View Full Version : EURO u-21 in Netherlands
Surprised there isn't a thread up here about this. Anyway to start things off here's the schedule for the matches in Holland in June, along with the provisional squad of 30 which is to be cut to 23 for the official tournament.
Serbia vs Italy 11/06/07
England vs Italy 14/06/07
Italy vs Czech Republic 17/06/07
Provisional Squad: Goalkeepers: Gianluca Curci (AS Roma), Emiliano Viviano (Brescia Calcio), Andrea Consigli (S.S. Sambenedettese Calcio).
Defenders: Marco Andreolli (FC Internazionale Milano), Michele Canini (Cagliari Calcio), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Andrea Coda (Udinese Calcio), Domenico Criscito (Genoa 1893), Andrea Mantovani (AC Chievo Verona), Lino Marzoratti (Empoli FC), Marco Motta (Udinese Calcio), Alessandro Potenza (ACF Fiorentina), Andrea Raggi (Empoli FC).
Midfielders: Alberto Aquilani (AS Roma), Luca Cigarini (Parma FC), Raffaele De Martino (Udinese Calcio), Daniele Dessena (Parma FC), Andrea Lazzari (Piacenza Calcio), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (ACF Fiorentina), Antonio Nocerino (Piacenza Calcio), Simone Padoin (Vicenza Calcio), Alessandro Rosina (Torino FC).
Forwards: Arturo Lupoli (Derby County FC), Raffaele Palladino (Juventus), Gabriele Paonessa (Vicenza Calcio), Giampaolo Pazzini (ACF Fiorentina), Graziano Pellè (AC Cesena), Nicola Pozzi (Empoli FC), Giuseppe Rossi (Parma FC).
I'll try to drop in any other information I can before the beginning of the final stage of the tournament.
No Milan players, cause for concern? Just wondering, I don't really follow U-21 games.
Lino Marzoratti + Nicola Pozzi are both Milan owned players. Since (if Galliani is to believed) we have just recently started investing more into our youth squad, the benefits of this investment would only be seen in maybe the next Under 21 or even the one after that.
Also Gourcuff is a major player for France under 21.
Here is the final squad of 23 for the tournament in Holland. Both Milan owned players were cut.
Goalkeepers: Consigli (Sambenedettese), Curci (Roma), Viviano (Brescia)
Defenders: Andreolli (Inter), Canini (Cagliari), Chiellini (Juventus), Coda (Udinese), Criscito (Genoa), Mantovani (Chievo), Potenza (Fiorentina), Raggi (Empoli)
Midfielders: Aquilani (Roma), Cigarini (Parma), Dessena (Parma), Lazzari (Piacenza), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Nocerino (Piacenza), Padoin (Vicenza), Rosina (Torino)
Forwards: Palladino (Juventus), Pazzini (Fiorentina), Pellè (Cesena), Giuseppe Rossi (Parma)
Apart from that squad, there's another squad for the Under 21 2009 championship qualifier on Friday against Albania. You'd think they'd save qualifying till AFTER the competition but I guess that's too much to ask. Anyway here's the 2009 qualifying squad for this Friday. Players must be born after January 1st 1986.
Goalkeepers: Consigli (Sambenedettese), Sirigu (Palermo)
Defenders: Belmonte (Bari), Bocchetti (Frosinone), Criscito (Genoa), Marzoratti (Empoli), Motta (Udinese), Rickler (Chievo), M. Rossi (Modena)
Midfielders: Cigarini (Parma), Candreva (Ternana), De Ceglie (Juventus), De Martino (Udinese), Dessena (Parma), Marchisio (Juventus), Paonessa (Vicenza), Russotto (Treviso)
Forwards: Acquafresca (Treviso), Giovinco (Juventus), Lupoli (Derby County), G. Rossi (Parma)
There's the much hyped Giovinco from Juventus. I have an exam Friday but I hope someone can watch the match to give his/her opinion on him.
This is a championship i wouldn't miss for anything in the world.
Previous winners :
1978 - Yugoslavia
1980 - USSR
1982 - England
1984 - England
1986 - Spain
1988 - France
1990 - USSR
1992 - Italy
1994 - Italy
1996 - Italy
1998 - Spain
2000 - Italy
2002 - Czech Republic
2004 - Italy
2006 - Netherlands
Many ex and current stars shined on this championship.
Huntelaar, Mavuba and Milevskiy were the stars in 2006, Gilardino, De Rossi, Hleb, Schweinsteiger and Elmander in 2004, Pirlo, Defoe, Crouch, Charisteas, Bonera, Iaquinta, Pennant, Grygera, Petr Chech, Mexes, Boumsong (:) ), Maccarone in 2002 , Van Bommel, Pirlo, Baros, Jankulovski, Angulo and Lampard in 2000 etc.
There's no doubt some of these youngsters who'll take part in u-21 in Netherlands ( from June 10 - June 23) will become one of the best in Europe and the world.
8 teams made it to the u-21 :
GROUP A
The Netherlands
Israel
Portugal
Belgium
GROUP B
Italy
Serbia
England
Czech Republic
The draw wanted the biggest favourites to find themselves in group B.
In my next post i'll write few words about every team, although it would be for the best if some of the natives here on MM give their view on their teams.
The Netherlands
The hosts went directly to the finals. They won it last year, led by Klaas Jan Huntelaar, but KJH isn't with the team anymore , and some new youngsters will have to do the job now.
The most famous name from this squad is the name of Ryan Babel . With 14 caps (5 goals) for the senior team and with World Cup experience, the Ajax youngster will be the main threat for the goalkeepers.
