My European Players of the Season - Part 1.

Hope you enjoyed my first match reviews the other day! Here I'm going to review my top 3 Players of the Year from the Premier League, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga in the next I shall do the Serie A and La Liga and so on! Hope you enjoy!

3. Juan Manuel Mata

I have chosen young Juan for having the first season in England that he has had. Scoring 16 goals and setting up 22 goals in his first season with Chelsea and with the Spain team, Mata has had a massive impression on me, and is an inspiration as he has been able to study journalism whilst furthering his footballing career, which is exactly what I want to do. His vision and ability to pick a pass has made him an instant hit whilst being able to use his rocket of a left foot to chip in with plenty of goals too.  

2. Sergio Kun Aguero

Another player making his debut in the Premier League this year is Sergio Aguero, the Argentine  has scored 23 league goals this season, only surpassed by Rooney and Robin Van Persie . He too has been able to forge a partnership late in the season with Carlos Tevez to help fire City to the title in the most dramatic fashion, deadly inside and outside the box, Aguero is one of the hottest properties around at the minute.

1. Robin Van Persie

Van Persie has managed to dig Arsenal out of a hole this year, he has been immense for them, scoring 30 times in the league, including a last minute winner at Anfield, a hat-trick against Chelsea and a great volley to win the game when all everythign else just wouldn't happen against Everton. Without Van Persie's goals Arsenal would have had 22, yes 22 fewer points this season, his free-kick, finishing and surprising injury-free season has made Barcelona stand up and take notice of the Dutch hit man.

3. Olivier Giroud

The Montpellier man has apparently agreed a move to Arsenal for £13 million, which is an absolute bargain for the season he's had. Helping Montpellier to their first league title only with Younes Belhanda by scoring 21 goals, finishing joint top scorer with Nene. His skillful dribbling and ability to bring players into the game has obviously appealed to the Arsenal style of play and goal scoring ability to take the weight off Van Persie's shoulders if he stays.

2. Nene

In at number 2 is PSG maestro Nene, who as I said finished joint top scorer in the league has been in outstanding form for the Paris outfit this year. Along with Alex PSG have to of the best free kick takers there is, with Nene being able to bend the ball in from the most acute of angles. His ability to pick a pass has lead to him picking up 11 assists as well, his accuracy is so precise that he has scored a goal in less than every 5 shots.

1. Eden Hazard

Hazard has been terrorising defences in Ligue 1 this year , scoring 20 goals and getting 16 assists in the process, his dynamic dribbling, low centre of gravity and ability to slide through a pass is what attracted Chelsea to the young 20 year old. He has an eye for the spectacular some of his solo efforts have been similar to Lionel Messi and has been touted as one of the best players in the world who is not yet at the peak of his powers.

3. Mats Hummels

The 23 year old centre back is one of the most wanted men in Europe, until he decided to break all the big clubs hearts and signed a contract extension with Borussia Dortmund. His positioning and tackling ability is wonderful whilst his heading ability makes him a real threat in the opponents box, as well as a thumping penalty, but then all Germans have that! An extremely confident centre-back with the ball at his feet, wouldn't look out of place in any team, definitely one to watch!

2. Robert Lewandowski

Could have picked Gomez or Huntelaar but I think Lewandowski has been magnificent this season for Dortmund, scoring 22 goals and getting 8 assists put him 3rd in both tables respectively. His compsure and cool head with the ball at his feet and when faced by a keeper is outstanding, netting the all important goal at the Signal Iduna Park to beat Bayern 1-0 and all but seal the title. This capped off by a DFB Pokal Final Hat-trick gave Dortmund their first double in their History.

1. Marco Reus 

I've chosen Marco Reus as number 1 as he has been exceptional for Borussia Mochengladbach this year, scoring 18 goals along with 99 assists whilst not playing as the main striker. He is arguably the most creative player in the world at the minute, with his blistering pace and dazzling runs, he will fill the gap left by Shinji Kagawa at Dortmund when he leaves for Machester United.

So that's the first part complete! Hope you enjoyed it!

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan.

Follow me on Twitter: @JWalsh97

   

Euro 2012 Day 1 Match Reports.

