The home of football sarcasm
Monday, 17 May 2010
Nurnberg survive play-off
The final Bundesliga table sent Nurnberg to the last-chance saloon that is the relegation play-off with Augsburg with the hope of retaining Bundesliga status for next season. Last Thursday, a late Christian Eigler goal gave Nurnberg a 1-0 lead from their home leg to take and, half an hour into the second leg, Ilkayi Gundogan doubled the lead. Augbsburg's hopes took a nosedive when Ibrahima Traore was sent off and Eric Choupo-Moting struck a second - third overall - from the penalty spot.
Utrecht make it to Europe, Sparta relegated
Leading 2-0 from the first leg of the Europa League play-offs, Utrecht battered Roda JC to make it to Europe. Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Jacob Mulenga both got two either side of Davy de Fauw's red card. Mads Junker did get one for Roda in between van Wolfswinkel's strikes, but they were hopelessly outplayed and Utrecht completed a 6-1 aggregate win, good reward for a solid season.
In the relegation/promotion play-offs, Willem II retained their Eredivisie status but Sparta are relegated. The first legs were last Thursday where Sparta were held 0-0 by Excelsior and Go Ahead Eagles took a 1-0 lead against the Tilburgers. Franck Demouge levelled the tie up midway through the first half of the second leg on Sunday and so it remained at full-time, necessitating extra time during which Mehmet Akgun struck twice to save Willem II's top flight status. After that goalless first leg, the second at Het Kasteel looked destined to go the same way until Rydell Poepon grabbed what looked like a winner in second half stoppage time. The celebrations were cut short as Excelsior went straight up the other end and Guyon Fernandez silenced the crowd with an immediate reply which send Excelsior to the Eredivisie on away goals.
In the relegation/promotion play-offs, Willem II retained their Eredivisie status but Sparta are relegated. The first legs were last Thursday where Sparta were held 0-0 by Excelsior and Go Ahead Eagles took a 1-0 lead against the Tilburgers. Franck Demouge levelled the tie up midway through the first half of the second leg on Sunday and so it remained at full-time, necessitating extra time during which Mehmet Akgun struck twice to save Willem II's top flight status. After that goalless first leg, the second at Het Kasteel looked destined to go the same way until Rydell Poepon grabbed what looked like a winner in second half stoppage time. The celebrations were cut short as Excelsior went straight up the other end and Guyon Fernandez silenced the crowd with an immediate reply which send Excelsior to the Eredivisie on away goals.
Blanc quits Bordeaux with a loss: Ligue 1 reviews
Marseille 2-0 Grenoble
Nancy 1-1 Valenciennes
PSG 1-3 Montpellier
Lyon 2-0 Le Mans
Lorient 2-1 Lille
Nice 1-1 St Etienne
Toulouse 0-0 Monaco
Lens 4-3 Bordeaux
Sochaux 1-2 Auxerre
Boulogne 1-0 Rennes
Football's worst kept secret - that Laurent Blanc would succeed Raymond Domenech as coach of Les Bleus after the World Cup - was confirmed as being true after Bordeaux's Ligue 1 campaign came to an end on Saturday night. It sums up the season Les Girondins have had that it came in a seven goal thriller with three penalties, an own goal and an early sending off. Michael Ciani was the recipient of that red card in just the sixth minute as he went over the top of the ball in a challenge on Issam Jemaa. It took quarter of an hour for Lens to take advantage when Toifilou Maoulida headed in. Samba Sow made it two, but Wendel slammed in a penalty just before the break to pull one back after Henri Bedimo pulled Marouane Chamakh down in the box. And it was level shortly after the restart, Bedimo's afternoon getting no better as he turned in Wendel's free-kick. Jemaa restored the lead from the penalty spot and Maoulida added a fourth just after the hour. Wendel's second penalty ten minutes from time made for a grandstand finish, but Lens held out.
That means Bordeaux don't make it to Europe at all with Montpellier's fifth-placed finish enough to get them a Europa League spot given cup final results. They secured this with a 3-1 win over PSG (also in the Europa League thanks to their Coupe de France win) with Geoffrey Dernis getting two to close out a great year for the side promoted twelve months ago. Lille join them in the Europa League after finishing fourth, slipping from the Champions League places as they went down to Lorient. Ricardo Costa put Lille ahead, but Kevin Gameiro equalised before the break. Yohan Cabaye missed a penalty which would have put Lille back in charge and Yann Jouffre made them pay in the second half.
Cedric Hengbart got two for Auxerre as they beat ten-man Sochaux, his second coming in stoppage time to claim third place and Champions League football. Lyon were comfortable against Le Mans in winning 2-0, Bafetimbi Gomis and Miralem Pjanic ensuring second place and a Champions League group stage place. Marseille closed out their championship with a 2-0 win over Grenoble, Mamadou Niang and Hatem Ben Arfa on target as the party began at the Vélodrome.
Boulogne were relegated ages ago, but did manage to end with a win, Gregory Thil with an early penalty to beat Rennes. Toulouse and Monaco ended goalless and there were 1-1 draws for Nancy and Valenciennes - Youssouf Hadji with Nancy's goal and a late red card on an eventful evening for the Moroccan - and for Nice and St Etienne.
