As I did my research ahead of this weekend’s Euro 2016 qualifying, one story kept returning to me.
I couldn’t shake it, it was something that could potentially improve all our soccer lives for the better: Harry Redknapp is on Twitter! Brilliant, and already a must follow. Thanks ‘arry.
Back to Euro, and it has been quite the learning experience the past few days as I had forgotten much of what had happened in the first half of qualifying. It was also a reminder of just how bad some of these groups are, and how as much as UEFA have tried to guarantee the big nations qualify, there are one or two that really need to rediscover their form.
Friday programming alert: Watch Kazakhstan vs. Turkey on Sportsnet and Sportsnet World at 11:30 am ET, Croatia vs. Italy on Sportsnet at 2:30 pm ET, Wales vs. Belgium on Sportsnet ONE at 2:30 pm ET and Latvia vs. Netherlands on Sportsnet World at 2:30 pm ET. || Watch these games online at Sportsnet World NOW Iceland vs. Czech Republic at 2:45 pm ET, Andorra vs. Cyrpus at 2:45 pm ET, Bosnia vs. Israel at 2:45 pm ET, Norway vs. Azerbaijan at 2:45 pm ET and Malta vs. Bulgaria at 2:45 pm ET.
One country in particular is the Netherlands, as they find themselves five points back of second placed Iceland in Group A. An away contest in Latvia is the next challenge for the Dutch, and that comes with some worry, as Latvia, despite being an also ran, can cause difficulties—they previously drew both Turkey and the Czech Republic.
Guus Hiddink’s side is a confounding one. It appeared as though the successful 2010 World Cup was a transitional tournament, as the aging stars bid farewell to starting roles. Yet here we are a year later and Robin Van Persie, Klaas Jan-Huntelaar and Wesley Sneijder continue as key components. Memphis Depay is the latest Dutch star of the future following his move to Manchester United; Red Devils fans here is a chance to see what you are getting.
Italy sits two points behind Group H leaders Croatia, and these two will meet in an empty stadium after the continued abhorrent behaviour by a group of Croatian supporters in a previous game led to a ban. It is too often over recent months that we have been forced to watch games in such strange environments at both international and club level. Michel Platini is worried that we are returning to the dark days of the 1980s. I would suggest that if Platini was really concerned he would be offering more severe punishments for repeat offenders than just stadium bans.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Ireland vs. Scotland on Sportsnet ONE at 11:45 am ET, Armenia vs. Portugal on Sportsnet World at 11:45 am ET, Gibraltar vs. Germany on Sportsnet ONE at 2:30 pm ET and Northern Ireland vs. Romania on Sportsnet World at 2:30 pm ET. || Watch these games online at Sportsnet World NOW Poland vs. Georgia at noon ET, Finland vs. Hungary at noon ET, Albania vs. France at noon ET, Faore Islands vs. Greece at 2:45 pm ET and Denmark vs. Serbia at 2:45 pm ET.
As for Italy, I look at this squad and I ask myself where is the wow factor? Solid enough, and good enough to qualify, likely good enough to get past the group stage, but contenders for the title? They could use a little creative inspiration. I am not suggesting Sebastian Giovinco is the solution, but within this squad surely he would provide Italy something different off the bench, some true attacking verve?
Speaking with Toronto FC GM Tim Bezbatchenko last week, he told me a Seba call-up would be extremely important for MLS and its marketability in Europe. I agree wholeheartedly, but at the same time acknowledging that the lack of a call-up for a player in this type of form is a massive kick to the gut for MLS. If Giovinco cannot earn a call-up playing this well in MLS, then why bother?
England? It has been on cruise control so far in qualifying, and the weakness of the group means that as usual the team will enter a major championship on a good run, but with really no barometer as to how good it really is. There is a chance that Wayne Rooney will pull even with Sir Bobby Charlton’s record for the country—he currently sits two back of the great mans 49 international goals.
Rooney is back in the goals for his country, and enjoyed what I thought was an impressive and selfless season at Manchester United. If he breaks the record on Sunday, prepare yourself for the inevitable columns and commentary comparing the standard of competition Rooney has faced for England versus that of Sir Bobby. People will use this to criticize Rooney. Ridiculous.
For all of his shortcomings, Rooney gives his all for England. Yes, he has come up short at Euros and World Cups, and perhaps he has not reached the heights we thought he would following that brilliant breakout at Euro 2004.
But let’s all ask this question: if it wasn’t Rooney plundering his 47 international goals, who would it have been?
Sunday programming alert: Watch Slovenia vs. England on Sportsnet ONE at 11:45 am ET, Russia vs. Austria on Sportsnet 360 at 11:45 am ET, Ukraine vs. Luxembourg on Sportsnet World at 11:45 am ET, Belarus vs. Spain on Sportsnet 360 at 2:30 pm ET and Slovakia vs. Macedonia on Sportsnet World at 2:30 pm ET. || Watch these games online at Sportsnet World NOW Liechtenstein vs. Moldova at noon ET, Estonia vs. San Marino at noon ET, Sweden vs. Montengero at 2:45 pm ET and Lithuania vs. Switzerland at 2:45 pm ET.