The 2012 UEFA European Championship - Poland/Ukraine - The Thread!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by troutman

Twitter says Ireland is whipping someone 5-0 in a friendly. I don't know who. I don't know where.

Thats especially impressive seeing as they dont seem to be scheduled to play anyone today.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Locke

Thats especially impressive seeing as they dont seem to be scheduled to play anyone today.

Euro 2012: Republic of Ireland ease to victory over Tuscan Select XI

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...medium=twitter

5-0 victory over a third and fourth division representative side put together by two of Giovanni Trapattoni's former players, Ennio Pellegrini and Aldo Firicano.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by troutman

Euro 2012: Republic of Ireland ease to victory over Tuscan Select XI

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...medium=twitter

5-0 victory over a third and fourth division representative side put together by two of Giovanni Trapattoni's former players, Ennio Pellegrini and Aldo Firicano.

Seriously? Trapattoni basically fielded his players against a beer league side?

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Locke

Seriously? Trapattoni basically fielded his players against a beer league side?

As a confidence booster! Speaking of the Irish, if all goes well for the Italians, I may be able to cheer for an Ireland win or draw on the final day when they play Italy. Who knows, with some luck Italy will have already qualified to go through and an Irish win would eliminate Spain. Pipe dream I know, but one can hope, right?


And speaking of the Italians, there was an earthquake near Parma today and their friendly against Luxemburg has been cancelled.

One more thing, I just read an article in which Balotelli was quoted as saying he'd walk off the pitch if he was the subject of racism during any matches. While I respect his stance, I sure as hell hope it doesn't turn into a ####show given the articles posted in the last few days in this thread.

[Locke]

Italy shouldnt even be bringing Balotelli. Talent aside, if hes threatening to walk off the pitch thats a serious liability for the team.

Hes a nutcase.

[d_phaneuf]

I would love it if someone, or preferably a whole team made a stand like that

might be the only thing that makes FIFA/UEFA finally do something

[joe_mullen]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I would love it if someone, or preferably a whole team made a stand like that

might be the only thing that makes FIFA/UEFA finally do something

samuel eto'o did it a few years back, IIRC.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Woo! Just picked up my Italy jersey. I got the authentic version so it's a rather form fitting. I might need to lose a few pounds lol. This thing is made for a fit athlete.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Woo! Just picked up my Italy jersey. I got the authentic version so it's a rather form fitting. I might need to lose a few pounds lol. This thing is made for a fit athlete.

I so love soccer jerseys. My parents are actually over in Germany right now and I'm making sure they're bring me back a Germany Jersey.

[Arsenal14]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Woo! Just picked up my Italy jersey. I got the authentic version so it's a rather form fitting. I might need to lose a few pounds lol. This thing is made for a fit athlete.

That usually is the case with Italy jerseys. They really aren't made for the body of an average fan. I was just over in Ukraine and picked up a Ukraine road jersey to add to my collection (I think I've got about 30 jerseys now). I had been hoping to get one for the 2nd division team from the city next to where my family came from but I don't think they actually sell any merchandise!

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I would love it if someone, or preferably a whole team made a stand like that

might be the only thing that makes FIFA/UEFA finally do something

The irony of an Italian team taking a stand against racism would be delicious!

[Notorious Honey Badger]

really any european country taking a morale high ground against racism is just ridiculous. its bad all over europe. nothing like here in canada.

[joe_mullen]

I'm polish, so I'm a little biased, but here's an interesting tweet I saw this morning:

@MarcinBosacki: Food for thought for #BBC, #SolCampbell: out of 460000 British tourists in #Poland/yr NONE reported to UK consuls #racist incident in 3 yrs

In other news, Lampard may be out for the competition. Jordan Henderson waiting to "get on the plane". Why Carrick wasn't picked is beyond me (I guess he wanted a guarantee that he would start). Surely Scholes would be a better choice. Heck, even Danny Murphy. In other news, the German squad is very impressive.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

#Poland will have second youngest team at #EURO 2012 with an average age of 25. #Germany have the youngest side with average age of 24.39 -- Alex O'Henley (@UEFAcomAlexO)

Germany only has an average age of 24.39 years? I knew they were young but that is really young. Makes sense when you think about the new guys on the team.

Germany's squad
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/eur...=feeds-newsxml

Awesome to see Klose named yet again to the squad.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by joe_mullen

I'm polish, so I'm a little biased, but here's an interesting tweet I saw this morning:

@MarcinBosacki: Food for thought for #BBC, #SolCampbell: out of 460000 British tourists in #Poland/yr NONE reported to UK consuls #racist incident in 3 yrs

In other news, Lampard may be out for the competition. Jordan Henderson waiting to "get on the plane". Why Carrick wasn't picked is beyond me (I guess he wanted a guarantee that he would start). Surely Scholes would be a better choice. Heck, even Danny Murphy. In other news, the German squad is very impressive.

I don't think it is Poland that the concern is really about, it is the Ukrainian aspect.

[Notorious Honey Badger]

The idea that the Ukraine is this hotbed of racism is being stoked almost entirely by English players/fans/media. At least from what I've read. Wtf has the Ukraine done them ever?

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Locke

Seriously? Trapattoni basically fielded his players against a beer league side?

What's the big deal? A casual kick about to explore options, measure fitness levels and finalize squad selections amongst other things.

At this stage of the game it's just another friendly. See Platinum Stars.

Guess it must have answered some questions as Kevin Foley was cut from the squad after the game and replaced by stand-by Paul McShane.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18250893

[Addick]

Originally Posted by joe_mullen

while poland and ukraine have a long way to go (but have come a long way already), this is pure fear mongering. i'm looking forward to the BBCs documentary on the recent race riots in england and warning tourists about coming to london for the olympics.

I'm sure they would do something similar if the riots were actually caused by racial tension as opposed to social friction. The UK isn't a perfect utopia that is free from racism but does that mean the UK press/media cannot point out potential injustices abroad?

I don't think the BBC is saying "Hey! Things are worse over there, let's just criticize those racist jerks!". As long as they can raise a hand and admit it is a problem here as well, I believe they are well in their right to point out other large instances of injustice that should not be allowed to exist and be accepted in silence.

Also, from what I have started to gather it looks as though the main issue is with the Ukraine and their reluctance to accept that there is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Originally Posted by Soccernet.com

The British government have simply advised “travelers of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent and individuals belonging to religious minorities to take extra care,” but Piara Powar, the London-based executive director of Football Against Racism in Europe, the largest network of anti-discrimination organizations in the sport, advised minorities to avoid Ukraine.

In a telephone interview, Powar claimed the challenges “plaguing football reflect societal issues in Poland and Ukraine that are all too real,” but he glimpsed a difference between the two countries from their respective statements in the wake of the BBC documentary.

“Poland has more democratic dialogue than Ukraine,” he says, “The Ukrainian government’s responses suggest they remain in denial of a problem with the far right that truly exists. ”

Complete Article

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Bagor

What's the big deal? A casual kick about to explore options, measure fitness levels and finalize squad selections amongst other things.

At this stage of the game it's just another friendly. See Platinum Stars.

Guess it must have answered some questions as Kevin Foley was cut from the squad after the game and replaced by stand-by Paul McShane.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18250893

Potential injuries against guys that have nothing to lose.

[d_phaneuf]

Lampard out, Henderson called up

would have just stuck with 22 players...