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Group Four - Sweden vs Italy
The meeting of the two group favourites in Stockholm will go a long way to determining the fate of either side as they hunt a place in the sixteen who will play in Norwat in 2012. Italy made a shaky start against Belarus but looked comfortable against the minnow nations. Wednesday night in Sweden will be manager Francesco Guidolin's first real task in charge of the Azzurri, and one that he's relishing. "International football is made for important games, and our players are starting to respond to my ideas. Any group of players will take time to gel, and ours are looking better every day." Eder Bau and Alessandro Pellicori are expected to resume their potent tandem up front, which has yielded five goals in qualfying to date. Sweden are in a similar position, and are expected to be at full strength. Kennedy Bakircioglu and Kim Kallstrom will need to be at their best to overpower the Italian midield.
Group Seven - Germany vs Belgium
After an unexpected defeat to Slovenia on day one, Germany have recovered with easy 4-0 wins. Against Belgium in Munich it will be far harder. Giresse's troops are unbeaten as yet, and without looking brilliant they have the typical Belgium combination of hard work and finesse. Germany, however, have two of Europe's hottest talents. In Dennis Becker and Kai Brand they have a formidable combination which could hurt anyone at any time. Keeping Brand under wraps may prove to be the hardest task for the Belgian rearguard. Giresse may employ PSV's Jan Wuytens as a specific man-marker on Brand, sacrificing one player for the good of the side. For Völler's Germany, Daniel Bierofka will take a late fitness test, but is only rated a 30% chance to be fit.
Group Nine - Czech Republic vs Iceland
After a perfect start Iceland face their toughest task against a talented but inconsistent Czech side. Atli Eðvaldsson's Icelandic side have a 100% win record after their first three games, and avoiding defeat in Prague will be a boost to their hopes of qualifying. Without Eidur Gudjohnsen they looked less dangerous against Poland but came away with the win nonetheless, and Sævar Jónsson should start once again alongside Heidar Helguson. For the Czechs a defeat in Poland was a huge blow to their chances, but they can redeem themselves with a win on Wednesday night. Vit Valenta has been called in to the senior squad for the first time, and at the age of 27 is at his peak. But there is no doubt of the true star. Should Tomas Rosicky have his game head on, he can be unstoppable, which makes the Czechs far more threatening. Ludek Straceny and Milan Baros will contest a starting spot alongside Marek Heinz.
10-24-2003, 09:11 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Norway. Home of the Vikings, Christmas, and the 2012 European Championships Post #42
Paul Le Guen's French side came crashing back to earth with a bump in Sofia after suffering their first defeat in nearly a year to a fully deserving Bulgarian side. Stilian Petrov signalled early the intentions of the home side with a crashing free kick way over Frey's goal. France came out of their shells and almost scored the lead via Trezeguet's shot. It wasn't to be, and it was Bulgaria who scored the opener on 28 minutes. Christian Rivière gave the ball away to Martin Petrov, who found namesake Stilian. The Arsenal man fed captain Dimitar Berbatov, and he clipped the ball past Frey's outstretched palm. France never looked in the match after that, and despite Trezeguet's header and some enterprise from Giuly, Bulgaria were in cruise control. The home side looked for a second, but their finishing was distinctly average. Fifteen minutes from time the final nail was put into the French coffin. Again it was the two Petrov's combining, as Stilian claimed the assist for Martin's header. With five minutes on the clock Sidney Govou's header hit the base of the post, which summed up the French day, and leaves them travelling home with some serious thinking to do.
In the much hyped clash between the two sides expected to be at the business end of qualification, Francesco Guidolin's Italian side battled through to a 1-0 win in Stockholm's Rasunda Stadium. Lazio striker Alessandro Pellicori struck gold with just seconds left on the clock after Inácio Pia's build up play had given him ample time and space to crack an effort past Rami Shaaban. Italy had dominated the match, but they found the Swedish defence on a good day. By the fifth minute the Azzurri had already had four attempts at goal, all without much conviction. Andrea Pirlo was at the heart of everything from his trequartista role, but his handywork was wasted by various players, namely Roma's Eder Bau. When he tried to go himself, he found Shaaban in fantastic form. The second half was much the same, as the approach play was fine, but the final answer was poor. Kennedy Bakircioglu came closest for the home side midway into the second half with an unmarked header that swayed wide of Pelizzoli's goal. The match looked to have peetered out into an exciting but rather disappointing goalless draw until the 89th minute when Pellicori shattered Sweden with a late, late decider. Eder Bau might have doubled the advantage in injury time, but Pellicori's goal proved enough to put Italy top of the group and in a strong position. Other results mean Sweden's qualification hopes have taken quite a setback tonight.
