Euro 2004 Football discussion

[johnsemlak]

I still can't understand why Eriksson didn't call in Shearer though, he said he was willing. And he's the most scoring english player in the premier league for the last two years in a row.

I believe Shearer officially retired from international competition after Euro 2000. Plus at that time some people blamed him for England's disappointing performance.

Still, I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk of bringing him back.

EDIT: Did Shearer say he was willing?

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

The reason Shearer has been playing so well is that he's had the time off during international weeks to let his old and aging bones recover!

Besides, he doesn't have enough pace for international level. Eriksson would have had to build the entire team around him (as Robson has at Newcastle) which takes a lot of time and training, something you don't have with international teams.

Shearer retired at the right time, IMHO.

 

[AGGEMAM]

I believe Shearer officially retired from international competition after Euro 2000. Plus at that time some people blamed him for England's disappointing performance.

Still, I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk of bringing him back.

EDIT: Did Shearer say he was willing?

Me being a diehard Newcastle fan, yes, he officially has said that if called to national service again, he would answer.

At the time .. after Euro 2000 .. Shearer was in bad form struggling still to recover from a severe multible fracture too the ancle sustained in 1998 which had him out for almost 8 months and it wasn't until the 2001-2002 season he really started being on top again.

Those were difficult times for NUFC but as he's grown so has the whole team, ending in the top 5 for the past 3 years running.

EDIT: I should note that he said that he would not be playing qualifing games, as he thinks he's too old for that. But as a joker, he could have been vital to Englands success or failure at the coming cup.

 

[AGGEMAM]

The reason Shearer has been playing so well is that he's had the time off during international weeks to let his old and aging bones recover!

Hey, I recent that. He's only 10 months older than me, mate.

 

[MonsterMash]

Naturally as an Englishman I want England to win, even though if we did it'd probably mean playing France twice (opening group game and final). Realistically quarter final or semi final for England.

I never rule Germany out no matter how badly they seem to do getting to the finals as they have a habit of coming up with the goods when it matters. The Czech republic seem to be coming good and the Netherlands are also a good team.

Portugal and Spain are tricky to call as they're good teams, but are notoriously bad in the major championships, but both are playing in familiar weather and with a lot of home support for the Portugese.

Sweden and Denmark look to be in reasonable shape, but that group could be tight depending on how well the Italians play together.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

Hey, I recent that. He's only 10 months older than me, mate.

Yeah, but if you remember that horrible, horrible injury he had when he was out for nearly a year, and the fact that his extremely physical style of play tends to put a lot of strain on him.

Shearer works at club level because the team works. Robson set it up so everyone else does all the running and Shearer can pick up the pieces, take penalties and get on the end of crosses. At international level it wouldn't work, and he'd get booked more often too.

Not that Rooney isn't going to have to be careful this summer. Any back chat or pushing of opponents is going to get him sent off fast.

 

[MonsterMash]

If opponents like Croatia and Switzerland are being evil they just need to keep giving Rooney needle so that he lashes out and gets sent off.

Amazed how little interest in this topic given its only 3 days to go.

 

[johnsemlak]

I"m a bit surprised too. Obviously, the main reason is that most users are American. But there used to be to be active Cricket chat here quite regularly.

I'm really looking forward to the England-France match--should be one of the better group phase matches.

France seem to be the pundits' favorites and I can't argue with that, but they have some question marks. They dominated a really weak qualification group, and their defence could be vulnerable.

 

[Capellan]

Latvia all the way, baby!

(As a newly-minted Aussie, it's compulsory to support the underdog. )

I rather hope England won't disgrace themselves, too.

 

[johnsemlak]

Latvia all the way, baby!

(As a newly-minted Aussie, it's compulsory to support the underdog. )

I rather hope England won't disgrace themselves, too.

Latvia getting in was unbelievable.

And the way they did it--coming from 2 goals behind to win in Istanbul in a Home-away series against Turkey.