EURO 2008: First Round Round up

My name is Coach Robert Butler (NSCAA Advanced National) and I coach the U16 SWISA girls team in Newburgh, IN. I have coached at the state ODP level as well as at the club level in addition to stints as an assistant coach at a number of colleges. I hope this blog provides some interesting commentary about the ongoing European Championships and provides a message board for some discussion. Onto the commentary.....


Wow.. what a first round. The more and more I interact with the game the crueler it becomes. How do the Swiss and Austrian teams leave with zero points after their heroic efforts? Tragic really....

So far it appears that Spain is ready to get rid of their label of perennial underachievers, the Dutch look like a counterattacking machine, the World Cup holders appear headed for a first round exit, the reigning European Champs have some work to do to get through to the next round, the Germans are the Germans, and oh yes we have the Portuguese.

So who do YOU like for to raise the trophy in early July? I am going with the Germans with the overall complete package but in the end it could probably be anyone of 8 teams... but then again maybe we have another underdog getting on the end of a series of 1-0 wins based on solid defense (see Greece 2004). Also.. what has been the best goal of the tournament? I have to go with the sweet Swedish shot from Mr Zlatan Ibrahimovi... what a blister .... no chance for Nikopolidis.

Now to step away from the European Championships... I'd like to applaud the efforts of the USMNT vs. Argentina on Sunday night. WHAT A MATCH.. .WHAT AN EFFORT. Unfortunately, as I continue to tell my players, now that I know they can play like that weith that kind of effort I expect to see it every day. I'd like to provide the utmost praise to the US Soccer Federation for booking those 3 matches to provide our national team players the quality competition they need to develop.


Youth Soccer Focus: To develop into a great soccer player it is imperative to watch great soccer players and there are plenty of great soccer players at the European Championships. Make a point of watching at least two matches a week. Pick a team and follow them along their path. Research the players.. what club do they play for... what position do they play on their club team ... what are some of the chants sung by the supporters.
In addition, use the half times for a little bit of fitness... See how many of the following activities you can perform during a 30 sec commercial: 1) sit ups s) push ups 3) squats 4) jumping jacks 5) ball juggles and 6) toe touches on top of the ball. For your balance see if you can stand on one foot for the entire commercial. Invite a friend to your house and challenge them to see who can perform the most repetitions for a given activity. Whatever you do make it fun and keep it creative...


Yours in the beautiful game...
Coach Butler