My Euro 2012 Article

[Cory]

Peep it !

http://www.audiblyoffensive.com/?p=1173

[FXBlade]

Why do you list keepers as key players?

Just never really seen it before as they are either all key, or not at all.

[Jennifer]

A good goalkeeper is worth their weight in gold. Hart and Cech win games for their club sides.

[FXBlade]

Yeah, but then every national side picks their best keeper available, They aren't necessarily someone I would class as a key player.

I mean, the fact they are picked as the only keeper implies it.

[Jennifer]

I think it's meant in the terms that, whilst they might be the best available goalkeeper of that nationality, they're not necessarily all as good as each other. So for example, in an England side that is honestly fairly mediocre, their best asset is that they have an awesome keeper who can extend their lifespan, I see where Cory's coming from.

[Cory]

Well, you can have a keeper like.... Beto for Portugal.... Most don't know who he is and really he's nothing special. Don't expect him to win Portugal games, but someone like Cech is phenomenal and could easily end up making a dozen saves and if he doesn't his squad isn't strong enough to progress.

Essentially if a keeper needed to be a standout in the tournament for their team I noted them as a key player. Casillas needs to be even more important with Puyol missing. He's not going to have to control the back line more and their Defence is weaker than past tournaments so he's going to be key.