NationStates Jolt Archive

The next round of European Championship Qualifiers has begun.

It looks good for Germany. In the game for the group lead they won 2:1 against the Czech Republic (but it could have been more - they hit the woodwork a few times and the Czech goal was a lucky deflection very late in the game). That makes Löw's record pretty impressive: 8 games, 7 wins, 1 draw, 29:4 goals. Plus his considerable influence on the World Cup campaign.

England didn't have such a good time, apparently delivering a pretty dismal performance against Israel ending in a 0:0. Which means they're in third place in the group (only the top two go through) with 8 points, Russia with 11 and Croatia with 13 in front.

The other results are here: http://www.uefa.com/competitions/euro/qualifying/index.html

Of note are France only just scraping through against Lithuania with 1:0, the Netherlands only playing 0:0 against Romania and Portugal thrashing Belgium 4:0.

England is already paying two managers. I'd be surprised if they weren't looking for a third very shortly.

Dismal...well sorta...we lack a goal scorer and came up against an Israeli goalkeeper in inspired form...

I'm not too concerned...we only need to beat San Marino by two goals to be in second place in the table...and if we can't do that...well.....

I'd have thought though that by now someone at the FA would have had the bright idea to look at what the French did to win the WC and the EC....

Ultimately though there is too much money floating about and too many managers who seem to be in thrall to their players.

Well, at least we won the cricket.

Yah, you are a real shining example for the EU.

Put away the hate.

Poland is on top of its group now. Jeszce Polska nie zginęła!

Yah, you are a real shining example for the EU.

Put away the hate.

Eh?

Yah, you are a real shining example for the EU.

Put away the hate.

You want us to who with the what now?

Put away the hate.
I'll go easy on the English team as soon as it's been six months since my last reminder of that 5:1 game in Munich. ;)

But I guess this will all be settled in Wembley on the 22nd of August. I can't wait.

Dismal...well sorta...we lack a goal scorer and came up against an Israeli goalkeeper in inspired form...
Erm...were you watching the same game? We were awful. The match consisted of 60 minutes of us knocking the ball around the centre circle, 25 minutes of us wasting attacks by overhitting the final ball, and five minutes of Israeli possession.

I'm not too concerned...we only need to beat San Marino by two goals to be in second place in the table...and if we can't do that...well.....
If only we had San Marino in our group...

Erm...were you watching the same game? We were awful. The match consisted of 60 minutes of us knocking the ball around the centre circle, 25 minutes of us wasting attacks by overhitting the final ball, and five minutes of Israeli possession.


If only we had San Marino in our group...

I listened to on the wireless...and watched the beeb highlights...seemed we kept on attacking but were unable to score...

Was it really that bad? From what I saw on the highlights we came close to scoring a few times but their goalie was on form...

San Marino...yeah...Andorra...not SM...yet another brain fart....hmmmm seem to be getting them more often these days...

Shag :(

The next round of European Championship Qualifiers has begun.

It looks good for Germany. In the game for the group lead they won 2:1 against the Czech Republic (but it could have been more - they hit the woodwork a few times and the Czech goal was a lucky deflection very late in the game). That makes Löw's record pretty impressive: 8 games, 7 wins, 1 draw, 29:4 goals. Plus his considerable influence on the World Cup campaign.

England didn't have such a good time, apparently delivering a pretty dismal performance against Israel ending in a 0:0. Which means they're in third place in the group (only the top two go through) with 8 points, Russia with 11 and Croatia with 13 in front.

The other results are here: http://www.uefa.com/competitions/euro/qualifying/index.html

Of note are France only just scraping through against Lithuania with 1:0, the Netherlands only playing 0:0 against Romania and Portugal thrashing Belgium 4:1.

Sounded a little like a WWII topic when I read the title.

I listened to on the wireless...and watched the beeb highlights...seemed we kept on attacking but were unable to score...

