1. France
2. Germany
3. Italy
4. Spain
5. Portugal
Also due to the big number of Hellenic and Turkish forum members here.
6. Greece
7. Turkey.
I think that France will win.
Why? Because they have the experience with players who have won many trophies and played in big international tournaments. In Ribery they have a good creative midfield player with a good football brain.
I do not think the gli Azzuri will be able to repeat their success in winning the world cup 2 years ago. However the Azzuri can always win anything if they are in 1st gear and sometimes in second.
Portugal almost won the tournament last time and have the current world player of the year, Christiano Ronaldo.
I have decided not to put Holland in this list for my own reasons.
either italy or germany...both with VERY differant styles italians more creative and skill full, germans more statigic and refined, but each r masters of those particular styles...
nappyheadedHO (Login notanonymous) Elite WAFF Vet Club
Re: Who will win Euro 2008?
June 5 2008, 9:57 PM
1 Spain
2 Portugal
3 Italy
4 Germany
5 Netherlands
Onward Chartered Soldiers, on to heathen lands,
Prayer books in your pockets, rifles in your hands.
Take the glorious tidings where trade can be done,
Spread the peaceful gospel --- with a Maxim gun.
Tell the wretched natives, sinful are their hearts,
Turn their heathen temples into spirit marts.
And if to your teaching they will not succumb,
Give them another sermon with the Maxim gun...
When the Ten Commandments they quite understand,
You their Chief must hocus, and annex their land;
And if they misguided call you to account,
Give them another sermon --- with a Maxim from the Mount
I can understand the strategic part but the refined?
The Italians are known for being master tacticians, the average Italian player is far cleverer and more tactically astute than say for example the average English player. The Italians do have flair, but I think they are very defensive which is why Spanish teams both national and international often play football more pleasing to the eye. Remember the Italians are masters of defence and catenaccio. However in international competitions the Italian national side usually do not give their all hence they do not do as well as they could, though 2006 was an exception. Lippi being the manager did make a difference.
German soccer is obviously more physical but in some ways the average German player is more of a real footballer than an English player as he has a better all round understanding of the game.
Anyway
1 vote for France, 1 vote for Spain and 1 vote for Rumania.
Holy shyte! Could it be that Notan and I agree on something???? Spain has a better team than Both Italy and Germany, only because history shows that their a disappointment shouldn't be used as the sole reason why their not main contenders.
Actually no major reason as such. I thought it would be silly to have a "short" list of 9 possible winners i.e. over 50% of the teams participating.
That "short" list, wouldn't be so "short".
I put Italy because they are world champions, Spain because they regularly produce excellent teams but underachieve just as regularly. France because I think they can win and nothing really separated them and Italy in 2006. Portugal because they have the current top player in the world and reached the final last time. Germany because they can never be discounted.
Greece and Turkey were explained above.
I like the Dutch and am fond of their team and also their historical philosophy of total football.
They could win, but I don't think they will. If they do than I would be happy.
"I don't think it'll be Spain. Not a bad team but they always underachieve at major tournaments. My guess it'll probably be Germany or Italy."
And the Netherlands haven't underachieved? If you guys can get through without a major internal bust up thats progress. Strictly on the squad, Spain is superior to Italy and Germany.
Spain is one of the strongest teams at every tournament, but they ALWAYS underachieve. It is a national past time to under achieve. They are almost as bad as the Dutch who by all accounts should have won 3 World Cups and 3 Euro's... who the hell has two Golden Teams and still doens't win?
The team that always over achieves is Germany. They can have the most starless, b-grade team and win a tournament because they play as a team, always have and always will.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
''Strictly on the squad, Spain is superior to Italy and Germany. ''
thats over rating Spain... italy and germany hav PROVED themselves to be better and hav the trophies to show for it,,,Spain like before always enters confident and then underachieves...MUCH LIKE ENGLAND, actually england is the worst at hyping themselves up...anyways i aint saying spain can no way win...they hav the potential...but the r certainly not better than italy or gemany... they r in the same league as england, france and sweden....although they r not better this is not to say they cannot win...
And the Netherlands haven't underachieved? If you guys can get through without a major internal bust up thats progress. Strictly on the squad, Spain is superior to Italy and Germany.
Yes, they have, hence the reason why I mentioned Italy and Germany.
