Viola... In English!

Another Call-up

Young Zdravko Kuzmanovic continues to be recognized by the Serbian senior national team.  He has been called up to participate in their friendly match against Macedonia, scheduled for February 6.

Call-ups for Viola Czech Contingent

All three Czech players on the Fiorentina squad have been called up by their national sides for their respective age groups.

Senior Side - Friendlies @ International Tourney in Cyprus, February 4-7
Tomas Ujfalusi

Under 21 Side - Training Camp in France, February 4-6
Ondrej Mazuch

Under 19 Side - International Friendly against Ireland February 7
Jan Hable

Once You Go Italian...

First blue shirt for Osvaldo with the U-21

Pablo Daniel Osvaldo will wear the blue Azzurrini shirt of the Italian Under-21 side.  It will mark the first call-up by Casiraghi and Zola for Osvaldo.  The Fiorentina center forward, who has decided to play for Italia, has been called up to take part in the Euro U-21 qualification matches against Azerbaijan and the Faroe Islands.

My take -- Osvaldo is Argentinian but, like so many of his countrymen, has Italian roots.  Since Montolivo and Pazzini graduated from the Azzurrini I don't pay much attention anymore.  Any thoughts on whether Osvaldo will play as a center forward or a left winger?

Youth Sector Recognition

Internationals: De Vitis, Angelica, Carraro and Iemmello with the U-16

Four Fiorentina youth players have been called up by coach Antonio Rocca's Italian U-16 side.  Alessandro De Vitis (Midfielder), Sebastiano Angelica (Midfielder), Federico Carraro (Midfielder) and Pitro Iemmello (Attacker) will take part in the 8th Annual Val de Marne Tournament which is taking place October 28 though November 4.

My take -- All 4 of these players ply their trade with our Allievi Nazionali side.  There were so many called up that this weekend's Allievi match versus Pisa has been postponed to November 7.

Viola International Round-Up

Internationals: Ujfalusi and Mutu into Euro 2008

How the Viola players' respective national sides fared on international Wednesday.

• Gamberini and Montolivo made their Azzurri debuts in Italia's 2-0 victory over South Africa.  Lucarelli scored a brace.  Semioli also played and had an assist.
• Fundamental victories for Romania and the Czech Republic.  Romania defeated Luxembourg 2-0 even without Mutu, who was disqualified.  The Czechs rolled to an impressive 3-0 win over Germany.  Both Romania and the Czech Republic have now reserved their spots in Euro 2008.  Pavel said on Xtratime that Ujfalusi played as a left back.
• Sebastien Frey's France defeated Lithuania 2-0 and have also earned a spot in the Euro 2008 tournament.  That's what the article says but I don't believe that is true.  I will research it after work tonight.
• Vanden Borre's Belgium side saw off Armenia 3-0.  Vanden Borre was not even on the bench for this one.
• Serbia, with Kuzmanovic and Avramov, were impressive in a 6-1 rout of Azerbaijan.  Kuzma played the entire match.  Avramov did not play.

Gambo Thanks Viola

Gamberini: Azzurro thanks to Fiorentina

Fiorentina defender Alessandro Gamberini released a brief statement before his Azzurri debut Wednesday.

"If I am here it is because the Viola defense has made great strides.  Last season we were the best defense in the league."

My take -- I really think that, with Nesta's retirement, Gamberini will become an Azzurri regular sooner rather than later.  Cannavaro is a given for the next few years so I think it comes down to Gamberini, Barzagli and (if healthy) Materazzi as the other center back.  Barzagli is (maybe) a bit faster and Materazzi is a bit larger but Gamberini is the happy medium.  He can't be much slower than Barzagli but he plays bigger (Barzagli is listed as the same height as Gamberini, at 6'1", but I theorize that they are including Barzagli's hair in that figure) and is better at attacking corner kicks.  Barzagli is better going forward but how often do Azzurri center backs attack?  He's not as tall as Materazzi but he is much faster and younger.

Anyway, yeah...  I'm a huge Gamberini fan.

Mazuch Turning Heads

Mazuch a youngster to watch.  He scored for his national side.

One player to watch for the future?  There are many young talents wearing the Viola shirt but one of the most important could end up being central defender Ondrej Mazuch.  In the two matches he has played with the Fiorentina Primavera it is obvious that he is a grade above the rest of the squad.  Some of that could be because he is used to playing against bigger players and competing in high level international tournaments, like the U-20 World Cup.

Mazuch is blessed with great physical attributes that make him seemingly unbeatable for opposing attackers, these same attributes also make him dangerous on the attacking end. It is not surprising that he was able to score in the Czech U-21 side's most recent match against Liechtenstein.  For all of these reasons we believe that Prandelli could give him a chance with the first team.

Semioli Joins His Mates

3 Viola called up for Azzurri friendly against South Africa

Three Fiorentina players have been called up for the Azzurri's next friendly; Wednesday in Siena against South Africa.  Montolivo and Gamberini keep their spots, and they seem likely to get playing time unlike on Saturday.  The duo will also be joined by Viola winger Franco Semioli.  Nothing doing for Pasqual who was in consideration for the match.  Evidently his less than stellar performances in his last few matches influenced Donadoni's decision.

My take -- When I look at the team that Donadoni is taking I have to assume that Gamberini will start.  It will be an important chance for him to showcase himself to Donadoni.

Vanden Borre Lifts Belgium

Vanden Borre: Brace for Belgian U-21s

On Friday Anthony Vanden Borre, the young Viola fullback, gave a fine performance for the Belgian U-21s.  His two goals were decisive with the first one drawing his side level at 2-2 and his second earning the 3-2 victory over the Slovakian U-21s.

So, Who's Left?

Fiorentina: 10 Internationals

Ten Viola players have been called up by their respective national sides. 

• Anthony Vanden Borre has been called up by Belgium to face Finland Saturday and Armenia the following Wednesday.
• Tomas Ujfalusi will play with the Czech Republic against Germany Wednesday in Munich.
• Mazuch, with the Czech U-21 team, will play against Armenia and Liechtenstein.
• Riccardo Montolivo and Alessandro Gamberini will be wearing blue in Saturday night's match against Georgia.
• Arturo Lupoli, with the Azzurrini of Casiraghi, has been called for two tough matches against Croatia and Greece.
• Sebastien Frey has been called upon to defend the French goal against the Faroes Saturday evening and Wednesday in Nantes against Lithuania.
• Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Vlada Avramov will travel to Armenia with Serbia.
• Adrian Mutu will face Holland in Romania then hit the road to play Luxembourg.