And that's your lot for Ligue 1 this season which just leaves our Ligue 1 team of the season, in a 4-4-2 style:
Hugo Lloris (Lyon); Cedric Hengbart (Auxerre), Souleymane Diawara (Marseille), Adama Coulibaly (Auxerre), Taye Taiwo (Marseille); Yohan Cabaye (Lille), Miralem Pjanic (Lyon), Wendel (Bordeaux), Eden Hazard (Lille); Mamadou Niang (Marseille), Lisandro Lopez (Lyon).
Mentions for: Steve Mandanda, Lucho Gonzalez, Hatem Ben Arfa (all Marseille), Gervinho, Pierre-Alain Frau (both Lille), Victor Montano (Montpellier), Park Chu-Young (Monaco).
Nancy 1-1 Valenciennes
PSG 1-3 Montpellier
Lyon 2-0 Le Mans
Lorient 2-1 Lille
Nice 1-1 St Etienne
Toulouse 0-0 Monaco
Lens 4-3 Bordeaux
Sochaux 1-2 Auxerre
Boulogne 1-0 Rennes
Football's worst kept secret - that Laurent Blanc would succeed Raymond Domenech as coach of Les Bleus after the World Cup - was confirmed as being true after Bordeaux's Ligue 1 campaign came to an end on Saturday night. It sums up the season Les Girondins have had that it came in a seven goal thriller with three penalties, an own goal and an early sending off. Michael Ciani was the recipient of that red card in just the sixth minute as he went over the top of the ball in a challenge on Issam Jemaa. It took quarter of an hour for Lens to take advantage when Toifilou Maoulida headed in. Samba Sow made it two, but Wendel slammed in a penalty just before the break to pull one back after Henri Bedimo pulled Marouane Chamakh down in the box. And it was level shortly after the restart, Bedimo's afternoon getting no better as he turned in Wendel's free-kick. Jemaa restored the lead from the penalty spot and Maoulida added a fourth just after the hour. Wendel's second penalty ten minutes from time made for a grandstand finish, but Lens held out.
That means Bordeaux don't make it to Europe at all with Montpellier's fifth-placed finish enough to get them a Europa League spot given cup final results. They secured this with a 3-1 win over PSG (also in the Europa League thanks to their Coupe de France win) with Geoffrey Dernis getting two to close out a great year for the side promoted twelve months ago. Lille join them in the Europa League after finishing fourth, slipping from the Champions League places as they went down to Lorient. Ricardo Costa put Lille ahead, but Kevin Gameiro equalised before the break. Yohan Cabaye missed a penalty which would have put Lille back in charge and Yann Jouffre made them pay in the second half.
Cedric Hengbart got two for Auxerre as they beat ten-man Sochaux, his second coming in stoppage time to claim third place and Champions League football. Lyon were comfortable against Le Mans in winning 2-0, Bafetimbi Gomis and Miralem Pjanic ensuring second place and a Champions League group stage place. Marseille closed out their championship with a 2-0 win over Grenoble, Mamadou Niang and Hatem Ben Arfa on target as the party began at the Vélodrome.
Boulogne were relegated ages ago, but did manage to end with a win, Gregory Thil with an early penalty to beat Rennes. Toulouse and Monaco ended goalless and there were 1-1 draws for Nancy and Valenciennes - Youssouf Hadji with Nancy's goal and a late red card on an eventful evening for the Moroccan - and for Nice and St Etienne.
And that's your lot for Ligue 1 this season which just leaves our Ligue 1 team of the season, in a 4-4-2 style:
Hugo Lloris (Lyon); Cedric Hengbart (Auxerre), Souleymane Diawara (Marseille), Adama Coulibaly (Auxerre), Taye Taiwo (Marseille); Yohan Cabaye (Lille), Miralem Pjanic (Lyon), Wendel (Bordeaux), Eden Hazard (Lille); Mamadou Niang (Marseille), Lisandro Lopez (Lyon).
Mentions for: Steve Mandanda, Lucho Gonzalez, Hatem Ben Arfa (all Marseille), Gervinho, Pierre-Alain Frau (both Lille), Victor Montano (Montpellier), Park Chu-Young (Monaco).
Friday, 14 May 2010
Ligue 1 round 38
Lyon 3-0 Monaco
Ahead of the final round of fixtures, Lyon and Monaco had one game to catch up on and Lyon won it comfortably to move into third and the Champions League places. Miralem Pjanic put them ahead in the first half and Bafetimbi Gomis made it two three minutes into the second. Lisandro Lopez sealed it with a third late on, but it could have been a lot more were it not for the heroics of Stephane Ruffier in the Monaco goal.
Marseille v Grenoble
Nancy v Valenciennes
PSG v Montpellier
Lyon v Le Mans
Lorient v Lille
Nice v St Etienne
Toulouse v Monaco
Lens v Bordeaux
Sochaux v Auxerre
Boulogne v Rennes
So to the final round and the major things are wrapped up already. We know Marseille are champions and they take on bottom placed Grenoble. That should be a cakewalk for OM as they celebrate the championship in front of their own fans. Le Mans and Boulogne are joining Grenoble down in Ligue 2 next season, but, while Boulogne finish at home to Rennes, Le Mans will be involved in one of the few remaining battles on final day. They take on Lyon, desperate for a return to the Champions League which was so kind to them this season. It's hard to see Le Mans upsetting Les Gones which throws the onus back onto Lille. They sit second at the moment, but could miss out altogether should they fail to bit Lorient and Auxerre beat Sochaux. Montpellier can still make it, but need results to go their way in a big style given their relatively poor goal difference. The Europa League is a more realistic target, but they'll still need to beat PSG in the capital to get there.
