Keane lauds Irish spirit

Ireland’s record goalscorer, Robbie Keane, has suggested that the atmosphere within the camp under Giovanni Trapattoni is unrivalled.

The LA Galaxy forward says that he is very impressed by attitude that has been fostered under the Italian’s tenure, and expects it to help Ireland succeed at Euro 2012.

“It certainly does feel different this time,” Keane told the Irish Independent. “There has always been a great team spirit in the Irish camp, but for some reason this has been a little bit different.

“It’s the group of players, how well they get on with each other, it’s been brilliant. There have been no little niggles which you usually get in tournaments like this when you’re together for a long time.

“I mentioned before the Estonia game, that relaxed feeling we had before that game and it is very, very similar to now, to be honest.”

The Dubliner is fit and ready to get started at the tournament and he took the opportunity to praise the preparation of the Football Association of Ireland.

“I feel fine,” he said. “The last couple of weeks have been very good. We had the week in Malahide getting lads back together.

“Through that first week doing all the stuff we had to do outside of football, it’s been good that this week’s been fully concentrated on training.

“The lads are fit and sharp and on the training ground every day and I have seen that the sharpness of every player has been very good. This week now is where it starts.”

Ireland begin their Euro 2012 campaign against Croatia on Sunday.

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/keane-lauds-irish-spirit/95852/

Trapattoni salutes Hungarian greats

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has expressed his admiration for Hungarian football culture and history.

Speaking to the Irish Times ahead of his side’s friendly international with Hungary in Budapest on Monday, Trapattoni compared Hungary’s former football prowess to Europe’s modern elite.

“Honved and Hungary were great teams with so many great players,” Trapattoni said. “They were a fantastic side, like Barcelona now.”

“I played against them, also Florian Albert, who was a member of the second great Hungary team. I knew them later too because many defected to Spain after the Russians invaded.”

The 73-year-old also warned that the current Hungarian side should not be underestimated in the slightest bit.

“The Hungarians still have that great tradition and the current team is part of that,” said Trapattoni.

“Their football school is very beautiful; very technical and creative.”

Source : http://www.soccernews.com/trapattoni-salutes-hungarian-greats/95842/

Ireland duo back in training World Soccer Shop

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni was handed a double boost on Thursday when Shay Given and John O'Shea both trained.

Given: Put through his paces on Thursday

Given, who was told to rest a knee injury following a visit to a London specialist last week, was back on the training ground at Borgo A Buggiano on Thursday morning, as was O'Shea, whose ankle problem has been a concern since before he joined up.

The players, who were given a day off on Wednesday, were in high spirits as they went through their paces in bright sunshine at the Stadio Comunale Alberto Benedetti.

They are due to leave their Montecatini base at the weekend for Budapest, where they will play their final warm-up game against Hungary on Monday.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17516/ireland_duo_back_in_training

Trapattoni stunned by scandal World Soccer Shop

Giovanni Trapattoni says the latest match-fixing scandal to hit Italy is "devastating" but does not think it will effect their Euro 2012 hopes.

Trapattoni: Outraged by developments

Republic of Ireland coach Trapattoni and the former Italy boss was shocked by the news that several players, including Lazio captain Stefano Mauri and former Genoa midfielder Omar Milanetto, have been arrested today by police in connection with a match-fixing probe carried out by Cremona prosecutors.

"It is a devastating story," Trapattoni told Gazzetta dello Sport. "If the magistrates are doing something, it is because there is some truth in this.

"I, who have travelled abroad for some time, must say that we give an ugly image of our football.

"As an Italian, the first feeling is that we are mocked abroad, we are always linked to illicit dealings and are considered mafia members.

"This only damages us because I can claim to have paid the price for an attitude that affects everyone."

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed that Mauri and Milanetto have been held over allegations of "criminal association and sporting fraud".

Officers are searching more than 31 homes in Italy and abroad, including those of coaches and players of clubs in Serie A, Serie B and lower divisions.

Police also showed up this morning at Italy's training ground in Coverciano, Florence, to question former Genoa defender Domenico Criscito, who now plays for Zenit St Petersburg.

A statement from the FIGC read: "As part of the investigation carried out by prosecutors of Cremona regarding match-fixing, prosecutor Guido Salvini has issued 19 procedures: 14 people arrested (including Mauri and Milanetto), 31 home searches and two people questioned.

"Police agents also arrived to Italy's training ground in Coverciano this morning to hand a notification of impeding investigation to defender Domenico Criscito, who is investigated for acts that would have taken place while he was a Genoa player."

Trapattoni, whose side were paired with Italy in Group C at the upcoming European Championship, does not believe the latest scandal will have a negative impact on the Azzurri, however.

