Euro Cup & Copa America Preview

Got two big international soccer tournaments coming up that I want to preview real fast. Although nothing will compare to the World Cup when it comes to international soccer tournaments, the 2nd and 3rd biggest international competitions when it comes to top quality are the Euro Cup and the Copa America. I've been following these tournaments in the summer time for over 10 years now since the Euro Cup in Greece 04 (Portugal lost to Greece). I remember that summer our Portuguese family friend Rita, introduced us to this very popular European tournament. I also came to appreciate the Portuguese national team because of it.  Ever since I have followed the Euro Cup in 08, 12, and the Copa America the last several years as well.


Copa America Centenario

Today the Copa America Centenario starts, which is a special tournament commemorating 100 years of North and South American soccer. 16 teams from both continents have been selected to partake in the tournament. I will be rooting for USA the utmost as well as Colombia and Costa Rica. I also wouldn't mind if Argentina won, since I want to see Lionel Messi bring glory to his country for his first time. A player of his caliber deserves a national cup to go with his many individual and club accomplishments he's achieved with Barcelona.


Players to Watch:

USA: DeAndre Yedlin, Christian Pulisic, Tim Howard
Colombia: James Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado, and Carlos Bacca
Costa Rica: Bryan Ruiz, Keylor Navas
Paraguay:

Brazil: Dani Alves, Coutihno, Willian, Hulk, Casemiro,
Ecuador: Enner Valencia, Antonio Valencia,
Haiti:
Peru:

Mexico: Javier Hernandez,
Uruguay: Diego Godin, Edinson Cavani, Luis Saurez,
Jamaica: Wes Morgan
Venezuela: Salomon Rondon

Argentina: Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo, Javier Mascherano, Javier Pastore, Erik Lamela, Angel di Maria, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain
Chile: Arturo Vidal, Alexis Sanchez, Eduardo Vargas
Panama:
Bolivia:


23-man Rosters

Argentina

Goalkeepers: Mariano Andujar (Estudiantes), Nahuel Guzman (UANL), Sergio Romero (Manchester United)

Defenders: Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina), Marcos Rojo (Manchester United), Ramiro Funes Mori (Argentina), Gabriel Mercado (River Plate), Jonathan Maidana (River Plate), Nicolas Otamendi (Manchester City), Victor Cuesta (Independiente)

Midfielders: Matias Kranevitter (Atletico Madrid), Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Ever Banega (Sevilla), Javier Pastore (Paris Saint-Germain), Augusto Fernandez (Atletico Madrid), Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur), Lucas Biglia (Lazio)

Forwards: Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Hebei China Fortune), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli), Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica)

Brazil

Goalkeepers: Alisson (Internacional), Diego Alves (Valencia), Marcelo Grohe (Gremio)

Defenders: Dani Alves (Barcelona), Fabinho (Monaco), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid), Douglas Santos (Atletico Mineiro), Miranda (Inter Milan), Gil (Shandong Luneng), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Rodrigo Caio (Sao Paulo)

Midfielders: Elias (Corinthians), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Lucas Lima (Santos), Willian (Chelsea), Lucas Moura (Paris Saint-Germain), Walace (Gremio), Ganso (Sao Paulo)

Forwards: Hulk (Zenit), Ricardo Oliveira (Santos), Gabriel (Santos)

Bolivia

Goalkeepers: Carlos Lampe (Sport Boys), Romel Quinonez (Bolivar), Guillermo Viscarra (Oriente Petrolero)

Defenders: Diego Bejarano (The Strongest), Marvin Bejarano (Oriente Petrolero), Nelson Cabrera (Bolivar), Ronald Eguino (Bolivar), Luis Gutierrez (Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona), Erwin Saavedra (Bolivar), Edward Zenteno (Wilstermann)

Midfielders: Pedro Azogue (Oriente Petrolero), Jhasmani Campos (Kazma SC), Raul Castro (The Strongest), Cristhian Machado (Wilstermann), Alejandro Melean (Oriente Petrolero), Fernando Saucedo (Wilstermann), Martin Smedberg-Dalence (IFK Goteborg), Walter Veizaga (The Strongest), Carmelo Algaranaz (Petrolero)

Forwards: Juan Carlos Arce (Bolivar), Yasmani Duk (New York Cosmos), Bruno Miranda (Universidad de Chile), Rodrigo Ramallo (The Strongest)

Chile

Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (Barcelona), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica)

Defenders: Mauricio Isla (Marseille), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Universidad Catolica), Gonzalo Jara (Universidad de Chile), Enzo Roco (Espanyol), Gary Medel (Inter), Eugenio Mena (Sao Paulo)

Midfielders: Jean Beausejour (Colo Colo), Marcelo Diaz (Celta Vigo), Francisco Silva (Chiapas), Erick Pulgar (Bologna), Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich), Charles Aranguiz (Bayer Leverkusen), Pablo Hernandez (Celta Vigo), Edson Puch (LDU Quito), Mark Gonzalez (Recife)

Forwards: Nicolas Castillo (Universidad Catolica), Fabian Orellana (Celta Vigo), Mauricio Pinilla (Atalanta), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal), Eduardo Vargas (Hoffenheim)

