Brazil: Santos win 18th Paulista championship
29 minutes ago
chants of “ES-PAÑA!” and “Olé, Olé, Olé!”
Congratuations Spain for a famous 1 - 0 win yesterday over Germany and we can now all focus on the trade action exploding on the scene.
Will Frank Lampard be wearing Inter Blue? Will Emmanuel Adebayor be wearing Milan Red? and about all the others flying under the radar including Deco, Samuel Eto'o, Ricardo Carvalho , Cristiano Ronaldo, and Ricardo Quaresma.
Newsflash - just heard Deco is going to Chelsea and Lampard is gone to Milan wow things are happening.
Germany vs. Spain
Here are the most probable starting elevens
After final analysis the Serie A Weekly fantasy team has made several changes for the final day, I'm still behind Spain to win it all but you just never know with that German efficiency and of course Germany's previous winning history in this tournament.
Final Fantasy Roster
Keeper: Iker Casillas
Defenders : Sergio Ramos, Joan Capdevila, Philipp Lahm,
Midfielders: Marcos Senna, David Jiménez Silva, Michael Ballack, Bastian Schweinsteiger
Forwards: Fernando Torres, Lukas Podolski, Miroslav Klose
You're probably thinking what is he talking about Italy are out after losing to Spain 2 - 4 on penalties in the last quarter-final, but perhaps you should think again because there is still one representative left for Italy, Roberto Rosetti.
Yes the Italian official is still on at the Euros and referee Rosetti will officiate the final, at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna.
This is very good for the domestic Italian league, which has suffered attack in recent years for the match fixing scandal of 06, to have their official still operational.
So Rosetti first on the pitch at Euro 2008 with the opening match between Switzerland and Czech Republic, will now be the last off come the finals on Sunday June 29.
Match Officials for Germany vs. Turkey and the first semi-final today are,
Referee: Massimo Busacca (SUI)
Assistant referee 1: Matthias Arnet (SUI)
Assistant referee 2: Stéphane Cuhat (SUI)
Fourth official: Peter Fröjdfeldt (SWE)
Reserve assistant referee: Henrik Andrén (SWE)
UEFA Referee observer: Jaap Uilenberg (NED)
Referee: Massimo Busacca (SUI)
Assistant referee 1: Matthias Arnet (SUI)
Assistant referee 2: Stéphane Cuhat (SUI)
Fourth official: Peter Fröjdfeldt (SWE)
Reserve assistant referee: Henrik Andrén (SWE)
UEFA Referee observer: Jaap Uilenberg (NED)
Guess who was sighted sitting together at the Italy vs. Spain semi-final, you're right Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger and past Le Bleus captain and golden boot winner, Zinedine Zidane. Wonder if there is a possibility of seeing Zizou in London come the fall???
Perhaps he was asking Wenger about getting his feet wet as manager somewhere soon.
You can find out more about World Cup winner Zidane and his travels by viewing the lastest UEFA.com magazine, Zidane enjoying the Euro ride
Giorgio Chiellini a rising star of the Azzurri back-four should be partnered with captain Fabio Canavarro for future World Cup qualifying in my opinion. Chiellini's place in the national team was cemented in place, after his recent preformance against Spain, during the European quarter-finals Sunday evening.
Well done Mr. Chiellini
Have you been missing Euro 2008 match previews, recaps, player interviews and historical tournament events?
Well look no further UEFA.com magazine have it all and to prove it follow the latest installment on the exploits of Team Italia and Team Español.
Game Day Spain vs. Italy topics include, Spain's 88 year wait for victory over Italy, Azzurri midfields Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo and their noticeable absence in the last quarter-final match, Christian Panucci provides a few words on how pleased he is to be chosen as a member of current team Italia and finally Spain's greatest moments at the 1964 Euro Championship win over the Soviet Union.
UEFA.com magazine have kindly broken down the main video into downloadable segments so you don't have to view the entire episode if for example you merely want to look at the Christian Panucci interview. Simply go to euro2008[dot]uefa[dot]com magazine for all your match day video previews and recaps.
