Robert Enke will miss the two World Cup 2010 qualifiers against Russia on October, 11th in Dortmund and Wales on October, 15th in Mönchengladbach. The keeper of Hannover 96 suffered a broken scaphoid bone in his left hand during a training session. Enke will undergo surgery on Friday.
On Monday, Marcell Jansen of Hamburger SV already had to withdraw. The defender suffers from a rupture of a muscle fibre in his left thigh.
National coach Joachim Löw trusts in an established squad for the two qualifiers. Thus, 16 of the now 20 players nominated were part of the EURO 2008 squad of the "Mannschaft". On Tuesday, the team met in Düsseldorf in order to prepare for the first two 2010 World Cup qualifiers on home soil.
Five players return to the squad who were lastly missing against Belgium, Liechtenstein and Finland due to injuries: goalkeeper René Adler, defender Arne Friedrich as well as captain Michael Ballack, Torsten Frings and Jermaine Jones in the midfield.
Apart from Enke who kept the goal in the last three international matches of the "Mannschaft", goalkeepers René Adler and Tim Wiese as well as Bundesliga top scorer Patrick Helmes were also nominated. In contrast, Christoph Metzelder, Marko Marin and Andreas Hinkel will be missing against Russia and Wales.
Metzelder is said to train with his home club Real Madrid, Marin was nominated for the Under 21 squad for the EURO playoffs against France and Hinkel suffers from a thigh injury.
10.10.2008
Bulgaria – Italy: Lippi loses Buffon and Camoranesi injured. Curci called
Marcello Lippi and the National team have their first problem: Buffon and Camoranesi are both out for the two World Cup qualifying matches against Bulgaria and Montenegro. The goalkeeper is out for thirty days, the midfielder fifteen-twenty days for muscle problems. This is the result of the exams that the two players underwent this morning with Professor Enrico Castellacci.
In agreement with the Juventus club, the two players will remain in Coverciano until Thursday, where they will begin recovery. “Buffon has a muscle lesion in his right leg, while Camoranesi – said Castellacci – has a problem with the muscle of the femur of the right leg”. Camoranesi will not be substituted, while the head coach has called Curci in for Buffon.
Source: FIGC
In agreement with the Juventus club, the two players will remain in Coverciano until Thursday, where they will begin recovery. “Buffon has a muscle lesion in his right leg, while Camoranesi – said Castellacci – has a problem with the muscle of the femur of the right leg”. Camoranesi will not be substituted, while the head coach has called Curci in for Buffon.
Source: FIGC
England – Kazakhstan: “Fans will help us”
England manager Fabio Capello has issued a rallying cry to the Wembley fans ahead of tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.
Capello has got off to the perfect start as Three Lions boss, beating Andorra 3-0 and crushing Croatia 4-1 in Zagreb in his first two competitive games.
But after confirming that skipper John Terry has been ruled out with a back injury, meaning Rio Ferdinand will take the armband, the Italian has told England's fans they will be key against the world's 131st-ranked team.
"The crowd must help the team a lot," said Capello, who will be looking for his side to keep up their 100 per cent record in Group Six before Wednesday's testing clash with Belarus in Minsk.
"They must be patient, and at this moment I believe the fans will help us 100 per cent. I remember the old Wembley when the crowd got behind the team and we need this.
"It is possible we may not score early goals and you must get behind us."
And Capello has admitted it is vital that England build on last month's stunning victory in Zagreb, which was inspired by a hat-trick from Arsenal wonderkid Theo Walcott.
But although he admits he knows little about a Kazakhstan team in transition, Capello is delighted to have the likes of Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard - who missed the Croatia game - back at full fitness once again.
"I am very happy with the performance against Croatia, but it's only three points, and we have to win tomorrow," he said.
"That win was very important for the group, the team, the spirit and the confidence. I think tomorrow we will play with more confidence because of that.
"But it's not an easy game. Kazakhstan have got a new manager, and he has changed seven of their players. I have studied their team, but I don't know anything about them!"
He added: "But we have Steven Gerrard back, who is very important both for us and Liverpool, and he's a fantastic player.
"He can score goals, make good passes and assists. He's a good player and I'm very happy he's back with us."
Source: FA
Capello has got off to the perfect start as Three Lions boss, beating Andorra 3-0 and crushing Croatia 4-1 in Zagreb in his first two competitive games.
But after confirming that skipper John Terry has been ruled out with a back injury, meaning Rio Ferdinand will take the armband, the Italian has told England's fans they will be key against the world's 131st-ranked team.
