What we learned: Euro 2008 Day 18

What’s that sound? Oh yeah, that would be everybody jumping off that Russia bandwagon.

After all the hype, the hope, the tension, it wasn’t really a contest. Spain proved that they do still have Russia’s number and they are more than good enough to take home their first major trophy. Whether they will or not, is another matter entirely. You know what though, I think this game was already over once Cesc Fabregas put the ball past Buffon last week. I spoke before about that Spain inferiority complex, it’s plagued them for years but with that defeat of Italy, it’s looks like they’ve got that monkey off their back and they made Russia again look very average.

It’s was a harsh lesson for Russia who were again put to the sword, but they can go home with their heads held high. It is interesting though, it’s almost as if Russia have gone down in people’s estimations after being dominated so heavily. After simply beating Holland (who as i keep saying, really weren’t that good), the hype had grown to such an extent that people were almost expecting Spain to lose. Russia are a good side, there’s no doubt they were highly impressive against the Dutch and Sweden, absolutely dominated England in the second half on home soil, but perhaps they had reached that glass ceiling.

It’s no disgrace mind, on their day they probably could beat almost anyone. It’s just that Spain were very much on form and very well organised.

The foundations on which the Russian machine had been built clearly couldn’t adapt to the Spanish, even when David Villa was forced off early on. If anything, it only served to increase Spain’s superiority. Much was made of Russia’s superb fitness and work rates, but without the ball it was ineffective. Once Fabregas was introduced, the five man midfield made it even harder for Russia to get and keep hold of the ball. Unlike Germany’s set up, Spain’s midfielders could break from midfield much more frequently and from different areas. Their first goal was a perfect example as Xavi played the ball to Iniesta before streaking into the box to prod home with remarkable accuracy.

Previously we could perhaps dismiss Euro 2004 as a fluke but we’ll have to sit up and take proper notice now of the Croatias, Czechs, Turks and Russia’s of the game. In an intimate tournament such as the Euro’s, anything quite clearly can, and will happen.

—

Andrey Arshavin was pretty anonymous last night, thanks in no small part to the stifling play of Spain. With Russia unable to keep possession, Arshavin was unable to get into those advanced positions and just as the Holland game may have added 5 million to his value, that could have knocked a couple back off.

It’s a strange phenomenon, it can take a season of consistency for a player to get noticed at club level, and even then it can be dismissed as “just one season”. James Beattie, Peter Crouch, Andy Johnson clearly haven’t hit the heights of those one outstanding seasons that earned them big money moves. Yet at international level, one game can mean everything. It’s partially down to us not seeing these teams much in true competitive games, plus international level is seen as a higher standard.

Had Arshavin played another sensational game, there would be no doubt about is ability, even if Russia had lost, but now the hype could very well die down as quickly as it started.

Personally, I still think Arshavin is a wonderfully talented player but the concerns that I had prior to Russia’s exit still linger. Firstly whether the Barca team will be coherent enough for him to actually be effective, and whether his temperament will be an issue. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

—

Predictions for the final? It’s a difficult one. Which Germany turns up is vital, but strangely, I think they’re more likely to score if they’re playing badly. Germany for me have to be the most clinical team in the tournament. Spain may have gotten 3 last night but it was fully deserved and they could have had a couple more. Both teams have players that can make something out of nothing, but i don’t think Spain are as capable of scoring when they’re on the back foot, or playing poorly. I look at Spain’s team, their set up and I see a team that produces team goals. Plenty of dynamic midfielders who knock it about beautifully but I think perhaps only Torres, and maybe Silva could pull something out of the bag if needed. Germany meanwhile have Podolski, Ballack, Klose and Schweinsteiger, and everyone I could see nicking a goal against the run of play. Look at their equaliser against Turkey, it epitomises my point.

Still, I expect the good Germany to turn up. With the bigger teams, they know what they are getting, how they will approach. Turkey was more of an unknown factor and they struggled to deal. They should be able to prepare for Spain much better and be more effective.

My head tells me Spain but I have a nagging feeling Germany will be too good, yes, even with that defence. Tough to say, but I’m sticking my neck out and saying 3-1 Spain.

