AMSTERDAM—While U.S. fans have been busy monitoring and discussing 'Nats progress leading up to World Cup 2010, each of the other 31 nations in the field have done the same.
Americans don’t often get to listen into those conversations, so we checked with journalists in six of the biggest name soccer countries in Europe.
Things were kept simple as we asked each reporter two simple questions: 1) How do you expect your nation to fare in South Africa? & 2) What is the general opinion of the nations team boss among the domestic fans?
Take it away, gentleman…
ENGLAND
Jonathan Wilson, Guardian/Financial Times
"If you'd asked me six months ago, I'd have been very, very positive. [Fabio] Capello cleared up a few uncertainties and he solved the Gerrard/Lampard conundrum, which had dogged English football for seven years... I thought there was a really nice balance, though a couple of concerns about the goalkeeping and right back. But since then, everything seems to have slightly fallen apart. The injury to Rio Ferdinand is obviously a big issue. Without his pace at the back, they lack a lead ball-playing center back, so distribution can become a problem. John Terry's form is not what it was. Ledley King's gonna be in with his dodgy knee. The goalkeeping issue hasn't been solved. And then because Barry is injured, that leaves us without any holding midfielder. And now, we could into the first game of World Cup with Gerrard and Lampard back together again, and that knot's sort of re-tied itself... I'm still relatively optimistic, but not as optimistic as I was 7-8 months ago. They should get through the group, and from there on, each stage is a bonus."
"I think there's a sense that, if Capello can't do it, nobody can do it with England. I mean, £6 million a year to get the best coach in the world - you can't really do better than that."
FRANCE
Gabriel Richalot, Le Parisien
"It's quite complicated to say. We can say that there is a big lack of serenity, for instance. The preparation of the French team was really complicated."
"People hate [Raymond Domenech] for the moment. If the results become good during the competition, it might change. But he's really aggressive with journalists and people also have the impression that he is aggressive with them. He's like a man who will soon end his job; he does exactly what he wants. And for the moment, nobody understands."
GERMANY
Daniel Stolpe, (editor) Die Welt
"It's really difficult to answer. Usually, Germany is a very good team for any tournament. It's a team that gets better the longer a competition goes on. That's our tradition, but this is the second-youngest world championship squad we are sending to South Africa... To sum it up, I think the group is good enough to get to the second round and then we need a little luck. Then, the tradition of knowing how to play in a tournament comes into play."
"I would say the opinion [of Joachim Loew] was pretty much positive until the beginning of this year. Then came the argument with the president of the association about negotiating an extension -- there came up some not so nice details. At this point, I'd say it depends on how this tournament is going. Maybe his popularity took some damage this year."
ITALY
Franco Spicciariello, Guerin Sportivo/PlayItUSA.com
"I don't think [Italy will do] well, at all, because [Marcello] Lippi left at home the only guys who have the right touch to change a game - Totti, Cassano and Balotelli. Second, I know he has a lot of his guys from the last World Cup - Cannavaro, Pirlo, Zambrotta, Iaquinta - but these guys are getting old. And it looks old on the field. Even one of the strongest players, De Rossi, doesn't look in good shape. He hasn't had the best form this year, his father-in-law was shot by some criminals and he got divorced, so he had a very bad year and he looks like he is not the same player. People have no confidence. People in Italy think they could start to play well when it's a bad situation, but I don't see how. The people Lippi brought have no international experience."
"The answer that you can print is that he is arrogant. He doesn't like to confront himself with players and with the press. He looks like he doesn't have an idea. He's trying everything. He tried a 4-2-3-1, a 4-4-2 and now he's trying a 3-5-2 to protect a Cannavaro and a defense that looks very shaky. He looks pretty confused."
THE NETHERLANDS
Chris Tempelman, Voetbal International
"Is it very positive in Holland, very hopeful. Perhaps that is the better word because everybody in Holland thinks that maybe we have the best strikers at this moment. You're talking about Van Persie, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Kuyt, and also Huntelaar, who's not playing in the starting eleven. I think we have 5-6 players that are very easy going to goal and I think that's a big thing on this scene. The only thing is, our defense is not the best defense in the world, so there could be a little problem. But we think if we can make 2-3 goals, that should be enough to win some games. We can definitely reach the last eight in the tournament, but of course, you need some luck. Then, maybe we can make the semifinals. And once in you're in the last four, anything can happen."
"Everybody in Holland likes to criticize the national team coach, but to be honest, [Bert] van Marwijk is not losing too much. He now has a streak of 21 games without a defeat, so maybe you can imagine there is no reason for criticism. Of course, everybody likes to see good football, and that's not always the case. But he's a normal Dutch guy, he doesn't do strange things and he sticks with the same players - which can also be a weakness, but not right now."
SPAIN
Paco Roche, Marca
"Everyone in Spain is very confident about the possibility of seeing our national team winning the World Cup, from the specialized press to the supporters in the street. Spain has never had such a strong side as it has this time. We have the best goalkeeper in the world, a very good defense, the best midfield and two great strikers. But the most important thing is that they have been playing at an extraordinary level during the last two years and, after winning the Euro cup, they are extremely confident in their possibilities... I honestly believe that, as a squad, Spain is better than any other team in this World Cup, including Brazil or Argentina. Obviously, that is no guarantee because in a tournament like a World Cup any small mistake can get you out. But, in few words, it would be a disappointment if Spain doesn't make it to at least semifinals."
"Vicente del Bosque is probably the best manager Spain could have at this point. He may not be as brilliant as Aragonés, but because of his personality he is the best once since Aragonés left the bench. He may not be the best coach in the world, but he is very good at treating football players because he is extremely easygoing. He works simple and has a lot of common sense, which allows him to get the best of every player. He does not like to be under the spotlight and he lets the players to be the real stars, which is something that not all coaches do. He has never had any personal problem with any player, all of them show a lot of respect to him because he is very good at creating good atmospheres. That is extremely important in tournaments like these, where players have to live together during more than a month... Besides that, he has had a key role in getting the whole country to support the team."
