Starting Eleven Football Blog Roundup

Don't know how many of you have Sirius satellite radio or Fox Soccer Channel, but I love World Soccer Daily on Sirius and Fox Football Fone-In. Steven Cohen, one of the hosts, loves to call the summer transfer period the "Silly Season." Now that Euro 2008 is over, let the Silly Season begin. Our weekly trip around the football blogosphere looks at some of the transfers you're going to debate over the coming few weeks.

• It's official: Deco has signed with Chelsea, after a few years in Barcelona. The Portuguese midfielder had a solid Euro and figures to pretty comfortable playing for Luis Filipe Scolari, the former Portuguese manager and new Chelsea boss. CaughtOffside wants to know if Deco's signing opens the door for Frank Lampard's departure? Will Blues fans be holding the door open for Super Frank?
• Soccerlens, meanwhile, isn't so sure about the Deco signing, questioning where Deco fits in among the midfield-heavy boys of Stamford Bridge. Clearly with Makelele, Lampard, Essien and Ballack, Scolari's capture of Deco is just the first move.
• Fanboom says Deco will bring a style to Chelsea's play long craved by owner Roman Abramovich, one that not even new Inter coach Jose Mourinho could deliver at Chelsea.
• Finally, lots of comments on the OleOle Chelsea blog re: Deco's arrival.
• For argument's sake, I'll send you over to The Offside for an interesting commentary on why the Premiership needs more players such as Deco, as opposed to Ronaldo. He laments the lack of craft and style in English football, and Ronaldo, he says perpetuates that straight-ahead and shoot mentality, in contrast to playmaker Deco. Personally, you're comparing apples and oranges here, but you make up your own mind.
• CristianoRonaldoFan questions whether there will be enough money left at Real Madrid to bolster the rest of the team should Madrid indeed sign United's No. 7.
• The UK Soccer Shop Blog has a pile of transfer rumors you can feel free to wade through. Ronaldinho to Manchester City? Ribery to Chelsea? Inter and Barca fighting for Hleb? Where does Adebayor end up?
• Gunnerblog tries to read between the lines of some recent comments made by Adebayor, and Arsenal fans cannot be pleased with his interpretation. Gunners clearly want him to stay, and aren't thrilled with the prospective replacements.
• World Of Arsenal wants Samir Nasri to cross the T's and dot the I's on his new Gunner deal.
• ClimateLovers says Robbie Keane has told Spurs officials he wants out. Liverpool appears ready to pounce. We Are The Kop and Liverpool FC Weblog say essentially the same thing.
• Football Rumors has a note about German Bastien Schweinsteiger leaving Bayern, possibly for Juventus.
• MLS Rumors is always a fun read. He's got notes on Pat Noonan, Josh Woolf, Portland's bid for a franchise, and a possible three-way trade between Toronto, Los Angeles and Chicago.
• Catch up on your Benfica news at Talking to the Doll. The Lisbon giants have been busy, this week Carlos Martins is brought in, the club's fourth signing.
• Sporting, meanwhile, has also had a busy offseason, resigning Marco Caneira, Fabio Rochemback and are chasing Hugo Viana.

Coming Full Circle on Starting Eleven Guide to Euro 2008

On June 5, I posted a guide to Euro 2008, but more than a guide, it was spot where I could spout off about what I thought would happen during the tournament. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm going to call myself out, look back at my predictions, and slap myself upside the head because I got a bit of it wrong.

To get things off on a positive stance, kudos to me for picking at least one of the finalists: Spain. I had the all-Iberian final with Portugal beating Spain. Alas, 1 outta 3 there ain't bad. Check that, yes it is. Unfortunately, my final 8 picks go downhill from there.

My biggest bust was Poland. I had the Poles finishing second to Germany in the group stage--not quite. Same goes for the Czechs. Though not as big a darkhorse as the Poles, the Czechs were as big a bust.

I nailed Portugal winning the group, but missed out on Turkey. In B, I had Germany first, and missed that one too--ho-hum. Croatia got through instead, and I never figured Austria would get as close as it did.

And boy oh boy did I cough up a hairball in Group C, the Group of Death. The Netherlands were the stars of the G.O.D. in the group stage, and Romania was a darkhorse threat to make it to the quarters. I got Italy correct, but man did I overrate France.

In Group D, again, I overrated Greece and shame on me for doing so. These guys didn't play well in getting to the tournament, but I figured the Greeks' defense first philosophy might get them through. Defense wins, right. Oops, wrong kind of football! Spain, well I got that one right, but that was a gimme.

Clearly again, I blew it on Portugal getting out of the quarters. In fact, Spain was the only semifinalist I got right.

I did a little better with some general, more granular thoughts on Euro 2008. For example, I put it all on Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal. More dives than goals? I asked. Got that one. Portugal was undone by its lack of finishing, and Ronaldo's single tally wasn't enough in the end.

