Eastern European Football

Romania had a great campaign, Bulgaria seem to be getting back to being a very strong side, Russia are through, Czech Republic won their group (but I'm still not sold on them) and Croatia were a revelation. Serbia did well enough too.

The latins have the artistry but these guys have the technique, the intelligence and the physical attributes that for me, make them the most interesting sides to watch.

Given the resurgence / emergence of thse sides isn't it sad to see Hungary, the team that took the game to a new level in the 50s, in such bad shape?

The Hungarian domestic League is in serious trouble and the footballing infrastructure at grass roots level in Hungary no longer seems to produce the quality of player available in yesteryear. There seems to be no Florian Alberts, Tibor Nyialisis or Lajos Detaris coming through and Hungarian successful teams of the past all had at least one of these star type players. Clubs are struggling financially thanks in part to small attendances , some of whom are a bit bogey, thus putting off other supporters from attending.
They too get saturation TV coverage of Bundesliga, Serie A, LA Liga and ENGLISH Premier League and people have become lazy and have stopped going to games. But unlike Ireland, the domestic League gets very good coverage in local newspapers.

Some of the Croatian passing last night was very impressive and, when added to a bewildering tendency of the English lads to just stand off, led to Croatia going through them like a punnet of plums.

It's very impressive football technically but not impossible to beat. Close them down early and make them make mistakes. Englands second goal started with a Croat fannying around and getting caught in possession. Even at 2-3 down Bent nearly equalised because of a quick ball over the top.

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Originally Posted by CollegeTillIDie

But unlike Ireland, the domestic League gets very good coverage in local newspapers.

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Do the locals support their hometown clubs?

I've always been a huge fan of Eastern European football. 3 of my favourite players of the last 15 years or so are Hagi, Stoichkov and Boban. Croatia in the 1998 world cup finals were a joy to watch.

Glad they're on the way back

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Do the locals support their hometown clubs?

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Nope, and the international team is terrible. Its a metaphor I tells you...

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Originally Posted by Dodge

I've always been a huge fan of Eastern European football. 3 of my favourite players of the last 15 years or so are Hagi, Stoichkov and Boban.

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Savesivic (spelling?) was my favourite. Superb in Milan's 94 CL triumph over Barcelona.

Does anyone notice that when some of these teams break, 2 of the breaking players hug the touchine?

It only struck me in the Celtic / Moscow match in Glasgow in September. I was wondering just why it was that Moscow looked so threatening on the counter. I think (just my theory) they do it as a deliberate tactic to stretch the defence and to maximise the possibility of playing the man in from the middle. Think about it. If you're carrying the ball forward centrally and you have two runers wide either side of you, almost any angled ball forward is a ball that can be run onto. The instinct around these parts is to pile forward through the middle.

Anyone with a technical interest care to comment?

Its also a way of stretching the midfield (and defence) giving the technical players more time/space in which to play in the centre and more space to run into in attack

The key to it is having players good enough to hold onto the ball, and make the correct pass.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Does anyone notice that when some of these teams break, 2 of the breaking players hug the touchine?

It only struck me in the Celtic / Moscow match in Glasgow in September. I was wondering just why it was that Moscow looked so threatening on the counter. I think (just my theory) they do it as a deliberate tactic to stretch the defence and to maximise the possibility of playing the man in from the middle. Think about it. If you're carrying the ball forward centrally and you have two runers wide either side of you, almost any angled ball forward is a ball that can be run onto. The instinct around these parts is to pile forward through the middle.

Anyone with a technical interest care to comment?

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Valencia used play like that, back when Mendieta and Claudio Lopez were at their peak. Very effective, yes.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Romania had a great campaign, Bulgaria seem to be getting back to being a very strong side, Russia are through, Czech Republic won their group (but I'm still not sold on them) and Croatia were a revelation. Serbia did well enough too.

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Poland won their group as well, finishing ahead of Portugal.

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Originally Posted by CollegTillIDie

There seems to be no Florian Alberts, Tibor Nyialisis or Lajos Detaris coming through and Hungarian successful teams of the past all had at least one of these star type players.

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What ever happened to Zoltan Gera? He always struck as a talented player and I know he was Hungary captain at one stage.

Not to mention Zolt Torok and Zoltan Istvan :)

Szabolcs Huszti, very good technical player, great passer of the ball, capable of scoring the odd goal.

Pál Dárdai, a very solid midfielder, pretty good defensive midfielder, always does a good job, has a rocket of a shot like most defensive midfielders.

They are probably their best players, but they do not have enough players that quality, Liverpool recently bought 2 youngsters, Krisztián Németh and András Simon

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Not to mention Zolt Torok and Zoltan Istvan :)

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Quality players. Up there with Litmanen, Best and Weah as the best players never to play in the World Cup.

Sandor Maroti could have been great too...

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Originally Posted by TheBoss

Szabolcs Huszti, very good technical player, great passer of the ball, capable of scoring the odd goal.

Pál Dárdai, a very solid midfielder, pretty good defensive midfielder, always does a good job, has a rocket of a shot like most defensive midfielders.

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I've seen glimpses of Huszti for Hannover and he seems fairly decent.

Is Dadai still at Hertha Berlin?

Yes, he is.

I thought him and Marcelinho were a great midfield pairing.

Pity the rest of the team did not contribute as much as them 2 did.

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Originally Posted by superfrank

I've seen glimpses of Huszti for Hannover and he seems fairly decent.

Is Dadai still at Hertha Berlin?

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Huszti's been in very god form lately.

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Originally Posted by DaveyCakes

Huszti's been in very god form lately.

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I wouldn't say that he's been that impressive. :D