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: 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.

Lame Laments: Four Fine Whines from Euro 2008

Work travel made it impossible to update my little space last week, and I lament how much prime snarking time I missed. Where oh where to begin?

1. Curse of the Ricardos -- Woe is Portugal because of thee. What was worse? Sitting back on the line waiting for Michael Ballack to crush a header or leaving Schweinsteiger free to roam in the middle of the field? Both were goals, and both were the fault of Ricardos. Ricardo the goalie and Ricardo [Carvalho] the fullback proved to be Portugal's undoing in the Euro 2008 quarterfinals last week. Germany deservedly won, earning a semifinals date with upstart Turkey. Portugal deservedly lost, earning another date with disappointment. Let the speculation begin on a Scolari successor? Queiroz anyone? Bueller?
2. Turkey and All the Fixins -- It's all or nothing with Turkey. Before 2002, Turkey had played in one World Cup. In South Korea/Japan, the Turks get in, finish second to Brazil in their group, knock out Japan and Senegal before losing 1-0 to Brazil in the semifinals. Turkey finished third beating South Korea in the third-place game. Now at Euro, they put up the greatest comeback in tournament history against the Czech Republic and rally to beat Croatia in the quarters to reach the final four. Germany-Turkey. Um, go Turkey.
3. Counterintelligence -- Netherlands and Russia. OK, the 1988 Euro final rematch pits former Dutch coach Guus Hiddink against his motherland, and he gets it done with two goals in extra time. With one spirited move, Russia sends the tournament's best club home. How Ruud! In the meantime, Euro 2008 has its second darling team in the final four. Imagine a Turkey-Russia final?? Will anyone watch?
4. One Prediction Comes True -- Finally, I get one! Spain. In the semifinals. Spain needed penalty kicks to get past Italy yesterday in the quarterfinals -- and if there was ever a lockdown wager, it was Spain-Italy going to penalties. Talk about a battle of deliberate playing styles, Spain and Italy was a glamour match that fizzled once the players hit the field. Talk about anticlimactic! Spain awaits Russia; Spain has probably been the best team in the tournament, especially now that Holland is out and a Spain-Germany final holds great promise. Me? I go with the hockey analogy that never fails: Always go with the hot goalie! No one is better than Casillas right now.

Euro 2008: Howard Webb, Too Bad We Know Your Name

Last gasp? No. More like last grasp!

Again, Euro 2008 is in a situation where you know a referee's name better than you do the players on the pitch--and that's never a good sign. First it was Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt's non-offside call against Ruud Van Nistelrooy that set up the Netherlands' 3-0 win over Italy this week. And then yesterday, Howard Webb's injury-time penalty kick call against Poland that leveled the Group C match with Austria 1-1.

Now, I'll concede Van Nistelrooy was by the letter of the law onside and the goal counted. Ultimately, Holland won the game justly and Frojdfeldt's call was of little consequence. But yesterday, Webb's call in the final seconds more crucial because of its timing and outcome for Poland. The Poles went from almost sure quarterfinalists (my pick) to just about on the outside looking in and needing a lot of help to advance.

Webb blew his whistle on Polish midfielder Mariusz Lewandowski who had a handful of Austrian Sebastian Proedl’s shirt. Proedl went down in the box, Vastic converted the PK and Poland manager Leo Beenhakker exploded.

"Maybe he wants to show he is a big boy and has the guts to do it, I don't know. I've never had a problem in 43 years of being in football but this is something I cannot understand. It's impossible to accept but I am working on it. I'm very satisfied with the boys, I have no complaints about the boys. We don't have it in our own hands any more and the conclusion is we are out of the tournament."

Harsh and emotional. But he's right. Poland needs the Germans to lose BIG to Austria on Monday and of course it needs to beat Croatia. Croatia is in the quarters, and Poland may be able to fill its end of the bill. But Austria beating Germany in a game the Germans must win? Doubtful, even if you factor in the home advantage.

It's unfortunate that referees are taking a more public profile in this tournament, which gets better with every game.

What If Germany Loses? Cinderella Austria Lives?

As Germany trails Croatia 1-0 at the half, let's play what-if.

It certainly looks like the pre-tournament favorite Germans have no answer for Croatia through 45 minutes, let's say the former Yugos win the 3 points and essentially plop themselves in the quarterfinals a la Portugal. And let's say under-achieving Poland coughs up 3 more points and host Austria gets a win on home soil.

