Sure thing, will try to send mine asap but latest by Friday just in case.
The UEFA Euro Fantasy Draft
- Thread starter Balu
- Start date
Sure thing, will try to send mine asap but latest by Friday just in case.
I don't think there were any "easy teams" TBH.
I can do thursday
Schedule:
Thursday: 1. harms vs crappy
tbd:
Match 2: The Red Viper vs The Stain
Match 3: Aldo vs Joga Bonito
Match 4: Team EAP vs Raees & Gio
No more than 2 games a day please.
Thursday: 1. harms vs crappy
tbd:
Match 2: The Red Viper vs The Stain
Match 3: Aldo vs Joga Bonito
Match 4: Team EAP vs Raees & Gio
No more than 2 games a day please.
I'm on holiday on Friday to Tuesday so won't be available. It has to be Wednesday mate?
Schedule:
Wednesday: 1. Team EAP vs Raees & Gio
Thursday: 1. harms vs crappy
tbd:
Match 2: The Red Viper vs The Stain
Match 3: Aldo vs Joga Bonito
No more than 2 games a day please.
Wednesday: 1. Team EAP vs Raees & Gio
Thursday: 1. harms vs crappy
tbd:
Match 2: The Red Viper vs The Stain
Match 3: Aldo vs Joga Bonito
No more than 2 games a day please.
@The Red Viper Wed or Thu, whatever is better for you.
Loooks like it's Thursday for you two. Unless you tell me otherwise I put you in the schedule for that day.
Thursday is already full, so it's either Wednesday or Friday for you two. I guess Friday is more likely, if you struggle for time. Most likely I won't be online on Friday and can't start the game. So better add @Annahnomoss to the conversation when you send me your write-ups. Same for you @Aldo .
Schedule:
Wednesday: 1. Team EAP vs Raees & Gio
Thursday: 1. harms vs crappy 2. The Red Viper vs The Stain
Friday: 1. Aldo vs Joga Bonito
The games in italic aren't confirmed yet.
Wednesday: 1. Team EAP vs Raees & Gio
Thursday: 1. harms vs crappy 2. The Red Viper vs The Stain
Friday: 1. Aldo vs Joga Bonito
The games in italic aren't confirmed yet.
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If I'm not available then I'll tell you guys/send it to someone else who will be.
I'll send you my write up by today, so start the game if Joga can send his by Wednesday.
Discussion about the next draft, the ideas, sign-ups and all that.
https://www.redcafe.net/threads/next-draft-idea-discussion.403961/#post-17426050
https://www.redcafe.net/threads/next-draft-idea-discussion.403961/#post-17426050
Trying to guess what Joga is going to field is a mindfeck, I'm in half a mind to throw a curveball myself rather than jut upgrading players in the same setup. But I love that setup. 
Yeah, @Balu and @The Stain . Thursday is fine.
Will do, up to Joga now.
Most of its done balu just give me some time to edit it, work can be a bit tricky 2pm maximum
Lev Yashin
He won the first European Championship with USSR in 1960 and finished runner-up in 1964. He was voted in both 1960 and 1964 teams of the tournament, and is widely regarded as the best player of 1960 Euro. Not much can be said about the Black Panther that you don’t already know about – he is the best goalkeeper of all times and he has proven his level on European stage like no others did.
He won the first European Championship with USSR in 1960 and finished runner-up in 1964. He was voted in both 1960 and 1964 teams of the tournament, and is widely regarded as the best player of 1960 Euro. Not much can be said about the Black Panther that you don’t already know about – he is the best goalkeeper of all times and he has proven his level on European stage like no others did.
Giacinto Facchetti
The best fullback in the draft. Magnificent Facchetti captained Italy to their first ever European Championship in 1968, after decades without any international trophy. His influence on that Italian win is absolutely unmatched between fullbacks. Best Italian player in 1968, he contributed both to defense and offense (and also made the right choice at the coin-toss, which could've cost his team their place in the final) and was voted 5th in 1968 Ballon D'Or list.