Was it really that bad? From what I saw on the highlights we came close to scoring a few times but their goalie was on form...
It was a typical dull 0-0 draw where one side has decided to defend from the start.

We didn't play badly - we just totally lacked any creativity.

It was a typical dull 0-0 draw where one side has decided to defend from the start.

We didn't play badly - we just totally lacked any creativity.

Gerrard seemed to have yet another mare....

If these players were able to transfer their club form to the internationals we'd be a hell of a team...

Mind you...that final header from Johnson...that should have been a goal. Can't wait until Owen is back in the squad...and hopefully does not get injured again...

As for teams defending...well...yes they are harder to break down but then again Israel is not a footballing powerhouse like France or Italy or Brazil...

Still...its not over till the fat lady sings 'eh? ;)

That makes Löw's record pretty impressive:

Lurve? ;) :D

The passion has disapeared from the English national game. I used to kiuck myself if I missed a game and get all excited just watching them run on to the pitch. Now I find it difficult to be bothered to even watch. The players show absolutely zero sense of pride or passion and as a fan its difficult to show any either.

The passion has disapeared from the English national game.
That sounds a lot like German football pre-Klinsmann. But he's sorta popular...maybe you can get him for the 2014 World Cup?

http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/socceroos-chase-klinsmann/2007/02/03/1169919584238.html

That sounds a lot like German football pre-Klinsmann. But he's sorta popular...maybe you can get him for the 2014 World Cup?

http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/socceroos-chase-klinsmann/2007/02/03/1169919584238.html

Klinsman was a mercenary when he came to England. He played a season's worth of wonderful football and then fucked off when the money dried up. Passion my arse.

The passion has disapeared from the English national game. I used to kiuck myself if I missed a game and get all excited just watching them run on to the pitch. Now I find it difficult to be bothered to even watch. The players show absolutely zero sense of pride or passion and as a fan its difficult to show any either.

I think you have a good point there...there are a few players in the team who are there on rep only...Ferdinand for one.

If I was England manager I'd not play half the present team...they have no hunger.

Klinsman was a mercenary when he came to England. He played a season's worth of wonderful football and then fucked off when the money dried up. Passion my arse.
I'm talking about him as coach, not as player. And you can't doubt that he brought something back to the German team that it had been lacking for many years.

I recommend "Deutschland - Ein Sommermärchen" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0853060/), a movie about the World Cup campaign.

I think you have a good point there...there are a few players in the team who are there on rep only...Ferdinand for one.

If I was England manager I'd not play half the present team...they have no hunger.

Its a malaise in the game in general. The top layers have become far too mercenary. They care more about their wages than the game itself.

A point in fact is the player Scott Parker from my own team Charlton Athletic. He left us for Chelsea. He more than tripled his wages to go to a team where he knew he would spend most of his time on the bench, leaving a team where he had guarenteed first team football and a good hance of increasing his creentials of an England place. Burt he didn't care. he wanted to chase the money.

English footballers in general are now taking this line, it is no longer an honour and privelege to play for your country, merely a chancre to enhance your sponsorship deals.

Its a malaise in the game in general. The top layers have become far too mercenary. They care more about their wages than the game itself.

A point in fact is the player Scott Parker from my own team Charlton Athletic. He left us for Chelsea. He more than tripled his wages to go to a team where he knew he would spend most of his time on the bench, leaving a team where he had guarenteed first team football and a good hance of increasing his creentials of an England place. Burt he didn't care. he wanted to chase the money.

English footballers in general are now taking this line, it is no longer an honour and privelege to play for your country, merely a chancre to enhance your sponsorship deals.

I'm a Leeds supporter....you don't need to tell me about mercenaries :(

There is too much money in the game...

I'm a Leeds supporter....you don't need to tell me about mercenaries :(

There is too much money in the game...

