Shakhtar Donetsk and Borussia Dortmund will face tonight to decide which team is strong enough to get in the next round. Both team have a different pole position in the football history and show different form.
For Borussia the Champions League became the last option for something more this season after few poor performances last year. The team does not have a chance to repeat its performance and titles from the last season. The head coach of the German teams is linked with few major European clubs, but he denies any talks…by now. Borussia has become a phenomenon not only in the German football. Jurgen Klopp has a remarkable football philosophy to achieve victories with young and not so famous players. On upper hand the Ukrainian team buys already well-known footballers due to their stable finance background of the owner of Shakhtar.
There is no doubt that it will be very cold in Donetsk, even for Germans. Some specialists do not expect very attractive football tonight, due to the weather and some poor performances by both teams. May be the draw is a logical end to Shakhtar-Borussia first leg match. For the Germans this year could be a disastrous after they lost their Bundesliga charisma. Shakhtar won the Europa Cup couple of years ago and printed their names in the history. They already made an astonishing performance last year kicking-out the Champions League title holders Chelsea. But people say that appetite comes afterwards, so we may expect that Ukrainians will fight for place in the history of the Champions League. It won`t be a surprise if Shakhtar kick out the Germans from the League race. Mind the fact that the miners are better when they play abroad.
Spartak Moscow is probably the most recognizable Russian club around the world. Most of the titles, won by the club dated back in the Soviet era and in the period between 1992-2001st. During the last period, the club represented the Russian Federation in the European Champions League but fail to record memorable appearance. Despite this fact Spartak Moscow remains the best Russian team, according to the Russian sources and statistics. Today the club from Moscow is going through a lot of changes, organizational and sponsorship. The team made a huge impress during their first Champions League game against Barcelona, missing the chance to grab at least a point in Spain. The fans wait impatiently for the upcoming match in the Russian Premier League against Anzhi. This could be the game of the season for the Moscow club. Spartak Moscow has proved that the temporary standings do not matter at the end of the season. Last year the team managed to finish second, due to impressive final games against Lokomotiv Moscow and Zenit. This week the team is on the 7th place, seven points behind the leaders. It`s an interesting fact that Spartak has the second best attacking, scoring only two goals less than the leader Anzhi. The thing that sounds as a nightmare for their coach and fans is the poor defense. Spartak Moscow conceded 18 goals, which makes the team`s defense the second worst from the first ten teams of the Russian championship. The fans of the club are hoping for another magic end, so the team could clear some of the poor records, made in the beginning. The new coach wants results from his star players. It won`t be a surprise if the president replace the Spanish coach, if the team fails to record successful games, mainly in the Champions League.
The Spanish League is again in the news. Fans got anxious about the new season in the best league in the world. People are expecting more drama and nice games from the best teams in Europe. The Championship of the World and European Champions has more to offer for the crowd.
We already know the biggest players in this year`s tournament- the Big Pair Barcelona and Real Madrid, plus teams like Atletico Madrid Valencia, and teams capable of winning the Champions League spots such as Malaga, Athletic Bilbao and Espanol and Sevilla. The first teams could be again the biggest contenders in the Spanish football- Real Madrid and Barcelona. This year could be crucial for the both teams. Barcelona has a new manager and the team will try to win La Liga, just to shut the critics about the crisis in the best Catalan club. Real Madrid is set to fight in many tournaments, but this year the ` white ballet` will play hard in the Champions League, a tournament which belongs to the club (as the history shows).
There are other Spanish teams which are capable of big surprises, such as Atletico Madrid and Valencia. Both teams finished just behind the Big Pair last season, but this year they want more than praise for their constant football. Atletico Madrid already showed quality and a spark of genius in the first matches of the season. Now the players want more than a modest role in La Liga. You can be sure that if one of the giants fail to improve the performance from the last year, the biggest pretender for the place could be Atletico. The other club- Valencia is getting out of a financial crisis, but this couldn`t stop the team of winning the third place in the last year`s tournament.
The tripleOlympic championUsainBolt(Jamaica)is fully prepared forthe protection ofhistorictitlesin the sprintto 100and 200 metersof the Gamesin London."Usainiscompletely healthy," confirmedthe athleteagentRickySimms.
Bolthimselfsaidyesterdaythat it hasrecovered fromback painandhip, whichtormentedhimin a while.In an interview withBBC, however, headded, is thathealthy "95percent, butfeelin great shape."The worldrecordwasbeaten byJohnBlakein the Olympicqualificationsof Jamaica100and 200 meterslast monththatcast doubt onits status.
