The final international break of 2014 interrupts our enjoyment of club football this weekend, so we should take the opportunity to complain about it as loudly as possible, as this is our last chance until March.
Just imagine what will be in the headlines by that point…
Southampton feeling the pressure as a title seems imminent. The Kenny Dalglish revival post Brendan Rodgers has Liverpool surging away from the relegation zone. Messi on the mend while Suarez prepares for sentencing. Toronto FC’s new plan guarantees success according to President Joey Barton.
As much as we whine about it, at least Euro qualifying will offer up some genuinely compelling storylines over the next three days.
Friday programming alert: Watch Georgia vs Poland on the four main Sportsnet channels and Sportsnet World at 11:45 am ET, Scotland vs Ireland on the four main Sportsnet channels at 2:30 pm ET, Germany vs Gibraltar on Sportsnet World at 2:30 pm ET. || Also, watch these games online at Sportsnet World NOW: Serbia vs Denmark at 2:45 pm ET, Romania vs Northern Ireland at 2:45 pm ET, Hungary vs Finland at 2:45 pm ET, Greece vs Faroe Islands at 2:45 pm ET and Portugal vs Armenia at 2:45 pm ET.
Revolution or evolution with Spain?
Following a disastrous World Cup, the much-needed Spain revamp has spluttered along, with two wins and a loss so far. There hasn’t been wholesale change; instead, there’s been subtle tinkering by Vicente Del Bosque. However, after David De Gea was rightly given the gloves in a 4-0 win over Luxembourg last matchday, it’ll be interesting to see if he keeps them, or if Del Bosque gives Iker Casillas another shot?
Either way Spain will likely look hugely different this time out, with the following stars missing through either injury or retirement: Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Xavi and Xabi Alonso—and that’s just in midfield! Diego Costa is also out, which means Paco Alcacer may be afforded the chance to score in his third straight international match, as the sexy-club vulture’s circle the Valencia star.
Sweden calls up up John Guidetti
The Manchester City man has been living off a prolific spell at Feyenoord a couple of seasons back, but a failed stint at Stoke made people question whether he is the real deal or not. Ten goals in nine games while at loan for Celtic this season has turned some doubters into believers, but will he get a chance to show it internationally on Team Iba, er, I mean Sweden?
Last year Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticized Guidetti, suggesting he needs to spend less time talking to the media, and more time focusing on his football. This week Captain Amazing suggested that the message sunk in. Will Guidetti play on Saturday vs Montenegro? Will he partner Ibra? Oh my.
Saturday programming alert: Watch England vs Slovenia on the four main Sportsnet channels at 11:45 am ET, Luxembourg vs Ukraine on Sportsnet World at 11:45 am ET, Austria vs Russia on Sportsnet ONE at 11:45 am ET, Spain vs Belarus on the four main Sportsnet channels at 2:30 pm ET and Montenegro vs Sweden on Sportsnet World at 2:30 pm ET. || Also, watch these games online at Sportsnet World NOW: San Marino vs Estonia at noon ET, Moldova vs Liechtenstein at noon ET, Switzerland vs Lithuania at 2:45 pm ET and Macedonia vs Slovakia at 2:45 pm ET.
Wayne Rooney set to earn 100th cap
The English captain is six goals shy of Sir Bobby Charlton’s goal scoring record, prompting the question: will Rooney be considered an England great? Cynics suggest the answer is no; that he must first win something with England. I say that is complete nonsense. Let’s not hold him up and compare him to Sir Bobby and that special group of winners from 1966.
Rooney can still be great, can’t he? What did Paul Gascoigne win? Or Gary Lineker? Or Tony Adams? Nothing, but I consider them England greats. Of course they all enjoyed at least one very good tournament. Perhaps Rooney needs one great tournament to satisfy everyone, but he still has at least two tournaments left. It is such a subjective debate, but 43 goals and counting in 100 caps and counting is great in my books.
Sunday programming alert: Watch Netherlands vs Latvia on the four main Sportsnet channels at 11:45 am ET, Belgium v Wales on Sportsnet 360 at 11:45 am ET, Azerbaijan vs Norway on Sportsnet World at 11:45 am ET, Austria vs Russia on Sportsnet ONE at 11:45 am ET, Italy vs Croatia on the four main Sportsnet channels at 2:30 pm ET and Czech Republic vs Iceland on Sportsnet 360 at 2:30 pm ET, and Israel vs Bosnia on Sportsnet World at 2:30 pm ET. || Also, watch these games online at Sportsnet World NOW: Cyprus vs Andorra at noon ET, Bulgaria vs Malta at 2:45 pm ET and Turkey vs Kazakhstan at 2:45 pm ET.