Everyone else is jockeying for position and the prize money associated with a superior finishing position. Bordeaux can't even make Europe now and finish aganist Lens. Nice and St Etienne have been battling each other all season long in their desperate bids to stay up. Both were successful, eventually, and they end squaring up to each other. Valenciennes go to Nancy and Toulouse end a disappointing campaign at home to Monaco, equally underachieving this season.
Coming up from Ligue 2 are Caen, making an immediate return, and Brest, while the third promotion place is a straight fight between Arles and Metz. Arles hold the place by a point, so Metz need to better Arles' result. Metz take on 16th-placed Vannes while Arles are at home to fifth-placed Clermont.
Ahead of the final round of fixtures, Lyon and Monaco had one game to catch up on and Lyon won it comfortably to move into third and the Champions League places. Miralem Pjanic put them ahead in the first half and Bafetimbi Gomis made it two three minutes into the second. Lisandro Lopez sealed it with a third late on, but it could have been a lot more were it not for the heroics of Stephane Ruffier in the Monaco goal.
Marseille v Grenoble
Nancy v Valenciennes
PSG v Montpellier
Lyon v Le Mans
Lorient v Lille
Nice v St Etienne
Toulouse v Monaco
Lens v Bordeaux
Sochaux v Auxerre
Boulogne v Rennes
So to the final round and the major things are wrapped up already. We know Marseille are champions and they take on bottom placed Grenoble. That should be a cakewalk for OM as they celebrate the championship in front of their own fans. Le Mans and Boulogne are joining Grenoble down in Ligue 2 next season, but, while Boulogne finish at home to Rennes, Le Mans will be involved in one of the few remaining battles on final day. They take on Lyon, desperate for a return to the Champions League which was so kind to them this season. It's hard to see Le Mans upsetting Les Gones which throws the onus back onto Lille. They sit second at the moment, but could miss out altogether should they fail to bit Lorient and Auxerre beat Sochaux. Montpellier can still make it, but need results to go their way in a big style given their relatively poor goal difference. The Europa League is a more realistic target, but they'll still need to beat PSG in the capital to get there.
Everyone else is jockeying for position and the prize money associated with a superior finishing position. Bordeaux can't even make Europe now and finish aganist Lens. Nice and St Etienne have been battling each other all season long in their desperate bids to stay up. Both were successful, eventually, and they end squaring up to each other. Valenciennes go to Nancy and Toulouse end a disappointing campaign at home to Monaco, equally underachieving this season.
Coming up from Ligue 2 are Caen, making an immediate return, and Brest, while the third promotion place is a straight fight between Arles and Metz. Arles hold the place by a point, so Metz need to better Arles' result. Metz take on 16th-placed Vannes while Arles are at home to fifth-placed Clermont.
Thursday, 13 May 2010
World Cup round-up
We've highlighted the squads from the nations whose leagues we cover here on Euroballs, plus our team for the tournament, Slovenia. Now let's have a look at the other European nations making the trek down to South Africa in just under a month's time.
Greece
Otto Rehhagel names Christos Patsatzoglou and Giorgos Seitaridis despite them both missing huge chunks of the campaign with injury. Ten players make the cut from Panathinaikos and there are nine players based overseas including Celtic striker Giorgos Samaras and Hertha's Theofanis Gekas who got ten goals in qualifying. The team's preparations continue in the wonderfully named Swiss town of Bad Ragaz. Great band. Got all their albums.
Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika)
Defenders: Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK Salonika), Giorgos Tzavellas (Panionios), Kostas Manolas (AEK Athens), Giorgos Galitsios (Olympiakos), Stergos Marinos (Panathinaikos)
Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Grigoris Makos (AEK Athens), Sakis Prittas (Aris Salonika), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Panathinaikos);
Forwards: Angelos Charisteas (Nurnberg), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic), Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos).
England
England boss Fabio Capello has major injury concerns over midfielder Gareth Barry and has opted to go back to the future elsewhere. Jamie Carragher makes a return to international football having previously retired while Paul Scholes has turned down a request to end his international retirement. David Beckham is injured, but will go with the squad in a coaching role while Tottenham's achievement in reaching the Champions League sees six of their players called up. Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone are new faces while Ledley King, whose chronic knee problems mean he can't play twice in a week, is also included. It's a risk. Adam Johnson, the exciting young winger Manchester City picked up from Middlesbrough, is also rewarded for a string of eye-catching displays.
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester Utd), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester Utd), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Spurs), James Milner (Aston Villa), Scott Parker (West Ham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City)
Forwards: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
Serbia
The familiar face of Radi Antic takes Serbia into the World Cup finals and he's named a strong squad. Six English-based players are in, led by the imposing figure of Nemanja Vidic who will partner the in-demand Neven Subotic at centre back. Zoran Tosic, on loan at Cologne from Manchester United for much of the season, is rewarded for his form in the Bundesliga while Ajax's Miralem Sulejmani gets in despite being relegated to the fringes in Amsterdam. His club-mate Marko Pantelic will lead the line alongside the giant Nikola Zigic. Milos Krasic leads a tasty looking midfield.
Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic (Wigan), Zeljko Brkic (Vojvodina Novi Sad), Bojan Isailovic (Cukaricki Belgrade), Andjelko Djuricic (Leiria)
Defenders: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Antonio Rukavina (1860 Munich), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Ivan Obradovic (Zaragoza), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio)
Midfielders: Dejan Stankovic (Internazionale), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscow), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege), Milos Ninkovic (Dynamo Kiev), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Stuttgart), Zoran Tosic (Manchester United), Miralem Sulejmani (Ajax), Gojko Kacar (Hertha), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea), Radosav Petrovic (Partizan Belgrade)
Forwards: Nikola Zigic (Valencia), Marko Pantelic (Ajax), Danko Lazovic (Zenit St Petersburg), Dragan Mrdja (Vojvodina), Dejan Lekic (Crvena Zvezda).
Denmark
The big doubt for Morten Olsen is the fitness or otherwise of keeper Tomas Sorensen who dislocated his elbow playing for Stoke City in the Premier League run-in. Olsen says he's confident that Sorensen will be fit enough, but he has plenty of back-up if needed. Simon Kjaer is very much in-demand and won't hurt his chances of a move with a decent finals and the exciting youngster Christian Eriksen of Ajax lights up a fairly stoic midfield. There's space for veterans too, Jesper Gronkjaer, Dennis Rommedahl and Jon-Dahl Tomasson all included.
Goalkeepers: Jesper Christiansen (FC Copenhagen), Kim Christensen (IFK Gothenburg), Stephan Andersen (Brondby), Tomas Sorensen (Stoke City)
Defenders: Daniel Agger (Liverpool), Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn), Patrick Mtiliga (Malaga), Per Kroldrup (Fiorentina), Simon Busk Poulsen (AZ), Simon Kjaer (Palermo), William Kvist (FC Copenhagen)
Midfielders: Christian Poulsen (Juventus), Christian Eriksen (Ajax), Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen), Jakob Poulsen (AGF Aarhus), Michael Silberbauer (FC Utrecht), Mikkel Beckmann (Randers), Thomas Enevoldsen (FC Groningen), Thomas Kahlenberg (Wolfsburg), Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax), Jesper Gronkjaer (FC Copenhagen)
Forwards: Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord), Martin Jorgensen (AGF Aarhus), Michael Krohn-Dehli (Brondby), Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal), Soren Larsen (Duisburg).
Slovakia
Vladimir Weiss takes a punt on injured trio Martin Skrtel, Filip Holosko and Robert Vittek in his initial World Cup squad. Skrtel broke a bone in his foot and hasn't played for three months, Holosko is just making his way back from a broken leg and Vittek has missed much of the latter part of the Turkish season with a knee problem. Holosko and Vittek form half the strikers at Weiss's disposal, so it's crucial they get fit in time. The coach's son, also Vladimir, gets the nod after a successful loan spell at Bolton from his parent club Manchester City. There are some special players in here: Marek Hamsik, Miroslav Stoch and Marek Cech have all had great years. This is a side that will prove tough to beat.
Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Legia Warszava), Dusan Kuciak (Vaslui), Lubos Kamenar (Nantes), Dusan Pernis (Dundee United)
Defenders: Peter Pekarik (Wolfsburg), Martin Petras (Cesena), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Lubomir Michalik (Leeds), Jan Durica (Hannover), Radoslav Zabavnik (Mainz), Marek Cech (West Brom), Tomas Lubocan (Zenit St Petersburg), Kornel Salate (Slovan Bratislava)
Midfielders: Kamil Kopunek (Spartak Trnava), Jan Kozak (Timisoara), Juraj Kucka (Sparta Praha), Miroslav Karhan (Mainz), Marek Sapara (Ankaragucu), Mario Pecalka (Zilina), Stanislav Sestak (Bochum), Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City), Miroslav Stoch (Chelsea), Dusan Svento (Salzburg), Zdeno Strba (Xanthi)
Forwards: Erik Jendrisek (Schalke), Robert Vittek (Ankaragucu), Martin Jakubko (Saturn Moscow), Filip Holosko (Besiktas)
Switzerland
Ottmar Hitzfeld includes Philippe Senderos despite him having indifferent times while out on loan at Milan and Everton over the last couple of years, but there's no place for fellow Gunner Johann Djourou, just back after eight months out with a knee injury. It's largely the group of players that guided Switzerland through qualification, but 18-year old Kosovo-born winger Xherdan Shaqiri gets a surprise nod. Blaise N'Kufo leads the line in what will surely be his last tournament, the 36-year old is due to link up with Seattle Sounders after the tournament. The supply will largely come from Tranquillo Barnetta while Diego Benaglio will be among the top goalkeepers at the finals.
Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Johnny Leoni (Zurich), Marco Wolfli (Young Boys).
Defenders: Mario Eggimann (Hannover), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lazio), Philippe Senderos (Arsenal), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt), Steve Von Bergen (Hertha), Reto Ziegler (Sampdoria).
Midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta (Leverkusen), Valon Behrami (West Ham), Gelson Fernandes (St Etienne), Benjamin Huggel (Basle), Gokhan Inler (Udinese), Marco Padalino (Sampdoria), Pirmin Schwegler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Xherdan Shaqiri (Basle).
Forwards: Eren Derdiyok (Leverkusen), Alexander Frei (Basle), Blaise Nkufo (FC Twente), Marco Streller (Basle), Hakan Yakin (Lucerne).
