Why are you coming with a story about match fixing? Swiss won 2-0, Xhaka assisted Shaqiri for the 1-0.

Xhaka missed very late in the match when it was 2-0. Pretty much game over. He helped Swiss winning, and spared Albania another goal against when the result was pretty much 3 points for Swiss already.

How are we discussing match fixing when Xhaka played actually an important role to Swiss its victory?

Actually, Xhaka played like crap. And Shaqiri's goal was a result of a double rebound from our defenders. Anyway, the reason why I posted the link wasn't to indiciate the missed goal, but the ridiculousness of his statement.

Because he admitted he missed on purpose.

I'm going to assume you aren't a betting man, because match fixing doesn't mean the result (win/draw/loss) anyway. Betting can include almost anythinglike 'Xhaka not to score', 'Switzerland to win by 2 or less goals' and so on.

I'm not saying it was match fixing in any case. As with X-Off I think it's a ridiculous thing to say and he's made himself look incredibly stupid by doing so.

That's messed up. I would think for sure this would cause dressing room disruption. If I'm 100% committed, I don't want guys lining up with me that aren't 100% committed.

Well, you mentioned it, not sure what you wanted to say but you made it look bigger than it was.


Only against Albania this is the case. For all other games there is no reason for doubting him.

How can you defend a first-class act of stupidity and unprofessionalism?

So you don't think the trust is gone? What, the coach should forget about it? Why should he? Look at the Swiss national team, they're full of players who could potentially do the same. Next time you se Derdiyok not scoring against Turkey, Djourou against the Ivory Coast, Rodriguez against Chile, Gravranović and Drmić against Croatia...I can do this all night long.

And yes, if you ask me - it is quite related with match fixing.

@ previous post

I see a HUGE difference between your first sentence and your last sentence.

I am NOT defending the first one, but DISAGREEING with the last one. It's OBVIOUS he will only do this against Albania. So yes, when Swiss plays against Albania, trust should be gone, but against ANY OTHER opposition NOT.

You could punish him, fine him, or whatevs... but let's not act like it's not end of the world

Again - if Hitzfeld let's this one sly, and accepts what you are saying, there will be plenty of teams against which someone will play intentionally bad.

It's let it slide. Let me know when I start getting annoying..

Members here have endured by grammar policing for years now. You're safe for a fair while, Max!

Actually, it's helpful

Most are honest mistakes and keyboard typos, but yes, chances are one may learn a thing or two as well.

Italy's squad World Cup qualifiers against Armenia and Denmark:

Goalkeepers:Buffon (Juventus), De Sanctis (Napoli), Sirigu (Paris St. Germain), Viviano (Fiorentina);

Defenders:Abate (Milan), Balzaretti (Roma), Barzagli (Juventus), Bonucci (Juventus), Chiellini (Juventus),Criscito (Zenit St. Petersburg), Maggio (Napoli), Ogbonna (Torino), Ranocchia (Inter);

Midfielders:Candreva (Lazio), De Rossi (Roma), Diamanti (Bologna), Giaccherini (Juventus), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Milan), Pirlo (Juventus), Verratti (Paris St. Germain);

Forwards: Balotelli (Manchester City), Destro (Roma), El Shaarawy (Milan), Gilardino (Bologna), Giovinco (Juventus), Osvaldo (Roma).

Nocerino lost his spot. Only 3 Milan players allover; sad days.

To be honest Montolivo hasn't earned the place. But whatever.

One of the weakest Italian squads I can recall in a while.

Well, it's the old Fiorentina connection.

Can't disagree, but if Diamanti gets called up as well, then it makes sense enough to me...

Today Montolivo finally played a good game for us though.

Got tickets for England v San Marino, yes!

Nice mate.

Should be a comfortable win too, didn't Germany beat them 13-0 a few years back? Though obviously San Marino hold the quickest International goal ever award... against England

Yeah they're about the 'easiest' win you can have I would think. My dads mate had 2 tickets left and for £35 including travel I thought it was pretty good. Never seen England play before so better time than any really.

I saw live the Owen game (that's how I called it) vs Germany in 2001

Not a bad game to get to see!

Just lucky I guess, was travelling in that area back then.

Belarus vs. Spain match set for television blackout

Heh...

Well, didn't intend to watch it anyway

OH NOO!!! WHAT WILL I DO WITH MY LIFE NOW..?!?!?!

To be honest, I was sick of watching this team play. These two weeks will be a breath of fresh air.

Yeah, I always felt like rooting against them in the Euros too.

Oh, haha, I thought you were talking about Milan, as in "What will I do now that there won't be games for two weeks?"...

Well that too..

Spain especially

Ah good no one will talk about Spain because they don't have the rights to show them. Best news I've heard in international football for years.

If I wanted to watch 2nd rate International teams play I'd watch Scotland.

I can say this now as Danny won't take offence.

Is today any match scheduled? Or is everything played tomorrow? And good tips?

All tomorrow/Saturday I think.

I'm tempted with:

Full game handicap
Italy -1 @ 11/10 (away to Armenia)
Sweden -3 @ 5/2 (away to Faroe Islands)
Germany -1 @ 6/5 (away to Ireland)

Half time handicap
England -2 @ 10/11 (home against San Marino)
Holland -2 @ 7/5 (home against Andorra)

A 'Lucky 31' bet at £1.24 will make me up to £17.62 back. I only play with small amounts, don't want to get hooked.

Though an accumulator @ £1.00 brings back £74. Tempting. Hmm.

Ok so Paolo Maldini is the most capped Italian player for the NT @ 126 caps. I was surfing the net and found out Buffon was @ 122 caps. Random, but most likely Paolo's 'most capped Italian player' will be matched and bettered.

Apparently the [Dutch] youth team played yesterday.

Today the big boys. My country plays against Andorra - should I even watch? :/

Let's see who Germany faces then...

Still, it will be hard to match this record for a all future players, especially non-goalies.

It was already matched and bettered. Cannavaro beat him to it. It was in a 3-0 loss to Brazil (with Pirlo contributing to the third goal) that Fabio Cannavaro played his 127th game. He, of course, ended up with 136 games in total, so Buffon will have to beat that to go post him.

Man, R7 and me really live in the past

Yup, quite. I saw that match live, in full, and if I ever needed more proof of the gulf of greatness between Maldini and Cannavaro (albeit an over the hill Cannavaro), that was it. It takes hard work to become a Cannavaro, but players like Maldini are born with it - they really are a cut above the rest.

Paolo retired from international play too early. He should have waited till after 2006 WC instead 2002. Just picturing him lifting the cup instead of Cannavaro No one deserved it more than him..

Took words out from my mouth. After the 2006 final, the only thing I could imagine was Paolo in his home seeing it all on the television and thinking that it would have been him on there with the Italian NT. And to think how he performed in the 2007 CL win, I have no doubt he'd have still cut it in that campaign, as captain.

Went to the stadium tonight to watch Albania-Iceland. It was pouring like there's no tomorrow, they postponed the second half for about 30 minutes for the rain, and not only did we get completely wet, but they go and shamelessly lose 2-1!

Germany beat Ireland 6-1 away?

Exactly

5-0 and everyone is still not happy. Get a fucking grip, Jesus Christ.

On the radio on the way home, literally every caller was the same

"This is unacceptable, San Marino are one of the worst teams in World football, we should be scoring 6/7 past them. Oh so the wonder save the they made in the first half and us hitting the bar, if those would've gone it you'd have been happy despite it not making a difference to the actual performance?

God we have some full on retard fans.

Oh and Michael Carrick made the San Marino midfielders look like Makelele at his best breaking up play, he's so **** I have no idea how he plays for England.