Game Day Spain vs. Italy topics include, Spain's 88 year wait for victory over Italy, Azzurri midfields Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo and their noticeable absence in the last quarter-final match, Christian Panucci provides a few words on how pleased he is to be chosen as a member of current team Italia and finally Spain's greatest moments at the 1964 Euro Championship win over the Soviet Union.
UEFA.com magazine have kindly broken down the main video into downloadable segments so you don't have to view the entire episode if for example you merely want to look at the Christian Panucci interview. Simply go to euro2008[dot]uefa[dot]com magazine for all your match day video previews and recaps.
Now for the latest on the Azzurri Crunch Time in Vienna Video Link
With the 2 - 0 triumph over arch-rivials France the Azzurri will now move on to the European quarter-finals and face the goal leading duo of Villa and Torres and the rest of La Furia Roja (The Red Fury, Spain) come Sunday at 20:45 CET.
Thoughts and murmurs across the blogsphere rate this most recent Azzurri win not only survival for the Italians in this tournament but also salvation for their manager Roberto Donadoni and a final nail in the coffin for his opposite number Raymond Domenech.
After losing 3 - 1 to Holland in the opening group match Italian fans held their breath during the second match, watching a lapse in judgement by defender Zambrotta which lead to the first Romanian goal and possible elimination. Still, the enduring diehard would be vindicated after a recovery goal by fellow defender Christian Panucci and of course the salvation save of Gigi Buffon off the penalty kick of Romanian hitman Adrian Mutu.
Good thing Italy have nine lives, and here's hoping they keep up their winning ways, so as to avoid their greatest nemesis, penalties.
Video Highlights of the 2 - 0 win over France, see Footytube
After losing 3 - 1 to Holland in the opening group match Italian fans held their breath during the second match, watching a lapse in judgement by defender Zambrotta which lead to the first Romanian goal and possible elimination. Still, the enduring diehard would be vindicated after a recovery goal by fellow defender Christian Panucci and of course the salvation save of Gigi Buffon off the penalty kick of Romanian hitman Adrian Mutu.
Good thing Italy have nine lives, and here's hoping they keep up their winning ways, so as to avoid their greatest nemesis, penalties.
Video Highlights of the 2 - 0 win over France, see Footytube
If not for defender Christian Panucci poaching a goal and keeper Gigi Buffon making a fabulous penalty save, the World Champions would already be packing for home.
Highlights from the Italy vs. Romania match on Day 7
Footytube
Italy 1 -1 Romania
Italy: Buffon; Zambrotta, Panucci, Chiellini, Grosso; Camoranesi (Ambrosini 85), Pirlo, De Rossi, Perrotta (Cassano 56); Del Piero (Quagliarella 77), Toni
Romania: Lobont; Contra, Tamas, Goian, Rat; Radoi (Dica 25), Codrea, Chivu; Mutu (Cocis 88), Petre (Nicolita 60); D Niculae
Ref: Ovrebo (Norway)
Karel Brückner's Czech Republic take on Felipe Scolari's Portugal at 18:00 CET today, and one wonders what is going through managerial minds? I understand Scolari will field the same lineup from game one against Turkey and with so much talent on the bench i.e. Quaresma has someone fallen out with the marionette master?
This morning's mock discussion between managers,
Brückner: Hey Phil
Scolari: Ya,
Brückner: Why don't we call it a draw and both be happy? By the way, I could use an attacking forward I'm short in that department, you mind loaning me Ricardo Quaresma?
Scolari: I'll think about it, it's going to be alot of sardines
Brückner: Skoal
I'm sure Serie A Weekly readers have by now noticed the absence of any discussion on the 0 - 3 loss by Team Italia. Frankly I'm lost for words in explaining their total melt-down against the Dutch. I have but one response,
A Message to Roberto, a message to Azzurri
for more analysis on what went wrong see mcalcio, the Post-Dutch Debacle
Highlights from the Holland vs. Italy match on Day 3
Footytube
Holland 3 - 0 Italy
Van Nistelrooy 25 (H), Sneijder 31 (H), Van Brockhurst 80 (H)
Holland: Van der Sar; Ooijer, Mathijsen, Bouhlarouz (Heitinga 77), Van Bronckhorst; De Jong, Engelaar; Sneijder, Van Der Vaart, Kuyt (Afellay 81); Van Nistelrooy (Van Persie 70)
Italy: Buffon; Panucci, Materazzi (Grosso 54), Barzagli, Zambrotta; Gattuso, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Camoranesi (Cassano 75), Toni, Di Natale (Del Piero 64)
Ref: Frojdfeldt (Swe)
From match-day 3 the formations utilized by Victor Piţurcă of Romania and his opposite number Raymond Domenech of France will be examined but first scores from Day 3 including match statistics.
