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Spain are the Euro Kings!

By Sean Graham

The European Championships of 2008 have come to an end after three weeks of pure entertainment in Austria and Switzerland and 31 matches have seen Spain crowned The Champions of Europe and thus end 44 years of hurt and pain as they lifted the Henri Delaunay trophy for the second time and send the Spanish fans in the Ernst Happel Stadium wild with delight.

A goal from Liverpool striker Fernando Torres in the first half of the Final ensured
That Luis Aragones’ men would win the game and lift the trophy, not only that, injured
Striker David Villa ends the tournament as top scorer with four goals, despite missing the final, so it was double celebration for the Spanish.

Both teams have contributed to what has been a fantastic tournament that will be remembered for many years to come.

On route to the final the Germans had seen off Poland, Austria, Portugal and Turkey
And only lost to Croatia but many feared that the German defence had not been at its
Best despite getting to the final and many questions were being asked about the quality of Joachim Low’s side.

Yes, they do have many quality players, like Ballack, Podolski, Klose, Lahm and Schweinsteiger but could they cope with the attacking flair of the Spanish?

On the road to the final, the Spanish showed that they had flair and class and bags of
It and they had seen off Russia, Sweden, Greece, Italy and the Russians again on their
Date with destiny.

Spain have a side who are pleasing to watch and have many quality players right through their ranks from their goalkeeper Casillas,Puyol and Ramos in defence right through to their attacking options in midfield with Fabregas,Xavi,Iniesta and the dynamic duo up front in Torres and Villa.

Spain have been the team that most would have wanted to lift the trophy as in past years, despite their obvious talent they have often failed to deliver on the big occasion but not this time!

The Spanish have played some delightful football on route to this final, so perhaps it was fitting that the Spanish at long last gave their long suffering fans a reason to say “Ole” as their side have been crowned the kings of Europe at long last.

This competition has been so enjoyable from start to finish and there have been many
Magic memories along the way, other teams have come and shown that they can take on the big guns and are ready to shift the balance of power.

Croatia, Russia and Turkey have come and lit up the competition along with the team who have often played total football, the Dutch.

Others have come and been a disappointment, maybe living on former glories both France and Italy must now think of the future, the Germans too, but they will all return
Stronger, they won’t accept failure and a change may do them good.

Fitting at the end of this football feast, that the team who knocked out the holders
Of the trophy (Greece) and the World Cup winners (Italy) have gone on to lift the trophy and after all that has been said and all the football that has been played, few would argue against that.

Viva Espana!

Pele robbed in Brazil

A story recently being circulated by Brazilian media, claims football legend and Fifa Ambassador Pele was robbed at gunpoint by a gang of youths earlier this month. The incident occurred on the fringes of Santos City in Brazil. Pele however did not make any statement to the police. According to reports the 67-year-old was on the way to his beach house when at least 10 young men brandishing knives and firearms stopped his car as it was passing a slum on the outskirts of the city. In an effort to dissuade the criminals, Pele rolled down his window to communicate with his attackers but was subsequently robbed of his jewelry and mobile phone. Some of his belongings are said to have been returned when the attackers found out just who they had robbed. Incidents like this are commonplace in the poorest parts of Brazil and even Pele who is a hero to most Brazilians especially in Santos, is susceptible to them.

Argentina look for Athens repeat

Argentina will field two of the footballing world’s most exciting youngsters at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament in Beijing.

Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero, both 20 years of age, are expected to lead a deep Argentine squad.

In addition, the Argentines are set to call on Liverpool’s 23-year-old midfielder Javier Mascherano, keen to win back-to-back Olympic gold.

Argentina won the event in Athens 2004 without losing a match or conceding a goal.

Argentina also won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2007, with Aguero winning the Golden Ball.

Olympic Preparations

Chelsea’s Salomon Kalou, Liverpool’s Ryan Babel, former Bayern Munich Sriker Roy Makaay, and American teenager Freddy Adu are set to represent their countries at a pre-Olympic football tournament in Hong Kong.

The Netherlands, Cameroon, USA, and Cote D’Ivoire will play in the ING Cup from 30 July to 2 August to prepare for the Beijing Olympics.

The Dutch are strong favorites for the tournament, having won the UEFA U-21 Championship in both 2006 and 2007.

Cameroon will feature 20-year-old Alex Song, an Arsenal youngster, as well as Andre Bikey of Premiership club Reading.

Kalou, at 22 years of age, will be Cote D’Ivoire’s best-known player at the ING Cup.

19-year-old Adu, who recently joined Portuguese outfit Benfica, could rove to be a star of the Olympics.

Big stars to show for Cote D’Ivoire at the Olympics

Chelsea payers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, Arsenal defender Kolo Toure, and Tottenham’s Didier Zokora are likely to star in Cote D’Ivoire’s Olympic campaign this August.

Amid rumors of a departure to Italy or Spain, Cote D’Ivoire National Team captain Didier Drogba revealed he would love to play in Beijing this summer.

“Going to the Olympics is a dream for any player,” Drogba said.

