U21s Euro Championship 2007

And Hoyte is just immense.

Tweedle wrote:$h!t. Portugal have a really strong midfield - easily the best of the under 21 championship IMO

+ they also have a very good defender in Da costa.

Belgium have also a quite good squad with a lot of young talents...I think they can surprise the world as well... It is strange no one voted for them....

I will be supporting Portugal(Nani) and Italy(Rossi).

Portugal v Italy would make a good final.

Hmm, Not much Feyenoord players in the U-21 squad. So im gonna pick another team to support! Let me see.....ISRAEL!!!

Come one

I have a feeling that it will be a semifinal!

Batman wrote:I will be supporting Portugal(Nani) and Italy(Rossi).

Portugal v Italy would make a good final.

all the other teams beware

enjoy T/S


TERRY'S A TV INSPIRATION

ENGLAND Under-21 vice-captain Steven Taylor packed a vital piece of kit as he flew to Holland yesterday - his John Terry DVD collection.

The Newcastle defender has amassed an inspirational collection of footage from England's senior skipper that could provide the psychological boost to ease him and the juniors to Euro 2007 glory.

Stuart Pearce's squad travelled to Arnhem yesterday to prepare for Monday's Group B opener against the Czech Republic.


And Taylor said: "I have DVDs of John Terry and I have watched and studied his game. That is what coaches have asked me to do and it has helped. He is a world-class defender.

"He is the key for Chelsea. When he doesn't play they are not the same side.

"I also look at how he copes with foreign players because you can see a lot of diving abroad.

"He is the main man with England, he is the top defender and that is why he is captain. His presence is huge. He has got everything. I hope I can get close to what he is like but I have a long way to go.

"I watch every game he plays on Match of the Day. You pick idols and he is definitely one I look up to."

If you were to cross Taylor with Terry you would get the perfect defender coater. If Taylor can get his positional play and consistency up there with Terrys, combined with his pace and passing ability, he'd be awesome.

If you were to cross Taylor with Terry you would get the perfect defender coater.

Well perfect is just a slight exaggeration but it would certainly be a good result

If Taylor can get his positional play and consistency up there with Terrys, combined with his pace and passing ability, he'd be awesome.

I just posted it because it will make T/S cringe

Terry has consistently improved that is great for England - But may he never get caught 1 v 1 against top players as he will always look like a beached whale flapping around aimlessly while they dribble easily around him.

The english bias again... I can't believe most people here think England are teh favourites to win....

Personally, I think there are 3 better teams than England...

Who here thinks England are the favourites bluey?

bluenine wrote:The english bias again... I can't believe most people here think England are teh favourites to win....

Personally, I think there are 3 better teams than England...

Who's talking about England as favourites?

England do have a very strong team and should be one of the favourites, i think that's what people are saying.

Also i doubt anyone can really say who is the favourite, it's not like senior level football where an England fan will watch Italy or Portugal etc. I doubt anyone takes an interest in other countries U21 teams.

Bentley responds to U21 criticism

Blackburn's David Bentley has defended withdrawing from the England Under-21 squad for this summer's European Championship's because of fatigue.

Bentley's commitment was questioned by boss Stuart Pearce after the move.

"I think it is for the betterment of my career," said Bentley, who is hoping to be selected for the senior squad for Euro 2008, should England qualify.

"I owe a lot to the Blackburn fans too and they are paying the money to watch me week-in and week-out."

Pearce will not be able to replace Bentley as a manager can only bring in another player if a withdrawal is because of injury.

Bentley told Pearce, who drafted the playmaker back into the U21 fold after taking the helm recently, of his decision in person.

"He was disappointed as a manager should be and I fully accept that it was a controversial decision," Bentley told Talksport.

"I love playing for England, I love my country; every time I step out on the pitch I give my all for anyone I play for.

"If you look at my under-21s career I have never not given my all for it.

"I had three decisions; the club could have pulled me out, I could have pulled myself out or I could have faked an injury.

"I am an honest lad, I'm not a robot and I wanted to give my decision and my opinion on it."

England's senior team boss, Steve McClaren, recommended Bentley should play after using the player as an unused squad member for the recent games against Brazil and Estonia.

"I look up to him and I have great respect for him but I have to listen to what my body is telling me," said Bentley.

Bentley sought the advice of members of the full England team about the effects of playing a summer tournament and says that had an influence on his decision.

"I've never come off a 60-game season and then gone straight into another one, I was alien to it.

"It wasn't a rash decision, I asked senior players at England 'what do you feel like come October or November?'.