And Cannavaro's absence for Italy turned out to be massive. The Azzurri were a shell of themselves on defense and it cost manager Roberto Donadoni his job. Shoulda taken that severance package Robbi!

So far, so good.

Studs and Duds: Again, not too bad on the studs, well kinda. I got Ballack and Fabregas sorta right. But man was I off on the duds. Everyone I called out was immense in the tournament: Ibrahimovich, David Villa, Jens Lehman, van Nistelrooy, Deco. Thanks boys, appreciate it really.

Stud match? Pissed on that one too: Spain-Greece. Meaningless. Dud match? Got one! France-Italy

ESPN: I'll give ESPN a B for its coverage. Andy Gray was tremendous and saved the day for the worldwide leader. Derek Rae and Adrian Healey were also in top form. But Tommy Onion Bags and Julie Foudy and rest of that studio crew were laughable. Can we just simulcast the BBC next time? And not that it was their fault, but the blackout during the Germany-Turkey game must have given a few execs in Bristol the poops.

Aragones, meanwhile, another one I screwed the pooch on. Give it to the old man, Spain's keep-away style won them the trophy, and David Villa, Silva and Guiza were tremendous, and for good measure, Torres pots the cup-winning goal. Nice way to go out.

His Iberian counterpart, Big Fil Scolari, well, his announcement prior to the quarters that he was Chelsea-bound may have undone his team; not to mention him keeping EIGHT STARTERS ON THE BENCH against the Swiss. Continuity in a short tournament is kinda crucial Fil.

So it's over. Overall, I think Euro was an A-. Tremendous games, great personalities emerging and a great table-setter for the World Cup. Maybe I'll get better at forecasting by then too.

Fabregas Poised to be Star Attraction in Euro 2008 Final

Sunday's Euro 2008 final between Germany and Spain (2:45 p.m. ET, ABC) will test Spain's depth. David Villa's second-half leg injury will keep him out of the final, taking his tournament-leading four goals with him.

Cesc Fabregas, the Arsenal superstar, will likely start in Villa's place.Fabregas set up Spain's third goal yesterday, scored by David Silva. Spain hammered Russia, 3-0, to earn its spot in the final. Outgoing Spain coach Luis Aragones doesn't sound too shook up over losing Villa:

"Cesc is 21, he and other players have acquired the experience that you might have of an older player. This is something that matters for the 2008 tournament but I'm sure it will matter for the World Cup as well.''

True, he's leaving his successor in good standing for the South Africa World Cup. He's rotated his team well throughout Euro and going into 2010, Spain cannot lament inexperience.

Fabregas for one could emerge as a giant hero for Spain if he contributes to a victory. Russia's Andrei Arshavin was the rising star of this tournament, but Fabregas has a chance on the game's biggest stage Sunday.

Villa and Silva, meanwhile, still seem to be in Liverpool's plans, joining fellow Spain star Fernando Torres. Everton also has Villa in its sights, but the price may be too high for the "other" Mercysiders.

Euro 2008: Turkey-Germany, a Heidi Game for a New Generation

For any of you reading this from outside the United States, I need to tell you about the Heidi Game. In November 1968, the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders were playing a football game (American style)--these were the top two teams in what was then known as the American Football League. The Jets were leading 32-29 with 1:05 remaining in the game, which was broadcast nationwide by NBC Sports.

The game, which began at 4 p.m., preceded the broadcast of the children's film Heidi. NBC has some kind of contractual obligations to the sponsors of the film and were forced to cut away at 7 p.m.--with the Jets leading by three and one minute remaining in the game.

Well, while viewers were watching the little, blonde, curly-haired Heidi skipping across the Swiss Alps (how ironic!), naturally, the Oakland Raiders scored twice in the final minute to beat the Raiders, 43-32. Naturally, 40 years ago, there was no Internet, no immediacy of news and viewers found out the shocking result only when NBC ran a crawl across the bottom of the screen a few minutes into Heidi.

The result was a backlash of anger, venom and fury toward NBC. The game is forever known as the Heidi Game here in America.

Fast forward four decades to yesterday, and the modern-day version of the Heidi Game.

Several times, the international feed of the broadcast of yesterday's Turkey-Germany thriller were interrupted by lightning and wind either in Austria or Switzerland (oh, the irony); it still isn't known. But what anxious viewers do know is they missed two goals during the blackouts, including Turkey's emotional game-tying tally at 85 minutes that at the time seemingly was going to send the game to extra time.

Luckily, the feed did return for Lahm's game-winner in the 90th minute. In the interim, we were treated to shots of the Fan Zone in Basel (how did those guys have power any way?), and no doubt the ears of television producers at the game were burning with the worldwide cursing directed their way.

