Comments on: Time up for ‘futile’ friendlies http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/28/time-up-for-futile-friendlies/ World Soccer views and news Thu, 22 May 2008 20:01:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: papa bear http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/28/time-up-for-futile-friendlies/#comment-337831 papa bear Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:37:42 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/28/time-up-for-futile-friendlies/#comment-337831 there is no way, EVER, that friendlies go away. The players union would never agree to tossing away their summer vacation every year which is what would have to happen with all the tournaments that need to be qualified for. Also, not ever league is off in the summer. What happens to their seasons when 2 months are suddenly ripped out of the middle? They either have to play without their best players or take the time out and start earlier and end later. I don't know if you've ever been to Sweden in February or northern Russia in December, but I'm betting it would kill their league a bit to move their seasons like that. I know it's weird, but the footballing world doesn't in fact revolve around England/Spain/Italy/Germany. It does exist outside of there. there is no way, EVER, that friendlies go away. The players union would never agree to tossing away their summer vacation every year which is what would have to happen with all the tournaments that need to be qualified for.

Also, not ever league is off in the summer. What happens to their seasons when 2 months are suddenly ripped out of the middle? They either have to play without their best players or take the time out and start earlier and end later.
I don’t know if you’ve ever been to Sweden in February or northern Russia in December, but I’m betting it would kill their league a bit to move their seasons like that.

I know it’s weird, but the footballing world doesn’t in fact revolve around England/Spain/Italy/Germany. It does exist outside of there.

]]> By: Nachiket http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/28/time-up-for-futile-friendlies/#comment-337752 Nachiket Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:09:03 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/28/time-up-for-futile-friendlies/#comment-337752 Well, its the clubs that buy the players for millions of dollars and so if one of them gets injured in one of these friendlies, its natural that the club managers would complain. But at the end of the day, the big question is not about whether these friendlies should be stopped or whether the clubs can have the authority to release a player or not, but the fact is that a country does and should come before a club right? I personally think so, and so these friendlies should continue. They may not be playing for a prize money or a trophy, but surely a national team manager needs to build a team, see his players team up together and play well together. And based on these results take decisions for important fixtures like the Euro championships, worldcups etc etc. Well, its the clubs that buy the players for millions of dollars and so if one of them gets injured in one of these friendlies, its natural that the club managers would complain.
But at the end of the day, the big question is not about whether these friendlies should be stopped or whether the clubs can have the authority to release a player or not, but the fact is that a country does and should come before a club right? I personally think so, and so these friendlies should continue.
They may not be playing for a prize money or a trophy, but surely a national team manager needs to build a team, see his players team up together and play well together. And based on these results take decisions for important fixtures like the Euro championships, worldcups etc etc.

]]> By: Red Devil http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/28/time-up-for-futile-friendlies/#comment-337718 Red Devil Sat, 29 Mar 2008 09:06:16 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/28/time-up-for-futile-friendlies/#comment-337718 NO!!! That would be even more inconsiderate to the players because it means those playing international football get no summer break. Scrapping friendlies all together is also not the answer and Fergie's comments that people won't watch them are devoid of any reality. Most grounds were packed on Wednesday, none more so than the Stade De France and Hampden Park. NO!!! That would be even more inconsiderate to the players because it means those playing international football get no summer break. Scrapping friendlies all together is also not the answer and Fergie’s comments that people won’t watch them are devoid of any reality. Most grounds were packed on Wednesday, none more so than the Stade De France and Hampden Park.

]]> By: clement http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/28/time-up-for-futile-friendlies/#comment-337712 clement Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:07:44 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/soccer/2008/03/28/time-up-for-futile-friendlies/#comment-337712 Friendlies will never go away because the most important football competitions are international ones and friendlies are crucial for teams to train. But in general, the way all football leagues are scheduled is a little absurd. Club teams go international for exhibition matches, friendlies are propped in the middle of the most important parts domestic league play, etc etc... could there simply be too many football competitions out there? Friendlies will never go away because the most important football competitions are international ones and friendlies are crucial for teams to train. But in general, the way all football leagues are scheduled is a little absurd. Club teams go international for exhibition matches, friendlies are propped in the middle of the most important parts domestic league play, etc etc… could there simply be too many football competitions out there?

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