Colombia

Goalkeepers: Cristian Bonilla (Atletico Nacional), David Ospina (Arsenal), Robinson Zapata (Santa Fe)

Defenders: Felipe Aguilar (Atletico Nacional), Santiago Arias (PSV), Farid Diaz (Atletico Nacional), Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors), Stefan Medina (Pachuca), Jeison Murillo (Inter Milan), Yerry Mina (Santa Fe), Cristian Zapata (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Edwin Cardona (Monterrey), Guillermo Celis (Junior), Juan Cuadrado (Juventus), Sebastian Perez (Atletico Nacional), Andres Felipe Roa (Deportivo Cali), James Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Carlos Sanchez (Aston Villa), Daniel Torres (Independiente Medellin)

Forwards: Carlos Bacca (AC Milan), Roger Martinez (Racing Club), Marlos Moreno (Atletico Nacional), Dayro Moreno (Club Tijuana)

Costa Rica

Goalkeepers: Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense), Esteban Alvarado (Trabzonspor), Danny Carvajal (Saprissa)

Defenders: Cristian Gamboa (West Brom), Jose Salvatierra (Alajuelense), Michael Umana (Persepolis), Johnny Acosta (Alajuelense), Oscar Duarte (Espanyol), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps), Ronald Matarrita (New York City FC), Bryan Oviedo (Everton), Francisco Calvo (Saprissa)

Midfielders: Yeltsen Tejeda (Evian), Celso Borges (Deportivo La Coruna), Randall Azofeifa (Herediano), Esteban Granados (Herediano), Bryan Ruiz (Sporting Club), Johan Venegas (Montreal Impact), Christian Bolanos (Vancouver Whitecaps), Joel Campbell (Arsenal)

Forwards: Alvaro Saborio (D.C. United), Marcos Urena (Midtjylland), Johnny Woodly (Carmelita)

Ecuador

Goalkeepers: Alexander Dominguez (LDU de Quito), Esteban Dreer (C.S. Emelec), Maximo Banguera (Barcelona SC)

Defenders: Juan Carlos Paredes (Watford), Arturo Mina (Independiente del Valle), Gabriel Achilier (C.S. Emelec), Frickson Erazo (Atletico Mineiro), Robert Arboleda (U. Catolica), Walter Ayovi (Monterrey), Cristian Ramirez (Ferencvarosi)

Midfielders: Antonio Valencia (Manchester United), Angel Mena (C.S. Emelec), Christian Noboa (Rostov), Fernando Gaibor (C.S. Emelec), Pedro Larrea (El Nacional), Carlos Gruezo (FC Dallas), Jefferson Montero (Swansea), Michael Arroyo (Club America), Fidel Martinez (Pumas)

Forwards: Enner Valencia (West Ham), Jaime Ayovi (Godoy Cruz), Juan Cazares (Atletico Mineiro), Miller Bolanos (Gremio)

Haiti

Goalkeepers: Steward Ceus (Unattached), Luis Valendi Odelus (Aigle Noir), Johny Placide (Reims)

Defenders: Romain Genevois (Nice), Jerome Mechack (Jacksonville Armada), Judelin Aveska (Atletico Uruguay), Reginal Goreux (Standard Liege), Kim Jaggy (Aarau), Alex Christian (Vila Real), Jean Sony Alcenat (Voluntari), Stephane Lambese (Paris Saint-Germain)

Midfielder: Jean Marc Alexandre (Fort Lauderdale Strikers), Kevin Lafrance (Chrobry Glogow), Soni Mustivar (Sporting Kansas City), Max Hilaire (Cholet), Pascal Millien (Jacksonville Armada), Sony Norde (Mohun Bagan), James Marcelin (Carolina RailHawks)

Forwards: Wilde-Donald Guerrier (Wisla Krakow), Kervens Belfort (1461 Trabzon), Jeff Louis (Caen), Jean-Eudes Maurice (Ha Noi), Duckens Nazon (Laval)

Jamaica

Goalkeepers: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Duwayne Kerr (Stjarnan), Ryan Thompson (Saint Louis FC)

Defenders: Rosario Harriott (Harbour View FC), Michael Hector (Reading), Kemar Lawrence (New York RB), Adrian Mariappa (Crystal Palace), Wes Morgan (Leicester City), Damano Solomon (Portmore United), Jermaine Taylor (Portland Timbers), Joel Grant (Exeter)

Midfielders: Rodolph Austin (Brondby IF), Michael Binns (Portmore United), Chevone Marsh (Cavaler Sports Club), Joel McAnuff (Leyton Orient), Garath McCleary (Reading), Andrew Vanzie (Humble Lion FC), Je-Vaughn Watson (New England Revolution), Lee Williamson (Blackburn Rovers)

Forwards: Giles Barnes (Houston Dynamo), Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City), Allan Ottey (Montego Bay United), Dever Orgill (IFK Marieham)

Mexico

Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (Malaga), Jesus Corona (Cruz Azul), Alfredo Talavera (Toluca)

Defenders: Paul Aguilar (Club America), Miguel Layun (Porto), Rafael Marquez (Atlas), Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad), Nestor Araujo (Santos Laguna), Hector Moreno (PSV), Yasser Corona (Queretaro), Jorge Torres Nilo (Tigres), Jesus Molina (Santos Laguna)

