26/6/2008 Euro 2008 Spain vs Russia Live

The hype is starting to build for this live online and radio commentary Euro 2008 semifinal between Spain and Russia live as what the media brand as the two most attractive teams to watch in the last four now do battle to see who will play Germany to become European champions. Spain have been talking up their chances in this live online streaming match since they overcame the Italians in the quarterfinals and much of the debate now hovers over who should play, Fabregas or Iniesta. The two players to their credit have kept mum over the whole issue and are giving more attention to the team ethic of the Spanish camp. But the media should not forget also what they have seen on live streaming English Premiership football with the goalscoring feats of Fernando Torres, and the other players. It is this same team and work ethic that could soon remove the ever present tag of them being chokers on the international stage in this live soccer commentary match between Spain and Russia and elevate them to a great team.

They have to overcome the great mind of Guus Hiddink in this live commentary and online Euro 2008 semifinal between Spain and Russia live before they can reach that status and it is something that might not be possible due to the cunning and shrewd mind of the Dutchman. In comparison, Luis Aragones can sometimes rely too much on players he used to rely on and end up not picking players who are on form and who have shown to be capable of playing international football like Fabregas. It might backfire on him in this live commentary and live streaming radio telecast match between Spain and Russia if Iniesta not only plays badly again but also fails to contribute in any way in terms of stopping Russia's dangerman Andrei Arshavin. Arshavin will also be trying to make a statement in this live commentary and live streaming TV broadcast match between Spain and Russia as he wants to move to Barcelona and if he can play well against the Spanish national team, they might just come and get him.

International Friendly 6/2/2008 - England vs Switzerland Match Highlights

Fabio Capello guided England to their first win under his tenure and in the process gave a sign of things to come as he put out a team of his own and had a mix of unknowns (on the international stage) with most of the aged (and useless) English stars out of the team, such as Michael Owen who should not even be in the squad anymore, as Newcastle fans have regrettably found out to their cost. Everybody knows that Michael Owen had only 2 weapons in his playing arsenal, one of pace and the other being at the right place at the right time. He no longer enjoys any pace due to his crocked hamstring. And he no longer finds himself at the right places to score the goals at the right time, due to his loss of fitness and desire. Michael Owen no longer has any desire to play football, nor win anything. The interest lies on the racetrack and making more money through his investments. Anyway, enjoy the highlights of England's win over Switzerland.

International Friendly 5/2/2008 - Greece vs Czech Republic

Greece will face the Czech Republic in this live commentary and radio broadcast international soccer friendly between two fading European nations. This is a test for both countries before they make their appearance in this summer's Euro 2008 world soccer tournament which will feature all the top European teams. While both countries have continued to grind out some good results and a team like the Czech Republic usually have little problems navigating their qualification groups, they are now just average teams with fading players or up and comers who have not matured yet. Considering that most people would have trouble even naming one or two players from either national teams, it would not be a surprise if this live commentary and radio broadcast international soccer friendly between Greece and the Czech Republic ended in a tame draw with both teams being more in an experimental frame of mind as they get ready for Euro 2008.

England Out Of Euro 2008, McClaren Sacked

Well, at least for now, England is out of Euro 2008. And they deserve it. Bad footbal, poor team, tactically naive.

McClaren should be next in the firing line now. I believe he should be joining Birmingham soon.

England Crouching Tiger Ready For Disaster

Steve McClaren is ready to ditch his usual 4-4-2 for a more defensive 5 man midfield and lone striker, with Liverpool's Peter Crouch leading the frontline against Croatia in their crunch Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday. If so, it would not be surprising given his managerial record for fielding dour lineups and defensive mentality - without the results.

While his hands may be tied due to the injury woes experienced by the hosts, England are still playing at home, backed by their partisan fans and against a team that, despite claims to the contrary, should be looking ahead to the finals instead of worrying about not losing. Trust the flaccid McClaren to play it safe and in doing so, putting his nation's hopes in jeopardy.

Everyone knows that if you play for a draw, if the opponents were to peg you back with a goal, it would be a huge psychological blow and place huge amounts of stress on the team. Test the Croatian team's mentality and put them under intense pressure. It would not make any sense to try to snuff them out in midfield to get a draw when 9 times out of 10, a team that has already secured their place would not be bothered at all.

The only hope for England now is not the players or the manager. It is for Terry Venables to advise McClaren otherwise and do it the Venables Way.

Get Ready For More Bad Football At Euro 2008

Ahead of Russia clash with Israel that would have somehow determined England's Euro '08 qualifying hopes, there was much talk about how England had been arrogant, assumed that they would qualify easily, disregarded their opponents and generally thought they only needed to show up to enjoy the world stage next year. Croatia's manager Slaven Bilic derided the English team for not taking them seriously and generally being lazy and money grubbers. Guus Hiddink was adamant that England did not deserve a place in the international tournament, and rubbed his hands in glee at hammering the final nail in the English's flailing attempts at qualification.

After a night of upsets, it seems that none of these teams from Group E deserve to go through anywhere.

First to qualify - Croatia. They might have been the best team in the group - but that is based on results. Sinking on a muddy pitch in Macedonia hardly struck fear in their next opponent England, although it could be said that they might have been affected by news of Russia struggling on the night. Still, if you lose to Macedonia (albeit away), I doubt any team in the finals would be exactly terrified of your abilities.

