[whoarethepatriot...]

This thread was originally going to be U21 thread however with the Olympics and Toulon tournament in mind i decided to change it to U23

So, some of you may know that the annual Toulon tournament will run from 20-29th May. It is being held in Toulon in France. Matches are 80 minutes not 90

The teams are Italy, Ivory Coast, Turkey, USA, France, Japan, Chile and Holland

Italy's squad has been announced;

Guarente (Atalanta); Pelle' (AZ Alkmaar); Lanzafame (Bari); Acquafresca e Canini (Cagliari); Abate, Bassi, Giovinco, Marchisio e Marzoratti (Empoli); Osvaldo (Fiorentina); Bocchetti (Frosinone); Nocerino (Juventus); De Silvestri (Lazio); Cigarini e Dessena (Parma); Dellafiore e Motta (Torino); De Ceglie e Galloppa (Siena); Coda (Udinese); Alfonso (Venezia).

(bolded players have some kind of connection to Milan)

We have been linked with Canini, so this will be a good way to see his abilities first hand. I will watch all of Italy's matches and update this thread, but i cant give guarantees on the other teams

Relevant fixtures

Wednesday, May 21 - 12:00 p.m. ET Italy vs. Ivory Coast


Friday, May 23 - 2:30 p.m. ET Italy vs. Turkey


Sunday, May 25 - 12:00 p.m. ET Italy vs. United States


Tuesday, May 27 - 12:00 p.m. ET Semifinals
Tuesday, May 27 - 2:30 p.m. ET Semifinals
Thursday, May 29 - 12:00 p.m. ET Third Place Match
Thursday, May 29 - 2:30 p.m. ET Final

Good luck to the Azzurini!

This post has been edited by whoarethepatriots: May 20 2008, 08:39 PM

[Rossoneri7]

Eee injured Duck?

Yeah ... Commentator was talking about him slipping on the stairs or something .. injuring his back

[Zed.D]

Yeah ... Commentator was talking about him slipping on the stairs or something .. injuring his back

****

EDIT: I didn't even read your post (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) slipping on the stairs??! are you serious??! (well I'm optimistic, shouldn't be anything more than a bruise. hopefully he will make it to the semi final)

This post has been edited by zdrossoneri: Aug 16 2008, 01:44 PM

[GrinReaper]

Yeah ... Commentator was talking about him slipping on the stairs or something .. injuring his back

WHOA!! WHAT? Didn't his mama tell him not to play on the stairs? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Rossoneri7]

I'm guessing it must have been real bad, cuz I have slipped on the stairs once or twice and I remember it was painful, but I was ok ... Hmm, but to play those anonymous players ahead of Pato, it must have been something serious (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[acid911]

2010 World Cup? I'd say he has zero chance for that. remember how everyone scathingly attacked Ronaldo for 2006 WC failure? and he will be 34 when 2010 World Cup starts. ain't gonna happen IMO.

Weren't they blaming Ronaldinho for partying after Brazil's exit? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) In all probability Ronaldo didn't light the fire in the last world cup, and he was one of the reason for the bad performance. Another big reason was that dork Adriano. That guy shouldn't be allowed near a 1-mile radius of the Samba team.

Anyway, I agree with you that there is a 99% chance it's over, but I've built my life around the remaining 1%. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) Time will tell.

[acid911]

I'm guessing it must have been real bad, cuz I have slipped on the stairs once or twice and I remember it was painful, but I was ok ... Hmm, but to play those anonymous players ahead of Pato, it must have been something serious

Oh dear. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Stair injuries can take weeks if not months. I pray to God it's nothing serious.

[GrinReaper]

I'm guessing it must have been real bad, cuz I have slipped on the stairs once or twice and I remember it was painful, but I was ok ... Hmm, but to play those anonymous players ahead of Pato, it must have been something serious (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Yeah, I too have fallen from the stairs in my childhood (I have a habit of learning from mistakes) and it was really bad. I got 5 stitches to my forehead (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[Zed.D]

I'm guessing it must have been real bad, cuz I have slipped on the stairs once or twice and I remember it was painful, but I was ok ... Hmm, but to play those anonymous players ahead of Pato, it must have been something serious (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Considering Pato's back injury (even if it was not that serious - hopefully), how tough Cameroon played and his performance in the previous game (apparently not very brilliant) I can understand Dunga - for once - playing those anonymous players ahead of him.

