As you say it was poorly planned.Ireland win the 4 nations.
The tournament has been pretty poorly planned though. Rubbish attendances, the games haven't been great, a few players aren't involved due to the playoffs.
Andriy Shevchenko has announced his intention to retire from the game after the European Championship in 2012.
The striker will feature for his native Ukraine side in the tournament which is jointly hosted by the Ukraine and Poland.
The 34-year-old has been an influential figure for his national side during his glittering career, as well as plying his trade for some of the biggest club teams in world football.
The Dynamo Kiev striker will hope to go out with a bang to cap off a career that included spells at AC Milanand Chelsea![]()
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"I have decided to retire right after Euro 2012," said Shevchenko."This is my final decision.![]()
"We are all set to perform at our best at our home European Championships and I believe we can challenge the clear favourites in the battle for the title if luck is on our side."
Anyone watch the U21 tournament? We got a good draw against Spain but really they totally battered us in every area. The midfield was awful, Henderson, Cleverly (Rated highly at Man Utd for some reason) Mancienne were woeful. Kyle Walker was the only one that looked good along with Smalling.
Battered was probably a bit strong, if Spain had a better striker then they probably would have won. What still gets me is how far we lack technically, players like Henderson, Rodwell are valued at £20-25m but can barely trap a ball. Sturridge, although talented had the technique of a camel. Why do we lack players with a good first touch? Thiago made 100 more passes than the nearest English player (Phil Jones).
Its not just the Spanish who are technically gifted, every national team we play all seem to be comfortable in passing the ball, and keeping possession, in England if we keep the ball for 30 seconds without lumping it forward the fans get impatient, this tactic hasn't worked for decades. Scholes made some good points about the lack of technique in England earlier today.
yea players like Jones and Henderson cost their clubs almost the same as Luis Suarez. Amazing really.
Really bad.
What is Pearce trying to do? It's such a negative formation with a negative team selection. And why is the ball hoofed long?
We are rated by ourselves as the best team at u21 level, after this tournament we are sure to drop a few places. Get Mark Albrighton on that fucking pitch...!

^ I agree. Our midfield is awful, Mancienne isn't a midfielder, so why is he playing there? Rodwell does nothing, Henderson does nothing, Cleverly does nothing. We have far too many passengers that for some reason are rated highly.
A lot of people are surprised that Albrighton doesn't play.
if the defenders keep hoofing the ball up the field how can the midfielders get into the game though?