Anton Ondruš
A colossal figure behind Czechoslovakian success in 1976. Despite being quite an attacking side that Czechoslovakian team managed to have a 22-game unbeaten run between 1974 and 1976, which included their win at Euro’s. Ondruš and Ivo Viktor were the most important players in the side, which faced two World-Cup finalists in the final stages of the tournament and won it anyway. Czech’s captain Ondruš, after his man of the match performance against Cruyff’s Netherlands, was included in team of the tournament and was voted 6th in 1976 Ballon D’Or list (quite an achievement for an eastrn-european defender). He also contributed in the next tournament, leading his team to the 3rd place finish in 1980.
Frank Rijkaard
A superhuman, no less. He had it all, he possessed amazing balance, stamina and teamwork, pace and passing ability... One of the best players ever in his position he was absolutely imperious in 1988, when they formed a complimentary duo with Koeman in the heart of Netherland's defence. Most of the time he covered for a very adventurous Koeman, providing cover positionally and aerially, but they roles were interchangeable and he also went up to midfield at times. He was voted 3rd best player in the world after that performance, which, in my opinion, is one of the best defensive performances in the history of the tournament, on par with Beckenbauer's 1972.
Andreas Brehme
He participated in 3 European Championships and was included in 2 teams of the tournaments (in 1984 and 1992). Brehme is one of the finest wing-backs to have graced the game, his 86 international caps testifying to the legend. He was the important part in that German side that got to semi-final in 1988 and finished runner-up in 1992. Brehme played on both flanks, was uniquely ambidextrous and managed to combine defensive reliability with unmatched attacking threat.
The best fullback in the draft. Magnificent Facchetti captained Italy to their first ever European Championship in 1968, after decades without any international trophy. His influence on that Italian win is absolutely unmatched between fullbacks. Best Italian player in 1968, he contributed both to defense and offense (and also made the right choice at the coin-toss, which could've cost his team their place in the final) and was voted 5th in 1968 Ballon D'Or list.
Anton Ondruš
A colossal figure behind Czechoslovakian success in 1976. Despite being quite an attacking side that Czechoslovakian team managed to have a 22-game unbeaten run between 1974 and 1976, which included their win at Euro’s. Ondruš and Ivo Viktor were the most important players in the side, which faced two World-Cup finalists in the final stages of the tournament and won it anyway. Czech’s captain Ondruš, after his man of the match performance against Cruyff’s Netherlands, was included in team of the tournament and was voted 6th in 1976 Ballon D’Or list (quite an achievement for an eastrn-european defender). He also contributed in the next tournament, leading his team to the 3rd place finish in 1980.
Frank Rijkaard
A superhuman, no less. He had it all, he possessed amazing balance, stamina and teamwork, pace and passing ability... One of the best players ever in his position he was absolutely imperious in 1988, when they formed a complimentary duo with Koeman in the heart of Netherland's defence. Most of the time he covered for a very adventurous Koeman, providing cover positionally and aerially, but they roles were interchangeable and he also went up to midfield at times. He was voted 3rd best player in the world after that performance, which, in my opinion, is one of the best defensive performances in the history of the tournament, on par with Beckenbauer's 1972.
Andreas Brehme
He participated in 3 European Championships and was included in 2 teams of the tournaments (in 1984 and 1992). Brehme is one of the finest wing-backs to have graced the game, his 86 international caps testifying to the legend. He was the important part in that German side that got to semi-final in 1988 and finished runner-up in 1992. Brehme played on both flanks, was uniquely ambidextrous and managed to combine defensive reliability with unmatched attacking threat.
Valery Voronin
He was one of the best and most important USSR players in the 60’s. A cultured defensive midfielder, whose main strength was his reading of the game and off-the ball movement, he led USSR to the final of 1964 Euro. He scored a goal in the semi-final and France Football likened him to a South American player after his final performance. He was the only Soviet player bar Yashin to play for European/World XI at the time – he finished in top 10 European footballer of the year both in 1964 and 1965.
