Euro 2012 - Players To Watch
These were the recent soccer friendly results of some Euro 2012 finalists:
Spain 2 Serbia 0 - Not the full Spanish squad nor the usual game where Spain would dominate but good enough for a clear win. Their all-time top scorer David Villa will be absent due to injury and will be missed but they do have the "others".
Switzerland 5 Germany 3 - All Bayern Munich players were rested. After suffering such a devastating blow to Chelsea can the Germans rise again so soon after? Never underestimate the Germans for they have been at the top more often than any other. It was however a bit worrying as this was the first Swiss win after 56 years! Someone should be trying to sign Swiss international Eren Derdiyok for bagging a clinical hattrick against the Germans. When was the last time Germany conceded 5 goals in a game? Do not read too much into it.
Netherlands 1 Bulgaria 2 - The Dutch were in their famous "Orangje" but this time full orange. They played well as typical of them but somehow could not convert into a result and conceded a late goal.
Denmark 1 Brazil 3 - The Danes are one of the world's happiest people according to a recent poll but the way they played and bring their people down a notch or two. They made some interesting moves like the goal they scored but I think the Brazilians are back and will rock again for their next World Cup. No wonder The Hulk is a transfer target for Chelsea. He scored two. An ideal replacement for Drogba?
France 3 Iceland 2 - You won;t believe the French were trailing 0-2 before coming back to win. This may please England, their opponent in the opening match.
Norway 0 England 1 - It was England's first win over Norway in 32 years. It also continued a trend that no England manager has lost their first match in charge since Sir Alf Ramsey in the 60s. It was also a make shift England without the Chelsea players and also an experiment. Why Robert Green again? He nearly conceded a goal direct from a corner. Phil Jones is no right back. Unfortunate that Kyle Walker was injured and won't feature but bring back Glen Johnson anytime. Joleon Lescott held the defence well, Gerrard as skipper was not at his best. Stewart Downing surprised me with some good runs and crosses and Andy Carroll did threaten at times but plaudits go to Ashley Young with a good goal. He could carry England's hope. He didn't dive this time.
The other results: Czech 2 Israel 1, Greece 1 Slovenia 1, Portugal 0 Macedonia 0, Poland 1 Slovakia 0. Russia 1 Uruguay 1, Croatia 3 Estonia 1.
In European Champions League club soccer, the World Cup or the Euro are perfect places for shopping for players. It is like all the world's best and biggest brands come to Orchard Road and all you have to do is to go shopping! Will a new Pele, Cruyff, Maradonna or Beckanbauer be uncovered? New Messi(s) on the horizon?
Forwards - Robert Lewandowski (Poland) - is a young old-fashioned Polish striker who scored more than 20 goals for Borussia Dortmund and he will be playing on home turf as Poland is a co-host with the Ukraine for Euro 2012.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH7hV8Gkwv4
Alan Dzagoev (Russia), is a fine young pacy Russian striker with aerial ability and good technique. He is Russia's Messi-like and finest young talent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NOje0UDJiA
Mario Reus (Germany) is a typically efficient, effective and versatile German striker who could play as a winger and capable with either foot. He is also a tricky dribbler. There are other impressive Germans you have seen since the last World Cup like Tomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, Lucas Podolski. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m7az_CstEI
Mario Gotze (Germany) is Germnay's answer to Messi, is only 19 and is blessed with amazing technical ability. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2LY8XGmKmM
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (England) is the very young Arsenal player who has great speed, strength, determination and amazing technical ability and he has no fear. He loves to run at defences and take on players. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUV6gtio6VY
Mario Balotelli (Italy) is hot-headed but otherwise brilliant striker who plays for Man City. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quYu8zqbUig&feature=fvst
Adrian Lopez Alvarez (Spain) is a young striking starlet for Atletico Madrid. He won the Golden Boot in the European 2011 Championship but Spain has too many players to choose from.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR0pCyQECgc
Mario Mandzukic (Croatia) is a tall, powerful and pacy striker who could troubel any defenders. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNdcThWCLQs
Andre Schurrle (Germany) is a young German forward is a fantastic talent who runs at defenders with pace and quick dribbling. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wO7A1ToK1M
Kevin Gameiro (France) is a promising French striker with Portuguese blood from his grandparents. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68xcS1a9Lsk
Jan Klaas Huntelaar (Netherlands) - Arsenal's Robbei van Persie could be a star in Euro 2012 but it was Huntelaar who scored 12 goals in 7 games for Holland to get them here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6TlmxYsRIk
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - needs no introduction. Fancy footwork, trickery, pace and free-kicks and lots of goals on a regular basis. Could be the best player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euMu1SKi-ak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KYoR4TDw7M
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) is a lanky, composed and strong forward who used to play for Barcelona. Can sometimes drift off in big matches. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYDfrNdUr_I
Karim Bemzema (France) was a player watched by many top clubs and plays for Real Madrid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkvFU6QMrCo
Spain 2 Serbia 0 - Not the full Spanish squad nor the usual game where Spain would dominate but good enough for a clear win. Their all-time top scorer David Villa will be absent due to injury and will be missed but they do have the "others".