Just plain awful…

 

That was one of the most appallingly, inept, incompetent displays from a pair of goalkeepers I’ve ever seen. In what was otherwise a thrilling game last night, Rustu Recber and Jens Lehmann, no fewer than 73 years between them, were about as effective as 4th graders. I’ve criticised Paul Robinson consistently this past year for his performances but Jesus Christ even he didn’t come close to being as bad as those two were. I remember just a few seasons ago, the eccentric Rustu was quite highly rated and earned a move to Barcelona. On closer inspection they too realised he actually was terrible and played all of about 4 games. But can he have been that bad then? He was always a bit barmy but did seem to be at least a bit competent. The two games he’s played here though, he’s done nothing but fuck up quite frankly. It only serves to worsen the crime of Volkan, the suspended no.1 keeper who foolishly got himself sent off in the 90th minute against the Czech Rep.

Lehmann however is another case altogether. What really works me up about him is the sheer arrogance of the man. He’ll come out in the media, call other keepers terrible, proclaim how good he is, scream at defenders and then put in performances like that. He is the arrogant prick version of Paul Robinson. How he didn’t cost Germany the game was unbelievable. He kept coming for crosses and missing them, flapping at high balls and his positioning for Turkey’s second was just… well there aren’t even words for it. What the hell kind of goalkeeper takes that position for a low cross coming in from the by-line? He’s like thirty fucking eight, how can you be that incompetent?

Timo Hildebrand, Michael Rensing, Manuel Neuer, Rene Adler. All are streaks ahead of this bumbling liability. But it’s the old experience thing, it’s what’s holding England back and it’s what could cost Germany the final.  

It happens with players of all positions but with goalkeeper such a vital position, mistakes are so much more costly and the fact is, the step up to international level is a big psychological one. Experience is such a cliche but it really is a massive factor at tournaments like this with so few having the composure to cope. There are quite a few good English keepers around, Rob Green has bailed us out more times than I can count, Scott Carson, Joe Hart, Chris Kirkland provide heroics every week, but i wouldn’t trust any of them for England, even Rob Green. Its the simple fact that playing for England is so different, they’d get nervous and probably cost us, just like Carson did. How often does Carson blunder? Maybe twice, three times a season. One game for England and he’s a mess. 

It is a dilemma but one that does need to be addressed. David James is the best English keeper sure, but we could cope without him in the qualifiers. Getting players like Joe Hart or Ben Foster acquainted at this level is much more important for me. As for Germany, Sunday would be a very good time for him to come good, he’s due we know that much…

What we learned: Euro 2008 Day 17

I think the question now is not necessarily who Germany will be facing but which Germany is going to turn up. It wasn’t at all pretty, but Jogi Lowe’s side are through to another major final. It was harsh on the Turks who basically left it too early. Hoisted by their own petard it seemed, the patent still pending on that last minute heroics thing. Briefly, it did look like they’d done it for a incredible fourth consecutive time, but they couldn’t hold out for those four minutes.

It was a game that pretty much reversed opinion on both teams. While Russia have been sensational, Turkey perhaps hadn’t quite been sensational in the same way. It takes remarkable guile and spirit to keep coming back like they have, let alone it get more improbable each time, but the nature of the previous games, it was hard to imagine them giving Germany a tough time. The Switzerland game was unique to say the least and they were the better side in the second half but you couldn’t disagree that the Swiss deserved something. Against the Czech’s, again it’s difficult to fault the comeback but to lead 2-0 with 18 minutes to go, a lot of blame has to go to the Czech Republic. Turkey would be out of this tournament had it not been for Petr Cech’s monumental blunder. I don’t want to take away from the comeback as they still had to score the winner but the fact is, they weren’t necessarily the better team. 

Then of course the Croatia game, again they really should have lost. They were second best and lucky not to lose in normal time. Add that to the mind-boggling injury and suspension list and you really couldn’t give Turkey much hope. Their inspirational captain Nihat gone and the calamitous Rustu in goal, the omens weren’t good. 

Yet, their performance was sensational. Fatih Terim wasn’t being hailed as much of a tactical genius before hand but he got it very right against Germany last night. For long periods Germany could barely get the ball back let alone get out of their own half. The workrate was superb but ultimately the Germans were just a lot more clinical. Where have i heard that before?

