Nikolay Mihaylov from the Bulgaria U21 team

[windy city red]

He's on loan with us right? Thought he had a commendable performance on Saturday versus the England U21s, he really had no chance with those two goals. His reflex save against walcott's point blank shot reminded me a little bit of dudek at his best .

 

on another note, is it just me or did the bulgarian team look technically superior to the english team? granted they are quite clueless in the final third and their striker missed a glorious chance to equalize, but they seem alot more comfortable on the ball. size wise however, they really look puny against the english players.

 

also, how is milner still a u21? he seems to be in it for ages! i used to think hes a left footer but after looking at him cross time and time again with his right, its quite clear i am losing my memory...

[Hassony]

Milner made his debut for leeds at 15 didn't he

[windy city red]

Milner made his debut for leeds at 15 didn't he

 

he did? wow, i didnt know.

[Guest petelfc]

Always laugh when I hear someone lauding over Eastern European teams superior technical ability in comparison to English players. Not won them much has it.

[windy city red]

Always laugh when I hear someone lauding over Eastern European teams superior technical ability in comparison to English players. Not won them much has it.

 

It was just a comment, I wasnt blowing sunshine up their asses or anything so I have no idea where your "lauding" came from.

[cymrococh]

Always laugh when I hear someone lauding over Eastern European teams superior technical ability in comparison to English players. Not won them much has it.

So they're at least as succesful as the English players then.

[Rimbeux]

Always laugh when I hear someone lauding over Eastern European teams superior technical ability in comparison to English players. Not won them much has it.

 

Tend to be the ones with even more technical ability from Mid and Southern Europe and South America and the superior coaching, technical and economic set ups of Western Europe that win out. Plenty of superb players come out of eastern Europe , some very good national teams, and before the fall of the curtain, some very strong clubs. The best will now move very early, and the domestic standards suffer.

[John am Rhein]

Always laugh when I hear someone lauding over Eastern European teams superior technical ability in comparison to English players. Not won them much has it.

 

Technical ability's no match for strength and stamina

[fyds]

Always laugh when I hear someone lauding over Eastern European teams superior technical ability in comparison to English players. Not won them much has it.

Short sighted view that. The Polish team of 1974 was good enough with a bit of luck to have won the WC that year. As it was, by far the best team - the Dutch - didn't win it either.

 

The problem they have is that although they do have some wonderful technically able and talented players, they rarely have a whole team full - and - like everyone else (ask the Brazilians) at crucial times, if your top playmaker, CB or striker is injured you're nigh on screwed.

 

Sheer skill, flair etc can win you a world cup, but rarely without a slice of luck, few injuries and fewer suspensions - not to mention a lack of Graham Poll and the like.

[The Hitman]

Always laugh when I hear someone lauding over Eastern European teams superior technical ability in comparison to English players. Not won them much has it.

Eastern Europeans have always had great talent.Poland,Ukraine,Russia,Hungary,Croatia and the Czechs have all had great teams in the past,and possibly would've won more had it not been for the problems associated with the Iron Curtain.

[The Hitman]

Short sighted view that. The Polish team of 1974 was good enough with a bit of luck to have won the WC that year. As it was, by far the best team - the Dutch - didn't win it either.

 

The problem they have is that although they do have some wonderful technically able and talented players, they rarely have a whole team full - and - like everyone else (ask the Brazilians) at crucial times, if your top playmaker, CB or striker is injured you're nigh on screwed.

 

Sheer skill, flair etc can win you a world cup, but rarely without a slice of luck, few injuries and fewer suspensions - not to mention a lack of Graham Poll and the like.

I remember somebody extolling the virtues of the Yugoslavian footballers a while back,was saying they'd have won at least a Euro Championships if they hadn't had all the problems with the country breaking up.

There have been some great Croatian/Czech players in recent years,as well as that talented Bulgaria side that did so well at USA 94.Stoichkov was a superb player.

[stressederic]

The Czech Republic should have won Euro 2004 for a start.