Bernd Schuster
What’s the point of writing a profile, when Joga already wrote it for you? Take a fascinating journey through Schuster’s career: What's the abiding memory of the 1980 Euro Championships in Italy? England limping out? The tear gas? The low crowds? No. They were all rubbish. What really stood out was Bernd Schuster. What a player - it wasn't just the mop of blond hair that made him stand head and shoulders above the rest, it was the way he patrolled the midfield, starting off attack after attack with his classy range of passing
Wilfried Van Moer
My personal favorite for his performance in 1980. After years of absence he, 35 at the time, was called up for a young an inexperienced Belgium team. His decisive goal against Portugal helped them to qualify for the tournament – and than it was his swansong. He glued that team together with his tidy passing and smart movement, he run around tirelessly, pressing opponents and provoking them into making a mistake. He led his team to the final and he played so well that, despite his club side finishing just 15th in the league that season, only Rummenigge, Schuster and Platini finished ahead of him in European footballer of the year vote.
He was one of the best and most important USSR players in the 60’s. A cultured defensive midfielder, whose main strength was his reading of the game and off-the ball movement, he led USSR to the final of 1964 Euro. He scored a goal in the semi-final and France Football likened him to a South American player after his final performance. He was the only Soviet player bar Yashin to play for European/World XI at the time – he finished in top 10 European footballer of the year both in 1964 and 1965.
Bernd Schuster
What’s the point of writing a profile, when Joga already wrote it for you? Take a fascinating journey through Schuster’s career: What's the abiding memory of the 1980 Euro Championships in Italy? England limping out? The tear gas? The low crowds? No. They were all rubbish. What really stood out was Bernd Schuster. What a player - it wasn't just the mop of blond hair that made him stand head and shoulders above the rest, it was the way he patrolled the midfield, starting off attack after attack with his classy range of passing
Wilfried Van Moer
My personal favorite for his performance in 1980. After years of absence he, 35 at the time, was called up for a young an inexperienced Belgium team. His decisive goal against Portugal helped them to qualify for the tournament – and than it was his swansong. He glued that team together with his tidy passing and smart movement, he run around tirelessly, pressing opponents and provoking them into making a mistake. He led his team to the final and he played so well that, despite his club side finishing just 15th in the league that season, only Rummenigge, Schuster and Platini finished ahead of him in European footballer of the year vote.
Dragan Džajić
Džajić is viewed by some football experts as perhaps one of the most underrated players in European football, partly because he played in Yugoslavia. It should be a problem in this draft though – he participated in 2 European Championship, in 1968 and 1976 and he left some impression. His performances in 1968 stand out – he scored the only goal against World Cup champions at the time England, leaving Moore and Banks and scored a goal in the final, when he outwitted his marker Burgnich and scored against Zoff – just look at all those names. Beckenbauer famously said that it wasn’t George Best that should’ve been given Ballon D’Or that year, but Dzajic – not a statement that I, or any United fan, will necessarily agree with, but it says something, doesn’t it? Without any doubt, Dzajic was the best player of that tournament as well as it’s top goalscorer, despite being primarily a winger. The next chance to shine came 8 years later, in 1976, when Dzajic was already 30 years old. Nobody expected much, but he scored against both West Germany and Netherlands, schooling no other than Berti Vogts on the way, a player, that just 2 years prior to that successfully marked Cruyff out of the game! No wonder that, for the second time in his career, he was included in the team of the tournament.
