Euro 2008, International - Written by BlueChampion on Friday, June 20, 2008 5:55 | 3,628 Views | 224 Comments | Add Comment
Germany in semis - Hard luck Phil!
This must be a special tournament - my favourites are really doing well! Germany really lived up to their reputation as cup favourites. Sweeter fact was that they beat Portugal, who were generally expected to sweep aside Germany. They were propelled by none other than Michael Ballack, the only Chelsea player left in the Euro 2008 now.
Germany controlled the game throughout and in fact, the scoreline does not do justice to their domination. Only in the last 10 minutes, Germany were willing to sit back and take the result and that’s when and how Portugal appeared little dangerous.
And you know what? A certain Ronaldo, who’d being valued at about 65 million pounds, was as good as anonymous. Allright, he had a part to play in Portugal’s first goal but that was his only moment of the match. Germany were very comfortable on the ball, and used their possession wisely to build up to the attack while Portugal lost possession in every square metre of the pitch. Credit should be given to Germany’s ball winning abilities.
Any good ‘tournament team’ is going to be very dangerous in set pieces. Last night Germany created two goals from freekicks. And that was not a surprise, especially when the free kick taker was Schweinsteiger and the scorers were Klose and Ballack. So, that’s the second goal for Ballack in as many games. It’s great that Ballack has overcome his poor performance against Croatia but the Schweinsteiger has been the key for the German attacks. I really like this guy, not just for his fantastic-sounding name but for the way he plays the game. He is light but that does not stop him from making those big tackles. He is very quick and has a good football brain. With the richest pair of eyes on him, Big Phil would have loved anything but a defeat with three goals conceded. To put a positive spin to this, let’s say that he has now more time to look forward and plan for Chelsea.
The rest of the final eight is pretty much what I had predicted. I thought Czech would make it but Turkey knocked C(z)ech off in the most cruel fashion. In group B, as I thought Germany and Croatia made it to the quarters but I thought Germany would top but they have not. Then comes the group of death. How many would have predicted this group correctly? And how many would have thought Netherlands would top the group. I did. Didn’t I? This group went exactly as I predicted, Netherlands at top and Italy in second. France are finished. They can watch the rest of the Euro on TV. Spain were supposed to progress but give me some credit for putting my faith in Russia.
Here are my new round of predictions. Croatia might cruise past Turkey. Lightning may not strike twice. Netherlands vs Russia might look like a no-brainer but I had in my earlier post mentioned that Russians could beat the Dutch in the quarter finals. I still stand by it. Hiddink would know the chinks in the Dutch armour. One caveat for Russia is that they can’t be attacking in numbers. Their nature of short-passing play needs number of players in the middle third and the attacking third. Even the full backs operate as wing backs. This may be a bit risky for them given the quality of Dutch counterattacks. I expect a tight match with just one goal in it.
Then the big one. Spain vs Italy. Once again the popular choice is Spain but my choice is again not the popular one. Italy have got a mjor lifeline in the tournament and by beating France, they can rightfully consider themselves hot favourites. Italy have progressed from a very tough group while Spain have not been really tested by good oppositions. Italy will miss Pirlo and Gattuso due to yellow card suspensions. Italy have already gone weaker in their defence and to miss players like Pirlo and Gattuso could only make things worse for them. Despite this, I feel this could be Italy’s match.
On the club front, the papers can go crazy over the Ronaldo saga again as his Euro dream has been terminated. I wish Ronaldo goes to Real Madrid. But the whole thing is getting very complicated now. Ronaldo wants to go. Sir Alex says ‘on my dead body’. Madrid wouldn’t mind breaking the transfer record or the salary record. Madrid have contacted the Glazers directly. Glazers have said that Fergie will have the last word. Madrid have meanwhile arranged Ronaldo’s apartment, car and his hair gel. Ronaldo’s agent is pushing Ronaldo to submit a transfer request. That’s where it stands now. If Ronaldo really makes that transfer request, it’s gonna be fun!
I think it would do well for Fergie to cash in on Ronaldo at this time. Even if he manages to hold onto Ronaldo this season, he is not going to see the same old Ronaldo on pitch. Not again would he manage a 42-goal season. Ronaldo for Man Utd, has peaked already. He is not going to command more transfer money in his career than he does at this point of time. I’d say, Fergie can take advantage of the desperation of Ronaldo and Madrid, and hold them to ransom. Anyway, Sir Alex can make more Ronaldo’s out of Nanis and Quaresmas. From a Chelsea standpoint, I’m just simply waiting for the day he signs for Real Madrid. One reason is it will make As you might know, in Spain I support Real Madrid and not Barcelona just like in Italy, I support Inter Milan and not AC.