Well, we'll have an interesting scenario next Monday when Austria and Germany meet for all the marbles in the all-Axis Powers group, also known as Group B. The Germans will have find a way to win at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna.

Granted, the Germans would be heavy favorites, but stranger things have happened when the hosts are involved. Austria will have an entire nation behind it, and that's a powerful entity. Could we have a Cinderella after all? Could the Austrians, so criticized for its place in this tournament as co-host with Switzerland, manage to make it to the knockout stage, taking the tournament favorites to the sidelines in the process?

What if Austria wins and finishes second in the group? It plays Portugal in the quarters, and you know outgoing manager Luis Filipe Scolari is rooting hard for Croatia and Austria because he knows, in this what-if scenario, if Germany finishes second, his team has a mammoth match in the knockout round.

Interesting and unexpected scenario we've got. That's why they play the games, and that's why, we as fans, can play the what-if game.

Euro 2008: No Defense for Greece Title Defense

Chuckles abound today reading quotes from Greece players and coach Otto Rehhagel, the man who led the Greeks to the '04 Euro championship, regarding his team's performance during a 2-0 disaster loss to Sweden. The Greeks, five defenders across per Rehhagel, were flat, boring and losers and figure to gain an early exit from Euro 2008 with games against Spain and Russia remaining on their fixture list.

"We do want to score goals as well but the truth is we don't score many. So we must secure the back first and then see whether we can score a goal on the break," Rehhagel told Reuters.

Abominal thinking from a stubborn man.

Greece was an inspired 2004 champion, playing largely the same style it played yesterday. It's anti-football strategy paid off in a Euro title four years ago. One need only look at the final against Portugal to see how much the Greeks stacked their half of the field and dared the Portuguese to attack--which they did relentlessly to no avail. Goals came from set pieces and attacks counter to the run of play.

Well, apparently, the rest of Europe has caught up to Rehhagel's style. Sweden dominated yesterday, winning on second-half goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Petter Hansson, and Greece stood back and took it. Post-game, to a man, the Greeks are now calling for a change in style and attitude. Desperate times indeed. No time like a major tournament to do an about-face strategically.

"We were playing scared. When you're always playing the ball backwards, you can't win a match. We have to press forward. Attack is the best defence. We need to play forward. We've got to raise our game a notch in the days ahead," striker Yannis Amanatidis told Reuters.

All of this is disappointing to Greek fans, who understood their team had a chance to get out of the group and reach the quarterfinals. With Spain a sure lock to make it, and Russia below form, it was imperative the Greeks at a minimum, draw with Sweden yesterday. Not quite. Now Greece will have to beat down Russia and pray for a miracle against Spain.

We're a long way for 2004 Portugal. Ironically, the conquered Portuguese, who play in less than an hour against the Czech Republic, look fit to win the tournament.

Spirit of Euro 2008 Sapped by Italy-Holland Referee

Day 3 of Euro 2008 will long be remembered as the day when common sense took the day off.

Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt played by the letter of the law and allowed Ruud Van Nistelrooy's offside goal to stand yesterday, sending Holland to an historic 3-0 win over Italy. Notice the use of "letter of the law." He would have been better served observing the spirit of FIFA regulation 11:11, and then ignoring it altogether.

The first Dutch goal yesterday left the Azzurri seeing Oranje. Italy never recovered, conceding two more tallies, including a textbook counterattack tally by Wesley Sneijder. Sneijder, however, had the easiest leg of that relay race, converting a precious Dirk Kuyt header pass and completing a play that started nearly 100 meters earlier when defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst cleared a sure Italy goal off the line and ultimately delivered the pass to Kuyt at the other end of the pitch. Fittingly, van Bronckhorst closed it out 10 minutes from the finish with a header for the 3-0 final.

Overshadowing the storyline of Italy being handed its worst loss in a major tournament since the 1970 World Cup final, the offside call by Frojdfeldt is the first controversial moment of the tournament. The call too allow the goal dictated that Italy change tack away from its defense-first tendencies. It also opened a groundswell for new interpretation and evaluation of rule 11:11.

The reg, a mere five years old, was put into place to prevent players from intentionally stepping out of bounds to create an offside situation. Therefore, players off the field are active, and technically, Van Nistelrooy was onside. But let's look at the play. Defender Christian Panucci and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon collided, sending the ball bounding in play and Panucci a few feet beyond the touchline in a heap. It wasn't intentional. It wasn't malicious. Panucci wasn't begging for a foul or a stretcher. It happened in the run of play and Frojdfeldt should have the sack to observe the situation and rule Van Nistelrooy offside.