Daniël de Ridder from Celta, Captain Ron Vlaar from Feyenoord and another senior team player, Hedwiges Maduro from Ajax are the other stars of the team.
Israel
This team is an unknown to me. The Israelis made it to Holland after eliminating Wales and favourites Turkey in the group stages and then they made the greatest suprise in u-21 football in last 10 years by eliminating France. All Israeli players, apart from Ben Sahar from Chelsea, play in their local championship.
The 17 years old extra talent Sahar played 3 times from Chelsea in EPL this year and eventhough he's only 17, this 1.81m tall forward already has 3 caps and 2 goals for the senior team.
Belgium
Our members from Belgium will make much better preview on their team i believe. They eliminated Rep. of Ireland and Greece and then they were better than Bozinov's Bulgaria u-21 team.
I know Martens from AZ Alkmaar and i was really impressed from this youngster whenever i had a chance to watch him. Vanden Borre from Anderlecht, De Mul and Vermaelen from Ajax should be the stars of this team.
Belgium did make a solid u-21 team, and they have a good chance to pass the group stages and find themselves in the semis. Too bad Vincent Kompany, Dembélé and Anderlecht attacker Jonathan Legear are unfit. If all of them played then i'd concider Belgium as one of the main contenders for a medal.
Portugal
From what i hear, this Portugal team is far from their past u-21 teams.
Nani from Sporting ( now Manchester United) Hugo Almeida from Werder and defender Manuel De Costa from PSV are the main stars.
They almost didn't make it to Netherlands after they lost 4:1 from Russia in the play-offs, but a 3:0 win in Portugal was enough to take them here on away goals rule.
Not so good team as they used to have, but we shoul always count on them.
Group B
Italy
We all know the Italians so i'll only write the team :
Goalkeepers: Curci ( Roma) , Consigli (Atalanta) , Viviano (Brescia)
Defenders: Chiellini-cap. ( Juventus), Andreolli (Inter), Canini ( Cagliari), Coda (Udinese), Criscito( Juventus/Genoa), Raggi(Empoli), Potenza (Fiorentina), Mantovani(Chievo)
Midfielders: Rosina(Torino), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Nocerino (Juventus/Piacenza), Aquilani (Roma), Dessena(Parma), Cigarini (Parma), Lazzari (Atalanta), Padoin (Vicenza)
Attackers: Rossi ( Man Utd/Parma) , Palladino (Juventus), Pelle (Cesena), Pazzini (Fiorentina)
Italians eliminated Spain in the play-offs. Again, they are among the main favourites.
Serbia
Always strong in u-21, like always in the past, semifinalists from 2006 and finalists from 2005, have a consistancy problem. On their day they can destroy everyone, on a bad day they can lose from Andorra.
They've shown it in the play-offs also. They lost 0:3 at home from Sweden in the play-offs and then , in the second leg, they won 5:0 away in Sweden.
Jankovic from Mallorca, Krasic from CSKA Moscow, Ivanovic from Lokomotiv Moscow and Basta from Red Star are the stars. All of them have experience from some past u-21 championships and i expect them to be strong again.
England
After many years, the English are agains among the favs to win the tournament.
2 wins against Germany in the play-offs gave them confidence while the team with Pool's keeper Carson, West Ham's Ferdinand, New Castle's Milner and ManU's Richardson gives a guarantee of a good tournament for the Englishmen.
Czech Republic
Another unknown team for me. All i know is that most of them play in Czech championship and that they are always solid in u-21 championships.
They were lucky to eliminate Bosnia in the play-offs and although i watched the return leg of Bosnia-Czech Rep. i don't remember much and i don't remember some Czech player making an impact on me.
http://www.milanmania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22656
Thanks for covering the other teams though :D Maybe a mod could merge the two or something ? Preferably using this thread as the main one.
ACMILAN1983
31-05-2007, 16:48
merged Euro-U21 threads.
Was a bit confused at not seeing Gourcuff in Toulon, but just realised he's probably going to be involved in this one ;)
He's supposed to play in an Under 21 Euro 2009 qualifier tomorrow as well. The guy's a fixture in both Under 21 squads. We really have a gem in our squad.
EDIT: Both meaning the squad for Holland and the squad for 2009.
What squad for Holland ?
France didn't qualify for Euro u-21 :)
They didn't!!!? I automatically assumed they did. My apologies then. He WOULD have been though.
ACMILAN1983
01-06-2007, 08:50
They didn't!!!? I automatically assumed they did. My apologies then. He WOULD have been though.
I made the same mistake I guess ;)
I made the same mistake I guess ;)
Dev, would you like to give your view on English u-21 team ? I do know some of the players but most of them are unfamiliar to me.
This is English team :
Goalkeepers :Carson (Liverpool) , Alnwick (Totenham) , Hart (Man City)
Defenders : Baines( Wigan) , Cahill (Aston Villa), Hoyte (Arsenal) , A. Ferdinand (West Ham), Onuoha (Man City) , Taylor (New Castle), Rosenior (Fulham), Whittingham (Cardiff City)
Midfielders : Bentley (Blackburn) , Milner (New Castle), Huddlestone (Totenham), Reo-Coker (West Ham), Noble (West Ham), Richardson (Manchester United), Routledge (Totenham)
Attack: Lita (Reading), Derbyshire (Blackburn), Nugent (Preston), Vaughan (Everton), Young (Aston Villa)
And maybe you can give your prediction on their chances on this euro
Thanx :5ok:
There's the much hyped Giovinco from Juventus. I have an exam Friday but I hope someone can watch the match to give his/her opinion on him.
