PC1 Begins

by DPeezy on Nov 16, 2011 7:54 AM GMT in England Internationals

Petr Cech was already a legend and a veritable superhero before dropping all pretense and donning his carbon-fiber mask for this weekend's Euro '12 Qualifying Playoffs. Is it any surprise then that he shut out a dangerous Montenegro side (sporting the talents of Mirko Vucinic and Stevan Jovetic) over 180 minutes? Probably not.

Glorious!

Also, PC1 marketing opportunity. Where my closers at? I'm thinking tops, bottoms, water bottles, gloves, and, of course, face masks.

The Czech Republic have now qualified for every single European Championship in their brief history as an independent nation (with alternating good/bad performances). While the current squad is just a shade of the '96 and '04 sides, Cech gives them an amazing edge in goal and a fighting chance against any opponent.

The Republic of Ireland (yey, Damien Duff!), Croatia (Guus Hiddink, sadsies...), and Portugal (woo, Raul Meireles!) also punched their tickets to next summer's tournament. In the end, it was rather easy/impressive for all of them. And here I thought the playoffs were supposed to be exciting!

And speaking of "exciting"...I must commend England for parking the double-decker red Routemaster against Spain. In fact, they did it so well, they almost made it fashionable. Too bad the honor of the 2000th English international goal went to some hapless Swedish defender, rather than Frank Lampard.

In total, 12 Chelsea players were involved in senior internationals. Salomon Kalou, Florent Malouda, and Fernando Torres made substitute appearances, while Juan Mata and Branislav Ivanovic got to start for their respective nations. Chelsea players captained both England matches (Lampard v. Spain, John Terry v. Sweden), with Ashley Cole winning his 93rd cap and Daniel Sturridge his 1st. Well deserved, all around, I think we can agree. Last but not least, David Luiz played 180 minutes in Brazilian colors in their carbon-copy 2-0 wins over Gabon and Egypt - so much for keeping the Sideshow fresh and ready to go for Chelsea...

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I have to say, this PC1 mask is much more terrifying than the one previously featured here.

Author and Official Fernando Torres Apologist for We Ain't Got No History!

by Kevin Kostka on Nov 16, 2011 8:30 AM GMT reply actions

For the England game

it’s clear that England is not a good team yet. Though the goal was well deserved, in no minute could they control the way. Though I am somewhat surprised to see how well organized they can defend. Seriously, I did not expect this from that England setup, but they did well. I never knew England could park the bus that way, but then again, Capello certainly knows something about how to park the bus and the players did what was asked.
For the game against Sweden – I’m surprised how good Stewart Downing looked in that match. Though Sweden played woefully. Is it just that England team is way too weak (supposed to be) so that even Downing looks so good in the middle, or is he really that good? He delivered some crosses so excellent that I became jealous at a Pool player again (something that I’ve grown used to in the recent years)

by Maiev on Nov 16, 2011 10:25 AM GMT reply actions

Downing seems to save his best for England

He’s been relatively useless for Liverpool this season.

by DPeezy on Nov 16, 2011 5:03 PM GMT up reply actions

I already read this

that is why I was just wondering if it was my biased perception because he played really well yesterday. Well I was mad when Downing joined Pool … however it is consoling sometimes he doesn’t do too much for them

by Maiev on Nov 16, 2011 5:18 PM GMT up reply actions

So many meaningless friendlies set up by CBF...

I know Mano Menezes is on a tightrope after so many bad performances from the Brazil squad, but I’d never thought I’d watch us facing Gabon and Egypt with the purpose of preparing for the World Cup. How will you do that against a squad who certainly won’t go to the World Cup and another one who thinks their solution is hiring freaking Bob Bradley? Damn you Ricardo Teixeira…

About the England match against Spain, I, too, think the goal was well deserved, but Spain created MANY more chances to score (like they always) and simply didn’t have the quality to profit from them. In the end of it, that’s football.

1970 - 1984 - 2010

"Ignorant people are easier to control"

by trOOly on Nov 16, 2011 11:46 AM GMT reply actions