As Martin Samuel wrote in the Times of London today:

And it was from that prone position, not even watching the action, that [Panucci] was somehow judged to have played Ruud van Nistelrooy onside and allowed him to score one of the most controversial goals in tournament history. Not because it was indisputably illegal, for it was quickly established that, despite Italy’s ire, Holland’s first goal was within the new rules as so interpreted by Fröjdfeldt, but because it was so daft, so wrong, so clearly a mistake, that it should have been scrapped on commonsense grounds. Yet when was clarity of thought last on nodding acquaintance with the offside laws? Not for some time. Maybe this will spark a re-evaluation.

The goal and the outcome are a shocking statement on the state of refereeing in the game when a contender in a major tournament is in arrears because of a shoddy decision. Why would Frojdfeldt choose to resurrect this rule at this moment? Had UEFA briefed its referees pre-tournament to be mindful of such situations and strictly enforce the letter of the law?

Granted, a 3-0 final indicates bigger issues with the Azzurri, such as the loss of Fabio Cannavaro to injury, which did plenty to cripple at the very least, the stability of the Italy back line. But the fact that Peter Frojdfeldt's name has been typed here more often than the players people buy tickets to see, proves something was rotten in Berne yesterday. Good referees are like Hollywood actors, you know the ones: the strong silent types. If you know a ref's name, you know too much about him.

Here's hoping this is the last time we have to write about an officiating decision in this tournament. Granted, I'd rather write about this than France's performance against Romania yesterday.

Portugal, Czech Republic Start Strong at Euro 2008

Euro 2008 is off and Portugal, Starting Eleven's pre-tournament pick to win, Portugal, looked every bit a champion, beating Turkey 2-0 on goals by Pepe and Meireles. Despite a few anxious moments from keeper Ricardo, the selecao das quinas had no problem with its Group A opener
and heads into June 11 match with the Czech Republic, a 1-0 winner over hosts Switzerland, in control of the group.

Portugal won this match in the back, solid matches from veterans Carvalho and Ferreira and impressive outings from goal-scorer Pepe and Chelsea-bound Boswinga giving Turkey little hope.

The 2-0 final could have been much worse for the Turks as the Portuguese hit woodwork three times and were solid and mistake-free in midfield, despite some struggles from Deco.

Fantastic opener.

Sunday's Group B matches:

Austria-Croatia
Germany-Poland

Co-Hosts? Save it for Regis and Kelly

A few days ago, I shared blog space with Jeff from Center Holds It. He posted an entry I wrote on the idiocy of nations co-hosting major tournaments like the World Cup or European championships. It was hosted here; I suggest you check out Center Holds It, it's loaded with great takes on football. By the way, Jeff's post is here.

Below is the entry posted over there:

Soccer’s principal governing bodies, FIFA and UEFA, have fallen in love with the notion of co-hosts for their major championships. Blame UEFA because it was first with Belgium and the Netherlands hosting the 2000 Euro, but it didn’t take long for copycat FIFA to fall in line with the 2002 World Cup taking place in Japan and South Korea.

While it may be a noble gesture to allow two countries to experience big tournaments simultaneously, exposing both to more media attention and the opportunity for massive amounts of revenue, fans are left with a soul-less event. We’re left to suffer with an inferior tournament because of FIFA’s and UEFA’s transparent motives and decision to reward mediocrity.

Look no further than next summer’s Euro; Austria and Switzerland will co-host and also earned automatic qualification for the tournament. Under normal circumstances, neither nation would get in without paying for tickets. Austria has made one previous Euro, Switzerland three. Neither has ever finished in the top four, nor has either made it out of the initial group stage of the finals.

Yet there they’ll be next summer, occupying two spots normally reserved for deserving teams. And therein lies the problem with the concept of co-hosts. If 16, 24 or 32 teams are good enough to qualify for a tournament, and two of the spots are reserved for hosts with no business being in the competition, how does UEFA or FIFA look at Nos. 17, 25 or 33 with a straight face and tell them they don’t belong.

If UEFA’s logic, for example, is spreading the wealth and the experience of hosting the tournament, fair enough. But once the host nations are excused after three games, that’s really out the door. Right now, England, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Belgium, Norway and exciting Israel are ranked higher than both Austria and Switzerland, and any of them would have a better showing than Austria or Switzerland, yet they’re on the outside looking in because of the decision to have co-hosts.

