan squad.
I think Capello will play a 5 man midfield against Croatia, make it harder to break us down. Against Andorra Joe Cole & Rooney ended up dropping far too deep to pick up the ball that they left Heskey completely isolated, so if they both play on Wednesday they'll have to try and not do this. I don't think Defoe & Rooney will work against Croatia, so i would play this line-up:
--------------------James-----------------
---Johnson---Lescott*---Terry---Bridge*---
-Bentley*--Bullard---Barry---Lampard--J.Cole-
------------------Heskey------------------
* - I'd only play Lescott if Ferdinand was unfit (if he does miss the match i wouldn't be surprised if he played for Utd on the saturday/sunday).
* - Not sure if Bridge is even in the squad, but i'd play him ahead of Ashley Cole, who after beating his man stops and goes backwards.
* - I'd prefer to play Agbonlahor on the right, but again can't remember if he's in the squad. I'd probably have Walcott come on as a sub, he did very well at times against Andorra.
It would be ugly, but we'd just have to put in lots of crosses for Heskey and hope Lampard, Bullard and the opposite winger to where the cross is coming from can get up in support.
First to say Im sorry I will not be able to go to the game due to exams which take corse in september in Croatia, and I have them on tuesday and on saturday so I will not make it to Zagreb. Im really sorry I will miss to see England and Cappello.
I saw that Cappello was furious on j.Cole and Rooney that they played to far away from Haskey. But Im sure both Cole and Rooney will start against us. Cappello WILL NOt exclude Rooney, no way. And A.Cole will play LB as I've heard in here...
On Pranjić. I've talked about this player in here last seasos and tryed to point that he was 2nd best rated player of Holland league last season and Im really surprised he hasnt transfered to some big clubs as he said he is on the warge of Ajax or some big English club, but that fell through aguess. But his original position is LM, not LB. And his shortness creates problems in crosses to the second post... He is from my City and from my local club, so I had a chance to see him 100 times while he was still U21 player. I dont expect him to play so offensive on saturday. So this is Croatian lineup for saturday, it was seen on training today:
----------------pletikosa-------------
--corluka----kovac----simunic--pranjić------
------------n.kovac--modric-------
----srna------------------rakitic----------
-----------olic------petrić------------
Maybe you didnt expect this, but for me ABSOLUTELY the best Croatian player is Darijo Srna. But he is a strange guy who has horribly enourmous sallary in Sakhtar and doesnt want to leave anywhere.
Its har to win 3 times in a row against England, so I expect a draw, but we will go for a win, that is sure.
Rest my case and what made it even more sweet was an Arsenal player ripping them apart.
Was it WC Qualifying game, right? The score makes me a bit confused.
Rest my case and what made it even more sweet was an Arsenal player ripping them apart.
And to that you have to give credit to Capello who is brave enough to play him instead of ... Owen (but fair enough, we don't know if Owen can also score a hattrick in this game).
I know Jeff a lot of praise must go to Don Fabio because he has given young theo the chance where the lad has struggled to even make the arsenal 11, Im not taking anything away from the team tho because everyone was immense especially Rooney who IMO had a cracker and shut up a lot of people. I just hope the team can carry this forward because winning in Zagreb was really difficult and it would be stupid to become complacent.
Jim I was talking about the Croatia that knocked us out before the Euro's mate, when I said this is not the Croatia of the past that is exactly what I meant. The best part is the Croats saying they lost because of the injuries to some key players - I guess Gerrard never even got in the starting line up then?
Arrogance was what killed you!
First congrats to England as they played simply brilliant football. Combined Cappello and class players were too much this time, the difference was obvious.
It was the first time in my life ( im 23) that I see England playing so smart football, clean Cappello handwrighting. Lampard, Walcott, Heskey, Cole, Rio, Terry - were all brilliant. From Croatian players only Corluka played well, and some parts Srna, ther est were outplayed.
I have nothing to say much, you deserved such a win. It was a fair result.
Modric didn't play ??
Why ??
he did, but like he didn't..
Modric is stuck in Rio's back pocket.
