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Euro '08 - The final is upon us, and it is providing yet more drama before it even starts.  Saturday German team officials revealed MF Ballack is "doubtful" for the final due to a strained calf suffered in training, and that he had also missed Friday's workout to receive treatment.  While this is certainly not good news for Germany, it's not a disaster either.  Given Ballack's spotty play throughout the tournament, Hitzlsperger's excellent form of late and Frings' return to full fitness, Loew has decent options to cover for his absence, though it will not replace all the qualities he brought to the field when on form.  The rest of the German side is ready to go.  Of course, Spain will also be missing an important player with F Villa sidelined by what was rediagnosed yesterday as a partly torn hamstring.  Villa will be out 10 days to 2 weeks before he can resume training.  With Fabregas expected to deputize for Villa after his superb performance against Russia, Spain also looks fully prepared.  As for the result, I think it will hinge on three things.  First, the Spanish must be able to contain or counteract Germany's physical advantage, especially in the air.  The battle between Puyol and Klose will be crucial, as I think Schweinsteiger, Lahm and Podolski should be able to get their crosses in against Ramos and Capdevila, both of whom are more effective on attack than on defense.  Second, if Senna can control Ballack/Hitzlsperger and still have enough time to join in the attack for Spain, they win.  This would mean that Spain has won the midfield battle, which would force Germany to play hit-and-hope, and we all saw how well that worked for McLaren's England side.  Finally, Jens Lehmann must avoid making any gaffes.  While the German side is bigger, I think the Spanish (especially at F and MF) are quicker.  If Lehmann starts putting the ball on the ground, then Torres, Fabregas, Iniesta and friends will have a field day.  I've said from day one that I think Germany will win, and I see no reason to change that now.  Germany gets a brace from Klose, and another from either Schweinsteiger or Podolski, while Spain counters from Torres and Iniesta.  3-2 Deutschland Uber Alles!

UEFA Update - Officials announced that two key issues will be debated at a September 23 general meeting, among other topics.  The first is the status of Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland and Ukraine.  Despite repeated denials, it has become increasingly clear that both countries are seriously behind the construction timetables for stadia and infrastructure they had provided as a condition of staging the event.   In May, UEFA officials reportedly gave them 4 months to get their houses in order or face loss of the tournament.  That deadline expires in September, and recent rhetoric from top officials, critical stories in many media outlets and the clear desire of both Italy and England to take over the staging of the event make the Pol-Kraine bid a very tenuous one indeed.  The other topic is the expansion of the Euro fields from 16 to 24 teams.  This proposal seems to have solid support, and it's understandable why, as it would allow 8 more teams to take a share of the limelight and financial spoils that come with the tournament.  In my opinion, however, it would be a very bad initiative because A.) it would dilute the strength of the field, which is important because at present just about every match-up is between strong teams, B.) it makes the scheduling problematic, as either practically everyone gets in to the knockout round to make an even bracket (16 teams would be needed) or byes would have to be used, giving 4 teams an unfair advantage, and C.) it takes away the urgency of the qualifiers by giving the high profile sides a margin for error.  Currently if you have a bad patch, it can cost you a berth (see England, subheading McLaren).  Eight more qualifiers would virtually insure that the powers of Europe always get a berth, ones they may not necessarily deserve.  Other topics up for discussion include a comprehensive review of Euro'08, a further examination of what to do about foreign player caps in domestic leagues, broadening the use of technology to review certain types of on-field decisions and finding ways to increase the quality and quantity of referees and their assistants.

Croatia Sanctioned for Fan Behavior - Croatia's National team Federation was fined 12,500 Euros (about $19,700) by UEFA as a result of team fans carrying a racist banner and yelling racial chants during their loss to Turkey in the Quarterfinals.  Federation officials tried to blame ultra-right wing fans who they maintained were beyond their control, but UEFA cited repeated violations by the federation in levying the penalty.  Croatia has 10 days to appeal if it so chooses.  Frankly, this penalty is a slap on the wrist.  If UEFA wants to get serious about stopping these disgusting displays, they need to start taking away home qualifiers for Euro and World Cup and have the violators play at neutral sites.  That will change fan behavior in a hurry.

International Retirements - As usual, a major tournament is the last hurrah for at least a few stars.  Euro'08 is already seeing it's fair share of big names hang up their boots.  Among others, Jan Kollar (Czech Republic), Lilian Thuram, Claude Makelele and Willy Sagnol (France) have confirmed their retirement from the international arena.  Gregory Coupet, Patrick Viera and possibly Thierry Henry are also expected to announce their departures as part of an anticipated French housecleaning.  Now MF Freddie Ljungberg can be added to the list, as he announced his retirement in a letter to the Swedish media. The next batch is likely to come from an Italian side that is clearly too long in the tooth, though Marcello Lippi is thought to be loyal to the players who helped him win the 2006 World Cup. 

