Kick Off : Euro 2012

Two goals, dodgy ref, two red cards, a goalkeeper sent off, a saved penalty, a ten-man Greece scoring an equalizer but bottling it from the spot - and that was only the first match.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Euro 2012 has finally arrived.

Yeah that Russia v Czech game was okay, there were only 5 goals scored in what was possibly the best attacking display the Russians have ever put together. Arshavin looked like the player Arsenal signed back in the 2008/09 season; if not more dominating. Had they not been so wasteful in front of goal, they likely could have scored 10 - no exaggeration. 

Rewind back to the opening match, Poland looked lethal. Playing on home soil obviously helped raise the game, but the Greeks didn't know how to deal with them. I watched the match on the Danforth, surrounded by blue and white. Typically I would be a neutral, however I went with my best friend, who is Polish.

The moment we rose from Pape station - Artur draped in his Polska flag - we were welcomed by a driver screaming "Poland sucks, get the fuck off the Danforth." It didn't end there. Not many people are insane enough to walk into enemy territory like a peacock, however we had bee drinking all night.

As the game kicked off, you could sense the anger in the bar. There were at least 200 Hellas supporters, singing, waving flags, staring at us with fury. When Poland began to dominate, we were targeted. The evil stares only got worse as Poland took an early 1-0 lead, Art jumping on the seat of our booth, waving his massive Polish flag, the both of us high fiving each other.

Red card, half time, Greece changes formation. Switching from their relatively unorthodox 4-3-3, Greece suddenly took away Poland's space. The free flowing game Polska had been enjoying was suddenly nullifed. Greece counters, levels the score, Sweet Potato Fries suddenly rain upon our table.

As shocking as this was, nothing could express the distress in Art's eyes when Szczesny was sent off. Art cowered under his flag, not able to bare to look at Greece taking a 2-1 lead, the hopes of his homeland suddenly being diminished. This was a penalty kick, the game was over.

I only wish for a moment that I was him, hunched underneath the flag, expecting to hear the bar roar once again as Greece took the lead. However, instead of feeling a roar, it was my hands that started shaking his head. He looked up to see it had been saved very well by Tyton. Once again, the seat became Art's personal trampoline.

The game did fizzle out as both teams were beginning to tire. Yet all of the emotions and action helped set an unprecedented tone for the rest of the tournament. There are 20 days left, what else is in store?

England winning?

  

the outcast conundrum

Analyze this..

 A country with a population of over a billion, India, cannot produce 23 fully functioning footballers. So we took to the other sport that the mighty ol' english gave us. Cricket. Thats right! The sport that all the young boys in England take to when their football coach says they're not good enough.

 The problem i present is this - what must an Indian do when he/she does not have that rich footballing heritage to look to? Follow the English premier league? Follow the La Liga? The Bundasliga maybe? And this problem extends to all those footballing fans who come from a country that does not primarly follow this great sport. We cannot associate ourselves with a club. Why? Because those clubs are part of a rich history that spans generations. We will almost always be called glory hunters who jumped on to the band wagon and followed a team by reading up and/or listening to a true fan rave about the clubs' great victories. The outcasts cannot enjoy the World cup because frankly, our countries never make it past the qualifiers.

 So, even though today, i proudly wear the crimson red colors of Liverpool FC and chant "You'll Never Walk Alone", i know that once i step inside Anfield, i will not be fully embraced as one of their own. I can only hope that one day my country gives the sport the true credit it deserves.

Pepé Les Bleus

To many Westerners, the French are often viewed as rude and pretentious - and their personal hygiene has been known to raise eyebrows and flare nostrils.  Without looking too much into the cultural differences and stereotypes, French international, Patrice Evra’s scratch-and-sniff idée fixe left me scratching something which smelled all but floral. While sitting on the bench during last week’s friendly against Serbia, Les Bleus fullback was caught wiping his derrière with fellow teammate, Mathieu Valbueno's jersey, then following it up with a whiff. The peculiar, percolated gesture seemed to garner laughs though, as both Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema shared some chuckles: an inside joke that I don’t even know if I want to get.  

Now it has been known for some time that the French don’t think too kindly of Americans – and vice versa – but if an American was caught desecrating their own national ensign in any way, shape or form, it would warrant the death penalty.  

