Better than Cola: You've got to hold and give, but do it at the right time

With the Euros firmly underway...(we're two games in and any chance I had of winning some wedge is apparating by the day), I wanted to to do one more bit of football writing, as I know I have a mixed audience and many of you are currently lamenting the now nightly coverage provided excellently by Mr Lineker and co on the beeb and Adrian (satan left teste) Childs on three.
As a welshist Im afraid I know not what it feels like to support my nation at an international tournament, but maybe this gives me the impartiality to embolden my current opinion onto your much meligned brain boxes. Ive a lot of english friends, the vast majority of which are football fans, this is generally how I know people (note to self, expand life with new hobbies), so far I have yet to speak to one that holds any kind of faith in the national teams chances at Euro2012, in fact, many dont even think that qualification from the group stage is possible.
Now on paper, this maybe the weakest england side ever (1992 euros contends), but as the old adage goes, the game isnt played on paper.
There is little expectancy, a refreshing change from the norm from england fans, with expectations low maybe England can embrace that underdog spirit that so historically follows them. An underdog spirit that has in the past seen both Denmark and Greece lift the trophy, both lacking depth of squad and both boasting maybe one or two definitive world class players, England certainly boast better than both of these sides did in their winning years.
The Euros are not the World Cup, the world cup will always be master to the favorites, but in the Euros teams dont have the time to settle into their football, they have to get out and get points on the board from the first whistle in the world cup goals are king and a tasty forward moving side can put the world to rights (Holland 2010, Brazil 1994), but during their time going forward the strategy is get more goals, concding one or two a game wont matter. But, in the Euros, the key is being an efficient, ball keeping, defensively astute TEAM (spain 2008, germany 2006). In 2008 Spain boasted some high quality players, but also, a spattering of unknowns such as Marchena and Marco Senna, who both played their way into the team of the tournament thanks to sheer grit and work ethic.
If you look at the England squad starting at the back they are not shy of pedigree, Joe Hart is as good in sticks as any other gloved dribby at the tournament, perhaps the world, it pains me to say it but as much of an odious little dick shovel that he is ashley cole is the best in the world at his job (maybe philip lahm). John (Adolf) Terry, well ive made my feelings about this scumbag clear in the past but even I cant deny his pedigree at this level is without argument. Moving into the middle I would say losing Lampard is a blessing, its been Lampard and Gerrard without question for so long and its never worked, but no man could ever drop either without the fury of the fucking sun newspaper and its baldheaded bad breathed readers, but lets face it, theyre the same player and Gerrard has always been the better of the two. Now Scott Parker in with him is a great plan, Parks is a 1920's englishman who is so delighted at being selected for his country he will run and tackle until his little legs just straight and drop off, exactly what is needed in that space. All around these stalwarts are the new generation, Rooneys quality will shine when he returns (I think he'll be needed in that last qualification game, as I can see england needing a win to go through), but then you have the likes of Young, Oxlaide-Chamberling, Carroll and Wellbeck who are unproven, yes, but theyre all playing at the highest level and will not show any fear in this competition if Woy has anything to do with it. I expect to see them playing football exactly as they should as exuberrant young talents, unafraid to take on the mights of players like Puyol and Mexes, knowing firmly the english old guard will be backing them up with strong tackling and accurate passing.
The pundits are saying the side HAS to take something from France on Monday, granted this is a big ask and it brings with it one massive problem win or draw with le bleus and I can guarantee that all of a sudden every flag toting, geoff hurst bumming idiot will be tattooing the trophy on his back with winners underneath it. Looking at the group its far more realistic to expect england to creep through with a loss, a draw and a result against the Ukraine or even a weak Sweden side. If they come up against Spain, as predicted, sure its a hell of an ask but the english side can out muscle and outpace the current Spain side so if they can weather the storm of 70% possesion and what should be an experienced midfield then theres no reason they couldnt take something.
If the current group make it to the knockouts they're performing above expectation. Roy is the right man to coach the team there. He will make sure the team are well drilled, the set pieces will be bang on and he will have got the team all pulling in the right directions. Scott Parker anchoring the midfield stops the recent problems England have had in teams getting between the bog standard three lines of play (def, mid, fw) and with ashley young playing just off the forward one then England have the option to close down all over the park.
So look at the England side like this, yes its an ageing side, yes there are players missing in key positions and yes some fans have doubts about the manager. But as the Europeon Championships often does, it will mimick the football being played on the continent this past season. So to the England doubters, the fans who are unbelievably not getting behind their nation I say one word...

...CHELSEA

Since this a special Euro 2012 edition of better than cola ive included some of my favorite memories of the Euros, unfortunately none of them include the welsh side who i would so feverishly support if they could just muster up a qualification in my life time... pleeeeeeeeease.