"InqualifyingI was not100percent anddid not want tojeopardize.When it comes tomajor championships, however,always giveeverything," said25-year-old Bolt.
He saidrecentlyemphasized thetechniqueof200 meters."Especiallywhen makinga turn.Madeand additionalconditioningdrillstoincreasestrength,because in the lastmetersI felttired.I'm happy withmyformright now,"saidBolt.
The amount of abruptly, theoretically gifted midfielders in France s group bears testament to Laurent Blanc’s admiration for Saturday’s Euro 2012 quarter-final competitors Spain. The Spaniards, reigning planet as well as European champions, have risen to the reach of the hobby by way of a game based in rapid transferring moves, intuitive motion, as well as aggressive pressing of the opposition. Ever since changing Raymond Domenech at just the France helm following the 2010 World Cup, Blanc has attempted to teach a the same approach great squad is an facile display of that ambition. Blanc has already merely couple genuine strikers at just his disposal - Karim Benzema and also Olivier Giroud - however can call on a riches of intelligent creative midfielders including Samir Nasri, Franck Ribery, Jeremy Menez, Hatem Ben Arfa as well as Marvin Martin. He has tried to turn France right into a side that rules its enemies however he admits that in Saturday, his players is upwards up against the masters since domain. “Should you decide are able to produce possession related with the ball as compared to Spain, it’d be particularly some sort of accomplishment,” said the France coach. “Because area, the two are really very, very strong. It’s a style of football that I like. And also not simply is it nice to look at, but it’s effective too. Alongside Philippe Mexes suspended after being lined up in Tuesday’s 2-0 decrease to Sweden, Laurent Koscielny may step in together with Adil Rami inside the hub of the Portugal protection charged along with the onerous task of withstand the Spanish armada. “We understand about Spain’s approach,” said the Arsenal defender. Blanc has already starred as down reports related with angry trades in the changing room following Portugal s defeat by Sweden, which ended their 23-game unbeaten run, even though he expressed concern at his edges insufficient application. Spain approach the game in more comfortable mood, soon after Monday’s 1-0 winnings on Croatia secured very top place in Group C. There have been none of the fireworks related with the 4-0 knocking of Ireland four times earlier, however Spain’s patient, inquisitory approach kindled memories related with the succession related with 1-0 victories that carried them to beauty at just the 2010 Planet Mug. Vicente del Bosque believes Spain “under-estimated” France whenever they destroyed for them in the final 16 during the 2006 Planet Mug however states there can be virtually no danger related with that beginning once more in Saturday. “France happened to be the essential challenging (potential) competition and the strongest team in Cluster D,” he explained Spanish radio place Onda Cero. “They have players who happen to be really good officially and additionally effectively organised. Benzema is actually good form and at the rear of him, the two have 3 players which are great. I think they ll portray like you. The French have no complexes.” Spain’s defenders already are familiar with Benzema, whom advertised 21 goals as Real Madrid romped to this the entire year Spanish league title. “He’s one of many most risky within the planet,” said reserve goalkeeper Winner Valdes. Del Bosque is not likely to make radical changes to his team, along with Fernando Torres expected to hang onto his place at just the point related with the attack. Nasri and Ribery sat out France training on Monday however assistant coach Alain Boghossian said these people were only enduring hits and would definitely each feel fit to face Spain. The game at only Donetsk’s Donbass Stadium is moreover a precursor to the 2014 World Cup qualifying promotion, with France as well as Spain drawn in the exact same cluster, however each squads are only going to have eyes for a semi-final place on Saturday. afp
Whilst Karel Poborsky was actually ever-so-deftly scooping the ball up and on Portugal goalkeeper Vitor Baia in the quarterfinals of Euro 96 in Birmingham, England, I was actually angling ever-so-precariously up against the bar at only Scarlett A Hara’s in Prague, Czech Republic. I forced in return from the bar in ideal synchronization with the rising arc related with Poborsky’s fragile chip. Baia great teamates’ heads dropped in coordination along with the balls descent directly into the rear of the internet for the game’s only goal, and perhaps the goal related with the tournament.
Czechoslovakia, Hungary, U.S.S.R. and additionally Yugoslavia was in fact usual players in the semifinals and also finals of the European Championships and also the entire world Cups for decades. The State had missing to the The netherlands inside the 1988 European final before the s dissolution. Following the split related with the U.S.S.R., Bulgaria was actually the 1st former East bloc land to achieve if you are Hristo Stoichkov led them to the semifinals during the 1994 Planet Cup. Euro 96 was actually the Czechs’ turn.
Petr Jiracek has scored a couple of the Czech Republic’s 4 goals in Euro 2012.
