Euro 2016 Group E: UAE Fans Preview

Sport360 staff 18:10 12/06/2016
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  • Who do you think will win Group E?

    Euro 2016 begins on Friday and Sport360 will be bringing you a fans’-eye view of the tournament thanks to our collection of 24 UAE-based supporters, who will be following their nations every step of the way.

    Group E consists of the much-fancied Belgium, the Zlatan Ibrahimovic-led Sweden, Italy and Republic of Ireland.

    Here, our fan pundits have their say on their nations’ chances in France.

    BELGIUM – Herwig Devolder (Dubai)

    MOST MEMORABLE BELGIUM GAME EVER AT THE EUROS?

    Belgium made it to the final of the European Championship in Italy in 1980 but unfortunately we lost 2-1 to West Germany at the Stadio Olimpico. It was a painful defeat as we equalised through Rene Vandereycken in the 75th minute only for Horst Hrubesch to level it up and then net the winning goal in the 88th minute. Hopefully we can go a step further this time.

    WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR COACH?

    Belgian fans were a little skeptical when Marc Wilmots first took charge in 2012 as he didn’t have much managerial experience. But as a player he always had a great attitude and fighting spirit and he has carried that into coaching. He took us to the 2014 World Cup – Belgium’s first major tournament since 2002 – and he has made a team out of a ‘golden generation’ of individuals. I think he lacks a little bit of tactical nous but in general, he is the right fit for the job.

    BELGIUM PLAYER WHO MIGHT SURPRISE US?

    Michy Batshuayi. He is not that very well-known at the moment, but the 22-year-old Marseille striker has huge potential. Romelu Lukaku will be the main striker but in games where we need to score, Batshuayi offers an interesting option off the bench. He is our most effective striker in the 18-yard box, better than Lukaku, Divock Origi and Christian Benteke in my opinion.

    GROUP GAME YOU ARE MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?

    Belgium vs Ireland in Bordeaux on June 18 – I have many Irish friends in Dubai and also play football against them on a weekly basis. Ireland are likely to play very defensively and look to hit us on the counter-attack, I think it will be much tougher than playing against Italy and Sweden.

    HOW FAR WILL BELGIUM GET AT EURO 2016?

    Expectations are extremely high in Belgium – the national team has never been as popular as it is today and tickets for home games are sold out within five minutes. Reaching the semi-final is a minimum requirement but I genuinely believe we can WIN the European Championship. Our weakness is our relative lack of experience at major tournaments but our enthusiasm and individual skill will make the difference.

    INTERESTING FACT ABOUT BELGIUM

    Belgium was No. 1 in the FIFA World Rankings from the end of 2015 until March 2016 and we are currently second behind Argentina.

    WHAT DO BELGIAN FANS EAT DURING A GAME?

    Fries, what else?!

    HOW DO YOU SAY ‘GOAL’ IN FLEMISH?

    Doel!

    ITALY – Colin Scicluna (Dubai)

    MOST MEMORABLE ITALY GAME EVER AT THE EUROS?

    With two red cards and our backs against the walls, we beat Netherlands in a penalty shootout in their own back yard at Euro 2000. I was in Thailand at the time, frantically searching for a TV in the middle of Chiang Mai. I’m glad I found one. We had never won on penalties so it was really special.

    WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR MANAGER?

    Antonio Conte is a fighter but his selection has been poor. Marco Verrati and Claudio Marchisio are out, and there’s no Andre Pirlo either! Like Conte’s hair, it’s a mess. His strength is in his ability to make his team work hard but not having the day-to-day relationship with players like he had at Juventus means he’s less effective.

    ITALY PLAYER WHO MIGHT SURPRISE US?

    Stephan El Shaarawy needs to do what Mario Balotelli did in 2012. He is on the up and has looked good for Roma since January. He is speedy like a young Michael Owen and can really do some damage.

    GROUP GAME YOU ARE MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?

    Definitely the one against Belgium – it’s the hardest match and will tell us where we stand. Belgium are definitely a stronger team and if Italy want to win, we will need to absorb the pressure.  I strongly recommend the squad watches a re-run of Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan against Barcelona in the 2010 Champions League semi-final second leg. May the catenaccio gods protect us all.

    HOW FAR WILL ITALY GET AT EURO 2016?

    Italy are not among favourites and with Italian football in decline it is hard to select a strong team. The defence is the only healthy part of the squad with the Juventus wall of Buffon, Bonucci, Barzagli and Chielini. The rest is a random mix of young talents such as Pelle, Sharaway and Zaza with some old characters such as De Rossi and Montolivo. Still, they should have enough to reach the quarter-finals.