György Sárosi
He played in three International Cups (CEIC) – in the first one as a central defender, in the second one as an attacking midfielder and in the third one as a centre forward. It’s hard to judge his performances as a defender, but I don’t think that I’m going to use him that way – it will be strange to, considering that he scored 10 goals in 5 games as a centre forward, and 7 goals in 7 games as a midfielder. He was the most prolific goalscorer of that era, he proved himself at every possible stage, including World Cup, but his European performances still stood out. His best game came against Czechoslovakia in 1937, when he started as a midfielder, scored 1 goal and in the second time he was moved to a centre forward position and scored 6 more. What really mindblowing is that he scored those goals against the great Planicka – probably the best goalkeeper in the world at that time. He was a top-scorer in 2 consecutive CEIC tournaments, holds the record of the most goals scored, most goals scored in one tournament (alongside with Puskas, but he played less games) and most goals scored in one game – not bad, heh? A complimentary article.
Giuseppe Meazza
One of the most celebrated players in the history of football, Mezza won 2 World Cups (which is irrelevant here, though), 2 International Cups and finished runner-up in 2 more (in the last one Italy was actually 1st on lost points, but the tournament was unfinished due to Anschluss). He started his career as a centre forward, and one of his first games for Italy was a game against Hungary in the CEIC. Despite it being a league-system tournament, it was, essentially, the final – the winner, be it Italy or Hungary, would’ve won the tournament. Meazza, only 19 at the time, made a joke out of what was expected to be a tough game – he scored an opening hat-trick and the game finished 5:0. Before 1934 World Cup Pozzo moved Meazza from the centre forward position to the inside-right, where his elusive dribbling would unsettle defences and create openings for his team-mates – a decision that proved to be genius, was a little controversial at the time. From that inside-right position Meazza dominated international football for years – he was the best and most important player in that Italian side, which won 2 consecutive World Cups and some CEIC along the way. I can’t think of any other player in that draft, who was a main figure on 4 consecutive European tournaments, winning two, finishing second once and finishing first on lost points in the unfinished one. Here’s a nice article about him.
Džajić is viewed by some football experts as perhaps one of the most underrated players in European football, partly because he played in Yugoslavia. It should be a problem in this draft though – he participated in 2 European Championship, in 1968 and 1976 and he left some impression. His performances in 1968 stand out – he scored the only goal against World Cup champions at the time England, leaving Moore and Banks and scored a goal in the final, when he outwitted his marker Burgnich and scored against Zoff – just look at all those names. Beckenbauer famously said that it wasn’t George Best that should’ve been given Ballon D’Or that year, but Dzajic – not a statement that I, or any United fan, will necessarily agree with, but it says something, doesn’t it? Without any doubt, Dzajic was the best player of that tournament as well as it’s top goalscorer, despite being primarily a winger. The next chance to shine came 8 years later, in 1976, when Dzajic was already 30 years old. Nobody expected much, but he scored against both West Germany and Netherlands, schooling no other than Berti Vogts on the way, a player, that just 2 years prior to that successfully marked Cruyff out of the game! No wonder that, for the second time in his career, he was included in the team of the tournament.
György Sárosi
He played in three International Cups (CEIC) – in the first one as a central defender, in the second one as an attacking midfielder and in the third one as a centre forward. It’s hard to judge his performances as a defender, but I don’t think that I’m going to use him that way – it will be strange to, considering that he scored 10 goals in 5 games as a centre forward, and 7 goals in 7 games as a midfielder. He was the most prolific goalscorer of that era, he proved himself at every possible stage, including World Cup, but his European performances still stood out. His best game came against Czechoslovakia in 1937, when he started as a midfielder, scored 1 goal and in the second time he was moved to a centre forward position and scored 6 more. What really mindblowing is that he scored those goals against the great Planicka – probably the best goalkeeper in the world at that time. He was a top-scorer in 2 consecutive CEIC tournaments, holds the record of the most goals scored, most goals scored in one tournament (alongside with Puskas, but he played less games) and most goals scored in one game – not bad, heh? A complimentary article.
