Upcoming International Friendlies
By Andrew McCarten, TheSportsStand.com (8/19/07)
With the second half of Euro 2008 qualifying set to begin in about 2 weeks, international friendlies are vital to team cohesion and preparation. We’ll be previewing some of the friendlies here.
ENGLAND VS GERMANY: AUGUST 22, WEMBLEY STADIUM (LONDON, ENGLAND)
England has been victim to unusually sub par form in qualifying matches so far. They have taken only 14 points from 7 matches, and currently sit in 4th place (they do have a game up on Israel though.) Steve McClaren is already on the hot seat only a few months into the job, and a match up against World Cup bronze medal winners Germany can either make or break England’s confidence. Sol Campbell and David James have gotten their recalls to the national team. Steven Taylor has obviously benefited from the U21 Championships, as he now has his first opportunity for getting a senior cap. In case you haven’t gotten enough of David Beckham, he is included in the squad as well. John Terry is slightly hobbled with an injury, and may not play. Rafa Benitez has already stated that Steven Gerrard will not be able to play due to his hairline fracture in his foot, but he is nevertheless in the squad. David Beckham’s niggling ankle problem may also keep him out. Peter Crouch and Darren Bent could use this match as a way of getting back in their starting sides. David James may see his first action in goal for England since last June against Jamaica. Joachim Low has stated that his goal is to win Euro 2008. The Germans have a 5 point lead in Group D, but this is a good tune-up for the finals stage, which they figure to qualify for. Germany will be missing captain Michael Ballack and star strike Lukas Podolski due to injury. Three German players will have the opportunity to get their first cap (Khedira, Pander and Tasci.) Lehman, who started in goal for every match in the World Cup (except the 3rd place match against Portugal), will most likely start in net. Lahm, Metzelder and Mertesacker will anchor the back line. Veterans Schneider (78 caps) and Schweinstieger (43) will look to teach the younger players a thing or two about international play. Miroslav Klose ( 69 caps, 33 goals) and Kevi Kuranyi (40 caps, 18 goals) will lead the attack, as Helmes and Kiebling hope to gain vital experience, as they have only 3 caps between them.
SQUADS
ENGLAND
Paul Robinson (Tottenham Hotspur)
David James (Portsmouth)
Scott Carson (Aston Villa on loan)
Micah Richards (Manchester City)
Wes Brown (Manchester United)
Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
John Terry (Chelsea)
Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
Sol Campbell (Portsmouth)
Steven Taylor (Newcastle United)
Phil Neville (Everton)
Nicky Shorey (Reading)
David Beckham (LA Galaxy)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
Joe Cole (Chelsea)
Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea)
Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
Gareth Barry (Aston Villa)
Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)
Kieron Dyer (West Ham United)
Owen Hargreaves (Manchester United)
Alan Smith (Newcastle United)
Michael Owen (Newcastle United)
Peter Crouch (Liverpool)
Darren Bent (Tottenham Hotspur)
Andrew Johnson (Everton)
Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur)
GERMANY
Timo Hildebrand (CF Valencia)
Jens Lehmann (Arsenal)
Arne Friedrich (Hertha Berlin)
Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)
Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen)
Christoph Metzelder (Real Madrid)
Christian Pander (Schalke 04)
Serdar Tasci (VfB Stuttgart)
Roberto Hilbert (VfB Stuttgart)
Thomas Hitzlsperger (VfB Stuttgart)
Sami Khedira (VfB Stuttgart)
Simon Rolfes (Bayer Leverkusen)
Brend Schneider (Bayer Leverkusen)
Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger SV)
Bastian Schweinstieger (Bayern Munich)
Kevin Kuranyi (Schalke 04)
Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich)
Patrick Helmes (Koln)
Stefan Kiebling (Bayer Leverkusen)
PREDICTION: England 1, Germany 1
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND VS DENMARK: AUGUST 22, NRGI PARK (AARHUS, DENMARK)
