retired_jonkaytif

May 2006

In European club football, the most prestigious trophies were both closely contested. The Euro Cup was played on Wednesday 17th May, with Feyenoord and Sevilla fighting out a 1-1 draw, with the dutch team taking the trophy home after a 4-2 penalty shootout win.

A week later in the Champions Cup at the Westfalenstadion, European giants Roma and Barcelona clashed, with the latter coming out on top in extra time thanks to the solitary strike of Ronaldinho in the 96th minute.

Arsenal managed to do the double in England, defeating Everton in the FA Cup and pipping Man Utd to the Premiership title - this ultimately cost Alex Ferguson his job.

July 2006
World Cup 2006 - Germany

Ominously, Wales breezed through their group B matches with maximum points, Spain only just joining them in 2nd round on goal difference from Nigeria. Germany also qualified from Group C undefeated, the only blemish being a 0-0 draw with Italy, who won the group. The first big name fatality was in Group E where Argentina could only muster 2 points, with draws against Ireland and Costa Rica, whilst losing to Ghana. Ghana progress to the knockout stages for the first time in their history after seeing off Costa Rica on goal difference by just the solitary goal. Joining Argentina on the way home were also Sweden from Group G, once again the curse of goal difference ending their hopes, with Chile clinching a 2nd round berth in their place.

Wales crashed out of the 2nd round, going down by a respectable 1-0 margin to Brazil. Tie of the round saw Italy demolish England 3-1, whilst Norway knocked out the hosts Germany. Ghana's fairy tale was ended in extra time by the Czech Rep.

Brazil and Spain advanced to the Semi-Finals, seeing off Italy and Norway respectively in their QF ties. They are joined by Czech Rep (defeating France 2-0) and Columbia (who beat Ukraine on penalties).

The Semi Finals saw Spain line up against the Czechs and Brazil face Columbia. Once all was said and done, both matches ended 2-1, both in favour of the home team, and that set up a World Cup Final between Spain and Brazil. Columbia snatched third place with a penalty win over Czech Republic after 120 minutes failed to separate the teams at 1-1.

Having only ever hosted a World Cup Finals in 1982, this was Spain's first appearance in the showpiece final. Also sporting the 2nd most lethal attack in the competition, Spain had every reason to approach the final with optimism. Unfortunately, Brazil were just too strong, winning the match 2-0 without the need for any extra time or penalties. This allowed Brazil to claim their 6th world cup victory. John Hartson finished the tournament as top goalscorer (4 goals).

retired_jonkaytif

July 2006
Domestic News

In terms of transfers, the 'big' summer moves in the Faroe Islands involved Augustinussen moving to EB/Streymur, and he would also later be joined by Arnold Joensen, as EB looked to strengthen their squad ahead of their European qualification games.

International veteran defender Johannis Joensen also announced his decision to retire from club, and similarly, international football at the end of the season. With Joensen perhaps starting to fall out of the national team plans, this announcement is not unexpected, nor will it cause any selection problems in the months ahead.

The 9th July 2006 was a day of concern for the Faroese as the Football Association allowed Serbia and Montenegro to approach their manager Kevin and offer him the job of head coach of the u19 and u21 teams. After mulling over it, I had no real problem in rejecting them, instead wanting to concentrate on the job I was doing with the Faroes. However, it was quite nice to receive a job offer nonetheless.

After the world cup, and with the world rankings now a bit more stable since there is to be a break in international football, we are 108th!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a tremendous achievement!!

The European Champions Cup began in ernest. HB crash out of Champions Cup at 1st qualifying round to Sheriff of Macedonia.

Columbia offer friendly invitation for 28 March 2007 - accepted.

In Euro Cup 1st qualifying round, EB/Streymur lose to another Macedonian team, Zimbru, 3-1 on agg. Tranava of Slovakia dispose of AB 4-3 on agg.

Finally, after months of not having a match, we are about a month or so away from a new qualifying campaign and I look forward to it with much anticipation.

retired_owenou

Which leagues are loaded?

I may give this a go...

retired_deedee465

nice work Kev...
It would have turned that job/offer down too

retired_sandraroberts

Just read this story great read!!! Good Luck in euros

retired_jonkaytif

The build up to the opening of the European Championships qualifying was dominated by news of the sacking of Germany manager Jurgen Klinsman.

The squad for the final friendly match against San Marino was annoucned, with av Flotum removed through injury, whilst the imminent retirals of Johannsen and Joensen resulted in their withdrawals. Morkore was removed and replaced by Thomassen who returned to the squad. Several uncapped players were brought into the squad: Vagnur Mortensen (GI), Abrahamsen (IF), a Lag (HB), Djurhuus (LIF). Elttor was also removed.

The squad would consist of 7 uncapped players, 4 in the squad for the first time.

Squad:

GK: Joensen, Mikkelsen, Nielsen
D: Abrahamsen, A Danielsen, Davidsen, Ennigaro, H Hansen, J Hansen, S Joensen, a Lag
M: Augustinussen, Benjaminsen, H Danielsen, Jacobsen, Jorgensen, Mork, Mortensen, Petersen, Samuelsen, Thomassen
F: a Borg, Dam, Djurhuus, Jonsson, Mortansson

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Faroe Islands v San Marino
Saturday 2nd September 2006
Torshavn

Ref: Dick Jol
Att: 7998

Despite looking reasonably comfortable in this game, we struggled badly to break San Marino down in that final third of the pitch. With a number of players making their international debut, it was pleasing to see a reasonable performance, albeit a touch toothless in front of goal. That being said, it was particularly pleasing to see Nielsen keep his 2nd clean sheet, and the introduction of Djurhuus demonstrated that he could be a striker to watch for the future, almost scoring on his debut. Overall, although disappointing not to win, it was a decent performance in advance of our opening qualifier.

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XI: (442): Nielsen; Joensen (Hans a Lag, 63), Ennigaro, H Hansen, Abrahamsen; Mortansson (Mortensen, 63), Jorgensen, Jacobsen,
Benjaminsen (Mork, 63); a Borg (Dam, 82), Jonsson (Djurhuus, 45)

Faroe Islands 0 San Marino 0

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Azerbaijan v Faroe Islands
Wednesday 6th September 2006
Baku

Ref: Craig Foy

With Jonsson removed through injury, Elttor was given a swift recall. Benjaminsen was then later removed, again through injury, and his replacement was relative unknow Anfinn Hansen.

Fielding a largely unchanged team from Saturday, it was Azerbaijan who dominated in the early exchanges, with the Faroes on the back foot. Tactical changes had to be swiftly made, and thereafter, the team settled and started to get back into the game.

However, depsite our increasing control on the game and creation of chances, the game was to completely change in the 54th minute. Djurhuus, who was running the show in the AMC position, was the recipient of an disgraceful challenge, which didnt even get a free kick. Whilst lying in a crumpled heap, Azerbaijan ran up the flank, crossed the ball into the box, and their poaching striker Qurbanov turned the ball into the net. Djurhuus could not continue and was substituted.

Sadly, this took all the rhythm out of my team, and we never really recovered from losing such an inspirational player. The game was then finished off after 67 minutes when Mehtiev scored. I was still simmering after the injury to Djurhuus and this made my mood worse.

This was a very disappointing match, and a poor opening to our qualification campaign and ambitions, especially since I was quietly hoping to take all 3 points. Hopefully things will improve.

Azerbaijan 2 Faroe Islands 0

Other results:

Croatia 2 Belarus 1
Germany 2 Wales 0

retired_jonkaytif

Just the english league is loaded, down to League 2 I think