By Jesse Fink
April 18th 2008 @ 12:44am
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Is Spira really in the bag?
Well, thank god for Super Arnie.
If you’ve been reading the Sydney football press, you would have seen Michael Cockerill’s story, Playing a mean defence: Arnold repels Croatians to secure Spiranovic for Beijing, in The Sydney Morning Herald, a barely disguised sop to the Olyroos coach and now assistant to Pim Verbeek.
Cockerill wanted us all to know that the heroic Arnold had shored up the allegiance of Matthew Spiranovic, FC Nürnberg’s young Croatian-Australian defender, for the Australian men’s Olympic team at Beijing 2008.
We should apparently be eternally grateful to Arnold for broking this Condeeleeza Rice-worthy act of political negotiation, but this is the same Spiranovic who in April last year was supposedly pulled hook, line and sinker into the Australian boat by Arnold before the Asian Cup for the Argentina and Uruguay friendlies. But he never turned up.
When other opportunities presented themselves for Arnold to subsequently pick “Spira”, and so ward off the circling Vatreni vultures, they were not taken.
Now, on the eve of Croatia’s campaign in Euro 2008, we’re told Arnold is “confident” of thwarting the Croatian “body snatchers”, Spira “assuring Arnold he will be throwing in his lot with Australia”.
Says Arnold: “I think we can dispel the Croatia thing once and for all.”
Well, forgive me for being skeptical. I’ll believe Spiranovic has committed to Australia when I see him in an Australia shirt. The squad has to be named on July 22 and Euro 2008 starts on June 7.
Croatia names its squad for the championships around the end of May, and what’s to stop the Croatians naming Spira without any intention of playing him, just like they did with fellow Aussie Ante Seric at France 98?
If I was 19, no matter how dinky-di I felt, the chance to play in arguably the most dynamic team in Europe alongside Luka Modric, possibly Eduardo (if he can come back from that terrible leg break), against Germany, Austria and Poland at the very least, in the group matches of Euro 2008, would be a pretty irresistible carrot.
And if there’s one thing I know about Croatian-Australian footballers or fans, and I’ve met a few, it’s that they have a sense of loyalty to Hrvatska. Witness the numbers of Australians in tablecloth shirts in Stuttgart in 2006.
Croatia, a young nation with an inordinate amount of young people, is a happening place. It has a rich and turbulent past. History is to a Croatian what saltwater is to an Aussie. Old ties really do bind, whether you’re born in Split, Zagreb, Sunshine or, as in Spiranovic’s case, Geelong.
I’ve no doubt, as Arnold claims, that Spiranovic would love to go to the Olympics. But if he’s good enough to play in August, he’s good enough to play now, so let’s see him run out against Ghana on May 23 in Sydney.
I’ll be as happy as anyone to see Spira in the green and gold, but methinks Arnold’s left it dangerously late and it’s still too early to call this whole affair a fait accompli.
Those Vatreni vultures aren’t finished yet.
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sledgeross said | April 18th 2008 @ 9:43am | Report comment
Thats true Jesse. I think we should only play these blokes IF they are good enough to demand a spot in the senior team. Somewhat like the Bouzanis situation. If these blokes are good enough to be picked on merit alone, then lets stop stuffing around and cap the bastards. You would have to say Spira would have to be picked on merit. Playing more regulary than Megsy, and playing in a good, technical league. SO yes, lets cap Spira, because he should, theoretically, be better than an A League or Championship defender. Same with Bouzanis. Liverpool reggies would have to be better than A League etc, and would have to say he is a better option than than anything local besides Covic, and streets ahead of Velaphi and Federici.
On the flip side, if blokes dont want to play for Australia, and they seek to hold selectors of the national team with veiled threats of changing sides (and they dont have the form to be selected on merit alone), then I say let them go. Yes, “the Carrot” dangled may be good, but if you dont want to represent the country of your birth, the country that enabled your family to have a shot at a better life, then go play for whatever Eurotrash country you want with no hard feelings. Just dont degrade the honopur of the green and gold by holding us to ransom.
Tony said | April 18th 2008 @ 10:02am | Report comment
Am I the only one who finds this relationship between Michael Cockerill and Graham Arnold a bit strange? It’s getting to the point of being embarrassing (if it isn’t already). Arnold should be criticised for not having locked Spira in last year when he had the chance as Socceroos coach, not praised for a verbal promise that in today’s world of football means nothing. Even 2 minutes off the bench would have done it. But then again, does Arnie ever do anything wrong in Cockerill’s eyes? Michael Cockerill and Graham Arnold: What strange bedfellows.
sledgeross said | April 18th 2008 @ 10:09am | Report comment
We had him on the bench for the Uruguay friendley last year, brought him all the way over only to languish on the bench while a one paced Kisnorbo played in front of him.