Giuseppe Meazza
One of the most celebrated players in the history of football, Mezza won 2 World Cups (which is irrelevant here, though), 2 International Cups and finished runner-up in 2 more (in the last one Italy was actually 1st on lost points, but the tournament was unfinished due to Anschluss). He started his career as a centre forward, and one of his first games for Italy was a game against Hungary in the CEIC. Despite it being a league-system tournament, it was, essentially, the final – the winner, be it Italy or Hungary, would’ve won the tournament. Meazza, only 19 at the time, made a joke out of what was expected to be a tough game – he scored an opening hat-trick and the game finished 5:0. Before 1934 World Cup Pozzo moved Meazza from the centre forward position to the inside-right, where his elusive dribbling would unsettle defences and create openings for his team-mates – a decision that proved to be genius, was a little controversial at the time. From that inside-right position Meazza dominated international football for years – he was the best and most important player in that Italian side, which won 2 consecutive World Cups and some CEIC along the way. I can’t think of any other player in that draft, who was a main figure on 4 consecutive European tournaments, winning two, finishing second once and finishing first on lost points in the unfinished one. Here’s a nice article about him.
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Ivo Viktor
Viktor was the goalkeeper famously lobbed from the opposition half, but not beaten, by Pelé at the 1970 FIFA World Cup, but at the 1976 UEFA European Championship the 34-year-old enjoyed the best week of his career. His performances against the Netherlands and even more so West Germany were the stuff of legend. After several telling saves, some bordering on the miraculous, he was voted into third place in the 1976 Ballon d'Or. Five times the Czechoslovakian Footballer of the Year, Viktor ended his career in 1977 with 63 caps.
Ivo Viktor said:
Surprisingly for Victor he was invited to play in a Lev Yashin's farewell match. "Why me?" - he asked the legendary goalkeeper. Yashin said, that he became a big fan of his after watching a memorable match in 1966 against England, where he was the best player on the pitch, and after that game he tried to follow after his career, including his games in 1970 World Cup. "But Banks is a better goalkeeper" – said surprised Viktor. "Banks is out of competition, but we goalies know that to play well and to play behind the finest defenders are a two different things" - Yashin replied.
Igor Chislenko
Chislenko was part of the USSR team that lost in 1964 final to Spain, a game, where he should've had a penalty. He famously humiliated Facchetti in qualifications, providing a match-winning goal and assist. Hardworking, smart, he was equally capable of playing as a right midfielder, winger and a centre-forward. He was unlucky to miss out on 1968 Euro, he was in the form of his life in 1967 and should've had another field day against his beloved Italian.
Pietro Rava
For the Italian national team, he appeared in 30 international matches between 1936 to 1946, losing only one game, and becoming the Italy captain in 1940. He won the gold medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics, and won the 1938 FIFA World Cup. He was selected to the "Best XI" of the 1938 World Cup. Along with Alfredo Foni, Sergio Bertoni, and Ugo Locatelli, Rava is one of only four Italian players ever to win both the Olympic tournament and the World Cup. He played 3 games in 4th CEIC, and managed to keep a clean sheet in 2 of them. I can't say much about him to be fair, a usual left-back/centre back of that era, with a great credentials to him.
Murtaz Khurtsilava
Murtaz was unlucky to miss out on Euro 1968 due to his injury just prior to the tournament – he was already Soviet’s best defender at the time. It was the last tournament for that golden generation of Soviet players, which made USSR probably the best European side of the 60’s. Khurtsilava captained a young and inexperienced side in 1972, when they beat Yugoslavia and Hungary in play-off’s (without conceding a single goal) only to face an all-time great West German side in the final. Their fairy-tail ended there, only Soviet’s keeper Rudakov and Khurtsilava had a decent game (the latter was unlucky as his shot hit the bar), but it wasn’t enough against Netzer, Müller and Beckenbauer. Nevertheless, Khurtsilava and his importance to that success didn’t get unnoticed – he was included in 1972 team of the tournament and was named 11th best player of the year by France Football.