Sadly, this is a concept that isn’t going away any time soon. Poland and Ukraine are on tap to host the 2012 Euro, and Portugal and Spain are expected to make a bid for the 2018 World Cup [why? Portugal hosted a great Euro on its own in 2004.]

It’s time for FIFA and UEFA to find the courage to turn away these bids. If a country doesn’t have the infrastructure to host the game’s biggest tournaments, than it just doesn’t deserve them. It is doubtful fans would complain about somewhat permanent host nations for the Euro, in a rotation between say, England, Italy, France, Portugal, Spain and Germany. Same goes for the World Cup: Any of those European nations, along with the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Japan, China and perhaps Australia.

To quote a funny guy: “Two of shit, is still shit.”

Euro 2008 Draw Analysis: Group A

So I'll refrain from more talk about how this draw was rigged [yeah, yeah, putting Italy, France and Holland in the same group sends one of the big boys home early, but with 16 teams, something like this was inevitable; the tournament starts with the knockout round and it's there the top eight are guaranteed a spot]. I'll dive into Group A where Portugal, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Switzerland are nested.

Portugal was less than enthralling as it slogged through its group in qualifying for another continental championship. I still shake my head how '04 Greece beat this team twice--how on earth did they win the final in Lisbon against that team of studs? Finishing second to Poland and edging out Finland--which still had a chance to sneak in if enough cards fell in their direction!

Portugal has been gigantic in the last two major championships, reaching the '04 Euro final and the '06 World Cup semis--which I still say it should have won. Italy may still have won the final, but Portugal was the better team.

It should win this group with ease, but can Portugal turn it on at will. They have a year to fine-tune things and this figures to be Scolari's swan song with the team. Do they win the whole thing for him on the way out? You gotta figure Jose Mourinho is in for the 2010 World Cup, that Scolari's would have had enough by then, especially if they don't win next summer, that he'd be excused from his duties?

The Czechs, meanwhile, are always in the hunt--they were semifinalists in 2004 and are always one of those teams to avoid. They won their qualifying group--edging out Germany--and are solid front to back. They'll be a year older next summer, and that's not good news for a veteran team. Jan Koller can still score goals and Tomas Rosicky bears watching in the midfield. And don't forget a healthy Petr Cech.

If these two take care of Turkey and Switzerland, then the Portugal-Czech game on June 11 is irrelevant.

Turkey, though, is the wild card in this group. This ain't the same team that finished third in the World Cup of '02. Heck, they're probably through in this tournament because of having the good fortune of being seeded in a group with Norway, Moldova and Malta. Someone had to get through!

The Swiss, well, the Swiss are in because they're the hosts. Same goes for Austria. Let's have the joint-bid discussion another day.

Euro 2008 Draw Analysis: Group of Death

Waking up early was worth it Sunday morning. Not necessarily because the Euro 2008 draw was sitting there waiting for me on ESPN2, but mere for the entertainment value of watching eight grown men swirl hollow soccer balls about a bowl and pull out the names and group placements of the 16 Euro finalists.

When you see watch these things, it's difficult not to by cynical. When the balls are emptied and you see suspicion manifested as hosts Austria are paired with Germany and Switzerland paired with Turkey. Austria isn't long for the tournament, but gets its glory day with Germany for the sake of the tournament. Same goes for the Swiss, its gets a rematch on home soil with Turkey; remember Turkey players attacking the Swiss during a World Cup qualifier two years ago?

Then we get a legitimate Group of Death. Granted, with 16 teams, it's difficult not to get some juicy pairings, but c'mon: Netherlands, France AND Italy? Italy and France, for some reason, are conjoined at the touch line. Roberto Donadoni said it flat-out: "I had a feeling it would turn out this way." And Holland, well Holland is always in the Group of Death. Remember last year's World Cup: Argentina, Holland, Ivory Coast and Serbia.

This is excess at its best--or is it worst? Rather, well, I'll say it: this is rigged. It's well thought out, well planned and well executed. I don't buy the luck-of-the-draw explanations. I won't swallow that Dino Zoff wasn't a pawn in UEFA's game! No, no, no. There's a master plan at work here.