Heading into Euro 2012, the expectations for Les Bleus are at an all time high, especially following two deplorable campaigns at the last two major championships.  On paper, the French are in the upper echelon of countries vying for this years Euro hardware; but is that 1 ply or 2 ply? Infamous for allowing their ego and amour-propre get the best of them, Les Bleus have consistently underachieved since their runner-up performance in Germany at the World Cup in 2006 – and we all know how that ended.  Now I haven’t really been one to analyze ‘ifs’, ‘ands’, or ‘headbutts’, but if the Coq Gaulois fail to reach the semi-finals, I can almost guarantee they’ll be on the first cargo plane back to Paris, sharing the oxygen with a shipment of Eastern European knock-off eau de toilette. Now if they happen to reek [sic] havoc, and reach the finals, I’m kind of curious as to how the end-of-game-jersey-exchange with the opposition will transpire, shall they finish number 2.

History of the World : Part II

As a Liverpool supporter, the obvious question has been thrown at me numerous times in the past 48 hours; so, Brendan Rodgers?

I would be lying if I said I was happy with the appointment - but don't think too much on that, let me explain. I'm not, not happy because we've hired Brendan, I think he's going to actually prove to be a shrewd move by the club. What I'm not happy about, is the way Kenny Dalglish, the "Heart and Soul of Liverpool Football Club" as Tom Werner so patronizingly put it at the press conference this morning; was thrown away like unwanted trash just two weeks ago.

Let's take a step back to the fall of 2010. FSG came riding into Liverpool in a flurry, rescuing this great club from administration; snatching it from the grips of the dubious owners Gillett and Hicks. When all the dust was settled, there was turmoil. Fans unsure of what they knew anymore, a manager with a mid-table mentality, and a squad that had not been adequately reinvested into for some time. Not wanting to do anything too drastic, too soon, FSG waited until it seemed everything was lost and started the rebuild by replacing Roy Hodgson.

What is the one thing that keeps your body alive? Your heart. What was the one thing FSG needed to implant, in an attempt to defibrillate this dying club? Kenneth Mathieson Dalglish.

FSG, as cunning as they are, knew Dalglish would be able to get everyone on the same page. They knew, if they could get the supporters onside, the club would benefit. The players too got a lift, helping elevate the team from 12th, to 6th by seasons end. I won't go into what transpired over the next year, the simple fact of the matter is, Dalglish was just a short term fix. He wasn't FSG's "guy", and unfortunately for them, results in the eyes of fans stipulated he must get the job full time. His departure at the end of this season was simply a matter of time, FSG needed any excuse and they got it, by finishing 8th.

June 1, 2012 Brendan Rodgers from Carnlogh, Nothern Ireland was named the 18th Manager in Liverpool history. The supporters are mixed somewhat in their opinions. Thanks to the society we live in these days, everyone wants a big name. But to me, football isn't managed by names, and it isn't played by names (there are exceptions) however, it is played by ideologies and systems. Brendan Rodgers has proven this.

Rodgers took Swansea City into the Premier League, where most bookmakers had them going down just a quick as they came up. Swansea had something else in store, finishing 11th.

Its not just that they finished 11th, but its also how they played. I've seen a number of articles about Brendan and his footballing philosophy in the past few days. These insights show appointing him may be something that harkens to the history of our club, shrewd managerial appointments - see Shankly and Benitez as prime examples.

One would notice, the articles make mention to the "Barcelona style" as well as La Masia. I'm not jumping up and down screaming that I want us to copy Barca's system, but what I want, and what most Liverpool supporters want is good attacking football. His vision and tactics are all about that, Swansea easily showed this as the dominated eventual Champions, Manchester City this year.

I'm not going to be blindly optimistic and assume that he will turn us around over night; I wouldn't complain if it happened. What I will say, is that I will give him time and the opportunity to show us what he has in mind. I do have a good feeling about him however, and I'm very intrigued to see what's in store.

My only caveat is this, if we move a year down the road and this project fails, I will continue championing for a certain Spaniard with the reverse initials of Brendan Rodgers to return. But that's another story for another day.

For now I'll just quote the classy words of one Kenny Dalglish "Congratulations to Brendan and Good Luck to everyone at LFC. Kenny."

Formation Greek: Die Mannschaft - Deutschland Analysis

Die Mannschaft come into Euro 2012 as the most successful team in the European Cup, with three titles ('72, '80, '96), and runners up on three occasions ('80, '92, '08). Jogi Löw's men come into Euro 2012 as one of the heavy favourites, keen to knock La Furia Roja - the reigning European and World champions - off their perch. The Germans are coming off a very successful third place finish at the 2010 World Cup, with the second youngest team they have ever brought to a major tournament. Expectations were Löw(pun intended) for the World Cup hosted in South Africa when the captain, and face of German football for the past 8 years - Michael Ballack - was injured by German born Ghanaian, Kevin-Prince Boateng. But Löw was able to turn his team full of young and unproven players into a dynamic, free flowing football team able to strike fear into any opposition. Fast forward two years later, and Löw continues to integrate young players into the squad.