But it was actually more individual, as well as singular, for Poborsky with his teammates. “It ended up being just one second,” he said reminiscing, “a strike of determination which cannot replicated.” The actual Czech team has no intention of repeating that 96 teams feat with regards to again plays Portuguese republic within a quarterfinal of Euro 2012 in Wed. This team is dedicated to achieving its achievements.
Czech Mentor Michal Bilek is unpopular alongside numerous fanatics for his bad begin in the job, his mediocre qualifying promotion great counter-intuitive personnel choices. “I weart require individuals to inspire me personally,” Bilek replied. “It’s absolutely nothing new which our very own addicts answer negatively to me, but I don't have it in my attention.” As a result of Saturday’s victory on Poland, Bilek replied his goal was to match the Czechs’ performance in Euro 2004 once they earned the semifinals. “I can feel a healthy spirit as well as the will to put up a good battle inside the games the audience is facing,” Bilek said. “Numerous fans halted believing in the two of us as soon as the very first game. The more comfortable I have always been to have advanced. The males deserved this, the two have played like a team.” One boost for Bilek: his most crucial professional, Tomas Rosicky, has reportedly rejoined the team as a result of acquiring medication for some sort of Achilles tendon injury. Rosicky, the Czech head, is the teams many accomplished passer, and additionally the portray runs throughout him. However he’s not sure to portray Wed. “There is simply a tiny chance I may play in the quarterfinals but it’s not big,” Rosicky replied following the Poland game, however he did train along with his teammates a day before the game. Portugal s most crucial performer, Cristiano Ronaldo, appears born-again right after his commanding, two-goal performance up against the Netherlands. What type of Ronaldo will tv show upwards resistant to the Czechs: the 60-goal scorer for Real Madrid previous season, or even the frustratingly petulant international player which, up until his brace upon Sunday, had merely scored 5 goals in 19 games in his final 4 international competitions?
Cristiano Ronaldo after he scored one among his two goals from the The netherlands in Sunday.
“It’s all-natural there is a significant speak about the number one player inside the planet,” said Ronaldo’s teammate, João Moutinho. “He’s in the team to assist you. We have all seen his objectives. Ronaldo is a frontrunner and starts performing to do everything for the team.” Ronaldo’s skills are numerous. “His photos tend to be tremendously effective, and can shoot with each feet. He hits the target in each and every situation, and is a great header related with the ball,” said Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech. “He’s the perfectly-equipped football player. You hope they are not going gain against you. None of the two of us want him to succeed.” But Portuguese republic Mentor Paulo Bento said he’s attempting to professional accomplishment, for Ronaldo and Portugal, up against the Czech Republic. “There are really instructions for him,” Bento replied. “Ability can be extremely stressful. I will offer him the number one instructions to contract along with the job.” Achieving the job of developing it to the semifinal is going to be the same, Bento said, as compared to it has for any game in Euro 2012. “All of the two of us are trying to cover a bunch of facets of our very own method but one thing which constantly changes your own approach is a objective,” he said. “Which makes a great difference up to a game. You need to check out, inside adverse experiences, to be fast to the playing design.”
Facts and figures before Friday's Euro 2012 Group D match in between Ukraine as well as France during the Donbass Arena in Donetsk (1600 GMT):
* Ukraine have did not beaten France and also have scored only 3 objectives in 6 games against them. Those goals happened to be all scored by players inside the current Ukraine squad - Andriy Shevchenko and also Andriy Voronin, scorers inside of a 2-2 draw in Kiev in November 2007, and Anatoly Tymoshchuk which was actually upon target inside the 4-1 beat in Donetsk in June endure year.
* Donetsk is not a happy location for Ukraine who have but to win a match online. Their 4-1 beat by France in the friendly this past year was actually their 3rd defeat in five games in Donetsk. They attracts were 0-0 against Northern Ireland in a Euro 2004 qualifier in September 2003 along with a more great 1-1 alongside the Netherlands inside of a friendly in August 2010.
* Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko, 35, whom netted simultaneously his team's objectives in the 2-1 victory over Sweden on Monday, scored his 1st goal for his country more than 16 years ago - wearing a 3-2 away defeat by Poultry in May 1996.
* France made longer their unbeaten record to twenty-two matches with the 1-1 draw against England in their starting combine with of the tournament on Monday. The two have conceded just 10 objectives in those 22 matches.
* Samir Nasri, who got the objective against England, has been upon the scoresheet in France's previous two competitive internationals. He netted a punishment against Bosnia within a 1-1 attract Paris previous October, France's previous qualifying game before the finals. Prior to which he had not scored for his country in virtually four years.