AlessandroNesta
11-09-2008, 10:41
Ghost, idiots blame injuries and referee (the sad part is that people are idiots when it comes to that things... The thing is, someone must be blamed, but Bilic is faultless... :stupid: I'll explain it later in this post)
Modric "didn't play" because he is being turned into a average defensive midfielder. Pranjic is NOT a left back. He is a good player, but he doesn't know how to defend. He can be a full back when he isn't under pressure and doesn't have to defend a lot, he plays good as LB when team dominates, when he just has to attack... But, problem is that Croatia doesn't have a REAL LEFT BACK, like A. Cole, Lahm and so on, and not just LB, even RB, who knows how to play in formations with 4 defenders. Maybe only Pamic, even Cale (i will punch myself for saying Cale, but it says a lot)... Probably a consequence of years of playing 3-5-2... Petric (out of form) and Olic are too similar, they can't play together, but perfect, untouchable, incredible, smartest Bilic doesn't see that. Without Eduardo (...and Cvitanich, if it was for me he shouldn't play for us, though...) we can't play with two strikers. It's not just his goals, he participates in creation, he HOLDS the ball, he does very much. But Bilic is afraid of doing something... For example, putting Simunic on LB, and Krizanac (who is our best centre back) as CB. And Pranjic as a midfielder, and we have a midfield consisting of 5 men, or 4+1 (Rakitic as a trequartista). Or putting our best defensive midfielder, Vukojevic, in, so we again have 5 man midfield... Which is a key to prevent teams to outplay us, because teams outplay us on a same way...
But I have to tell you - Bilic is like a god in Croatia, no one will tell if he makes a mistake... And he does make them a lot. He is NOTHING for Capello, but extremely stupid (sadly, not just stupid about football things) and naive folk believes some so called journalist when he writes that Bilic is better than don Fabio. But there... There is a cult of personality when it comes to Bilic, you know, you could even compare it to Stalin. Who ever says in public (even on forums) is being called declared a national traitor and other ridiculous names. :dconf: And I was really laughing when goal.com compared Bilic to Mourinho.:d33: Bilic is nowhere close to Mourinho, NOWHERE. What ddid he do in his coaching career, lose a title in domestic championship, losing in a extremely embarrasing manner against Serbia in playoffs for U-21 with a very talented generation, Modric, Corluka, Vukojevic, Eduardo, even Kranjcar was there for these 2 games... He did a, let's say, good selection of players when he came in NT and hee put the players on their position and that's all, he ISN'T tactical mastermind, tactics aren't even his better side. Better coaches like Katanec, Terim, Hiddink and now Capello embarassed him tactically. He is an average coach, who has luck that he has a mass support from media which of course leads to support from narrow minded people who don't understand football at all. I could go on against him (for tactical mistakes mostly) but I doubt my knowledge of English is good enough for that...
Ghost, idiots blame injuries and referee (the sad part is that people are idiots when it comes to that things... The thing is, someone must be blamed, but Bilic is faultless... :stupid: I'll explain it later in this post)
Modric "didn't play" because he is being turned into a average defensive midfielder. Pranjic is NOT a left back. He is a good player, but he doesn't know how to defend. He can be a full back when he isn't under pressure and doesn't have to defend a lot, he plays good as LB when team dominates, when he just has to attack... But, problem is that Croatia doesn't have a REAL LEFT BACK, like A. Cole, Lahm and so on, and not just LB, even RB, who knows how to play in formations with 4 defenders. Maybe only Pamic, even Cale (i will punch myself for saying Cale, but it says a lot)... Probably a consequence of years of playing 3-5-2... Petric (out of form) and Olic are too similar, they can't play together, but perfect, untouchable, incredible, smartest Bilic doesn't see that. Without Eduardo (...and Cvitanich, if it was for me he shouldn't play for us, though...) we can't play with two strikers. It's not just his goals, he participates in creation, he HOLDS the ball, he does very much. But Bilic is afraid of doing something... For example, putting Simunic on LB, and Krizanac (who is our best centre back) as CB. And Pranjic as a midfielder, and we have a midfield consisting of 5 men, or 4+1 (Rakitic as a trequartista). Or putting our best defensive midfielder, Vukojevic, in, so we again have 5 man midfield... Which is a key to prevent teams to outplay us, because teams outplay us on a same way...
