No country does upright indignation like England.
So no matter which 23 names were announced today for the Three Lions’ Euro 2012 roster, there would be mighty indignation.
Let’s get started. Just a few key points from Roy Hodgson’s selections.
- John Terry will stuff all his drama into a duffle, throw it over his shoulder and tote it to Poland / Ukraine – thus ensuring the employment of tabloid reporters and headlines writers across England for at least another six weeks.
- Longtime Manchester United defensive staple Rio Ferdinand wasn’t included. Good news for Terry, since he faces a trial date for racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother, Anton Ferdinand. I mean, how awkward.
- No Paul Scholes. So “phooey” on all those rumors. And no Michael Carrick. That’s going to get a few Englishmen in a twist.
- Other notable exclusions: Aaron Lennon, Peter Crouch, Micah Richards and Daniel Sturridge.
- Four Liverpool men? That’s the same Liverpool that just finished eighth in the table, right? Just checking.
- The selection of Liverpool winger Stewart Downing, who spent his first season at Anfield underwhelming everyone who saw him, might create the most fuss. (Check that; Downing might have to rise to “underwhelming.”)
- Hodgson proved his intent to bring along the next generation of England’s best with the inclusion of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsenal’s 18-year-old wing wiz.
Look for more English-accented indignation once Hodgson meets with media later today in England to discuss the choices.
Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Rob Green (West Ham United), John Ruddy (Norwich City)
Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Joleon Lescott (Manchester City), John Terry (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Stewart Downing (Liverpool), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Manchester City), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Scott Parker (Tottenham Hotspur), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Ashley Young (Manchester United)
Forwards: Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Welbeck (Manchester United)
Reserves: Jack Butland (Birmingham City), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea).
ProSoccerTalk is doing its best to keep you up to date on what’s going on in Poland and Ukraine. Check out the site’s Euro 2012 page and look at the site’s previews, predictions, and coverage of all the events defining UEFA’s championship.