"The crowd must help the team a lot," said Capello, who will be looking for his side to keep up their 100 per cent record in Group Six before Wednesday's testing clash with Belarus in Minsk.
"They must be patient, and at this moment I believe the fans will help us 100 per cent. I remember the old Wembley when the crowd got behind the team and we need this.
"It is possible we may not score early goals and you must get behind us."
And Capello has admitted it is vital that England build on last month's stunning victory in Zagreb, which was inspired by a hat-trick from Arsenal wonderkid Theo Walcott.
But although he admits he knows little about a Kazakhstan team in transition, Capello is delighted to have the likes of Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard - who missed the Croatia game - back at full fitness once again.
"I am very happy with the performance against Croatia, but it's only three points, and we have to win tomorrow," he said.
"That win was very important for the group, the team, the spirit and the confidence. I think tomorrow we will play with more confidence because of that.
"But it's not an easy game. Kazakhstan have got a new manager, and he has changed seven of their players. I have studied their team, but I don't know anything about them!"
He added: "But we have Steven Gerrard back, who is very important both for us and Liverpool, and he's a fantastic player.
"He can score goals, make good passes and assists. He's a good player and I'm very happy he's back with us."
Source: FA
9.12.2008
Luxembourg: historical WC qualification victory vs Switzerland at Zurich
On Wednesday, Luxembourg beat Switzerland 1-2 in Zurich, clinching their first victory in World Cup qualification since 1972.
Since beating Turkey 2-0 on 22 October 1972, Luxembourg played 73 World Cup qualification matches, drawing twice and losing 71.
It has been by far the longest winless streak among European countries in World Cup qualification, according to Infostrada.
San Marino currently have the longest running winless streak as they have not won in World Cup qualification since September 1992, a 37-match run.
Longest winless streaks in World Cup qualification – European countries
# Nation Drawn Lost Start date Match that ended streak
73 Luxembourg 2 71 10 Dec 1972 Switzerland - Luxembourg (10 Sep 2008) 1-2
39 Malta 4 35 14 Nov 1971 Estonia - Malta (12 May 1993) 0-1
37 San Marino 2 35 09 Sep 1992
34 Malta 4 30 19 Jun 1993
31 Cyprus 1 30 08 May 1973 Faroe Islands - Cyprus (16 Jun 1992) 0-2
21 Liechtenstein 1 20 24 Apr 1996 Luxembourg - Liechtenstein (13 Oct 2004) 0-4
19 Finland 2 17 16 Jun 1937 Finland - Poland (26 Sep 1965) 2-0
18 Turkey 2 16 24 Sep 1980 Turkey - East Germany (30 Nov 1988) 3-1
17 Latvia 6 11 05 Oct 1937 Latvia - Belarus (30 Apr 1997) 2-0
17 Armenia 6 11 10 Sep 1997 Armenia - Andorra (26 Mar 2005) 2-1
17 Albania 3 14 09 Sep 1992 Albania - Northern Ireland (10 Sep 1997) 1-0
17 Luxembourg 0 17 11 Mar 1934 Luxembourg - Portugal (08 Oct 1961) 4-2
Bold: streak still running
Since beating Turkey 2-0 on 22 October 1972, Luxembourg played 73 World Cup qualification matches, drawing twice and losing 71.
It has been by far the longest winless streak among European countries in World Cup qualification, according to Infostrada.
San Marino currently have the longest running winless streak as they have not won in World Cup qualification since September 1992, a 37-match run.
Longest winless streaks in World Cup qualification – European countries
# Nation Drawn Lost Start date Match that ended streak
73 Luxembourg 2 71 10 Dec 1972 Switzerland - Luxembourg (10 Sep 2008) 1-2
39 Malta 4 35 14 Nov 1971 Estonia - Malta (12 May 1993) 0-1
37 San Marino 2 35 09 Sep 1992
34 Malta 4 30 19 Jun 1993
31 Cyprus 1 30 08 May 1973 Faroe Islands - Cyprus (16 Jun 1992) 0-2
21 Liechtenstein 1 20 24 Apr 1996 Luxembourg - Liechtenstein (13 Oct 2004) 0-4
19 Finland 2 17 16 Jun 1937 Finland - Poland (26 Sep 1965) 2-0
18 Turkey 2 16 24 Sep 1980 Turkey - East Germany (30 Nov 1988) 3-1
17 Latvia 6 11 05 Oct 1937 Latvia - Belarus (30 Apr 1997) 2-0
17 Armenia 6 11 10 Sep 1997 Armenia - Andorra (26 Mar 2005) 2-1
17 Albania 3 14 09 Sep 1992 Albania - Northern Ireland (10 Sep 1997) 1-0
17 Luxembourg 0 17 11 Mar 1934 Luxembourg - Portugal (08 Oct 1961) 4-2
Bold: streak still running
9.10.2008
Spain – Armenia: Xabi Alonso goes for 50 caps
Today Spain is the favourite team of the match, again. They are in one of the best moment of the history and are in a great streak on WC qualifying. Now they will host Armenia who lost last match against Turkey at home on Saturday.