Volodimir Bezsonov (a.k.a. Vladimir Bessonov in Russian transcription)
He was once described as the perfect future footballer by no other than Valeriy Lobanovsky. Lightening quick fullback, tactically flawless (years under Lobanovsky’s reign took their toll), fearless, great on the ball – his only problem was his injury proneness. He was subbed off in 1988 semi-final against Italy after a serious injury and missed the final – but his performance before that was impressive nevertheless. USSR won every game that he played in, including a game against Netherlands in the group, where he was one of their best players – and without him they failed to beat Ireland and lost to Netherlands in the final.
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@Balu I have sent them in. Lets roll..
Guys if there is any space in the next one can you keep me in mind.. Cheers
Schedule:
Thursday: 1. harms vs crappy 2. The Red Viper vs The Stain
Friday: 1. Aldo vs Joga Bonito
The usual day before the game reminder:
harms already sent his write-up for tomorrow, @crappycraperson @The Red Viper and @The Stain haven't sent theirs yet.
@Joga Bonito We're kinda still waiting for you to confirm that Friday works for you? Games on the weekend have usually less discussion, so it would be great if you can make it work for Friday. I already have Aldo's write-up.
Thursday: 1. harms vs crappy 2. The Red Viper vs The Stain
Friday: 1. Aldo vs Joga Bonito
The usual day before the game reminder:
harms already sent his write-up for tomorrow, @crappycraperson @The Red Viper and @The Stain haven't sent theirs yet.
@Joga Bonito We're kinda still waiting for you to confirm that Friday works for you? Games on the weekend have usually less discussion, so it would be great if you can make it work for Friday. I already have Aldo's write-up.
Yes, Friday would be fine.
It's hard to believe a 20 year old in his 4th cap and on his first competitive appearance for Italy, slotting in effortless amongst legends of the game such as Bergomi, Ferri (deserved to be picked ahead of Baresi for this draft) and Baresi and ruthlessly taking out Littbarski () from the game, before going on to have a stormer against Michel (keep in mind that both Michel and Littbarski were amongst the foremost wingers of their era) in the very next game and then proceeding to give a very good account of himself in the semis against a strong Soviet Union.
Well, not really, if you are one Paolo Maldini who was already a regular in that great AC Milan side at such a tender age.
Some select bits of his performance against Germany.
My my, his tackling. Just so pure and clean - belies the very physical nature of what a tackle should be.
Credit to @The Stain for his gif-ing. Great work.
Incredible recovery speed to nip a promising counter in the bud
2nd half - Tucks out his shirt so don't be confused
Great one-two and almost finds the defense splitting pass which was well intercepted
) from the game, before going on to have a stormer against Michel (keep in mind that both Michel and Littbarski were amongst the foremost wingers of their era) in the very next game and then proceeding to give a very good account of himself in the semis against a strong Soviet Union.Well, not really, if you are one Paolo Maldini who was already a regular in that great AC Milan side at such a tender age.
Some select bits of his performance against Germany.
My my, his tackling
. Just so pure and clean - belies the very physical nature of what a tackle should be.Credit to @The Stain for his gif-ing. Great work.
Incredible recovery speed to nip a promising counter in the bud
2nd half - Tucks out his shirt so don't be confused
Great one-two and almost finds the defense splitting pass which was well intercepted
I will send mine by 1-2 am US Eastern time. That will be about 9 am-10am Central european time I think
I would say 2000 but he was fan-fecking-tastic in 1988 so I'm torn about that really. Haven't watched much of the 1996 tournament where he still made the TOTM although Italy didn't progress from the group stages.
I remember watching this match thinking it's going to be a good test for Maldini against Littbarski and Voller/Klinsmann who loved drifting wide but Maldini was simply phenomenal - his reading of the game and his trademark smooth tackling was already there. Quite the natural, it has to be said and they just couldn't get the better of him. Poor Litti didn't know what hit him
.I mean shining in a defense consisting of Baresi, Ferri and Bergomi as an inexperienced (on the international stage) 20 year old takes some doing.