Schweinsteiger put in a second consecutive good performance and produced another fantastic run for the first goal. They shot themselves in the foot for the second and were killed off by another bit of brilliance from Ballack in the dying seconds, something they had prevented him from doing for 89 minutes. 

It’s scant consolation but Turkey can go out with their heads held high. Clearly the better side and they showed some fantastic pieces of skill during the game. The way in which Sabri beat Lahm to set up Turkey’s equaliser was delightful. Still, it’s Germany who’ll contest the final in Vienna this Saturday and I think i’ll have to put them down as winning it if Spain go through tonight. 

—

I was speaking to someone yesterday about England’s absence from the Championships and they were telling me how bad England were, how we overrate ourselves. Now I could talk about everything that’s wrong with that statement for days but he used Germany as an example of how they are much more talented than us.

One good game against Portugal, it shows you how uneducated some football fans are. It’s not meant to be an insult, but a recognition of how a couple of games in an international tournament shapes opinions of players on the spot. With some, there’s no doubting there ability. Arshavin for example, unbelievable talent but there’s certainly consistency and temperament questions. But this German side still has it’s weaknesses. 

Phillip Lahm for example. I was told how he is a much better player than Ashley Cole. Ok, firstly Cole is a tosser, we all know that, but he’s brilliant defensively and one of the few players that can keep Ronaldo quiet consistently. Secondly, Lahm is very good going forward, and that will always stand out more than a good defensive performance but like so many attacking full backs he can be exposed defensively, and that is just what happened last night. Fantastic run and shot for the goal but was ruthlessly exposed at the back. Yet he still got man of the match…

Another thing, Germany must be the tallest team in the tournament and while Klose is one of the best aerial players in the world, Mertesacker and Metzelder were very poor. They’re both huge but somehow were unable to deal with the Turks and looked pretty weak. It doesn’t bode well if Spain win tonight with Villa and Torres up front. Both like to pull wide and if Lahm and Fritz have pushed up, there’s no way the German centre backs will be able to cope. 

NFL Power Rankings

With training camp a couple of weeks away, we’re edging closer to the ever-dreary NFL Preseason. Before the contact starts to get going and any more Bengals get arrested (I can’t believe I used that old joke either), I’ve produced my offseason power rankings. Enjoy…

(note: Last years position refers to the position they finished draft-wise)

