The International Football Thread

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• Rоmаnіа RОU – Lіthuаnіа LTU
  UEFA Nations League / 9 September at 19:45
• Іsrаеl ІSR – Іtаly ІTА
  UEFA Nations League / 9 September at 19:45
• Frаnсе FRА – Bеlgіum BЕL
  UEFA Nations League / 9 September at 19:45
• Turkеy TUR – Ісеlаnd ІSL
  UEFA Nations League / 9 September at 19:45
• Mоntеnеgrо – Wаlеs WLS
  UEFA Nations League / 9 September at 19:45
• Slоvеnіа SVN – Kаzаkhstаn KАZ
  UEFA Nations League / 9 September at 19:45
• Nоrwаy NОR – Аustrіа АUT
  UEFA Nations League / 9 September at 19:45

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https://www.vipleague.pm/football-sports-stream

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https://top.soccerstreams100.io/

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Italy's World Cup icon Salvatore Schillaci dies aged 59

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cqlvrp4nylwo

 

Italian icon Salvatore Schillaci, the top scorer at the 1990 World Cup, has died aged 59.

Schillaci, better known as 'Toto', scored six goals to win the Golden Boot at the 1990 World Cup on home soil.

Italy lost in the semi-finals, but Schillaci was also awarded the Golden Ball as the best player and gained hero status.

Schillaci was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022.

Capped 16 times for his country, scoring seven goals, he represented Italian giants Juventus and Inter Milan after beginning his club career at Messina.

Juventus, whom Schillaci joined in 1989, said: "We immediately fell in love with Toto. His desire, his story, his being so wonderfully passionate, and it showed in every game he played.

"We at Juve were lucky enough to get excited about him before - in that incredible summer of 1990 - the whole of Italy did, captivated by those wonderfully energetic celebrations of his."

Schillaci scored his first goal of the 1990 World Cup as a substitute against Austria, and after another substitute appearance against the United States earned his first start against the Czech Republic.

Partnering Roberto Baggio up front, Schillaci scored again as Italy's campaign built momentum, and his hero status was confirmed with further goals in the subsequent knockout round matches against Uruguay and the Republic of Ireland in the quarter-finals.

Despite opening the scoring in the semi-final against Argentina, Italy lost out on penalties in Naples - but Schillaci sealed the Golden Boot with his sixth goal of the tournament in the third-place play-off against England.

He would finish runner-up to Germany's World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthaus for the 1990 Ballon d'Or.

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said: "A football icon is leaving us, a man who has entered the hearts of Italians and sports fans around the world.

"The striker from the magic nights of Italia '90 with our national team. Thanks for the emotions you gave us, for having made us dream, celebrate, embrace and wave our national flag."

Serie A president Lorenzo Casini described Schillaci as "a champion who lit up the magical nights of the 1990 World Cup in Italy".

"His desire to emerge and reach the highest levels of football has been and will continue to be a source of inspiration for the many young people who chase the dream of playing in Serie A."

Schillaci scored only one more goal for Italy and did not appear for his nation again at a major tournament.

He became the first Italian player to play in Japan's J-League before retiring in 1999.

The president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina, said of Schillaci: "His face was a symbol of shared joy [and] will forever remain a common heritage of Italian football.

"Toto was a great footballer, a tenacious symbol of will and redemption. He was able to thrill the Azzurri fans because his football was full of passion and it was precisely this indomitable spirit that made him appreciated by everyone and will make him immortal."

Former Italy team-mate Baggio said: "The magic nights of Italia '90 we experienced together will always remain imprinted in my heart. Brothers of Italy forever."

[Fulham Broadway 17,310]

He was brilliant in Italia 90. Probably the best WC

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6 hours ago, Fulham Broadway said:

He was brilliant in Italia 90. Probably the best WC

🖤❤️💛

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Forgotten Superstars - Matthias Sammer

https://thefalse9.com/2017/02/matthias-sammer-dortmund-bayern.html

Most football fans who consider themselves to be experts will expect to be able to name a long list of recent Ballon D’or winners. If you asked football fans to name the last 20, I believe most would get a good majority; Pavel Nedved, Michael Owen, Andriy Shevchenko and Fabio Cannavaro are probably the toughest gets. The 21st? Perhaps a bit more difficult! The German – Matthias Sammer!