Midfielders: Jesus Manuel Corona (Porto), Hector Herrera (Porto), Hirving Lozano (Pachuca), Andres Guardado (PSV), Carlos Pena (Chivas), Jurgen Damm (Tigres), Javier Aquino (Tigres), Jesus Duenas (Tigres)

Forwards: Javier Hernandez (Bayer Leverkeusen), Raul Jimenez (Benfica), Oribe Peralta (Club America)

Panama

Goalkeepers: Jose Calderon (Platense), Jaime Penedo (Saprissa), Alex Rodriguez (San Francisco)

Defenders: Felipe Baloy (Atlas), Harold Cummings (Alajuelense), Eric Davis (FC DAC 1904), Fidel Escobar (Sporting San Miguelito), Luis Henriquez (Tauro), Adolfo Machado (Saprissa), Roderick Miller (San Francisco)

Midfielders: Ricardo Buitrago (Juan Aurich), Armando Cooper (Arabe Unido), Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes), Gabriel Gomez (Cartagines), Amilcar Henriquez (America), Valentin Pimental (La Equidad), Alberto Quintero (San Jose Earthquakes)

Forwards: Abdiel Arroyo (RNK Split), Ismael Diaz (Porto B), Roberto Nurse (Mineros de Zacatecas), Blas Perez (Vancouver Whitecaps), Luis Tejada (Juan Aurich), Gabriel Torres (Zamora)

Paraguay

Goalkeepers: Justo Villar (Colo Colo), Antony Silva (Cerro Porteno), Diego Barreto (Olimpia)

Defenders: Paulo Da Silva (Toluca), Gustavo Gomez (Lanus), Pablo Aguilar (America), Fabian Balbuena (Corinthians), Bruno Valdez (Cerro Porteno), Miguel Samudio (America), Blas Riveros (Olimpia)

Midfielders: Oscar Romero (Racing), Nestor Ortigoza (San Lorenzo), Celso Ortiz (AZ Alkmaar), Rodrigo Rojas (Cerro Porteno), Robert Piris Da Motta (Olimpia), Miguel Almiron (Lanus)

Forwards: Roque Santa Cruz (Malaga), Nelson Valdez (Seattle Sounders), Edgar Benitez (Queretaro), Derlis Gonzalez (Dynamo Kiev), Jorge Benitez (Cruz Azul), Dario Lezcano (Ingolstadt), Juan Iturbe (Bournemouth)

Peru

Goalkeepers: Carlos Caceda (Universitario), Pedro Gallese (Juan Aurich), Diego Penny (Sporting Cristal)

Defenders: Luis Abram (Sporting Cristal), Miguel Araujo (Alianza Lima), Jair Cespedes (Sporting Cristal), Aldo Corzo (Deportivo Municipal), Christian Ramos (Juan Aurich), Alberto Rodriguez (Sporting Cristal), Miguel Trauco (Universitario), Yoshimar Yotun (Malmo)

Midfielders: Armando Alfageme (Deportivo Municipal), Adan Balbin (Universitario), Cristian Benavente (Charleroi), Christian Cueva (Toluca), Luiz da Silva (PSV Eindhoven), Alejandro Hohberg (Universidad Cesar Vallejo), Renato Tapia (Feyenoord), Oscar Vilchez (Alianza Lima)

Forwards: Edison Flores (Universitario), Paolo Guerrero (Flamengo), Andy Polo (Universitario), Raul Ruidiaz (Universitario)

United States

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), Ethan Horvath (Molde)

Defenders: Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Edgar Castillo (Monterrey), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Monchengladbach), Michael Orozco (Tijuana), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids), Perry Kitchen (Heart of Midlothian), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund)

Forwards: Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (Hamburg), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)

Uruguay

Goalkeepers: Martin Campana (Independiente), Fernando Muslera (Galatasaray), Martin Silva (Vasco da Gama)

Defenders: Sebastian Coates (Sporting Lisbon), Jorge Fucile (Nacional), Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Pereira (Getafe), Maximiliano Pereira (Porto), Mauricio Victorino (Nacional)

Midfielders: Mathias Corujo (Universidad de Chile), Alvaro Gonzalez (Atlas), Diego Laxalt (Inter Milan), Nicolas Lodeiro (Boca Juniors), Gaston Ramirez (Middlesbrough), Egidio Arevalo Rios (Atlas), Carlos Sanchez (Monterrey), Matias Vecino (Fiorentina)

Forwards: Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain), Abel Hernandez (Hull City), Diego Rolan (Bordeaux), Cristhian Stuani (Middlesbrough), Luis Suarez (Barcelona)

Venezuela

Goalkeepers: Jose Contreras (Deportivo Tachira), Wuilker Farinez (Caracas), Dani Hernandez (Tenerife)

Defenders: Wilker Angel (Deportivo Tachira), Rolf Feltscher (Duisburg), Alexander Gonzalez (Huesca), Roberto Rosales (Malaga), Jose Manuel Velazquez (Arouca), Mikel Villanueva (Malaga), Oswaldo Vizcarrondo (Nantes)