"They said 'you hit a brick wall'. They also said 'if you want to be firing and you want to make a push for the European Championships next year then I really think you have got to think long and hard'."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/6737165.stm

Chickened out.

If he has a great season and is playing in euro 2008 i would say very smart decision

Apparently 16 of the 46 people who voted... more people think that England will win than any other team...

Its pointless doing a vote on this MB anymore... the english win everything

Tweedle wrote:Who here thinks England are the favourites bluey?

I'd be very surprised if England win it, or even get close with that numpty Pearce as manager.

bluenine wrote:Apparently 16 of the 46 people who voted... more people think that England will win than any other team...

Its pointless doing a vote on this MB anymore... the english win everything

Tweedle wrote:Who here thinks England are the favourites bluey?

It should be the Italians winning everything shouldn't it bluey, why doesn't everyone love italy? Italy are great, people are stupid. Forza Italy and everything Italian.

bluenine wrote:Apparently 16 of the 46 people who voted... more people think that England will win than any other team...

Its pointless doing a vote on this MB anymore... the english win everything

Tweedle wrote:Who here thinks England are the favourites bluey?

I hadn't voted yet so didn't realise.

But to be honest, an Englander would probably tick England just because, but realistically we know we aren't favourites

Kimbo wrote:

bluenine wrote:The english bias again... I can't believe most people here think England are teh favourites to win....

Personally, I think there are 3 better teams than England...

Who's talking about England as favourites?

England do have a very strong team and should be one of the favourites, i think that's what people are saying.

Also i doubt anyone can really say who is the favourite, it's not like senior level football where an England fan will watch Italy or Portugal etc. I doubt anyone takes an interest in other countries U21 teams.

The Dutch Pundits say England and Italy are the favourites...

Portugal or Italy, I think England has very good players but mentally they cannot win

L.r.d wrote:Portugal or Italy, I think England has very good players but mentally they cannot win

England and Italy are safer bets because they're in the weakest group.

In the Portugal-Belgium-Israel-Holland any two can make the semis : don't forget that Israel knocked out the favourites for the title (France) to even get to this endstage.

...however, I too expect Portugal to make it at least to the semis : they seem to be missing fewer starters than the other favorites and historically they've shown to be more mature at this age.

You kidding me?? Serbia has one of the best youth squads in europe and can go all the way.... Czechs are not too bad either.

I think Holland and Portugal have an easier job of making the semis than Italy or England....

It starts today!! Forza Azzurrini!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Axeslammer wrote:

L.r.d wrote:Portugal or Italy, I think England has very good players but mentally they cannot win

England and Italy are safer bets because they're in the weakest group.

In the Portugal-Belgium-Israel-Holland any two can make the semis : don't forget that Israel knocked out the favourites for the title (France) to even get to this endstage.

...however, I too expect Portugal to make it at least to the semis : they seem to be missing fewer starters than the other favorites and historically they've shown to be more mature at this age.

bluenine wrote:You kidding me?? Serbia has one of the best youth squads in europe and can go all the way.... Czechs are not too bad either.

I think Holland and Portugal have an easier job of making the semis than Italy or England....

It starts today!! Forza Azzurrini!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Serbia could indeed be a good squad, but they just lost a load of their "golden generation" players....it remains to be seen if they have another generation like that.

The Czechs are without their star players and don't have anything else to offer.

The Czechs will finish last in their group, that's 100% certain.

When is the first game?

Sunday, 10 June 2007
Holland U21 v Israel U21, 17:15
Portugal U21 v Belgium U21, 19:45


Monday, 11 June 2007
Czech Rep U21 v England U21, 17:15
Serbia U21 v Italy U21, 19:45


Wednesday, 13 June 2007
Holland U21 v Portugal U21, 19:45
Israel U21 v Belgium U21, 17:15


Thursday, 14 June 2007
Czech Rep U21 v Serbia U21, 17:15
England U21 v Italy U21, 19:45


Saturday, 16 June 2007
Belgium U21 v Holland U21, 19:45
Israel U21 v Portugal U21, 19:45

Holland vs Israel will be dire and I predict a 1-1

Belgium vs Portugal should be a cracker (in the Green Cathedral)

Bruins is the one that will be providing the magic for Holland!! Remember his name, Luigi Bruins

Fey wrote:Bruins is the one that will be providing the magic for Holland!! Remember his name, Luigi Bruins

You mean the one who won't play as a starter?

Since 1888 wrote:

Fey wrote:Bruins is the one that will be providing the magic for Holland!! Remember his name, Luigi Bruins

You mean the one who won't play as a starter?

Yup! Such he shame though, he is better version then VDV imo. Shame Foppe thinks otherwise.