An international tournament is often a place where a player can cement his spot as a member of the elite. Players like Zidane, Ronaldo and Iniesta have all managed this in recent years. Sometimes, as in Euro 2016, no one player can dominate the whole tournament. A star turn at an international tournament is often a show of real quality. At Euro 1996, Matthias Sammer was the star, showing the ability he had shown in the Bundesliga. He had already been German Footballer of the Year in 1995 and starred for Dortmund. He took over the libero position for Germany when Lothar Matthaus injured his achilles in qualification and made it his own. As much as a German side always is expected to do well, the 1996 team were not favourites and described as the poorest German side for years. The honour of favourites went to the Netherlands, whilst Italy, France, Spain and even England were fancied. The group stages went as well for Germany as they could have hoped. They conceded no goals despite being a somewhat makeshift defence. Sammer was central to that with Vogts explaining that “he called the shots in defence.” He was also the key in inspiring a win against Russia. At 0-0, he made a lung-busting run and after receiving a pass from Andreas Moller would split the defence and scored the rebound after the keeper saved his initial attempt.

Croatia, containing the core of the side that finished third in the 1998 World Cup, would be the quarter final opponents. It was a tremendous game. Sammer was booked early in a highly physical game. He would create the first goal though with a driving run that became typical of him. It drew a mistake from Nikola Jerkan to win a penalty which Klinsmann slotted home. Later, Klinsmann and his strike partner Fredi Bobic were both struck down with injuries and Germany seemed to lack the cutting edge in attack without the pair. Of course the hero would be Sammer! He rose to meet a cross from Babbel and headed it off the Croatia defender. Of course, he was first to the rebound and coolly slotted it home. Perhaps his best game came in the semi finals against England. The home nation were in inspired form and grabbed an early goal through Alan Shearer. Sammer was majestic in defence as the Germans were constantly under pressure. His calmness and assurance in defence gave Thomas Helmer the license to attack and he assisted Stefan Kuntz for the equaliser. The Germans after a bout of inspired defending would emerge through on penalties. The German team should have been heavy favourites heading into a final against a Czech team they had already defeated in the group stages. They were but only marginally. The squad had been wrecked through injury and suspension. They only had 12 fit men and were given special permission to call up an extra player. Sammer was one who played despite clearly being injured. He was part of an inspired, battling performance which saw Germany prevail in extra time. Sammer was named player of the tournament for the Euro 1996 champions. He was joined by Hristo Stoichkov as the only men to win two man of the match awards in that tournament.

For those paying attention to the European leagues it was no great surprise. Borussia Dortmund signed him in January 1993 and after Ottmar Hitzfeld moved him to the libero position, the team experienced great success. In the three year period from 1995 to 1997 they won two Bundesliga titles, two DFB-Supercuts and a Champions League. Sammer was German Footballer of the Year two times in a row and won the 1996 Balon D’Or. That period of success for Dortmund would come to an end rather suddenly as Sammer would only play three more games after the Champions League success due to a serious knee injury. A routine operation was complicated by infection and amputation was even feted as a solution. Thankfully it did not come to that but Sammer was unable to play football again. Sammer developed into a world class sweeper but when debuting for Dynamo Dresden in the 85/86 season, it was as a striker. His Dad, who had won two titles with the club, gave him his debut. The following seasons would see him moved onto the left wing and eventually into central midfield by Ede Geyer.

Being born in 1967 in Dresden, he was a staple of the East German youth teams and would make his debut for the national team at 19. He was from a football family, his dad had twice won the league with Dynamo Dresden. It was after he moved to centre midfield that both the team and Sammer would enjoy success. They won the league in 1989 and 1990, also winning the FDGB-Pokal. They reached the 1990 UEFA cup semi finals, losing to Stuttgart who would then buy Sammer for £1.1m that summer. He scored eleven goals in his debut season as they went on the finish sixth. He would also make history as the final captain of the East Germany for whom he made 23 appearances. Following reunification, Sammer would enjoy great success. He was one of a few East Germans who would start for the first unified German team. Stuttgart would then top the first unified German league prompting a move to Italian giants Inter Milan, for £5.1m. On the pitch, adapting was easy as he scored four goals in eleven appearances. He did not settle as well off the pitch and pining for a return to his ‘homeland’, he got it with a move to Dortmund.