Midfielders: Juan Pablo Anor (Malaga), Arquimedes Figuera (La Guaira), Alejandro Guerra (Atletico Nacional), Yangel Herrera (Atletico Venezuela), Romulo Otero (Huachipato), Adalberto Penaranda (Granada), Tomas Rincon (Genoa), Carlos Suarez (Carabobo), Luis Manuel Seijas (Internacional)

Forwards: Yonathan Del Valle (Kasimpasa), Josef Martinez (Torino), Salomon Rondon (West Brom), Christian Santos (NEC)




UEFA European Championship

The Euro Cup has some of the best quality for a tournament, only 2nd to the World Cup. Most of the best players in the world play in Europe so most of these squads are stacked with star power. The past few years Spain and Germany have dominated the tournament, however so many teams are in contention this year. Some of the teams I'm pulling for include Portugal of course as well as France, Belgium, Sweden, and England. Since France is hosting this year I would think they should be favorites however Germany and Spain always perform well at these things.

Players to Watch:

France: Hugo Lloris, Patrice Evra, Laurent Koscielny, Elaquim Mangala, Bacary Sagna, Paul Pogba, Moussa Sissoko, Morgan Schneiderlin, Antoine Griezmann, Dimitri Payet, Anthony Martial, Kingsley Coman, Olivier Giroud
Romania:
Albania:
Switzerland: Xherden Shaqiri

Germany: Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Emre Can, Mario Gotze, Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Julian Draxler, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, Andre Schurrle, Mario Gomez,
Ukraine: Yevhen Seleznyov
Poland: Robert Lewandowski
Northern Ireland

Belgium: Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Vermaelen, Mousa Dembele, Marouane Fellaini, Christian Benteke, Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku
Italy: Gianluigi Buffon, Girogi Chiellini, Matteo Darmian, Daniele de Rossi, Stephan el Shaarawy, Thiago Motta,
Republic of Ireland:
Sweden: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

England: Joe Hart, Gary Cahill, Chris Smalling, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Jamie Vardy, Jack Wilshere, Adam Lallana, Ross Barkley
Russia: Aleksandr Kokorin
Wales: Gareth Bale
Slovakia:

Spain: Iker Casillas, David de Gea, Sergio Ramos, Gerrard Pique, Jordi Alba, Cesar Azpilicueta, Juanfran, Hector Bellerin, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Thiago Alcantara, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro, Koke, Alvaro Morata
Czech Republic: Petr Cech, Tomas Rosicky
Turkey: Arda Turan
Croatia: Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Mario Mandzukic

Portugal: Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani
Iceland:
Austria: David Alaba, Christian Fuchs
Hungary:

23-man Rosters

ALBANIA

Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Lazio), Alban Hoxha (Partizani), Orges Shehi (Skenderbeu)

Defenders: Lorik Cana (Nantes), Arlind Ajeti (Frosinone), Mergim Mavraj (Koln), Amir Rrahmani (Split), Elseid Hysaj (Napoli), Ansi Agolli (Qarabag), Frederic Veseli (Lugano), Naser Aliji (Basel)

Midfielders: Ledjan Memushaj (Pescara), Ergys Kace (PAOK), Andi Lila (Giannina), Migjen Basha (Como), Odise Roshi (Rijeka), Burim Kukeli (Zurich),  Taulant Xhaka (Basel), Armir Abrashi (Freiburg)

Forwards: Bekim Balaj (Rijeka), Sokol Cikalleshi (Medipol Baksasehir), Armando Sadiku (Vaduz), Shkelzen Gashi (Colorado Rapids)

AUSTRIA

Goalkeepers: Robert Almer (Austria Vienna), Heinz Lindner (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ramazan Ozcan (Ingolstadt)

Defenders: Aleksandar Dragovic (Dynamo Kiev), Christian Fuchs (Leicester), Gyorgy Garics (Darmstadt), Martin Hinteregger (Borussia Monchengladbach), Florian Klein (Stuttgart), Sebastian Prodl (Watford), Markus Suttner (Ingolstadt), Kevin Wimmer (Tottenham)

Midfielders: David Alaba (Bayern Munich), Marko Arnautovic (Stoke), Julian Baumgartlinger (Mainz), Martin Harnik (Stuttgart), Stefan Ilsanker (RB Leipzig), Jakob Jantscher (Luzern), Zlatko Junuzovic (Werder Bremen), Marcel Sabitzer (RB Leipzig), Alessandro Schopf (Schalke)

Forwards: Lukas Hinterseer (Ingolstadt), Rubin Okotie (1860 Munich), Marc Janko (FC Basel)

BELGIUM

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Jean-Francois Gillet (Catania), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool)

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Jason Denayer (Manchester City), Bjorn Engels (Club Brugge), Jordan Lukaku (Oostende), Thomas Meunier (Club Brugge), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham), Christian Kabasele (Genk)

Midfielders: Mousa Dembele (Tottenham), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Radja Nainggolan (Roma), Axel Witsel (Zenit)

Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Marseille), Christian Benteke (Liverpool), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Divock Origi (Liverpool)

CROATIA

Goalkeepers: Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Lovre Kalinic (Hajduk Split), Ivan Vargic (Rijeka)

Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Sime Vrsaljko (Sassuolo), Gordon Schildenfeld (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivan Strinic (Napoli), Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona), Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan), Marko Rog (Dinamo Zagreb), Ante Coric (Dinamo Zagreb)

Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Juventus), Nikola Kalinic (Fiorentina), Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb), Andrej Kramaric (Leicester City), Duje Cop (Dinamo Zagreb)

CZECH REPUBLIC

Goalkeepers: Petr Cech (Arsenal), Tomas Vaclik (Basel), Tomas Koubek (Slovan Liberec)

Defenders: Theodor Gebre Selassie (Werder Bremen), Roman Hubnik (Viktoria Plzen), Pavel Kaderabek (Hoffenheim), Michal Kadlec (Sparta Prague), David Limbersky (Viktoria Plzen), Daniel Pudil (Sheffield Wednesday), Tomas Sivok (Bursaspor), Marek Suchy (Basel)

Midfielders: Vladimir Darida (Hertha Berlin), Borek Dockal (Sparta Prague), Daniel Kolar (Viktoria Plzen), Ladislav Krejci (Sparta Prague), David Pavelka (Kasimpasa), Jaroslav Plasil (Bordeaux), Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal), Jiri Skalak (Brighton), Josef Sural (Sparta Prague)

Forwards: David Lafata (Sparta Prague), Tomas Necid (Bursaspor), Milan Skoda (Slavia Prague)

ENGLAND

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool)

Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)

FRANCE

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Benoit Costil (Rennes)

Defenders: Samuel Umtiti (Lyon), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala (Manchester City), Patrice Evra (Juventus), Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Christophe Jallet (Lyon), Lucas Digne (Roma), Adil Rami (Sevilla)

Midfielders: Paul Pogba (Juventus), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), N'Golo Kante (Leicester), Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle), Morgan Schneiderlin (Manchester United)

Attackers: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Dimitri Payet (West Ham), Anthony Martial (Manchester United), Kingsley Coman (Bayer Munich), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Tigres)

GERMANY

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Emre Can (Liverpool), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Benedikt Howedes (Schalke), Shkodran Mustafi (Valencia), Antonio Rudiger (Roma)

Midfielders: Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Julian Draxler (Wolfsburg), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Manchester United), Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund)

Forwards: Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Andre Schurrle (Wolfsburg), Lukas Podolski (Galatasaray), Mario Gomez (Besiktas), Leroy Sane (Schalke)

HUNGARY

Goalkeepers: Gabor Kiraly (Haladas), Denes Dibusz (Ferencvaros), Peter Gulacsi (Leipzig)

Defenders: Attila Fiola (Puskas Akademia), Barnabas Bese (MTK Budapest), Richard Guzmics (Wisla Krakow), Roland Juhasz (Videoton), Adam Lang (Videoton), Tamas Kadar (Lech Poznan), Mihaly Korhut (Debrecen)

Midfielders: Akos Elek (Diosgyori), Adam Pinter (Ferencvaros), Zoltan Gera (Ferencvaros), Adam Nagy (Ferencvaros), Laszlo Kleinheisler (Werder Bremen), Gergo Lovrencsics (Lech Poznan), Zoltan Stieber (Nurnberg)

Forwards: Balazs Dzsudzsak (Bursaspor), Adam Szalai (Hannover), Krisztian Nemeth (al-Gharafa), Nemanja Nikolic (Legia Warszawa), Tamas Priskin (Slovan Bratislava), Daniel Bode (Ferencvaros)

ICELAND

Goalkeepers: Hannes Halldorsson (Bodo/Glimt), Ogmundur Kristinsson (Hammarby), Ingvar Jonsson (Sandefjord)

Defenders: Ari Skulason (OB), Hordur Magnusson (Cesena), Hjortur Hermannsson (PSV Eindhoven), Ragnar Sigurdsson (Krasnodar), Kari Arnason (Malmo), Sverrir Ingi Ingason (Lokeren), Birkir Saevarsson (Hammarby), Haukur Heidar Hauksson (AIK)

Midfielders: Emil Hallfredsson (Udinese), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea), Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff), Theodor Elmar Bjarnason (AGF), Arnor Ingvi Traustason (Norrkoping), Birkir Bjarnason (Basel), Johann Gudmundsson (Charlton), Eidur Gudjohnsen (Molde), Runar Mar Sigurjonsson (Sundsvall)

Forwards: Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (Nantes), Alfred Finnbogason (Augsburg), Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Kaiserslautern)

ITALY

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Federico Marchetti (Lazio), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain)

Defenders: Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham)

Midfielders: Federico Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), Antonio Candreva (Lazio),  Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Mattia De Sciglio (AC Milan), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Emanuele Giaccherini (Bologna), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Stefano Sturaro (Juventus)

Forwards: Eder (Inter), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Graziano Pelle (Southampton), Simone Zaza (Juventus)

NORTHERN IRELAND

Goalkeepers: Roy Carroll (Linfield), Michael McGovern (Hamilton Academical), Alan Mannus (St Johnstone)