[Rossoneri7]

Considering Pato's back injury (even if it was not that serious - hopefully), how tough Cameroon played and his performance in the previous game (apparently not very brilliant) I can understand Dunga - for once - playing those anonymous players ahead of him.

Thing is, he played those anonymous players, cuz Pato couldn't get on the pitch. This sucks, when it is a back injury, you never know how long it would take, take an example off of Nesta (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[acid911]

Considering Pato's back injury (even if it was not that serious - hopefully), how tough Cameroon played and his performance in the previous game (apparently not very brilliant) I can understand Dunga - for once - playing those anonymous players ahead of him.

True. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Very true. The coach knows things we fans don't. Either way let's wait for more news to see the extent of the injury. One thing is for sure, Pato is certainly living up to his tag of 'New Ronaldo' when it comes to injuries at least.

I can't think of what will happen to Milan if Pato doesn't return from the Olympics in one piece. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Our attack is done for.

[Zed.D]

Yeah, I too have fallen from the stairs in my childhood (I have a habit of learning from mistakes) and it was really bad. I got 5 stitches to my forehead (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

When I was in middle school I fell from probably 30 stairs, on my chest/belly, down all the way! I still remember the pain, it was unbelievable! but I had to act like a man, you know (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I stood up (with the help of a student of course) and pretended like nothing's happened. I don't think Pato fell that bad!

Thing is, he played those anonymous players, cuz Pato couldn't get on the pitch. This sucks, when it is a back injury, you never know how long it would take, take an example off of Nesta (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Oh come on, it can't be that bad. Nesta's injury is a pretty complicated one. Pato's is just a knock. he may lose the remaining of the Olympics, but it's not a worrying injury, I think...

[Zed.D]

True. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Very true. The coach knows things we fans don't. Either way let's wait for more news to see the extent of the injury. One thing is for sure, Pato is certainly living up to his tag of 'New Ronaldo' when it comes to injuries at least.

I can't think of what will happen to Milan if Pato doesn't return from the Olympics in one piece. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Our attack is done for.

Please don't say that (IMG:http://i36.tinypic.com/smdc1c.gif)

[acid911]

Thing is, he played those anonymous players, cuz Pato couldn't get on the pitch. This sucks, when it is a back injury, you never know how long it would take, take an example off of Nesta

Exactly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif) Nesta has missed months on the trot, and one of the reason why he retired from the NT. Pato is young, and I'm sure he can bonce back. But I'm not sure of Brazil's chances in the semis without Pato. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) Let me know if any news comes up on the duck, R7, will ya?

Oh come on, it can't be that bad. Nesta's injury is a pretty complicated one. Pato's is just a knock. he may lose the remaining of the Olympics, but it's not a worrying injury, I think...

I certainly hope you think right. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Neither Brazil nor Milan can afford to lose out on Pato's services for long periods of time.

[Rossoneri7]

Oh come on, it can't be that bad. Nesta's injury is a pretty complicated one. Pato's is just a knock. he may lose the remaining of the Olympics, but it's not a worrying injury, I think...

I hope so ... Cuz really isn't a joke if you slip and smack ur back on teh edge of the stairs .. ouch ! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[GrinReaper]

When I was in middle school I fell from probably 30 stairs, on my chest/belly, down all the way! I still remember the pain, it was unbelievable! but I had to act like a man, you know (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I stood up (with the help of a student of course) and pretended like nothing's happened. I don't think Pato fell that bad!

Yes, but what if Pato also knocked up his head or something during the fall? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) I guess we can never know until we get to know the reports and stuff.

But my fall was more impressive than yours. I put in a few somersaults for the amusement of anyone watching and by the time I landed I had blood covering most of my face. But, of course, I didn't have the wits then to act like a man... I was crying like a baby. I think it was because I was a baby (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)