But I have to tell you - Bilic is like a god in Croatia, no one will tell if he makes a mistake... And he does make them a lot. He is NOTHING for Capello, but extremely stupid (sadly, not just stupid about football things) and naive folk believes some so called journalist when he writes that Bilic is better than don Fabio. But there... There is a cult of personality when it comes to Bilic, you know, you could even compare it to Stalin. Who ever says in public (even on forums) is being called declared a national traitor and other ridiculous names. :dconf: And I was really laughing when goal.com compared Bilic to Mourinho.:d33: Bilic is nowhere close to Mourinho, NOWHERE. What ddid he do in his coaching career, lose a title in domestic championship, losing in a extremely embarrasing manner against Serbia in playoffs for U-21 with a very talented generation, Modric, Corluka, Vukojevic, Eduardo, even Kranjcar was there for these 2 games... He did a, let's say, good selection of players when he came in NT and hee put the players on their position and that's all, he ISN'T tactical mastermind, tactics aren't even his better side. Better coaches like Katanec, Terim, Hiddink and now Capello embarassed him tactically. He is an average coach, who has luck that he has a mass support from media which of course leads to support from narrow minded people who don't understand football at all. I could go on against him (for tactical mistakes mostly) but I doubt my knowledge of English is good enough for that...
Come on, only a blind person can say bilic is a better coach then THE COACH - Cappello. Cappello is like God of coaches, together with Lippi.
But Hiddink didnt outplayed Bilić, or did Katanec ( tactically ). But I also agree we should have palyed Simunic at LB and Križanac as CB ( the man is in great form and palys really well ).
And hey, Da Silva is not here, Klasinić is too slow for yesterdays game, Cvitanich???, Kranjčak is not there to play 4-5-1...so he did what he could do with midfield.
We cant pay 10 mln a year for Cappello, so we have Bilic. he is not that bad, way better then Barić the clown, Blazevic THE clown and Kranjčar the drunk. Only man capable of coaching at highest level is tomislav Ivic, but he is too old and doesnt want to work with CFF. Mourinho at one occasion said that ivic is the best coach he ever worked with, pure truth.
Ghost, noone blamed ref...you won fair.
Ghost, idiots blame injuries and referee (the sad part is that people are idiots when it comes to that things... The thing is, someone must be blamed, but Bilic is faultless... :stupid: I'll explain it later in this post)
Modric "didn't play" because he is being turned into a average defensive midfielder. Pranjic is NOT a left back. He is a good player, but he doesn't know how to defend. He can be a full back when he isn't under pressure and doesn't have to defend a lot, he plays good as LB when team dominates, when he just has to attack... But, problem is that Croatia doesn't have a REAL LEFT BACK, like A. Cole, Lahm and so on, and not just LB, even RB, who knows how to play in formations with 4 defenders. Maybe only Pamic, even Cale (i will punch myself for saying Cale, but it says a lot)... Probably a consequence of years of playing 3-5-2... Petric (out of form) and Olic are too similar, they can't play together, but perfect, untouchable, incredible, smartest Bilic doesn't see that. Without Eduardo (...and Cvitanich, if it was for me he shouldn't play for us, though...) we can't play with two strikers. It's not just his goals, he participates in creation, he HOLDS the ball, he does very much. But Bilic is afraid of doing something... For example, putting Simunic on LB, and Krizanac (who is our best centre back) as CB. And Pranjic as a midfielder, and we have a midfield consisting of 5 men, or 4+1 (Rakitic as a trequartista). Or putting our best defensive midfielder, Vukojevic, in, so we again have 5 man midfield... Which is a key to prevent teams to outplay us, because teams outplay us on a same way...
But I have to tell you - Bilic is like a god in Croatia, no one will tell if he makes a mistake... And he does make them a lot. He is NOTHING for Capello, but extremely stupid (sadly, not just stupid about football things) and naive folk believes some so called journalist when he writes that Bilic is better than don Fabio. But there... There is a cult of personality when it comes to Bilic, you know, you could even compare it to Stalin. Who ever says in public (even on forums) is being called declared a national traitor and other ridiculous names. :dconf: And I was really laughing when goal.com compared Bilic to Mourinho.:d33: Bilic is nowhere close to Mourinho, NOWHERE. What ddid he do in his coaching career, lose a title in domestic championship, losing in a extremely embarrasing manner against Serbia in playoffs for U-21 with a very talented generation, Modric, Corluka, Vukojevic, Eduardo, even Kranjcar was there for these 2 games... He did a, let's say, good selection of players when he came in NT and hee put the players on their position and that's all, he ISN'T tactical mastermind, tactics aren't even his better side. Better coaches like Katanec, Terim, Hiddink and now Capello embarassed him tactically. He is an average coach, who has luck that he has a mass support from media which of course leads to support from narrow minded people who don't understand football at all. I could go on against him (for tactical mistakes mostly) but I doubt my knowledge of English is good enough for that...