2008 Power Rankings: Offseason
	RK (Last Year)	TEAM	REC	COMMENT
	1 (2)	Patriots	16-0-0	Asante Samuel isn’t that big of a loss. They’ve still got Brady, Moss, Welker, and now they’re angry. You thought they were good last year?
	2 (4)	Colts	13-3-0	Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders returning will be a big boost as they look to step out the Pats shadow. Their WR corps looks a bit thin though.
	3 (5)	Cowboys	13-3-0	Pac-man, sorry Adam Jones will make this team better, and they’re a very fashionable SB pick. Thats why they won’t even get there.
	4 (7)	Jaguars	11-5-0	This team is a Colts injury or two away from finally ending the Indianapolis dominance of the south.
	5 (6)	Chargers	11-5-0	They’ve got all the tools, Rivers is growing in stature and they finally got that playoff win. Can Norv lead them to the Superbowl though? I doubt it.
	6 (1)	Giants	10-6-0	Teams other than the Patriots aren’t supposed to repeat as Super Bowl champions. Their defence is still impressive, I’m just unsettled by all this contract talk.
	7 (3)	Packers	13-3-0	I think people are not giving Rodgers enough of a chance already. He handled them pretty well when subbing for Favre last year, another division title wouldn’t be a surprise.
	8 (8)	Steelers	10-6-0	Roethlisberger to Holmes. We’re going to be hearing that a lot this season.
	9 (13)	Seahawks	10-6-0	One of the most consistent franchises around, but their receivers continue to disappoint. Favourites in the West but they could be seriously challenged this year.
	10 (23)	Saints	7-9-0	Look for a return of that high powered offense we saw two seasons ago. If Brees starts throwing for 300 again, maybe it’ll see Reggie Bush have a breakout year.
	11 (11)	Browns	10-6-0	Last year’s surprise package, it’s going to be tough now everyone knows Derek Anderson. If they don’t hit the ground running, it could be a very disappointing season.
	12 (14)	Eagles	8-8-0	Even I get bored of asking this question every year. Can Donovan McNabb stay healthy?
	13 (9)	Titans	10-6-0	Vince Young may not have the numbers, but again he’s helped the Titans exceed expectations. Don’t expect his numbers to get any better though with that WR corps.
	14 (17)	Cardinals	8-8-0	Again we wonder if the Cards can break their playoff drought. If they do, it depends on the play of Matt Leinart. Also that o-line needs to start producing.
	15 (13)	Buccaneers	9-7-0	Performances in the South always fluctuate wildly, and without any major offseason happenings, the Bucs will need to focus to retain their division crown.
	16 (20)	Panthers	7-9-0	Jake Delhomme’s back and better than ever, so he says. This team has potential and it’s time to utilize it, namely getting the ball to Steve Smith a lot more. Did they not see this play last season?
	17 (15)	Texans	8-8-0	We saw how good the Texans could be before Andre Johnson went down. It’s the best offense they’ve ever had, but they’re playing in maybe the toughest division in football. 8-8 last season was some achievement.
	18 (16)	Vikings	8-8-0	Big questions still linger over Tavaris Jackson but the addition of deep threat Bernard Berrian could help. Having Chester Taylor in the backfield with AP though will be a massive factor.
	19 (12)	Redskins	9-7-0	Jim Zorn’s made a good impression in the capital, but I’m not convinced by Jason Campbell. We could be seeing Todd Collins again fairly soon.
	20 (29)	Raiders	4-12-0	I’ve made the mistake of getting excited about the Raiders before. But if Russell can keep it simple and avoid mistakes, this defense could help them break even for the first time since 2002
	21 (22)	Bills	7-9-0	The Pats have the division locked up, but the Bills have four very winnable games against the Jets and Fins. With Paul Posluszny, Marcus Stroud and Kawika Mitchell upgrading the defense, they could still be in the hunt come December.
	22 (31)	Rams	3-13-0	Last season is behind them, forgotten. Time to show the NFC what this offense can really do.
	23 (18)	Lions	7-9-0	Panic over people, this is still the same Lions. How on earth do you finish 1-7 after a 6-2 start? Forget establishing a run game behind that line.
	24 (25)	Ravens	5-11-0	Can you believe the Ravens were 13-3 two seasons ago? That defense is still there, but Joe Flacco needs to mature pretty quickly.
	25 (21)	Broncos	7-9-0	Their defense is horrible, period. Not much use having Champ Bailey and Dre Bly when the other team can run on you all day long. Cutler to Marshall isn’t a bad link-up to have however.
	26 (26)	49ers	5-11-0	Arnaz Battle, Ashley Lelie, Bryant Johnson. Hows that for a bunch of average, underperforming receivers to compliment a 35-year old Isaac Bruce. Better hope Frank Gore has a lot of fuel in the tank.
	27 (19)	Bears	7-9-0	No running back, no wide receivers and Rex Grossman STILL at quarterback. Devin Hester’s going to have to be really good this year.
	28 (27)	Jets	4-12-0	Here’s a problem, so let’s throw money at it. Faneca is a top guard but their quarterback situation is still horrible and Calvin Pace is not worth 42 million.
	29 (28)	Chiefs	4-12-0	I’m tired of hearing it was a good draft. Dorsey fell to them and they had 13 picks! A healthy Larry Johnson could help them to maybe 6 or 7, but don’t count on it.
	30 (24)	Bengals	7-9-0	Remember when the Bengals stopped being a joke? That lasted long…
	31 (32)	Dolphins	1-15-0	Josh McCown should at least be able to rustle up a couple wins before they lose Brown and Ricky Williams to injury.
	32 (30)	Falcons	4-12-0	Vick wasn’t going to last much longer in Atlanta, but his incarceration just tore this team apart. Drafting Ryan was a start, but do they risk him now?

Biggest Climber: New Orleans 23 -> 10

Biggest Faller: Chicago 27 -> 19

The “Open” Championship?

What’s the best time to watch golf? Sunday afternoons? or 2009?