MVP of the match, the best one by far.
I think Italy got the successor of Del Piero and Totti ( support forward). Rossi and Lupoli will score a lot in the future if they have Giovinco behind them. Today he created a lot of chances and he was involved directly when the goals were scored.
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun1p.html
Well you ARE a Juve fan so I can't really trust your opinion :D J/K Seems even Channel4 agreed he was one of the best players on the pitch. I hope I can get to download the match sometime. Seems Italy's future is in good hands after all :D
Well you ARE a Juve fan so I can't really trust your opinion :D J/K
:dielaugh:
Well, you do have a point cause i'm really subjective sometimes.
But you can trust me on this. He is an unbelievable talent and he was the best player on the pitch tonight.
And you can trust channel4 :
"Juventus youth team hero Giovinco was particularly impressive this evening"
http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun1s.html
If i'm not wrong, Rai international will replay the game later tonight so maybe you can catch it.
(although , if you check the schedule of Rai Int you won't find anything about a replay of the match, but the commentator said they'll show a replay and they do know to put some schedule and then change it.)
If not, then we can catch the highlights on Youtube ;)
ACMILAN1983
01-06-2007, 16:34
Dev, would you like to give your view on English u-21 team ? I do know some of the players but most of them are unfamiliar to me.
This is English team :
Goalkeepers :Carson (Liverpool) , Alnwick (Totenham) , Hart (Man City)
Defenders : Baines( Wigan) , Cahill (Aston Villa), Hoyte (Arsenal) , A. Ferdinand (West Ham), Onuoha (Man City) , Taylor (New Castle), Rosenior (Fulham), Whittingham (Cardiff City)
Midfielders : Bentley (Blackburn) , Milner (New Castle), Huddlestone (Totenham), Reo-Coker (West Ham), Noble (West Ham), Richardson (Manchester United), Routledge (Totenham)
Attack: Lita (Reading), Derbyshire (Blackburn), Nugent (Preston), Vaughan (Everton), Young (Aston Villa)
And maybe you can give your prediction on their chances on this euro
Thanx :5ok:
there's not much to say tbh. Carson is a pretty decent keeper. Anton Ferdinand is related to Rio (I think his cousin), but I think is prone to mistakes imo, but is probably the most high profile defender there. Personally, I'm not too impressed with that defence.
I think the midfield will be the strongest area of the pitch, as all the names are regulars in the Premiership. Richardson probably being best known in Europe probably as he plays for United and has appeared in CL. Milner is worth a look, mostly as he has a very good long shot. Reo-Coker is another who could do well.
In attack, Nugent has had an excellent season, but that's not in the Premiership, so it's hard to predict how well he'll do. I personally think Lita is a decent forward when given the chance, has had a positive influence at Reading.
I think England are good enough to maybe do themselves proud, but tbh, I think there are better squads involved, so don't really expect much.
I don't get Rai down here but I'll see if I can get it by other means. Thanks anyway though!
Stezagud
02-06-2007, 06:59
If England did what Holland have done and call back senior pro's they would probably win the tournament, Micah Richards would improve the defence immeasurably, Lennon would be a huge threat from midfield and Rooney would probably be the best player on show.
As for who is there, there are decent players on show. Baines has been a top defender for 2 seasons in the Prem and will most likely leave for someone better this summer (though it'll most likely be the defenders graveyard that is Newcastle :eek: ) Ferdinand, Taylor and Rosenior will probably be the rest of the back 4, all are very good but likely to make a crucial mistake :cool:
As Dev said the midfield is the strongest area for England, Milner has done well for Newcastle and has scored some spectacular goals, Bentley likewise for Blackburn has had a great season and was unlucky not to make the senior squad for the Euro qualfiers. Richardson isnt much liked at Utd but he is a good player with a lot of experience for his age. Reo-Coker is a Gattuso style ankle biter who has been linked with the top 4 clubs but will most likely end up at Villa :eek: Huddlestone is a top player potentially, really big and powerful with good vision and an excellent range of passing.
As for the strikers, Englands beat Germany by blasting them with the pace of Walcott (injured) and Agbonlahor, who went on holiday and as Pearce couldnt get in touch with him he got dropped from the squad :rolleyes:
Of the rest, Lita is a good allrounder, fast, strong and a good finisher. Derbyshire is a poacher in the Pippo mould who doesnt seem to domuch but always seems to score :D when he came on against Italy he scored within seconds with his first touch ;)
Nugent is another allrounder, more skillful than Lita though and will probably lead the line. Vaughan is a hot prospect at Everton who is still only 17 or 18, fast, aggresive and a capable scorer, he scored against Chelsea a month or so ago. Young is a fast, tricky winger with excellent delivery, he moved to Villa for about £10m in January but hasnt really lived up to the tag yet.
As for Englands prospects, i really dont expect much, maybe not even to escape the group. They should do far better than that but inevitably wont because they squad is drawn from weaker Prem teams who dont have the winning mentality of Utd, Liverpool and Charlton. Only Richardson and Bentley in the likely starting XI have come through top level academies and have that little bit extra self belief.
Tony here's the entire match courtesy Toone10 of Soccerpule forums. That guy deserves a nobel prize for the work he does.