France opens against Romania and Italy tangles with Holland. France then gets Holland, while Italy has its turn against Romania, setting up the World Cup final rematch between Italy and France. Thank God this game cannot go to penalty kicks! Anyone seen Zizou? If the game's lacking any drama, maybe France can pry the gifted one out of retirement.

England Coach McClaren Fired: End of an Error

Introductions are in in order this morning, as we search through the rubble that is the England national team looking for Steve McClaren's career as manager. Sacked hours after Croatia's devastating 3-2 win at the New Wembley, McClaren is the second casualty of the Euro 2008. The first? Well, that's the summer of 2008, of which, England football fans have been robbed.
Anyway, back to the introductions. Mr. McClaren, allow me to introduce you to Mr. Ryan, Mr. Greg Ryan.
Mr. Ryan, like you Mr. McClaren, was sacked hours after his team was eliminated from a major championship. Greg Ryan? He, of course, is the former manager of the U.S. Women's National team. He, of course, is the man who inexplicably pulled his seasoned starting keeper, the one who had been in goal for many wins in a 50-match unbeaten streak. He, of course, watched his over-managing and poor strategy cost the U.S. women in the World Cup semifinals. As a result, he, of course, watched his career go up in flames.
Mr. McClaren, the irony is thick in the room today. Yes England was devastated by injuries and suspensions, but ultimately, you, Mr. McClaren, like Mr. Ryan, were your own worst enemy. You tinkered in desperation. You pulled Paul Robinson in favor of a green Scott Carson. Less than 10 minutes in, Carson had given up a horror of a goal and the snowball was steaming down the mountainside taking dead aim at England's hopes for qualifying for Euro 2008 and your career.
You also inserted young Gareth Barry in the midfield and Shaun Wright-Phillips in an attacking position. Barry and Frank Lampard had no cohesion and no plan to attack the Croatians. Phillips, well, he's no Beckham. Beckham may be on the downside of his career, but the man understands how to play and can still execute from the wing. In an elimination game, there is no substitute for experience. Right Mr. Ryan? You see Mr. McClaren, Mr. Ryan too learned the hard way.
Down 2-0, Beckham came in and fed Peter Crouch the feed he needed to tie the game and give England hope. Ultimately, you likely got what you deserved. English football, however, did not. The Euro won't be the same next summer; all but one of the powers will be present, and for that, the tournament will be poorer. In the meantime, this should spur England to do the right thing, and hire the right manager, be he foreign or domestic and right this ship in time for South Africa, else we might be having this same conversation again in two years.

Preview: Euro 2008, Final Day of Qualification

UEFA.com has a great table-setter for today's menu of Euro 2008 games.

Day of Reckoning for Euro Hopefuls

Portugal-Finland, Euro 2008: Another Elimination Game

Is Portugal primed for a major upset and an exit visa right out of Euro 2008? The team hosts Finland today. A tie gets them in behind Poland. A loss and a Serbia loss by a bunch to Poland and Finland has a puncher's chance of getting in.
Finland, however, cannot score goals despite Jari Litmanen and Sami Hyypiä prominent on the field for the Finns. Finland tied Portugal 1-1 in their first meeting during qualification. Most recently, the Finns beat Azerbaijan 2-1 after three straight 0-0 ties.
Portugal, meanwhile, has won three straight after a rough patch of draws, a loss to Poland and the suspension of coach Luis Filipe Scolari after taking a punch at a Serbian player during a 1-1 tie in July.
Portugal's success has been in spite of a rash of injuries, especially on the back line, to Ricardo Carvalho, Miguel and Paolo Ferreira.
Finland coach Roy Hodgson told Goal.com:

"We will try to defend well and score when we have a chance. I know this sounds dull but that's the best answer I have. I am very confident that we are capable of fighting for a win and will not be nervous. The task is tough but I believe in my team. They are up to it."

Illustration: http://www.sergeicartoons.com/

England Goes Green for its Final Euro Qualifier Today.

A few posts back, I mentioned Scott Carson's start today in goal for England opens Steve McClaren up for second guessing, even though it's probably the right move to banish Paul Robinson to the goalkeeping hinterlands.
But Shaun Wright Phillips? Starting in a midfield spot? In an elimination game? And David Beckham on the bench? OK, Becks isn't at national team form, but Wright-Phillips hasn't shown any reason why he should be in the Starting Eleven over anyone.
Gareth Barry takes Becks' spot in the midfield and is likely to take a defensive stance against Croatia. Owen Hargreaves is on the bench keeping Becks warm.
ESPN, meanwhile, is reporting that the pitch at Wembley hasn't recovered from the NFL trampling it a few weeks back. Steady rain lately in London isn't helping any either. A sloppy track, an inexperienced keeper, a shorthanded back line (no John Terry or Rio Ferdinand, remember?), and a young midfield: this isn't exactly a solid recipe for victory for England.