I guess, the TV blackout just adds to the lore of the game, which is forever a Euro classic considering the backstory to Turkey's appearance in the game and the monumental upset the Germans were on the verge of absorbing.

Just wondering: What's the Turkish word for Heidi?

Euro 2008: Germany-Turkey, Running Commentary

It's Euro 2008 semifinals No. 1, Germany against 11 Turks brought in off the street. Can't wait to see how this one turns out.

• God Bless Andy Gray. Fahti is on "extra time" Perfect.
• Hmm, the Turks are loose, the Germans on their heels and a little tight. Can you tell I'm rooting for the upset here?
  
• Colin Kazim-Richards is a pain in the ass early, and three Turk rushes have been promising, especially the latest one at 8 mins. German defense afraid to mess up.
• The Turks hit the bar at 13. The German back four have a great seat for this game because they're doing a lot of sitting and watching. Kazim hits the bar. Wow.
• Gray-ism No. 2 "The bar isn't the only thing that's rattled. The Germans are too."
• Anyone seen Eva Longoria? This is some Desperate Defending from the boys in white.
• Hate to see Turkey give one up against the run of play. Happens a lot. Although, you'd think it would be Turkey playing the counterattacks.
• Corner at 18, first test of Turk defense against German height. Poorly taken by Germany.
• Buddy of mine is at a German bar in Lebanon, N.H. -- don't ask -- "These guys are losing their minds." Sums it up nicely, I'd say.
• Gray-ism No. 3: "If I'm Fahti Teram, first job accomplished. 20 minutes and I'm in this match."
• GOALLLLLLLLLL 21 minutes -- Sloppy defense finally does in the Germans. Lehman just LOST. Ball is looped off the bar and rebounds to Burol. WOW
• Report from N.H. "Dead Silence."
• GOAL. Germans tie it up at 26. Schweinsteiger converts a Podbolski cross, a great bang-bang play against the run of momentum and quickly it's 1-1. Curious now to see how Turkey responds.
• Say this for Turkey, they're creative. I just wonder how long before fitness becomes an issue in this match and the Germans' real advantage surfaces.
• The Germans continue to do a lot of standing and watching in very inopportune moments.
• Altintop delivers a great free kick; probably intended as a pass but hit too well. Lehman stretches for the punch over the ball.
• Someone check the German team bus. Anyone find some collective heart?
• Nine shots from Turkey. This has been a fast first half hour.
• Podolski blows a breakaway. Gray is right; he should have made the Turk keeper eat that one.
  
• Ballack has been strangely quiet for Germany.
• 37 minutes, dangerous foul and free kick for Turkey.
  
• Kazim again in the middle of the fray for the upstarts.
• Fine save from Lehman. Boral hooked it right at the keeper who punched it out. Can't these guys catch?
• Gray-ism No. 4: "That's not the most convincing of punches."
• First blood: Simon Rolfes. Amazing how thin the skin is around the eye. Ugh, they're using a staple gun on teh field to stitch him up.
• 41 minutes: Turkey blows a 1-2 in the box. Altintop!!
• Sabri threatens with a bomb, a meter too high. Turkey has another goal in them.
  
• So. Great underdog stories? Hoosiers. 1980 U.S. hockey team. Chico's Bail Bonds. 2004 Sox.
  
• HALFTIME. 1-1

Second half begins as I try to come up with other great underdogs, such as Barnsley in the FA Cup and Greece (Euro 2004).

• Gray-ism No. 5: "Can the Turks play any better? I'd say they were pretty much at maximum in the first half."
• How long was the ref going to allow Lahm to drag Altintop there at 49.
• A lot of long through-balls from Turkey. What do they see in the German back line?
• Wow. Klose was taken down in the box. A gift for the Turks. That should have been a penalty.
• Controversial moment for sure. We'll see how it plays out once the final whistle blows. The Germans may need that one.
• 53 mins. Definite physical tone has taken over the game. Definite advantage Germany there.
• Not only do they wear down the Turks, but slow the game down to a crawl.
• German passing is fantastic right now. Hitzlesperger should have done better with his shot after a tremendous sequence.
  
• 57 mins. Ballack fouled. Dangerous free kick for Germany.
• Momentum has totally shifted; a little muscle goes a long way.
• Ballack blows the free kick.
• ESPN has lost its feed from the game. WTF.
• Holy crap, now I gotta look at Tommy Onion Bags and Julie TeaBag Foudy. Wow, I didn't sign up for this.
• 65 minutes and ESPN is back. A bolt of lightning takes out the TV signal worldwide. Interesting.
• Great run from Sabri at 68
• Boral has been outstanding on the left for Turkey. Scored a goal, won a couple of corners, sweet free kick.
• Is it me, or has the ref changed his tone too? Calling it tighter, especially against Turkey. Kazim foul in particular at 70. He blew the PK against Germany, gotta make up for it.
• 20 minutes to go, and it's 1-1. I got my wish so far.
• AGAIN?? Where's my game??
• By the looks of the Fan Zone, Germany has scored.
• GOALLLLL Klose puts the Germans up 2-1. Tired Turkey? Good thing it's not Thanksgiving.
  