I wouldn't go that far to say Spain's squad is more superior than Italy's, though. Then again, that often doesn't mean much. Take Greece... not the best team around but they managed to do it 4 years ago. Skills alone don't mean everything, that's probably why teams like Spain or the Netherlands don't win on a more regular basis.
They are almost as bad as the Dutch who by all accounts should have won 3 World Cups and 3 Euro's... who the hell has two Golden Teams and still doens't win?
First of all, you're not that wrong at all. But name me one smaller country than the Netherlands that has performed better than the Dutch the last 30 years. Can you?
Danes have done alright on a per capita basis over the last 30 years or so.
But certainly the Dutch are the best on a per capita basis. No arguement from me..
Greece started getting their training facilities and youth academies in order some 10 years ago with very good investments.. some good talent is coming through...
Keep an eye on Papazoglou, Tzavelas, Galitzios, Rikka, Papastathopoulos in the coming years.
PAPAZOGLOU HAS ARRIVED!
As for my pick.. Spain has the talent, Italy has the tactics , Germany has teamwork, Greece has the spirit [unfortunately that's all we have]
"Spain is one of the strongest teams at every tournament, but they ALWAYS underachieve. It is a national past time to under achieve. They are almost as bad as the Dutch who by all accounts should have won 3 World Cups and 3 Euro's... who the hell has two Golden Teams and still doens't win?"
"The team that always over achieves is Germany. They can have the most starless, b-grade team and win a tournament because they play as a team, always have and always will."
Yes but this team is certainly stronger now than in previous tournaments, plus they don't have the same pressure as other big teams because people like you and everyone else expects them to once again fail.
"I wouldn't go that far to say Spain's squad is more superior than Italy's, though. Then again, that often doesn't mean much. Take Greece... not the best team around but they managed to do it 4 years ago. Skills alone don't mean everything, that's probably why teams like Spain or the Netherlands don't win on a more regular basis."
Well lets compare shall we?
Spain 23 man squad
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Pepe Reina (Liverpool)
Andres Palop (Sevilla)
Raul Albiol (Valencia)
Carlos Marchena (Valencia)
Joan Capdevila (Villarreal)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
Juanito Gutierrez (Real Betis)
Fernando Navarro (Mallorca)
Carles Puyol (Barcelona)
Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool)
Xavi Hernandez (FC Barcelona)
Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
David Silva (Valencia)
Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
Ruben De La Red (Getafe)
Marcos Senna (Villarreal)
Santi Cazorla (Villarreal)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
David Villa (Valencia)
Daniel Guiza (Mallorca)
Sergio Garcia (Zaragoza)
Italy
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Marco Amelia (Livorno)
Morgan De Sanctis (Sevilla)
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
Marco Materazzi (Inter Milan)
Christian Panucci (AS Roma)
Andrea Barzagli (Palermo)
Gianluca Zambrotta (Barcelona)
Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus)
Fabio Grosso (Lyon)
Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)
Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan)
Massimo Ambrosini (AC Milan)
Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma)
Simone Perrotta (AS Roma)
Alberto Aquilani (AS Roma)
Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus)
Luca Toni (Bayern Munich)
Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)
Antonio Di Natale (Udinese)
Marco Borriello (Genoa)
Fabio Quagliarella (Udinese)
Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria, on loan from Real Madrid)
Italy has an older more experienced team. I'd say their advantage over Spain lies in the defense, that said they are older and slower in that department as well. Theirs no doubt that Spain has a stronger keeper, midfield and attack
Torres and Villa a lot more prolific than Luca Toni and Del Pierro
I'll be rooting for Portugal, since Belgium isn't in the tournament..
I also like Holland though, I hope they'll do well, they deserve it.
And eventhough most guys hate the guy, I love C.Ronaldo, he loves the game and it shows.
I'm looking forward to see the game between Portugal and Turkey tonight, prepare for the worst Turks
First of all, you're not that wrong at all. But name me one smaller country than the Netherlands that has performed better than the Dutch the last 30 years. Can you?
I don't mean offence, but the Danish have won a Euro and so have Greece. Both smaller and worse teams then the Dutch ever fielded. The thing is the Dutch have had a very bad run of bad luck and under performance, I mean it seriously when I say they should of won all those trophies, they had some of the best teams ever to stand on the green grass of a football field.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
Quote:The team that always over achieves is Germany. They can have the most starless, b-grade team and win a tournament because they play as a team, always have and always will.