Greece
Otto Rehhagel names Christos Patsatzoglou and Giorgos Seitaridis despite them both missing huge chunks of the campaign with injury. Ten players make the cut from Panathinaikos and there are nine players based overseas including Celtic striker Giorgos Samaras and Hertha's Theofanis Gekas who got ten goals in qualifying. The team's preparations continue in the wonderfully named Swiss town of Bad Ragaz. Great band. Got all their albums.
Goalkeepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika)
Defenders: Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK Salonika), Giorgos Tzavellas (Panionios), Kostas Manolas (AEK Athens), Giorgos Galitsios (Olympiakos), Stergos Marinos (Panathinaikos)
Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Grigoris Makos (AEK Athens), Sakis Prittas (Aris Salonika), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Panathinaikos);
Forwards: Angelos Charisteas (Nurnberg), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic), Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos).
England
England boss Fabio Capello has major injury concerns over midfielder Gareth Barry and has opted to go back to the future elsewhere. Jamie Carragher makes a return to international football having previously retired while Paul Scholes has turned down a request to end his international retirement. David Beckham is injured, but will go with the squad in a coaching role while Tottenham's achievement in reaching the Champions League sees six of their players called up. Michael Dawson and Tom Huddlestone are new faces while Ledley King, whose chronic knee problems mean he can't play twice in a week, is also included. It's a risk. Adam Johnson, the exciting young winger Manchester City picked up from Middlesbrough, is also rewarded for a string of eye-catching displays.
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester Utd), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester Utd), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Spurs), James Milner (Aston Villa), Scott Parker (West Ham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City)
Forwards: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
Serbia
The familiar face of Radi Antic takes Serbia into the World Cup finals and he's named a strong squad. Six English-based players are in, led by the imposing figure of Nemanja Vidic who will partner the in-demand Neven Subotic at centre back. Zoran Tosic, on loan at Cologne from Manchester United for much of the season, is rewarded for his form in the Bundesliga while Ajax's Miralem Sulejmani gets in despite being relegated to the fringes in Amsterdam. His club-mate Marko Pantelic will lead the line alongside the giant Nikola Zigic. Milos Krasic leads a tasty looking midfield.
Goalkeepers: Vladimir Stojkovic (Wigan), Zeljko Brkic (Vojvodina Novi Sad), Bojan Isailovic (Cukaricki Belgrade), Andjelko Djuricic (Leiria)
Defenders: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Antonio Rukavina (1860 Munich), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Lukovic (Udinese), Ivan Obradovic (Zaragoza), Aleksandar Kolarov (Lazio)
Midfielders: Dejan Stankovic (Internazionale), Nenad Milijas (Wolverhampton), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscow), Milan Jovanovic (Standard Liege), Milos Ninkovic (Dynamo Kiev), Zdravko Kuzmanovic (Stuttgart), Zoran Tosic (Manchester United), Miralem Sulejmani (Ajax), Gojko Kacar (Hertha), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea), Radosav Petrovic (Partizan Belgrade)
Forwards: Nikola Zigic (Valencia), Marko Pantelic (Ajax), Danko Lazovic (Zenit St Petersburg), Dragan Mrdja (Vojvodina), Dejan Lekic (Crvena Zvezda).
Denmark
The big doubt for Morten Olsen is the fitness or otherwise of keeper Tomas Sorensen who dislocated his elbow playing for Stoke City in the Premier League run-in. Olsen says he's confident that Sorensen will be fit enough, but he has plenty of back-up if needed. Simon Kjaer is very much in-demand and won't hurt his chances of a move with a decent finals and the exciting youngster Christian Eriksen of Ajax lights up a fairly stoic midfield. There's space for veterans too, Jesper Gronkjaer, Dennis Rommedahl and Jon-Dahl Tomasson all included.
Goalkeepers: Jesper Christiansen (FC Copenhagen), Kim Christensen (IFK Gothenburg), Stephan Andersen (Brondby), Tomas Sorensen (Stoke City)
Defenders: Daniel Agger (Liverpool), Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn), Patrick Mtiliga (Malaga), Per Kroldrup (Fiorentina), Simon Busk Poulsen (AZ), Simon Kjaer (Palermo), William Kvist (FC Copenhagen)
Midfielders: Christian Poulsen (Juventus), Christian Eriksen (Ajax), Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen), Jakob Poulsen (AGF Aarhus), Michael Silberbauer (FC Utrecht), Mikkel Beckmann (Randers), Thomas Enevoldsen (FC Groningen), Thomas Kahlenberg (Wolfsburg), Dennis Rommedahl (Ajax), Jesper Gronkjaer (FC Copenhagen)
Forwards: Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord), Martin Jorgensen (AGF Aarhus), Michael Krohn-Dehli (Brondby), Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal), Soren Larsen (Duisburg).
Slovakia
Vladimir Weiss takes a punt on injured trio Martin Skrtel, Filip Holosko and Robert Vittek in his initial World Cup squad. Skrtel broke a bone in his foot and hasn't played for three months, Holosko is just making his way back from a broken leg and Vittek has missed much of the latter part of the Turkish season with a knee problem. Holosko and Vittek form half the strikers at Weiss's disposal, so it's crucial they get fit in time. The coach's son, also Vladimir, gets the nod after a successful loan spell at Bolton from his parent club Manchester City. There are some special players in here: Marek Hamsik, Miroslav Stoch and Marek Cech have all had great years. This is a side that will prove tough to beat.