FIRST HALF
http://files.filefront.com//;7689790;/
SECOND HALF
http://files.filefront.com//;7689792;/
ginoformaggino
04-06-2007, 14:28
Group B
Italy
We all know the Italians so i'll only write the team :
Goalkeepers: Curci ( Roma) , Consigli (Atalanta) , Viviano (Brescia)
Defenders: Chiellini-cap. ( Juventus), Andreolli (Inter), Canini ( Cagliari), Coda (Udinese), Criscito( Juventus/Genoa), Raggi(Empoli), Potenza (Fiorentina), Mantovani(Chievo)
Midfielders: Rosina(Torino), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Nocerino (Juventus/Piacenza), Aquilani (Roma), Dessena(Parma), Cigarini (Parma), Lazzari (Atalanta), Padoin (Vicenza)
Attackers: Rossi ( Man Utd/Parma) , Palladino (Juventus), Pelle (Cesena), Pazzini (Fiorentina)
Italians eliminated Spain in the play-offs. as usual :zany:
i underlined the names of our best youngsters
Nocerino is the new Gattuso . With the elegance of Montolivo/Rosina and Aquilani, what a midfield!
Pellè will be the surprise.
i underlined the names of our best youngsters
Nocerino is the new Gattuso . With the elegance of Montolivo/Rosina and Aquilani, what a midfield!
Pellè will be the surprise.
Thanx :5ok:
I'm suprised you didn't underline Rosina, Chiellini and Rossi...even Palladino. But since you're a native i must trust you :)
Edit: Great find Mystik. I already watched the match though :)
Besides Giovinco some other standout players from the Albania match were:
Criscito - Excellent at going forward on the left and equally excellent and composed in defense.
Marzoratti - Composed in defense and is a Milan owned player (which automatically gives him 12/10)
Cigarini - Excellent passing from midfield, especially his long balls and equally excellent defending as well.
Dessena - Combined excellently with Giovinco on the left and was a constant threat to the Albanian defense.
ginoformaggino
05-06-2007, 07:11
Thanx :5ok:
I'm suprised you didn't underline Rosina, Chiellini and Rossi...even Palladino.
But since you're a native i must trust you :)
these players are already quite famous
The Netherlands
Belgium
Our members from Belgium will make much better preview on their team i believe. They eliminated Rep. of Ireland and Greece and then they were better than Bozinov's Bulgaria u-21 team.
I know Martens from AZ Alkmaar and i was really impressed from this youngster whenever i had a chance to watch him. Vanden Borre from Anderlecht, De Mul and Vermaelen from Ajax should be the stars of this team.
Belgium did make a solid u-21 team, and they have a good chance to pass the group stages and find themselves in the semis. Too bad Vincent Kompany, Dembélé and Anderlecht attacker Jonathan Legear are unfit. If all of them played then i'd concider Belgium as one of the main contenders for a medal.
.
All the hope of Belgium football fans are on the shoulders of this team. Since our first national team is a total disaster the last 5 years (we are on even points with , with all due respect, screw Armenia in our qualification group!), we all hope for a good result of our U21 team. They haven't lost a game in the last year. But like you already said, we miss two important players in Kompany and Dembele. Also a few players played with our A-team (Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Martens) and are not really fit. I certainly hope they do well, because we desperately need a good football result for Belgian football.
Alessandro Potenza of Fiorentina is to be replaced by Marco Motta of Udinese in the squad of 23. Potenza had to leave because of a muscle pull.
And England lost another star - Bentley.
He has withdrawn from the U-21 Championship citing fatigue. This reduces English chances a lot. He was one of the best ( many think he was THE best) players in english squad.
Stezagud
08-06-2007, 13:35
Yeah, based on last seasons performances he was certainly amongst Englands best players :(
Fortunately right midfield is one position where we have strength in depth, Milner is a very good player, similar to Bentley and Routledge played very well in the destruction of Slovakia, if he stays clear of injury can be a real threat. If for some reason both of them are out Ashley Young can play there too, in fact he is probably a better right winger than he is a striker ;)
For me Huddlestone is the key English player though, he is the one who can dictate the play, he is a mountain of a man but he can pass like Pirlo, his only weakness is a lack of pace but with Reo-Coker to do the leg work anyway it *shouldnt* matter. If Huddlestone is on top form England can go far, if not then we probably wont escape the group...
Holland - Israel 1-0
It was a boring game
Thats only because Israel played a poor match and Holland scored an early goal and for the rest of the match they contained that result
Holland looks ok
Portugal - Belgium 0-0
Belgium did well to supress new Manchester United signing Nani while creating better chances than Portugal throughout the match.
Belgium deserved to win. They had more and better chances. Altough the game was quite in balance. So a 0-0 is also a reasonable result.
Belgium played in a very good organisation, so that the Potuguese thechnical players weren't verry dangerous. Nani and Moutinho were dissapointing and the big striker Almeida (of Werder Bremen) even more. He had one good chance, a close header towards goal. But it was to close to Bailly who stopped it with a good reflex.
In the Belgium squad it were especially Vanden Borre and Mirallas who caused danger. Vanden Borre (who is going to Fiorentina after being somewhat kicked out of RSCA Anderlecht, the main reason was his behaviour: it is not that he is a difficult person or a fighter or something like that, but he is verry inattentive, he arrived too late on training and things like that and he also failed a little as rightback because of his defensive skills) ,who played as a rightmidfielder, had some nice dribbels and tricks and a good splitting pass.
Mirallas was for me the surprise of the evening, he plays for Lille. He has a verry good first control, which is offcourse verry important for a striker, he also has a good dribbel and accelaration. Only his finishing skills could have been better, because he missed two good chances.
In the defensive department it were especially the central defensive duo Vermaelen and Lombaerts who played very well. Along with the defensive midfield duo of Faillani, a giant who almost wins every (air)challange, who is good at stealing balls and is calm at the ball and Vertongen.