World Cup holders Holland are fearing for their qualifying chances after a second consecutive defeat leaves them with just one point from three games, and bottom of Group Six. Finland fully deserved their 3-2 victory, indeed, the scoreline was perhaps kind on the Dutch. Much of the first half was a mixed affair, as both sides looked to open the scoring. Van der Vaart's good play for the Netherlands was constantly stamped out by the ever-impressive Finnish captain Sami Hyypia. Much against the run of play, Finland took the lead five minutes before the break. Mikael Forssell drove past Oude Kamphuis and Bouma before drilling a shot low and hard past Maarten Stekelenburg. The second half saw a Dutch siege on Jaaskelainen's goal, but they were far too inconsistent and rash in their finishing. On 56 minutes Finland doubled their lead to really sink Gullit's side. Henri Scheweleff lobbed a perfect pass to Juho Mäkelä, and the Venezia striker headed past former teammate Stekelenburg to make the scoreline 2-0. Holland appeared to have pressed the self destruct button, because the play started to be all Finland's. Teemu Tainio and Hyypia both drove shots just over. Mäkelä volleyed just wide. A third looked inevitable, and with eight minutes remaining it came. Right back Tommy Wirtanen sent over a cross too nice for Mäkelä to waste. A volley seared into the net to end the Dutch hopes. Or did it. With five minutes remaining Yousseff Hersi gave hope with a spectacular long range effort to score his first goal since the World Cup Final. Minutes later he scored again, climbing highest to head in Mario Melchiot's free kick. But it was too late. Finland held out to take pole position in qualifying, and leaving Gullit with a huge task ahead.
Finland 3 (Forssell 40, Mäkelä 56, 82)
Holland 2 (Hersi 86, 90)
Attendance - 39,713
Referee - Gordon Zammit Tabona (Norway)
Holland - Stekelenburg, Oude Kamphuis, Bouma, Melchiot, H.Seedorf, Van der Vaart(c), Robben, Hersi, Kuijt (de Jong 53), van Nistelrooy (van Beukering 67), van der Meyde
10-24-2003, 09:18 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Norway. Home of the Vikings, Christmas, and the 2012 European Championships Post #45
Wales claimed an impressive Group One point as they held Croatia to a 2-2 draw in Split. Ivan Klasnic had given the home side a lead midway through the first half, a lead that was to be cancelled out in first half injury time by Robert Earnshaw. Klasnic restored the lead early in the second half, but once again Wales showed determination to draw level again through Andrew Hughes' penalty. Denmark failed to take advantage after being disappointingly held at home 2-2 by Lithuania. Morten Skoubo struck early to signal a likely massacre, but it never materialised. Dobuis Poskus equalised on 26 minutes, and then Lithuania sat back on their lot. Kim Madsen's 86th minute goal was his first for Denmark and looked to have won the game, but Poskus struck again immediately to give Lithuania a promising point.
Bulgaria's defeat of France in Group Two was made even more impressive as Latvia came away from Hungary with all three points. A first goal for Zhan Deryugine fifteen minutes from time was enough to leave Hungary all but out of qualification, but Latvia are well and truly in the mix. San Marino claimed a rare win as they beat Georgia 1-0 in Serravalle. Cinque Cassese scored his first international goal to take the points.
Spain finally found their winning formula in Group Three with a 2-1 win over Israel in Madrid. Guayre gave them an early lead, which was doubled five minutes later by Barcelona's Xavi. However, Spain looked less than comfortable, and Yossi Benayoun's late goal made the last ten minutes a littler hairier than they would have liked. A win is a win though, and Miguel Ángel Lotina will look to this as a start of better things. Ukraine went level top with Scotland with a 3-0 win over Estonia thanks to Andriy Shevchenko's second hat-trick in three games. All three came in the first half as the Milan man showed he is still one of the most dangerous strikers around.
Greece share top spot in Group Four with Italy by crushing Luxembourg 5-1 in Athens. They found it a lot tougher than expected, and were only 2-0 ahead at the break with goals from Iordanis Zouboulis and Manolis Ligkos. Romain Schumacher scored with 12 minutes to go to shock Greece, but three goals in the last nine minutes made the emphatic scoreline a little harsh. Manolis Ligkos completed a hat-trick with two goals, sandwiching a Ioannis Amanatidis effort in between. Belarus impressed in the Faroes with a comfortable 3-1 victory. Two goals from Vitaly Kutuzov did the damage, and Maxim Tsigalko added the third.