Joachim Löw's probable formation and starting XI

4-2-3-1

Neuer

Höwedes - Hummels - Badstuber - Lahm

Kroos - Schweinsteiger

Müller - Özil - Podolski 

Klose

Jogi Löw has always favoured a 4-2-3-1 ever since he took control of the national team when Jürgen Klinnsman stepped down as manager after the 2006 World Cup. Löw, the man thought to be the tactician behind a very average German team in 2006, will look to build on his previous two major tournaments, 2nd in Euro 2008, and 3rd in South Africa 2010, respectively. Jogi has come out and stated that the days of players holding a starting spot for 8 years unchallenged are long behind this team. With the likes of Neuer, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, and Özil as the only sure bets in Löw's starting 11, it leaves a lot of competition for the other available spots. 

Strengths:

Depth, depth, and even more depth:

The 2012 version of this German squad oozes quality all over the pitch, with many positions able to be filled twice, or even three times over. The Germans have not seen depth like this since their golden era in the 70's and 80's, with the likes of Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner, and Der Bomber - Gerd Müller - leading the line. The substitutes role may seem like an afterthought to a championship winning team, and their outcome on the overall tournament could be minimal, but a sub's role is not seen publicly, it all happens behind closed doors. When talents such as Mario Götze, Marco Reus, and "Super Mario" Gomez likely starting on the bench, they will be pushing Lukas Podolski, Thomas Müller, and Miroslav Klose to be at their absolute best during training and in the games. With the possibility of injuries and suspensions, the Germans are far more equipped to handle either with such depth. 

Mixture of veterans and youth:

Phillip Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger are entrusted by Löw and will be relied upon to take yet another young German squad to glory. With Lahm and Schweinsteiger still in their prime, and with plenty of years left in the tank, add in the youthfulness of Özil, Müller, and Götze, and Die Mannschaft might just have the right balance to lift the trophy.

Joachim Löw's loyalty:

Often criticized for some of his inclusions to the South Africa 2010 World Cup - mainly Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski - both who had abysmal domestic campaigns, scoring six and three goals respectively. Jogi proved his critics wrong as both players showed up on the big stage to bag goals in the first game, and went on to play vital roles in Deutschland's run. Löw's best attribute is that he's able to get his players to perform when it matters most, and he has succeeded at this aspect time and time again.

Weaknesses

Defense:

With Phillip Lahm as the only world class defender Löw has at his disposal, his biggest headache must surely come when he has to pencil in the other 3 defenders on the team sheet. The center backs Löw favoured at the 2010 World Cup - Per Mertesacker and Arne Friedrich - is no longer a possibility. With Friedrich well beyond his best and now playing his club football in America, he has been out of the national team set up for well over a year. And with Mertesacker coming off a season ending injury which cut short his debut season at Arsenal, fitness concerns must be in the back of Jogi's mind. Mats Hummels, the best defender in the Bundesliga for the past two seasons, leading his club - Borussia Dortmund - to back to back titles, and the double this year has been a shadow of his Dortmund self once he dawns the famous white kit. Hummels inconsistent performances have not gone unnoticed, and this accounts for his inability to lock down a starting role. Holger Badstuber has been one of Löw's favourites for quite some time; so the biggest question is who will be standing along side him on June 9th? Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Höwedes, Per Mertesacker, and Mats Hummels are all vying for one of the most problematic positions in the German set up.

Title Favourites:

Die Mannschaft head into Euro 2012 as one of three favourites; a role that has not suited German teams of the past quite well, and only time will tell if the expectation of lifting the trophy will be too much of a burden to shoulder. The mental fragility of some key German players lead to a big upset in the Champions League final in Munich. The player that appeared to be most affected by such pressure was Mario Gomez, which could lead to a huge problem for Löw's team if Miroslav Klose cannot gain full form and fitness. The last tournament Germany went in as clears favourites was World Cup '94, and they eventually came up lame in the quarter's vs Bulgaria. 

Joachim Löw's loyalty:

The loyalty and faith Löw bestowed onto Podolski and Klose proved Jogi to be a genius, but this time around it could be his downfall. However, the question marks aren't centered around the polish born Germans - who both have come off their most successful domestic campaign in years - but the question remains with Per Mertesacker. A defender that Löw has stood by for a number of years. Mertesackers debut season with the Gunners was nothing to write home open as he was constantly exposed for his lack of pace, and inability to cope with the faster game of the premier league. A few months back, Jogi was quoted as saying he would not bring anyone to the European Championships if they were not fit and in form, but the lack of options at center back has forced his hand. 