Dickroo of Blacktown said | April 18th 2008 @ 10:16am | Report comment
As a Socceroos fan, I just wish to give all the nationality fringe players a go in a friendly (like vs. Singapore) to lock them in once and forever. Including Spiranovic, Porta, Kilkenny, Bouzanis and Dilevski. What do we lost by doing this even if they were proved not good enough?
Dickroo of Blacktown said | April 18th 2008 @ 10:17am | Report comment
As a Socceroo fan, I just wish to give all the nationality fringe players a go in a senior team friendly (like the one vs. Singapore) to lock them in once and forever. Including Spiranovic, Porta, Kilkenny, Bouzanis and Dilevski. What do we lose by doing this even if they were proved not good enough eventually?
Millster said | April 18th 2008 @ 10:36am | Report comment
Dickroo - don’t you think that’s a little cynical? While I, like you, want us to have the pick of the bunch in terms of future Socceroos, I think we need to introduce these guys carefully, on merit, and according to where they would fit in a team of moxed established / new Socceroos.
In any case how would those guys feel all being called up together in one second-rate game - so transparently for this reason? I’d certainly say “no thanks” to that deal if I was one of them. And it would give me no confidence that I’d fit into a far more important role like the Asian Cup or World Cup squads.
Midfielder said | April 18th 2008 @ 10:46am | Report comment
Jes
Agree and somehow GA just keeps himself in the headlines ………………. himself as a fringe player ………….. as fringe a national coach ……………. and now as a fringe olympic coach. Fringe meaning never quite up to the mark
I think it is about time GA stopped living off many pass failings and put his hand up to coach a club team somewhere.
I did not rate Frank much as a national coach …….. but the style in which he left the position and his acceptance of going to the Roar to show his wares and now off in South America learning more. IMO that is class.
As others have said why he has not capped him before is unexplainable ……….. and if he is lost IMO it should cost GA his job. Remember Harry was capped at 17 by TV before the pommies got him.
Sledgeross hope you saw my sorry note about the Blacktown / Epping thing was having a bad day and did not get it until I got home from work.
sledgeross said | April 18th 2008 @ 10:48am | Report comment
No probs mate, Michael Cockerill wrote an article about it being “under the bridge”. The two heavyweights of SYdney football forums have made up!
Ben of Phnom Penh said | April 18th 2008 @ 11:37am | Report comment
Spira is getting first team football in the Bundesliga at the age of 19. There are not many Australians who have ever played in defense at that level at such a young age. Pim has seen Spiranovic now so it is a matter of how Pim decides he wants the larger squad to look as he needs depth all the way to 2010, not just for these immediate games. I am assuming that there will be some squad rotation in June so the team isn’t completely washed out playing in the heat of the Middle East, and it is here that players like Spiranovic can swap with the likes of Beauchamp to ensure fresher legs in our defense. Spiranovic should be capped in the upcoming games because he provides the depth we require and can form part of the longer term nucleus of the side post 2010, not because he may be poached by the Croats.
Nick said | April 18th 2008 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
It pisses me off that in the countless opportunities Arnold had to cap Spiranovic in his reign of terror as NT coach that he never threw him on and ended this issue.
Yes he deserves a cap - not because the tablecloth mafia want to poach him, but because he is playing Bundesliga football, is young and is a defender (an area where we have no depth).
Cap him for the Ghana game and end this madness Pim.
Rob Humphreys said | April 18th 2008 @ 1:40pm | Report comment
I agree. Could/should have been done ages ago.
What is going on with FC Nuremburg’s shirt sponsor……..?!
sledgeross said | April 18th 2008 @ 2:14pm | Report comment
Apparently its a metrosexual clothing store for men. Jesse is their Aussie spokesman/model!
Obviously lost in translation!
Manfred the Milko said | April 18th 2008 @ 6:00pm | Report comment
Just like Cockerill helped Arnie with ammunition to get Kalac a game at the World Cup.
… and this is why Cockerill knows the team line up before other journos.
… and their joint plan to cap unworthy players like the Griffos and Bridge, and campaigns against the 60-70 better Aussies in Europe. The relationship with a couple of player agents, using Socceroo shirts to boost their Euro marketing strength.
