International Friendlies (Feb 2-6)

[kojic2003]

MACEDONIA – SERBIA



SERBIA’s 23-men squad

Goalkeepers: Kahriman(Konyaspor), Ilic(OFK Belgrade)

Defenders: Kacar(Hertha BSC), Rnic(Partizan), Markovic(Dynamo Kiev), Rukavina(Borussia Dortmund), Dusko Tosic(Werder Bremen), Dragutinovic(FC Sevilla), Vidic(Manchester United), Ivanovic(Chelsea)

Midfielders: Stankovic(Inter Milan), Smiljanic(Espanyol), Kuzmanovic(Fiorentina), Jankovic(Palermo), Kovacevic(RC Lens), Krasic(CSKA Moscow), Zoran Tosic(Partizan), Babovic(FC Nantes), Sulejmani(Heerenveen)

Forwards: Jovanovic(Standard Liege), Despotovic(Rapid Bucarest), Lazovic(PSV Eindhoven), Zigic(Valencia)



Undoubtedly a very controversial squad…

New coach Miroslav Djukic has left a number of players out of the squad: Mladen Krstajic(Schalke 04), Marko Pantelic(Hertha BSC), Vladimir Stojkovic(Sporting Lisbon), Igor Duljaj(Shakhtar Donetsk), Milan Stepanov(FC Porto), Vlada Avramov(Fiorentina), Koroman(Red Star),…

19-year-old Heerenveen winger Sulejmani is included a couple of days ago!

The absence of in-form Aleksandar Kolarov(Lazio) is a bit of a surprise!He was the top left back of Serbia U21 under Miroslav Djukic in the EURO U21 in Holland a few months ago, so one would expect to see him in the national team as well!

There were some rumours about a possible comeback of in-form Olympiakos duo Darko Kovacevic and Predrag Djordjevic, but it’s probably not gonna happen.Neither now nor ever…Also, the return of Mateja Kezman was considered as a possible option, but it also didn’t happen!At least not for now…

There are two new goalkeepers and a few very, very unexpected faces.Pretty weird, so it’s gonna be interesting…

However, Macedonia are always to be taken seriously, especially in front of their fans and surely, lead by Lazio star Goran Pandev, they’ll cause Serbia all sorts of troubles in this match, but still Serbia will take Wednesday’s clash very seriously.Coach Djukic was already criticized, heavily, for this choice, so I can’t see him taking any risk in his first game in charge which means the strongest possible side of Serbia will take a part against Macedonia!

Serbia: Ilic(Kahriman) – Rukavina, Ivanovic, Vidic, Dragutinovic – Kuzmanovic, Kovacevic – Jankovic, Stankovic, Krasic(Sulejmani) – Zigic

Serbia(2.05 at BetAndWin)

[davidmphill]

Saturday 2 February 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Finland v Poland (10:00GMT)	4.50	3.25	1.83	108%	Details »
Hide « Finland v Poland
Belarus v Iceland (14:00GMT)	2.30	3.20	3.00	108%	Details »
Hide « Belarus v Iceland
Malta v Armenia (16:15GMT)	2.50	3.10	2.65	110%	Details »
Hide « Malta v Armenia
Sunday 3 February 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Azerbaijan v Kazakhstan (13:00GMT)	2.10	3.20	3.10	111%	Details »
Hide « Azerbaijan v Kazakhstan
Monday 4 February 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Venezuela v Haiti (00:00GMT)	1.33	4.30	8.00	111%	Details »
Hide « Venezuela v Haiti
Wednesday 6 February 2008	Home	Draw	Away	BPP
Turkey v Sweden (18:30GMT)	2.00	3.30	2.68	118%	Details »
Hide « Turkey v Sweden
Slovenia v Denmark (19:00GMT)	1.84	2.02	1.58	167%	Details »
Hide « Slovenia v Denmark
Austria v Germany (19:45GMT)	4.70	3.40	1.66	111%	Details »
Hide « Austria v Germany
England v Switzerland (19:45GMT)	1.57	3.75	6.50	106%	Details »
Hide « England v Switzerland
Rep. of Ireland v Brazil (19:45GMT)	4.00	3.40	1.80	110%	Details »
Hide « Rep. of Ireland v Brazil
Spain v France (19:45GMT)	2.10	3.30	3.10	110%	Details »
Hide « Spain v France
Wales v Norway (19:45GMT)	2.24	3.35	1.67	134%	Details »
Hide « Wales v Norway
Uruguay v Colombia (23:30GMT)	1.39	2.00	2.14	169%	Details »

[Bossie13]