Key Player

Bastian Schweinsteiger:

Likened to Spains Xavi, Bastian is the face of German football and as he goes, so does Germany. With a squad boasting some of the world’s greatest talents, it is the Bayern München man who will be relied upon to lead this German team up the steps on July 1st at the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv. Löw deploys Schweinsteiger in a deep lying role where he excels at dictating the pace of the game, linking the defense with the attack. With a great range of passing, and a shot that can threaten from 25+ yards, Bastian possesses the talent to trouble any opposition in all areas of the pitch.

Player to Look Out For

Mario Götze:

The Borussia Dortmund starlet has been described as one of the greatest talents Germany has ever produced. In the absence of Mesut Özil, Götze spearheaded a lethal German attack to a 3-2 victory over Brasil - a team Germany has not defeated in 18 years. The German wunderkind has an unmatched vision, pace, and a keen eye for goal. With such attributes, Götze poses the biggest threat to Mesut's throne as the number 10 of this German team. 

La Cosa Nostradamus

As recent revelations of the Scommessopoli – the latest Serie A match-fixing scandal – unravel, the Footy Chat’s Editor-in-Chief made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.

Match-fixing is as much part of the game as the football the players kick and pass around - and heavily relies as much on the inanimate objects purpose as it does the players involved. A very lucrative, yet intricate racket, match-fixing is usually orchestrated by an organized crime syndicate, which bribes players and officials to play to a predetermined score line – which leans one way or another after being scrubbed against various betting lines - thus generating maximum profits from all bets laid. The Serie A is deeply rooted in corruption and exploitation; dating back to 1980, when a betting scandal involving two Italian businessmen was exposed. And like that suppressed cold sore on your lip, when it comes back, it comes back with a vengeance – and never really goes away... it will always be there.  As if integrity in Italian football wasn’t already at an all time low; the ghosts of Calciopoli’s past resurfaces.

Now there’s no point in beating a dead horse, ‘cause you may find that dead horse’s head severed and stuffed under your bed linens. But for quite some time, I’ve considered Serie A football, as the lowest possible form of a professional sports league there is. I’d much rather watch a nil-nil draw involving two MLS teams than watch two Serie A teams vie for the Scudetto – which says a lot when considering the delta of calibres. My disdain towards this league runs deep; how anyone can ignore the profuse flopping is beyond me.  Flopping has tainted the beautiful game. It’s an eye sore. It’s a pandemic that has spread throughout Europe quicker than the Bubonic Plague. Watching a Serie A game is like watching a pedestrian version of duck hunt. As far as I’m concerned, players who flop are no better than the players behind match-fixing – they’re cut from the same corrupt cloth.

With Euro 2012 right around the corner, this side-bar story has potential to flood the front pages of news publications across the globe: Azzurri Obscurity – shrouded in controversy and domestic debauchery.  However, with all things considered, much to the contrary - history has a funny way of repeating itself - and when everything is said and done, this scandal may work in Italian Bench Boss, Cesare Prandelli's favor; as the last time a scandal of such magnitude broke before a major tournament (1982 & 2006), the Azzurri were the last team standing - emerging victorious and left hoisting the hardware. Whether it's a coincidence, publicity stunt or conspiracy theory, I’ll tell you one thing, I can bet and predict that there’s going to be an aroma of something brewing, and it’s not Nona’s marinara sauce.

Only God Can Judge Balotelli

There’s no secret as to how prevalent Religion is in footy – from the sectarian rivalries like Celtic F.C. (Catholic) vs. Rangers F.C. (Protestant), to the many players who touch the pitch before ‘crossing oneself’ and entering the field of play.  At times, I feel as though it overshadows and clouds the sport; especially when players, managers and owners leverage their credence like a politician caught with his pants down.  I’m not helping the matter either... that burning bush could use some gasoline though. In lieu of – Italy/Manchester City's striker by day, amateur arson/playboy by night – Mario Balotelli’s recent interview with France Football, I have a confession to make: I nutmegged Black Jesus!

The divine powers Mr. Balotelli claims he inherited – as if he was some Herculean immortal – are as absurd as ones devotion to some catalogued cult.  But that’s neither here nor the air up there: 

“That’s because I have a talent only a few people have. The talent God has given me is beautiful, magnificent... but it’s difficult to have, because you are always confronted by others who are willing to judge you.” 

