Case Analysis
Training methods: Euro 2008.
Source: "The Technician" , UEFA Newsletter.
THE 16 TEAMS WHICH TOOK PART IN EURO 2008 HAD TWO AND A HALF WEEKS
TO PREPARE BEFORE THE OPENING MATCH. DURING THAT PERIOD A VARIETY OF METHODS WERE USED
TO IMPROVE FITNESS (RECOVERY AND REGENERATION WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT),
TACTICAL KNOW-HOW, INDIVIDUAL TOUCH AND TEAM COORDINATION.
SOME TEAMS ACTUALLY PERSONALISED PRE-TOURNAMENT TRAINING SCHEDULES BASED
ON THE INDIVIDUAL PLAYERS' WORKLOAD DURING THE SEASON.
The Portuguese played full-scale (11 v 11) practice matches - 12,000 fans watched them in Neuchâtel, with Luiz Felipe Scolari, the boss, acting as referee and coach. The emphasis for Portugal was on possession play, counter-attacking and set plays (many repeated before the practice game restarted). Guus Hiddink, the head coach of Russia used an 11 v 11 game, on a shortened pitch (goals on the 16 metre line at each end), to prepare for the semi-final match against Spain. The Dutch maestro worked on fast transitions, incisive play and good delivery from the flanks.
Fatih Terim was one of the coaches who employed specialised fitness trainers - he engaged the same US company that Jürgen Klinsmann worked with during 2006 World Cup in Germany. The fitness team used heart monitors to control the intensity of the training, with information displayed on the computer screen in real time. In the build-up to the tournament, Fatih focussed on patterns of play through midfield - first with shadow play and then in a controlled 11 v 11.
The Dutch trained the way they played, and high intensity pressure and fast switching of play were emphasised in conditioned games during the preparation phase. They showed their readiness when they produced their sensational counterattacking moves against Italy in their first game in Berne. The Oranje players' willingness to support the fast breaks was already evident in training. 
The Spanish were less dynamic in the preparation drills and practice routines, but the quality of their combination play at training, through central areas and on the flanks, was impressive. An important request from the Spanish was to have the stadium pitches watered in order to facilitate their slick passing movements and penetration play. Austria have had a football/fitness trainer (Roger Spry) on their coaching staff for some time. With some support from UEFA, the Austrians (under the control of their technical director, Willi Ruttensteiner) produced a DVD of their conditioning training at EURO 2008, and this will be used as a teaching aid in the ÖFB's development programme.
The training process is largely hidden from the public gaze, but the results are there for all to see when the matches are played. The quality of football at EURO 2008 was ample proof that the technical teams did a great job in preparing their national squads for competitive action.