I'm sorry to tell you this, but this is a very stupid post.
You are right about some things (Pranjic playing FB), but overall you are clearly talking about things you don't understand.
Jeff, Walcott played instead of Beckham or Bentley, not Owen.
I didn't see the game but i listened to bits of it on the radio. I value their comments & opinions more than the ones in the papers. It was a great result, but 1 performance doesn't mean everything's fine and we'll win the world cup (some deluded fans think this whenever we win), nor does it mean Capello has solved all the problems or that Walcott is going to be a match winner in every game. I'm going to keep my feet on the ground (like Walcott, his interviews afterwards showed level headedness) and applaud the result but recognise that in the next game we can take nothing for granted.
The result was great and to be the first team EVER to beat Croatia at home is a real achievement. I want to congratulate and shame the Croatian crowd too though. 4-1 down to England of all teams and they were singing like they had won the world cup, no doubt England fans would boo the team if we were losing by that score. However, it's disappointing to still see racist chants coming from certain sections of the crowd, football should be beyond this by now but i guess it isn't.
For England the pressure is on now as we have to put this kind of performance into our home games. Given the pressure the crowd can generate at Wembley, teams we might be expected to beat comfortably could give us a problem or two.
As for Bilic, i think it's silly to compare him to experienced managers, but likewise it's ridiculous to castrate him for making mistakes. He's a great, young, passionate manager and given how well he's done with Croatia, i think he deserves some credit.
In every crowd thare are "people " who actually are not people but some kind of beasts. Who are recist, facist, make fights and trash bars.
Imagine this. In zagreb there were numerous fights between English and Croatian ultras ( huligans ) that were already arranged, and that is a common thing in these groups. But the strangest thing ( and even english people who are known as hard fans and dangerous to have in your town were surprised ) is that many of our ultra groups from Zagreb, Split, Osijek and so on...were fighting eachother... Actually most part of the biggest ultra group from Zagreb ( Bad Blue boys ) werent even on the match...
strange people...but dont judge my country by ultras. Things like that happened in Spain, Italy and in England before. just save some money and fly to Adriatic sea in the summer, they the wiew is different :)
Howewer, the song they sang in last part when we were 1:4 down went like this: " run away people, run away from the city, here come the drunken lads ( free translation to save the meaning ). Run away, while there is still hope for you, becouse Croatia plays in here..ale,ale..." So the song was kind of for English supporters partially :), but its also seng as a trademark song in past few years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQb3sNLAqAo&feature=related
Never mind it, I just wanted to inform you. MAybe it would be interesting to know about other supporters songs and their meanings actually. not just listen to the noise.
You won, were better by miles.
I wasn't judging Croatia by how the crowd behaved, people have done that enough with England before so i'd be a big hypocrite if i were to do the same.
It's not like England are much better, some sections of our crowd still boo the opposition's national anthem, i was just making a comment.
Its ok, I wasnt angry, I was just making conversation about the fans.
Jeff, Walcott played instead of Beckham or Bentley, not Owen.
Oh I know i know... I was just referring to the fact that Capello was grilled when he didnt' even call up Owen (am I right about this?)
J
Italy is away to Bulgaria on Saturday, October 11 and welcome Montengro at home on Wednesday 15th October.
Italy squad vs Bulgaria and Montenegro:
Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Amelia (Palermo), De Sanctis (Galatasaray)
Defenders: Bonera (Milan), Cannavaro (Real Madrid), Chiellini (Juventus), Dossena (Liverpool), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Santacroce (Napoli), Zambrotta (Milan)
Midfielders: Aquilani (Roma), Camoranesi (Juventus), De Rossi (Roma), Gattuso (Milan), Maggio (Napoli), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Nocerino (Palermo), Perrotta (Roma)
Forwards: Di Natale (Udinese), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Pepe (Udinese), G Rossi (Villareal), Toni (Bayern Munich).
Debutants: G. Rossi, Christian Maggio, Simone Pepe and Fabiano Santacroce.