As I said before Belgium played in a very good organisation, the whole team worked for eachother, so they will not give away much to attacking sides (like Portugal), but they have enough technicall ability themselves to create good chances for themselves and therefore I think they can go a long way in the tournament.
Czech Rep. - England 0-0
Either it is the national team or the u21 team Czech Rep. has the same strong players and the same excellent tactical approach of the game
England in the first half looked like an outsider who is trying to make the big surprise
in the 2nd half they were more determined to win
They try to play better and they showed what they can do
For me this match looked like a scenario
Anyway
Italia should be careful with both this teams
Italy had a slow start looked more threatening as the half progressed with Palladino wasting two great chances in front of goal. They need to abandon that long ball idea and start playing some possession football, using the quality of their midfield. HT 0-0
Stezagud
11-06-2007, 15:47
England were bad as expected :D
As i said before the squad is drawn from outside the top 4 with the exception of Richardson and these players are not used to winning games, to breaking down defences etc Even after playing quite poorly throughout the game they were practically gifted the win with a last minute penalty, only to miss that too :eek: :dielaugh:
Italy lost to Serbia too :eek: They had plenty of the ball and were neat and tidy with it but also looked to suffer from the same problem as England, an inability to break down a compact organised defence. The Serbia goal was an excellent strike too, from a very good player.
As it stands i'd say this group is totally open and any of the sides could end up 1st or 4th, which at least makes it interesting to watch :cool:
Really disappointing result for Italy who I believe deserved to win this one. Palladino's wasted chances came back to haunt them. IMO Guiseppe Rossi would do a better job on the left wing than Palladino. We'll see if Casiraghi makes any changes for the next match/ It's still possible for Italy to make it through of course. They NEED to win the next two games.
I saw the first half and yes I agree Palladino had some good chances . Number 10 (Italy ) don't remember the name showed a good game tonight he had shaved head .
Im interested to know which players from Milan Youth team are a part of Italy U-21 ?
I saw the first half and yes I agree Palladino had some good chances . Number 10 (Italy ) don't remember the name showed a good game tonight he had shaved head .
Im interested to know which players from Milan Youth team are a part of Italy U-21 ?
Number 10 is Rosina from Torino
There aren't any Milan players in Italian team or in some other team on u-21 EURO.
This was a pretty bad match from the Italians. Actually, it wasn't as bad as the finishing was.
Defense was solid , midfeild good (apart from Aquilani who was imo the worst player on the field while Rosina was great like he was always this season) and attack was sharpless. Pazzini was also very bad and static. He missed few chances also.
Palladino played good but his finishing was pathetic and his chances were the best one on this match. Unforgivable for the young Juventino.
A match Italians should quickly forget and never repeat again.
Serbs didn't suprise me. I know this team and i knew they can beat Italy. Even more, Serbians also had a bad match, below their possibilities. What counts for them is that they won eventhough they played bad. Serbs usually do it the other way around. They outplay their opponents and at the end they draw or lose.
This is another proof how this Serbian team ( most of these guys played in last 2 euro's when Serbia won the silver in 2004 and got to the semis in 2006) is experienced enough and finally ready for the gold.
It will be an interesting group and interesting EURO. All 8 teams have similar qualities and every match will be 50/50 one.
So what is up with Di Gennaro and U-21?? Why isnt he called up?
zlatanov
13-06-2007, 06:26
there are many other, more experienced players in that position before DG.
virtually all of the U-21 players play for the senior squad of either serie A or B teams, while Di Gennaro is still playing for Milan's youth formation and has no experience playing for the senior team.
maybe this year he will be loaned out to gain some of that experience he needs or who knows maybe will be introduced into the Milan A squad little by little.
Belgium - Israel 1-0
This could have been a good match if that stupid scotch referee wouldn't have spoiled it
He had one mission
to change the color of belgian players shirts from red in yellow and back in red again
With 10 minutes before the end of the game i was thinking that Belgium deserves to win but they make it happened anyway
Man of the match : Mirallas
The most stupid man on the field : The scotch referee
Belgium looks ok
The scottish referree did indeed spoil the game. Israel could create some good chances because of the red card for Fellaini in the +/- 15th minute.
But in the end Belgium got the victory thanks to a good finish from Mirallas (who impresses me more and more) and a nice throughball from Vanden Borre.
This is the situation now in group A
1. Netherlands 6 points (3:1)
2. Belgium 4 points (1:0)
3. Portugal 1 point (1:2)
4. Israel 0 points (0:2)
Israel is out while the Dutch are already in. With a draw in the last round match between Holland and Belgium, they'll both go through.
I wonder if it will really be a draw or maybe The Netherlands will play fair and win, or they'll maybe try not to meet the Italians in the semis (if Italy wins tomorrow then they'll most probably be 2nd in their group) and they'll deliberately lose ?
Serbia won against Czech rep ( scored in last secundes) and now only the 2nd traveller to the semis is unknown. The loser of England-Italy will pack the bags after this round already. If ENG and ITA draw tonight then England will be the favourite for the 2nd place because they'll play unmotivated Serbia in the last round.
It's all or nothing for Italy tonight. Only the win counts...everything else means they'll be eliminated !
Should be a good match tonight, pity about the injuries though.
Come on England!
Stezagud
14-06-2007, 13:47
I've not got much confidence in our defence tonight, Lita and Nugent could be a decent pairing and hopefully they'll click tonight...
1-0 England, Italy's defense has been shockingly bad! I still can't believe how Lita missed those chances, it should be 3-0 by now.
