The Panenka moves onto Group D now where it’s managed to uncover some real nuggets of Euro 2016 gold on the coaches of the group that contains holders Spain, Croatia, Czech Republic and Turkey. Care to wager a bet on which boss is getting the beers in?
Romania only conceded 2 goals in their 10 qualifying matches where their defense provided an ample and solid base for them to precede to the tournament in France. Even though they’re not expected to set the tournament on fire with their cautious approach, it is entirely possible that the squad which possesses a mixture of experience and youth might just squeak through to the knockout-stage.
After the so called failure of the experiment in appointing an foreign coach to the England manager post, The FA went full circle and did their best to interview solely British and particularly English candidates. After smarting from the soap opera that was Sven-Goran Eriksson’s reign they opted for the familiar after their first choice option said no.
The Panenka looks at the role of the worst England boss since Graham Taylor as an excuse for England’s failings on the international scene, we are of course talking about Steve McClaren.
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A squad built around the U-20s World Cup side that made it to the Semi-finals has given Austria ever reason to be optimistic after clearing qualification at a canter. They did not qualify for either World Cup 2014 or Euro 2012 but this generation of players who play across The Bundesliga, The English Premier League and more look set to be more than just also rans.
If one thing is for certain, it’s going to be a party for The Republic of Ireland at Euro 2016. Every time The Boys in Green make it to a major final sporting history is made. Whether it be beating Spain on penalties, defeating England or scoring a last minute equalizer, there will never be a dull moment. This Ireland team is capable of making their own history as positivity oozes from the squad.
In The Pananka’s Euro 2016 coach fact file we have Group C containing Germany, Poland, Ukraine and Northern Ireland.
After becoming a fully-fledged nation in 1991 Croatia quickly grew into a powerhouse of world football. Despite nurturing and producing some of the best talent available in world football, the dark side of Croatian football has too often overshadowed their ability on the pitch in recent times.
After the formation of The English Football Association in 1863, it is insane that the nation that gave the greatest sport to the world could not find a native, adequate enough at the art of coaching, to take charge of the national team in 2001.
The Panenka looks at the outcome that having a foreign manager had on the already damaged psyche of the England team in the period between 2001 and 2006.
The Germans seem ever-present at major tournaments and this year, like three times previously they will enter the European Championships as World Champions and red-hot favorites. European Championship winners in each 1972,1980 and 1996, no team has a better pedigree than Germany.
For the second installment of The Panenka’s dirt digging experiment on the coaches of Euro 2016, we bring you Group B which contains a former-PE teacher, someone who fell out a tree trying to rescue a cat and someone who took a 7-month ban on the chin after a touchline punch up.
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