Here are some more games for midweek :

woensdag 6 februari 2008
Vriendschappelijke interlands, Wereld
17:00	Macedonië 3.20	X 3.25	Servië 2.05	+7
20:15	Griekenland 1.55	X 3.50	Finland 5.75	+15
20:45	Cyprus 3.25	X 3.25	Oekraïne 2.05	+7
20:45	Engeland 1.50	X 3.65	Zwitserland 6.15	+15
20:45	Georgië 2.10	X 3.20	Letland 3.20	+7
20:45	Hongarije 2.25	X 3.20	Slowakije 2.90	+7
20:45	Ierland 4.25	X 3.40	Brazilië 1.75	+15
20:45	Israël 3.05	X 3.25	Roemenië 2.15	+15
20:45	Italië 2.40	X 3.10	Portugal 2.75	+15
20:45	Kroatië 2.35	X 3.20	Nederland 2.75	+15
20:45	Noord-Ierland 2.80	X 3.30	Bulgarije 2.25	+7
20:45	Oostenrijk 6.15	X 3.65	Duitsland 1.50	+15
20:45	Slovenië 3.25	X 3.25	Denemarken 2.05	+7
20:45	Spanje 2.20	X 3.10	Frankrijk 3.05	+15
20:45	Tsjechië 2.20	X 3.20	Polen 3.00	+15
20:45	Turkije 1.95	X 3.30	Zweden 3.50	+15
20:45	Wales 3.00	X 3.10	Noorwegen 2.25	+15
donderdag 7 februari 2008
Vriendschappelijke interlands, Wereld
0:30	Bolivia 1.95	X 3.20	Peru 3.50	+3
0:30	Uruguay 1.90	X 3.25	Colombia 3.75	+7
3:00	Verenigde Staten 2.10	X 3.20	Mexico 3.20	+7
4:30	Argentina (Olympic) 1.25	X 5.00	Guatemala 9.00	+7

Odds are from BWin

[Tulenos]

The Czech Republic will play two games in Cyprus - an "unofficial" match with Greece on Tuesday and the offical one with Poland on Wednesday - Rosicky, Jankulovski and some other first-temers are out injured. Coach Bruckner is in bed with flu so didin't travel either - it's definite that a lot of fringe players will be given a chance, which makes any betting the right lottery.

[aerodinamic]

Northern Ireland - Bulgaria
It would be an interesting game to watch. Bulgaria have almost full strenth squad for this clash (i mean as names, not as form).
GK: D.Ivankov, G.Petkov (Levski Sofia);
Def: Zhivko MIlanov (Levski), A.Tunchev (CSKA Sofia), A.Karaslavov (Low german division), Igor Tomasic (Levski), M.Venkov (Litex Lovech) и P.Zanev);
Mid and Attackers: Stanislav Angelov (Energy Cottbu), Todor Ianchev (CSKA),Stillian Petrov (Aston Villa), B. Georgiev, N. Dimitrov (Levski), Iv. Popov (Litex), Berbatov (Tottenham), Z. Lazarov, M. Petrov (Man City).
In first sight what makes impression is that bulgarian squad has very strong attacking line, but have some reserves in defence. V. Iliev, who i regular first choice in the squad (also teammate of A. Tunchev at CSKA) is missing with an injury, so the coach Pl. Markov was forced to call Assen Karaslavov from Germany (plays for a low division club, can't say it right now). It's his debut for the BG national team. Also to note is the fact that the bulgarian championship hasn't started yet so the players, from the clubs, might suffer lack of competitive games.
The hope of the team lies in the feets ot Premiership playing Berbatov (in form), Stillian Petrov (too) and Martin Petrov (who looked a bit tired against Arsenal, to note is the fack his team will play Man U next round, he might save some of his strength).
Althought the football in UK is haracterized as a very strong defensive, i think that this concrete match would have goals. UK championship are on full throttle so players have the form. I expect NI to at least score once. On the other hand Bulgaria have players in form in attack so for them to score is also expected.
My bet here is OVER.

[aerodinamic]

Originally Posted by aerodinamic

Northern Ireland - Bulgaria
It would be an interesting game to watch. Bulgaria have almost full strenth squad for this clash (i mean as names, not as form).
GK: D.Ivankov, G.Petkov (Levski Sofia);
Def: Zhivko MIlanov (Levski), A.Tunchev (CSKA Sofia), A.Karaslavov (Low german division), Igor Tomasic (Levski), M.Venkov (Litex Lovech) и P.Zanev);
Mid and Attackers: Stanislav Angelov (Energy Cottbu), Todor Ianchev (CSKA),Stillian Petrov (Aston Villa), B. Georgiev, N. Dimitrov (Levski), Iv. Popov (Litex), Berbatov (Tottenham), Z. Lazarov, M. Petrov (Man City).
In first sight what makes impression is that bulgarian squad has very strong attacking line, but have some reserves in defence. V. Iliev, who i regular first choice in the squad (also teammate of A. Tunchev at CSKA) is missing with an injury, so the coach Pl. Markov was forced to call Assen Karaslavov from Germany (plays for a low division club, can't say it right now). It's his debut for the BG national team. Also to note is the fact that the bulgarian championship hasn't started yet so the players, from the clubs, might suffer lack of competitive games.
The hope of the team lies in the feets ot Premiership playing Berbatov (in form), Stillian Petrov (too) and Martin Petrov (who looked a bit tired against Arsenal, to note is the fack his team will play Man U next round, he might save some of his strength).
Althought the football in UK is haracterized as a very strong defensive, i think that this concrete match would have goals. UK championship are on full throttle so players have the form. I expect NI to at least score once. On the other hand Bulgaria have players in form in attack so for them to score is also expected.
My bet here is OVER.

