Germanys ever reliable captain Michael Ballack will once again be the key man for Germany who come into the tournment as favourites. Ballack has struggled for fitness in recent seasons but scored some vital goals in Chelseas run in including a brace against eventual champions Manchester United. Capitano (as Jurgen Klinsmann named him) was instrumental in World Cup 2006 as the hosts reached the semi finals and his experience and know how will be key as germany look to win their first game at the euros since Euro 96.
Ballack started his career with Chemnitzer FC before moving onto Kaisersluten and then Bayer Leverkusen where he was a Champions League runner up in 2002 and in the same year Germany lost in the world cup final as Ballack could only sit and watch as he was suspended for the final. Ballack was fast becoming a star and it wasnt a surprise when Bayern Munich snapped him up, he went on to win the German title in 2003, 2005 and 2006 and scored 44 goals in 107 appearances for the German side until in the summer of 2006 he joined Chelsea on a free transfer he had an indifferent first season in english football and was linked with a move to Real Madrid after only one season with Chelsea.
His second season in England didnt start any better as he spent the first half on the sidelines with a chipped ankle bone but in the second half of the season the German came into his own and once again showed why he is one of the best central midfielders in the world, but as a major trophy still eludes him he will be looking to end that with the Germans looking as strong as they have done since Euro 96.
Here’s a post for all England fans who will be switching their TV off for two weeks, or will have to resort to watching Big Brother on Channel 4 (although some people have said that watching BB is enough to make any person switch off their TV for good). Most readers might be able to remember Euro ‘96 (you know the year where England actually played football) and the video clip below is a classic that all England fans will always remember. Picture the scene, Wembley stadium, Scotland have just missed a penalty, England race up to the other end of the pitch and Gazza does some magic and scores a cracking goal. Sounds good doesn’t it? I promise you I’m not making it up, see the clip below, Scotland fans might want to look away!!!
Remember there might not be any England, but we can still try to make some money from some betting tips at least!!! So keep a lookout for the next post where I’ll tip 4 potential winners for Euro 2008(probably losers though, but you never know!!).
Do England fans remember Niko Kranjcar? No?…. You know he’s the guy who played for Croatia against England last November?No?….Oh you must remember that he was the one who scored the opening goal in the match that knocked England out of the Euro 2008 tournament from 40 yards…? Still don’t remember? Yeah me either, along with Scott Carson I’ve almost wiped that night out my memory too!!
Whenever I’ve watched Kranjcar play, he’s always looked very skillful on the ball and a quality player (check out some of the videos of him, some very very nice goals). The Portsmouth player has been on impressive form this season helping Pompey to get to the FA Cup final and he’s also been linked with a lucrative move to Arsenal.
Croatian manager Billic will be looking towards the midfield play-maker already with 39 caps to create the openings for Croatia during the tournament and also add to his 6 international goals from midfield..
I could of taken the easy option and tipped a midfield player like Chrsitiano Ronaldo (who?) to shine at Euro 2008, but Kranjcar has the ability to make a real impact, already a key player at 23 years of age in the Croatian midfield, he is definitely a player to watch out for in June.
I mean any player that scores against England and out classes an English midfield can’t be that bad can they? (actually don’t answer that question)