Day Three Group C Results
Romania 0 - 0 France
Holland 3 - 0 Italy
Romania vs France
Victor Piţurcă utilized the 4-3-2-1 formation for the Romania camp (see diagram below), Often used by Milan with Kaka and Seedorf supporting a lone striker it is a very defensive structure forcing play out to the flanks.
This formation has been used with success in tournament play for example, France in 98 World Cup, and AC Milan in 06-07 Champions League.
Raymond Domenech utilized the 4-4-1-1 formation for the French camp today. It is a typical counter attacking formation and is similar to 4-4-2, only that one of the strikers drops into the hole, linking with the midfield and attacks in a playmaking role. Concentration in back field allows the formation to absorb the opponent's attack till a deadly counter attack can take place. eight of the eleven player can technically become strike elements with wing-backs in position as right and left-back.
I thought it would be interesting to cover one match each day taking a closer look at each team's formation, and providing an explaination on the tactics employed by each manager.
From match-day one the formations utilized by Luiz Felipe Scolari of Portugal and his opposite number Fatih Terim will be examined but first scores from Day 1 including match statistics.
Day 1 Group A Scores
Switzerland 0 - 1 Czech Republic
Portugal 2 - 0 Turkey
Portugal vs. Turkey
Felipe Scolari utilized the 4-2-3-1 formation for the Portuguese camp (see diagram below), which is a relatively defensive formation. It allows two holding midfielders not only to screen for defense, but also initiate attacks from the rear of the midfield.
This formation also provides large wing spaces for teams to utilize. Also, the distance could be drawn between the CAM and the target person (#9). therefore a fast #9 could be used very efficiently in 4-2-3-1. France defeated Brasil in 2006 World Cup with a 4-2-3-1. In La Liga the formation normally is employed with one central midfielder more attack-minded than the other.
Fatih Terim utilized the 4-1-3-2 formation for the Turkish camp. Terim normally employs the traditional 4-4-2 formation associated with English football.
4-4-2 is all about balance through the middle of the field. In the modern game it is normal for one of the central midfielders to be a holding player to protect the back 4, allowing the other midfielder to be more of a playmaker. Also one of the 2 strikers is likely to be a target man , a tall, strong striker such as Ibrahimovic or Drogba that the other striker can play off.
If you haven't signed up yet there is still time simply click on the link below and follow the instructions
Serie A Weekly - Euro Fantasy Football League
Current Poll Results - have the Italian National Team far ahead of all other contenders to win all at Euro 2008.
Serie A Weekly readers have spoken and the Azzurri have garnered more than 50% of the votes. With two hours to go before the Euros kickoff there is still time for all you French, and German fans to vote.
The Serie A Weekly TEAM
1. Cech
2. Lahm
3. Hansson
4. Ujfalusi
5. Miguel
6. Kranjcar
7. Ballack
8. Fabregas
9. Quaresma
10. Ibrahimovic
11. Di Natale
Just hours before the whistle blows to start the first Euro 2008 match, thousands of Euro 2008 bets ranging from the number of red cards tipped for the tournament, to what hairstyle footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo will be sporting.
My Top Four picks for Cup Winner
1. Italy, 2. Spain, 3. Portugal, 4. Croatia my dark horse pick.
ACHTUNG, forget zee Germans altogether mates.