I totally agree.
As for the Dutch they have definitely been unlucky.
I think one of the reasons why the Spanish haven't been as lucky as their Latin cousins, the Italians, is that they lack the ruthlessness, physical edge and mental strength of the Italians, who knows? It just goes to prove that talent doesn't mean anything.
11 talented but disunited/disorganized players versus a solid united team of 11 hardworkers would often lose.
The English definitely overrate themselves and their players and lack football sophistication.
If the english girls look like Ronaldo i think I'll pass
dude he has a great life, worldclass football player, and all the girls at his feet.. ow and he's rich lol
I'm glad Greece is being underestimated again. It's a cherished role and much more satisfying in the event they do win again. Hopefully we will be hearing alot more of "2004 was a fluke".
lol, people are dissing Ronaldo? Haha. The dude is 23 and after this tournament he's most likely going to sign a deal with Real giving him $700,000 a week AFTER tax. Not that his current $300,000 a week arrangement is anything to scoff at. Seriously, any guy here who's not a homo would gladly swap places with any professional footballer let alone C Ronaldo.
Onward Chartered Soldiers, on to heathen lands,
Prayer books in your pockets, rifles in your hands.
Take the glorious tidings where trade can be done,
Spread the peaceful gospel --- with a Maxim gun.
Tell the wretched natives, sinful are their hearts,
Turn their heathen temples into spirit marts.
And if to your teaching they will not succumb,
Give them another sermon with the Maxim gun...
When the Ten Commandments they quite understand,
You their Chief must hocus, and annex their land;
And if they misguided call you to account,
Give them another sermon --- with a Maxim from the Mount
Quote:Take Greece... not the best team around but they managed to do it 4 years ago.
Well actually Greece WAS the best team back in Euro2004, thats why they won it. What you probably meant was that they didn't have the best units, but they were the best team.
Quote:Also due to the big number of Hellenic and Turkish forum members here.
6. Greece
7. Turkey.
Well, then again the fact that Greece are still the reigning champions and the team with the highest points gained during the preliminaries doesn't tell you anything. Take a look at my sig.
Turkey on the other hand was 3rd back in Korea, has a very good coach and are able for the best and for the worst as we saw during the preliminaries.
PS I am glad too that everyone again seems to underestimate Greece, although making the same mistake twice is not a wise thing to do. Euro has already started lets see. Have fun watching the games everyone.
It's funny how Ronaldo keeps looking at the scoreboard (to see himself on TV) every time he has done something with the ball, and then starts shaping his hair. Sort of... gay
Quote:It's funny how Ronaldo keeps looking at the scoreboard (to see himself on TV) every time he has done something with the ball, and then starts shaping his hair. Sort of... gay
But he is a good player (and actor)
Is C. Ronaldo a NBA player? You are creative and funny, what can I say? Oh yes, besides having lost 2-0 to us, Turkey have some lovely looking players too, like that left defender I think, who looks like Attila the Hun without his poney.
I haven't seen more retarded defending than the first 25 minutes of the Germany - Poland game. I don't understand what was the mindset that the Polish players at the back were thinking. I don't know if they were playing the offside trap on various occasion or if they were trying to keep it tight man marking. But either way it was executed in such a poor fashion that it left them vulnerable on many instances. And had Germany been more clinical they could have scored 3 or 4 in the first 20 minutes. That said towards the end of the 1st half and throughout the 2nd they improved. Both Croatia and Poland have the same problem, where are the goals going to come from? Croatia weren't that great against Austria, but I feel as if their is a bit more quality.
Very boring game. France didn't do anything that inspired and Romania must be happy with the draw, they are the underdog's and they would be happy with the draw.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
Hey what do you know, Europe's most prolific attack at it again, scoring 4 on Hiddink's Ruskies! I'll continue to put my money on Spain throughout the tournament. Vamos Espana CARAJO!!!!
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
Out of all the teams that have played up to this point Spain has looked by far the most impressive. This display and the players they have should have them winning the tournament with short odds. But this is Spain, at the last world cup they also looked real good in group stages, demolishing Ukraine in similar way they demolished Russia today and destroying Tunesia with their B team. That being said, if you just look at the facts and forget about "curses" or whatever then Spain look real good. And they've only got one schwarzer!
Onward Chartered Soldiers, on to heathen lands,
Prayer books in your pockets, rifles in your hands.
