The Official 14/15 Various National Soccer Team News Thread

[Locke]

I think a more accurate comparison would be 'Tournament Goals Scored' how many goals did they score when it really mattered.

Either way though Charlton will always win the 'Most Trophies Won with England' stat.

[CroFlames]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/britis...-bid-1.3230012

Pipe dream for a Canadian world cup?

[Locke]

Another big matchday, a bunch of teams can punch their tickets today.

[Bagor]

Amazing the way life goes that you finish up making a post that you never thought you'd ever make.

Lewandowski!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Amazing the way life goes that you finish up making a post that you never thought you'd ever make.

Lewandowski!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hes just scoring for fun these days. How many goals does he have in all competitions at the moment?

Polish fans are going to be hoping hes in this type of form next year because of he is Poland is a legit threat.

[Bagor]

He's got a big word for Klopp.

The Poland international joined the Klopp revolution at Dortmund in 2010, and believes it was the best decision of his life as he enjoyed a rise to the summit of the game from obscure beginnings...and a collected a cupboard full of medals into the bargain.
For Lewandowski, one of his former manager’s greatest qualities is to spot talent no matter the age or source – and he believes that means the Acadamy at Liverpool will get an instant shot in the arm, and the best young players a chance to shine.
“He can spot talent, and he will use talent no matter the age. He doesn’t just look to buy players, but always he has one eye on the academy players, who are good enough for him to use in his plans,” the Pole explained.

“You take a player like Mario Gotze; he was taken out of the academy as a teenager by Jurgen, and given a chance because he saw the talent in him.
“A few years later he is one of the best players in the world, and scoring the winning goal in the World Cup final. That is not the only example, Jurgen likes to promote from the academy and play local players.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...cademy-6598780

This is what vanGaal was touted of also but I just think there is that much pressure on managers these days that they don't want to risk bringing through raw talent.
I still remain convinced that the mid rande 10-15M overseas players are no better than what's in the academies. The latter just don't get a chance.

Don't think we'll ever see a class of 92 again.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Bagor

He's got a big word for Klopp.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...cademy-6598780

This is what vanGaal was touted of also but I just think there is that much pressure on managers these days that they don't want to risk bringing through raw talent.
I still remain convinced that the mid rande 10-15M overseas players are no better than what's in the academies. The latter just don't get a chance.

Don't think we'll ever see a class of 92 again.

Good to know. Klopp has contributed to the success of some of the best players in the world, hopefully he can keep that up at Liverpool.

In fairness though, not seeing a 'class of '92' again likely has more to do with the nature of the PL than anything else.

[Locke]

Haha! Poor suckers at my office!

"We want to watch the Jays game!"

And I want to be the King of Switzerland, but Germany is playing Ireland and its my TV so thats too bad, life is full of little disappointments.

They can change the channel at half-time for a bit but then its back to ze Germans!

[Locke]

Scotland....

[Senator Clay Davis]

Ireland!

[Locke]

Ireland...

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Anytime the Germans feel like waking up and doing their thing would be great...

[Senator Clay Davis]

Lewandowski breaking Scottish hearts. What an animal he is though.

[Locke]

Ugh, and Poland stealing a draw at the death doesnt help.

Boo-urns.

[polak]

Phew. Not impressed with Poland today. I was already writing this qualifying off as another typical Polish choke job but man we got lucky.

Thank God for Lewandowski. What a machine.

Looks like a tie against Ireland should be enough for 2nd with Polands goal differential.

[Bagor]

Wonder would the ref have had the gonads to give the penalty for handball had Lewandowski not scored?

Typical Irish long ball goal gets er done and sets it up nicely against the Poles on Sunday and Rory in the crowd as Norn Iron get er done against the Greeks.

When all is said and done did the Polish goal make a difference? The Jocks were pretty much toast even if they had three points with Ireland getting the win.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by polak

Looks like a tie against Ireland should be enough for 2nd with Polands goal differential.

That's what I thought until I came across this on the beeb. New one to me.

• A 0-0 draw in Warsaw means Poland go through as they will have scored more away goals in meetings between the two sides.

• A 1-1 draw means the head-to-head records would be identical (as the sides also drew 1-1 in Dublin), but Poland would go through as they have the better goal difference of the two sides.

• A draw of 2-2 or higher would send the Republic of Ireland through as they will have scored more away goals in meetings between the two sides.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34483102

[GirlySports]

Yeah UEFA is head to head as 1st tiebreak

[Locke]

Well that was a rough night. Injuries to:

Schweinsteiger (thigh), Gotze (groin), Benzema (Hamstring) and Aguero (Hamstring).

The one place where Germany suffer a lack of depth is at Striker, they were playing Gotze there, his obvious replacement would be Reus who isnt fit, but they stuck Schurrle in there and that didnt really seem to work.

Whats Mario Gomez up to these days?

Maybe coax Miro out of retirement?

[troutman]

The best fans in the world are rewarded with win over the Champs [video]:

https://www.facebook.com/rtesoccer/v...3504021737257/

This goal will be remembered for a Long time. A cracking finish to give the Republic of Ireland a famous victory over Germany.

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/qualifi...tes/index.html

Shane Long hailed a perfectly-executed game plan as the Republic of Ireland stunned world champions Germany – and now they have sights set on an unlikely top spot.

His emphatic strike was enough to secure a wholly unexpected 1-0 victory over the world champions and guarantee Martin O'Neill's Irish side at least third place and a spot in the UEFA EURO 2016 play-offs. They are level on points with second-placed Poland, their opponents in their final Group D fixture in Warsaw on Sunday.

"The worst-case scenario is we finish third. But we're in for that top spot. There is no reason why we can't go there and win the game. People are saying all we need is a draw but that won't come into our minds at all. We know we are good enough to go there and get the win."