Transfers - I have been asked a number of times my thoughts about the transfer market and where various players are going, and my answer is simply this.  When ink can go to paper (after July 1), and signings can be confirmed, then I'll discuss them.  Until then, it's idle speculation and a waste of time (see Adebayor, Ronaldinho, Arshavin, etc.)

Concacaf Firing - Hernan Medford, a former star striker for his country and the national team manager was relieved of his duties Friday despite guiding his team into the first of two group stages of World Cup 2010 qualification.  A series of poor showings against international opponents, plus a tighter than expected 5-2 aggregate victory over Grenada apparently convinced the national federation Medford had to go.  There is no word on a possible successor, though LaPorte, the former Mexican coach, is apparently a possibility.  Costa Rica is still expected to advance to the 2^nd group round, as their first round group is made up of El Salvador, Haiti and Suriname, none of whom are in the Ticos' class. 

MLS Saturday Wrap-up - At least this week's games were a bit better overall than last weeks, but that's really not saying a whole lot.  The overview:

Columbus 2, Colorado 1 - Columbus with a solid win at home, though without the helter-skelter finishing the final score would have been much higher.  Ekpo's game winner was a very nice weaving run and shot that should earn a goal-of-the-week nomination.  Coundel (despite being completely at sea on Schelotto's penalty) kept Colorado in this, but they are just a dreadful road team. 

New England 2, Toronto 1 - The Revs basically schooled the upstarts here, with Ralston scoring his usual garbage goals (though the second involved several nice moves after collecting the rebound).  Dube got no credits, but was instrumental in the Rev's offense and scoring.  Toronto was really never in this game.  Joseph's autogoal just made the score respectable.

Kansas City 1, Real Salt Lake 0 -  The dog game of the week.  The Wiz's finishing, despite the return of Trujillo, was simply dreadful.  If not for the Beltran autogoal, they might not have scored in this game either.  Onalfo needs to get this team together, and quickly, or his head will be the one on the block.  Real was just disappointing.  They never seemed to have any energy, and mailed in the effort.  Thus they lost to the worst team in the East.

San Jose 0, Chicago 0 - This was San Jose's game to lose, and they simply couldn't catch a break in this fitfully entertaining contest.  Two rockets came back off crossbar and post, though both deserved batter.  As strange as it sounds the ‘Quakes controlled most of the action and deserved the full 3 points.  Chicago is another team stuck in a malaise, and they better get it turned around quick or they'll be surprised how far they fall.

New York 1, Chivas 1 - An intriguing first half, a dreadful last 45.  Seitz should never have let Van den Berg's free kick past him, while Goldthwaite's turnover could not possibly have conceded an easier goal to Razov.  That makes 3 unbeaten in a row for NY.  However, they may be without Andrew Boyens for a while once the disciplinary committee gets a better look at  the vicious elbow he used to split Justin Braun's face open.

Sunday - Los Angeles @ DC United - The leagues two worst defenses and two best offenses collide.  Somehow I think that a goal or two may be scored.  Both teams are on rolls, both have stars playing well, both are pretty much at full strength.  The only concern is the weather, which is predicted to be partly sunny with temperatures around 92 degrees and humidity in the 80% range.  This may come down to conditioning, and the fear is that Moreno can't go 90 minutes for United anymore, and no bench player can replace him.  Galaxy 4, United 3.

DC United - The big news is that Ben Olsen is training again, and may be on the bench for today's game.  According to Steven Goff of the Washington Post, it appears that Olsen is down to two options with his bad ankle.  Either he can have potentially career ending surgery, or he can gut it out on the ankle as it is.  Apparently he has chosen the latter course of action.  While it would be great to see him back on the pitch again, this move raises as many questions as answers.  Is Olsen match fit?  How long will it take him to get there?  Is he doing the right thing, risking permanent injury, or has he lost his mind?  How much abuse can the ankle take, and will it immediately become target 1 for opposing defenders?  We can only wait and see, but I can say that if Olsen makes an appearance today against LA, the roof may come off of RFK!

DC Updates - F Doe has returned from his African Adventure, and practiced with the team yesterday.  He is expected to be on the bench and available against the Galaxy.  On the other, Dominic Mediate is definately out with the after-effects of the concussion he suffered last week against San Jose.  Team officials are taking a very slow approach with Mediate, given their experiences last year with Josh Gros.  Team officials are denying any interest in Chilean MF Dagobeto Currimilla as posted yesterday.  However, they are not denying their interest in him a a potentail signee. Finally, today's expected starting lineup: GK-Wells, D-Peralta, Namoff, Martinez, McTavish, MF-Gallardo, Quaranta, Fred, Simms, F-Moreno, Emilio.

That's it for now.  Enjoy the games!