Just two days after their triumph in Kiev, Spain have turned their attentions to the 2012 Games with the Spanish federation naming a 22-man squad that must later be cut to 18.
The star name is Alba, who was Spain's first-choice left-back at Euro 2012 and proved to be one of the stars of the tournament ahead of his imminent move from Valencia to Barcelona.
Chelsea midfielder Mata - scorer of the fourth goal in the final victory over Italy - is joined in the squad by club-mate Oriol Romeu, who is a member of a hugely talented midfield that also includes Barcelona's Thiago Alcantara and Iker Muniain and Ander Herrera, two of the young players who impressed with Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League last season.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is also included, ensuring his preparations for the new domestic season will be disrupted.
wasnt there an agreement with the premier league that pearce wouldnt choose players that were at the euros? That would explain the lack of the likes of Carroll, Henderson, Ox etc
I'm heading down to Cardiff with some mates to watch Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B on the 4th of August (ie. hopefully Team GB v Switzerland). Spending the Friday and saturday night scouting for talent in Wales (mmmm welsh birds!) Will any addicks be joining me?
I'm heading down to Cardiff with some mates to watch Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B on the 4th of August (ie. hopefully Team GB v Switzerland). Spending the Friday and saturday night scouting for talent in Wales (mmmm welsh birds!) Will any addicks be joining me?
We won't win the group, but don't worry you'll get to see Suarez, Forlan and Cavani instead! ;-)
Brazil have included forwards Hulk, Neymar and Alexandre Pato in a strong squad for this summer's Olympic Games. Santos' Neymar has nine goals in 18 games for the senior team, while AC Milan's Pato and Porto's Hulk have also impressed for the full side. Hulk is one of three over-aged players along with defenders Marcelo (Real Madrid) and Thiago Silva (AC Milan). Coach Mano Menezes has also picked Manchester United defender Rafael and Tottenham midfielder Sandro. Hulk, 25, has scored three goals for the senior side since making his full debut in 2009 and the coach said he hoped the Porto player's experience would help his side. "He brings a lot of strength to the team," said Menezes. "His experience will be important in big matches, as well as his great ability to be decisive." Menezes has also selected several promising young stars such as Santos midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso, striker Leandro Damiao and midfielder Oscar (both Internacional) and Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas, all of whom have senior caps to their name. Brazil, who are aiming to win their first Olympic football title, have been drawn in Group C along with Egypt, Belarus and New Zealand. But before that they will play a warm-up friendly against Stuart Pearce's Team GB side at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium on 20 July. Goalkeepers: Rafael Cabral (Santos), Neto (Fiorentina) Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Rafael (Manchester United), Danilo (Porto), Alex Sandro (Porto), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Juan (Inter Milan), Bruno Uvini (Sao Paulo) Midfielders: Romulo (Vasco da Gama), Ganso (Santos), Oscar (Internacional), Sandro (Tottenham Hotspur), Lucas (Sao Paulo) Forwards: Neymar (Santos), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Hulk (Porto).
Ha ha the stupid Spanish and Brazillians think it's an important tournament. They should take a long hard look at how England rolls if they want success in the future.
They're in it to win it. Think we have a chance though... Our squad isn't yo be sniffed at.
Brazil are only putting everything into it because it's the only tournament they have never won. Infact, they're borderline obsessed about winning it from what I've read from Tim Vickery (fantastic South American football writer)
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"I have to be comfortable when I have made decisions based solely on football grounds alone, nothing else."
Now we know why Team GB won't be playing at The Valley.
;o)
The star name is Alba, who was Spain's first-choice left-back at Euro 2012 and proved to be one of the stars of the tournament ahead of his imminent move from Valencia to Barcelona.
Chelsea midfielder Mata - scorer of the fourth goal in the final victory over Italy - is joined in the squad by club-mate Oriol Romeu, who is a member of a hugely talented midfield that also includes Barcelona's Thiago Alcantara and Iker Muniain and Ander Herrera, two of the young players who impressed with Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League last season.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is also included, ensuring his preparations for the new domestic season will be disrupted.
Goalkeepers: De Gea (Manchester United), Robles (Atletico Madrid), Marino (Villarreal)
Defenders: Azpilicueta (Marseille), Alba (Valencia), Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Dominguez (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Montoya (Barcelona), Botia (Sporting Gijon), San Jose (Athletic Bilbao), Martinez (Real Sociedad)
Midfielders: Thiago (Barcelona), Herrera (Athletic Bilbao), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Romeu (Chelsea), Isco (Malaga), Mata (Chelsea), Muniain (Athletic Bilbao)
Forwards: Adrian (Atletico Madrid), Vasquez (Espanyol), Tello (Barcelona), Rodrigo (Benfica)
Brazil have included forwards Hulk, Neymar and Alexandre Pato in a strong squad for this summer's Olympic Games.
Santos' Neymar has nine goals in 18 games for the senior team, while AC Milan's Pato and Porto's Hulk have also impressed for the full side.
Hulk is one of three over-aged players along with defenders Marcelo (Real Madrid) and Thiago Silva (AC Milan).
Coach Mano Menezes has also picked Manchester United defender Rafael and Tottenham midfielder Sandro.
Hulk, 25, has scored three goals for the senior side since making his full debut in 2009 and the coach said he hoped the Porto player's experience would help his side.
"He brings a lot of strength to the team," said Menezes. "His experience will be important in big matches, as well as his great ability to be decisive."
Menezes has also selected several promising young stars such as Santos midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso, striker Leandro Damiao and midfielder Oscar (both Internacional) and Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas, all of whom have senior caps to their name.
Brazil, who are aiming to win their first Olympic football title, have been drawn in Group C along with Egypt, Belarus and New Zealand.
But before that they will play a warm-up friendly against Stuart Pearce's Team GB side at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium on 20 July.
Goalkeepers: Rafael Cabral (Santos), Neto (Fiorentina)
Defenders: Marcelo (Real Madrid), Rafael (Manchester United), Danilo (Porto), Alex Sandro (Porto), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Juan (Inter Milan), Bruno Uvini (Sao Paulo)
Midfielders: Romulo (Vasco da Gama), Ganso (Santos), Oscar (Internacional), Sandro (Tottenham Hotspur), Lucas (Sao Paulo)
Forwards: Neymar (Santos), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Leandro Damiao (Internacional), Hulk (Porto).
If so, what did Redknapp win in his 30-odd years of management ?
What has Lennie won ?
Think "useless" is out of order.
Obviously has time to change my opinion.