On Chelsea side, not much has happened. Few rumours here and there. Ah yes, Avram Grant has found his match, FC Twente. Good luck to him! I would be in London next week, so I’ll post some interesting pictures and also write about my experience at Stamford Bridge!
224 Comments
1. Nihongo Blue
2. Nihongo Blue
3. sack scolari
Sack Scolari!!!!!!
Since his appointment he lost 2 out of 2
ha ha ha
Sack the loser
4. BlueFan nr:1
hi scolari my name is balack! i will be playing for u!! HAHA
5. TBF
@BC
Schweinsteiger and Podolski are wonderful players but underrated.
Germany all the way as i have said before.
Scouting
————-
Moutinho-Not good enough………….very raw product as of now.
Deco-Best player on pitch yesterday to be honest and has regained his form but age is the main con.
Bastian Schweinsteiger-Wonderful and just what we need.
Lucas Podolski-Reminded me of Rooney in the way he approches his game…….good passer,clinical and can play on wings
Van Der Vaart-Deal him in….
Boulahrouz-Afraid to say and eating humble pie but better CB than Ben haim…………another Mourinho’s masterstroke[appreciate the sarcasm]
6. TBF
@BC
Just out of curiosity,you hae started supporting inter from this season or before.
Will be glad to know that atleast in italy and spain i support barca and milan.
7. andrew,tn,coimbatore
ballack gave scolari a warm welcome by kicking portugal out of the tournment
8. Nihongo Blue
not kicking portugal but pushing ferriera.. i am not sure how riccy, ferriera , bosigngwa and most importantly scholari are going to take it. riccy atleast now has a ready made excuse of going to inter saying this.
9. BFDS
hey
Am i the first to question Mr Scolari ?
With the best squad he get kicked in the ass at the quarter finals
Since he got the appointment at Chelsea his record is Zero
2 games 2 losses, Should we call to sack him? Too early?
Ha ha ha
Coming next May or before I will post this here again
Read this slow
Scolari is an arrogant over the hill coach that will give us nothing except lots of body language trying to do 2 things
One is to cover is lack of abilities and the other is trying to wake our confused players.
You all loved the word motivator claiming AG wasn’t one , so here you have one that he is only a motivator nothing more, that alone can’t hold, and it wont.
In the other hand Ronaldo is going away so maybe Man U will not be so good , that’s the only sunshine over Chelsea’s sky.
10. IwasMissingJose
I´ve never seen such a lucky team as Türkey ever in my life….They show passion only when they are a goal down and manage somehow to come over it, even if only few seconds are left….haha, really feel sorry for you Croatians….
11. Johnarejr
Hurah for the Turks! What a wonderful, never-say-die attitude they have brought to the tourney. Chances are they will loose to Germany. But, Turkey will be well remembered for their heroic comeback wins.
BFDS, saddly, you do make a vaild point to raise the question about Scolari. But, I am willing to wait and see what he does when the season is under way. The announcement of his hireing and assorted rumors may have been a distraction. I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait and see.
HOLLAND WILL RULE EUROPE!
12. JoseHoliday
Hey IwasMissingJose
You never seen a team as lucky as Turkey ? I have… LOL …Chelsea …last year and Turkey’s luck is gonna run out like CFC’s too .
13. andrew,tn,coimbatore
ferriera is one of the worst player i ever seen…all 3 goals came from is side only
14. heyjose
why blaming scholari for defeat and i will like to ask @3 that loses 2 games in a row should be sacked then no one will be willing to manage us again we will 5 managers a season and all superstARS WILL leave no will want to join chelsea. scolari is agreat manager very great may be not as great as jose but 10000 times than stupid grant and he won south american version of championsleague 2 won world cup with a brazilian team that was even struggling to qualify took portugal that had not reached semifinal for years to a final and semi .lets face it germany were a better team and it our ferriera fault not scolaris .he will be a success at chelsea waiting for the season o start and hoping to end united reign
15. heyjose
why blaming scholari for defeat and i will like to ask @3 that loses 2 games in a row should be sacked then no one will be willing to manage us again we will 5 managers a season and all superstARS WILL leave no will want to join chelsea. scolari is agreat manager very great may be not as great as jose but 10000 times than stupid grant and he won south american version of championsleague 2 won world cup with a brazilian team that was even struggling to qualify took portugal that had not reached semifinal for year to a final and semi .lets face it germany were a better team and it our ferriera fault not scolaris .he will be a success at chelsea waiting for the season o start and hoping to end united reign
16. CFCIR
Ivan Rakitic is one of the croatia team.He is young and fast.20 years old not good enough.Luka modric is the best Mid in the EURO.EVEN BETTER THAN BALLACK AND VAN DER VART BUT WE LOST HIM TO SPURS.