Game 1: Poland v Greece

After a fantastic opening ceremony the game kicked off with Poland hounding the Greeks down in packs and it wasn't long before the Dortmund trio were tearing it up down the right and it wasn't long before "Kuba" and Lukas Piszczek were combining to unleash their compatriot Robert Lewandowski and in the first couple of minutes this paid dividends as Lewa went close and almost scored from a header. Soon after the Greeks were throwing bodies at the ball to keep the Poles out but then after some more of the Polish pressing Piszczek delivered a fantastic ball into the box and was met by Lewandowski and the National Stadium errupted! For the rest of the half the Poles continued to dominate with Greece getting very few moments of respite with Polanski impressing in midfield.

But then came a moment of controversy as Greece's Sokratis Papastathopoulos  was booked for winning a fair header against Lewandowski and then shown another yellow for what looked like a pull on Lewandowski, but then replay after replay it became apparent that the Spanish referee had got it wrong and that Lewandowski had already slipped. The first half flew by, not a bad start to the opening game?

Then came the turning point, Dimitris Salpingidis came on for the impressive Ninis, but this turned out to be a master stroke as the Greeks came into the game far more and after a massive mistake from Szczensy he leveled with the easiest goal he'll score. 

After a dull period of the game game were Greece were happy to defend, until they broke forward and earned a penalty after our friend Szczensy brought down super sub Salpingidis in the box and the goalkeeper was given his marching orders, as Salpingidis celebrated the cheers turned to tears as sub keeper Tyton came on and was an instant hero as he stopped veteran Karagounis's penalty. The Greeks could have easily won it had it not been for some abject finishing from Georgios Samaras it could have easily been a victory for the Greeks but what was a must win game for both sides turned out to be a decent result as the Czech's were horrible against the Russians.

Game 2: Czech Republic v Russia

So after what was supposed to be the most boring game of the tournament we travel to Wroclaw to another exciting encounter between a strong Russian side and an experienced Czech team. The game kicked off and the first 10 minutes were dominated by the Czech's but none of the early pressure paid off and the Russian's began to get back into the game and after a slick move the Russian's went 1-0 up through the impressive Alan Dzagoev and shortly after that, Czech left-back Kadlec decided to go for a run in the wrong direction and ended up in fairy land as Arshavin played a lovely ball through to Roman Shirokov and he chipped the on rushing Cech and it was 2-0.

Into the second half and then the Czech's got back into it through a great pass through to Valcav Pilar who round Malafeev and slotted it home, where Russian defender Anyukov vould probably have reached it with a slide. Then came another Russian onslaught when Dzagoev made it 3-1 with his second, finishing another slick Russian move and it was left to Roman Pavelyuchenko to make it 4-1 finishing off a captivating display by the Russian's orchestrated by Andrei Arshavin who found form after a loan move to Zenit.

I'm not sure if I'll do this everyday but I'll try!

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan.

Follow me on Twitter: @JWalsh97

  

                                                

My Euro 2012 Predictions: France.

Bonjour! Ca va? Hello there again everyone! The Euro's have began with a bang and what a start it has been! Hopefully get a match review of both games up tomorrow! Anyway previewing France now, who I think could spring a few surprises this year!

In goal we have Lyon shot-stopper Hugo Lloris, who is ever reliable and has a knack of stopping shots that have no right to be sstopped. Majorly confident in his box and with a limited defence compared to what he used to have at Lyon, he is getting more and more to do, ever improving and fast cementing his place as one of the great keepers, even at only 25.

Our defensive rock is Valencia centre-back Adil Rami, who has excelled in the last two seasons for Lille, his current club and his country. He isn't the quickest but what he lacks in pace he makes up for in his excellent positioning, heading ability and bravery in the tackle, another young player who is about to reach the peak of his powers is being watched all around Europe.

Our midfield man is Yann M'Vila, with extremely strong links to Arsenal it seems likely the defensive midfielder will move on from Stade Rennes this year. His great tackling ability as well as a passing range to die for the 21 year old is a fantastic prospect for whatever club he is at next year, his presence on the pitch already gives the opponents the idea they are in for a hard time.

Up top is Montpeiller man Olivier Giroud, who has made a name all over Europe for his goal scoring exploits in Ligue 1 this year, scoring 21 in total firing them to their first championship. A big man with a brilliant finishing ability as well as being able to bring other people into play he is a smooth operator being linked with a move to various European clubs.