Prediction: Spain will win scoring al least two goals.
If Xabi Alonso plays, he will reach 50 official matches wearing “A” Spanish t-shirt.
Spain – Armenia Head to Head:
Erevan 11/10/2003 ARM 0:4 (0:1) ESP Euro qualifying
Leon 02/04/2003 ESP 3:0 (0:0) ARM Euro qualifying
Sevilla 07/06/1995 ESP 1:0 (0:0) ARM Euro qualifying
Erevan 26/04/1995 ARM 0:2 (0:0) ESP Euro qualifying
Spain – Armenia Head to Head:
Erevan 11/10/2003 ARM 0:4 (0:1) ESP Euro qualifying
Leon 02/04/2003 ESP 3:0 (0:0) ARM Euro qualifying
Sevilla 07/06/1995 ESP 1:0 (0:0) ARM Euro qualifying
Erevan 26/04/1995 ARM 0:2 (0:0) ESP Euro qualifying
Turkey – Belgium: winners duel thinking about South Africa 2010
Turkey and Belgium will be face to face on Wednesday. Both teams won three points (against Armenia and Estonia) and will be the main opponents of Spain at Group 5. The one that will be able to win could be the main enemy of the European champions. It seems that Turkish team is the favourite one and will earn a victory in Istanbul.Turkey – Belgium Head to Head
Genk 24/05/2006 BEL 3:3 (2:2) TUR Friendly
Brussels 28/04/2004 BEL 2:3 (1:1) TUR Friendly
Brussels 19/06/2000 TUR 2:0 (1:0) BEL Euro
Istanbul 30/04/1997 TUR 1:3 (1:3) BEL World Cup Qualifying
Brussels 31/08/1996 BEL 2:1 (2:0) TUR World Cup Qualifying
Brussels 26/10/1958 BEL 1:1 (0:0) TUR Friendly
Ankara 08/12/1957 TUR 1:1 (1:1) BEL Friendly
Complete coverage: http://turkeyfootball.blogspot.com
9.09.2008
France – Serbia: searching South Africa while Raymond Domenech doubt
This match is so important for France: Raymond Domenech could say goodbye if his team lost. After a remarkable defeat at Austria, the French team must win at Stade de France, Paris, if they desire to reach World Cup. Serbia didn’t have any problem to beat Faroe Islands and is just waiting for this significant meeting.
Head to Head Official Matches: France – Serbia (Yugoslavia)
Paris 29/04/1989 FRA 0:0 YUG World Cup Qualifying
Belgrade 19/11/1988 YUG 3:2 (1:1) FRA World Cup Qualifying
Paris 16/11/1985 FRA 2:0 (1:0) YUG World Cup Qualifying
Sarajevo 03/04/1985 YUG 0:0 FRA World Cup Qualifying
St. Etienne 19/06/1984 FRA 3:2 (0:1) YUG Euro Final round
Belgrade 24/04/1968 YUG 5:1 (4:1) FRA Euro Quarter-finals
Marseille 06/04/1968 FRA 1:1 (0:0) YUG Euro Quarter-finals
Paris 09/10/1965 FRA 1:0 (0:0) YUG World Cup Qualifying
Belgrade 18/04/1965 YUG 1:0 (0:0) FRA World Cup Qualifying
Paris 06/07/1960 FRA 4:5 (0:0) YUG Euro Semi-finals
Vasteras 11/06/1958 YUG 3:2 (1:1) FRA World Cup
Lausanne 16/06/1954 YUG 1:0 (1:0) FRA World Cup
Florence 11/12/1949 YUG 3:2 a.e.t. (2:2, 1:1) FRA World Cup Qualifying
Paris 30/10/1949 FRA 1:1 (1:1) YUG World Cup Qualifying
Belgrade 09/10/1949 YUG 1:1 (1:0) FRA World Cup Qualifying
Head to Head Official Matches: France – Serbia (Yugoslavia)
Paris 29/04/1989 FRA 0:0 YUG World Cup Qualifying
Belgrade 19/11/1988 YUG 3:2 (1:1) FRA World Cup Qualifying
Paris 16/11/1985 FRA 2:0 (1:0) YUG World Cup Qualifying
Sarajevo 03/04/1985 YUG 0:0 FRA World Cup Qualifying
St. Etienne 19/06/1984 FRA 3:2 (0:1) YUG Euro Final round
Belgrade 24/04/1968 YUG 5:1 (4:1) FRA Euro Quarter-finals
Marseille 06/04/1968 FRA 1:1 (0:0) YUG Euro Quarter-finals
Paris 09/10/1965 FRA 1:0 (0:0) YUG World Cup Qualifying
Belgrade 18/04/1965 YUG 1:0 (0:0) FRA World Cup Qualifying
Paris 06/07/1960 FRA 4:5 (0:0) YUG Euro Semi-finals
Vasteras 11/06/1958 YUG 3:2 (1:1) FRA World Cup
Lausanne 16/06/1954 YUG 1:0 (1:0) FRA World Cup
Florence 11/12/1949 YUG 3:2 a.e.t. (2:2, 1:1) FRA World Cup Qualifying
Paris 30/10/1949 FRA 1:1 (1:1) YUG World Cup Qualifying
Belgrade 09/10/1949 YUG 1:1 (1:0) FRA World Cup Qualifying
South Africa 2010: Croatia - England: Football match revenge
England couldn’t qualify to Euro 2008: so they have the obligation to qualify to next World Cup. What a better way to follow the way to South Africa against the team that has eliminated them before?