17. BlueChampion
I have always liked and followed Inter but has not supported them as such. As such I hate Milan and Juventus who have had a history of cheating and corruption. I’d choose Roma over these two teams. From this season, I’ll also support Inter especially because of Jose Mourinho.
18. Chris
Milan and Juventus have their history of cheating and corruption, and Roma have their own of ultra-violence although it appears to have improved in recent years.
I hope Germany obliviate the Turks. Any team that has led for two and a half minutes over four matches and still reaches the semi-final of such a prestigious competition takes luck to a new extreme, more so than we did over the 06/07 season with all the late winners, perhaps even more so than Liverpool in the Champions League final in Istanbul. Now half of their players are suspended or injured, Turkey’s luck has run out. There’s no way they will get past Michael Ballack and co. Croatia paid for their missed chances, and Germany will be deserved finalists for learning from their mistakes.
Italy barely survived their group and yet I have a feeling that they will reach the semis also. Spain are the only team that can stop Holland other than Germany, I think, but Italy will somehow get past them.
If it turned to be a Germany vs. Holland final, I wouldn’t be disappointed whichever side won.
19. IwasMissingJose
@12….yea, i had expected someone would say that. But unfortunately, before i could correct my statement, it was already posted…
20. TBF
@JoseHoliday
You never seen a team as lucky as Turkey ? I have… LOL …Chelsea …last year and Turkey’s luck is gonna run out like CFC’s too .
were you having a dig at jose’s chelsea last minute equalisers?………can you appreciate your dig at yourselves………i can
@BC
On the contrary i have never liked inter[not caus jose is manager now]…………they are one of the most underperforming teams who spend money,play shit and their results are even more shit……….there three titles are won more or less by default and that muppet moratti sacked their most successful manager[lol].
though have to admit i like the jersey and the youtube superstar zlatan and adriano[though no longer the same].
it will be interesting to see for how long jose will be able to survive there
21. IwasMissingJose
Euro ´08 is the most thrilling football tournament i´ll ever watch in my life. So many goals being scored, so many players giving their best, so much of luck in some teams, a better side mutilating the other, such passion in football shown by players, new faces, new coaches….its like a new era of Football has started. Its really exciting. Although i tip Germany to be winners, teams like Holland, lucky Türkiye, and tactical Russia frightens shit out of me.
22. CFCIR
Slaven Bilic is next jose mourinhi.he is intelligent and his celebration is too funny.i like him .we must bring him to chelsea in 2013.
23. CFCIR
The best players in euro 2008(UNTIL 20 JUNE)
VAN DER SAR
BOULAHROOZ POYOL Joris Mathijsen Van Bronckhorst
MODRIC BALLACK SNIJDER
L.PODOLSK D.VILLA Bastian Schweinsteiger
Manager:marco van basten
subs:robben,F Torrers,van der vaart,arda turan,van der vart
24. CM
@BC
Just read your report about Germany v Portugal and sure sure you must have watched a different game.
To start with portugal had the very first opportunities of goal, even Moutinho had one sitter.
Then Portugal lost Moutinho through injury, when he started dominating the his side of midfield, a blow to Portugal and scolari thats for the first time he didnt even had a B plan, so sure was him that Portugal is far superior to Germany, in my opinion I agree .
Then in a counter attacke the Germans scored a typicall portuguese goal.
The secon german goal came from a free kick that the same fault was done by ballack on their progression, but typically of UEFA to save the financial success of the tournament referees go in favour of the host or tyhe hosts’ neighbours.
You see an Italy v Germany final will defenetely be a bigger success than a Portugal v Spain, for the mere fact that less distance to drive.
So honestly I do not understand your comments, truth may be told , I only read your first paragraph. In my opinion there is no coubt that the best team so far is Holland, followed by Portugal (gone) and Spain.
