[1]Imagine those bleak, barren football-less summer months when starved football fans hibernate, some licking their wounds, some praying fervently for massive upheaval, some basking in the glory of championship success, but each one of them wishing the months would fly by and that August would arrive when a Community Shield match would be welcomed with tears of joy. No supporter loves periods without any consequential football action.
Imagine then an international break whose sole purpose is to separate the better chaff from the worse chaff. A play-off to decide which of the worst teams in Europe will make it through. A series of friendlies and play-off action awaits us this weekend, with keys matches including Turkey v Croatia, Czech Rep v Montenegro, Denmark v Sweden, France v USA, England v Spain and Germany v the Netherlands.
Fabio Capello has the unenviable task of taking his best for the summer tournament, to finally try and end England’s ignominy. There is, however, an abundance of talented youngsters, surprisingly for England, who will be looking to claim a seat to Poland and Ukraine. As is normal with the English though, the focus remains on Wayne Rooney and a silly red card. The re-follicled White Pele looks set to miss the group stage of the Championships, and, hence, given the English media, a scapegoat much earlier than the time they usually fabricate one. An appeal awaits, but it is probably time for Capello to start looking at alternatives.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/12fab2jpgcropdisplayjpg-638