| 03.06.2008 |
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| As it is in fashion, it can also be in soccer. While black may be last year's blue -- or the previous year's brown -- it's starting to look like snapped ankle ligaments are this year's broken metatarsals. After Dutch winger Ryan Babel limped out of Holland's Euro 2008 preparations on Saturday with the injury, Italy have been dealt a similar, yet more drastic, blow. World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro will be out for a "few months" after tearing ankle ligaments in Italy's first training session in Austria on Monday.  The Real Madrid defender sustained the injury when he was tackled by team mate Giorgio Chiellini. He is expected to have an operation on Wednesday but the recovery time certainly rules him out of the tournament and perhaps the start of Real's title defense next season.Cannavaro was expected to retire from international soccer after Euro 2008 but hinted that, after being denied what would have been his last major tournament, he would fight to be fit and in contention for a place in the 2010 World Cup team. Italy coach Roberto Donadoni refused to say who he was considering as Cannavaro's replacement in the starting line-up with Zidane head-butt target Marco Materazzi, Andrea Barzagli, Chiellini and Christian Panucci also vying for a starting berth in central defense. Ligament damage can often take a lot longer to heal than the metatarsal injury which has been the bane of a number of top players over the past few seasons. The increase in metatarsal breaks has been blamed by some coaches on the evolution of soccer boots. Some say the new generation of footwear offer greater comfort and style but are far less protective that those in the past. The cracked toe bone was de rigueur during the recent World Cup with England striker Wayne Rooney the highest profile casualty. With ankle ligaments making a comeback in 2008, I'll bet there are a lot of nervous coaches hoping their fashion conscious stars don't follow suit. |
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| 03.06.2008 |
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| Given that they haven't won a major tournament in 44 years and have consistently been one of Europe's serial underachievers in major competitions, the fact that Spain are being touted as second favorites for the Euro 2008 title may come as some surprise. But then the Spanish have always flattered to deceive. Their squads normally arrive at European Championships and World Cups bulging with stars who carry with them the kind of reputations and pedigrees which only come from playing for the top teams on the continent. At the first whistle, they fly out of the blocks, brushing aside lowly group make-weights with fluent and extravagant performances which get the pulse racing. There may be the odd stumble on the way but usually they make their way out of the group stage and even through the first knock-out round. Then things start to come unstuck. They suddenly forget how to play and spectators can almost physically see the belief ebb from the team as the weight of previous failure comes to settle on their uncertain shoulders. When destiny calls for Spain, it's hardly ever a pleasant visit. And yet, this year Spain are just behind Germany in the ratings for potential champions. But haven't we been here before, only to be disappointed by another submissive exit?  There are signs, however, that this is more than the usual hype. Any team which can afford to leave Cesc Fabregas out of the midfield must have some very special players capable of making up for his omission. The diminutive maestro was imperious for long periods of Arsenal's Premiership season; his superiority in the creative role underpinned by a performance of fast feet and fast thinking which undid the weary challenge of AC Milan's ageing stars almost single-handedly when the two teams met in the Champions League.And yet, the little genius can only hope to feature in coach Luis Aragones' plans should he field his 4-5-1 formation. If the coach chooses his other favored option, a traditional 4-4-2, then Fabregas is the man to make way for the second striker in this equation. The fact that Fabregas is struggling to claim a place above David Silva and Andres Iniesta says much about these two young stars of the Primera Liga. Valencia's Silva has staked a claim as the roaming, attacking midfielder above Fabregas and is likely to consolidate that position at these championships. Barça's Iniesta, meanwhile, is the embodiment of Spain's philosophy of soaking up pressure before hitting the opposition quickly and incisively. Together they have combined to put Fabregas, one of the English Premiership's shining lights, in the international shade.  Another Spanish import to the Premiership, striker Fernando Torres, is likely to lead the line despite the fact he hasn't scored for his country since September last year. His 33 goals in all competitions for Liverpool this season will surely be enough for him to remain either the lone striker or part of the two-man partnership in whatever formation Aragones goes with. In another example of the confidence the Spanish have in depth, should Torres feel the effects of a long debut season in England, Spain can fall back on the 23-goal David Villa or Dani Guiza, the 29-goal hitman from Mallorca.Strength in depth is often quoted as one of the main factors behind successful teams. With potentially world class performers fighting for first team opportunities in every position, the pundits who see Spain as second favorites may just have a point. |
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