Showing posts with label Euro 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Euro 2012. Show all posts
Friday, 8 June 2012
366/160 - Support England... with American beer and Belgian lager...
Today's Project 366 photo was taken in Tesco, Beeston.
Monday, 28 May 2012
Opinion: Let's leave FIFA and UEFA
Nobody was happy that Qatar, a nation without a single football stadium, was awarded the 2022 World Cup and there are many questions about bungs and corruption. Similarly, many questioned the extent to which the Russian oligarchs helped win their country the 2018 tournament and, after this evening's BBC Panorama programme, many now wonder how on earth Poland and Ukraine were given the right to host next month's Euros.
The solution is simple...
We should leave FIFA and UEFA and set up a new organisation, with rival tournaments and rival administration that aims to eliminate corruption, racism and everything else that's wrong with football at the moment.
It might only take one nation with guts and principles and the rest would follow - as long as they met strict suitability criteria.
Then countries can choose to take part in the clean or corrupt tournaments - they can join in the World Cup of hate or the friendly World Cup.
And please, don't think the UK is any better than Ukraine or Poland. We may have fewer racists on the terraces but the FA isn't anywhere near harsh enough with the racists and drug cheats on the pitch. Racism, cheating and corruption must be eliminated everywhere. Consistency is vital.
Sadly, I doubt the FA is sufficiently robust to stand up on principle, but I live in hope. I'd happily accept we miss a tournament occupying the international wilderness waiting for sufficient others to join.
The solution is simple...
We should leave FIFA and UEFA and set up a new organisation, with rival tournaments and rival administration that aims to eliminate corruption, racism and everything else that's wrong with football at the moment.
It might only take one nation with guts and principles and the rest would follow - as long as they met strict suitability criteria.
Then countries can choose to take part in the clean or corrupt tournaments - they can join in the World Cup of hate or the friendly World Cup.
And please, don't think the UK is any better than Ukraine or Poland. We may have fewer racists on the terraces but the FA isn't anywhere near harsh enough with the racists and drug cheats on the pitch. Racism, cheating and corruption must be eliminated everywhere. Consistency is vital.
Sadly, I doubt the FA is sufficiently robust to stand up on principle, but I live in hope. I'd happily accept we miss a tournament occupying the international wilderness waiting for sufficient others to join.
Wednesday, 16 May 2012
England Squad for Euro 2012
And so it's been announced - the England squad for Euro 2012.
No Rio Ferdinand (good), still a place for John Terry (bad), and wasting a place to allow the thug Rooney to play once his suspension has been lifted (bad).
Inclusion of Andy Carroll is a surprise but he has hit form recently.
A shame not more youngsters in my opinion.
Goalkeepers
Joe Hart, Robert Green, John Ruddy
Defenders
Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, John Terry
Midfielders
Gareth Barry, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young
Strikers
Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck
Standby
Jack Butland, Phil Jagielka, Jordan Henderson, Adam Johnson, Daniel Sturridge.
No Rio Ferdinand (good), still a place for John Terry (bad), and wasting a place to allow the thug Rooney to play once his suspension has been lifted (bad).
Inclusion of Andy Carroll is a surprise but he has hit form recently.
A shame not more youngsters in my opinion.
Goalkeepers
Joe Hart, Robert Green, John Ruddy
Defenders
Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Joleon Lescott, John Terry
Midfielders
Gareth Barry, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young
Strikers
Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck
Standby
Jack Butland, Phil Jagielka, Jordan Henderson, Adam Johnson, Daniel Sturridge.
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Roy's dilemma: Ferdinand or Terry
According pundits on Radio 5 this is Roy Hogdson's big dilemma this week. Should he pick John Terry or Rio Feedinand for the forthcoming Euros?
What an awful choice.
Should the new England manager pick a proven drug cheat who has been patchy with his form this season and, as he's getting on a bit, is likely to be tiring after a long season, or should he choose a hot-headed thug, with a poor disciplinary record this season, who hasa pending court case for racist abuse and who has also been off form lately?
Drug cheat or racist thug? Tough choice.
I hope Hodgson surprises everyone. Nobody is expecting much from the team at the Euros this year. Why not pass over all the tired has beens, skip a generation and pick a youthful squad who will be the core of his selections as England, hopefully, head towards the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
Sadly, I fear he'll give the old guard a final hurrah - and, consequently, England won't get beyond the group stage.