Take the glorious tidings where trade can be done,
Spread the peaceful gospel --- with a Maxim gun.
Tell the wretched natives, sinful are their hearts,
Turn their heathen temples into spirit marts.
And if to your teaching they will not succumb,
Give them another sermon with the Maxim gun...
When the Ten Commandments they quite understand,
You their Chief must hocus, and annex their land;
And if they misguided call you to account,
Give them another sermon --- with a Maxim from the Mount
Yes, Spain was impressive. Actually if I remember well, Spain is always impressive in the beginning but normally never reach finals.
Last Euro cup we defeated them.
Not Poland, bunch of retarded baboons running around in circles trying to take a bite out of their red ass. WHo gives away a penalty that late in the game? Can't even beat the lowly Austrians, pack your bags and go home... embarrassing.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
Did Poland even have a defense? I mean they have four back, but got caught at least 6 to 7 times in the first 15 minutes!
Austria should have been up 3 nil, easily. Poland always produces charmed goal keepers, the only bloody thing that didn't make me put my fist through my monitor.
After Croatia demolish this sorry excuse for a team, I hope the media has a field day and Poland gets ridiculed. Bunch of Baboons don't deserve sympathy, it is time to rebuild Polish football from the ground up... Can't believe a nation of our historical strength is so bloody weak now. Every bloody team that goes past seems to get better but performs worse at major tournaments since the Korea-Japan World cup.
Qualifying we are outstanding, punching way above our belt. Tournaments, it's lets hope for one win before we bow out.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
I hope the media has a field day and Poland gets ridiculed. Bunch of Baboons don't deserve sympathy, it is time to rebuild Polish football from the ground up...
Be careful what you wish for. You let the media select your team and you'll end up with a squad looking like Les Bleus...err, Les Noirs.
Onward Chartered Soldiers, on to heathen lands,
Prayer books in your pockets, rifles in your hands.
Take the glorious tidings where trade can be done,
Spread the peaceful gospel --- with a Maxim gun.
Tell the wretched natives, sinful are their hearts,
Turn their heathen temples into spirit marts.
And if to your teaching they will not succumb,
Give them another sermon with the Maxim gun...
When the Ten Commandments they quite understand,
You their Chief must hocus, and annex their land;
And if they misguided call you to account,
Give them another sermon --- with a Maxim from the Mount
Well the thing is the media riduculed the choice of Emmanuel Olisadebe (nigerian chosen in Korea-Japan), they then again ridiculed the choice of this Brazilian. There isn't enough foriegn players in Poland to be of any negative effect, if anything the Polish media wants a fully Polish team. Polish media doesn't work like it does in the West, not yet anyway.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
nappyheadedHO (Login notanonymous) Elite WAFF Vet Club
Re: Who will win Euro 2008?
June 12 2008, 10:49 PM
That's weird, when I used to work at that Polish place a while ago I used to read Polish magazines like Polityka and they for example strongly backed the plan to bring over Asian immigrants to prepare for Euro 2012.
Onward Chartered Soldiers, on to heathen lands,
Prayer books in your pockets, rifles in your hands.
Take the glorious tidings where trade can be done,
Spread the peaceful gospel --- with a Maxim gun.
Tell the wretched natives, sinful are their hearts,
Turn their heathen temples into spirit marts.
And if to your teaching they will not succumb,
Give them another sermon with the Maxim gun...
When the Ten Commandments they quite understand,
You their Chief must hocus, and annex their land;
And if they misguided call you to account,
Give them another sermon --- with a Maxim from the Mount
Dunno about that, sounds stupid since the labour is there. But I'm talking about the football world which I read a lot into, the all Polish idea is very strong one, you'll probably never see more then one 'naturalised' player at anyone time.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
Well for a country like Poland with NO immigrants even one different ethnic player is ridiculous. It is quite a saving grace for Croatia that Eduardo was injured for this tournament. It would have been quite hilarious to have the ONE foreigner in Croatia be the star of the croatian team.
Onward Chartered Soldiers, on to heathen lands,
Prayer books in your pockets, rifles in your hands.
Take the glorious tidings where trade can be done,
Spread the peaceful gospel --- with a Maxim gun.
Tell the wretched natives, sinful are their hearts,
Turn their heathen temples into spirit marts.