Spain has no chance against italy and we will see the same favoured refereeing towards italy that we saw with Germany.
Germany as a team play well as they always played as team, against Portugal, and watch the highlights in BBC interactive, played deffensivelly always 10 men behind the ball, in another words it is easier to destroy that to build. Everytime Ronaldo had the ball 3/4 germans players surrounded him, even if you are superman, eventually yyou capitulate. £rd goal of Germany was a foul, but conveniently the refferee and the linesman never saw, pity that the commentators immediately saw it and so did Scolari.
Yes Germany has some players above the average like Ballack, a sly and dirty player, has always been even in the last World cup and the last euro cup, saying that has a technic well above the other german robots. Lahm has a spanish newspaper put it is like a robot, runs 100 metres prob under 10 secs and a good foot.
Anyway pls watch the high ligts and read the stats and tell me who had the most possession, the most corners, the least fouls, but also tell me who had the most luck.
Germany in the last 15 minutes of the game were shit scared, we only had to watch them embrace after the end of the game to see that they believed they won the cup.
Between Portugal and Germany there is a gulf in skill, technic and good players as big as the grand canyon(metaphoricacly speaking). Do not worry it will be an Italy v germany final brings far mor euros than pounds lol.
I could go on but better leave it .
25. CM
Oh by the way I am not Portuguese so my opinions are totally free of bias, and just after having watched the game in full a few times.
26. doesnotmeananything
24@CM,
Hi, I’m Richard and I’m not a fan of both Portugal and Germany. Indeed I wanted Portugal to win it against Germany so either my favourite team Holland or Spain can go one-on-one with Portugal in the final and I bet it will be one hell of a Showdown of skills and speeds. To be fair, almost the whole world populations are watching EURO 2008 and everyone knows that Germany won the game because of the “immeasurable” statistics. Statistics that you mentioned are measureable. Total shots on target, corners, shots wide, passing…but there are things people could not measured with numbers, the quality of players as ONE UNIT and the QUALITY TO WIN. Talking about Ballack’s goal, which I myself think it was unfair, but the fact is, this is football and its been part of the game since Maradonna’s Hand of God. I was wondering after the match, regardless of Ballack’s 3rd and decisive goal… Germany did really give one hell of a match after they were leading 2-0. Why not Portugal leading if they have all the quality individual players? If you can answer this, than maybe it is WORTH to ASK about Ballack’s goal. Just look at our Chelsea team in Champions League final, we have the statistics, we also have the Qualities, Manure too have both but our match statistics are higher, but then, we lose the game on lottery. If Chelsea needed to win with qualities, we need to have more HIGHER quality players that can shutdown Ronaldo or players alike from being able to score the One goal, and then we need the higher quality players who can break down Manure tight and disciplined defenders. We need a higher quality Chelsea team that do not depend on penalties or luck to win each games.
27. Andrew
24@CM…
Blah, blah, blah…Pure shite against the germans.
28. CFCIR
Arshavin is a great player.even better than cole.chelsea has to buy him.
29. IwasMissingJose
did you see how russians tore apart netherlands today? This Gus hiddink is really something. my respect.
30. Nihongo Blue
russia won…. bring their no 10…. he is awesome and want to leave zenit
31. CFCIR
arshavin is a27 year player.his speed is more than jo cole and is very intelligent.
roman must bring him to chelsea an give him number 7 of chelsea.
be careful :wenger and anceloti are going to land him.
32. CFCIR
chelsea need a great winger.arshavin is the best player that we can have him.
33. TrueBlueInd
Hi guys..
Just saw the Russia game..That Arshavin guy is one heck of a player..he has been brilliant over the last 2 games
He plays attacking mid & 2nd striker roles well..I think he would be a better buy than an ageing Deco..Roman is definitely following Russia’s games and must have noted the talent in this guy..Will Roman recommend Andrei Arshavin to Scolari???
Scolari would definitely prefer Deco..
I cant wait for Scolari to officialy take charge..I am dying to see whos coming n more importantly whos going
34. doesnotmeananything
Rusia beat Holland????? WTF??!!