Montolivo might be asked to take the playmaking duties in midfield as Pirlo is out, while Cassano still isn't called up......
its a good enough team to beat Bulgaria and Montenegro ;)
i'd like to see a defense of Zambro-Bonera/Chiellini-Cannavaro-Chiellini/Bonera
De Rossi, Gattuso and Aquilani should control the midfield
and Gila, Di Natali and Rossi in attack would be great :D(they're fast and good finishers :P)
Toni will always start...no matter how bad he is. It's sort of like Pirlo and Gattuso here. Gila will probably come off the bench.
Toni will always start...no matter how bad he is. It's sort of like Pirlo and Gattuso here. Gila will probably come off the bench.
naah, i Believe Lippi is diffrent to Donadoni, but we'll have to wait and see :D
Ace you got it right...:D
QUALIFICAZIONI MONDIALI 2010: LE FORMAZIONI DI BULGARIA-ITALIA
11/10/2008
BULGARIA: Ivankov; Milanov, Iliev, Tunchev, Wagner; Dimitrov, St. Petrov, Gencev, M. Petrov; Georglev; Berbatov.
ITALIA: Amelia; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Dossena; Gattuso, De Rossi, Montolivo; Pepe, Gilardino, Di Natale.
FORZA ITALIA!
After 23 minutes:
Romania 2-0 France
Domenech still survives?
lol Ribery just pulled one back. In other news Italy DESPERATELY needs someone like Cassano in the team. Their build-up is so predictable. Gilardino is getting ZERO service.
WHAT A GOAL BY GOURCUFF!!! Oh My Word!!!
yeah lets get gourcuff back in the winter, he's simply amazing :D
Gourcuff goal: http://www.d1g.com/video/show/2369193-68-
I also heard he assisted Ribery's goal. Good work!
I guess Domenech owes Gourcuff now but he still won't be selected by Domenech if he comes back to Serie A ;)
Argentina already 2 up on Uruaguay with goals from Messi and Aguero
England did ok, playing at wembley still scares the players because they make so many mistakes than they normally would for their clubs.
I think the booing of Ashley Cole was disgraceful, what other country's fans would boo a player immediately after making a mistake and continue it until the match ended? With that kind of verbal pressure on him i'm surprised he didn't make another mistake afterwards. Having said that, i still don't think he's that good, a number of times his poor control stopped him from advancing forward.
A mixed bag really, a very patient performance (bordering on the clueless at times) but still 5 goals & 3 points. So it can't be all bad :D
Brazil is ripping through Venezuela. Kaka scored a great goal, as did Robinho. It's 3-0 so far and the match started at the hour.
Italy - Montenegro starting lineups:
Italy: Amelia; Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Dossena; Gattuso, De Rossi, Aquilani; Pepe, Gilardino, Di Natale
Italy bench: De Sanctis, Bonera, Gamberini, Perrotta, Montolivo, Rossi, Quagliarella
Montenegro: Poleksic; Pavicevic, Tanasijevic, Batak, Jovanovic; Drincic, Zverotic, Vukcevic, Jovetic, Boskovic; Vucinic
Montenegro bench: M Bozovic, V Bozovic, Jeknic, Novakovic, Damjanovic, Bogavac, Burzanovic
I got class so I have to run...FORZA ITALIA!
Dont think this belongs here, but Italy U21 won 3-1 vs Israel tonight aswell...
2 great goals by Ballotili(spell?) and a great goal from Abate via a 1vs1..
i'd like Abate back now please :D
ginoformaggino
15-10-2008, 18:32
Dont think this belongs here, but Italy U21 won 3-1 vs Israel tonight aswell...
2 great goals by Ballotili(spell?) and a great goal from Abate via a 1vs1..
i'd like Abate back now please :D
I watched it. Yes, Balottelli is really a very good player, in Brazil he should be 'craque de oro', but he risks to become a new Cassano, simply a player out of head, with no control of his nerves... while I think with sadness and nostalgia at our wingers... what kind of Milan would have been by having Pasquale Foggia on the left and Abate on the right. Both they aren't at Milanello. Who is the responsible? Someone should cut his balls. :gun:
Brazil Colombia must have been the most boring match in football history (after France - Romania). Kaka had pretty much no impact on the game while by the time Pato came on, I was busy doing other things.
Dossena, Abate, Aquilani/Montolivo, Santacroce, Gasberrini etc. Those Italian players are 100% welcomed in Milan. And can make our team drastically stronger, starting from Dossena and Santacroce.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAEfOIOSXdA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzUuu_HWUMg
Balotelli's two goals versus Israel...my word. Extraordinary player.
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