Goalkeepers: Jan Mucha (Legia Warszava), Dusan Kuciak (Vaslui), Lubos Kamenar (Nantes), Dusan Pernis (Dundee United)
Defenders: Peter Pekarik (Wolfsburg), Martin Petras (Cesena), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Lubomir Michalik (Leeds), Jan Durica (Hannover), Radoslav Zabavnik (Mainz), Marek Cech (West Brom), Tomas Lubocan (Zenit St Petersburg), Kornel Salate (Slovan Bratislava)
Midfielders: Kamil Kopunek (Spartak Trnava), Jan Kozak (Timisoara), Juraj Kucka (Sparta Praha), Miroslav Karhan (Mainz), Marek Sapara (Ankaragucu), Mario Pecalka (Zilina), Stanislav Sestak (Bochum), Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Vladimir Weiss (Manchester City), Miroslav Stoch (Chelsea), Dusan Svento (Salzburg), Zdeno Strba (Xanthi)
Forwards: Erik Jendrisek (Schalke), Robert Vittek (Ankaragucu), Martin Jakubko (Saturn Moscow), Filip Holosko (Besiktas)
Switzerland
Ottmar Hitzfeld includes Philippe Senderos despite him having indifferent times while out on loan at Milan and Everton over the last couple of years, but there's no place for fellow Gunner Johann Djourou, just back after eight months out with a knee injury. It's largely the group of players that guided Switzerland through qualification, but 18-year old Kosovo-born winger Xherdan Shaqiri gets a surprise nod. Blaise N'Kufo leads the line in what will surely be his last tournament, the 36-year old is due to link up with Seattle Sounders after the tournament. The supply will largely come from Tranquillo Barnetta while Diego Benaglio will be among the top goalkeepers at the finals.
Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg), Johnny Leoni (Zurich), Marco Wolfli (Young Boys).
Defenders: Mario Eggimann (Hannover), Stephane Grichting (Auxerre), Stephan Lichtsteiner (Lazio), Philippe Senderos (Arsenal), Christoph Spycher (Eintracht Frankfurt), Steve Von Bergen (Hertha), Reto Ziegler (Sampdoria).
Midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta (Leverkusen), Valon Behrami (West Ham), Gelson Fernandes (St Etienne), Benjamin Huggel (Basle), Gokhan Inler (Udinese), Marco Padalino (Sampdoria), Pirmin Schwegler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Xherdan Shaqiri (Basle).
Forwards: Eren Derdiyok (Leverkusen), Alexander Frei (Basle), Blaise Nkufo (FC Twente), Marco Streller (Basle), Hakan Yakin (Lucerne).
Kek keeps the faith
Slovenia boss Matjaz Kek has kept faith with the core of the squad which qualified for just their second World Cup finals. That means no late call-up for Newcastle youngster Harris Vuckic and former skipper Klemen Lavric.
It's no surprise that the squad is made up from players from all corners of the European footballing world and beyond. The German Bundesliga supplies the main source of goals, Bochum's Zlatko Dedic got the crucial goal which saw them past Russia in the play-offs and Milivoje Novakovic of Cologne will partner him. Tim Matavz, currently with Groningen in the Netherlands, keeps that pair on their toes.
Robert Koren won promotion to the Premier League in England with West Brom and spearheads the midfield threat while the defence is led by Bostjan Cesar who was relegated from the top flight in France with Grenoble, but shone in a very poor side.
Given that they were the only side to emerge as non-seeds from the rigged play-offs in UEFA qualifying, Slovenia are the side Euroballs will be backing in South Africa and we've got the betting slip in the office desk drawer to prove it.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese, Italy), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova, Italy), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Jan Koprivec (Udinese, Italy)
Defenders: Bojan Jokic (Chievo, Italy), Marko Suler (Gent, Belgium), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble, France), Branko Ilic (FC Moscow, Russia), Matej Mavric-Rozic (Koblenz, Germany), Dejan Kelhar (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Elvedin Dzinic (Maribor, Slovenia), Miso Brecko (Cologne, Germany), Aleksandar Rajcevic (Koper, Slovenia), Suad Filekovic (Maribor, Slovenia)
Midfielders: Andraz Kirm (Wisła Krakow, Poland), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Israel), Rene Krhin (Internazionale, Italy), Mirnes Sisic (Giannina, Greece), Darjan Matic (Rapid Bucharest, Romania), Dare Vrsic (Koper, Slovenia), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Robert Koren (West Brom, England), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa, Greece), Valter Birsa (Auxerre, France)
Forwards: Milivoje Novakovic (Cologne, Germany), Zlatko Dedic (Bochum, Germany), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Gent, Belgium), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional, Portugal), Miran Burgic (AIK Solna, Sweden), Tim Matavz (FC Groningen, Netherlands).
It's no surprise that the squad is made up from players from all corners of the European footballing world and beyond. The German Bundesliga supplies the main source of goals, Bochum's Zlatko Dedic got the crucial goal which saw them past Russia in the play-offs and Milivoje Novakovic of Cologne will partner him. Tim Matavz, currently with Groningen in the Netherlands, keeps that pair on their toes.
Robert Koren won promotion to the Premier League in England with West Brom and spearheads the midfield threat while the defence is led by Bostjan Cesar who was relegated from the top flight in France with Grenoble, but shone in a very poor side.