Edit: Lita finally puts one in, 2-0! Italy needs a miracle now.
Lita and Nugent could be a decent pairing and hopefully they'll click tonight...
;)
Bye bye Italy
But still...what Lita missed earlier :haha:
See what happens when I don't watch a game...Italy's down 2-0 now :(. I'm watching now so it'll end up 3-2 :D
The Italians could do better to stay on their feet though ESPECIALLY Pazzini.
EDIT: 2-1 :D
OMG Tony tell your Juventino to stay on his feet PLEASE. Why'd he go down there...he was free on goal.
Hey, my Juventino scored a goal. But that Juventino is good, the other one is bad on this euro u-21 :)
Kakaesque turn by Palladino :D
Has the Italian keeper ever come out for a cross?
Stezagud
14-06-2007, 14:36
England shouldve put this one to bed after 30 minutes :(
Lita is a confidence striker and if he had put away that penalty vs the czechs he would probably have scored 4 by now in this game :eek: At least my brief foreword is looking accurate, Italy will get more chances for sure second half as the England defence is prone to stupid errors, Taylor made his for the 1st Italy goal so Onuaha and Hoyte still have 45 minutes to try and survive without making their customary mistakes too :D
It'll end 3-2 Italy :D Provided that Palladino doesn't play the entire game of course.
First of all....Italy has a lot of praying to do with these center backs (Mantovani and Andreolli)
Second.... Bad luck for the Italians the right back got injured before before the euro, because his replacement (this Raggi guy) is awful and english players do whatever they want with him
Third.... Palladino and Pazzini should learn how to score a goal. Instead of shoting, Palladino decided to dive, while Pazzini is a disaster on this euro
Fourth...Great 25 minutes by England. I enjoyed their football
Last but not least....Lita :haha: , i don't remember when was the last time a player missed an open goal twice in 3 minutes
Marco Motta on for Raggi
G. Rossi on for Palladino
Mantovani off Criscito on
Goaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal Italy!!! Aquilani!!
Aqualani...he was invisible and now Buuuum
2:2
Rosina actually has a right foot! My prediction just might be fulfilled.
Stezagud
14-06-2007, 15:22
typical slack England :mad:
They said Vaughan and Derbyshiore are warming up, i'd definately put on Vaughan, he will chase everything.
PS Ref getting very picky now, giving some stupid decisions :rolleyes:
Ugh Rossi's doing an Oliveira with those shots :(
EDIT: It's over 2-2. Italy need to win their next match and hope that England draw or worse for them to go through.
Italia - England 2-2
More and more i get to see young english players that are running like crazy for 90 minutes with an impressive stature very strong and with a very good speed
I don't know if youth centers in England are very developed or if they have good coaches or talented players but one thing is certain
They have good laboratorys
Italia played well especially in the 2nd half
In the first half they were not very carefull and they were taken by surprise by those two strikers that england has
speedy gonzales i think they are both called
one and two
Italia should have been more pragmatic
They were much to generous
Ugh Rossi's doing an Oliveira with those shots :(
Rossi needs 100 shots to be on target once.
But still he was much more useful than Palladino and Pazzini combined. At least Rossi was running and fighting for every ball all the time, and he was opening a lot of space also.
Rosina was also very good but he needs even more attempts than Rossi , to be on target.
Chiellini and Rosina are the only bright spots for the Italians on this euro.
Palladino, Pazzini, Raggi and the central defenders were a huge dissapointment.
Aquilani had 1 awful and one average match also, but at least he scored a good goal.
Now it's all in England's hands. They will have to be serious enough and take what the Serbs will give them.
Miroslav Djukic will use the substitutes against England, that's for sure !
Stezagud
14-06-2007, 16:16
In the first half they were not very carefull and they were taken by surprise by those two strikers that england has
speedy gonzales i think they are both called
one and two
believe it or not but those pair are our 3rd and 4th choice at this level (5th choice if you include Rooney ;) ) Walcott and Agbonlahor would most likely have played if they had been fit/available for the tournament. Both fo them are twice as fast as Lita and better finishers too, though thats not difficult :)
Its a big miss for England to lose Ashley Young for the Serbia game as he is grwoing into the player Villa paid big money for, i thought he was Englands best player tonight.
Rosina was impressive as usual too, it seemed as though Italy saw too much from the poor keeping on Aquilani's goal and wasted a lot of decent positions by shooting from long range. Carson is a decent shotstopper but he is poor on crosses and i couldnt believe they didnt try and exploit that more often..
zlatanov
14-06-2007, 16:24
Carson as in "Paul Robinson's biggest fan", the same Carson that ManU owns? :D
Stezagud
14-06-2007, 16:30
Thats Foster :D
Carson is Liverpools youngster, who gifted a goal to Cannavaro a few years back at Anfield and has been out on loans since!
Foster isnt eligible for the U-21s but i wish he was as he is a potentially excellent keeper and would be the best at the tournament, although opposing keepers would no doubt have been keeping an eye on his positioining.... :D
zlatanov
14-06-2007, 16:38
oh, my bad ... and Foster's bad too :D
I also hear that this Foster (or carson as I thought) guy is very talented but kind put a ? mark on that after he asked Paul R. for an autograph in his own way that only GKs understand :D
edit: btw, if people wonder what I am referring to, take a look:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4PFmFnSPqGI
:D
believe it or not but those pair are our 3rd and 4th choice at this level (5th choice if you include Rooney ;) ) Walcott and Agbonlahor would most likely have played if they had been fit/available for the tournament. Both fo them are twice as fast as Lita and better finishers too, though thats not difficult :)
How do they "produce" all this players?