I’m borrowing from ESPN’s Page 2 there but it raises an interesting debate following the decision of Tiger Woods to shut it down for the rest of the year. First off, noone is questioning that decision, it seems like the logical thing to do for the man looking to break Jack Nicklaus’s record for most major wins. But what will it mean for the sport of golf though?

With Woods looking to make a return in January, it means he’ll miss the remaining two majors of the year, the Open Championship at Birkdale and the PGA Championship at Oakland Hills, as well as the Ryder Cup of course at Valhalla. The Ryder Cup isn’t too much of a big deal, Woods has never thrived in the unique format and often seemed uncomfortable with all the team bonding. But after his stunning form this year, if given the choice of Tiger or the field for the majors, I’d be leaning towards Tiger again.

But he’s not there. “Tiger Woods isn’t one in a million,” Stewart Cink said a few weeks back. “He’s one in ever.” So are the next two majors devalued without him? Are they better off with him not being there?

To say the tour would be better off without him would be unmerited and just plain wrong. Now I’m one of those people that always gets drawn to the underdog, the unlikely hero, even in events I ultimately care little about. Russia/Holland for example, I would have been severely disappointed to see Holland go through. College hoops, and I seem to track every cinderella story. I cheered for Barnsley against Cardiff despite me having no reason whatsoever to care about the outcome. Yet with Tiger I always seem to be following him, despite being the most dominant force, perhaps ever, in the world of golf. I was slightly disappointed to see Angel Cabrera win last year and would have been the same if Mediate had overcome Tiger this year. Now Mediate was a rank outsider with the perfect backstory, yet I wanted Tiger to win.

He has a charisma, an appeal that few have ever achieved, or are likely to achieve. There’s been others that have dominated sports, Schumacher was untouchable, Federer is still unbeatable on grass but golf is different. It has such an enormous amount of variables, you shouldn’t be able to dominate like he does. There’s something intangible about it. He can double viewing figures just by being there.

Still, I’m not cursing the fact that he’s not there. It’s temporary and the spectacle remains the same. While he may have been better than ever he still can’t win everything (can he?). The grand slam is still elusive and competition only makes others better.

Does it devalue the competition then? Maybe it does slightly, but I don’t like the word devalue, it’s almost as if the prestige is taken away. It’s still the Open, a major, and I’m sure whoever lifts the trophy will be afforded the rightful acclaim that they deserve rather than suffer the indignity of the media having an asterisk discussion.

The fact is, he’s not gone forever, and while I’m sure TV execs will be banging their heads against the wall in frustration, the Open this month should be more open than ever and just like any other major, I can’t wait to see how it plays out.

What we learned: Euro 2008 Day 16

 

They’ll be rejoicing in the streets of Spain after that performance. It wasn’t pretty, and it was after some penalty heroics from Iker Casillas but many Spainiards will tell you that’s Spain’s best performance in a long time. 

Spain have long reveled in the role of being the team that always plays the best football, but are always tragically beaten by a cynical, more experienced side. As Spain played the role of the naive youngsters, Italy were the side who never had to play particularly well to win, the best aggravating the opponent and stealing a win. 

It’s been a convenient excuse for the “Champion of the friendlies” to fall back on. “Oh curse our ability to play the best football, we’ll never win anything”. Well in past years it’s more been the case that Spain weren’t all that good. This year, they have the best side in the Euro’s, and they’ve actually beaten Italy at their own game. 

Before the tournament even began, Spain were praying they wouldn’t have to face Italy, they cheered every opponent they faced in the hope that they wouldn’t have to face the team that supposedly had their number. No side is derided in Spain as much and after the Azzurri beat France to set up with the quarterfinal, Spanish paper Marca declared the Italians “experts in ‘the other football, the maestros of time-wasting, of destroying games and subterranean play”. It splashed a large photo of a bloodied Luis Enrique from the 94 World Cup when Tassotti got away with an unpunished elbow “that still hurts Spain”.

All very dramatic, so you can understand the disbelief and unrestrained joy at finally beating them after 88 years. But is even the final a foregone conclusion. I hate to jump on the Soviet bandwagon (although how many were on it before we saw Andrei Arshavin) but Russia could give Spain a lot to think about come Thursday. Well-drilled and clearly the fittest team in the tournament, Spain will need to start quickly to avoid a potential upset. While Spain have played well, I’m looking to see more from David Silva in midfield who hasn’t fulfilled his potential thus far. Unable to be too effective against a resolute Italian defence, Fernando Torres will be also be looking to make impose himself against a shaky Russian defence.