Switzerland 5 Germany 3 - All Bayern Munich players were rested. After suffering such a devastating blow to Chelsea can the Germans rise again so soon after? Never underestimate the Germans for they have been at the top more often than any other. It was however a bit worrying as this was the first Swiss win after 56 years! Someone should be trying to sign Swiss international Eren Derdiyok for bagging a clinical hattrick against the Germans. When was the last time Germany conceded 5 goals in a game? Do not read too much into it.
Netherlands 1 Bulgaria 2 - The Dutch were in their famous "Orangje" but this time full orange. They played well as typical of them but somehow could not convert into a result and conceded a late goal.
Denmark 1 Brazil 3 - The Danes are one of the world's happiest people according to a recent poll but the way they played and bring their people down a notch or two. They made some interesting moves like the goal they scored but I think the Brazilians are back and will rock again for their next World Cup. No wonder The Hulk is a transfer target for Chelsea. He scored two. An ideal replacement for Drogba?
France 3 Iceland 2 - You won;t believe the French were trailing 0-2 before coming back to win. This may please England, their opponent in the opening match.
Norway 0 England 1 - It was England's first win over Norway in 32 years. It also continued a trend that no England manager has lost their first match in charge since Sir Alf Ramsey in the 60s. It was also a make shift England without the Chelsea players and also an experiment. Why Robert Green again? He nearly conceded a goal direct from a corner. Phil Jones is no right back. Unfortunate that Kyle Walker was injured and won't feature but bring back Glen Johnson anytime. Joleon Lescott held the defence well, Gerrard as skipper was not at his best. Stewart Downing surprised me with some good runs and crosses and Andy Carroll did threaten at times but plaudits go to Ashley Young with a good goal. He could carry England's hope. He didn't dive this time.
The other results: Czech 2 Israel 1, Greece 1 Slovenia 1, Portugal 0 Macedonia 0, Poland 1 Slovakia 0. Russia 1 Uruguay 1, Croatia 3 Estonia 1.
In European Champions League club soccer, the World Cup or the Euro are perfect places for shopping for players. It is like all the world's best and biggest brands come to Orchard Road and all you have to do is to go shopping! Will a new Pele, Cruyff, Maradonna or Beckanbauer be uncovered? New Messi(s) on the horizon?
Players To Watch In Euro 2012
Goal-Keepers - Petr Cech (Czech), hero for newly cronwed Euro Champ Chelsea and one of the most decorated players in Czech history. He picked up his 7th Czech Golden Ball in 8 years losing only in 2009 to Pavel Nedved. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNKcbuxN0oA
Rui Patricio (Portugal) is in superb form and may be linked to several clubs in transfer as an upcoming top goalie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNNIBizJQD4
Joe Hart (England) he has a defining season with man City showing he's the best for the Three Lions in the last 20 years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pehmUJahl-s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwe4EW9vz_8
Rui Patricio (Portugal) is in superb form and may be linked to several clubs in transfer as an upcoming top goalie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNNIBizJQD4
Joe Hart (England) he has a defining season with man City showing he's the best for the Three Lions in the last 20 years.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pehmUJahl-s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwe4EW9vz_8
Defenders - Mats Hummels (Germany), the young and tall centre back has been the most reliable in defence and he was very successful in the 2009 under-21 European Championship where Germany hammered England 4-0 in the Final. He may get selected ahead of Arsenal's Per Mertesacker. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MEbfxdJlwY
Mathieu Debuchy (France) is an attacking right back who is strong defensively. With Arsenal's Bacary Sagna's injury, he will probably start. Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Ukraine) is a young left sided defender reportedly drawing interest form Arsenal and Barcelona.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ih365CWZLo
Giorgio Chiellini (Italy) was key to the Italina defence which was just breached twice during the qualifiers and he is a consistent performer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC5xdArGU7M
Mathieu Debuchy (France) is an attacking right back who is strong defensively. With Arsenal's Bacary Sagna's injury, he will probably start. Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Ukraine) is a young left sided defender reportedly drawing interest form Arsenal and Barcelona.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ih365CWZLo
Giorgio Chiellini (Italy) was key to the Italina defence which was just breached twice during the qualifiers and he is a consistent performer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC5xdArGU7M
Midfielders - Christian Eriksen (Denmark), just 20 and the Danish are pinning their hopes on him. He is a keymember of Ajax Amsterdam and plays like Tottenham's Luka Modric. The talented playmaker may be eyed by Sir Alex Ferguson if he could not get Modric. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7q9Z8fx_Xs
Yann M'Vila (France) like many French players today are not from France. His dad is Congolese. The young player plays like former Arsenal and France international Patrick Veira. Surely Arsene is an admirer as he certainly needs a player in this mould.