Defenders: Jonny Evans (West Bromwich Albion), Gareth McAuley (West Bromwich Albion), Craig Cathcart (Watford), Conor McLaughlin (Fleetwood Town), Shane Ferguson (Millwall), Lee Hodson (MK Dons), Luke McCullough (Doncaster Rovers), Aaron Hughes (Melbourne City)

Midfielders: Stuart Dallas (Leeds United), Chris Baird (Derby County), Jamie Ward (Nottingham Forest), Steven Davis (Southampton), Oliver Norwood (Reading), Corry Evans (Blackburn Rovers), Niall McGinn (Aberdeen), Paddy McNair (Manchester United)

Forwards: Kyle Lafferty (Birmingham City), Conor Washington (Queens Park Rangers), Josh Magennis (Kilmarnock), Will Grigg (Wigan Athletic)

POLAND

Goalkeepers: Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea City), Wojciech Szczesny (AS Roma), Artur Boruc (Bournemouth)

Defenders: Thiago Cionek (Palermo), Kamil Glik (Torino), Artur Jedrzejczyk (Legia Warsaw), Michal Pazdan (Legia Warsaw), Lukasz Piszczek (Borussia Dortmund), Bartosz Salamon (Cagliari), Jakub Wawrzyniak (Lechia Gdansk)

Midfielders: Jakub Blaszczykowski (Fiorentina), Kamil Grosicki (Rennes), Tomasz Jodlowiec (Legia Warsaw), Bartosz Kapustka (Cracovia), Grzegorz Krychowiak (Sevilla), Karol Linetty (Lech Poznan), Krzysztof Maczynski (Wisla), Slawomir Peszko (Lechia Gdansk), Filip Starzynski (Zaglebie Lubin), Piotr Zielinski (Empoli)

Forwards: Arkadiusz Milik (Ajax), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), Mariusz Stepinski (Ruch Chorzow)

PORTUGAL

Goalkeepers: Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon), Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Dinamo Zagreb)

Defenders: Vieirinha (Wolfsburg), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Jose Fonte (Southampton), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Pepe (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon), Danilo Pereira (FC Porto), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Adrien Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Joao Mario (Sporting Lisbon), Andre Gomes (Valencia), Renato Sanches (Benfica/Bayern Munic)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (Lille), Nani (Fenerbahce), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas), Rafa Silva (Braga)

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Stoke), Darren Randolph (West Ham), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Derby), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Richard Keogh (Derby), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Shane Duffy (Blackburn), Stephen Ward (Burnley)

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady (Sheffield Wednesday), James McClean (West Brom), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby County), David Meyler (Hull City), Stephen Quinn (Reading), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich), Robbie Brady (Norwich), Jonathan Walters (Stoke)

Forwards: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich)

ROMANIA

Goalkeepers: Ciprian Tatarusanu (Fiorentina), Costel Pantilimon (Watford), Silviu Lung (Astra Giurgiu)

Defenders: Cristian Sapunaru (Pandurii Targu Jiu), Alexandru Matel (Dinamo Zagreb), Vlad Chiriches (Napoli), Valerica Gaman (Astra Giurgiu), Dragos Grigore (Al Sailiya), Cosmin Moti (Ludogorets Razgrad), Razvan Rat (Rayo Vallecano), Steliano Filip (Dinamo Bucharest)

Midfielders: Mihai Pintilii (Steaua Bucharest), Ovidiu Hoban (Hapoel Be'er Sheva), Andrei Prepelita (Ludogorets Razgrad), Adrian Popa (Steaua Bucharest), Gabriel Torje (Osmanlispor), Alexandru Chipciu (Steaua Bucharest), Nicolae Stanciu (Steaua Bucharest), Lucian Sanmartean (Al Ittihad)

Forwards: Claudiu Keseru (Ludogorets Razgrad), Bogdan Stancu (Genclerbirligi), Florin Andone (Cordoba), Denis Alibec (Astra Giurgiu)

RUSSIA

Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Yuri Lodygin (Zenit St Petersburg), Guilherme (Lokomotiv Moscow)

 Defenders: Aleksei Berezutski (CSKA Moscow), Vasili Berezutski (CSKA Moscow), Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Dmitri Kombarov (Spartak Moscow), Roman Neustadter (Schalke), Georgi Schennikov (CSKA Moscow), Roman Shishkin (Lokomotiv Moscow), Igor Smolnikov (Zenit St Petersburg)

Midfielders: Igor Denisov (Zenit St Petersburg), Dmitri Torbinski (Krasnodar), Aleksandr Golovin (CSKA Moscow), Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow), Oleg Ivanov (Terek Grozny), Pavel Mamaev (Krasnodar), Aleksandr Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Oleg Shatov (Zenit St Petersburg), Roman Shirokov (CSKA Moscow)

Forwards: Artem Dzyuba (Zenit), Aleksandr Kokorin (Zenit), Fedor Smolov (Krasnodar)

SLOVAKIA

Goalkeepers: Matus Kozacik (Viktoria Plzen), Jan Mucha (Slovan Bratislava), Jan Novota (Rapid Vienna)

Defenders: Peter Pekarik (Hertha Berlin), Milan Skriniar (Sampdoria), Martin Skrtel (Liverpool), Norbert Gyomber (Roma), Jan Durica (Lokomotiv Moscow), Kornel Salata (Slovan Bratislava), Tomas Hubocan (Dinamo Moscow), Dusan Svento (Cologne)