Both of these teams face uphill battles for reaching the top 2 in their groups. Denmark are currently 4th in group F with 10 points, but they do have a game in hand over 2nd place Spain (15 points) and 1st place Sweden (18 points.) But Denmark will also have to eclipse Northern Ireland (13 points) who also have a game in hand. The Danes were forced to forfeit a game in which they were tied with Sweden 3-3 due to a fan running on the field. They will be without 1st choice keeper Thomas Sorensen (Aston Villa), Leon Andraesen (Werder Bremen), Lars Jacobsen (Nurnberg) and Martin Jorgonsen (Fiorentina) due to injuries. Christian Poulsen is also banned from the match. Jesper Christansen will most likely take over in goal. They will have to rely on the experience of Niclas Jensen (Copenhagen, 57 caps), Dennis Romedahl (Ajax, 67 caps), Jesper Gronkjaer (Copenhagen, 65 caps) and Jon Dahl Tomasson (Villareal, 90 caps.) Youngsters Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal, 8 caps) and William Kvist (Copenhagen, 0 caps.) The Republic of Ireland, on the other hand, is very much in contention for the 2nd place spot. They trail the Czech Republic by a single point. What has plagued the bhoys in green is consistency. The shock of the tournament may well be their 5-2 loss to Cyprus, and just barely getting by San Marino 2-1. There have been positives though. A 5-0 route of San Marino, a 1-1 draw with the Czechs and exciting 1-0 wins over Wales and Slovakia have been the highlights, as well as the emergence of Reading man Kevin Doyle. Friendlies in the US against Ecuador (May 23) and Bolivia (May 26) gave a lot of young players experience, even though both matches ended in 1-1 draws. Manager Steve Staunton was so impressed by Colin Doyle, Darren Potter, Andy Keogh and Daryl Murphy that they have been chosen for this match. This is pretty remarkable considering they all made their international debuts during those two fixtures. Staunton has stated that he is using this match to “refocus” his squad for Euro qualifying. Shay Given, long-time first choice keeper, will be kept out with a groin injury, while Damien Duff will also be out with an ankle injury. Nick Colgan (Barnsley, 9 caps) and Colin Doyle (Birmingham City, 1 cap) will vie for the starting job. Steve Finnan and John O’Shea are some of the best defenders in Europe, and Sunderland defender Paul McShane (5 caps) will be looking to learn all he can. Kevin Kilbane will be looking for his 81st cap, and he will probably anchor the midfield with Stephen Ireland (5 caps), Aiden McGeady (10 caps) and Andy Reid (22 caps.) But what has really emerged as Ireland’s strength is striker. Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Andy Keogh, Stephen Elliot and Daryl Murphy are all great strikers, young and old. I think that Keane and Doyle will start the match, but we’ll see Keogh and Long as well.
SQUADS
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Colin Doyle (Birmingham City)
Nick Colgan (Barnsley)
Wayne Henderson (Preston North End)
Paul McShane (Sunderland)
Stephen Carr (Newcastle)
Steve Finnan (Liverpool)
John O’Shea (Manchester United)
Richard Dunne (Manchester City)
Stephen Kelly (Birmingham City)
Jonathan Douglas (Leeds United)
Aiden McGeady (Celtic)
Kevin Kilbane (Wigan Athletic)
Darren Potter (Wolverhampton)
Alan O’Brien (Hibernian)
Stephen Hunt (Reading)
Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)
Andy Reid (Charlton Athletic)
Kevin Doyle (Reading)
Shane Long (Reading)
Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Daryl Murphy (Sunderland)
Andy Keogh (Wolverhampton)
Stephen Elliot (Wolverhampton)
DENMARK
Jesper Christaensen (Copenhagen)
Stephan Andersen (Brondby)
Daniel Agger (Liverpool)
Kasper Bogelund (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Martin Laursen (Aston Villa)
Jan Kristiansen (Nurnberg)
Michael Gravgaard (Copenhagen)
Niclas Jensen (Copenhagen)
Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen)
Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax)
Rasmus Wurtz (Copenhagen)
Thomas Kahlenburg (Auxerre)
Thomas Kristensen (Nordsjaelland)
William Kvist (Copenhagen)
Jesper Gronkjaer (Copenhagen)
Mortern Nordstrand (Copenhagen)
Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal)