 

—

 

Perhaps that shootout also served as a symbolic passing of the torch for the mantle of “world’s best keeper”. Gigi Buffon has long been regarded as the top custodian in the game and it’s not as if his powers have waned that noticeably, but Iker Casillas has been simply fantastic. He “guessed” right four times out of four and kept out two of them to send Spain through, and i don’t like to use the word “guessed” as it implies too much of an element of luck. Casillas had done his homework, and it makes penalties 10x harder when the keeper knows where you’re going. I remember that FA Cup final between West Ham and Liverpool and the feeling of dread knowing Reina was in goal, we stood no chance. When the keeper knows where you’re going, the margin for error is so much smaller and Daniele De Rossi found that out. 

Casillas has saved Real Madrid time after time in La Liga and along with the ineptitude of the other supposed title contenders, effectively won the title twice for them. Madrid have limped the the title in both the past two years and many fans will tell you how bad they’ve been at times, only for Casillas to save them. 

That said, watch for him to concede a Cech-esque howler on Thursday. 

 

—

 

It marked an end to a dismal tournament for Italy who never came to life. The loss of Nesta, Cannavaro and Barzagli resulted in a makeshift defence that never really looked confident. Too negative against Spain along with an impotent strikeforce, there really was little reason for optimism and surely Donadoni will be on the way out. It’s a shame as well as it was quite a talented squad, they just never gelled. 

It’s typical Italy though, just like France and expect them to at least make a semi-final appearance in South Africa in two years time. 

What we learned: Euro 2008 Day 15

HATE to say I told you so.

After Russia took care of Sweden with relative ease last Thursday, I noticed the pre-match odds for this quarterfinal. Russia were 4-1 outsiders to win. A bit risky I thought, being of the disposition that the dutch were not as good as people thought.

I tell you something, I’d be slightly richer if Russia had have won it in normal time like they should have. What a performance though last night, Holland were a shell of the team that brushed aside and to quote Dennis Green, “they are who we thought there were!”

Even with conceding just one goal in three games previously, I’ve kept saying that that defence is not going to stand up, and it was quite simply appalling last night. Time and time again, Russia breezed down the wings, often inside the box, simply skipping past the full back and cutting it back, only for Holland to escape narrowly. It was a dangerous game to play and how Holland were still in the game at 90 minutes is beyond me, Russia’s 3-1 win was thoroughly deserved.

After Van Nistelrooy’s late header handed the Dutch a reprieve, you would have thought it might have crushed Russian spirits, that it might of galvanised Holland but no. The workrate of Russia was phenomenal, exemplified by three players swarming around Sneijder midway inside the Russian half to win the ball back and release Arshavin. From the halfway line, he kept running and running, beat Ooijer and chipped a marvellous ball for Torbinsky to prod in. As Arshavin was running down the line, there were four dutch players running into the box, and one Russian. Every single defender stopped while Torbinsky nipped in between them to score what would be the winner. Nothing more than they deserved and it was great to see Arshavin cap it off with the third.

And just what a player Arshavin is, how much must he be worth now? I’d heard good things, and he made a big difference against Sweden, but good lord I did not know he was this good. Absolutely tireless, endlessly creative and he tormented Holland all night long. As tired legs set in during extra time, he just kept running creating both goals. It’s amazing to see how a side can transform with the return of one player and on the back of this performance I’m going to make another prediction. If Italy go through tonight as i think they will, then i believe Russia’s journey ends here. But if Spain win, I’d have money on Russia to win again. Spain i think are a different outfit to Holland, and are a much better side. I was never convinced by the Dutch, but I am convinced by Spain. However, i think Spain’s negativity in their own inferiority complex will mean they won’t impose themselves on Russia should they play them. Italy meanwhile, the Spanish really do fear them. And just like Russia yesterday, if they don’t impose themselves and play their own game, they’re going out.

—

HOLLAND looked nothing like the team that breezed past the World Cup finalists and it doesn’t surprise me a bit, and I’ll tell you why.

