il ferret wrote:

Just entered a prediction comp at work, and had France to beat Germany in the final, with Spain and Portugal the beaten semi-finalists.

Sure what would you know about predictions!

Quote:

I reckon part of spain's fault is the fact it's not a united country.

True - ever read a book called "Morbo"? It's quite a good read and all about the history and rivalries of football in Spain. The author says the Catalans and Basques and all other regions can't be arsed with Spain - fans and players alike. Seville and the Andalusian region is the only area that gives a shit. Because of the apathy, they've never tried hard enough.

They're due to meet France (or Italy) in the semis and they ALWAYS lose to France!

Yes Espana is divided but I think it is not major factor...I see it as fact that their players are not natural leaders in clubs...so that's problem...and of course managers are just shit...

Something like England...

Italy is also divided in some way as part of people prefer to support club more than country...I mean I support Italy, but have some French blood and cant cheer for morons like Materazzi or Totti...they make us shaming be Italians...spitting people or insulting mothers or sisters of other player and good man like Zidane isnt way I want to be represented at international level...

It is just to say I support Berlusconi on elections...while civlized world laughs at us...

So I will always prefer my club.

il ferret wrote:

Quote: I reckon part of spain's fault is the fact it's not a united country. True - ever read a book called "Morbo"? It's quite a good read and all about the history and rivalries of football in Spain. The author says the Catalans and Basques and all other regions can't be arsed with Spain - fans and players alike. Seville and the Andalusian region is the only area that gives a shit. Because of the apathy, they've never tried hard enough.

I have read said book, it was a very good read and I also have a catalan best friend.
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Forza Roma!

European Championships?

At last count I think there were something like 18 players in the tournament born outside the EU.

I think something needs to be done about it, and I for one would feel embarrased to stand silently in line with 10 foreigners while they sang to their national anthem.

Not every country in Europe is in the EU though
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I think Micky means born outside Europe rather than the EU - Russia, Croatia, Switzerland and Turkey are all outside the EU (although Croatia and Turkey are aspiring members of the body).  Add Romania to the list (all Romanian players were born outside the EU since the country's only just joined) over 100 of the players are non-EU born.

I was being a tad pedantic. And Turkey will never be part of the EU whilst unanimity is required in the Council of Ministers for voting for enlargement because France won't vote yes, and they have a habit of doing that...

I bet most of Spain and Portugal's players were born before their countries joined the then EC as well on that matter since they weren't member states until 1986, and Sweden only joined in 1995 (post SEA!)
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I meant players like Mauro Camoranesi and the now countless others 'adopting' a nation.

Israel being able to compete in Euro qualifiers is an entirely different matter........

Who are the guilty 18, other than Camo?

I found three other than Camo: Deco, Mehmet Aurelio and Marcos Senna, but propably there are more, didn´t look too closely.
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FORZA ROMA

From the top of my head, I'd add:

Pepe,Viera,Eduardo (injured).

How about 80% of the French team?
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ACF FIORENTINA : FORZA LA VIOLA

All players born outside the country they are representing:

Johan Djorou, Valon Behrami, Gelson Fernandes, Johan Vonlanthen, Pepe, Bosingwa, Petit, Deco, Hakan Balta, Hamit Altintop, Mehmet Aurelio, Yildiray Basturk, Ronald Gercaliu, Gyorgy Garics, Martin Harnik,Josip Simunic, Robert and Niko Kovac, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Klasnic, Lukas Podolski, Kevin Kuranyi, Miroslav Klose, Clarence Seedorf, Simone Perrotta, Mauro Camoranesi, Lillian Thuram, Patrice Evra, Patrick Vieira, Claude Makalele, Tobias Linderoth, Mariano Pernia, Marcos Senna, Evgeni Aldonin.

34 in total although I may have missed someone out, I believe Romania and Greece are the only teams to have squads with only home grown players.

I realise many of these will have spent the majority of their lives in the country they are representing/have parents of their chosen nationality etc. Just find it interesting someone from Santa Marta, Colombia feels compelled to represent Switzerland.

Think the biggest surprise was only having 4 in the French team.

Where were Robert and Niko Kovac born?
Nationalities do seem to be a very fluid thing, espeically in football!
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®osa wrote:

Where were Robert and Niko Kovac born? Nationalities do seem to be a very fluid thing, espeically in football!

Robert Kovač, along his older brother Niko, were both born in West Berlin to a family of Croatian gastarbeiters from Livno, and are among a handful of players on the national team born in foreign countries...

Didn't know that either.

Both Berlin. I wonder who the parents will be wanting to win when they play Germany in the group stage?

Micky wrote:

. 34 in total although I may have missed someone out, I believe Romania and Greece are the only teams to have squads with only home grown players.

Russia and Czech republic also, no?

No, Russia have Evgeni Aldonin, born Kiev, Ukraine 22-1-1980.

Czech Rep. do have a squad of Czech's however.

Well my views on this whole affair, for what its worth.

I think if you're born in a country fair enough. If your're born in one nation and both your parents hail from another country, then you have a choice.

In all other circumstances you play for your nation of birth.