The defense was the only thing that made me bear with watching that Italian side. They were distinctively average in midfield and attack bar Mancini - it was akin to watching paint dry at times
. Even in the semi-finals it was a fairly even affair where the Italian forwards missed a few good chances and drew a great save from Dasayev but then conceded two quick fire goals against the run which ultimately knocked them out. That Italian defense deserved much much more than what they had ahead of them.
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It's interesting. I criticised his performances in 1996 earlier in the thread, but he was in the team of the tournament so I'm wondering whether I was being harsh on him. Or was it more a case of Maldini being so imperious in the mid-1990s and oozed so much quality and elegance that he pretty much sailed in, almost irrespective of the fact Porborsky and Kanchelskis gave him a tough time IIRC. Agree with his level in 1988 and 2000 though, fantastic.I would say 2000 but he was fan-fecking-tastic in 1988 so I'm torn about that really. Haven't watched much of the 1996 tournament where he still made the TOTM although Italy didn't progress from the group stages.
I remember watching this match thinking it's going to be a good test for Maldini against Littbarski and Voller/Klinsmann who loved drifting wide but Maldini was simply phenomenal - his reading of the game and his trademark smooth tackling was already there. Quite the natural, it has to be said and they just couldn't get the better of him. Poor Litti didn't know what hit him
I mean shining in a defense consisting of Baresi, Ferri and Bergomi as an inexperienced (on the international stage) 20 year old takes some doing.
The defense was the only thing that made me bear with watching that Italian side. They were distinctively average in midfield and attack bar Mancini - it was akin to watching paint dry at times
It could very well be the case of a big name making the TOTM like you've said but I'm not well informed to comment on that as I haven't extensively watched that tournament. Kanchelskis
did give him a few headaches though. A real shame how his United career ended so abruptly but then again, we wouldn't have been able to see Beckham breaking through if he hadn't left.im just glad i had my match against @The Stain , nice and friendly atmosphere
you guys are killing yourself in the match threads
you guys are killing yourself in the match threads
I don't think it was that much him being great, but not his big name either, more a case of the competition at leftback not being much cop and no other Italian shining so he defaulted it.
1996 was the first time we got Squads of the Tournament instead of XIs, the main motivation being to recognise more players, have more representation from more countries, etc. So you sort of needed an Italian there and had few options, and leftback didn't really have any major standouts, so Maldini.
FWIW, I think Ziege should have been there instead.
harms vs crappy has started. Still haven't received anything from @The Red Viper or @The Stain yet for the game today.
I am halfway through mine. Will send you in an hour!
2nd game today is on. Only Aldo vs Joga tomorrow left for this round.
The last quarterfinal is on. Couldn't really avoid that we have 3 games running at the same time now, but the first of the three is finished soon, so I hope it doesn't cause any problems.
Good luck everyone.
Good luck everyone.
Man marking - What's you take on that?
Kohler was mentioned as the best man marker. Next match Forster had a similar claim. Not on the players, but on the tactic.
Is man marking really effective in modern football? I'm thinking the likes of Stiles/Eusebio or Gentile/Maradona will never happen with modern foul rules and will end up with defenders getting sent off. What kind of 'man marking' can Kohler or Forster do that any other competant CB (Nesta or Moore etc) can't do. Is playing Kohler/Forster any better than Moore/Nesta?
Kohler was mentioned as the best man marker. Next match Forster had a similar claim. Not on the players, but on the tactic.
Is man marking really effective in modern football? I'm thinking the likes of Stiles/Eusebio or Gentile/Maradona will never happen with modern foul rules and will end up with defenders getting sent off. What kind of 'man marking' can Kohler or Forster do that any other competant CB (Nesta or Moore etc) can't do. Is playing Kohler/Forster any better than Moore/Nesta?