Italy won the 2006 World Cup in Germany despite having the cloud of a match-fixing scandal hanging over them at the time.

"It's clear that certain stories provoke anger," Trapattoni said. "But it could also give a push (to the team) to prove the clean face of football."

Italian Olympic Committee vice-president Luca Pancalli was equally saddened by the latest football scandal to rock the nation.

"The courage to speak must be there in order to put an end to this issue and to start again," he said to Gazzetta.

"As a man of sport and as a citizen I feel infinite sadness.

"The sporting justice has other time limits with respect to the ordinary justice and it's clear that there will be (sporting) repercussions."

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli was set to announce his Euro 2012 squad today.

However, reports in Italy claim the announcement could be postponed until Tuesday due to Criscito's involvement in the investigation.

Criscito's agent Andrea D'Amico insists his client is not concerned.

He said to Gazzetta dello Sport: "I have spoken to Mimmo (Domenico) this morning and he is absolutely calm.

"Mimmo is ready to explain anything that may have caused him to be under the spotlight.

"Our legal team is working in order for the magistrates to listen to him as soon as possible."

Criscito sat out training this morning.

Monday's operation is part of an investigation called "Last Bet" carried out by prosecutors in Cremona which focuses on 33 games over the past two seasons, the majority of which were in Serie B.

Earlier this month, the FIGC released a comprehensive 48-page list naming 22 clubs along with 61 individuals that have been reported to the football authorities in connection with a match-fixing ring and betting investigation.

Seventeen people were arrested by Italian police last year, including Atalanta captain Cristiano Doni.

Atalanta, who had been promoted to Serie A at the end of the 2010-11 season, began the recently completed campaign with a six-point deduction as punishment for match-fixing.

Doni was banned from football for three and a half years by the FIGC's disciplinary committee.

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/17299/trapattoni_stunned_by_scandal

Trapattoni handed fitness boost World Soccer Shop

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has received a series of fitness boosts ahead of Saturday's Euro 2012 warm-up game against Bosnia.

Trapattoni: Preparing for Saturday's game against Bosnia

Skipper Robbie Keane trained fully at Gannon Park in Malahide on Tuesday afternoon 24 hours after his arrival from Los Angeles to confirm his recovery from a hamstring strain.

He was joined by Shane Long, Jon Walters and Keith Andrews, who did not complete the morning session with minor niggles.

Keith Fahey, who has been nursing a groin problem, is progressing and is expected to be fit for the weekend, while a decision on Kevin Foley (hamstring) will be taken later in the week.

Keeper Shay Given, who had a scan on a knee injury on Monday, will not train on Wednesday, nor will defender Richard Dunne, who has a micro-tear in his lower abdominal wall.

John O'Shea, who has been all but ruled out of the Bosnia game, is unlikely to train on Wednesday, but like Dunne, is expected to be fit for the finals.

Given was sent for a scan on a knee injury he picked up in training yesterday, and a Football Association of Ireland spokesman confirmed on Tuesday: "After undergoing a scan, it was concluded that Shay should sit out training for the next two to three days for precautionary measures."

Trapattoni later suggested the 36-year-old Aston Villa keeper is his biggest concern ahead of Euro 2012 - which for the Republic kicks off against Croatia on June 10 - and hinted that either Sunderland's Keiren Westwood or David Forde of Millwall could play in Saturday's friendly against Bosnia.

He said: "There is only Shay Given, who has a little bit of a problem. We have to decide run the risk or stay. We have another two [keepers].

"For this game, we will decide with the doctor because at this moment, we don't need to run the risk."

Of Sunderland defender O'Shea, the FAI spokesman added: "Giovanni Trapattoni has also decided that John O'Shea may not partake in Saturday's game against Bosnia for precautionary measures, but has confirmed that John will be fit in time for Euro 2012.

"John is undergoing rehabilitative treatment this week on his ankle."

Ten members of the squad met up last Thursday with the bulk of the remainder arriving on Sunday for what will be a long haul whether they progress from the group or not.

Many will occupy their spare time by watching DVDs - striker Shane Long has brought his guitar, much to the consternation of room-mate Kevin Doyle - but for Trapattoni, there will be little time for relaxation.

Asked how he would unwind, he said: "We need to watch DVDs. We have so many DVDs, about Spain, about also Italy - we already know Italy - and Croatia.

"There are many friendlies and qualifying games, and that's important.

"We will see the teams and all the little situations to improve our information because I can't forget a little detail.

"Our job in the free time, I have only many DVDs to watch. But I love it.

"Football now, all the technology allows us to see everything, and those little situations, they are important."

Source : http://soccer365.com//news/european_news/general/16952/trapattoni_handed_fitness_boost