Sammer was distinctive with his red hair often matched by a red face. He always had a slight frame, his Dad saying “he had no physicality to his game” and he only “mastered tackling as the years possessed.” He was one of the greatest sweepers ever, probably only bettered by Franz Beckenbaeur and Franco Baresi. Perhaps his best attributes were intangibles rather than skills. His positioning was superb at both ends of the field. It allowed him to make his drives from deep which gave him many scoring opportunities. He also understood what he was as a player. His passing was great, not in a Modric-esque but rather because he barely gave away the ball. His determination and courage was famous, he finished a game against Borussia Monchengladbach after having his eye stapled shut without anaesthetic. He had stamina to chase down balls all day and was considered to be a great leader who inspired his teammates.

Matthias Sammer is a legend, an unappreciated one. Perhaps part of that is his greatest performances came at a position which barely exists anymore. He never played flashy but always was efficient with his ability to influence games at both end. What added to his value was the intangibles. He was a winner who pushed his teammates to greater heights and that was what made him so valuable. Every coach dream’s of having a Matthias Sammer.

 

Matthias Sammer vs Baggio | vs Juventus | 1995 UEFA Cup Semi Finals 1st Leg | 1 Assist | All Touches

Edited September 28, 2024 by Vesper

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Emiliano Martinez handed two-game international ban for trophy groin gesture and camera slap

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5800206/2024/09/27/emi-martinez-suspension-argentina-fifa/

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has been suspended for two games by FIFA’s disciplinary committee.

This punishment comes as a result of the 32-year-old holding a replica Copa America trophy by his crotch after a 3-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Chile in September.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper was also punished for a confrontation with a cameraman following Argentina’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia four days later on September 10.

Footage showed Martinez hitting the camera with his gloves after being approached on the pitch after the final whistle. The operator, Jhonny Jackson, told Colombian media that he was left “very angry” and claimed he had been “assaulted” by the goalkeeper.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA), responded to the suspension via a statement that read: “Despite the defense made by the player and the Argentine Football Association, the Disciplinary Commission of the governing body of World Football made the following decision:

“Martinez is declared responsible for his offensive behavior and his violation of the principles of fair play (art. 13 CDF).

“It should be noted that the Argentine Football Association expresses its absolute disagreement with the decision taken by the FIFA disciplinary committee.”

Martinez will miss World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela on October 10 and Bolivia on October 16.

Since making his national team debut in June 2021 at the age of 29, Martinez has made 47 appearances for his country, winning the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, as well as the World Cup in 2022.

Martinez first placed a trophy near his groin at the Qatar World Cup in 2022 after being handed the Golden Glove as the tournament’s top goalkeeper.

In March 2023, as Argentina celebrated that World Cup triumph during a friendly against Panama, the Villa goalkeeper replicated that gesture with a replica of the trophy alongside team-mates Guido Rodriguez, Geronimo Rulli, German Pezzella and Marcos Acuna.

GO DEEPER

Emiliano Martinez: Hated by opponents, loved by Argentina, endlessly entertaining

[NikkiCFC 8,318]

Griezmann retired from international football. 

[Fulham Broadway 17,310]

RIP George Baldock

I notice Greece were trying to get tonights game v England postponed.

Such a low down Commie trick

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2 hours ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Such a low down Commie trick

yep

those reds and their tricks

[Fulham Broadway 17,310]

10 minutes ago, Vesper said:

yep

those reds and their tricks

Commies all over Wembley

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2 minutes ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Commies all over Wembley

I do feel bad for all who were close with him

he was the Greek starting RB (he is a quarter Greek, via one of his grandmothers) so they must be in shock

😿

[Fulham Broadway 17,310]

1 minute ago, Vesper said:

I do feel bad for all who were close with him

he was the Greek starting RB (he is a quarter Greek, via one of his grandmothers) so they must be in shock

😿

Yup -such a young age too

[Fulham Broadway 17,310]

Colwill off the line

[Vesper 30,164]

insane save by Colwill

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wtf was Piggie thinking!!!!

[Fulham Broadway 17,310]

Commies are going for it

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and again!!!