Jon Dahl Tomasson (Villareal)
Peter Lovenkrands (Schalke 04)
Mikkel Thygesen (Midtjylland)
PREDICTION: Republic of Ireland 2, Denmark 0
SPAIN VS GREECE: AUGUST 22, TOUMBA STADIUM (THESSALONIKA, GREECE)
The Greek national football team has been on a roller coaster ride the last 3 years. After seemingly coming out of the blue to win Euro 2004, in what many consider to be the biggest upset in football so far this century, they failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup. They are currently ranked 16th in the FIFA World Rankings, and defending their European title is definitely a real possibility. The Greeks are currently leading Group C with 18 points after 7 matches, 5 ahead of 2nd place Bosnia-Herzegovina, Norway and Turkey (Turkey have only played 6 matches.) Greece will go into the 2nd half of qualifying looking to maintain that lead and get through. This match will be Theodoros Zagorakis’s testimonial match. Zagorakis was captain on the Euro 04 winning squad. Greece will be without Stelios Giannakopoulous and Ioannis Amanatidis due to injury. As usual, Antonios Nikopolidis (79 caps) will mind the net. Gourkas Seitaridis, Michalis Kapsis, Yannis Goumas and Takis Fyssas should provide experience in the back line. Angelos Basinas (78 caps, 5 goals) will be the leader in midfield due to Giannakopolous’s injury woes. Up front I think the best pair is Georgios Samaras (11 caps, 3 goals) and Angelos Charisteas (59 caps, 16 goals). Spain will only be bringing 18 men to Greece, as Carlos Puyol (56 caps), Javi Nevarra (4 caps) and Joan Capdevila (12 caps). Currently ranked 9th, Spain are one of the favorites to take home the trophy, even after their disappointing world cup. Iker Casillas (69 caps) is one of the best keepers in Europe and should make it tough for the Greeks to score. Pepe Reina (6 caps) is a capable backup. Sergio Ramos (24 caps, 2 goals) and Mariano Pernia (6 caps, 1 goal) should lead the back line. The strongest point of this Spain squad in my opinion is the midfield. Cesc Fabregas (16 caps, 0 goals), Xabi Alonso (37 caps, 1 goal), Andres Iniesta (13 caps, 2 goals), Joaquin Sanchez (44 caps, 4 goals) and Xavi Hernandez (47 caps, 4 goals) could be starters on many squads. Fabregas and Silva are the stars of the future, but they will need experience in matches like these to get there. “La Furia Roja” are also strong at striker, though they will bring only three. Fernando Torres, who was considered to be the biggest summer transfer by many (including myself) will undoubtedly gain his 41st cap. He will be joined by David Villa (23 caps, 13 goals) and Luis Garcia (2 caps, 0 goals).
SQUADS
GREECE
Antonios Nikopolidis (Olympiacos)
Konstantinos Chalkias (Aris Thessaloniki)
Dimitrios Salpingidis (Panathinaikos FC)
Angelos Charisteas (1. FC Nürnberg)
Nikolaos Liberopoulos (AEK Athens FC)
Theofanis Gekas (Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
Georgios Samaras (Manchester City FC)
Dimitrios Papadopoulos (Panathinaikos FC)
Angelos Basinas (RCD Mallorca)
Alexandros Tziolis (Panathinaikos FC)
Georgios Karagounis (Panathinaikos FC)
Konstantinos Katsouranis (SL Benfica)
Giourkas Seitaridis (Club Atlético de Madrid)
Sotirios Kyrgiakos (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Traianos Dellas (AEK Athens FC)
Nikolaos Spyropoulos (Panionios NFC)
Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos FC)
Ioannis Goumas (Panathinaikos FC)
Michalis Kapsis (APOEL FC)
Vassilios Torosidis (Olympiacos CFP)
Paraskevas Antzas (Olympiacos CFP)
Christos Patsatzoglou (Olympiacos CFP)
SPAIN
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
Pablo Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
Mariano Pernia (Atletico Madrid)
Juanito Gutierrez (Real Betis)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Carlos Marchena (Valencia)
Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
David Silva (Valencia)
Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)
Miguel Angel Angulo (Valencia)
David Albelda (Valencia)
Joaquin Sanchez (Valencia)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Luis Garcia (Espanyol)
David Villa (Valencia)
SWITZERLAND VS THE NETHERLANDS: AUGUST 22, STADE DE GENEVE (GENEVA, SWITZERLAND)