Next, England. So after a week of conspiracist theories and self-pity, they now suddenly get a chance to put themselves in next summer's competition. Steve McDoofus has sprung up with fighting talk, confident that his great England stars will seize the day and make qualification a formality in their last clash with Croatia. They only need to avoid a loss to do so. Should be a walk in the park right? Well, just look at Russia.

If England qualify, it will just mean the same for every previous tournament in which they have featured (apart from the Venables era). Boring games filled with more talk on WAGs than true footballing ability. Over-paid stars who even have trouble controlling the ball. Bad football generally all round. And McClaren would still be there unless the FA have balls big enough to sack him.

What about Russia? They are still in with a chance - but only if England shoot themselves in the foot. However, who really needs them? Guus Hiddink might have shown his tactical prowess on the big stage with South Korea and Australia, but it was layered with a generous helping of inspired play from teams who regarded themselves as underdogs. Russians have a history of making a mockery of national teams who should be honoured to represent their countries. Each time they step up one level, be it the World Cup or Euro Championships, they squabble for more bonuses and engage in backyard football if their demands were not entertained. Furthermore, they are not really that pretty to watch either.

So, regardless of who qualifies from Group E, all you get will be bad football at Euro 2008.

European Championships 2008 - Another Glorious Failure : Scotland 1 Italy 2

In what was an enthralling match, Scotland fought back and had World Champions Italy on the ropes for much of the second half, but ultimately lost to a sucker punch in the very last minute of the game, no thanks again to very dodgy refereeing.

Alex McLeish must be seething, seeing how his team more than matched their classy opponents. But all their hard work was undone by a controversial decision into injury time.

Italian player Chiellini shoved a Scottish defender off the ball near the right byeline, but was awarded a free kick. Perhaps FIFA should now consider using robots as referees or linesmen - seeing how most of the officials they hire, while being professionals, seem to suffer from old age and failing sight.

From the ensuing free kick, Panucci powered a header past Scotland keeper Craig Brown, sending their fans and the Italian bench into raptures, while Scottish fans were left rueing another glorious failure on the international stage.

So close, yet so far. Always the refrain for the poor Tartan Army.

Now, the big task on the Scottish FA would be to retain McLeish, else it might be another 2 steps back for Scottish football as a whole.

Another World Cup Winner Can't Take The Pressure

And this is the one who actually says a lot, talks up the show and acts larger than life.

Luiz Felipe Scolari attacked Serbian defender Dragutinovic near the end of their Euro 2008 qualifier earlier in the week. He said that the player had insulted his family, thus he saw it fit to mete out his own brand of punishment.

Scolari apologised to practically the whole world, but then justified his actions ala Zinedine Zidane. He who insults my family, deserves to be physically assaulted.

While verbally abusing and causing hurt to someone and his family should never be condone, but retaliatory abuse should also be stamped out. All too often such offenders have been let off the hook, with only fines and match bans. Cantona, Zidane and now Scolari.

I say deal out a heavier punishment. Perhaps serving some time or community service. (Well ok, Cantona did some community service I think)

Would you just fine a murderer when he killed because he was angered by someone insulting his family?

The New England Manager

Yes, McClaren is not England's manager. In fact, for the past week, he has shown himself to not even know what the team would do next. He told the press the team would be changed, but what trooped out on Wembley vs Russia was the same 11 vs Israel.

So there is really someone new behind the helm. Well, not exactly new.

It's Terry Venables. And now you are beginning to hear more of him in the press.

Why did England look different this week? Why did they steamroll over supposedly strong opponents?

Terry Venables.

The New England Manager.

England Will Win The Euro Championships!

I can just imagine it now. Even the headlines on Soccernet.com goes something like this:

"England vanquishes Russia"

You get the idea.

They did play well this time - going at the serial World Cup chokers and not allowing them time on the ball. Perhaps Roman did bribe the Russians afterall - to lose!

The pint-sized money-grubbing striker and his gentle giant of a water carrier do really have something going on there. And don't ever accuse England of being long-ball practitioners again - Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole (I love this guy), Owen - the 3 stooges but laughing all the way to the goalposts now.

But really, England should mourn despite the great result.

Because this means clueless McClaren will stay for awhile yet.

England Football Is Great Again!

Or is it?

Same old cycle. They lose, they suck. They win, they're gonna win the World Cup! Or the Euro Championships.

The Israelis were terrible. They made someone like Garreth Barry look like Maradona, sans the (lack of) height! Shaun Wright-Philips looked like a miniature Thierry Henry snaking through their defence! And Juggernaut Heskey looked like he was playing for Leicester!

Alright, alright, the lack of posts recently has been due to the international week, or MY international break. They're about as fun or exciting to watch as staring at porridge dribble off a baby's mouth. Mark Gonzalez would have done better.

Anyway, if you haven't already done so, do visit Nothing But Soccer - a new blog by a friend of mine who thinks he's a soccer expert just because he knows Kasper Schmeichel's Peter's son. He has obviously taken to blogging, but maybe it's because he thinks he's in a chatroom.

Arsenal Lost A Good One

David Bentley, young and one of the better and more inventive English players that are slowly becoming extinct in the Europe Premiership.

David Bentley, strong and not afraid to make decisions that would upset a whole country.

David Bentley, does not give an arse(nal) about what others think and I applaud him for that. He made a great decision to leave the Gunners, because he really needed playing time for his career to flourish and to grow as a player. Not a slight to the Highbury team but maybe they should offer opportunities to their home-grown talent as well.

I am not sure if he did fine when he came on as a substitute for England over the weekend though. Anyway, against that horrid Israel, even Emile Heskey looked good.