    INTERESTING FACT ABOUT ITALY

    The average Italian consumes 26 gallons of grape-based beverage per year. Most of which I imagine is to calm the nerves associated with watching Italy at major championships!

    WHAT DO ITALIAN FANS EAT DURING A GAME?

    Italian fans love eating but not necessarily during a game. They are too tense so a lot of the time they will eat their nails, smoke or drink hops. If they do eat, it will probably be a margherita pizza slice.

    HOW DO YOU SAY ‘GOAL’ IN ITALIAN?

    Gol!

    WHERE WILL YOU WATCH THE GAME?

    Most Italians go to Loca or Zero Gravity, while many Azzurri fans have been known to cheer at Barasti too.

    REPUBLIC OF IRELAND – Stephen Fleming (English Teacher, Dubai)

    MOST MEMORABLE IRELAND GAME EVER AT THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP?

    Ireland’s most memorable game in their history happened in 1988 when they beat England 1-0 in Stuttgart thanks to Ray Houghton’s header. His goal was so famous that it was incorporated into Irish musical legend Christy Moore’s famous track, Joxer Goes To Stuttgart.

    IRELAND GROUP GAME YOU ARE MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?

    The opening game against Sweden, the ultimate one-man team (sorry, Portugal!), is crucial. While they have Zlatan Ibrahamovic, Ireland don’t have a stand-out player. We do however possess a resolute defence, a hard-working midfield and an unpredictable forward line. A win could mean the last 16!

    WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR COACH?

    Martin O’Neill was certainly the right choice for the Ireland job and having Roy Keane on board as his assistant manager has taken a lot of the pressure off the players due to the media frenzy that normally follows the ex-Manchester United man. At times O’Neill can be over-cautious, but he is tactically astute and has given Ireland an attacking freedom which previous coach Giovanni Trappotoni did not permit.

    IRELAND PLAYER WHO MIGHT SURPRISE US?

    I’d say Norwich City’s Robbie Brady. Deployed at left bank for Ireland, his set pieces will be vital if we are to progress from a difficult group. What he lacks in defensive ability, he certainly makes up for in his attacking play and he can provide the ammunition for Jon Walters and in-form Shane Long up front.

    PREDICTION – HOW FAR WILL IRELAND GO AT EURO 2016?

    It’s a tough group but if Ireland can get a win and a draw they can get to the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams. That will probably bring Spain or France however, which may be the end of the road.

    INTERESTING FACT ABOUT IRELAND?

    Veteran striker Robbie Keane is a cousin of The Smiths famous frontman, Morrissey.

    WHAT DO IRISH FANS EAT/DRINK DURING A GAME?

    Full Irish breakfast of rashers, sausages, black and white pudding, baked beans, mushrooms, tomatoes and fried eggs is a must to set any real Irish fan up for the day.

    HOW DO YOU SAY ‘GOAL’ IN Gaelic?

    Cul – though we are more likely to say “you beauty!”

    ​WHERE WILL YOU BE WATCHING EURO 2016?

    McGettigans in JLT will certainly be the place to be for any Irish fan while Fibbers will also be a good shout as the small bar could lead to an intimate atmosphere being created.

    SWEDEN – Bengt Ternstrom (Chief Executive, Dubai)

    MOST MEMORABLE SWEDEN GAME EVER AT THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP?

    Sweden vs Bulgaria at Euro 2004; it finished 5-0 and a new era was born with Freddie Ljungberg, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson – all great scorers in Europe for many years.

    SWEDEN GROUP GAME YOU ARE MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO?

    The opening game against Ireland gives us a great chance to start with a win and set us on the way to progress.

    WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR COACH, ERIK HAMREN?

    Traditional and predictable.

    SWEDEN PLAYER WHO MIGHT SURPRISE US?

    Emil Forsberg, quick, unpredictable and in great shape.

    PREDICTION – HOW FAR WILL SWEDEN GO AT EURO 2016?

    Last 16.

    INTERESTING FACT ABOUT SWEDEN?

    Sweden’s fastest ever goal was scored by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, after just 27 seconds in a qualifier against Kazakhstan.

    WHAT DO SWEDISH FANS EAT/DRINK DURING A GAME?

    Chicken wings and drinks filled with hops, though the national dish is probably meatballs!

    HOW DO YOU SAY ‘GOAL’ IN SWEDISH?

    Mååååååål!

    ​WHERE WILL YOU BE WATCHING EURO 2016?

    The 42nd floor of Media One Hotel with lots of other Swedes.

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