Further news from BBS site:
Motherwell defender Stephen Craigan has been ruled out of Northern Ireland's friendly against Bulgaria at Windsor Park on Wednesday. Craigan is required for club duty in Tuesday's Scottish Cup fifth round replay against Dundee.
Goalkeeper Michael McGovern has already pulled out of the Northern Ireland squad because of a broken finger.
With Craigan ruled out, Gareth McAuley or Jonny Evans are in line to partner Aaron Hughes in central defence.
Damien Johnson looks likely to return to midfield after missing out on Northern Ireland duty for 11 months because of various injuries.
In-form Linfield striker Peter Thompson was also included in the Northern Ireland squad for Wednesday's game.

[WHUPUNTER]

Bulgaria look a decent bet to me. As you mentioned, they have a strong forward line with Berbatov and Petrov and although N. Ireland had a good qualifying campaign, they are an inconsistent side.

[modo]

What about Greece-Czech?

[Tulenos]

Originally Posted by modo

What about Greece-Czech?

It really depends what players will both teams field - both are playing tomorrow as well - only with different opponents, ie two matches in two days.

[Tulenos]

So it looks like the first XI, incl. Cech, Baros, Koller, will be fielded tomorrow - the second string will be fielded today against Greece - the duo of strikers includes on-fire Fenin.

Both the Greeks and the Czech call today's teams A2s

Czech squad still pretty strong

A2: Blažek - Pospěch, Šimůnek, Rajnoch, Kadlec - Sionko, Kalouda, Holek, Pudil - Kulič, Fenin

Other players will come on during the game as substitutes for sure.

The likes of Rosicky and Ujfalusi are out injured anyway

[aileen_lover]

GREECE versus CHEZH Neutral Venue at Nicosia


"OTTO will field frings players or young players againts Chezh squad tonite while Bruckner will not travel to Nicosia because of flu."
Otto gonna give chance for young players not regular coz he needs the regular team against Finland the next day. He called up 30 players, that means not strong squad versus Chez (unoffical game) and field strong squad at official game versus Finland.

Good chance for Chez imo, but Bruckner not gonna travel to Nicosia because of flu means team gonna have disorder in field ???

I still believe Chezh can win this game, because play at neutral ground plus Otto gonna use second squad.

Back on Chez to win this game !

[Tulenos]

See above, mate - the Czech squad is also far from the first XI

[aileen_lover]

Yes, it really sad. Coz I read at 365, both team will not use regular teams. Chezh must play Poland at next day, Greece must play Finland at next day. i'm afraid this game gonna fix match.

Confuse now, i think i'm gonna skip. But if Chez DNB better bet on Chez to win this game. Only DNB.

How about you mate ? Chez or Greece ?

[Tulenos]

Staying away.

[anothamug]

does under 21 games go here? If so mark noble 9/2 with bet365 in the anytime market could be the value, netted two against Ireland in last clash, great striker of set pieces and gets forward into great positions.

Worth a small stake.

[modo]

Sweden - Ukraine (u-21) ?

[modo]

Maybe swedich mates can translate :

Martin Olsson (Blackburn) och Albin Ekdal (BP) är nyopererade. Gabriel Özkan (AIK) är igång men inte klar för internationella matcher, säger Lennartsson.

Rehabiliterad efter knäskada och tillbaka i U21-landslaget är glädjande nog Örebro SK:s Kristoffer Näfver, en spelare med en intressant vänsterfot.

Den fem debutanterna i truppen är mittbackarna Rasmus Bengtsson (Trelleborg) och Walid Atta (AIK), mittfältarna Jonas Lantto (Gefle), Erik Israelsson (Kalmar FF) samt forwarden Ken Fagerberg (Örgryte).

- Rasmus har varit uttagen tidigare men blev då skadad, Walid har gjort en kanonsäsong i Väsby och är nu med i AIK. Lantto kan spela både till vänster och höger, och Erik är också en tvåvägsspelare som innermittfältare.
- Ken är en renodlad forward som gjorde en stark säsong 2007, säger Lennartsson.

Walid Atta och Rasmus Bengtsson är rena debutanter i landslagssammanhang, utan meriter från pojk- eller juniorlandsla