On Wednesday, Croatia and England will be face to face again. The road to 2010 is large, sure; but only Croatia or England will qualify to World Cup in a straight line when Group 6 will finish.
Let’s see what happen. Prediction? Hmmm very, very difficult. A draw doesn’t pay too much...
England - Croatia Head to Head:
London 21/11/2007 ENG 2:3 (0:2) CRO Euro Q
Zagreb 11/10/2006 CRO 2:0 (0:0) ENG Euro Q
Lisbon 21/06/2004 CRO 2:4 (1:2) ENG Euro
Ipswich 20/08/2003 ENG 3:1 (1:0) CRO Friendly
London 24/04/1996 ENG 0:0 CRO Friendly
On Wednesday, Croatia and England will be face to face again. The road to 2010 is large, sure; but only Croatia or England will qualify to World Cup in a straight line when Group 6 will finish.
Let’s see what happen. Prediction? Hmmm very, very difficult. A draw doesn’t pay too much...
England - Croatia Head to Head:
London 21/11/2007 ENG 2:3 (0:2) CRO Euro Q
Zagreb 11/10/2006 CRO 2:0 (0:0) ENG Euro Q
Lisbon 21/06/2004 CRO 2:4 (1:2) ENG Euro
Ipswich 20/08/2003 ENG 3:1 (1:0) CRO Friendly
London 24/04/1996 ENG 0:0 CRO Friendly
Italy – Georgia: another chance to improve the performance
Italy coach Marcello Lippi is set to ring the changes for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Georgia after the world champions scraped through their opener against Cyprus at the weekend.Poor form is not the only problem for the Italian coach, who lost defenders Alessandro Gamberini and Fabio Grosso to injury in Saturday's 2-1 win, and Gennaro Gattuso, who hurt his wrist in training on Sunday.
The 2006 World Cup-winning coach has drafted Palermo's Antonio Nocerino into the squad for the AC Milan midfielder, who came on as a substitute in the Group Eight opener.
Possible teams:
Italy: Gianluigi Buffon; Gianluca Zambrotta, Fabio Cannavaro, Nicola Legrottaglie, Andrea Dossena; Mauro Camoranesi, Daniele De Rossi, Alberto Aquilani; Vincenzo Iaquinta, Alberto Gilardino, Antonio Di Natale.
Georgia: George Loria; Ucha Lobjanidze, Zurab Khizanishvili, Kakha Kaladze, George Shashiashvili; Levan Kobiashvili, David Odikadze, Zurab Menteshashvili, Levan Kenia; Aleksandr Iashvili, Levan Mchedlidze.
Italy - Georgia Head to Head:
Italy won: 5
Draw: 1
Georgia won: 0
Genoa 13/10/2007 ITA 2:0 (1:0) GEO Euro Qualifying
Tbilisi 11/10/2006 GEO 1:3 (1:1) ITA Euro Qualifying
Tbilisi 02/06/2001 GEO 1:2 (0:1) ITA World Cup Qualifying
Ancona 11/10/2000 ITA 2:0 (0:0) GEO World Cup Qualifying
Tbilisi 10/09/1997 GEO 0:0 ITA World Cup Qualifying
Perugia 09/10/1996 ITA 1:0 (1:0) GEO World Cup Qualifying
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