Institute a wage cap (£10k a week - no one could possibly need more money than that) and abolish payments for international duty. Its the only way

Institute a wage cap (£10k a week - no one could possibly need more money than that) and abolish payments for international duty. Its the only way

Works for me!

The FA needs some work doing to it as well....

Institute a wage cap (£10k a week - no one could possibly need more money than that) and abolish payments for international duty. Its the only way
By itself that's not gonna change anything. Ballack plays in England now, for quite a princely amount of money. But it doesn't seem to have compromised his performance in the national team.

And the same can be said for many other players playing in other teams for a lot of money, like Drogba, Messi, Henry, Zidane, Cannavaro and so on.

By itself that's not gonna change anything. Ballack plays in England now, for quite a princely amount of money. But it doesn't seem to have compromised his performance in the national team.

And the same can be said for many other players playing in other teams for a lot of money, like Drogba, Messi, Henry, Zidane, Cannavaro and so on.

Princely sum? £130,000 a week...a bit more than a princely sum...

By itself that's not gonna change anything. Ballack plays in England now, for quite a princely amount of money. But it doesn't seem to have compromised his performance in the national team.

And the same can be said for many other players playing in other teams for a lot of money, like Drogba, Messi, Henry, Zidane, Cannavaro and so on.

Its not the same set of fans watching them at national level is it. The fact that a player plies his club trade in another nation seems to galvanise players at international level. Just look at the passion Owen Hargreaves puts into his England performances compared to the other players.

I can't really explain it, but it may have something to do with the fact that the international level is the only stage these players have to showcase their talents to their fellow countrymen

I can't really explain it, but it may have something to do with the fact that the international level is the only stage these players have to showcase their talents to their fellow countrymen
Well, there is obviously an individual element to it. Some players care more about their national team than others.

But ultimately you can't make anyone really like something by taking away alternatives. For players to be enthusiastic about their national team there needs to be the right sort of culture within it, the right coaches and the right support staff. If that works well, it doesn't matter that a player might earn a lot of money in their "day job".

I think that the last few English coaches have thoroughly failed in creating such a positive and enthusiastic culture (not that Eriksson was the type for enthusiasm anyways...). The constant criticism from the press and the public doesn't help, but there's no way to change that other than through producing results.

So what England needs is a team manager who isn't simply tactically competent, but able to inspire and create a positive working environment. And if Klinsmann is off the cards, which other candidates might there be?

So what England needs is a team manager who isn't simply tactically competent, but able to inspire and create a positive working environment. And if Klinsmann is off the cards, which other candidates might there be?
Terry Venables or Bobby Robson.

The English Manager should not have gotten rid of Beckam.

Things are looking up. We backed up our win against Portugal by hammering the mighty Azerbaijan. Top of the group! :cool:

The English Manager should not have gotten rid of Beckam.
Why not? By replacing Beckham we now have an extra player in the side who can beat players and tackle. Plus it's given a chance to players such as Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips who were never going to get into the team so long as Beckham was playing.

In fairness to England, they're currently missing four players who are almost certainties for being picked if they were fit - Gary Neville, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole and Michael Owen.

Terry Venables or Bobby Robson.

LOL!!! Thanks....I needed a joke this morning ;)

The English Manager should not have gotten rid of Beckam.

Interesting....any reasons why?

By itself that's not gonna change anything. Ballack plays in England now, for quite a princely amount of money. But it doesn't seem to have compromised his performance in the national team.


No its meant he hasn't played a good game all season. Mind you with him being a Chelsea player, his poor performances haven't bothered most people who want anybody but Chelsea to win the league.

The English Manager should not have gotten rid of Beckam.

You mean the most passionless player on the pitch who did not run, tackle, use his left foot, dribble or motivate the players as a captain. The England team is better off without an over-rated showpony who only used to get involved in games when he ran over to celebrate sombody elses goal. The players used to not get on with him as Sven refused to drop him when he played poorly for the best part of four years and gave him preferential treatment. The England team is better off without him. Now we need a manager who has the guts to drop underperforming players such as Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney to the bench until they start playing like they have any passion for the cause at all.