24@CM, I’m afraid all the best team that you have mentioned is going out including my favourite team…
Holland, Portugal and Spain…now only left Spain and hopefully they will beat Italy. But I am just afraid of the scary facts that I have just noticed…
1-Germany, Turkey and Rusia are all second placed in Group Stage - win the Quarterfinal
2-Portugal, Holland and Croatia are all winners in Group stage - Lose in quarterfinal, out of EURO 2008 race
3-All Portugal, Holland and Croatia, after won first 2 group stage matches, they rested their first team players on the last group stage game - which maybe disrupted their current good form because of too much rest. There are difference between a fresh player(after 2 good win) and players who are forced to continue working hard to fight for 2nd position and a place in the quarterfinals.
35. BlueChampion
On Jun 6, I wrote here that Netherlands will play Russia in the quarterfinals and Russia will win. Couple of days back I said I still stand by this prediction. Not a bad one huh?
One slip from Italy/Spain, Russia could be in finals!
36. andrew,tn,coimbatore
bluechampion ypur prediction is amazing….and who is going to win euro2008 any prediction?
37. Maysam
I won $200 , I bet on Russia , I knew that.
But I am very disappointed becasue we could have Guss after Euro games. He will leave Russia for sure.
well , Scolari , I am not very sure about him .
38. heyjose
i hope that arshavin comes to chelsea
39. TBF
@BC
How about “blue-astrologer”…………….lol
@Everyone
why is everyone jumping on arshavin,van der vaart,sneijder etc bandwagon………..we have awesome,unmatched creativity in lampard………guys we honestly don’t deserve better caus we are satisfied with lampard,drogba and after that new lampard,new drogba.
BC doesn’t rate fabregas…….lol
Please guys open your eyes we are running a football club,not a loyalty club………..have you guys seen modric,arshavin,sneijder[joeblue was banging about him throughout the last season when he was in ajax but as we have lampard so..],vdv,xavi,iniesta,ronaldinho,deco,zidane etc……………if you still rate lampard as a playmaker…………god bless us amen
40. TBF
@BC
I am interested in knowing what you make of these
1.carvalho openly critisising club for sacking grant.
2.michael essien openly saying “we don’t play good football”
3.mourinho saying roman doesn’t have a family in football business and moratti breathes football[pathetic escpecially as roman is an orphan]
i m sure you will let me know[but then you can justify "no eggs no omelettes"]
41. blueindian
when Abramovich has guys like Hiddink and Arshavin whom he can easily bring to Chelsea why does he look for others…he should has brought him 3-4 years back itself…
42. Nick
I hardly say this about any players that RA wants to get, but I really want Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko in our squad
43. CFCIR
scolari has to forget deco and bring arshavin to chelsea .
44. CFCIR
out:makelele/sidwel/wright philips/anelka
in :mutinhio/arshavin/rakitic/eto
45. CM
@34. doesnotmeananything
Thats correct the teams that I favoured to win the euro they are all going out.
Well this football, about russia they deserved the win and they played with hunger of winning something that the dutch didnt show.
At least Russia won clean, unlike other matches, Turkey really incredible, so is russia, this only shows what good managers can get out of the players.
Russia with those young players are a very good team indeed, and with the money the russians oligarchs are pouring into football in Russia , they soon will a force to reckon with. Zenit an almost unknown club outside Russia already gave the signal.
I must take my hat off to Hiddink, Russia really played like the dutch usaed to lol.
I still think that skillfully, artistic football is being the losere i.e. Portugal, Croatia, holland, whose next? Spain?
46. thechelseafcblog.blogspot.com
check out my blog!
47. mike ayad
@34 doesnotmeananything
amazing facts!!!!!
48. TBF
go germany go…………….crush the turks.
49. IwasMissingJose
so i guess RA was right when he tried so hard to bring in guss Hiddink. If this guy can achieve so much with inexpierienced young russian team, just imagine what he could have done with Chelsea squad. I am regretting now. but lets not look at the past….
50. blabliblublu
Schweinsteiger admits his love 2 play in england
mayb we cud swap ballack for him
51. MATT
CFCIR: You are so incredibly fickle. A week ago, you said we HAVE to get Deco and Van Der Vaart. Now we HAVE to get Arshavin and Rakitic. We don’t HAVE to get either. We need consistency, not constantly going after the flavor of the month. Your strategies will get us more Maloudas, Sidwells, Anelkas, and Shevchenkos at inflated prices. Just because you get excited watching someone play in Euro 2008 or reading tabloids about them doesn’t mean they’re going to be a good fit for Chelsea.