Midfielders: Marek Hamsik (Napoli), Juraj Kucka (AC Milan), Miroslav Stoch (Bursaspor), Vladimir Weiss (Al-Gharafa), Robert Mak (PAOK), Patrik Hrosovsky (Viktoria Plzen), Jan Gregus (Jablonec), Viktor Pecovsky (Zilina), Stanislav Sestak (Ferencvaros), Ondrej Duda (Legia Warsaw)

Forwards: Michal Duris (Viktoria Plzen), Adam Nemec (Willem II)

SPAIN

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Porto), David De Gea (Manchester United), Sergio Rico (Sevilla)

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Marc Bartra (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Hector Bellerin (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Bruno (Villarreal), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), David Silva (Manchester City), Pedro (Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Nolito (Celta Vigo)

Forwards: Aritz Aduriz (Athletic Bilbao), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Alvaro Morata (Juventus)

SWEDEN

Goalkeepers: Andreas Isaksson (Kasimpasa), Robin Olsen (København), Patrik Carlgren (AIK)

Defenders: Ludwig Augustinsson (Kobenhavn), Erik Johansson (København), Pontus Jansson (Torino), Victor Lindelof (Benfica) Andreas Granqvist (Krasnodar), Mikael Lustig (Celtic), Martin Olsson (Norwich)

Midfielders: Jimmy Durmaz (Olympiakos), Albin Ekdal (Hamburg), Oscar Hiljemark (Palermo), Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland), Pontus Wernbloom (CSKA Moskva), Erkan Zengin (Trabzonspor), Oscar Lewicki (Malmo), Emil Forsberg (Leipzig), Kim Kallstrom (Grasshoppers)

Forwards: Marcus Berg (Panathinaikos), John Guidetti (Celta), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris), Emir Kujovic (Norrkoping)

SWITZERLAND

Goalkeepers: Yann Sommer (Borussia Monchengladbach), Roman Burki (Borussia Dortmund), Marwin Hitz (Augsburg)

Defenders: Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus), Nico Elvedi (Borussia Monchengladbach), Michael Lang (Basel), Johan Djourou (Hamburg), Steve von Bergen (Young Boys), Fabian Schaer (Hoffenheim), Francois Moubandje (Toulouse), Ricardo Rodriguez (Wolfsburg)

Midfielders: Valon Behrami (Watford), Blerim Dzemaili (Genoa), Gelson Fernandes (Rennes), Fabian Frei (Mainz), Granit Xhaka (Arsenal), Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke), Denis Zakaria (Young Boys)

Forwards: Breel Embolo (Basel), Haris Seferovic (Eintracht Frankfurt), Admir Mehmedi (Bayer Leverkusen), Eren Derdiyok (Kasimpasa), Shani Tarashaj (Everton)

TURKEY

Goalkeepers: Volkan Babacan (Medipol Basaksehir), Onur Kivrak (Trabzonspor), Harun Tekin (Bursaspor)

Defenders: Gokhan Gonul (Fenerbahce), Ahmet Calik (Genclerbirligi), Sener Ozbayrakli (Fenerbahce), Hakan Balta (Galatasaray), Mehmet Topal (Fenerbahce), Semih Kaya (Galatasaray), Ismail Koybasi (Besiktas), Caner Erkin (Fenerbahce)

Midfielders: Emre Mor (Nordsjaelland), Volkan Sen (Fenerbahce), Hakan Calhanoglu (Leverkusen), Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund), Oguzhan Ozyakup (Besiktas), Ozan Tufan (Fenerbahce), Selcuk Inan (Galatasaray), Arda Turan (Barcelona), Olcay Sahan (Besiktas)

Forwards: Burak Yilmaz (Beijing Guoan), Cenk Tosun (Besiktas), Yunus Malli (Mainz)

UKRAINE

Goalkeepers: Denis Boyko (Besiktas), Andriy Pyatov (Shakhtar), Mykyta Shevchenko (Zorya)

Defenders: Bohdan Butko (Shakhtar), Artem Fedetskyy (Dnipro), Yevhen Khacheridi (Dynamo Kiev), Olexandr Kucher (Shakhtar), Yaroslav Rakitskiy (Shakhtar), Viacheslav Shevchuk (Shakhtar)

Midfielders: Denis Garmash (Dynamo Kiev), Oleksandr Karavayev (Zorya), Yevhen Konoplyanka (Sevilla), Viktor Kovalenko (Shakhtar), Ruslan Rotan (Dnipro), Serhiy Rybalka (Dynamo Kiev), Taras Stepanenko (Shakhtar), Sergiy Sydorchuk (Dynamo Kiev), Anatoliy Tymoshchuk (Kairat), Andriy Yarmolenko (Dynamo Kiev)

Forwards: Pylyp Budkivsky (Zorya), Yevhen Seleznyov (Shakhtar), Roman Zozulya (Dnipro), Alexander Zinchenko (Ufa)

WALES

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Danny Ward (Liverpool), Owain Fon Williams (Inverness)

