Soccer News
Saez says seize the day
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| Spanish coach Inaki Saez talks during a press conference in Vilamoura, 11 June 2004 on the eve of the 2004 European Nations championships in Portugal. The Euro 2004 opens with host Portugal playing Greece 12 June. AFP PHOTO FRANCOIS GUILLOT |
Spain coach Inaki Saez says his side must beat Russia on Saturday and then wrap up qualification against the Greeks before taking on hosts Portugal in their last Group A match.
"The first match will determine everything, we'll be going all out to show just what we are capable of," said the former under-21 coach.
"The team are relaxed and are feeling no pressure," he insisted ahead of the tie that takes place at Faro in the second clash of the opening day.
Croatia face keeper crisis
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| Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa speaks on the phone in Couco,10 June 2004, some 100 kilometers north of Lisbon, two days before the start of the 2004 European Nations Championship. Croatia's first-choice goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa has injured a thigh, plunging his participation in Sunday's match against Group B opponents Switzerland into doubt. Croatia is in B group with Switzerland, England and France, and will play its first Euro 2004 match against Switzerland 13 June. AFP PHOTO HRVOJE POLAN |
Croatia suffered a huge blow ahead of their opener with Switzerland on Sunday when first choice goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa was ruled out of the match and possibly the tournament.
Pletikosa tore a right thigh muscle in training and coach Otto Baric said he would soon decide whether to call up a replacement.
"Pletikosa's injury is very serious," said Baric.
"He is definitely out of the match on Sunday and this afternoon it will be decided whether another goalkeeper will be called in from Croatia,"
The other two goalkeepers are Tomislav Butina and Joey Didulica though both are inexperienced at national level.
Wiltord keen on Spurs move
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| French coach Jacques Santini (R) his player forward Sylvain Wiltord as he enters the pitch during the France/Yugoslavia friendly soccer game 20 November 2002 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis near Paris. France won 3-0. |
Arsenal forward Sylvain Wiltord on Friday sent a 'come and get me' message to France coach Jacques Santini, who will take over at the Gunners' arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur next month.
The 30-year-old Frenchman is out of contract at Highbury and keen on a move.
"I know there are rumours about me joining Tottenham and it would not be an easy move for me to make," said Wiltord.
"But if I go there, it'll be something I'll be delighted to do."
"Jacques Santini appreciates my work and is a fan of Sidney Govou as well.
"He has given me a lot of confidence. I now hope to repay him with what I do on the pitch.
Terry compounds England woe
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| England's defender John Terry plays during a training session at the Estadio Nacional in Lisbon, 11 June 2004 on the eve of the start of the 2004 European Nations Championship. England will play its first Euro 2004 match against France 13 June. John Terry's chances of playing for England in the Euro 2004 opener against France on Sunday appeared to gave disappeared on Friday after the Chelsea centre-back missed a deadline to return to full training. AFP PHOTO Paul BARKER |
England have a defensive crisis on their hands as John Terry's hamstring injury has ruled him out of their Euro crunch match against France.
England are threadbare at the back after central defenders Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Woodgate and Gareth Southgate were all unavailable.
"He will resume training on Saturday but that is too short a time for him to play in Sunday's match. We all know what a season Terry had but that's life in football," complained England coach Sven Goran Eriksson.
He must now choose between the Liverpool left back and Tottenham rookie Ledley King, who are both in good shape, to fill the hole in the middle.
Swiss coach confident
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Switzerland are in the right frame of mind to beat opening opponents Croatia on Sunday according to coach Jakob Kuhn.
Despite a miserable run to their first major finals since Euro '96 with defeats against Italy, France, Greece and Germany and a narrow 1-0 victory over neighbours Liechtenstein, Kuhn remains optimistic.
"Croatia are a good side - most of their players play abroad. But we will go into that match believing we can get the win we need before facing England and France,"
"It is time to open a new chapter in Swiss football," he said.