52. CFCIR
MATT:I am sorry.but i am sayin deco and van der vart are good players but arshavin and racitic are younger and better than them.after all i am not only watching their game in euro.i follow them in shalke 04 and zenit,specialy arshavin.SO BE CAREFUL WHAT ARE SAYING MATT.Last year we follow players like F.Torres and C.Tevez .but chelsea fc forget them and their go to ManUT AND liverpool and scored goal against us.do you like arshavin and van der vart join Man ut and arsenal and score goal against us?do you like manchester united and arsenals laugh to us again?i said we must bring some of thees players to chelsea(deco/van der vaart/arshavin/eto/…..).who do you suggest to bring in chelsea?
53. cap123
arshavin over deco anyday! i was going to say arshavin over pretty much anyone but it turns out he’s 27!? he looks 23 max, i thought the world had found a boy genius 
54. IwasMissingJose
spain and italy are playing like shit. its the most unexciting quarterfinal match i have ever seen….
55. IwasMissingJose
no tricks, no talents, both teams are trying the same tactic again and again.
56. denver
Big Phil is interested in going for Schweinsteiger!!!
57. CFCIR
Arshavin/Schweinsteiger/eto/berbatov/rakitic/ronaldinho/….:bring them or lose them.
58. CL losers
hey guys did you think about that avram grant bring shevchenko in moscow final instead of anelka.then sheva could took that penalty instead of john terry.do you think he could goal that penalty like what he did in 2003 oldtrafford final?
59. dontoverhype
Hi there people of BC…
About Arashavin from Rusia, I watched him play in this EURO 2008 and some of his videos in youtube. I like this guy to join ChelseaFC, but I am just worried things that he might have trouble adjusting himself here. He have the skills, his finishing is bizarre just like when Schevchenko during his younger times as a hotshot, BUT, he do not have the PACE or SPEED and also STRENGTH. I am not a fan of Ronaldo of course, but Ronaldo got speed and skills. In the Premiere League, SPEED is important and so far Schweinsteiger have both skills and speed. IMO, I don’t think Arshavin can withstand strong and speedy defenders like from England, Italy or Germany players. That is why I think until now he is already 27, he has not signed with any top clubs other than Rusian clubs. He may have that tremendous skills, but I do not think he has the strength and speed or pace to play in Premiere League. But it will interesting though to see him join Chelsea and see him blending his strength with Chelsea players and drilling through the hard tackling defenders from our oppositions. Anyway, I think he will be a good playmaker or taking a role as a support striker.
60. Henry
@57 - AG should have played Sheva after 60 mins. He scored a goal, just a week back. Anyway no point in discussing now that is all over
61. CL losers
One of the great players in spain is David Silava.did you guys remember his goal against us in CL 2006-2007.He is FAST and has STRENGTH and showed his ability against ITALY.he is to young and could be a great signing for us.
62. MATT
Schweinstager actually would be an incredibly good pick for chelsea, I think. He just switched from the center midfield to wing this year (swapped with Ze Roberto) and he’s been… okay. He may be in need of a change of setting and teammates to bring him to form, as he obviously has done well at Euro 2008 and of course he wouldn’t mind pairing with Ballack.
The main problem I have with the names many people list here is that they aren’t physical enough for the English game or don’t fit into Chelsea’s style at all. Schweinstager is strong and fast and has a heck of a boot. I think he fits Chelsea’s style of play, whereas people like Arashavin and Villa do not.
63. cap123
yes yes more support for schweinsteiger 
he’d look perfect in the chelsea shirt too, and the bleached hair look of duff and gudjohsen. i love him a bit too much i think and i’d hate to see him at one of our rivals, i’d be so confused.
he’d be my no1 target.
i feel villa would still do ok though, but podolski would be a better fit for the pl? don’t want the entire german squad though, lahm might have to come too.
64. Marciclay
Although that I love Felipe I miss Mourinho in Chelsea.
I’m brazilian, but I don’t see with good eyes Felipe, I hope that Felipe makes as he did on 2002 World Championship: with no credit..to win…Nobody is will better than Mourinho did…
That’s why from this season, I’ll also support Inter…
65. CFCIR
arshavin will go to barca.podolski is better than villa.villa is always injured.
66. IwasMissingJose
i don´t think players like Philip lahm or schweinsteiger will ever leave germany, unless they get 30 like ballack….