They have a "cloneing machine" or something
I mean they all look like they are made after the same pattern
They are very strong with a good speed and acceleration
They look like they are athlets ready for Olympic Games
Stezagud
15-06-2007, 10:40
oh, my bad ... and Foster's bad too
I also hear that this Foster (or carson as I thought) guy is very talented but kind put a ? mark on that after he asked Paul R. for an autograph in his own way that only GKs understand
He spent the last 2 seasons on loan at Watford and got player of the season both times, in the promotion year they said he was responsible for a third of their goals too, which is quite shocking and says a lot for their tactics (longball all the way ;) )
He made a few high profile mistakes towards the end of the season but he was playing on with a knee injury when he probably shouldnt. He was coming back to Old Trafford to be no.1 next year but the injury got bad enough for him to need surgery and now he is out til christmas :eek: brave but stupid really, risking his Utd career to try and save Watford :cool:
How do they "produce" all this players?
They have a "cloneing machine" or something
I mean they all look like they are made after the same pattern
They are very strong with a good speed and acceleration
They look like they are athlets ready for Olympic Games
Its the great flaw in the English system of the past 2 decades, scouts have been searching for athletes to mould into players instead of looking for technically strong players to develop. It does mean we have plenty of guys who are lightning quick or physically powerful, but we often lack the comfort on the ball of foreign sides.
I was actually wrong before too about them being 4th and 5th, Darren Bent is still eligible for this level too so Nugent is probably 4th or 5th choice and Lita 6th.
Finally, after all these years, it's again time for 'the derby of the lowlands', Belgium-Holland. I'm looking forward to it.
The portuguese press are like crying babies and suspect both teams of agreeing a 0-0 score ... Then Holland is 1st, and Belgium will be through as 2nd. A lot of players from Belgium and Holland play together in the dutch competition at Ajax and AZ.
Belgium - Holland 2 - 2
This match looked a little bit like the one played between Sweden and Denmark in Euro 2004
I expect to see the same scenario tomorrow
Anyway
I think both team deserve to play the semifinals
Belgium - Holland 2 - 2
This match looked a little bit like the one played between Sweden and Denmark in Euro 2004
although i think Holland didn't give presents to Belgium in this game. It was rather the Belgian keeper that gave presents to the Dutch ;)
Stezagud
17-06-2007, 06:32
Englands destiny was to lose on penalties to Portugal again so at least that cant happen now :)
although i think Holland didn't give presents to Belgium in this game. It was rather the Belgian keeper that gave presents to the Dutch ;)
I agree with you.
Both keepers made some mistakes especially belgian keeper
but it was a nice game.
When i said that the same scenario can happen today i meant that Italia will probably win against Czechs like Portugal did with Israel and Serbia with England will manage to end the match with a result that will qualify them both
Stezagud
17-06-2007, 12:56
I dont think that can happen, Italy would qualify above England as they would have 4 points to Englands 3 if England and Serbia draw.
I didn't say the match will end with a draw
Only the scenario has been the same
But this things are "normal" to happen
We've seen it so many times
Probably it's about motivation or friendship or common interest
i don't know
That's what i said:
"Serbia with England will manage to end the match -- with a result -- that will qualify them both"
Stezagud
18-06-2007, 10:13
ok, that i agree with :)
Not sure friendship came into it though! :eek: :D
I saw two of Netherlands game and this guy Drenthe is amazing .. he can be the next Rino :rolleyes: , another player who had good performances is Pereira for Portugal let's not talk about Italia cuz you know their squad has a lot of talents :respect:
The Netherlands won 13-12!!!! on penalties after the match ended 1-1 in regulation time.
Belgium so deserved to go to the final. We had 4 great chances but wasted everyone of them. Serbia was not really dangerous, but they scored a lucky goal after only 4 mins. Ah well, it was a good tournament for the young Belgians, they go to the Olympics next year, and hopefully this new generation leads to a rise from the Belgian national team again.
Because it's unbelieveable what happens to Belgian football right now. In 2001, Belgium was still 16th on the FIFA ranking, now they are 71st, after countries like Uzbekistan, Jamaica, Albania and Panama!
Stezagud
21-06-2007, 14:24
Have to agree with that, Belgium got mugged by Serbia and the team nobody really wanted in the final has made it :(
Im not too surprised England went out on penalties again :eek: it was a very typical performance, start well, take the lead, hold out all game then concede because your best defender is crocked :( we basically played extra time with 9.5 players but if there is any side in International football who shouldnt play for penalties, its England :cool:
If we had made the final we would have been sending out a reserve side anyway thanks to all the suspensions and injuries so its probably better to have a brave defeat in the semi's to getting thrashed in the final ;)
if there is any side in International football who shouldnt play for penalties, its England :cool:
)
normally the Dutch aren't that good on penalty shooting either ;)
Stezagud
21-06-2007, 16:32
normally the Dutch aren't that good on penalty shooting either
true, thats why the shootout took so long, if it was possible for both teams to lose a penalty shootout this wouldve been the game it happened :D
I think the Dutch record is marginally better than Englands though, in fact in my whole life i have only ever seen England beaten fairly in the knock out stages once, by Brazil in 2002 (and that was a 40 yard fluke too :mad: :) ) in 86 it was the hand of god, in 90, 96, 98, 04 and 06 it was the dreaded shootouts :eek:
Congratulations to the New/ old champions, the Netherlands. What a dominance it was tonight.