Current Betting odds
Germany 5/1
Spain 6/1
Italy 8/1
Portugal 8/1
France 10/1
Croatia 13/1
Holland 13/1
Czech Rep 17/1
Greece 21/1
Russia 23/1
Switzerland 26/1
Sweden 34/1
Turkey 34/1
Poland 41/1
Romania 41/1
Austria 101/1
Reuters-Football world champions Italy arrive in Austria just days before they start their campaign to win Euro 2008.
Azzurri arrival at Euros
Azzurri arrival at Euros
The Schlagl brewery in Austria has developed a low alcohol content beer of 4.8 % for soccer fans visiting the European Cup this month. I guess that leaves our American travellers off the list, and more importantly under the table, as this version of light beer is above the American max, VONABAR!
Joanna Partridge, Reuters, "It's not the official tipple of Euro 2008, but "Fan Lager" is produced along with two other breweries."
Reuters has some excellent videos on the latest Euro 2008 News which I'll be linking Serie A Weekly to over the next two days. Topics include, Injured Italy captain out of Euro, Criticism of new Adidas ball, Football and Faith - prayer for Euro 2008, and finally, Odds on for Euro 2008.
"The prospect of Kaka, the Rossoneri's brilliant Brazil international, moving in the opposite direction was instantly dismissed by Galliani. "He is absolutely not for sale," he said. "Just like Carlo Ancelotti, Kaka will be here with us next season." In any case Chelsea's chances of recruiting a player of Kaka's calibre at this stage appear to be diminished by their lack of a manager to attract him to the club.
Inter.it - Inter's new coach José Mourinho was unveiled to the press on Tuesday in a press conference at the training ground. This is what he had to say:
Mr Mourinho, you described yourself as 'special' when you became coach of Chelsea in 2004, and they called you 'The Special One'.
What do you want to be called now? "Mourinho. I have arrived at a special club, and when a club is like this the coach becomes an extra person. I'm not forgetting that I'm a great coach, but I don't want to be special. José Mourinho hasn't changed. He's the same person with the same ambition, the same motivations, and with a great passion for football. He has always wanted to coach in Italy, possibly at a great club. Inter have given me the opportunity to work in a great footballing nation like Italy. This is a very important challenge for me and I have to thank the managers present here, in particular Marco Branca, for choosing me. It will be fun for you too."
What did president Moratti ask of you at the start of your new adventure with the Nerazzurri? "The president asked me to be José Mourinho, which means working with great passion, with great empathy with all the fans, the players and the club. We must begin a new cycle. A cycle with a great coach in Roberto Mancini has just ended, but we turn the page now. It's a new life for the club and all of Inter. I have great respect for the work done by a great coach like Mancini, but I am José Mourinho. I have different methods and a different philosophy. I work with passion and motivation. I have always had strong relationships with the players and I'm sure that after a few weeks we will be able to talk about a strong relationship with my new players. I believe that sporting results are the logical consequence of who works well. I am sure I will work very well. I'm expecting positive results and entertaining football. I am highly motivated, I'm happy to be in Italy and at a great club like Inter. Like I said, Mourinho is the coach of a special club."
Do you think it will be necessary to change many elements of the current Inter squad? From what I have read in the press all over the world - not just in Italy and Portugal - it seems as if I have come to coach a team with a squad of 70 players. This isn't good. I want to work in a team of 20-21 players plus the goalkeepers. I think that every player in the world wants to play for Inter, and that every president wants to sell players to Inter. I like the players in my squad and I don't need to make radical changes. For myself and the management, the team just needs two or three players to improve and be even more competitive. I want the chance to change things a bit because I don't know any coach who has the same ideas as another. But I didn't like what I read about me not liking some of the players in the squad, and that I want to buy all the best players in Europe. This is not true. I have a clear message that I want to transmit to my players. From now on I want to talk about them as my players. I want to tell all of them that I like the squad and I have faith in them. I have seen a lot of Inter's matches during the season and I appreciated the team's mentality. It's hard for me to wait until mid-July to start."
A famous football rivalry has already started ahead of schedule between Les Bleus midfielder Franck Ribery, and Azzurri striker Luca Toni.
The following video records a private skills competition between the Bayern Munich teammates as they face-off prior to the upcoming Euro 2008 tournament starting June 07.