Overall, I think the French will reach the semi-finals, but if they face the Republic of Ireland in the quarters, revenge would be on the cards. But going unbeaten in 20+ games, Laurent Blanc's men have to be taken seriously.

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan.

Follow me on Twitter: @JWalsh97

My Euro 2012 Predictions: Spain.

Back again! Another 50+ views yesterday, thanks! Off to Spain today! Still have Group D to do, I doubt I'll have it done quick enough but you never know! So here we go!

In goals, we have the ever reliable Iker Casillas. In the FIFpro World XI countless times and arguably the best keeper in the world, he is renowned for his ability to dig his team out of holes when needs be, if you want proof see the save v Sevilla this season, magical! Also the captain for club and country, you can rely on him, when called upon, to get you through the though times.

In defence we have converted left winger to left back Jordi Alba, the 23 year old has made a big impressing for Valencia there this season, with his ability to get forward and back relentlessly with tiring. With a deadly left foot for when he gets up in attack he is a mean prospect for major clubs in Europe, with Chelsea and Barcelona being touted as possible suitors for him.

Our midfield maestro is Malaga playmaker Santi Cazorla, this man has a knack of bending free kciks in from anywhere. He has the pace and passing to trouble any defence whilst possessing the ability to drive at them with the destructive dribbling skills he has.

Upfront, Vincente del Bosque has excluded, somewhat suprisingly to me Adrian and Roberto Soldado from the squad and picking a Fernando Torres who is starting to find his form but is sketchy at the present moment (I am a Chelsea fan so no basis against him.) So I believe he should go with 6 foot 5 striker Fernando Llorente, who has been in excellent form for Bilbao this year, helping them to the Europa League Final. His deadly finishing coupled with his great ability with the ball at his feet for a big man, as well as his ability to get his head on anything makes him extremely desirable in the Summer transfer market.

As you can see I'm extremely fond of him!

Anyway I think Spain are assured of the final, and will depend upon whether it is the Dutch for a re-match of the world cup final or the ever-green, efficient Germans they play. I think they will beat the Dutch but I'm not so sure about the Germans who have an extremely strong line up this year, but we shall see!

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan.

Follow me on Twitter if you so wish! - @JWalsh97

My Euro 2012 Predictions: Republic of Ireland.

Sorry haven't done anything in ages guys and girls! Exams, football and other things have kept me occupied and I now realise I have four exams and also have four teams to do in two days! So I'm guessing I'll be pretty busy, so Republic of Ireland here we go!

In goals, we have possibly the most reliable keeper there is and definitely one of the best of the Premier League  era. Shay Given has made has reputation upon consistency and reliability, as well as having the reflexes of a cat, the thirty-six year old will prove crucial in the Republic's challenge, he also shows no signs of slowing as he reaches the big four-o. 

Our defender, has more reds than Roy Keane and more own goals than anyone else in Premier League history yet Richard Dunne's presence is felt every time he steeps onto the pitch, a natural leader with a knack of getting his head on things, Dunne is an integral part of the Irish team. His club connection with Given will also play an important part in helping them to getting them out of Group C.

Next up is tricky winger Aiden McGeady, the dribbling skill and pace is desirable at any team, but it is Spartak Moscow that currently have him on their books. A player always willing to battle and could provide the spark along with James McClean the Republic need to progress, on their day, they will be a handful for any team.

Upfront is captain fantastic Robbie Keane, the man is a stalwart in the Irish team, providing the touch of class they need upfront, backed up by Simon Cox too. His cool head and ability to squeeze the ball through the tightest of gaps into the goal, the natural poacher and finisher will be key to any success the Irish have in the days and weeks to come.

So all in all, I think the Irish will progress, the recent problems encoutered be the Italian's match fixing scandal has seen the country up in arms. All considered this could be their chance to prove people wrong, and who's to say they won't meet foes France in the quarter's after the hand-ball incident stopped them from heading to South Africa? Or in the semi-final's England and memories of Ray Houghton will flood back?

Their own belief will determine how far the Irish will go this time.

Thanks for reading!

Jonathan.

Follow me on Twitter: @JWalsh97