Why not? By replacing Beckham we now have an extra player in the side who can beat players and tackle. Plus it's given a chance to players such as Aaron Lennon and Shaun Wright-Phillips who were never going to get into the team so long as Beckham was playing.

Except for the fact that Beckham was and probably still is the best set piece player in the world. By getting read of Beckham, they lost that player and now have been struggling even more than they were with him.

In fairness to England, they're currently missing four players who are almost certainties for being picked if they were fit - Gary Neville, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole and Michael Owen.

Joe Cole and Micheal Owen are big losses but Neville and Cole both played in the games that we played poorly in last year, e.g. Croatia. If anything Cole needs dropping in favour if a left-back who has some desire to work hard in a game. Sadly, Wayne Bridge is no better which leaves us with fewer options, except for possibly Gareth Barry.

Except for the fact that Beckham was and probably still is the best set piece player in the world. By getting read of Beckham, they lost that player and now have been struggling even more than they were with him.

Beckham best in the world? Don't make me laugh! If you notice, the England team hasn't been playing worse, its just playing the same as it did when Beckham was in the team - poorly.

Also, would you call a player who can't run, tackle, dribble or use his left foot world class? The only use for him now is as a free-kick taker, and there are other players in the team more than capable of taking a free-kick. Keeping Beckham would have added to our problems.

Except for the fact that Beckham was and probably still is the best set piece player in the world. By getting read of Beckham, they lost that player and now have been struggling even more than they were with him.
The number of times we get set pieces in positions where Beckham can actually contribute is really quite low. I don't remember us getting a single free kick last night within ten yards of the box. And seeing as he doesn't really contribute anywhere else on the pitch, I don't see the point in playing him.

And we were struggling a lot with him - remember the World Cup? A magnificent 1-0 victory over Paraguay, a stunning 2-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago, a 2-2 draw-from-the-jaws-of-victory against Sweden, and an imperious 1-0 victory over Ecuador. Ok, so the goal in that last one was a Beckham free kick, but that hardly merits any praise. It was his only contribution of the game - had he been an effective right-winger, we'd probably have scored a few more.

Joe Cole and Micheal Owen are big losses but Neville and Cole both played in the games that we played poorly in last year, e.g. Croatia. If anything Cole needs dropping in favour if a left-back who has some desire to work hard in a game. Sadly, Wayne Bridge is no better which leaves us with fewer options, except for possibly Gareth Barry.
Odd that Cole was being called the best left back in the world while he was at Arsenal, then his performances for England drop substantially now he's at Chelsea...;)

Criticising our defenders for our inability to be creative and score goals is a little silly, though, don't you think?

Portugal thrashing Belgium 4:1.

wasn't it 4:0?:p

Odd that Cole was being called the best left back in the world while he was at Arsenal, then his performances for England drop substantially now he's at Chelsea...;)

Criticising our defenders for our inability to be creative and score goals is a little silly, though, don't you think?

I never blamed anybody for the lack of creativity and goals. I think that will be sorted out if Lennon plays on the right and if Joe Cole and Owen return.....and if we find a better manager with more ideas on how to beat the smaller teams.

I blamed our WHOLE team for the passionless displays that are a disgrace to the supporters who spend alot of money to watch them play. Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand just happen to be amongst the worst culprits.

I never blamed anybody for the lack of creativity and goals. I think that will be sorted out if Lennon plays on the right and if Joe Cole and Owen return.....and if we find a better manager with more ideas on how to beat the smaller teams.

I blamed our WHOLE team for the passionless displays that are a disgrace to the supporters who spend alot of money to watch them play. Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand just happen to be amongst the worst culprits.
The sad thing is that people will still pay a lot of money to watch the national team, regardless of how well they're actually playing. I expect Wembley to be comfortably filled for the first competitive international played there (Israel on September 8th).

