MTA: Time for the fourth and final group of these European Championships, Group D. The players here: Ukraine, Sweden, France, and England.
Ukraine are the other host nation, which is definitely going to help raise their play. There aren't a lot of names in this team only Andriy Shevchenko and Andriy Voronin. Unfortunately for the Ukrainians it's no longer the aughts and these two strikers have seen their better days. Still, there is going to be plenty of feistiness in this side. Every year in the Champions League Dynamo Kiev or Shaktar Donetsk make great showings, often making it to the knock-out rounds. Since this team is loaded with players from both, don't expect them to go quietly into the good night, especially with their mothers, brothers, counsins, aunts, uncles, sisters, fathers, and even gym teachers in the stands cheering them on. I would not be shocked to see a few shockers from this team, but don't count on it.
Sweden is in a similar position as the Ukraine: two big guns up top, with little else to fill in behind. The difference is that Sweden's two forwards are in the prime of their careers. Johan Elmander had a fantastic season for Galatasaray in Turkey, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic has found new life as a false 9 for AC Milan, often driving the action instead of being the big, lolloping target man he was at Barca and stops previous. His ability to let the game come to him and not force it, will be huge since he will be relying on Kim Kallstrom and Sebastian Larsson to provide the service from the midfield. Both are more than capable players when they are in form, but that is a big if. If there was going to be an upset in this group however, I would pick Sweden to nick one of the other two "powerhouses." Their defense will be tough with a good mix of young athletic defenders like Martin Olsson or Andreas Granqvist and experience in Jonas Olsson (no relation).
Next we look at France. France is starting to challenge groupmates England for the spot Spain used to occupy: perennial under achievers. After the embarrassment at the World Cup, where players openly rebelled, the French Football Federation brought in Laurent Blanc to try to right the ship; it hasn't gone as smoothly as they would have liked. They qualified for this tournament as group winners, but there wasn't much talent there to challenge them. That being said there is plenty of talent in the side and only recent history of apathy and cancerous teammates leads me to believe they won't breeze through this group like they should. Karim Benzema put in the goals all year for Real Madrid, and is still only 24. There will be plenty to choose from in the midfield including Samir Nasri, Florent Malouda, and Hatem Ben Arfa, who all saw great success for their EPL clubs this year. There is also Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, who at one time was one of the most dangerous wingers in the world, but his cancerous antics in South Africa make me question if it is really worth it having him in the dressing room. It is the defense of this team that worries me. Laurent Koscielny really came into his own for Arsenal and should be great for Les Bleus. But the players around him are the shaky ones. Patrice Evra is not only a trouble maker, but has clearly lost three steps. Philippe Mexes was once considered the best up-and-coming defender in the world, yet he never made it; he has been decent for AC Milan these past years, but I would not call him the defensive bedrock he was tipped to be. Hugo Lloris will be fine between the sticks, but he could be called on a little too often. I pick France to make it out, but very cautiously.
Lastly, there is England. Has the English media's downplaying of England chances officially become a reverse jinx attempt? Every English pundit I've heard talk about this team is saying not to expect much, but their tone clearly is one of "I am just saying this because I have to I really expect big things." Well I don't. Roy Hodgson is going to be a very good English manager because he will set a vision for what he wants this team to do, something Capello never did. The problem is, he just started a six weeks ago. England also have a personnel problem. Wayne Rooney's temper cost him the first two games. Frank Lampard is out (but that could be a blessing because now Roy won't have to try to play him and Steven Gerrard at the same time, which never works like it should). And Gary Cahill just broke his jaw in two places to punch a hole in the defense. Like France there is plenty of talent here, but like France there is an attitude concern. Rooney, Gerrard, Ashley Cole, all have a history of acting out when they don't get their way (Gerrard once punched a night club DJ for not playing Phil Collins). But the biggest offender is former captain, John Terry. He regularly orchestrates to get Chelsea managers fired because they don't bow to his every wish, he cheats on his wife with his teammate's girlfriend, and he is under investigation by the government for racially abusing former England mate Rio Ferdinand's brother. Spain learned a long time ago that dressing room harmony was the key to unlocking hoards of talent. England won't reach that upper echelon again as long as they have their bad apples. All that said, there are plenty of workers in the squad. Andy Carroll has recently found some form and his efforts in Rooney's absence may make the difference. Scott Parker is the consumate professional and a beast of a midfielder who can play any role. And the defense will be headed by Man City duo of Joleon Lescott, who was phenomenal in the title run, and keeper Joe Hart. In the end I think England do make it out before the bus crashes.