I’m almost positive that this talent you speak of was genetically predisposed; and isn't 'judging' the be all and end all – ultimately determining ones fate by their faith?

“It’s not easy, but it’s not a drama. Those who do not understand me don’t interest me... it’s said that geniuses are misunderstood. But maybe it is because the genius is so different that people are not capable of understanding them... But if you understand me, maybe you are also a genius.”

I don’t know if I’m qualified to speak on such jejune ignorance; but by your rhetoric, the only people who don’t understand you are Pagans.

"I'm different...if you find another guy like me, I'll buy you dinner.”

That’s the problem, there are too many people like you, they are called Christians - now where’s my dinner? Oh and as an FYI, you won’t hear me say grace.

There’s no denying the fact that Mario Balotelli has all the tools to become great in this sport – but unless he curbs his delusional, self-manifested venerated image, he will fade into obscurity.  Balotelli was added to Italy’s final squad for Euro 2012 – after being omitted earlier in the year.  So only time will tell – not God – as to how the next chapter in this already avant-gardesque career pans out.

Before the night of a big game, 99.9% of the respective teams’ supporters, players, management and owners 'speak' - albeit, in more of a one-way conversational fashion - to some supernatural guy in the sky; begging and pleading, bargaining and bartering for some assistance in their favour: they will do anything for a win. It’s somewhat unsettling knowing that the most conditioned (physically) athletes in the world are searching for help via mythological intervention.  In closing, I don’t feel as if the lord works in mysterious ways; he/she/it just flips a coin.  I think it’s about time we separate religion from sport.

- I don't think God approves of such attire.

Fear and Loathing...In Canada

Growing up in Southwestern Ontario, to a non-traditional English family, football was actually a game called soccer.  It was some boring sport on tv, something we played in the summer in leagues as children, and forgot about as soon as the ice came in.


In my household, we were Leafs fans - you know, that team of perennial losers who were once the kings of their sport. As I've grown up, and my sporting lust switched from Hockey to Football, the parallels of the teams I support seem haunting.


Liverpool FC: Once known as the Kings of Europe, Liverpool dominated both domestic and European football in the 70's and 80's. They are, at the time of writing, still the most successful team in English history. 18 League Championships, 7 FA Cups, 7 League Cups, 5 Champions League and 3 Europa League (UEFA Cup) titles. This all the while not winning a single League Championship in 20 years, Manchester United have won 12 in that time.


England: The birthplace of football as we know it. England considered themselves so far and above the rest of the world in terms of quality and ability, they didn't join FIFA until 1906, left in 1928 and rejoined in 1946 - taking part in their first World Cup in 1950. That one successful World Cup victory in 1966 was the culmination of the English game, they have since never been able to replicate that success - despite the hype built upon many of the permutations of the team ever since.


Is this genetics? Is it destiny? Is is just my own self loathing, that finds myself chasing after things that just may never come to be? Who knows. But finally this year, there is no pressure on England to do well, in fact most people wouldn't be surprised to see them get knocked out of the group stages. I am one of them.


Regardless of the outcome, I will pull the ever present Leafs fans favourite line "There's always next year", well in this case, next tournament. Maybe. If they Mayans are wrong.

A Nightmare Come True

It's been 9 days since the Champions League final concluded, and it's taken me as many days to accept the outcome.  As an avid FC Bayern München supporter - and being one for 20+ years - one can only imagine the ultimate highs I experienced, and the devastating lows I've finally came to terms with following that fateful finality. I feel as though someone roofied me on my deathbed; no matter how much I frantically kicked the dead air, yelled aloud, or wept like a girl stood up at prom - I could not awake from the horror... I was paralyzed within. It's still very difficult for me to talk about, and not seem somewhat sour; however, I'm not going to banter statistics, but rather, banter perception. All bias aside, for anyone to say the better team won, needs an eye examination and their footy IQ reset.  But that's the beauty of the game: on any given day, dexterity can trump all the skill in the world... and with that being said, I can only extend my congratulations to the victor.  Congrats Blues.  

A New Dawn

Today marks the beginning of our new blog.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is "The Footy Chat". Expect to get some insight from some of the most opinionated people I/we know.


Once we get rolling, there should be several updates per week; but don't be surprised if there are several a day.


This is going to be a work in progress; so please, bear with us. In time we'll have an updated layout/look - I just wanted to get us something to start with.


We have just under two weeks until Euro 2012 begins. So, let the games begin!