Italy and France are two of the most schizophrenic teams in world football. Both can be fantastic when they’re playing well (see the World Cup knockout stages) and woeful at others (see France in the group stages and Italy in general). The difference is I think, Italy are a lot more used to playing badly then picking it up and playing well when it matters, France aren’t, partly due to the sheer ineptitude of Raymond Domenech.

But back to the original point, those are two huge teams, bigger than Holland who have struggled to overcome the big teams in recent years. Holland could defend well and play on the break. With Italy and France complacent, Holland could play to their strengths and watch the likes of Sneijder, Robben and Van Persie bomb forward and terrorise the fullbacks. Also, anyone who watched those group games could tell you that was some clinical finishing from the Dutch. Deserved wins but on another day it could well have been a draw.

Russia was such a different prospect. Like Greece of four years ago, they’re well drilled, they now fear noone and they have the couple of special players that can make a difference. Holland were nowhere near well organised enough and were simply outclassed by Russia who knew how to play as a team.

It’s a testament to what Hiddink can do, look at how pathetic Russia were four years ago and look at them now. Sensational turn around and those predictions of a Russia/Germany final are starting to look very smart.

What we learned – Euro 2008 Day 14

I CAN’T say i saw that one coming. What drama as Turkey continue to bring new definition to “late goal”. That’s one thing we’ve learned, these Turks don’t know when to quit, and somehow they’re still in this tournament.

On the brink of elimination against the Swiss, they came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 in injury time. Not content with that, they somehow came back from the dead against the Czechs. 2-0 down with 17 minutes to go, they didn’t even need extra time to score 3. Then last night, with Ivan Klasnic scoring in the 119th minute, Semih rifled a volley into the top corner two minutes later. Unbelievable stuff.

Of course, this isn’t the first major semi-final they’ve made, they did it six years ago in the World Cup. But back then they were an unknown quantity, and only had to get past Senegal and Japan, this years feats are something else for a team ranked by the bookmakers as the 2nd worst team in the competition.

Turkey did have a gameplan though last night, and while it didn’t exactly go to plan, it didn’t totally backfire either. They knew how good the Croats can be if you throw too many men forward. The strategy of nicking a goal didn’t work, but they kept a good line, rode their luck on occasions and managed to keep their cool in the shootout.

I must say, my pick for the upset in this round of games was least likely to be Turkey, but they keep surprising us. Next up, the ruthlessly efficient Germans will be attempting to end the Turkish fairytale. They couldn’t possibly do it again could they?

—

DO YOU think the events of last night have sunk in yet in the Croatian camp? There are no easy games in football but Slaven Bilic’s side must have been quietly fancying their chances of making the final and being this year’s Greece. They’d been the better side all game, they should have taken the lead in regulation except for Ivica Olic somehow turning the ball onto the bar and a few stunning saves from the unpredictable Rustu. Once Klasnic pounced in extra time, that really should have been it. As Semih levelled it, you could see the energy drain and in reality, the shootout was settled before it had even begun.

Modric and Rakitic didn’t look confident at all, and to miss the goal in a game of that magnitude was a cardinal sin. By the time Petric stepped up, the game was already lost and just like that they were going home.

It’s a harsh lesson for Bilic’s men who may have to wait a long time to get another opportunity like that. But that’s football, and that’s why we love it

Madrid-bound?

 

It’s quite bitter, but I took much delight in Portugal’s early exit last night at the hands of the Germans. Booking out your hotel until the semi-final because you expect to get there is pushing it a bit for my liking, not to mention the numerous other valid reasons for disliking sly Portuguese. Like not seeing Ronaldo’s smug face anymore. Deco perfecting the art of falling over. Nani coming on for 10 minutes and still managing to be incredibly obnoxious. Plus the whole thing of them worming their way past us on more than one occasion. 

It does of course mean though that we’re a step closer to resolving the “transfer saga of the summer” as Sky Sports News keep telling us. I for one don’t take much notice of the redtops so the constant barrage of nothing stories that fill the back pages go over my head, so I’m not suffering from Ronaldo overload. Rather, I’m quite interested to see how this pans out. (Although I’m still steering well clear of Sky Sports News and their “experts”, why would I care what Nigel Winterburn thinks?)