MJ: The French have a fresh new face. Last World Cup, manager Raymond Domenech and 'surprise surprise' Patrice Evra completely derailed the concept of team unity. Two years later, Domenech is out, Laurent Blanc widely popular player in his day and new manager is in. A proper balance in the squad has been implemented. A very attractive group of youngsters sprinkled in with some of the bigger names of European club football. Kareem Benzema is always a goal threat and should see loads of service from the likes or Ribery, Nasri, and Cabaye. Between the sticks Hugo Loris will make few mistakes of his own and the defensive options are a bit shakey for the French NT. Barca Sagna, one of the best rightbacks in the world will miss out. Koscienly will have loads of responsiblity for a newer NT member but coming off of a great club season at Arsenal he should be ready for the task. France has two of the brightest young stars and hottest transfer targets this summer in striker Oliver Giroud and defensive midfielder Yann M'Vila. If the likes of Ribery and Nasri can keep their head on straight, and remember this is a team effort, Les Blues may very well be Les Vainqueurs du Group D and more.
Oh, how the English media likes to make a soap opera of their national team. The knives are already out questioning the appointment of manager Roy Hodgson, who looks like he'd be more comfortable with his nose in a book rather than leading the Three Lions from the touchline at one of the biggest stages in international football. The player drama plentiful. John Terry facing racism charges, the Rooney clan dodging match fixing and illegal betting charges, and Rooney himself letting his temper ablaze stamping on a Montenegrin player's leg in a qualifier leaving him suspended for the group stage. The player injury worse, Lampard is out with a thigh issue. Cahill out with a broken jaw, ouch. Gareth Barry out. Still the group is a bit soft in England's favor. The current French squad is untested. Ukraine and Sweden are arguably small fish for the tournament. Some newer faces: Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will have a pretty heavy workload given their experience levels. England could crash out of this group, the English papers already have the headlines written, but most tip them to progress and when Rooney comes back a different team is risen.
The Swede speed are at odds to make it out of the group but, as rightly depicted above, the squad may have enough reslolute defenders and power up front to surprise spectators and pundits alike. Using a 4-4-1-1 giving Zlatan his creative freedom will cause loads of trouble for opponents defences who will in turn have difficulty breaking down the eight men they can quickly push back behind the ball. If Sebastian Larsson is deemed fit, the Swede's will have an incredible delivery man and freekick taker. This may be the perfect group for Sweden to show they should not be taken as lightly as they have been leading up to this tournament.
Concluding with the second host nation Ukraine one cannot stick their head in the sand and ignore the recent reports and even a BBC documentary on the civil state of Ukraine. Some not very pretty pictures have been painted of the Ukrainian soccer culture regarding ethnic tolerance and some rather barbaric supporter behavior. Hooliganism and its unfortunate mix with racism can sadly be seen in many more places than just the Ukraine. Hopefully, the tournament brings out the good in all the fans from different ends of the country, continent, and world and the unspeakable's are not spoken. It is the great Andriy Shevchenko's farewell bash and this group could be loaded with upsets and mixed results, which are the key ingredients to a wonderful tournament and any hope these hosts have for the knockout round.
That wraps up our preview. I want to thank MJ for his excellent work. Stay tuned as the tournament progresses for further analysis. Thanks for tuning in!
No comments:
Post a Comment