Deciding to rest Michael Owen was an inspired decision for Steve McLaren's England as they crushed Macedonia 4-0 in Group Five. Owen's replacement, Matt Piper, struck a first international hat-trick on an amazing 71st cap. Alan Smith scored the other goal to take him within three goals of Bobby Charlton's all time record. Only a serious injury (forbid that should happen) will stop him becoming the top scorer ever. Still, no room was found for the talents of Cherno Samba. Romania eased past Armenia in Bucharest with goals from Paul Codrea, Laurentiu Rosu, and Adrian Mihalcea sealing a 3-0 win.
Serbia & Montenegro may see the Dutch failure in Group Six as a chance to exploit. A 2-0 win in Albania, courtesy of two goals from Mirko Vucinic, took them to within two points of Ireland, and in with a real chance of making a playoff place.
Bayern prodigy Dennis Becker proved Germany's Group Seven saviour as he scored to save a point for Germany at home to Belgium. Wesley Sonck had given the visitors the lead against a ten man home side, who had Hanno Balitsch dismissed after five minutes. Yet Becker scored a second straight international goal with a cracking effort just before half time to take a crucial point. Slovenia go top with a 4-1 win over Malta in which all five goals came in the first half. Ales Mejac scored a hat-trick to take the strain off of partner Dejan Robnik, who made the other goal for Gregor Spasojevic. Mark Caruana had temporarily levelled for the Maltese, but they never looked in the game. And Bosnia go second with a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan. Duro and Ferhatovic scored the all important goals.
Portugal stay top of Group Eight with a 2-0 win in Northern Ireland to be one of the few sides to still have a 100% record. Nuno Gomes' header and a late Felipe Oliviera goal sunk McIlroy's men. Turkey stay second by winning 4-1 in Moldova. Akin Serhat claimed two more goals, in between Akin Ibrahim and Yildiray Basturk's goals.
Finally to Group Nine where Iceland tasted a first defeat in the Czech Republic. Milan Baros gave the home side an early lead, which Iceland should have cancelled out on 18. Petr Cech, the home goalkeeper, was dismissed for bringing down Jónsson. But sub keeper Jiri Scasny saved Heidar Helguson with his first international touch. Tomas Rosicky doubled the lead in the first half to really sink Atli Eðvaldsson's troops, who had Stefan Guðmundsson sent off in injury time in what was a bad tempered match. Poland take advantage with a 2-1 victory at home to Cyprus. Mateusz Dobek scored in first half injury time to cancel out Costas Xiourouppa's opener. Debutant Mariusz Fornalik scored the winner for the home side early in the second half.
10-24-2003, 09:19 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Norway. Home of the Vikings, Christmas, and the 2012 European Championships Post #46
If there is a more prolific goalscorer than Kai Brand in world football currently then we are yet to see him. Union Berlin and Germany striker Brand has an infectious desire to score goals. And how he does. His breakthrough season as a tall and burly sixteen year old came as Union were being promoted into Bundesliga 1, and Brand scored his first goal during the run in. He started the following season well in the German Liga-Pokal, but was loaned out to second division Aaachen for experience. He continued in his prolific vein there, notching 19 in an average side. By now his name was becoming known around Germany, and his first season in the top flight yielded seven goals. It was at the end of this season he made his international debut, as he was handed forty minutes against Italy. Big clubs, namely Bayern Munich, were becoming interested in Brand, but Union Berlin were determined to keep hold of their talented hitman. The following season was a revelation. Brand hit 29 goals in 25 games to become the hottest talent in Europe - and he was only 21. Still he stayed in Berlin, and still he progressed. A first international goal arrived too, as he started to make an impression in the German side. Thirty goals followed in the same season, but the 2009/10 season was quite unbelievable. Union Berlin finised a modest fifth, but Brand had hit 38 goals on the way, excluding six for Germany, some of which came at a prolific and yielding World Cup. This season has started in the same way, as Brand has struck gold and goals wherever he has gone. It may only be a matter of time before a big club picks up this simply outstanding young striker. If and when Berlin decide to sell, they will receive a suitably large fee, but the buyer will have a guaranteed goalscorer, as Kai Brand will undoubtedly score goals anywhere. It's just his Brand of football.