Anyone Seen Steve McClaren?

Just call England manager Steve McClaren "Loo" from now on.

McClaren told the English press he was on the pot as Israel closed out its upset win over Russia Saturday, injecting some fresh air into England's hopes for qualifying for Euro 2008. McClaren admitted to a bellyache in the closing minutes while watching the game at a hotel with his three sons. Chip, Ernie and Robbie let out a big cheer as Omer Golan's goal sunk Russia and propped up McClaren's boys.

Maybe McClaren should do likewise tomorrow as his boys battle Croatia, needing only a tie to qualify for the continental championships.

Golan Heights

Omer Golan is a household name in England today. With a marvelous finish to a memorable final 5 minutes, Golan's goal lifted Israel over Russia Saturday, 2-1, and put England in position to qualify for Euro 2008 with just a tie Wednesday against Croatia.

That's a good thing. I'm all for dynasties in pro sports. I love it when there's a team to beat. I love it when a tournament is loaded with teams that should be there and the minnows are left in the ocean where they belong. I want the New England Patriots to go 16-0; I love it when the Steelers and 49ers win two or three Super Bowls in a row. And England, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Portugal better be in Euro 2008, or the tournament just isn't right.

Cheers to Omer Golan and a thoroughly entertaining Israel team that didn't bow to rude Hiddink and his Ruskies, who expected to swarm through Tel Aviv and waltz into Euro. It wasn't easy, Russia didn't lay down and had a ball ricochet off the post seconds before Golan's goal (look closely, it would have been an own-goal).

Golan started the play that resulted in the game-winner with a tremendous defensive tackle in the Russian end. Golan had the sense to get up, stay onside, and bury the give-and-go winner. Minutes later, Israel should have made it 3-1 on an awesome half-volley in the box, but was denied.

In the end, Russia was denied, England inched closer to Euro, and all is right with the tournament.

Quickly, here's a look at the qualifiers.

Carson In For England Friendly; What is Future for McClaren, Robinson?

England rejoices. Paul Robinson is out as England goalkeeper--at least for tonight's friendly against Austria, which is four days ahead of a do-or-die Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia. Youngster Scott Carson gets the call and Robinson sits, much to the glee of the fans and pundits who've watched shaky play between the posts from Robinson for months. It's safe to say the McClaren-Robinson connection has made England's posture in Euro 2008 tenuous.

McClaren need look no further than the mess former U.S. women's coach Greg Ryan made at the women's World Cup with his goalkeeping situation to understand how closely tied a coach's tenure his with keeper. Ryan, to review, inexplicably pulled Hope Solo in favor of grandma Brianna Scurry in the World Cup semifinals against Brazil. The result was a 4-0 loss to Brazil, anger and dissension from Solo and ultimately, Ryan sitting on the unemployment line.

England needs a hopeless scenario of help to qualify for the continental championship, and surely McClaren's days are equally as numbered. Bottom line: A coach needs to put his best players on the pitch in order to give them the best chance to win. Paul Robinson is not the best England has, yet McClaren stubbornly sends Robinson out there figuring the odds are with him and things will eventually turn around. Robinson doesn't have the make-up to be a high-profile national team coach. Just ask Tottenham fans. Robinson is signed there through 2012, and for its investment,
Tottenham is mired in 14th place in the Premiership with 11 points and 24 goals against. Only one club has given up more: bottom dweller Derby County with one win and six points. By the way, that's one win fewer than Tottenham.

Is it all Robinson's fault? Of course not. But winning breeds winning, and Robinson obviously doesn't raise his game when conditions are adverse. It will be interesting to see how Carson does tonight. Carson's doing well with Aston Villa, which is on the cusp of a spot in Europe next year. McClaren, however, has put himself in a no-win situation. If Carson does well, the clamoring for him to be in goal against Croatia is going to be deafening. If Carson fails, McClaren is almost forced to go with Robinson--which is likely his plan any way--and another shaky outing not only seals McClaren's fate as England manager, but resigns fans to the fact that the national team won't be involved in the game's second biggest tournament.