The sad thing is that people will still pay a lot of money to watch the national team, regardless of how well they're actually playing. I expect Wembley to be comfortably filled for the first competitive international played there (Israel on September 8th).

Maybe everybody should boycott the national teams games until we see more passion on the pitch. Why should fans be expected to show passion for the cause when the players don't show the same?

wasn't it 4:0?:p
...

It was!

And I'm now left considering the effects of Scotland making it, and England failing to do so.

Oh how I'll laugh if and when it happens :D

I expect Wembley to be comfortably filled for the first competitive international played there (Israel on September 8th).
It better be packed before then, on August 22nd. The more people witness it, the better. ;)

It better be packed before then, on August 22nd. The more people witness it, the better. ;)
Oh, it will be, don't worry.

By xenophobic racist skinheads with beer bellies the size of small moons, probably. After all, this is England.

It better be packed before then, on August 22nd. The more people witness it, the better. ;)

Hopefully we can play a team that has a chance of winning that is higher than the current team.....I wonder if the Under 21's are free :p

Oh, it will be, don't worry.

By xenophobic racist skinheads with beer bellies the size of small moons, probably.But only about 10% of the tickets go to Germany...

The big story is not "who's winning" but "who's not." Italy is FOURTH in their group, behind Scotland, France and Ukraine. I honestly hope they fail to qualify.

The big story is not "who's winning" but "who's not." Italy is FOURTH in their group, behind Scotland, France and Ukraine. I honestly hope they fail to qualify.

It would be funny if the World Champions failed to qualify. But honestly, if we want an entertaining European cup, we need the big teams in:

Italy
France
Spain
England
Germany
Portugal
Holland
Sweden
Greece (they are the European Champions after all)
Czech republic

After that it doesn't matter too much who else qualifys. If too many big teams fail to qualify, we'll have a boring European Championships.

The big story is not "who's winning" but "who's not." Italy is FOURTH in their group, behind Scotland, France and Ukraine. I honestly hope they fail to qualify.That'd, indeed, be awesome.

.. And probably cause Italy to erupt in a civil war.

On a side note, I call England 0 : 4 Germany for August 22nd. I mean, who could stop us? <.<

Apart from Cyprus, that is.

It would be funny if the World Champions failed to qualify. But honestly, if we want an entertaining European cup, we need the big teams in:

Italy
France
Spain
England
Germany
Portugal
Holland
Sweden
Greece (they are the European Champions after all)
Czech republic

After that it doesn't matter too much who else qualifys. If too many big teams fail to qualify, we'll have a boring European Championships.

Not going to happen. Only 14 can qualify.

IMO, it'll be:

Poland
Portugal
Scotland
France
Turkey
Greece
Germany
Czechia
Croatia
Russia
Sweden
Norther Ireland (surprise!)
Netherlands
Bulgaria/Romania (too close to call)

The big story is not "who's winning" but "who's not." Italy is FOURTH in their group, behind Scotland, France and Ukraine. I honestly hope they fail to qualify.
They should qualify. Apart from the draw against Lithuania, they haven't had a desperately bad result. Losing to France wasn't that much of a surprise, and they should be able to beat the French in Italy. Then, apart from perhaps Ukraine away, they don't have any other difficult matches.

Ooh, Italy vs Scotland on Wednesday is an Unofficial Football World Championship (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unofficial_Football_World_Championship) match.

Not going to happen. Only 14 can qualify.

IMO, it'll be:

Poland
Portugal
Scotland
France
Turkey
Greece
Germany
Czechia
Croatia
Russia
Sweden
Norther Ireland (surprise!)
Netherlands
Bulgaria/Romania (too close to call)

France or Holand for the Euros. I can't see any other teams there that could stop them. It looks like it'll be a disappointing European Championships unless some more of the big teams improve, mainly Italy, England and Spain.