Switzerland have the benefit of being one of only two teams (along with Austria) who do not have to go through the qualifying stages, because they are the host nations. Switzerland have proved themselves internationally, reaching the 2nd round in the World Cup, and were only sent home after a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Ukraine. They were the only squad to not concede a goal in regulation time during any of their matches, one of which was a 0-0 draw with France. They will be looking to stay in footballing shape and keep the spirit in the team high, as they will not be playing many international matches. The Swiss will be looking to improve off their lost Euro appearance in 2004, a 1st round exit. Pascal Zuebruhler (47 caps) will probably start the match in goal, but I wouldn’t be surprised if youngster Diego Benaglio (4 caps) got to play the 2nd half. Johan Djourou and Phillipe Senderos, both in the Arsenal squad, expect to get respective caps. Reto Ziegler (1 cap), Xavier Margairaz (7 caps, 1 goal), Gokhan Inler (3 caps), Blerim Dzemaili (5 caps) and Tranquillo Barnetta (20 caps, 3 goals) are the bright young midfielders in the squad that have Swiss fans excited about future prospects, especially since all are under 23. The Dutch are currently in 3rd in Group G, with 14 points after only 6 matches, leaving them with a match on hand over 2nd place Bulgaria (15 points) and Romania (17 points.) The “Orange Crush” are one of my favorites to win this tournament, especially considering they will have some of the stars from the UEFA U21 Champions. Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s call up will be the leading story for the Dutch, as well as the omission of Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Edwin Van Der Sar (119 caps) figures to start in the net, backed up by Maarten Stekelnburg (6 caps). Khalid Boulahrouz (19 caps) is the leader of the back line, with Urby Emanuelson (6 caps) also looking to prove himself to manager Marco van Basten. Clarence Seedorf (81 caps, 11 goals), Wesley Sneijder (35 caps, 6 goals) and Rafael van der Vaart (44 caps, 11 goals) are a quite capable midfield group who can provide scoring and defense. The attack is loaded: Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie, Ryan Babel, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Ruud Van Nistelrooy are all world class.
SQUADS
SWITZERLAND
Diego Benaglio (Madeira)
Fabio Coltorti (Grasshopper Zurich)
Pascal Zuberbuhler (Neuchatel Xamax)
Valon Behrami (Lazio)
Philipp Degen (Borussia Dortmund)
Ludovic Magnin (VfB Suttgart)
Johan Djourou (Arsenal)
Stephane Grichting (Auxerre)
Stephan Lichsteiner (Lille)
Patrick Muller (Lyon)
Philippe Senderos (Arsenal)
Boris Smiljanic (Grasshopper Zurich)
Steve Von Bergen (FC Zurich)
Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Reto Ziegler (Sampdoria)
Hakan Yakin (BSC Young Boys)
Raphael Wicky (Hamburg)
Gokhan Inler (Udinese)
Benjamin Huggel (Basel)
Xavier Margairaz (Osasuna)
Ricardo Cabanas (Nurnberg)
Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen)
Daniel Gygax (Metz)
Blerim Dzemaili (Bolton Wanderers)
Alexander Frei (Borussia Dortmund)
David Degen (Borussia Monchengladbach)
Mauro Lustrinelli (Luzern)
Marco Streller (Basel)
Alberto Regazzoni (Sion)
Johan Vonlathen (Red Bull Salzburg)
NETHERLANDS
Edwin Van Der Sar (Manchester United)
Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax)
Wilford Bouma (Aston Villa)
Urby Emanuelson (Ajax)
Khalid Boulahrouz (Sevilla)
John Heitinga (Ajax)
Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar)
Mario Melchoit (Wigan Athletic)
Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg)
Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan)
Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven)
Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord)
Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg)
Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar)
Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid)
Ryan Babel (Liverpool)
Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid)
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic)
Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
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