Defenders: Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Neil Taylor (Swansea City), Chris Gunter (Reading), Ashley Williams (Captain, Swansea), James Chester (West Brom), Ashley Richards (Fulham), James Collins (West Ham)

Midfielders: Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Joe Ledley (Crystal Palace), David Vaughan (Nottingham Forest), Joe Allen (Liverpool), Jonathan Williams (Crystal Palace), George Williams (Fulham), Andy King (Leicester), Dave Edwards (Wolves)

Forwards: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid), Hal Robson-Kanu (Reading), Sam Vokes (Burnley), Simon Church (MK Dons), David Cotterill (Birmingham City)

Random Spring Notes 2016

Well the transition of spring into summer is in full swing, and I can honestly say I'm quite satisfied with the state of things as well as the events to come. I finally have some free time this evening to enjoy some Corona and reflect on these things here in this post.


Fitness & Health: My 11th running of the Indy Mini was a success. I ran it in a time of 1.51, which is far from a PR, yet still a respectable time under 2 hours. This year was also a memorable one as Philip did the full thing in his wheel chair with amazing support from friends and family. I really hope he can get back to running soon and maybe be able to run the full thing again some day.

Since the Mini I've taken it down a notch, yet still exercising at least twice a week. We finished our last game of the spring soccer season last season, with a record of 3-5. I was glad to have scored a goal in our last game, yet after 3 years of playing I think I'm ready for a break from those soccer games. I'm going to continue training for our 7th annual triathlon which is approaching at the end of July. I also plan to buy a new bike for the event.


Family Events: The Indy Mini in early May got the summer going as per usual. After that it was several weekends of partying with friends and working baseball games. Then it was monumental occasion of Andres' graduation on Memorial Weekend. This was a very enjoyable weekend at the lake with family. I was very proud to see my youngest brother graduate from high school and celebrate with his family and friends.

Looking ahead into the summer there are many upcoming events that have me excited.

• This weekend. June 3rd, I'm planning to go to a concert of Pink Droid, a cover band of Pink Floyd, with my co-worker Adam. 
• The next day we'll have our soccer party at Adam's which will be a drunken blast I'm sure. 
• On June 10th, we'll celebrate Philip's 30th birthday party at their house. I plan to whip up some of my famous Sangria.
• On the weekend of June 18th I plan to party with my Indians co-worker, Chris.
• On the 4th of July weekend we're going to have a 3 day party by the lake to celebrate Dad's retirement. After 29 years of working as music director at St. John's New Haven my dad is finally retiring. I'm glad I got to see him perform once more this past weekend. The bash will no doubt be a very memorable one.
• On the 16th of July I'm going to join the Palmers once again for a trip to Wrigleyfield at the rooftops
• On July 23rd we're going to have our 7th annual triathlon 
• And on the 2nd week of August my family is taking a week long trip to Canada. This is the big vacation, the highlight of my summer! I'm very excited for this trip!

Gardening: My 3rd garden got off to a very slow start. I planted tomatoes, green peppers, bell peppers, and jalapenos about a month ago. The first 2 weeks of May were extremely cold and rainy in the 40s and 50s. I was afraid they weren't going to survive. However after Memorial weekend, thanks to several days in the 80s they finally sprouted. I've also added a slew of plants in my sunroom, from cilantro, basil, lavender, ivy, ferns, and some small trees I got from my mom. My strawberries and grapes have returned from the previous year in incredible abundance. I also planted some red vista flowers in the front of my house. I enjoy the atmosphere these plants create and hope they have a lively summer. 

Financial Situation: My finances are in great condition compared to few months ago during the winter. This is much thanks to the working baseball on the side (my 5th season with the Indy Indians and I still love it). I reached my 3rd year at Dow, and although its a dead end job I still enjoy it. Now that I have a bit more income flow, I'm able to hack away at some of my credit fees and also enjoy more of a social life. I hope to have my credit card paid off by the end of the summer and begin a retirement plan with that window. After the summer ends I'm going to continue searching for new jobs, both full time or part time. 

Music Phase: Their's two classic music artists that have inspired me more than usual the past month now. The first is Frank Sinatra, which was triggered from watching The Sopranos. His soothing crooning voice is dosed with classic Italian-American culture. I've always enjoyed his music and had him listed at #25 on my most recent all time favorite musicians list. (see Top 50 Favorite Musicians) The 2nd is the Beach Boys, which was recently triggered after watching the film Love & Mercy (a story about Brian Wilson portrayed by Paul Dano and John Cusack). The Beach Boys were listed at #23 on my all time favorites. Their music was driven by Brian Wilson and they have become American rock icons. I enjoy their early pop music yet especially their psychedelic music as performed on Pet Sounds.


Sports Teams: After the IU basketball season was over, I diverted my attention to the Chicago Cubs, and they have been on a tear early on this season. I've followed them the get-go and they currently have the best record in the league. I've already watched several games with Adam and plan to go to the Cubs game with the Palmers. It's also going to be an exciting summer for soccer as we have both the Euro Cup and the Copa America. I'll be following closely to these tournaments over the next month. I'm pulling for Argentina, Costa Rica or USA to win the Copa America and Portugal, Belgium, or France to win the Euro Cup.