67. cap123
oh no the opposite, that’s why i’m so interested, shweinsteiger has talked about a move to the premiership recently, saying he’s always wanted to play there.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_3722236,00.html
68. JinkaJinX
Philip Lahm and Schweinsteiger could probably leave Bayern because they want to compete in Champions League and if posisble reach the final. I think that he will feel that Bayern is still not capable yet in this competition as long Chelsea, Manure, Loserpool and Arse-nal still have the X-factor to conquer Champions League. See, Bayern even lose to st Zenith Petersburg (Russian club) in UEFA Cup. Comparing Arshavin and Schweinsteiger to strengthen up Chelsea, I personally prefer Schweinsteiger coz he has the pace and strength even not as skillful as Arshavin but to be able to go up againts opponents especially from English Club is important. I believe Chelsea attack from the flanks will be strengthen up and will be more dangerous and have more options to attack. Chelsea will be dangerous from the middle and also the flank.
69. IwasMissingJose
@66 JinkaJinx
Do not compare the homegrown German players with other filthy gold-diggers. They are very loyal to their club, and i´m sure they´ll work hard to earn a place for champions league next season. And by the way, they have now their favourite Klinsmann as their coach, so just forget that they´ll leave bayern so easily, unless some great disaster strikes the club to grounds. They´ll leave the club only after they have won almost everything with bayern.
70. JoseHoliday
It seems a lot of Chelsea fans’ eyes will be on the Italian championship this year.
It’s as if the bugger, RA has a horse running in that race too !
And Bastian Swein …..er… can’t be worse than SWP but he looks a lot more rugged and menacing than the little bloke… Well it just is a reminder of AG’s year at the CFC helm … that he just couldn’t afford to let players grow or improve or become part of the team…. Whatever people said about JM …. they can’t say he didn’t give Sheva and SWP and Mikel a chance ……
71. BlueFan nr:1
mikel is one of CFC best midplayers. one day he will be better than viera.
72. BlueFan nr:1
haha podolski better than villa?!
73. TBF
@BC
Why don’t you get oleole.com to host this site……i m not sure but they are funding too.
chelseablog has already taken the initiative.
i mean just give it a lookthrough.
74. ish
mikel is only 21 and already one of the better CM/DM players in the PL. Sure he has a tendancy to get cards and loses the ball a little easily sometimes but he makes up for it by being a mini-makelele, you might even call him mikelele. His ability to win the ball and harass attackers is very good. If he was playing for a lower level side with less strong central-midfielders like liverpool(just kidding maschareno is awesome) he might of had more games but as he is now he cant overtake essien and ballack for those midfield positions, he will probably replace maka this season.
Hopefully scolari doesnt go overboard, we only really need 1 Attacking mid and a striker unless we have a mass exodus, perhaps try for eto’o and VDV or adriano and deco cause scolari will want ppl he cant talk too.
75. BlueChampion
Germany all the way! Ballack & co. to beat Arshavin & co. That’s two predictions for you in one line!
76. CM
Sorry BC I cant believe that luck will strike 3 times. I will go for spain to beat Germany. First Spain must pass a very improved Russia team, what i think it will happen tomorow.
77. cap123
Russia for the win! ol’ pavlo-chenky to score 2 early on, germany get one back through ballack only for arshavin to score the decider to make it 3-1 in the 85th minute
78. BlueChampion
@CM - Luck? I don’t understand your point. If it happens to be a Germany vs Spain final (i don’t think so), Germany would deserve the trophy better than Spain. Turkey deserved this trophy more than Spain.
I don’t think any team (Turkey included) in this Euro has been luckier than the rest.
79. CM
@BC
Look at the stats on Germany games.
Germany has not played a convincing win so far, particul;arly after the group qualifications. Against Portugal, they got a portuguese team that played their worst match in the Euro, with probably with the best defense in the tournement, but in that particular game was unrecognisable. Every team in any tournement has a bad game Porttugal had it against Germany, even so Portugal outplayed Germany.
Against Turkey, gee Turkey could be 2-1 or 3-1 after the first 45 minutes and Turkey was all over Germany, yes they took their chances and won. As Lineker used to say football is a game of 11 v 11 and Germany wins. Germany has 3 or 4 good players but even Ballack is not a playmaker in the mould of a Deco or Cesc, a good player in good form for the last 3 months, but I do not think if they play Spain or for that matter even Russia that they will win it. We will see .
