Euro 2012: It's Almost Here...At Last

The build seems to have been long and extensive, and as fans of football you no doubt know many of the ins and outs of how each teams has reached the finals.  So instead of taking this approach Sports Portal is to cast it's eye over the squads and picking it's key man and one to watch from each.  We will of course refresh your minds a little, so sit back and enjoy.

England Euro 2012: Over before it's begun?

To say the build up hasn't been ideal would be putting things very mildly indeed, as Englishman we are used to the ruff and tumble world of the national team.  The last few months however have contributed to serve up a stark reminder of how far behind we actually are, in fact the last week could have done that all on it's own.

If we cast our mind back it was the Football Association's decision to strip John Terry of the captain's armband, for a second time, that led to Fabio Capello stepping aside.  The FA then decided it would wait until the end of the season, or very near to, to appoint his successor.  Giving the new man a month, or thereabouts, to prepare for a major tournament.  Perfect!

The country was swept with Harry Redknapp fever, but it was in fact Roy Hodgson who was given the hot seat.  His squad selection caused debate, two scrappy 1-0 wins did nothing to raise expectation and then the whole injury dilemma kicked in.  For a team well prepared this latter problem would be fairly difficult to deal with, so for England at the moment it must verge on catastrophic.  Not to mention Time Magazine's 'world's most disappointing team' tag, something that is hard to disagree with.

The injury to Gary Cahill is the latest debate, why on earth hasn't Rio Ferdinand been given the chance to join up?  A country once again castrating the new man in the job before he has even been given a fair crack of the whip.  Why not just give him a chance to do things his way and then judge when he has gone?

The Euro's are no doubt a lost cause so it's all about preparing for the World Cup in Brazil 2014, so in that case the selection of Martin Kelly is surely a good one.  Giving the future of English football the chance to travel and be around the squad at a major tournament could be ideal, as it could with the likes of Phil Jones, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Hodgson is causing plenty of debate

In that case why not stand back, with the already low expectations, and judge how our appearance in this competition could help progression in the future.  Why take an ageing Rio Ferdinand who won't be making the trip to South America in two years time?  Let's make a decision to leave some of the ageing stars at home, and blend youth in with this squad.  Those who will be charged with taking the country forward, hopefully, for many years to come.

The recent friendly against Belgium did, however, highlight a huge gulf that does exist.  Hodgson's well organised troops did of course close out the victory, but by having a look at the playmaker of both teams you can see the difference.

Ashley Young v Eden Hazard: minutes played 67-90, passes 7-71, assists 1-0, key passes 3-6, shots 0-4, pass completion 58%-87%.  

Many will point to the assist statistic, but the truth is give away that much against a more accomplished opposition and you will be punished.  And there lies the major problem.

Flair is not something we are overly used to, but will have to become a major feature should we progress.  Can this be brought in two years before the next World Cup?  Roy will certainly have to break a defensive habit that currently exists, but let's sit back and let him go about trying his way.

Future Stars - Fabian Frei

Sports Portal apologises for the busy schedule it has faced in recent weeks, and will promise to try and get back to updating on a regular basis.

Back to business for now and a quick preview on Swiss midfielder Fabian Frei, who is no relation to his more well known team mate Alexander Frei.

Despite being a touch older than most others featured at 23 years of age, he has a wealth of experience despite being at a tender age and has matured amongst much sought after players at FC Basel. Team mate Xherdan Shaqiri was being chased by a host of Europe's finest clubs before agreeing to join Bayern Munich this summer, while Granit Xhaka is another that is tipped to reach the very top wherever he ends up after leaving Switzerland.

Frei has come through the ranks at his club; joining in 2004 after stints at other clubs as a youth. After a year progression to the under-21 side followed, where a haul of honours were won before he hit the big time in 2007.

At 17 he made his first team debut, completing a perfect season by winning a League and Cup double. A further year down the line though he was loaned out to St Gallen, before returning and really making his mark.

Frei can now put Champions League experience on his ever expiring CV, including a goal at Old Trafford during an enthralling 3-3 draw. In addition a second Swiss Super League title followed upon his return, making a 15^th League triumph for FC Basel.

On the international front, Frei spent four years in the under-21s which culminated in a European Under-21 Final appearance. Ultimately ending in defeat to a very strong Spain side. Since then a handful of appearances have been made in the senior side.

It is surely a matter of time before we see Frei showing his talents on a much larger scale.

Transfer flops - Hugo Viana

Viana in his Newcastle days

A young promising midfield prodigy arrived at Newcastle United in 2002 on the crest of a wave, but shied away through the back door three years later after a miserable spell.

Hugo Viana began his career at Sporting Lisbon, and hit the ground running by turning in a string of tremendous performances in his debut season.  This captured the attention of clubs Europe wide, with Fifa also sitting up and taking note.

The worlds governing body awarded 19-year-old Viana the Young European Footballer of the Year award, which was enough to persuade Bobby Robson to part with his cash and bring him to Newcastle United.  A fee of around £8.5m saw Sporting part with their young starlet, and expectations about the youngster around St James Park were certainly high.

Unfortunately his big move didn't go according to plan, as you have now probably gathered by the title, and his career in the northeast quickly turned sour.  After two dismal years he was loaned back to his old club, before returning and quickly being shipped out once again.

This time it was to Valencia, where an initial years loan was made permanent for around £1.5m the following year.  This marked a huge loss for Newcastle, but also another chance for Viana to show he wasn't a flash in the pan.  He again flattered to deceive and after two years in which the half century appearance mark again fell out of range, as with Newcastle, another loan spell followed.

