Name = Luka Modric
Birth = Zadar, 9 September 1985
Height = 174 cm
Weight = 65 kg
Position = Midfielder
Career = 2002 – 2003 Dinamo Zagreb
2003 – 2004 Zrinjski Mostar
2004 – 2005 Inter Zapresic
2005 – 2008 Dinamo Zagreb
2008 – …….. Tottenham Hortspur
Awards = Bosnia League Best Player 2003
Croatia League Best Player 2007
Croatia League 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Croatia Cup 2007, 2008
Luka Modric ever loaned by Dinamo Zagreb to Zrinjski Mostar from Bosnia, when he still junior. “ In Bosnia League, their defender always did a foul without warned by the referee,” say Modric.
But, this player can play good, and he was loaned again to Inter Zapresic. Modric can bring this small club to be a runner – up in Croatian League and he was awarded as Croatian League Best Young Player on that season.
That prestige make he called back by Dinamo Zagreb, and make he called by Croatia national team. “ I never afraid with difficult challenge,” say Modric to give his recipe about his prestige. Another recipe ? This Barcelona fans just not love soccer, but he live with soccer !!!
“ When he study in school, he live in his grandfather’s house with 10 km from his house. But, he always run to his parents’ house with a ball,” say Modric ’s neighbour.
Now, Modric play in Tottenham Hortspurs. “ He made a good choice join in White Hart Lane. He would success in England Premier League,” say Slaven Bilic.”
Name = German Gustavo Denis
Nationality = Argentina
Birth = Remeidos de Escaladua, 10 September 1981
Height = 187 cm
Weight = 80 kg
Position = Striker
Carrier = 1997 – 1999 Talleres
2000 Quilmes
2000 – 2001 Los Andes
2002 – 2003 Cesena
2003 – 2005 Arsenal de Sarandi
2005 – 2006 Colon
2006 – 2008 Independiante
2008 – ……. Napoli
Awards = None
Be Careful! Napoli would be threatening in Serie A 2008/2009. This season, I Partenopei have a new machine goal, German Gustavo Denis.
This Argentina striker was bought from Independiante for 6,5 millions euro. He will improve Napoli offense. Last season, Napoli already found Ezequiel Lavezzi. This player play very good last season. But, Lavezzi is not a main striker. His body and game like to be a second striker.
He need a tall striker that can use his pass and movement to be his partner. Last season, Napoli have Marcelo Zalayeta. But, this Juventus ex – striker always injured and can’t cooperate well with Lavezzi.
Denis was recommended by Lavezzi. Bacause Denis was Lavezzi ’s choice, Denis would be a better partner for Lavezzi than Zalayeta.
A proof that Denis have an ability to be a Napoli main striker is Denis ‘ s hattrick in his debut with Napoli in a friendly match against Jennersdorf ( Austria ) with 10 – 0 win.
“ Score a goal is a target for all striker. I didn’t know how much goal that I can score this season. I hope many goals. In this friendly match, I happy to see many dangerous ball given to me in opponent’s penalty area ,“ say Denis.
With Hardwork
Denis ever play in Argentina clubs like Talleres, Quilmes, and Los Andes, and he ever play in Italy with Cesena. But, in Cesena, Denis just made 3 goals.
A long hard work , make he signed by Independiante. In Apertura 2007, Denis ever score 15 goals in 13 matches and make Argentina national team called him to play in World Cup 2010 Qualification.
“Soccer always like this. On one day, you have a bad time to play soccer, but on another day, what are you touch on ball can make a goal. I hope this moment continue… ,” say Denis.
Name = Xavi Hernandez Creus
Nationality = Spain
Birth = Catalunia, 25 January 1980
Height = 170 cm
Weight = 68 kg
Position = Midfielder
Carrier = 1997 – 1998 Barcelona B
1998 – …….. Barcelona
Awards = Euro 2008 Best Player
Spanish La Liga 98/99, 04/05, 05/06
European Champions League 2005/2006
Spanish Super Cup 05/06, 06/07
U-20 World Cup 1999
Euro 2008
Xavi Hernandez is a Spain playmaker. After La Furia Roja win Euro 2008, this Barcelona playmaker was chosen as Euro 2008 best player.
“We choose Xavi because he role Spain game. He was incredible in ball possession, passing, and through pass that Spain play,” say Andy Roxburgh, Technical Team Leader in Euro 2008.
Xavi was playing consistently in 5 match that 28 years old player play and he had a role in Spain game. And, this Barcelona player score Spain first goal in semifinal against Russia that over 3-0 for Spain, give an assist for a single goal in final that Fernando Torres score against Germany, and never had a yellow card in tournament. In final, Xavi made 62 passes with accuracy 64%.
“This award is incredible for me. I am grateful with my teammates. I depend on them. I have teammates that help me to play soccer like I wanted,” say Xavi.
Xavi did a debut in Spain national team on 15 November 2000 in a friendly match against Netherlands in Sevilla. He already had 63 caps.
Midfield Traditions
Xavi Hernandez continue a tradition since Euro 1996. Since Euro 1996, the best player in Euro always come from midfielder. They are Matthias Sammer (1996), Zinedine Zidane (2000), Theo Zagorakis (2004), and Xavi Hernandez (2008).
Name = Andrei Sergeyevich Arshavin
Nationality = Russia
Birth = Leningrad, 29 May 1981
Height = 172 cm
Weight = 69 kg
Position = Striker
Carrer = 2000 - ….. Zenit St. Petersburg
Awards = Russian Best Player 2007
Russian Cup 2003
Russian League 2007
UEFA Cup 2008
Russia failed to become a champions in Euro 2008, but success produce a new superstar. A striker, Andrei Arshavin, now gain a title as Most Wanted Soccer Player in Europe. In Euro 2008, Arshavin score a sensational goal in match with Netherlands and make Russia reach semifinal. A few hours after that goal, his name is hunted by Europe elite teams.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, want this player. So many bids come to Arshavin, make his team, Zenit St. Petersburg offer them a high price, 24 millions euro.
“We can’t hold the player if there are a team offer us many money,” say Zenit coach, Dick Advocaat. Yes, Arshavin now become a superstar. This status gained with his hardwork.
Arshavin start study soccer since 7 years old in soccer school Smena. In 1999, he joins Zenit soccer academy. Not need a long time for him to join the first team. With his above average ball control, strong vision and physics, plus speed, that Gemini soccer player attracts Zenit coach on that day, Yuri Morozov. With many positions, started from right winger until attacking midfielder, Arshavin have ever play. But, below Vlastimil Petrzela advice, Arshavin now play as a second striker.
“A good position, because make me have many chance to score a goal for the team,” say Arshavin. With Zenit, he was chosen as a Russian Best Player 2006 and two years after, he brings Zenit win UEFA Cup.
Arshavin failed make Russia become a champion in Euro 2008, but in this tournament, make him become a new rising star in Europe.
INCONSISTENCY ?????
There are many coach calls Andrei Arshavin as a great player. But Jose Mourinho is not one of them. Although already seen Arshavin’s skill, Mourinho is not interesting with this rising star.
“Arshavin is a quality player. But, is he has any experience to compete in best European competition?” say Mourinho.
“In Euro 2008, he show a fabulous inspiration in a match with Netherlands and Sweden, but he can’t do anything in match with Spain. We need a player that can play in best standart in a whole season.”
So, can Arshavin beat Mourinho theory ?????
