Much has been made about an foot injury to a certain striker, who happens to play for the club team and country I follow, but I have comes to grips with it.  I mean, this happens every tournament.  I can not even remember the last tournament where an English player has not been injured. Steven Gerrard, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Ashley Cole, and Michael Owen have all suffered the dreaded metatarsal injury, so they will be fine.

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Another story of note, and possibly of greater importance, is the scene in Italy, where Roma captain and inspirational playmaker Francesco Totti is racing to recover from a horrific broken leg and ankle ligament damage suffered in a Serie A match against Empoli on February 19.  This tournament was thought to be Totti’s chance to bolster his international reputation after his embarrassing display in Portugal at Euro 2004, where he was red-carded for spitting on Denmark’s Christian Poulsen in the opening game of the group stages, and consequently suspended for the rest of the stage, in which the Azzuri struggled to find any offensive rhythm and were eliminated.  Totti’s absence was thought to be the main reason for Italy’s implosion, as he is the one player the Italians have who can dominate a match single-handedly from his position “in the hole” between the forwards and midfield.  You could hear the gasps around Italy as Totti was hacked to the ground by Empoli’s Richard Vangili.  Do not get overconfident in Italy despite having not lost in their last five competitive matches, including a 4-1 dismantling of Germany.  They are a much better side with Totti involved, if he can keep a cool head.

Things are looking positive for Totti and the Azzuri.  He has recovered from the injury, seemingly with no ill effects, but has yet to participate in a league match with Roma this year, although he still leads the team with 15 goals despite his three month layoff.  With Totti out, the Italians will struggle to make out of the “group of death”, which includes the Czech Republic, the United States, and Ghana.  But with a healthy and back-to-form Totti, the Azzuri could realistically challenge to dethrone holders Brazil in Germany 2006.