Both players meet again officially on June 17 in Zurich Switzerland at the Letzigrund Stadion when France and Italy play their final group of D(eath) match.
- Mourinho new Inter manager, signs for €9million (£7.1m) per year of a three-year contract.
- Matrix wants immediate meeting with new Inter manager to confirm first team role.
- Fabio Grosso wanted in Italy as Juventus, Roma and Fiorentina all are being talked about as possible suiters for the Lyon fullback.
- Mancini plot thickens, Moratti: Sorry Mancio
- Vieira out, Flamini in for France at Euro 2008
- Gattuso "Euro's harder than World Cup"
- Bologna join Chievo in promotion to Serie A, after 1 - 0 victory over Pisa on final day.
- Azzurri on their way to Austrian training camp
The news we've been waiting for has arrived, Jose Mourinho is the man for Inter. As new Inter boss Mourinho will be presented 10.30 am tomorrow at the Appiano Gentile Press conference.
The Portuguese tactician had been out of work since September, when he left Chelsea after his relationship with club owner Roman Abramovich broke down. His previous accomplishments include leading the London club to the Premier League title in 2005 and 2006 and inspiring Porto to UEFA Cup and Champions League glory in 2003 and 2004 respectively. The question now is will he be responsible for bringing Champions League glory to Milan.
Barcelona playmakers Deco and Samuel Eto’o and Chelsea midfielders Frank Lampard, Michael Essien are among the transfer targets Mourinho wants his new club to aim for, according to media reports.
The revolution begins.
We know several facts already, Chievo will be one of the two team automatically promoted, the second team should be known within the next 90 minutes and there will be a third place playoff qualification.
By end of day the second team promoted will either be Lecce or Bologna FC as the miracle squad of Albinoleffe who've held second place for most of the year have dropped to fourth in the last month. The Northerners lost their last 3 games, to Rimini, Ascoli, and Lecce, losing terribly to both Rimini and Lecce by a scoreline of 0 - 4.
Albinoleffe now sit 4-points behind second place Bologna FC and are mathematically out of the running for the second automatic birth but can still be promoted if they win the playoff for third place promotion. Teams third through sixth playoff for the final promotion spot.
Euro 2008 is right around the corner with that in mind, I'm sure you'd all like a chance to prove me wrong and show that you can better predict the top goalscorer, best shutout keeper and least carded enforcer, here's your opportunity.
Sign up for the official fantasy game of Euro 2008 and prove just how superior you are by getting more points than me. I'll be in two leagues, the EPLTalk.com league, run by our friends over at EPL Talk, and my own league here at Serie A Weekly.
It's free and easy to register, so just follow these few easy steps:
1. Visit http://en.fantasy.euro2008.uefa.com
2. If you’ve registered in the past for the Champions League fantasy game, just login. But if you haven’t registered before, click the “Register” link underneath the McDonald’s logo.
3. After you’ve logged in and/or registered, pick your team (one goalie, 10 field players, one substitute)
4. After selecting all 12 players on your team, click on the “Leagues” link on the top navigation bar underneath the word “Rules”
5. Finally, in the “Join a Private League” section, enter the following code to join the Serie A Weekly private league: 32887-6768
Prizes
pick your team and you could win a JVC Home Cinema system, Canon cameras, adidas team jerseys, adidas EUROPASS official balls or official EA Sport computer games.
The game rules and point scoring methods are all online for you so keep them in mind when selecting your team. Again, here's your chance to make me look silly, so join in the fun.
Italian defender Gianluca Zambrotta is returning to Serie A after signing with AC Milan late Saturday. The 31-year old has played two seasons at FC Barcelona since the demotion of Juventus, during the Calciopoli scandal of the 2005-2006 season.
As a Bianconeri Zambrotta made 217 league appearances, and played an attacking full-back role scoring 6 goals for his Turin masters.
The Como native has also been capped 71 times by his country and will feature in the current Azzurri squad at Euro 2008.
Once again the Rossoneri are moving quickly to fill vacated roles in the roster with the departure of Brazilian fullbacks, Cafu and Serginho.
