Article by Paul la Vella
With a 5- victory underneath their belts from their Euro 2008 qualifier in September, an England victory towards Andorra in the return sport should be a foregone conclusion.
The sport has been moved from Andorra to the Olympic stadium in Barcelona, residence floor for Spanish crew Espanyol, and owned by Barcelona Metropolis Council. Barcelona is a two and a fifty percent hour drive from the Andorran money, Andorra la Vella.
‘It comes as no surprise that the sport has been moved from Andorra to Barcelona’, comment an Andorra journey guide, ‘Andorra’s countrywide stadium has a capacity of one,800 even though the Olympic stadium retains fifty five,000. Wisdom has decreed that Andorra’s countrywide stadium is not suit for worldwide football. A lot of will regret that Andorra’s staff cannot be judged in the same way.’
But the information considers that there is a probability that Andorra will secure a single of the shocks of current football background by successful on March 28 – if the situations are proper.
‘Andorra have nothing at all to lose besides 3 points when they play England in Barcelona – and they eliminate 3 points in practically each and every sport anyway, but for England it wouldn’t just be a nationwide disgrace but really possibly the end of their campaign to attain the Euro 2008 finals in Switzerland and Austria. It all depends upon whether or not England play politics or football.
Dropping David Beckham from the England side was possibly a lot more of a political determination used by a new England regime intent on displaying a break from the past somewhat than for sound footballing causes.’ Say the manual, lamenting the loss of England’s previous captain who has been playing in Spain for Actual Madrid in latest many years, and is now set for a transfer in the summer to California.
‘England have a game in opposition to Israel a couple of days prior to playing Andorra, and will be viewing the Andorra game as the simpler of the two. The England manager could be tempted not to play his finest achievable crew in Barcelona.’
In addition to playing an understrength staff, the Andorra travel information consider that the England supervisor could have a single eye on the game, and one more on the Premiership managers back home nervously hoping their star gamers won’t be picking up injuries.
‘Andorra at times try out to make up their lack of expertise by being physical. There could be stress on the England manager Steve McClaren from Premiership managers this sort of as Sir Alex Ferguson not to threat star players this kind of as Wayne Rooney in what ought to primarily be an effortless sport. The Premiership will be entering a crucial stage with just a handful of video games left, plus European games and the FA Cup ultimate levels coming up. We cannot visualize Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Germany’s Bayern Munich getting pleased at seeing Steven Gerrard, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves and Wayne Rooney selecting up injuries at this sort of a critical time. The temptation will be to play a 2nd fiddle England staff. Even then England really should win comfortably. But if the gamers who get selected decide to do just adequate to safe the three points it could let Andorra the opportunity of a shock draw or even victory, even so not likely that may possibly seem’.
Andorra The Region
Andorra has a population of 70,000 and is very best acknowledged for her ski resorts, relegating football to a minority sport, and as a European tax haven.
The country’s resident population enjoys a tax regime equivalent to Monaco, with a zero rated income tax.
Property in Andorra is around a quarter of Monaco’s costs, in spite of the related tax framework, with wealthy individuals relocating to the Principality to minimise their tax expenses.
In the eighties Andorra ski holidays have been inexpensive and cheerful, but investment in the infrastructure and ski fields has witnessed the country turn into increasingly well-known with skiers and snowboarders.
Above 10 million travelers visited Andorra in 2006, but a lack of snow for the first 8 weeks of this year’s ski time has observed a fall in site visitors of some fifteen per cent.
With Barcelona a two and a half hour drive absent, YourAndorra hopes that some of the travelling England assist may possibly venture up for a number of days skiing.
‘The end of March and starting of April is an ideal time for a ski vacation in Andorra,’ they comment, ‘And if Andorra do generate a miracle in Barcelona and secure a draw or all three points they wouldn’t have to return to England for a number of days.’
Andorra’s greatest identified ski resorts are Soldeu, Pas de la Casa and Arinsal. Soldeu has some of the greatest new motels in Andorra, and Arinsal the greatest evening daily life.
And if the England players wives and girlfriends, often referred to as WAG’s in the English media, fancy a couple of days tax no cost shopping, the capital Andorra la Vella is full of division merchants stocking luxury things at reduced charges compared to Barcelona and England.
‘Perhaps the greatest scenario for England would be to make David Beckham captain for the Andorra game’, conclude the manual, ‘Although he hasn’t played a lot for True Madrid lately he is utilised to enjoying in Spain. Even a 50 % match fit David Beckham committed to successful the sport would be as well significantly for Andorra, and it would be a excellent chance for England supporters to say farewell just before he leaves for the US.’
About the Author
YourAndorra is one of a sequence of journey guides for European tax havens such as Andorra and Monaco.
The Monaco guidebook at YourMonaco.com contains details of the Casino in Monte Carlo and motels in Good France