‘I miss football already’
‘What am I going to do without football?’
‘My life is rubbish without football’
‘Can’t wait to see some football’
All these are comments I’ve heard or read over the last few days. For any football fanatic, the summer can be a tough time. Fear not though, THFC1882 brings you a guide to all the football you can catch this summer and which Spurs you can expect to see playing.
I know many people don’t care or will say ‘it’s not the same’. No it isn’t the same but I’m not magic and I can’t get Spurs to turn up and play in your back garden. This will have to do for now!
Note: I won’t be dealing with our pre season friendlies right now, more on that closer to the time.
First up:
UEFA European Under 21′s Championship
Dates: June 11th – June 25th
Where: Denmark
TV: Sky Sports
Spurs in action: Kyle Walker and Danny Rose are both in the England Squad
This tournament has been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons. The FA and a number of Premier League clubs have shown their disdain for the competition and Englands international future. In 2009 England reached the final losing 4-0 to an impressive German outfit, 6 of whom starred in last years World Cup, ditching England on the way to the semi finals.
The attitude of our continental rivals is in stark contrast to our own, and their success shows who has got things right. Spain are another nation who take these things seriously and their squad is impressive, they will be well worth watching. Bojan, Juan Mata, Thiago and Iker Muniain are ones to definitely watch out for.
Despite the absence of the likes of Wilshere and Carroll, England are still highly rated and could make it to the final again. Kyle Walker should be a shoo in for the right back berth and good performances from him could get his confidence high to push Charlie for our starting right back role next year. It’ll be interesting to see whether Stuart Pearce continues playing Danny Rose at left back or if he will revert to a wide left role. After a strong finish to the season, Danny will be raring to go and make his mark.
FIFA Under 17′s World Cup
Dates: June 18th-July 10th
Where: Mexico
TV: Eurosport
Spurs in action: Sadly none have been picked for Englands squad
Despite an absence of Tottenham involvement, this is still worth taking a look at to see who might be starring at the World Cup in 2018. England are the current European champions at this level and the squad is strong, with a huge Liverpool contingent making up the bulk of it.
Copa America
Dates: July 1st – July 24th
Where: Argentina
TV: ESPN
Spurs in action: Sandro for Brazil and Giovanni Dos Santos for Mexico
This should be an absolute carnival of football and is a tournament that rarely disappoints. Just a small selection of the star turns: Lionel Messi, Kun Aguero, Pato, Neymar, Edinson Cavani, Alexis Sanchez, Falcao to name just a few.
We’ll also get the chance to run the rule over Luis Suarez and see exactly why he’s no better than Pav, Defoe or Crouch.
On a more serious note, its an opportunity to take a look at the likes of Leandro Damiao and other rising stars.
There will be a heck of a lot of grudge matches throughout, and I would urge any serious football fan to make time to check this tournament out, the South Americans sure know how to put on a football party.
And finally,
FIFA Under 20′s World Cup
Dates: July 29th – August 2oth
Where: Colombia
TV: Eurosport
Spurs in action: Squads have yet to be announced but in recent times the likes of John Bostock, Ryan Mason, Dean Parrett, Adam Smith and Steven Caulker have been in and around the England squad.
This is another competition that the worlds biggest teams take very seriously and former stars of this tournament include Messi, Maradona, Tevez and Luis Figo. With the start of the Premier League so close to this tournament don’t expect England to (be allowed to) name any big stars in their squad. After all the Premier League’s the most important thing right?
Whatever the England squad this should be a cracking tournament and a real glimpse of what is to come for world football. Hopefully this lot can help you feed your football habit until the friendlies and league season get under way.
COYS
Submitted by Stuart Watts from THFC1882