What an awful choice.
Should the new England manager pick a proven drug cheat who has been patchy with his form this season and, as he's getting on a bit, is likely to be tiring after a long season, or should he choose a hot-headed thug, with a poor disciplinary record this season, who hasa pending court case for racist abuse and who has also been off form lately?
Drug cheat or racist thug? Tough choice.
I hope Hodgson surprises everyone. Nobody is expecting much from the team at the Euros this year. Why not pass over all the tired has beens, skip a generation and pick a youthful squad who will be the core of his selections as England, hopefully, head towards the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
Sadly, I fear he'll give the old guard a final hurrah - and, consequently, England won't get beyond the group stage.
Monday, 30 April 2012
OPINION: Roy Hodgson to be England manager
The F.A. never fails to amaze with its decisions. Everyone was expecting Harry Redknapp to be announced as the next England manager, but yesterday, it was announced that they were in discussions with Roy Hodgson and that he was the only person they had approached.
The announcement didn't go down well with many who wanted to see Redknapp at the helm for Euro 2012 and beyond.
But wait a second...
Roy Hodgson is a much better choice. The F.A. have, for once, made the right decision.
Not only is Hodgson more experienced than Redknapp, with successful times managing national teams and managing a major European club side (all things that Redknapp hasn't done), he's won more trophies than Harry and is a safe pair of hands, with no allegations against him.
I think Roy Hodgson could be the ideal manager but, it must be remembered, he is 64 and the F.A. must start planning now for who will follow him.
The announcement didn't go down well with many who wanted to see Redknapp at the helm for Euro 2012 and beyond.
But wait a second...
Roy Hodgson is a much better choice. The F.A. have, for once, made the right decision.
Not only is Hodgson more experienced than Redknapp, with successful times managing national teams and managing a major European club side (all things that Redknapp hasn't done), he's won more trophies than Harry and is a safe pair of hands, with no allegations against him.
I think Roy Hodgson could be the ideal manager but, it must be remembered, he is 64 and the F.A. must start planning now for who will follow him.
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
COMMENT: John Terry's racism charge
Today John Terry found that the trial for his alleged use of racist insults against Antonio Ferdinand won't take place until 9th July - just over a week after the Euro 2012 Championships have finished.
Terry has pleaded not guilty to making racist comments in a match between Chelsea and QPR last October. Today, in the Magistrates' Court, he pleaded "not guilty".
Now I realise and accept that, as the law stands, John Terry is currently innocent until proved otherwise. Howev, the police have investigated the accusations and the Criwn Prosecution Service have decided, based on that investigatin, that Terry has a case to answer.
Yes, the fact he has a case to answer doesn't stop him being innocent.It just means he has a case to answer.
But, should Terry go to Poland/Ukraine in June to represent England in the Euro 2012 Championships and, if he does go, should he still captain the England team (a position he only regained in March 2011 having been stripped of it a year earlier due to "troubles" in his private life)?
Personally, I think there are many issues that are raised if Terry is selected and goes:
1. What about his relationship with Les Ferdinand (Antonio Ferdinand's brother) who is likely to be in the England squad?
2. What of the FA's "KICK RACISM INTO TOUCH" campaign?
3. Will Terry's mind be on football or his impending court case?
4. Will he have the support of other black players in the squad?
5. What effect will it have on the FA's credibility?
I'm undecided. I strongly support the notion of innocent until proven guilty but I do wonder whether Terry's inclusion in the squad, let alone being captain, raises too many questions. It's not as if he has an unblemished past - there are several incidents in his past that make him an unsuitable ambassador for the country on the international stage.
I suspect the FA will somehow manage to fudge the issue... and hope he picks up a metatarsal injury in April/May that will prevent him going!
Terry has pleaded not guilty to making racist comments in a match between Chelsea and QPR last October. Today, in the Magistrates' Court, he pleaded "not guilty".
Now I realise and accept that, as the law stands, John Terry is currently innocent until proved otherwise. Howev, the police have investigated the accusations and the Criwn Prosecution Service have decided, based on that investigatin, that Terry has a case to answer.
Yes, the fact he has a case to answer doesn't stop him being innocent.It just means he has a case to answer.
But, should Terry go to Poland/Ukraine in June to represent England in the Euro 2012 Championships and, if he does go, should he still captain the England team (a position he only regained in March 2011 having been stripped of it a year earlier due to "troubles" in his private life)?
