Tactics, formations, players, subs, starters, weather, opponents. You can dissect them all and still not find the main reason England will not succeed at the European Championships in 2012.
All you need is this:
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http://www.youtube.com/v/tO2aA0HtKsE?fs=1&hl=en_US
Pandemonium in Genoa
13 OctIt was supposed to be an intriguing and hotly contested match between Italy v Serbia. Instead, the dark side of football reared its ugly head in a manner we have not seen in some time. After a delayed start and another stoppage, the ref deemed the match unsafe for the players (some players made that decision themselves) and called it off.
The violence began before the match outside the stadium as Serbian Ultras attacked their own team bus prompting goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic to withdraw as he was reportedly hit with a firework. Clashes with police ensued until they were able to enter the stadium.
Once inside, the antics continued. Fireworks, flares, and missiles pelted the field. A “Kosovo is Serbia” flag was unfurled which gave a hint to which group of supporters are suspected (this isn’t the place for a history lesson but you’re a quick google search away from one of the worst genocides since WWII). Then there’s the masked ringleader – the tattoed idiot who sat atop the partition throughout the ordeal cutting the security netting and egging on the Ultras. He has since been arrested and identified as Ivan Bogdanov – a leader of one of Red Star Belgrade’s supporter groups.
Serbia’s players tried to calm the traveling supporters but to no avail. They set out with a purpose to sabotage this match and nothing would stop them.
http://www.youtube.com/v/tO2aA0HtKsE?fs=1&hl=en_US
The implications of this will be severe as UEFA weigh up their options – forfeiting the match (which is obvious) and possibly tossing Serbia from the qualification. A harsh proposition but fair nonetheless. Much more to follow but for now, here’s a video and plenty more photos after the jump:
England keeper gets obliterated two days before Montenegro clash
11 Octhttp://www.youtube.com/v/iB_NO4el9GM?fs=1&hl=en_US
The English never learn. The coaching staff never learns. The manager never learns. The players still haven’t learned.
The backlash from this summer’s World Cup was very straight forward – these players are thrust into fame and fortune at such a young age and don’t know any better. They are irresponsible, rash, aggressive, hot-headed, and believe they as individuals are bigger than the game itself. So you’d think Capello would have cracked down on this type of behavior by those representing the Three Lions, especially the young ones new to the squad.
Not a chance. England’s most talented goalkeeper, Joe Hart, spent his weekend at Puerto Banús in Marbella to celebrate (exactly what I’m not sure). Only days before a European qualifying clash against Montenegro, Hart was caught on video dancing atop a bar with two ladies and singing into a fake microphone. I don’t know if you could qualify it as dancing, but it was some sort of bodily movement nonetheless. In fact, it was a significant improvement from the last dance routine he subjected the world to.
Just another example of entitlement and irresponsibility from the England camp, and a failure by the leaders of the team to prevent it. For England’s sake, I hope he’s better in goal than he is with his dance moves.
Who said celebrating with clothes on was cool?
11 Oct
Roma’s Mirko Vucinic scored the winner and only goal for Montenegro on Friday to defeat the Swiss in a Euro qualifier. What happened next can be described as nothing short of an audition for Chippendales (video here). In a moment of ecstasy after an admittedly well worked and splendid finish, Vucinic wheeled away to the left, removed his shorts, and put them on his head.
It seems the home fans had become restless over the past year or so for having never seen his junk in person. You see Vucinic is a serial underwear offender and only the Roma supporters have been privy to his family jewels. This was his opportunity to settle the score with the home fans as he thrust…Montenegro to the top of Group G with three wins in three.
Looks like tighty-whities and junk are the winning formula. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!!