This time it was with La Liga rivals Osasuna followed by a trip back home with Sporting Braga the following year.  It was the latter move that was again made permanent, where he remains to this day.  One of his best day's back home came just over two months ago, when, with the game tied at 0-0 he scored from his own half in the 94th minute.

On the international front he represented Portugal under-21s for three years, before progressing up the ranks.  Withe the seniors he has travelled to two World Cups, one European Championship and an Olympics.

Inter Milan's Managerial Merry Go Round Continues

Massimo Moratti has continued to live up to his cutthroat reputation by sacking Claudio Ranieri, a day after declaring he would be in the post until the end of season following a 2-0 defeat to Juventus.

The Inter Milan president has now dismissed two managers this term, after Gian Piero Gasperini was dismissed in September after a poor start to the season.

It at first looked like Ranieri had turned the San Siro sides fortunes around, dragging the club up the table and away from the relegation spots, but with Internazionale languishing ten points off third place Lazio, the final Champions League spot, the club have acted.

Conflicting Statements

Following the weekend defeat, Moratti stated early on Monday:  "I think that Claudio Ranieri will remain until the end of the season."

With a statement following later in the day, after the sacking, on the club's website that read:  "President Massimo Moratti and everyone at Inter Milan would like to thank Claudio Ranieri and his staff for their professionalism, dedication and honesty during their time in charge of the team."

Inter, and crucially Moratti, are desperately trying to get the club back to the glory years of it's not too distant past under first Roberto Mancini and then Jose Mourinho.

Ex Inter manager Ranieri

Stability and patience though are clearly not options to be considered.

However, if you think two managers in a season is a bad record you will have to look back to the 1998/99 season, when they last failed to make Europe and four men sat at the helm during the season.

Luigi Simoni, Mircea Lucescu, Luciano Castellini and finally Roy Hodgson all came and went in a humbling period for the club.

Future

Andre Villas Boas is reportedly the early front runner for the post, but until a successor is appointed youth team coach Andrea Stramaccioni will take over:  "Inter also announce that they have entrusted the team to Andrea Stramaccioni, the coach who won the first edition of the Next Generation Series," continues the statement issued by the club.

Whoever does come in on a full time basis will have to contend with Seria As highest wage bill, at a staggering €200m a year, and you would think a major overhaul of the squad is also a high priority.

Firepower has been lacking somewhat since the sale of Samuel Eto'o last summer to Anzhi Makhachkala, while top earner Wesley Sneijder has not hit his usual spectacular highs.

A shrewd appointment is needed; if it doesn't arrive the fans may not blame the manager and could look further up the pecking order.

Future stars - Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann in a buoyant mood

Despite being a part of the Real Sociedad squad for some time now, Antoine Griezmann has really pushed on in the last year or so.  Making bigger clubs sit up and take note, with Arsenal one of the clubs most recently linked with a late January move for the youngster.

It has not been an easy road for the 20-year-old, being rejected by several clubs after trials due to size.  How many times have we heard that?  However, after one such trial Griezmann drew admiring glances from several clubs.  It was Real Sociedad who won the race though, where he has gone from strength to strength.

After progressing through the youth ranks, it was prior to the 2009/10 season when he was given a chance to impress in pre-season.  It was't long before a senior debut came his way, appearing as a second half substitute in a Copa Del Rey match against Rayo Vallecano.

He has not looked back from here, being a regular member of the squad and could perhaps be another gem unearthed by the San Sebastian based side.  It would be no suprise to see Premier League sides make a move for Griezmann in the future, with truly exciting wingers not commonplace on these shores.  It is afterall his pace and skill that have put him on the map.

In 2010 a first appearance for France under-19s came about, in addition to a new contract at club level that reportedly has a buy out clause of around €30 million.  After flicking between the under-19, 20 and 21 sides, Griezmann has now established himself as a regular member of the latter.

Currently nearing a century of appearance at club level, it wouldn't be a suprise if we seen the talented youngster make a move sooner rather than later.

Transfer Flops - Afonso Alves

Middlesbrough FC aren't exempt from the odd calamitous transfer, but Afonso Alves must be soaring high above the rest.  The clubs current record transfer spectacularly failed to live up to expectations, before being shipped of to Qatar just a year after joining.

The Brazilian started his carrer at Atletico Mineiro, before making a move to Europe after a handful of appearances and goals.

It wasn't however one of the big leagues that drew his attention, with Alves moving to Sweden and Orgryte.  However he only here a year before making another step up after a successful showing.  After a goal ratio that bettered one in every other game, Malmo FF signed the striker and he spearheaded the club to a League title in his debut season.

Alves lasted one more season before getting on the move once again, this time to Holland where he became Heerenveen's record signing at £3.5m.  It was here that he enjoed most success, plundering over 30 goals in his debut season after netting seven in only his second appearance for the club.

Following two seasons at the Dutch club, and not exempt from controversy, Alves made what he hoped would be a big step towards the big time.  The Premier League beckoned, with Middlesbrough paying over £12m to secure his services.  However his time on teeside soon turned sour, when it became clear he was well on the road to becoming a very expensive mistake.

Alves during his difficult time at Middlesbrough

His solitary season in the Premiership will no doubt be remembered for some time, with his lack of firepower resulting in the club being relegated to the Championship.  Middlesbrough cut their losses, and perhaps did well to recoup over half the fee paid.

Al Saad is where Alves headed this time, lasting only a few months before accepting a loan offer from anthother Qatari club, this time Al Rayyan.

Goals began to flow once more, before a ligament injury late in 2010 sidelined him for some considerable time.  He is however back playing and back amongst the goals.

On the international front Alves received a first international call up in 2007 whilst still plying his trade in Holland, almost scoring against England before his ill fated spell on those shores.  A Copa America win followed but it wasn't long before those appearances in a Brazil shirt soon dried up.