Personally, I think there are many issues that are raised if Terry is selected and goes:
1. What about his relationship with Les Ferdinand (Antonio Ferdinand's brother) who is likely to be in the England squad?
2. What of the FA's "KICK RACISM INTO TOUCH" campaign?
3. Will Terry's mind be on football or his impending court case?
4. Will he have the support of other black players in the squad?
5. What effect will it have on the FA's credibility?
I'm undecided. I strongly support the notion of innocent until proven guilty but I do wonder whether Terry's inclusion in the squad, let alone being captain, raises too many questions. It's not as if he has an unblemished past - there are several incidents in his past that make him an unsuitable ambassador for the country on the international stage.
I suspect the FA will somehow manage to fudge the issue... and hope he picks up a metatarsal injury in April/May that will prevent him going!
Thursday, 8 December 2011
OPINION: FA wins Rooney appeal
This morning, the FA won its appeal and had Wayne Rooney's three-match ban at the Euro 2012 tournament reduced to two matches.
This means, assuming that Capello selects Rooney, he will be available t play in the final group stage match against the co-hosts, Ukraine.
But what sort of message does this send out to youngsters, as well as other players?
At best, Rooney's tackle was petulant. At worst, it was thuggery of a type Rooney regularly exhibits. He'll feel he's got away with it to some extent.
Rooney, and all other footballing thugs, should be banned and fined far more dramatically. When Eric Cantona Kung fu kicked a fan in the crowd he was banned for the rest of that season. That is the sort of punishment that Rooney deserves. And, if there is a repeat (and there have been many repeats from this dullard yob) he should be banned for life.
He is a danger to himself, to the teams he plays for and, more seriously, to the opposition because, the chances are, his violent tendencies will, one day, lead to a player being seriously injured.
Today, UEFA lost my respect. The FA, by appealing the original decision, had already lost my respect. Rooney is scum, sporting detritus, and should not be allowed to play again, in any competition, until he cleans up his act and learns how to play within the rules ofthe game.
This means, assuming that Capello selects Rooney, he will be available t play in the final group stage match against the co-hosts, Ukraine.
But what sort of message does this send out to youngsters, as well as other players?
At best, Rooney's tackle was petulant. At worst, it was thuggery of a type Rooney regularly exhibits. He'll feel he's got away with it to some extent.
Rooney, and all other footballing thugs, should be banned and fined far more dramatically. When Eric Cantona Kung fu kicked a fan in the crowd he was banned for the rest of that season. That is the sort of punishment that Rooney deserves. And, if there is a repeat (and there have been many repeats from this dullard yob) he should be banned for life.
He is a danger to himself, to the teams he plays for and, more seriously, to the opposition because, the chances are, his violent tendencies will, one day, lead to a player being seriously injured.
Today, UEFA lost my respect. The FA, by appealing the original decision, had already lost my respect. Rooney is scum, sporting detritus, and should not be allowed to play again, in any competition, until he cleans up his act and learns how to play within the rules ofthe game.
Friday, 2 December 2011
EURO 2012 Draw
Euro 2012 takes place in Poland and Ukraine between 8th June and 1st July 2012.
There are 16 competing nations:
Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland (co-hosts), Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Russia, Spain (Holders), Sweden and Ukraine (co-hosts)
The Group stage sees 4 groups of 4 teams compete against each other On a round robin basis, the top 2 from each group qualifying the the quarter finals.
The 4 groups were drawn, in Kiev, on 2nd December 2011:
Group A
*Poland
*Greece
*Russia
*Czech Republic
Group B
*Netherlands
*Denmark
*Germany
*Portugal
Group C
*Spain
*Italy
*Republic of Ireland
*Croatia
Group D
*Ukraine
*Sweden
*France
*England
There are 16 competing nations:
Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland (co-hosts), Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Russia, Spain (Holders), Sweden and Ukraine (co-hosts)
The Group stage sees 4 groups of 4 teams compete against each other On a round robin basis, the top 2 from each group qualifying the the quarter finals.
The 4 groups were drawn, in Kiev, on 2nd December 2011:
Group A
*Poland
*Greece
*Russia
*Czech Republic
Group B
*Netherlands
*Denmark
*Germany
*Portugal
Group C
*Spain
*Italy
*Republic of Ireland
*Croatia
Group D
*Ukraine
*Sweden
*France
*England
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