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Written by The Unlimited
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Sunday, 08 June 2008 |
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There is no doubt that this is the derby of the first round; the clash
of giants and a game which can significantly influence the further
course of the competition. Of course neither of the sides are happy
about the fact that they must face such challenges already on the
start, but there are no easy rivals in the death group.
The winning
side will make a huge step towards the next stage. Both sides have
already won this competition, however Italy did it 40 years ago but
they arrive to Switzerland as current World Champions. They struggled
in the qualifications but that has become a standard recipe for
Azzurri.
This tournament is a completely different thing so it is clear
why Italy are No 1 favourites for European crown. Netherlands haven’t
had the chance to fight for the trophy since 1998; they were stopped in
the semi-finals on several occasions; penalties are fatal for them.
This is the new generation who has no psychological issues; Van Basten
made brave moves, his squad is the combination of youth and experience
but in theory the Ducth seem much weaker than Italy or France.
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Written by Administrator
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Sunday, 08 June 2008 |
It may be the pick of the early fixtures at Euro 2008, but both Holland and
Italy will be limping into tomorrow's Group C showdown in Bern.
Injuries to big names have struck in both camps, with Holland the latest to
receive a major blow when it was confirmed that Arjen Robben is out of the match
with a groin problem.
'First of all it's very disappointing for Arjen,' said Holland coach Marco
van Basten.
'However, it's also a pity for the team, especially as we lost Ryan Babel,
also a left winger, already last week.'
Robin van Persie is also expected to miss out despite returning to training
while defender Mario Melchiot is rated as doubtful with a groin injury of his
own.
Good news has been short in supply from the Dutch treatment room, but Real
Madrid's Wesley Sneijder is expected to be fit for the match after problems
earlier in the week.
Still, the list of absentees leaves Van Basten short-handed for his team's
first test in the so-called 'Group of Death', which also features France and
Romania.
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Written by The Unlimited
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Sunday, 08 June 2008 |
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One of the biggest European crown favourites, Germany will start the
championship on Sunday in Klagenfurt. The rivals are their neighbours
and old acquaintances, Poland.
These two countries have developed a
rivalry over the years and Elf were usually more successful in the
clashes with their neighbours. Germany should never be underestimated;
the most successful nation in history of European championships will
try to chase away the ghosts of failure from the last two disappointing
championships.
Although this squad’s quality is not nearly as the
generation that conquered Europe in 1996 had, Low is convinced that
they stand a chance. After all, the nucleus of this squad have won the
third place in last World Cup; some of the players have matured and
with the experienced members led by Ballack they make a respectable
squad.
Poland arrive to the championship as a qualifications surprise;
they have left Portugal and Serbia behind. In theory it is a no-star
team, a coherent whole from which experienced Dutchman Beenhakker got
the best out.
They don’t stand much chance of qualifying for the next
stage but Poland will start the opening match pressure-free, since
anyway the games against Croatia and co-hosts Austria are much more
significant for them.
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Written by The Unlimited
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Sunday, 08 June 2008 |
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One of the EURO 2008 co-hosts, Austria will start their European
campaign on Sunday at Ernts Happel stadium in Vienna. Their first
rivals will be dangerous Croatia squad.
The home side don't stand much
chance of qualifying for the quarterfinals but they will rather seek
for their opportunity against Croatia and Poland than against their
quality neighbours, Germany. Austria side are hoping for the crowd to
spur them on to fight a positive result in the opening match which
would create a much more positive atmosphere in the public.
Actually,
home squad are not given much chances in this group, moreover because
Austria failed to acquire the expected form in the friendlies during
the last two years. They are quite limited and we don’t think that t5he
ones who believe them to be the weakest squad in the championship, are
wrong.
Croatia arrive with great recommendations, being that they have
left Russia and England behind in the qualifications; many consider
them favourites from the shadow. Slaven Bilic bravely rejuvenated the
squad two years ago. Actually he brought U21 internationals he
previously coached into the senior squad and now he is picking the
fruits of his work. The squad is an ideal combination of youth and
experience.
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| Results 33 - 37 of 39 |
ZURICH, Switzerland (AP)—Argentina remained No. 1 in the largely unchanged
FIFA world rankings Wednesday, with the United States at No. 21.
