Meanwhile, the African Nations Cup draw will be settled in Accra on the 19th of October, only a few days after our friendly. Roger will be in attendance and so will all the other National team coaches. It serves no purpose to worry about what group we fall into (though I tend to do so anyway) but the best case scenario for us would be to not fall into Ghana’s group, as they will be hosting this event. If you look at the recent history of the tournament, it is clear that being at home increases your chances of winning quite a bit.

You might say that this is true of any sporting event and of course you are correct but consider this: Egypt hosted and won it in the last edition, as did we in 2004, and South Africa did the same in 1996. If you look further into the past you can see a trend developing of host countries winning with frightening regularity over the years. Combine that knowledge with the fact that questionable refereeing has become a staple of the CAN (as it is referred to in French) and you have some cause for concern. Everyone makes mistakes but when they are made consistently in consecutive games it makes you wonder (those who saw what happened to Senegal in 2004 and 2006 know what I am talking about). Either the refs have something to gain from a home country winning or they just want to leave the stadium with their lives. Whatever the case, I hope that not being the top seed in our group doesn’t come back to haunt us later this month. It’s not all about the draw of course, that will be decided by destiny so we must focus on things that we can control. Which brings me to my next point…

With the tournament rapidly approaching, I believe it is time for Roger Lemerre to pick his best 11 and let them play together long enough to create a cohesive unit that has the type of chemistry to make a good run and possibly take home the title. I know there are benefits to trying out young and/or unproved players in friendlies to test them and see their capabilities but Ghana 2008 is practically tomorrow and the time for tinkering is all but run out. It’s time for the equipe type, the starting eleven, the best we have to offer. Besides, you can still test players by bringing them on as substitutes after the main group has gotten its run. The players need to get enough game experience to know what formation works, who likes the ball at their feet, who likes lead passes that they can run onto and who they can rely on to cover at the back. You can’t just pick a team a month before the tournament and expect things to go right. Unless you’re Iraq and you manage to win the Asian Cup with practically no practice time. I guess that just blows my whole theory out the water. More on this and other stories tomorrow…

The agenda includes: Tijani Belaid’s game in champions league earlier this week (downloading the game as i write this).
The second leg of the Champions League Semi Final between ESS and Al Hilal of Sudan.
Discussions regarding potential starting lineups
and plenty more.

I want to first thank everyone who came to my page as well as those who posted their comments. I am grateful I had this unique opportunity to be one of the lucky 32 bloggers along with our excellent lead bloggers led by Bob. This has been a dream month with top class players and competition everyday. The quality of the tournament is exactly why we count down the months for 4 years waiting for this fantastic competition.

For the fans of Tunisia, you can hold your head up high and realize that it is an honor to at least get into the world stage and it is only a matter of time before Tunisia will be able to progress further into the tournament and provide even more excitement. In four years alot can change and at least alot of people who never saw Tunisia play and had no idea about them have seen them now.

The final game was truly an epic battle where both teams could have triumphed well before penalty kicks. I was literally gutted with sadness when Zidane acted the way he did. This was the worst thing he could have done. It may have tarnished his amazing legendary status. Hats off to Italy. They proved that in this tournament you must have strength, balance, a deep bench, and a little luck amongst other things but at least we know whatever team you support, Not many teams could have beaten France and Italy yesterday.

Wow what a month. Once again I thank all my readeers from the bottom of my heart and I am saddened that this is over. Good luck to everyone in the next four years and before you know it World cup 2010 will be here!!!!

Most of the time when Italy attack it is through a clever counter attack. This way most of the opposing teams defenders are pressed so far forward there are only one or two left to stop Italys counter attack. Teams that take too long to set up an attack like England and Netherlands were good but eventually out of the tournament because opposition defenders flooded the box. Italys counter attacks are so quick it is shocking as we saw against Germany.

I pick Buffon as the best gaolkeeper in the tournament but of course Cannavaro and company keep him out of many bad situations.

ITALY KEYS TO VICTORY Can they force France defenders up and clear space for Tony, Iaqunita, and Gilardino?

Can the midfield keep possession from France.

Can they keep Ribery and Zidane in check because if not Henry will be on the recieving end of many great passes.

FRANCE France has shown that they can make a previously great team seem mediocre. Spain was on top of the world and France defeated them, Brasil was starting to pick up steam after thrashing Ghana 3-0, and Portugal had just defeated England and Netherlands which i thought would never happen.