Given that they were the only side to emerge as non-seeds from the rigged play-offs in UEFA qualifying, Slovenia are the side Euroballs will be backing in South Africa and we've got the betting slip in the office desk drawer to prove it.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Samir Handanovic (Udinese, Italy), Jasmin Handanovic (Mantova, Italy), Aleksander Seliga (Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands), Jan Koprivec (Udinese, Italy)
Defenders: Bojan Jokic (Chievo, Italy), Marko Suler (Gent, Belgium), Bostjan Cesar (Grenoble, France), Branko Ilic (FC Moscow, Russia), Matej Mavric-Rozic (Koblenz, Germany), Dejan Kelhar (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Elvedin Dzinic (Maribor, Slovenia), Miso Brecko (Cologne, Germany), Aleksandar Rajcevic (Koper, Slovenia), Suad Filekovic (Maribor, Slovenia)
Midfielders: Andraz Kirm (Wisła Krakow, Poland), Andrej Komac (Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Israel), Rene Krhin (Internazionale, Italy), Mirnes Sisic (Giannina, Greece), Darjan Matic (Rapid Bucharest, Romania), Dare Vrsic (Koper, Slovenia), Dalibor Stevanovic (Vitesse Arnhem, Netherlands), Robert Koren (West Brom, England), Aleksander Radosavljevic (Larissa, Greece), Valter Birsa (Auxerre, France)
Forwards: Milivoje Novakovic (Cologne, Germany), Zlatko Dedic (Bochum, Germany), Zlatan Ljubijankic (Gent, Belgium), Nejc Pecnik (Nacional, Portugal), Miran Burgic (AIK Solna, Sweden), Tim Matavz (FC Groningen, Netherlands).
Del Bosque takes a gamble on injured trio
Vicente del Bosque named his initial 30-man World Cup squad with injured trio Andres Iniesta, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas included. He wants to give all three the most amount of time possible to prove their fitness and all three are undoubtedly key players for the manager. Xavi Hernandez has been struggling for fitness of late as well, but he's back in the first team fold at Barcelona and is on target to make it.
Del Bosque names five goalkeepers with Atlético youngster David de Gea battling with Diego Lopez and Victor Valdes to join Iker Casillas and Jose Reina on the plane. Even just getting on the plane will be a minor victory for Sevilla winger Jesus Navas. He suffers from travel anxiety - Dennis Bergkamp Syndrome - but has been undergoing treatment. The only other option may be to slip him a mickey finn.
Nine forwards are named and competition here is especially fierce. Torres, if fit, and David Villa are the pick, but there's plenty of competition from the likes of Juan Mata, the uncapped Pedro and Fernando Llorente. Llorente's 21-year old club-mate Javi Martinez is named in midfield and there are four overseas-based players, the aforementioned Fabregas, Torres and Reina plus Fenerbahce's Dani Guiza.
This is a very strong squad. No wonder they're favourites to go all the way. There are very few weak links and quality players like Santi Cazorla, Marcos Senna and David Silva are not guaranteed to make the final cut. If they can leave that standard of player behind, it sends out a clear message.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David De Gea (Atletico Madrid), Diego Lopez (Villarreal), Jose Reina (Liverpool) Victor Valdes (Barcelona).
Defenders: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid) Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergi Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao) Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona).
Forwards: Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia) Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Dani Guiza (Fenerbache) Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia).
Del Bosque names five goalkeepers with Atlético youngster David de Gea battling with Diego Lopez and Victor Valdes to join Iker Casillas and Jose Reina on the plane. Even just getting on the plane will be a minor victory for Sevilla winger Jesus Navas. He suffers from travel anxiety - Dennis Bergkamp Syndrome - but has been undergoing treatment. The only other option may be to slip him a mickey finn.
Nine forwards are named and competition here is especially fierce. Torres, if fit, and David Villa are the pick, but there's plenty of competition from the likes of Juan Mata, the uncapped Pedro and Fernando Llorente. Llorente's 21-year old club-mate Javi Martinez is named in midfield and there are four overseas-based players, the aforementioned Fabregas, Torres and Reina plus Fenerbahce's Dani Guiza.
This is a very strong squad. No wonder they're favourites to go all the way. There are very few weak links and quality players like Santi Cazorla, Marcos Senna and David Silva are not guaranteed to make the final cut. If they can leave that standard of player behind, it sends out a clear message.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David De Gea (Atletico Madrid), Diego Lopez (Villarreal), Jose Reina (Liverpool) Victor Valdes (Barcelona).
Defenders: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid) Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergi Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao) Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona).
Forwards: Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia) Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Dani Guiza (Fenerbache) Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia).
Few surprises for Queiroz
Carlos Queiroz named his initial World Cup squad with few surprises. Perhaps the only real shock was the inclusion of dependable defender Pepe who has been out of action at Real Madrid since December due to a knee injury. He was a key man in a difficult qualifying campaign in which the much-fancied Portuguese had to come through the rigged play-offs, seeing off the Bosnian challenge and it's that form that Queiroz will be hoping he can recover quickly.
There's a trio of Chelsea players, fresh from their Premier League winning campaign, and Simao and Tiago are in after their Europa League win. Braga's best ever Superliga campaign earns them just one player, first choice keeper Eduardo, as do champions Benfica with Fabio Coentrao their only representative. That's perhaps indicative of the fact so many players ply their trade outside Portugal, leaving domestic clubs to rely heavily on imports, mainly from South America.