What I question is whether this could this actually do Ronaldo’s career harm. Ronaldo is a great player, just like Messi or Kaka. The difference is Ronaldo was a perfect fit in United’s system. Messi and Kaka were both fantastic last season but stuck in dysfunctional teams. United weren’t just functional, they fitted Ronaldo perfectly, United were so effective last season in their hybrid 4-4-2 where a striker would drop off and Ronaldo could push up to join the strikers. Against the weaker teams he could pick up the ball deep and run at players. Against the bigger teams, even if he was being marked out of the game he could pop up in the box late and provide a goal. I’m not too sure Madrid will give him that. It will be hard enough to replicate last season’s form at United, let alone at Madrid, a team of egos for which dysfunction seems to be it’s nature. The past two seasons the title has literally fallen into their lap by virtue of their opponent’s ineptitude and a remarkable ability to win despite playing terribly.

Personally I don’t see him still at United come the start of the season. I think Ferguson will decide he’s had enough and milk Madrid for all they’re worth. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how United fare without Ronaldo. But it’ll be even more interesting to see how Ronaldo fares without United. 

 

What we learned – Euro 2008 Day 13

 

I’M NOT sure too many people saw that coming, but there will certainly be a lot of “I told you so’s” this morning. 

It was quite the performance by the Germans who looked a completely different side to the one that struggled past Austria and limped to defeat against Croatia. The difference? The lack of Mario Gomez. I don’t wish to put the player down too much but two things were certain. His confidence was shot after some shocking misses in the group stages. If you look at a player like Luca Toni who’s also struggling, you’ll see that it doesn’t phase him, or at least not noticeably. He missed chance after chance against France and had a perfectly valid one disallowed against Romania, but he keeps at it, keeps making the chances. After Gomez somehow contrived to keep the ball out of the Austria net, he completely disappeared. 

Secondly, him being in the side was hampering Germany as a team. Podolski has struggled all season at Bayern Munich and was deployed out left to accommodate him and Gomez. Now while Podolski already has three goals to his name and has looked arguably Germany’s best player, it’s detracted from the team performance.  Him pushing forward often left the disappointing Janssen exposed. With Hitzlsperger coming in, Podolski was allowed more freedom while the German midfield clicked once again. For all the talk of the influential Frings being sorely missed, Germany seemed like they didn’t even notice he was gone. Much was said of how the Bremen captain allows Ballack to take control of a game, relieving him of defensive duties. But Ballack was in inspired form last night and with a solid midfield, the Germans simply outpassed, outworked and outplayed Portugal

 

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NICE OF Bastian Schweinsteiger to show up at these finals. Ever since i saw him burst onto the international scene four years ago as a lone shining light in a poor Germany side i expected big things, but he has been remarkably inconsistent. When he’s good, he’s very very good but far too often he goes missing or is rendered ineffective. The Croatia game wasn’t the first time he’s lashed out either after a poor display. 

Last night though he was close to his best as he scored the first and laid on two more. The free kick threat of Germany was always going to be a factor and the quality of his delivery meant players like Klose and Ballack had what were effectively tap ins. What really impressed me though was his run to score the opener. It was some great play down the left by Podolski but the vision and run of Schweinsteiger was superb. Some 40 yards from goal, he burst past Ferreira and arrived in the box to divert the cross past Lehmann with the Portugese left back trailing in his wake. 

At the World Cup Schweinsteiger didn’t make an impact until the irrelevant third place playoff with 2 goals also against Portugal. This time Germany fans will be hoping that he’s arrived just in time. 

 

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PORTUGAL’S FLAWS were fully on display last night and it can’t have filled Chelsea fans with confidence. For all the talk pre-game of Germany’s ability to play badly and score from set pieces, you would think Scolari would prepare his troops a lot better. Ricardo is notoriously weak at dealing with aerial balls and his defense did nothing to help him, the second goal was a complete shambles. 

Futhermore, Portugal were lucky to be back in the game at 2-1. It was that typical slice of luck from Ronaldo that his shot bounced back to Gomes, but the Portugese attack were very ineffective. Ronaldo especially seemed to go missing again in the second half. What’s for sure, this Portugese team is not Manchester United, and Ronaldo has not been nearly as effective in this tournament.