Italians welcome favourites tag
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Italy midfielder Mauro Camoranesi says he welcomes the pressure that comes with being among the Euro 2004 big guns.
"I'm happy that we are one of the favourites, in my opinion it's better," said the Juventus player.
"There's no pressure as we have a strong team and have no reason to fear anyone. The expectation is a positive thing. It's better to play for a strong team like ours rather than for one that is weak.
"At this moment I think Italy deserve to be among the favourites, along, of course, with France. Spain are strong too as they have built a good squad even though they haven't always achieved great results."
Latvians out to defy Czechs
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Latvia coach Aleksandrs Starkovs boldly predicts his side are looking to take at least a point from the highly-rated Czechs in their opening match on Tuesday.
"Obviously we start as the underdogs in such a group as this," said the former international. "However that is not to say we cannot spring surprises and we have qualities we will display against the Czechs and it's a match where I see us getting at least a point if not winning it."
"I have absolutely no idea who is going to start against the Czechs but we still have a fair bit of training to do and I will have a clearer idea after the weekend,
No pressure claims Kahn
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| German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn stretches during a training session 10 June 2004 in Almancil near Faro during the European Nations Championships 2004. Germany will play its first match at the EURO 2004 against Netherlands 15 June 2004 in Porto. AFP PHOTO / DDP MARCUS BRANDT |
German captain Oliver Kahn claims he is on top of his game ahead of Tuesday's grudge match against Holland and in no way overwhelmed by media pressure.
"I am not affected by the pressure any more," Kahn said.
"I have dealt with it for so many years and can now handle all in front of me."
"I am in great form and my physical and mental state are both good," continued Kahn.
"For these reasons I am able to play at top level.
"Everything is behind me now and my concentration is 100 percent on the tournament."
Kahn was a formidable barrier when Germany reached the 2002 World Cup final.
Van der Sar doubt for Dutch
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| Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar stretches during a training session in Albufeira, 10 June 2004 two days before the start of the European Nations championships in Portugal. The Euro 2004 opens with host Portugal playing Greece 12 June. AFP PHOTO FRANCOIS GUILLOT |
Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is a doubt for his side's opening match against Germany on Tuesday after injuring his finger in training.
Fulham custodian Van der Sar, 33, was forced to pull out of training on Friday after damaging a finger in his right hand.
There was some good news for the 1988 champions when Clarence Seedorf took part in training for the first time since sustaining a thigh injury.
However, coach Dick Advocaat has already confirmed that Ajax ace Rafael van der Vaart will start in central midfield with Seedorf destined for a spot on the bench.
Stuff of legend for Greece
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| Greece's coach, German Otto Rehhagel (L) gives advices to his players during a training session at the Rio Ave stadium, in Vila Do Conde, 10 June 2004, two days before the opening ceremony of the European Nations Championship. Greece will face Portugal in the Euro 2004 opening game. |
Greece coach Otto Rehhagel insists their opening match against hosts Portugal on Saturday is the country's biggest match in two decades.
"We have our most important game in the last 20 years," said the German.
"For a Greek team to be in the European championships after such a long time and to face hosts Portugal is fantastic."
"I am nervous before such an event," confessed Rehhagal. "We are not just up against Portugal but against 60,000 fans.
"This will be a unique experience for some of the players."
"Portugal has some nice memories for me. I won the 1992 Cup winners Cup with Bremen in Lisbon."
Scholes turns up the heat
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Paul Scholes has brought an end to the show of mutual appreciation between his England teammates and France as he turned up the heat ahead of the countries' opener on Sunday.
"I think there is (arrogance) sometimes. It's maybe just the way they are," said Scholes.
"They're just confident people. They say what they think. I read last week that (Robert) Pires thinks they're going to beat us 3-1. They're just ultra-confident. That's the way they feel."
As for England he said: "It's the most confident and the best squad I've been in. It's full of young, very good players".