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"Poldi is pants," maintains Ian McCourt, who is currently locked in a heated exchange with some pigeons on the windowsill of Guardian Towers. Jogi Low apparently disagrees, as, acccording to Bild online, Podolski will start the semi-final against Italy despite André Schürrle;s impressive showing against Greece. In Bild's opinion, meanwhile, Miroslav Klose should start instead of Mario Gomez up front, as, in addition to his finishing skills, Klose brings the best out of Ozil.
As a follow-up to the previous entry I should add that L'Equipe and many other French outlets are suggesting that several other players are also in line for sanctions for their behaviour at the Euros: Hatem Ben Arfa for some choice backchat to Laurent Blanc at half-time of the France-Sweden fiasco; Jérémy Menez for some disagreeable words towards Hugo Lloris; and Yann M'vila for showing his disappointment at being substituted against Spain.
Hello. Doyle at your service. How about this for an over-reaction? According to L'Equipe, The French Football Federation is considering banning Samir Nasri for two years after the player insulted a journalist following France's limp elimination by Spain the other night. It seems the FFF and the French public have become hyper-sensitive to any hints of dissidence from the players ever since the shambles in South Africa – indeed, that has already been demonstrated by the hullabaloo that followed Nasri's "shut up" gesture following his goal against England. But really, banning him for two years would be tantamount to France guillotining their noses to spite their faces. No, the article that appears to have riled Nasri in the first place was not particularly offensive and did not, contrary to his reported claims, constitute a personal attack on him. And yes, Nasri could have been more courteous towards the hack on Saturday. But the hack could have been more civil too or, even better, the pair could have exchanged firm words and left it at that, no need for a nationwide outpouring of sanctimony and fury.
Nasri may not have sparkled in this tournament and, like Yoann Gourcouff in 2010, is not quite up to stepping into the providential playmaker that France have adored since the days of Platini and then Zidane, but he is still a fine player and has made important contributions to France in the last two years particularly. So banning him for an agricultural exchange with a journalist seems way over the top. Having said all that, if they were to propose punishing for that ridiculously sulky performance against Sweden, they might have a case …
OK boys and girls, I'm off to do my other duties around the Guardian sport desk and Paul Doyle will be taking over for the next while. One more thing before I go re Drogba, that clause allowing him to go to Barcelona is as make-believe as Peter Pan. See you later.
Over on Twitter @BenJammin___ has this response to TheManFromNantucket's earlier question about which English clubs is coming out on top as far as their players playing well.
Spurs, just because Modric was so ruddy good. Sadly, that'll read Real Madrid soon.
It just might be Real Madrid but I bet every Manchester United fan wishes it was Old Trafford he was gracing next season.
Our woman in Moscow, Miriam Elder, reports that the Russia FA chief has resigned after meeting with Vladimir Putin. Eeep!
By the way, as I see there is some debate going on down there, I should let you know that I was talking to a man who was talking to another man who was passed a noted from a friend who once knew Drogba back in the day, and when I say knew, I mean he once passed him a crowded street, the opposite side of the street, but a street that Drogba was on none the less. Anyway, he is not going to Barcelona. Not now. Not ever.
TheManFromNantucket has a question for y'all to get down and dirty with.
Of all the english clubs represented, who's coming out on top as far as their players playing well?
Below the line, Holdypaw20 reckons "Poldi has been far better than the White Pele." That wouldn't he hard though would it now?
Playing for George Graham was like living in Iraq, says Anders Limpar.
Arsenal fans. Where you at? I have some old news for you. Olivier Giroud has finally moved to norff London. The full story is here. Also, Arsenal fans, are you a bit worried over Lukas Podolski? He has been underwhelming in Euro 2012 hasn't he? Still at least Robin van Persie is till banging in the go...oh.
Morning all. If, like me, you spent last night crying into your pillow while watching The Interrupters, then you are going to need some cheering up. So here's some links to get that pleasant or agreeable appearance or aspect back to that face of yours.
• Roy Hodgson backs the past-their-sell-by-date old guard despite England's heroic exit
• But England cannot harbour realistic ambitions in current guise reckons Daniel Taylor. He's right, isn't he?
• Mario Gomez stars as The Smiths and Super Mario (four times! – we didn't see that one coming. We did.) but not as Crispin Glover in this week's edition of the Gallery Read More
انسخ الكود التالى و ضعه فى موقعك او مدونتك.
