These aren’t your father’s Italian and German teams
Two European squads have long been stereotyped as defensive- minded and rigid, but that’s no longer the case in 2012
With Euro 2012 beginning in Poland and Ukraine on Friday, even the most casual of soccer fans will find their opinion being sought at some stage during the 24- day tournament.
So, to help in the avoidance of eternal ignominy, here is a useful guide to a few national team stereotypes that remain popular yet are to be most definitely avoided:
Italy
STEREOTYPE: The Italians will be expected to be defensively sound, dour and cynical in their style of play and go on the attack only when they absolutely have to. Throw in a predilection for pushing the laws of the game to the limit and you have a bittertasting cocktail that does little to endear Italy to any but their most ardent of fans. REALITY: No country that includes Antoni Cassano and Mario Balotelli in their squad should ever be accused of being dour and coach Cesare Prandelli has gradually been implementing a far more attacking style of play than his predecessors that makes his team rather enjoyable to watch. If anything, the Italians may find that they are too open for their own good.
Germany
STEREOTYPE: It’s almost mandatory to include the words “efficient” and “well organized” when discussing any German team and they are still frequently regarded as compensating for what they lack in individual flair through teamwork and a welldrilled tactical rigidity. REALITY: Ever since current USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann took over his national side for the 2006 World Cup, the Germans have changed their approach to the game. They now play in a far more open style which is reflected by the likes of Mesut Ozil and Thomas Muller who both display a sense of individuality that is reflected throughout a team that has become refreshingly fluid in both its positioning and its approach to the game.
Netherlands
STEREOTYPE: No European country embodies the notion of soccer as a game of individual expression within a team framework more than the Dutch and their history is littered with players blessed with genius and tournaments in which they sparkle yet ultimately fail. Aside from Brazil, the Netherlands remain most neutrals’ favourite team. REALITY: It’s becoming a truism to say that the Germans have become the Dutch and that the Dutch have become the Germans when it comes to international football, but there is some merit in that opinion. Their performance in the 2010 World Cup probably caused more than a few people to fall out of love with a Dutch team that seemed intent on results above all else, often with ugly consequences. While no team that features Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Schneider can be all bad, it is also true that no team that includes midfield enforcers Nigel De Jong and Mark van Bommel will ever be a pure joy to watch. If coach Bert van Marwijk continues with the “pragmatic” approach that he adopted in 2010, then only an outright tournament victory will convince the Dutch fans that his methods are worth pursuing further.
England
STEREOTYPE: Hardworking but lacking the technical ability of the top nations, England always seem to find that their indefatigable sprit is eventually undone by bad luck, injuries or penalties. REALITY: An England team hasn’t overachieved at a tournament since they reached the semifinals of Euro 1996 and three quarter- final defeats since then probably flatters to deceive. The hardest task that new coach Roy Hodgson faces will be to convince his players that they are not as good as they think they are and that they will actually have to do some hard work if they are to achieve any level of success.
Republic of Ireland
STEREOTYPE: A lovable group of players from the less elite European club teams that combine to play a prosaic and direct style of football that will produce the occasional surprise result, but will ultimately fail against more tactically aware opponents. REALITY: Under coach Giovanni Trappatoni, Ireland has evolved into a team that is content to sit back and allow the opposition to have the ball in areas where they can do no damage while maintaining the threat of hitting them either on the break or through a well- rehearsed set- piece. Persuading his players that this approach could produce success was Trappatoni’s biggest challenge and with that hurdle overcome he has produced an Irish team that may not be as much fun to watch as they once were, but neither is it anywhere near as much fun to play against.