France has beaten all the oppenents they had without going into extra time. The midfield duo of Ribery and Zidane has caused opposition nightmares. While Viera and Makalele clean up the mess most of the time before it reaches Sagnol and Thuram.

The French defense has been terriffic. however the definite weak point is the goalkeeper Bartez. He seems like he can never hold on to the ball and was very lucky in the past few games. Italy fooled Jens Lehman 2 times. I think they will punish Bartez if given the opportunity

FRANCE KEYS TO VICTORY

If any one can fool Buffon it is Thiery Henry. Can Theiry bieng the only striker in the 4-5-1 fool not only the excellent Italian defense as well as Buffon? (if anyone is capable it is him)

Can French midfield not only keep the ball but pour into the box in order to provide assistance to Henry? And can they do this without leaving their duties in defense in case of a classic Italian counter.?

Can Bartez stay calm enough to withstand the pressure that is sure to be coming?

IN CASE OF PENALTY SHOOTOUT

I would say France has the advantage in its experienced and calm penalty kick takers.

Italy has the advantage in the superb Buffon (as well as much taller then Bartez )

I would not want to bet on this game I am 50/50

Italy
France
Argentina
Germany
England
Portugal
Spain
Netherlands
Brasil
Ghana
Cote D’Ivoire
Sweden
Mexico
Czech Republic
Australia
Ukraine
Switzerland
Equador
Croatia
South Korea
Paraguay
United States
Poland
Serbia & Montenegro
Costa Rica
Tunisia
Japan
Angola
Saudia Arabia
Trinidad & Tobago
Iran
Togo

Curiously however Ivory Coast was not given this privelige to skip the first round of qualifying and they are arguably the top African footballing nation besides Ghana right now.

I hope in 2008 Tunisia will have a young team and all the 30 and over players retire, we need new legends. We also need young players to gain experience early. There are so many players in the Tunisian league that must be given a chance. I am sure that there are many gems there that must be discovered and given a chance on the National team.

Italy vs. France

I will say it is a shame for England and Argentina both are really strong. Argentinas style was good but Instead of pplaying Messi, who can do more in 20 minsutes then many player in 90 min, they chose to play Cruz who did nothing. Messi is phenominal and he would have made a postive difference.
Englands mistake was poor finishing, and a poor 4-5-1, not to mention Rooneys red card. I really thought England were better. Im not sure if Rooney stepped on the other player on purpose.
France was reaaly great against Brazil, in that match France became Brazil, Zidane was a magician and Brazil barely could shoot the ball on goal.
********
Germany and Portugal must be beaten before penalties because if not Lehman and Ricardo are very very good at catching them. Bartez is the weakest of all remaining goalies.
These matches are simply getting better and better. What does everyone else think of these Semi Final matchups?

Tunisia attacking midfielder Hamed Namouchi who currently plays for Rangers and featured in all the Tunisia world cup matches has apparently drawn the interest of English Clubs Birmingham and Everton. I pick Everton, wasnt Birmingham relegated?

Italy vs Ukraine: Italy wins 2-0
Ukraine simply cant go any further playing how they have been against Switzerland and Tunisia

England vs. Portugal: Deco out, Ronaldo may not play. England should hit their high gear and come through
England wins 2-1

France vs Brasil: Ooh lala. This is a rematch of the 1998 finals. France is looking better everygame. (I was dissapointed in Henry acting like he got hit in the face against Spain, he is was too much class for that.) hmm France wins 2-2 after a penalty shootout.

I dont know if i am right, and in some cases I really dont want to be right. I do want to see some battles. I do not like to see players sent of or teams playing with 10 men against 11. I want to see 2-2 games or 3-3 games. What are your predictions?

Most Entertaining matches of the round of 16 : Arg. vs. Mex. , Por. vs. Ned , Spain v. France

Best Referees: The Argentina Mexico Referee, the France Spain Referee, and the Switzerland vs Ukraine Ref

All of these referees allowed the player to play competitivly, talked with the players, and made the players apologize. I think however the best was Massimo BUSACCA. They should allow him to continue doing his job and hopefully referee the final.

WORST REF: Valentin IVANOV from the Portugal Netherlands game, yes the game was rough and dirty but, way too many cards. I think Ivanov should be a card dealer at a cassino because he distributes the cards so well.

Most entertaining players: Ribery: France, Messi: Argentina , those 2 can do magic with the ball / Honorable mention to Ukraine goalkeep Shovkovsky for catching 2 penalties during the match with Switszerland

Well we have a 2 days rest without any football. I dont know what i am going to do withmyself, ive gotten so used to it . Please give us your thoughts