Euro 2008 - Part 5 (The Shocks!)

I can hardly believe my eyes..... Russia has handed my favourite Oranje the boot.

The night before Turkey served up another Turkish delight... and...the first night of Quarter Finals, mediocre Germany ditched Portugal.. tonight.... Spain v Italy... I shudder to think if Italy will serve up another shocker on Spain?

While Round 1 serves up few shockers, the quarter finals are all about the ability to rise to the occasion. I thought Netherlands had the opportunity as Russians have never done well in knockout stages in the past... World Cups and all... then again, neither have the Dutch, but I thought they had enough quality to see them through the Russians easily but was I wrong. So there goes my second favoured team, the first being Portugal. Now my only team left tonight... Italy. Italians on my assessment are an aging squad. I do not think for one moment, their oldies of Pirlo, Toni and gang can upset the flair and youth of Torres, Villa and the rest but recent matches have taught me to be wary tonight. I like Italy mainly because they have opted to play more attacking football like Germany. It would be an interesting final should this two teams meet. Then again, what more surprises can Euro 2008 give us? A surprise tonight?

Semifinals that pit Germany v Turkey and Russia v Italy would be all too obvious on who the favourites are... right? But remember, past Euros have always favoured the underdogs.....

Euro 2008 - Part 4 (French Fried)

Hehe.. I love this version. Its not that the French were so dismal in their 4-1 loss to Netherlands, but I guess they failed to take their chances when it mattered most and on top of that a Dutch team high on confidence, you have a deadly potion for a high scoring game.

Thats what you get! Gosh... Sneijder was just fantabulous and Robben showed the class with dazzling runs after coming on as a substitute. Van Nistlerooy as deadly as he was when he was with Manchester United. Sneijder would be one good piece of skill to exchange with Ronaldo if he wants to go to Real Madrid... :) (eh)?

Then you have Italy on the brink of elimination after their draw with Romania. Donadoni can claim anything but credit to Romania for coming out fighting and having some chances of their own. Adrian Mutu was both hero and villain missing the penalty... but credit to Romania.. they took the fight to Italy and with aging legs, the Azzuris simply fail to deliver. Even if they do go to the next round, I do not think the Azzuris have what it takes to go on any further.

Last night however was painful for reigning Champions.. Greece. Heroes all of them four years ago, were simply outclassed and outplayed this time round. Playing their ever defensive game which served them so well the last time out, they failed this Euro but I think they gave a good account of themselves. It was a boo boo by their ever reliable goalie Nikopolidis to gift the Ruskies the goal but overall... to be honest, the Ruskies deserve the 3 points. Spain as expected got the 3 points but I felt the Swedes were hard done last night. One point would have done justice for their industry. They really gave the Spaniards a tough time after going 1-0 down and fighting back to their equalizer. But I think they are in pole position to go through together with the Spaniards as the Russians have failed to impress me in the 2 games they played.

Tonight, Switzerland v Portugal. Should have been a meaningful game but is reduced to a match of dignity for Switzerland who was dealt two cruel blows in their earlier games. Despite playing well and having great posession they lost to both Czech Republic and Turkey who would do battle at Geneva for a rightful spot to qualify alongside Portugal. On paper the Czech Republic holds the edge but Turkey have been real tough customer of late. Nice game on the cards? Lets wait and see.

Euro 2008 - Part 3 (Germany Dunked!)

Arguable the first and most spectacular upset in Euro 2008 thus far. The scoreline eerily suggest this could still be the Euro of upsets. Croatia qualified for Euro 2008 in grand fashion by beating England on two occasions to ensure they qualified on merit.

Germany has impressed in their first match against Poland but Croatia was at best tepid in their match against co-host Austria. Both have won their opening matches. Both needed a win to seal their march to the next round.

Dark Horses indeed, Croatia pulled the rug from under the Germans to come away with all 3 points but had to endure the last 10 minutes in agonising fashion despite going 2-0 up courtesy of Dario Srjna and Ivica Olic but Podolski sealed his third in the tournament to ensure a nail biting finish but it was a night the Germans would rather forget as they were made to look second best to a much improved Croatia side who proved yet again their pedigree. They could yet be the team that rises to the occasion to take the cup this time round.

Meanwhile, Poland and Austria kept their hopes alive as they shared the spoils in the other match of the night in a 1-1 draw.

Tonight however its D Day for Italy as they fight for survival and nothing less than a win is required when they play Romania. Long gone are the days of Georghe Hagi but the Romania of today plays a tight game and Italy cannot afford to be defensive. But, the night's match would probably belong to France versus Netherlands. Both teams have real talent in them with France more of a clockwork team against the fluid flair of the Dutch. Its a MUST WATCH game tonight. I will be rooting for the Oranj because of their sense of adventure!