Ask Milicic, Emerton and Holman who had a big role in their Dutch contracts ? No royal commissions for this bloke … no senate enquiries, … poor Thommo had nothing on this current bloke.
He must have some dirt on someone … not to mention his role in the “Farina sacking”
… and to think he never did a thing as a coach except guide Northern Spirit to obscurity on the park, while his Liberal mate drove them to obscurity off the park
damos_x said | April 18th 2008 @ 6:33pm | Report comment
one would like to think that being Aussie means the greatest thing in the world is to wear the green & gold but i know that the reality is that it doesn’t matter which nationality you are, the chance to play in the WC etc & at the highest level possible thereafter is the most important goal for any footballer, therefore, Spiranovic could come from the back of Bourke & not be any more Australian than meat pies & magpies but if his heritage meant that a quite successful & even more importantly, a future successful nation can call him up then he’ll be running quicker than a 2 bob watch to join the best possible organisation. seriously, if it was me, i’d be telling someone important in the Croation FC to pick me NOW !!! because i’m ready baby & the Aussies aren’t.
Midfielder said | April 18th 2008 @ 11:15pm | Report comment
Manfred the Milko
Big claim on the GA / Thommo had nothing on this current bloke, any proof or just a gut feeling.
The Answer said | April 19th 2008 @ 5:44am | Report comment
think wht you will find is that Cockerill is just totally committed to having Australian coaches running the national teams, to a point of madness. His is also completely for picking s many A-League players as possible in order to grow the game in Aus.
Cockerill despises the other codes and you can tell his years of frustration at covering the NSL and Aus in Suva are thinly veiled now due to a constant need to talk up football’s successes. I find his football opinion pieces often like reading a football’s version of Peter Fitzsimmons, you wonder if he is just trying to wind people up.
I find some of his rants embarassing for sensible football fans in this country.
Salvation said | April 19th 2008 @ 9:31am | Report comment
It all stinks.
FFA give us football, not a bloody soap opera.
This is the Socceroos, not “Home and Away”, get professional and ditch the cronyism. Employ talent.
tfo said | April 19th 2008 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
If you believed Jesse Fink, Graham Arnold is worse than Hitler - and yes, I’ve read the book. I’m no fan of Arnold as a coach, and he should never have been on the staff in the first place, but the hysteria surrounding the bloke is just amazing….
BTW Jesse, the speed at which you’ve taken to the SBS propaganda machine is admirable. ;o)
Salvation said | April 19th 2008 @ 3:27pm | Report comment
TFO
Jess has always held an independent viewpoint. SBS or FOX or Freelancing.
It seems fairly apparent that you have enough hysteria of your own, ostensibly aimed at SBS and/or JF, to make many of us hysterical, hitler- loving, football pundits blush.
But many here would agree on one of your points. GA was never (and may never) High Performance material for Australian Football. But he is still here. Go figure.
The Round Ball Analyst said | April 19th 2008 @ 9:03pm | Report comment
It remains a mystery to this day why Spiranovic was brought out here for the Uruguay game almost a year ago and not locked in….has it ever been explained? I remember sitting behind Brad Jones,watcing the Roos subs warm up, scratching my head as Spiranovic was ignored for the full 90…
Fingers crossed that wrong is righted 16 days short of a year later when we meet Ghana.
..and I’m looking forward to hearing Spiranovic’s version of the meeting to hear if Verbeek’s name is mentioned.
The Round Ball Analyst said | April 19th 2008 @ 9:06pm | Report comment
sorry, 10 days short of a year later…
The coach said | April 20th 2008 @ 12:13am | Report comment
Hello people,
Sorry to break it to you but playing in a FRIENDLY does not lock a player in to that national team. It has to be a competitve AFC or FIFA match.
sledgeross said | April 21st 2008 @ 12:34pm | Report comment
Yes, but doesnt it count when a friendly occurs on a FIFA sanctioned game day ie if there are Euro champ games on, they will sanctioned a “friendly” date for countries outside the confederation?
Midfielder said | April 21st 2008 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
Sledgeross
Sorry mate … are you saying if a friendly is played in a FIFA sanctioned time slot the players are capped and if the friendly is played outside a FIFA sanctioned week then they are not capped ? /
sledgeross said | April 21st 2008 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
Not sure mate, Im only going off what “the coach” is asserting. Anyway, Australia can only ever play on santioned days because the Euro clubs would never release their players otherwise. Maybe “the coach” can provide proof???