11-06-2003, 12:16 AM
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Norway. Home of the Vikings, Christmas, and the 2012 European Championships Post #48
Francesco Guidolin has possibly unveiled a striking partnership for his Italian side to rival the past duos of Vieri and Del Piero, Schillachi and Baggio, and Rossi and co. They may be cross-town rivals, but Roma's Eder Bau and Lazio's Alessandro Pellicori have together put Italy's qualification run back on track. The first sign came in September's 1-1 draw in Belarus. Pellicori came off the bench to grab a first international goal, but it was his enterprise and understanding with Bau that impressed many a watcher. The two were partnered from the start against Luxembourg, and hit it off again, sharing all three goals. Pellicori may have outscored his partner, but Bau had a say in nearly everything positive. Once more, Guidolin partnered the two against the Faroes, and each man grabbed one goal. The most important goal came in the recent win over Sweden, where Pellicori kept up a 100% record at this level with a late winner. Club form is not a problem for either. Alongside Fernando Cavenaghi, Eder Bau has found a new level in recent times since signing from Galatasaray, hitting 15 goals in his first Serie A season. Across town at Lazio, Pellicori leads the line, with any number of partners. He too had a spell in Turkey, ironically at Gala's rivals Fenerbahce. The two suit each other so well - Bau's skill, pace, and tenacity to Pellicori's bustling, strong, skilful game. Guidolin may have found a perfect striking partnership that seems to know few bounds.
But are they the best in international football? France will argue that any combination of Thierry Henry, David Trezeguet, and Sidney Govou will prove unstoppable, whilst England's Owen and Smith tandem will break records sooner than later. If Spain can make use of Celtic's duo of Raul and Fernando Torres then they too will have a claim to press. Adriano and Éwerthon are tough to contain with Brazil, whilst Argentina probably have the most feared in Javier Saviola and Fernando Cavenaghi - two players who do not know how not to score.
Yet all of these pale into insignificance against Greek duo Alexandros Papadopoulos and Manolis Ligkos. In their combined 84 international caps they have scored 70 goals - a record that can only be extended as each man is only in his mid twenties. In thirteen games this year, the two have scored 20 goals between them - with Bologna's Ligkos grabbing twelve to the Leeds man's eight. They are, quite simply put, unstoppable.
11-06-2003, 12:17 AM
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Norway. Home of the Vikings, Christmas, and the 2012 European Championships Post #49
In the last round of international games of the year, Holland continued their average form by being held 1-1 at home to Nigeria. Ruud Van Nistelrooy's first half goal was cancelled out by Femi Opabunmi's second half cracker. England beat Croatia easily 3-0 in London with goals from John Terry, Alan Smith, and Matt Piper. Smith now just needs three to overtake Bobby Charlton's record of 49. France won the big clash against Germany in Saint-Denis. A rare Camel Meriem goal opened the scoring, and ten minutes later Thierry Henry doubled the advantage. Hanno Balitsch pulled one back for Germany, who are still in a bad state. Greece won 3-0 over in Cameroon with yet more goals from Papadopoulos and Ligkos. All three came from either of these two, who nobody can seemingly stop. Italy found their way back to form with a 2-0 win over Brazil in Rome, the goals from Eder Bau and Marco Cassetti. Luca Toni was recalled to the squad and performed well in the absence of Pellicori. The Spanish crisis continued as they were crushed 2-0 at home by Argentina. Miguel Ángel Lotina's neck is well and truly on the line now. And finally, Portugal went down 1-0 in Romania to Stefan Grigorie's goal.
11-06-2003, 12:18 AM
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Norway. Home of the Vikings, Christmas, and the 2012 European Championships Post #50
After Celtic's thumping 5-0 victory over Milan in the Champions League last night, Spanish national coach Miguel Ángel Lotina is under sterner pressure to recall exiled duo Raul and Fernando Torres. The two hitmen, formerly of Madrid rivals Real and Atletico respectively, tore apart the best club side in world football at this current time, sharing four goals between them. Torres in particular has had a fabulous campaign to this point, but absurdly has only four international appearances, the last coming two years ago. Raul is Spain's top scorer ever. The 33 year old has 64 goals, a long way ahead of anyone else, and with 126 caps is only second to Andoni Zubizaretta in terms of experience. Yet Lotina refuses to pick either on the premise that they are playing in a weaker league and he has names who he feels can do better. Spain's manager continues to prefer Guayre, Bodipo, Güiza, and Aganzo, who have eight international goals between them. As Spain prepare for make or break clashes with Estonia and Scotland, Lotina is expected to call up either one of the Celtic duo, or find someone to do the job for him. His neck is well and truly on the block.
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