Archive: Spain
The Stretch Run
Ok, after a nice holiday weekend off, it's time to get geared up for the Cup. If you're curious what's going on inside The Post's Soccer Central (aka "at my desk"), today most of the stories for the World Cup preview section are due. I'll be editing those over the next couple days, as well as planning some other stories you'll see in the paper over the next 10 days. Steve Goff leaves for Germany on Thursday, and Camille Powell and Jason LaCanfora leave Sunday. It's really hitting all of us that the big event is upon us ... Enough about us. Here are a couple newsy items I've spotted recently: - Injuries: Spain's Xabi Alonso, Italy's Gianluca Zambrotta, England's Michael Owen (!!), Holland's Rafael Van der Vaart, - Good news on the injury front for the Czechs (bad for the U.S., I suppose). Also good news for Tunisia's Hamed...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 30, 2006; 12:55 PM ET | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)
Midnight Kick-About
Hey there ... I was away from my computer most of Thursday, so I have not had a chance to post. Here's one for you guys who might drop by late at night ... - Bad U.S. news: Cory Gibbs is out of the World Cup. It's not like Gibbs and Frankie Hedjuk are quote-unquote players you can't afford to lose, but two injuries at defense already? Yeesh. Gregg "Two Gs" Berhalter replaces Gibbs ... - We'll get Wayne Rooney MRI news Friday. BTW, how wild is the news that Man United fired the doc who was overseeing Rooney's recovery? He seemed to be giving the national team physio positive reports, and many figure Sir Alex Ferguson did not like that. In the spirit of fairness: United insist the departure of Dr Mike Stone, the physician who was in charge of Rooney's recovery, is not connected with the England star....
By Jon DeNunzio | May 25, 2006; 11:55 PM ET | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
Selection Monday
Today's the deadline day for teams to announce their World Cup roster. Our pals at FIFAWorldCup round it all up here. Some team-by-team notes: - France Coach Raymond Domenech had a few surprises, including his choice of Fabien Barthez as No. 1 keeper. Somewhat expected and discussed here a few weeks ago -- Barcelona's Ludovic Giuly did not make it (nor did Philippe Mexes, Nicolas Anelka or Robert Pires). - Morientes does not make Spain's team. - Germany Coach Juergen Klinnsman has two surprise inclusions: Jens Nowotny and David Odonkor. More to come ... UPDATE: Italy's squad is out. Buffon made the team, as did Inzaghi....
By Jon DeNunzio | May 15, 2006; 11:45 AM ET | Comments (30) | TrackBack (0)
Spanish Selections
A few other notes: - Spain named a 27-man preliminary squad. The controversial omissions: Valencia's Vicente, Real Madrid's Guti and Espanyol's Ivan de la Pena. Vicente has been struggling to recover from a long-term ankle injury and has not returned to action with his club yet. Meanwhile, Guti and De la Pena have paid for inconsistent form with their clubs and appear to be out of the running. Getafe's Argentine full-back Mariano Pernia, who obtained dual nationality last month, was also not included. - Recently shaky Argentina GK Roberto Abbondanzieri says he's all better now. - Not strictly World Cup-related, but Highbury closes this weekend (Thanks to Goffer for reminding me). The BBC has a photo tribute up. Personally, I hate seeing old stadiums go in any sport -- the sports world would be richer with the Boston Garden, Tiger Stadium, the Montreal Forum, etc. still around. Of course, I...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 5, 2006; 02:40 PM ET | Comments (10) | TrackBack (0)
Lunchtime Kick-About
What else is going on? - Angola is trying to get FIFA to allow two former Portuguese U-21/junior level players to play for its team in June. Interestingly, Angola's first World Cup opponent ... Portugal. - Spain MF Xavi returned to action over the weekend. - SuperPippo edges closer to a spot on Italy's roster. He had both goals for AC Milan vs. Livorn over the weekend ... - Oliver Kahn will retire from Bayern Munich after 2008. - Der Kaiser says Michael Ballack has already left Bayern Munich for Chelsea, mentally. I could do this whole blog off prounouncements from Beckenbauer, Mattaeus and Blatter, btw ... - In fairness, I should put out Nike's claim that they had nothing to do with Rooney's injury. Actually, I would find it hard to believe that a new-style cleat is really at the root of this injury, or others like it. That...
By Jon DeNunzio | May 1, 2006; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)
Mid-Afternoon Kick-About
A bit of news to digest: - Argentina's Lionel Messi is taking his time. I assume he's taking his time as far as Barcelona games are concerned, not World Cup games ... - Ronaldinho is confident. Except for this quote: "It will be hard to advance past the first stage because everyone will be aiming for us. They will all have a bit of extra motivation." - England 2002 vs. England 2006. Once you look at it on paper, there's no comparison. Danny Mills, Trevor Sinclair, Nicky Butt and Emile Heskey are all still worthy Premier League players. None of them, though, can expect to be remotely near the squad for 2006, and there is even less likelihood of strikers Darius Vassell and Teddy Sheringham being sent on in search of a last-gasp equaliser as they were against Brazil. - A meaty profile of Cesc Fabregas. "Football is like a...
By Jon DeNunzio | April 20, 2006; 02:00 PM ET | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
The Definitive Injury Post
Well, maybe that's too strong. But FIFAWorldCup.com does a nice job in this piece of getting us up to date on the major injury worries as June 9* (not to mention May 15**) approaches. Will they or won't they? XI on the fitness trail Oleksander Shovkovsky, Ukraine goalkeeper Gabriel Heinze, Argentina defender Sol Campbell, England defender Ledley King, England defender Ashley Cole, England defender Xavi, Spain midfielder Pablo Aimar, Argentina midfielder Lionel Messi, Argentina midfielder Francesco Totti, Italy forward Jan Koller, Czech Republic forward Michael Owen, England forward Did they miss anyone? Am I right in thinking the U.S. is fortunate not to have a major injury concern right now? * - Matchday 1 of the 2006 World Cup, as if you didn't know. ** -- FIFA's deadline for final roster submission....
By Jon DeNunzio | April 19, 2006; 11:04 AM ET | Comments (21) | TrackBack (0)