Euro 2008 - Part 2

In my Euro 2008 Part 1 I was highlighting the "awesomeness" of the big names in the big teams. But most Euros have seen some unfancied team winning the Championship. Denmark in the 80s and Greece in the last Euro 2004.

Greece although still helmed by Otto Rehagel... geez.. cant even spell his name right.. :) will not be second time lucky as they were soundly beaten by an oldish Swedish squad. A team that has to recall Henrik Larsson back to the side really displayed a dearth of talent coming out from the Nordic team long known for being a consistent performer but seldom seen as a contender. I do not think Sweden can take the cup this time round. Nope. This year's Euro is for the top dogs.

After Round 1 of Group stage, all the top teams actually won their first match rather convincingly but we have bore witness to Netherlands luck and ruthlessness in despatching reigning World Champions Italy. We have also witnessed Portugal's flair and power in their first and second match. Sadly, host Switzerland will have to pack their bags and take a short trip back to their respective homes afer losing to Turkey last night. Portugal was ruthless as they showed class in handing an average Czech Republic a 3-1 footballing lesson last night. Deco, Ronaldo and Quaresma irrepressible may have sent a warning out to the other title aspirants.

Tonight, Germany would want to cement their spot in the next round but Croatia will not be easy prey. Croatia, the team that denied England a spot in Euro 2008 may have started sluggishly in their 1-0 win over co-host Austria, but will probably again rely on their midfield star Luka Modric to power the team ahead together with Niko Krancjar, Niko Kovac and probably Ivan Klasnic. Not heavyweights but maybe enough to do the job against a Germany side who for once oozes with attacking flair in Podolski, Schweinsteiger, Ballack and Klose. But, kind of a suspect at the back with Lehman in goal... hmm... good match tonight?

The other match tonight pits Austria against Poland. Match of great stakes, the loser will probably go home early and it will be ironic if the second host of Euro 2008 face the same fate as their other co-host? Poland have some qualities in them but probably they are still living behind the shadows of the great Zbignew Boniek.

Heck, my favourites for the tournament is undoubtedly, Netherlands, Portugal, Germany, Spain. I will be devastated if they do not win the cup. Then again, the ball is always round.

Euro 2008 - Part 1

After 3 days of Euro 2008, this being my first post on it... sigh.

I never thought England would win Euro... not with the current crop of players anyway. But it must have been jinxed from the start for McClaren to face the unwanted of guiding England OUT of Euro 2008. Yet there are no shortage of quality.

First two days of the tournament ended with all the favourites taking the points although I feel bad for Switzerland, I guess they have to learn that at the top flight, if they do not take their chances well, they would be punished. They were. For all their industry they lost 1-0 to Czech Republic who were at best trying hard to avoid defeat yet walked away with all 3 points.

The big day was of course Day 3 where Euro 2008 Group of Death play their game. Italy, France, Romania and Netherlands. I guess no other team would want to share the same group as Netherlands. They are a team that oozes with class yet, falter spectacularly each time at the last hurdle except for Euro 1988 where they hoisted their first and only major trophy to date. Ever classy, this team seemed laced with the potent self destruct potion during the eve of every major tournament defied all that to lift the cup in 1988 which boasts of names like Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Ronald Koeman, Wim Kieft etc.

Last night, it was vintage Dutch yet again as they demolished World Cup holders Italy 3-0 to stake their claim as a potential champion this time round, 20 years later. But will the team that shines in group go on to win the cup? I guess its a different question altogether. Yet, it was vintage display by the Dutch. Italy was peppered with members of the triumphant 2006 World Cup winners sans their influential captain Fabio Cannavaro, but looked good enough to compete. Yet the ever reliable Azzuri defence lay in tatters as Van Der Vaart, Snieder and Van Nistelrooy ruled the day making mockery of the champions.

But with the tournament just underway, many teams are staking their claims. Portugal with Ronaldo, Simao and Deco impressive in their opening match. Germany at last looking impressive after last World Cup with Podolski, Sweinsteiger, Lahm, Ballack and Klose. France with Henry, Ribery, Nasri and Benzema. The unfortunate Italians still look formidable with Buffon, Pirlo, Gatusso, Toni and gang. Not forgetting the other of Europe's perennial under achievers... Spain with Fabregas, Torres, Villa will want to fancy their chances this time round.

Whatever it is, we have one month of sheer class soccer to look forward to. Maybe more droopy heads at work but hey, its once every four years... well.. yeah yeah.. World Cup is once every four years too... so is the Olympics but I guess we footie freaks could be forgiven for our over indulgence.