And if to your teaching they will not succumb,
Give them another sermon with the Maxim gun...
When the Ten Commandments they quite understand,
You their Chief must hocus, and annex their land;
And if they misguided call you to account,
Give them another sermon --- with a Maxim from the Mount
Maybe in our eyes, but not what is considered mainstream. We are a dying breed who wishes to preserve what little is left of the past.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
"We are a dying breed who wishes to preserve what little is left of the past.
"
Maybe a stupid question but would you prefere to marry a Polish girl over other nationalities? To preserve this 'breed' I mean.
nappyheadedHO (Login notanonymous) Elite WAFF Vet Club
Re: Who will win Euro 2008?
June 12 2008, 11:14 PM
Maybe he means to preserve the old glory of Poland's golden team. lol.
Onward Chartered Soldiers, on to heathen lands,
Prayer books in your pockets, rifles in your hands.
Take the glorious tidings where trade can be done,
Spread the peaceful gospel --- with a Maxim gun.
Tell the wretched natives, sinful are their hearts,
Turn their heathen temples into spirit marts.
And if to your teaching they will not succumb,
Give them another sermon with the Maxim gun...
When the Ten Commandments they quite understand,
You their Chief must hocus, and annex their land;
And if they misguided call you to account,
Give them another sermon --- with a Maxim from the Mount
It's gay if people bitch that their team has "black, arab, asian...ect" in their team. If their born and grew up in a given country their of that nationality. However for players like Guerrero for Poland and Eduardo for Croatia their Brazilian. The only reason why they wear the shirt is because their not good enough to play for Brazil. They move to these countries and play in their leagues and later become dual citizenship. That pisses me off. But it's plain racist to say someone like Zidane isn't French because of his Algerian parents.
That said the only real quality player Brazil has lost for another country is Deco and maybe Pepe. Both now hold Portuguese citizenship.
Deco and Pepe should be able to play for Portugal due to the history and the very likely nature they have Portuguese blood. Brazilians (and any nationality) playing for nations like Poland is a farce that needs to stop.
Maybe a stupid question but would you prefere to marry a Polish girl over other nationalities? To preserve this 'breed' I mean.
As Noty said, I didn't mean it that way. But since you asked I have no problem with people's mixing if they so wish, who am I to complain? If you want to marry a black, Asian or white, do so but I'm more liberal minded about this in terms of Australia. But if I were European, I would be worried more about the death of our culture then the race. Remember, Germanics were once invaders and as foreign to a Gaul as a African. Europeans are much closer culturally, linguistically and genetically (beyond the skin) similar so it should more acceptable for these peoples to mix.
I personally would prefer to marry a European (background) girl, doesn't bother me as to her nationality. But I'm not averse to marrying outside of the European circle, but then my personal preference basically stays within the Asian community.
The point I'm making is Europeans as we know them today won't exist if they mix too much with foreigners. You can decide what you want about that fact, is it worth preserving the current status quo or breaking that trend and allowing the injection of new blood.
Siege of Tobruk - One German POW said: "I cannot understand you Australians. In Poland, France, and Belgium, once the tanks got through the soldiers took it for granted that they were beaten. But you are like demons. The tanks break through and your infantry still keep fighting." Rommel wrote of seeing "a batch of some fifty or sixty Australian prisoners ... marched off close behind us—immensely big and powerful men, who without question represented an elite formation of the British Empire, a fact that was also evident in battle."
With all due respect to the brazilian overnationalistic press, Eduardo had difficulties in speaking brazilian-portuguese on TV this week and spoke croatian to the community here. He went to Croatia with 16 years old and never played in a brazilian championship. Nine years later, to me he is a croatian.
Same goes for Deco and specially for Pepe. A few years ago the brazilian press discovered that these guys were amazing players, even after Mr.Parreira said to Mr.Scolari that there's 40 Decos and Pepes in Brazil. Deco came to Portugal with 16 years old to a tiny team called Salgueiros which doesn't exist anymore. And Pepe....he came to Madeira Island with 15 years old to Marítimo-team B, and doesn't even have brazilian accent.
I have serious doubts about the guy that plays for Poland and "Mehmet" Aurelio in Turkey. In a short time they will be back in Brazil.
I doubt it. Mehmet Aurelio has been playing in Turkey for 7 years, he's not going anywhere. Why should he? In Brazil, he is an average player, while in Turkey he is a king.