But i knew they'll win it because i cheered for Serbia :)
To win euro-21 twice in a row ( by winning the final 3:0 and 4:1) must mean something : There are some damn good players in this Dutch 2004-2007 generation that our teams must follow because they present the future stars of the world and european football !.
Milan_Mad
23-06-2007, 19:13
true, thats why the shootout took so long, if it was possible for both teams to lose a penalty shootout this wouldve been the game it happened :D
I think the Dutch record is marginally better than Englands though, in fact in my whole life i have only ever seen England beaten fairly in the knock out stages once, by Brazil in 2002 (and that was a 40 yard fluke too :mad: :) ) in 86 it was the hand of god, in 90, 96, 98, 04 and 06 it was the dreaded shootouts :eek:What happend in World Cup 94 mate they could not even make it :grinser:
Stezagud
24-06-2007, 07:40
What happend in World Cup 94 mate they could not even make it
we were screwed then too, the qualifier vs Holland in particular. David Platt went through on goal only to be blatantly fouled by the last man Koeman, the ref unbelievably gave him only a yellow instead of the obligatory red card and minutes after it to add further insult Koeman scored a freekick to put England out! :mad:
We got revenge on them in 96 though, and we didnt even need to cheat to do it ;)
They cheated all-right
How do they did that against mighty england i'll never understand
I also don't understand why england always loose on penaltys
They are so unlucky
Is this the best they can do?
Y
The only time England lost unfair was when Maradona singleHANDEDLY beat them. Penalties have luck factor included, but also a winning mentality and concentration.
We got revenge on them in 96 though, and we didnt even need to cheat to do it ;)
I still remember that lol it was a great match, Shearer & Teddy ripped them apart.
I personally think the outcome would of been different in this competition if we had Theo, Bentley & Agbonlahor. Then again the under 21 team could teach the first team a lesson or two about penalties.
Stezagud
25-06-2007, 10:16
I still remember that lol it was a great match, Shearer & Teddy ripped them apart.
yeah 2 goals each for the SAS, thats probably the last time England actually played good attacking football :D
I personally think the outcome would of been different in this competition if we had Theo, Bentley & Agbonlahor. Then again the under 21 team could teach the first team a lesson or two about penalties.
It does annoy me that we dont send the best side available, we could have had a first team of:
------------------Carson--------------------
-Richards---Davies------Taylor------Baines---
-Lennon----Bentley---Reo-Coker---Downing--
------------Rooney---Darren Bent------------
I am certain that that side could have won the tournament quite comfortably. If we actually sent the best side and had them win the tournament it would give them a massive confidence boost for their careers to know they can compete with and beat their European contemparies. In 5 years time when they play them in senior tournaments they would be able to look back and know they have beaten them already, psychologically that would be potentially crucial.
All in all, its kind if sad for European football but...we can all just sit back and enjoy watching the Brazilians play their magic with the ball...
I am certain that that side could have won the tournament quite comfortably. If we actually sent the best side and had them win the tournament it would give them a massive confidence boost for their careers to know they can compete with and beat their European contemparies. In 5 years time when they play them in senior tournaments they would be able to look back and know they have beaten them already, psychologically that would be potentially crucial.
I just get the impression that Pearce sometimes doesn't know the slightest bit about coaching. Thats a good valid point you have there, however could you honestly see players like Rooney saying yes for this tournament? It does depend on the players and how much motivation they have when wearing the England jersey, not players like Bentley who couldn't care less.
The team you put out I think would of easily won the competition because players like Rooney & Lennon have first team experience. Also im sure in the years to come if these teams played again the opposition would know this team is not easy to beat.
Stezagud
26-06-2007, 10:02
I just get the impression that Pearce sometimes doesn't know the slightest bit about coaching.
very true, he is pure motivation. He is a bit like having your dad watching while you play, you listen to him and want to do well even if all the advice he's giving is totally useless :D
Thats a good valid point you have there, however could you honestly see players like Rooney saying yes for this tournament? It does depend on the players and how much motivation they have when wearing the England jersey, not players like Bentley who couldn't care less.
The team you put out I think would of easily won the competition because players like Rooney & Lennon have first team experience. Also im sure in the years to come if these teams played again the opposition would know this team is not easy to beat.
It is unrealistic to expect Rooney to play, but situations like that are the reason we will most likely never win anything in our lifetimes. Babel is a full international for Holland, Nani is for Portugal and yet they are put in the U-21s to give their sides the best possible chance of winning this tournament. Pirlo had a rediculous amount of U-21 caps, 46 i think :eek: because Italy too know the value of giving this sort of experience to their future internationals.
Its no coincidence that Italy won the world cup this year after winning 5 of the last 7 U-21 championships. England could have beaten them in a few of those tournaments but backthen as now, Italy sent the best they had and England let the likes of Gerrard, Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Scholes, Joe and Ashley Cole, Neville etc all bypass that level....
we were screwed then too, the qualifier vs Holland in particular. David Platt went through on goal only to be blatantly fouled by the last man Koeman, the ref unbelievably gave him only a yellow instead of the obligatory red card and minutes after it to add further insult Koeman scored a freekick to put England out! :mad:
Although England was outplayed by Belgium in 1990, only to go through with a David Platt goal in the 119th minute ;)
Stezagud
12-07-2007, 12:59
Actually it was rope a dope, we just let you think you were containing us ;)
Anyway, Platts volley was expertly taken, a goal worthy of winning any game. Belgium cant complain about that goal because there was nothing wrong with it whereas there was plenty wrong with Koeman scoring a goal minutes after he shouldve been sent off! :eek: :D
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