• This is a travesty for ESPN et. al. A nightmare. They missed a goal, likely the game-winner. God forbid, for their sakes, Turkey doesn't score in the final minute to tie it and ESPN is dark.
• No amount of makeup covers up that mole on Julie Foudy's eyebrow, especially in HD.
  
• Hideous defense on the Klose goal.
  
• Turkey ties it!!!!
• Sabri starts it again! Great look through the box to Semhi who tips it home 2-2 with 5 to play. Where was Lahm again on that one? He sets up Klose's goal and loses Semhi to give that one up. WOW.
• This hasn't been the prettiest game, but it's been good on drama and goals. WOW
• GOALLLLLLLLLLLL Germany. 3-2. Lahm.
• A great give-and-go, the lone Turk fullback not knowing whether to stick with Schweinsteiger or Lahm chose incorrectly. Amazing.
• ESPN loses its feed again! 3-2 in injury time.
• Gray-ism No. 6: "This tournament should have come with a health warning."
• That's a great way to end this running commentary. A classic game.
  

If you've been following, please send me a shout. I'd hate to think this was in vain.

Euro 2008: Turkey Miracle, Take 4?

Turkey has been the best story of Euro 2008. Not only are the Turks responsible for the biggest comeback in tournament history with three goals in the closing minutes against the Czech Republic to escape the group stage, but their presence in today's semifinal against Germany is against the highest of odds.

A miracle victory today could be considered the biggest upset in SPORTS HISTORY!

Turkey comes into today's match at St. Jakob Park in Switzerland minus eight regulars, four of whom are suspended via an accumulation of cards, and the remaining four are injured. The ugly list looks like this:

1. Tuncay Sanli (SUSPENDED)
2. Arda Turan (SUSPENDED)
3. Volkan Demirel (SUSPENDED)
4. Emre Asik (SUSPENDED)
5. Nihat Kahveci (INJURED)
6. Emre Gungor (INJURED)
7. Servet Cetin (INJURED)
8. Emre Belozoglu (INJURED)
   

Give the Turks credit however. At least publicly, they're not intimidated. Turkey coach Fatih Terim is relying on Colin Kazim-Richards, one of the few England-born players at Euro, to settle down the remaining youngsters. Terim admits he'd rather have Germany's experience, but he's backing his young squad, especially since that young squad has already pulled off three miracles in this tournament.

"Before coming here, many people were asking whether experience or hunger was the most important thing. My players may be inexperienced but they are definitely hungry. With Kazim, I have been putting him in the team since the beginning - he can control his excitement. Experience is important, but dynamism from players is just as important and can benefit the team."

Things are so bad, third-string keeper Tolgan Zengin may have to play in the field; Turkey may field only 13 players for today.

It's a fascinating story, and if this game is 0-0 at the half, or 1-1 into the second half, look out. That noose will get awfully tight on the Germans, who by all rights, should win this game in a cakewalk.

Euro 2008: Sack Cinched for Donadoni, Domenech?

Wow, Euro 2008 has turned out to be quite the coach-killer. Usually that moniker is reserved for whiny, under-achieving, ass-kissing high-end players who have the owner's ear, dog it during training and score three useless goals in a 6-0 win. Not this time. Europe's continental championships are about to claim Italy's Roberto Donadoni and France's Raymond Domenech--for starters.

Reuters reports that Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning manager Marcello Lippi is on his way back to the manager's throne, and Donadoni is about to be out. The kicker is that Donadoni apparently put the brakes on a severance package offered by the Italian federation. Donadoni was offered six months salary during negotiations should he be let go, but the former Azzurri said no thanks.

"I'm not interested in the economic side of things. If I'm no longer the coach for him, I'll go without asking for anything," Donadoni told La Gazzetta dello Sport. Wow.

Domenech, meanwhile, has Franck Ribery on his side. The Arsenal star doesn't want the France manager to get fired; neither does Patrick Vieira. Ribery says the mistakes made by Les Bleus weren't made only by the manager.

The manager says his biggest gaffe came in relying on a new generation of players, rather than going with the veterans in trying to win Euro. Domenech says he may have been guilty about looking ahead to the 2010 World Cup, and giving the youngsters a taste of the limelight.

"You have to transfer the group the spirit of the older heads who have this maturity and this experience. That was one of his functions, but there was a lack of homogeneity (between the older and younger players)."

Meanwhile, the French federation says it will decide on the coach's future on July 3. Stay tuned.