Sotiris Ninis (Greece) is a young, numble Greek attacking midfielder who plays for Panathnaikos and became the younger captain of the club at age 18 and also became the youngest Greek goal scorer of all time at that age. He is the Messi of Greece and his only problem is with injury. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbUT2IyNsrc
Milan Badelj (Croatia) is a young midfielder who is creative, has a great first touch with vision to boot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEJ3MOGWA8g
Mesut Ozil (Germany) is well known by now. Some called him Zidane and also affectionately known as Nemo probably due to his looks (his eyes). He is of Turkish descent and will be an important player for Germany.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc-wF0lOeEU
Rasmus Elm (Sweden) is a set piece specialist, a creative midfielder with precise passing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qfK13v9XBI
Xavi (Spain) - everybody knows Xavi. He is the guy who makes Barcelona and Spain ticks as everything revolves around him. Some believed that if Messi was the star at Barcelona then Xavi is the Sun. He can replicate himself at club and international level with such ease. May be the best player in the tournament. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oht4FyIcuU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym_Qh4hb3fc
Luka Modric (Croatia) from Tottenham is well known for his defence splitting passes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIyG2Z5nG18
Tomas Rosicky (Czech) did not play so mnay games for Arsenal but when he did, he made a difference. An old head but could be key to Czech progress. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keNTWIR2LBo
Yann M'Vila (France) like many French players today are not from France. His dad is Congolese. The young player plays like former Arsenal and France international Patrick Veira. Surely Arsene is an admirer as he certainly needs a player in this mould.
Sotiris Ninis (Greece) is a young, numble Greek attacking midfielder who plays for Panathnaikos and became the younger captain of the club at age 18 and also became the youngest Greek goal scorer of all time at that age. He is the Messi of Greece and his only problem is with injury. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbUT2IyNsrc
Milan Badelj (Croatia) is a young midfielder who is creative, has a great first touch with vision to boot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEJ3MOGWA8g
Mesut Ozil (Germany) is well known by now. Some called him Zidane and also affectionately known as Nemo probably due to his looks (his eyes). He is of Turkish descent and will be an important player for Germany.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc-wF0lOeEU
Rasmus Elm (Sweden) is a set piece specialist, a creative midfielder with precise passing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qfK13v9XBI
Xavi (Spain) - everybody knows Xavi. He is the guy who makes Barcelona and Spain ticks as everything revolves around him. Some believed that if Messi was the star at Barcelona then Xavi is the Sun. He can replicate himself at club and international level with such ease. May be the best player in the tournament. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oht4FyIcuU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym_Qh4hb3fc
Luka Modric (Croatia) from Tottenham is well known for his defence splitting passes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIyG2Z5nG18
Tomas Rosicky (Czech) did not play so mnay games for Arsenal but when he did, he made a difference. An old head but could be key to Czech progress. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keNTWIR2LBo
Forwards - Robert Lewandowski (Poland) - is a young old-fashioned Polish striker who scored more than 20 goals for Borussia Dortmund and he will be playing on home turf as Poland is a co-host with the Ukraine for Euro 2012.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FH7hV8Gkwv4
Alan Dzagoev (Russia), is a fine young pacy Russian striker with aerial ability and good technique. He is Russia's Messi-like and finest young talent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NOje0UDJiA
Mario Reus (Germany) is a typically efficient, effective and versatile German striker who could play as a winger and capable with either foot. He is also a tricky dribbler. There are other impressive Germans you have seen since the last World Cup like Tomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, Lucas Podolski. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m7az_CstEI
Mario Gotze (Germany) is Germnay's answer to Messi, is only 19 and is blessed with amazing technical ability. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2LY8XGmKmM
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (England) is the very young Arsenal player who has great speed, strength, determination and amazing technical ability and he has no fear. He loves to run at defences and take on players. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUV6gtio6VY
Mario Balotelli (Italy) is hot-headed but otherwise brilliant striker who plays for Man City. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quYu8zqbUig&feature=fvst
Adrian Lopez Alvarez (Spain) is a young striking starlet for Atletico Madrid. He won the Golden Boot in the European 2011 Championship but Spain has too many players to choose from.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR0pCyQECgc
Mario Mandzukic (Croatia) is a tall, powerful and pacy striker who could troubel any defenders. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNdcThWCLQs
Andre Schurrle (Germany) is a young German forward is a fantastic talent who runs at defenders with pace and quick dribbling. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wO7A1ToK1M
Kevin Gameiro (France) is a promising French striker with Portuguese blood from his grandparents. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68xcS1a9Lsk
Jan Klaas Huntelaar (Netherlands) - Arsenal's Robbei van Persie could be a star in Euro 2012 but it was Huntelaar who scored 12 goals in 7 games for Holland to get them here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6TlmxYsRIk
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - needs no introduction. Fancy footwork, trickery, pace and free-kicks and lots of goals on a regular basis. Could be the best player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euMu1SKi-ak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KYoR4TDw7M
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden) is a lanky, composed and strong forward who used to play for Barcelona. Can sometimes drift off in big matches. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYDfrNdUr_I
Karim Bemzema (France) was a player watched by many top clubs and plays for Real Madrid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkvFU6QMrCo
Unfortunately, due to injury or having not qualified some young and promising players would be missing like Belgium's Eden Hazard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAlgxvRYAow but you will be seeing a lot of him as he has just signed for Chelsea and Arsenal and England's Jack Wilshere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUkGBBnFJAg
More Euro 2012 reports coming this way.....
More Euro 2012 reports coming this way.....
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