Needless to say, the side will largely be built around Cristiano Ronaldo, but in a tough group, they'll need him to be more of a team player than has been the case recently.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Beto (Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Eduardo (Braga)
Defenders: Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Ze Castro (Deportivo La Coruna), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Pepe (Real Madrid), Miguel (Valencia)
Midfielders: Tiago (Atlético Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Nani (Manchester United), Miguel Veloso (Sporting CP), Pedro Mendes (Sporting CP)
Forwards: Simao Sabrosa (Atlético Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Liedson (Sporting CP), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg).
There's a trio of Chelsea players, fresh from their Premier League winning campaign, and Simao and Tiago are in after their Europa League win. Braga's best ever Superliga campaign earns them just one player, first choice keeper Eduardo, as do champions Benfica with Fabio Coentrao their only representative. That's perhaps indicative of the fact so many players ply their trade outside Portugal, leaving domestic clubs to rely heavily on imports, mainly from South America.
Needless to say, the side will largely be built around Cristiano Ronaldo, but in a tough group, they'll need him to be more of a team player than has been the case recently.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Beto (Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Eduardo (Braga)
Defenders: Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Ze Castro (Deportivo La Coruna), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Pepe (Real Madrid), Miguel (Valencia)
Midfielders: Tiago (Atlético Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Nani (Manchester United), Miguel Veloso (Sporting CP), Pedro Mendes (Sporting CP)
Forwards: Simao Sabrosa (Atlético Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Liedson (Sporting CP), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg).
Lippi doesn't go for Totti
Marcello Lippi stuck by his word and gave the first chance to the players who steered the Azzurri through qualification, so there's a glaring omission in the shape of Francesco Totti. He's been superb in Roma's still-alive title challenge, but missed much of the international football since the last World Cup through injury and dips in form. His club-mate Luca Toni also misses out. He'd gone out on loan to Roma in order to refind the touch he lost so spectacularly at Bayern Munich. Alessandro del Piero also misses out despite enjoying a bit of an Indian summer.
The only overseas-based player in the squad is Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi who is included as a seventh striker at the expense of defender Nicolas Legrottaglia. Also up front is Samp star Giampaolo Pazzini, but club-mate Antonio Cassano doesn't make it.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo)
Defenders: Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa)
Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Antonio Candreva (Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Simone Pepe (Udinese)
Forwards: Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Marco Borriello (Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria).
The only overseas-based player in the squad is Villarreal striker Giuseppe Rossi who is included as a seventh striker at the expense of defender Nicolas Legrottaglia. Also up front is Samp star Giampaolo Pazzini, but club-mate Antonio Cassano doesn't make it.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo)
Defenders: Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa)
Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Antonio Candreva (Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Simone Pepe (Udinese)
Forwards: Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Marco Borriello (Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria).
Van Nistelrooy retires after omission
Bert van Marwijk's initial World Cup squad left out veteran striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and the Hamburg star immediately called time on his international career. Van Nistelrooy made the move to Germany from Real Madrid in order to get goals and push him to the front of Van Marwijk's thinking, but it hasn't worked. Anyone who is omitted in favour of Liverpool misfit Ryan Babel will no doubt have similar thoughts.
There's no return for Edwin van der Sar and goalkeeping looks well covered by Maarten Stekeleberg, Sander Boschker and Michel Vorm. Gio van Bronckhorst is in, but will retire from international football once the Dutch are no longer involved in South Africa. Edson Braafheid makes the cut despite failing to impress at Bayern before being farmed out to Celtic on loan. He's done enough in Scotland to keep his place.
Up front looks an area where the Netherlands may struggle. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is in despite once again failing to impress at Milan, Dirk Kuyt's work ethic sees him involved, but the bulk of the firepower comes from Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Sander Boschker (Twente), Michel Vorm (Utrecht)
Defenders: Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Celtic), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Andre Ooijer (PSV)
Midfielders: Otman Bakkal (PSV), Mark van Bommel (Bayern), Wout Brama (Twente), Orlando Engelaar (PSV), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), David Mendes da Silva (AZ), Stijn Schaars (AZ), Wesley Sneijder (Internazionale), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax), Ibrahim Afellay (PSV)
Forwards: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jeremain Lens (AZ), Eljero Elia (Hamburg), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern).
There's no return for Edwin van der Sar and goalkeeping looks well covered by Maarten Stekeleberg, Sander Boschker and Michel Vorm. Gio van Bronckhorst is in, but will retire from international football once the Dutch are no longer involved in South Africa. Edson Braafheid makes the cut despite failing to impress at Bayern before being farmed out to Celtic on loan. He's done enough in Scotland to keep his place.
Up front looks an area where the Netherlands may struggle. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is in despite once again failing to impress at Milan, Dirk Kuyt's work ethic sees him involved, but the bulk of the firepower comes from Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben.
The squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Sander Boschker (Twente), Michel Vorm (Utrecht)
Defenders: Vurnon Anita (Ajax), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Celtic), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Andre Ooijer (PSV)
Midfielders: Otman Bakkal (PSV), Mark van Bommel (Bayern), Wout Brama (Twente), Orlando Engelaar (PSV), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), David Mendes da Silva (AZ), Stijn Schaars (AZ), Wesley Sneijder (Internazionale), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax), Ibrahim Afellay (PSV)
Forwards: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jeremain Lens (AZ), Eljero Elia (Hamburg), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)