80. trueblue
@77
there is no point in arguing now ,germany r in d final,u an call it luck or watever,
perhaps turkey’s luck ran out in d same way as chelsea’s in d champs league final..the result was manu won n u cannot change dat..
i hope germany win ….i would love to see ballack lifting the trophy,just hope he does not have another heartbreak
germany all d way
ballack to score d winner
81. IwasMissingJose
some guys seems to come out with mindblowing ideas that germany win through luck and teams like portugal win through hardship. and states portugal had a bad game with germany. Well just guess the standard of the team who can afford to have bad game in quarter finals? and they point finger at the team who make it to semi-finals and finals again and again? well portugal got to euro finals last time just because of luck, and germany won yesterday despite having a bad luck. so which one is better?
82. MourofEssien (MoE)
Ihave been a Juve fan from time immemorial. My support for juve is not going to diminish because of my favorite jose becoming inter’s manager. I will always wish jose the best but when he comes up against my juve and chelsea, not a chance. I always have such a laugh when i hear all thge talk about buying all these fanciful so called “beautiful football” playing guys. Hello?????? how many of those guys have traditionally thrived in the EPL? guys, the EPl is not the same as the La liga or the serie A. Those leagues are more technical and tactical. The EPL thrives more on phisique, conditioning, adaptation to british clime and above all pace. So pls lets be careful else we load our team with so called bundle of talents who will just become greater flops. I have problems with lamps too but pls lets be careful how soon we want to get rid of players who have settled in the EPL and doing the best they can as compared to those we cannot guarantee for now. A bird in hand is worth two in the bush. I still maintain that scolari must ensure that young lads franco di santo, Scott sinclair and Kakuta are brought into the first team. make just a couple of additions to what in my opinion is a winning team that was terribly under utilised by a clueless Grant. Bosingwa, and paolo give us great options on the right flank. Ivanovich and alex great cover for terry and riccy (that we must keep at all cost). The player for me that needs serious competition is Joe cole- who can we get to do that? any player that will not be a nine day wonder- Between arshavin and quaresma, i trust scolari to get the one that can adapt to EPL better- belleti i believe must be pushed into right winger role- I maintain that belleti is class whenever he is on the offense.
83. IwasMissingJose
well said MoE, i agree to you almost all that you said above.
why don´t you use gravatar stuff. here´s a nice pic of MoE if you are simpsons fan…
84. Denver
@80. MourofEssien (MoE) either quaresma ( if we go for flair) or Bastian(schwin…..my pick is Bastian)can do the trick of giving J.cole some competition on the flank.
i would say take kalou off the flanks… place him in his natural striker role get both players i have just mentioned to give competition out wide…. and thats it. Our squad is already worldclass we just needed a manager and now we go one.( remember this team went to the CL finals and 2nd in ELP and CC cup!!!
85. CM
@79
Waht u talking about?
Every team in any tournement has a bad game, Germany had it against Croatia, Portugal against Geremany, Spain has not hat yet, I just hope it won’t be in the final.
Germany is a good tesam, thats all with an incredible work rate and will to win, but this time I hope and expect Spain wipe them. There were and are far better teams than Germany in this tournement but in any competition you need luck and twice Germany had it time to pay for it .
Spain 3 Germany 1.
Spain won’t make the mistakes that the Portuguese deffence did .
86. IwasMissingJose
russia got demolished.
87. SH.IBRAHIMI
on june 6 i predicted a Germany - Spain final and Germany win 2:0 Klose/Ballack and Ballack to be the best player of the tournament ..
88. CM
@84
Wishful thinking
89. mcurto
BTW:Despite good or bad performances most teams in these finals are somewhat balanced and its that little bit of luck (or lack of it) that makes the diference.Either in penaltys or if like Germany the refereed misses the push Balack gives on Ferreira to get a clean header for goal.
90. IwasMissingJose
Spain has a great team, but i don´t like the way they play. And with germany, its always the same, they are wonderful forward, and very bad in defence. Thats why germany always needs to score 3-4 goals to be sure winners. and may be thats why games with germany is mostly pleasant to watch, they hit, then they eat and they strike back again…haha.
91. Pensioner
Pinky and the Brain.
One is a genius and the other’s insane.
You decide.
Cheers!
92. mike ayad
rumours have it that lampard has completed his move to inter. i hope this isnt true!!!!
93. MATT
@87 Oh my god you are awesome how did you do that, please tell?
94. Pensioner
>>Avram Grant has found his match, FC Twente
Even FC Twente doesnt consider grant capable to manage their club and appointed old english boss steve mcclaren. wow. bad for the worst !!!
| Unique #41670 | Top | Home | Add Comment | BC Shout | Refresh |