UEFA Euro 2008 [FIFA 07] - Story closed PLS Delete

[m_vaughan]

Urrgg.....really wanted to do this but I cant find the damn DVD. Mods are welcome to delete this as I think about some other story topic using the only game I have with me right now - FM08

 

[freddiw]

Awesome mate good luck, hope you stick to it

 

[Highlander999]

Great to see a legend of the story forum back and doing a story. I used to read your old cricket stories for inspiration so I'm eagerly awaiting this

 

[Kiko_97]

Good luck with this m_vaughan I hope it goes well.

 

[m_vaughan]

Preliminary squad announced

Raul misses out on Euro chance
5 April 2008

Real Madrid's Raul wont be going to the European Championships

Real Madrid striker Raul has been overlooked by his national team manager, Luis Aragones, for the upcoming European Championships in Austria and Switzerland. The initial 30-man squad was announced in Madrid today, and also missing from the team are Valencia's David Albelda and Espanyol's Luis Garcia.

Raul, who is the all time top goalscorer for his country, hasnt played an international game since September 2006. But the 30-year old has been in prolific form for Real Madrid this season, scoring 16 goals as the defending champions stand 6 points clear at the top of La Liga.

Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos are the only two Real Madrid players in the squad, while Valencia have six representives in Carlos Marchena, Joaquin Sanchez, David Villa, David Silva, Javier Arizmendi and Raul Albiol.

Also included in the squad is young Sevilla wingback Capel as Atletico Madrid's Argentine born Mariano Pernia misses out.

Manager Luis Aragones refused to comment to the press about the preliminary squad so it remains to be seen how he defends Raul's exclusion from the side. The final squad will be cut down to 23 players and will be announced in May.

Spain have been drawn with Greece, Sweden and Russia in Group D of the competition.

Preliminary 30-man squad
Goalkeepers:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Jose Reina (Liverpool)
Andres Palop (Sevilla)

Defenders:
Carlos Puyol (Barcelona)
Juanito (Betis)
Raul Albiol (Valencia)
Carlos Marchena (Valencia)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Joan Capdevilla (Villarreal)
Angel (Villarreal)
Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid)
Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid)
Fernando Navarro (Real Mallorca)

Midfielders:
Andreas Iniesta (Barcelona)
Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)
Joaquin Sanchez (Valencia)
David Silva (Valencia)
Marcos Senna (Villarreal)
Ruben de la Red (Getafe)
Pablo Hernandez (Getafe)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
Diego Capel (Sevilla)
Albert Riera (Espanyol)

Forwards:
Bojan Krkic (Barcelona)
David Villa (Valencia)
Javier Arizmendi (Valencia)
Daniel Guiza (Real Mallorca)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
Raul Tamudo (Espanyol)

 

[Kiko_97]

Great update there Madrista. Unlucky for Raul. KUTGW

 

[freddiw]

cesc is my man, good luck mate

 

[Mad Snake]

good luck this looks like its gunna be real good, fernando will top the scoring charts!

 

[m_vaughan]

Snubbed Raul wishes team good luck
6 April 2008

Spain legend Raul expressed his disappointment on missing out on an Euro 2008 place but wished his team all the best for the tournament to be held jointly by Austria and Switzerland from June 7.

"We have an exciting mix of experience and young talent and I wish them the very best," said Raul.

"A lot of the players have been in terrific form this season for their clubs and could carry this on to the European championships.

I am particularly excited about Fernando Torres who has done so well in his first season in England for Liverpool. He makes good runs into the box and is an excellent finisher," he added.

When asked about his exclusion from the squad the Real Madrid captain replied by saying:

"Obviously its disappointing that I wont be playing in the tournament, but now I have to show my full support as a fan and wish for the team to achieve success."


Spain have the best strikeforce - Cesc
22 April 2008

Arsenal and Spain wonderkid Cesc Fabregas has claimed that the Spanish strikers are the best amongst all the Euro 2008 teams.

"Torres has been the best striker in England this season, and has scored some vital goals for Liverpool. His ability to get past defenders will help us a lot at Euro 2008," said Fabregas.

"Then we have David Villa who, beside scoring goals, makes a lot of assists and is good with free kicks as well.

Both of them can form a deadly combination and terrorise any team. It will be really exciting.

Also there is Daniel Guiza who has had a brilliant season with Mallorca. Arizmendi and Krkic are both extremely talented and Raul Tamudo's experience can only help us," added the midfielder.

"So from the looks of it, its pretty obvious that we have the best strikers in the tournament and goals shouldnt really be a problem for us."

Speaking about his opponents in Group D, the Arsenal man added by saying:

"All the three teams are good. Sweden beat us once in the qualifiers, and Greece are the defending champions. Russia are a much improved team now, and will be tough to beat. But I am confident that we will do well."

 

[treva]

Great work so far mate. That's a tough call leaving out Raul, but like fabregas says, the strikers Spain hold are phenominal. Will be interesting to see how Spain fare in the group stages, but if they can overcome the challenge of Sweden and Greece, I reckon they could go all the way.

 

[m_vaughan]

Great work so far mate. That's a tough call leaving out Raul, but like fabregas says, the strikers Spain hold are phenominal. Will be interesting to see how Spain fare in the group stages, but if they can overcome the challenge of Sweden and Greece, I reckon they could go all the way.

I reckon Spain have one of the easier groups in the tournament. But Sweden beat us once in qualifying, and Russia and Greece were both in our group in 2004 and the latter not only qualified at our expense but went on to win the tournament. Mind you I havent played the game for sometime, but I do have two warm-up matches to try get back to my best. I will be playing Professional level btw.

 

[m_vaughan]

Luis Aragones has announced the final squad of 23 for the European Championships. Missing out are Fernando Navarro, Juanito, Marcos Senna, Ruben de la Red, Diego Capel, Bojan Krkic and Raul Tamudo.

Goalkeepers:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Jose Reina (Liverpool)
Andres Palop (Sevilla)

Defenders:
Carlos Puyol (Barcelona)
Raul Albiol (Valencia)
Carlos Marchena (Valencia)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Joan Capdevilla (Villarreal)
Angel (Villarreal)
Antonio Lopez (Atletico Madrid)
Pablo Ibanez (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders:
Andreas Iniesta (Barcelona)
Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)
Joaquin Sanchez (Valencia)
David Silva (Valencia)
Pablo Hernandez (Getafe)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
Albert Riera (Espanyol)

Forwards:
David Villa (Valencia)
Javier Arizmendi (Valencia)
Daniel Guiza (Real Mallorca)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)

 

[freddiw]

bojan should be in he is such class

happy to see Fabregas as a lone arsenal represetative

 

[Dr. Pepper]

nice to see guiza in the squad. very good striker, scores a lot of goals. very nice squad there filled with players capable of winning the tournament. good luck!

 

[domiw]

U must play david silva he is such class, he is my man