IMO, it'll be:

Poland
Portugal
Scotland
France
Turkey
Greece
Germany
Czechia
Croatia
Russia
Sweden
Norther Ireland (surprise!)
Netherlands
Bulgaria/Romania (too close to call)
If we're doing the predicting game...
Group A: Portugal (top), Finland.
Group B: France (top), Italy.
Group C: Turkey (top), Greece.
Group D: Germany (top), Czech Rep.
Group E: Croatia (top), England.
Group F: Sweden (top), Spain.
Group G: Holland (top), Bulgaria.

France or Holand for the Euros. I can't see any other teams there that could stop them. It looks like it'll be a disappointing European Championships unless some more of the big teams improve, mainly Italy, England and Spain.

Uhh... forget Germany much?

Uhh... forget Germany much?
Why would you care?

You're always the first to bash the Germans and I can still remember how you put them down during the World Cup.

That'd, indeed, be awesome.

.. And probably cause Italy to erupt in a civil war.

On a side note, I call England 0 : 4 Germany for August 22nd. I mean, who could stop us? <.<

Apart from Cyprus, that is.

Honestly, I don't really see England as a massive threat anymore.

Uhh... forget Germany much?

Germany aren't struggling are they? I expect the to qualify and do ok in the tournament. Its just that I can't see anybody but Holland and France winning it.

Germany aren't struggling are they? I expect the to qualify and do ok in the tournament. Its just that I can't see anybody but Holland and France winning it.

You can't see Germany winning it? They came THIRD in the last WC.

IMO, it's a battle between France and Germany.

I'm talking about him as coach, not as player. And you can't doubt that he brought something back to the German team that it had been lacking for many years.

I recommend "Deutschland - Ein Sommermärchen" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0853060/), a movie about the World Cup campaign.

Yeah, it seemed like they were all playing with passion.

Does that movie come in English or with subtitles?

You can't see Germany winning it? They came THIRD in the last WC.

IMO, it's a battle between France and Germany.

Teams on home soil always do better than expected. I would be extremely suprised to see them win. Holland on the other hand have a strong young team that will only get better. And if Ruud returns, they will be difficult to defeat.

Teams on home soil always do better than expected. I would be extremely suprised to see them win. Holland on the other hand have a strong young team that will only get better. And if Ruud returns, they will be difficult to defeat.

Germany just beat a full strength Czech squad 2-1, only conceding a lucky deflection.

Germany just beat a full strength Czech squad 2-1, only conceding a lucky deflection.

The Czech squad is old and nto the team it was a few years back. Germany will do well, maybe a semi final position. However, I just cannot see them winning it. France or Holland, with maybe Italy if they qualify.

You can't see Germany winning it? They came THIRD in the last WC.
A fact I seem to remember you massively criticising after the World Cup, calling them "losers".

The next round of European Championship Qualifiers has begun.

It looks good for Germany. In the game for the group lead they won 2:1 against the Czech Republic (but it could have been more - they hit the woodwork a few times and the Czech goal was a lucky deflection very late in the game). That makes Löw's record pretty impressive: 8 games, 7 wins, 1 draw, 29:4 goals. Plus his considerable influence on the World Cup campaign.

England didn't have such a good time, apparently delivering a pretty dismal performance against Israel ending in a 0:0. Which means they're in third place in the group (only the top two go through) with 8 points, Russia with 11 and Croatia with 13 in front.

The other results are here: http://www.uefa.com/competitions/euro/qualifying/index.html

Of note are France only just scraping through against Lithuania with 1:0, the Netherlands only playing 0:0 against Romania and Portugal thrashing Belgium 4:0.

Ah, for a second there I thought WW3 had started while I was asleep. Those damn Germans :p

Ah, for a second there I thought WW3 had started while I was asleep. Those damn Germans :p
If you don't succeed at first (or second WW), try, try again? http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/Wehrmachtsoffizier.gif