“I have played in the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup so to complete the set with the Olympics would be great.”

Kewell looks to club future before Olympic dream

Australia and Ex-Liverpool star Harry Kewell says that his priority this summer is to sort out his club future.

The Aussie midfielder has been linked with Italy’s Roma AS, Valencia CF of La Liga, and Scottish Premier League side Celtic after his Liverpool contract expired.

Kewell was injured and unavailable for the Olympics in 2000 and 2004.

“I’ve been injured the last two times (Olympics),” said Kewell.

“I’ve got to sort my club future out first and if the opportunity arises, then yeah, maybe.

“The Olympics is only two weeks, but I’ve got to sort my future out first.”

After a recent run of injuries that plagued his Liverpool career, Kewell spent the last month helping Australia seal a spot in the last round of qualification for World Cup.

Kewell was asked if his good display in the qualifiers might help secure his club future, he replied:

“The only person I really wanted to prove anything to was my old manager (Liverpool’s Rafael Benitez), just to show him I can play.

“Other than that I didn’t want to prove anything, I just wanted to go out there and enjoy myself.”

Dunga sends message to Ronaldinho

Under fire Brazil coach, Dunga is reported to have sent Ronaldinho a message talking about his involvement in the upcoming Beijing Olympics. Countries at the Olympics are permitted a maximum of 3 players over the age of 23, Ronaldinho is said to have been called up by the CBF against the wishes of Dunga leaving a sour taste in the coaches mouth.

At the moment, the mercurial Barcelona forward is regaining his fitness under the watchful eye of the CBF (Brazilian Football Federation). The trainer Paulo Paixao, with whom he worked with at Gremio, has requested that Ronaldinho is allowed 30 days to recover both physically and psychologically after a torrid season.

There have been obstacles to the federation’s desires as the competition is run by the Olympic Committee and not Fifa so they have found themselves battling more red tape than usual in their efforts to include the buck-toothed magician in Brazil’s plans.

Under fire coach Dunga has faced calls to resign in recent weeks following the team’s awful qualifying campaign so far. But Dunga has played down this situation, saying it to be normal among Brazil coaches. The 44-year-old coach has already commented on this matter, criticizing the Brazilian federation: “I came here to do a work, I set rules and some did not like that.”

Brazil are currently in fifth place in the CONMEBOL qualifying region and will thus have to play a team from CONCACAF if they stay in this position in the standings table.

Robert Fitzpatrick

Ronaldinho to chase Olympic dream?

Brasilian Ronaldinho stated that he is interested in competing at the 2008 Olympics.

The 28-year-old can feature in Beijing as one of Brazil’s three allowed over-23 players.

After watching Brasil come to a goalless draw against Argentina for 2010 World Cup qualifyin, Ronaldinho told the press that he was absolutely sure he would be at the Olympic Games this summer.

“I’m sure I’ll be in Beijing,” he told Brazilian TV station SporTV.

“If God wills it then I will be back in the national team.

“I’m recovering from my injury and I want to be back as soon as possible. It’s very difficult being out (of the team).”

Ronaldinho, currently on contract with FC Barcelona until 2010, has recently been linked to a move to Manchester City.  Playing in the Olympics would rule Ronaldinho out of the start of the season for any new club.

Park to miss Olympic games

Ji-sung Park’s hope of playing in the Olympics this summer have been spoiled by a recurring knee injury.

“Unfortunately, Park will not be selected for the Olympics,” Korea Republic coach Park Sung-hwa said.

“After discussing the matter with the Korean Football Association, we made the decision considering the fact that Park isn’t fit and he will be in competition at his club.

“Manchester United’s pre-season training starts on July 7 and it would be difficult for the player to come back and combine well with the team.”

The coach stated that West Brom midfielder Kim Do-heon, who scored a hat-trick in a recent World Cup Qualifying win against Turkmenistan, would not be drafted in as a replacement.

“Kim is in a similar position,” said the coach. “He will be playing in The Premier League for the first time with his club.”

Ronaldinho speaks on future

After making a cameo appearance in the stands at Brazil’s match with Argentina this week, Ronaldinho gave a brief interview with Brazilian sports channel Sportv. Surprising everyone, including those at Barcelona, the Brazilian playmaker announced he intends to compete at the Beijing Olympics this summer, making him one of the few players over the age of 23 playing at the tournament.

In relation to his recent turbulence at Barcelona he said “I have contract with Barcelona until 2010. At the moment it is calm. After 19th of July things will happen” Incoming manager Guardiola has reportedly said that neither Ronaldinho, Deco nor Eto’o feature in his plans for next year. Meanwhile Barcelona’s Vice-President Marc Ingla was also at the game in order to get a look at the Brazilian Hernanes who Barcelona have reportedly agreed terms with and are now battling to agree a fee with Brazilian club Sao Paulo.

Coach Dunga would surely be delighted with the return of both Ronaldinho and the injured Kaka to the Brazilian first eleven as he was booed and jeered by the home fans after the game on Thursday. Dunga’s side face failing to qualify for the world cup for the first time in their history.

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