BOOOM.....KERRRASH....KERPLOW...INSERT CLICHE VOLCANIC SOUND...
"ARGGGGGH!" said one Icelandian as his vienetta started to melt due to a sufficient lava flow crashing through his log cabin kitchen.
Kerry Katona, ex-iceland food guzzler and serial breadcrumber, who was signing on at the time, was asked about the eruption, she said; "Ah avunt herd a slam lyyk that since ah last called Brian fer moore CSA moneh and he slammed phone doon on meh. Fat c***."
Nick Griffin, BNP archaeli failed to answer any questions in front of the camera. The goggle eyed anti christ allegedly released a press release stating :-
"Icelandic Volcanos? sounds like zee verk of zee jews. In addition I wear Y fronts and enjoy being oiled by hairy men. I have no further comments. Nein more questions...Heil Sommerville."
In sports news the volcanic swirling ash cloud from good old iceland (Yes they sell that now in packs of 6) was a volcanic pain in the arse halting all air travel meaning all the teams playing away that are left in European competitions had to make arduous journeys similar to that of Frodo in Lord of the rings.
Poor superstars eh? Travelling like the rest of us, oh no.
Do you think Gerrard and Torres got seats on the Virgin trains down to the eurostar? or did they sit on their luggage in the lay-by in between the carriages smelling the stale shit of the un-veiling toilet door everytime a seated person came out saying "Excuse me can I pass you please my croissant and coffee are waiting for me at my lovely table seat."
Of course they f***ing had seats. They make space for top level footballers and yet there are single mothers that I have witnessed who can't get a baby buggy on f***ing board due to overcrowding. We are a step away from the trains of the third world. Its only a matter of time before families are being balanced with picnics on their luggage sat surfing on the roof of a carriage singing come by yah. Thats right big corporate transport companies make sure the footballers travel comfortably while your main conned marks, us, the hardworking public, may as well be running behind the train in a flintstone car.
Branson it's a pickle and it's a worse pickle than a pair of cheesy socks left in very out of date piccalili for months on end.
Good luck football teams travelling that are playing in European competition I'm sure you will get there well on your gold plated train seats, your radio headphone connection and laptop wall sockets that actually work...
...swivel.
Showing posts with label Torres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Torres. Show all posts
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Sportsocracy - 25th edition - Volcanos, clubs say travel no-nos but uefa say go-go
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Sportsocracy - 12th Edition - Quarters Dream XI, Semi's review and Dream XI and previews of the final.
Last time I left you all on the knife edge of the semi-finals, but here is another knife edge, well cliff hanger if you will because I will get back to the semi final review further into this elaborate piece.
I’m going to dive in head first into...
The quarter finals dream XI (4-4-2) -
GK - Rustu Recber - Turkey - Fought back the years to be a penalty shoot out hero putting the Turkish into their first European major competition semi final this decade.
DF - Philip Lahm - Germany - Pressed Ronaldo inside caused the Portuguese problems when moving forwards, his consistancy has brought the attention of the Europe’s best clubs after him.
DF - Yuri Zhirkov - Russia - The marauding wing back showed his qualities and caused the Dutch problem after problem, could not contain his overlapping ability.
DF - Dennis Kolodin - Russia - Long range efforts from 30 yards plus cause Edwin Van Der Sar issues? Damn right this boy was lethal from any distance had a few long range pops which scared Edwin into palming over and he played defensively well against the Dutch.
DF - Carlos Marchena - Spain - Contained Luca Toni along side Carles Puyol, effortless display and did a good defensive job keeping the Italians out.
MD - Bastien Schweinsteiger - Germany - Showed his class in the German midfield, he has silenced his Bundesliga critics and showed his true form with a well took goal against the Portuguese.
MD - Andrei Arshavin - Russia - The Zenit midfielder come striker showed the class he showed against rangers in the UEFA cup final he took apart the Dutch and scored Russia’s 3rd goal.
MD - Wesley Sneijder - Holland - Even though his team went out against Russia he never gave up the fight and tried and tried to get a goal but to no array, on of the best middlemen in the world in my eyes.
MD - Mauro Camoronesi - Italy - Italy looked a threat when he had the ball possibly one of the very few Italians in the national squad with real pace, he caused Spaniard Iker Casillas to make a wonderful reflex save.
ST – Semih Senturk - Turkey - Slowly becoming a popular face, the striker again broke croatian hearts by scoring a last gasp equaliser in the dying minutes of extra time to push the match to pens.
ST - Ivan Klasnic - Croatia - Back from a kidney operation and scoring two goals in a major competition, what a guy, his goal scoring exploits nearly put Croatia through to the semi final.
The semi finals
Turkey vs Germany - The Turkish before this match had 13 players to pick a starting 11 from, the Germans on the other hand had a full strength squad minus the defensive midfielding talents of Torsten Frings. This match was said to be definitely the Germans match to take. The Turkish on the other hand have a never say die attitude and in the match this definitely showed. Philip Lahm, Germany’s defensive wing back had his work cut out.
This time Germanys Mr Consistancy, Lahm, faced up against English born Turkish lad Colin Kazim-Richards, an ex-Sheffield United and Brighton player who was nowhere near any major competitions of world calibre 4 years back. Kazim caused Lahm plenty of misery cutting inside and out and firmly shrugging Lahm time and time again off the ball in the first half. Inside the first 12 minutes Kazim had already shook Jens Lehmann after he sent a venomous shot crashing off the German crossbar. Turkey hit the net first with a Ugur goal off another Kazim shot which struck the woodwork around 22 minutes, Lehmann tried to parry Ugurs shot but the ball nestled in his net.
A Bayern duo then made it all square. Bastien Schweinsteiger then leveled the proceedings with a finely struck right footed glancing effort off a Podolski cross from the left channel. All level at 1-1 with only 27 minutes played. It was Turkey who kept showing the attitude and spirit to get forward and have a go, the Germans looked shadows of themselves and seem to be chasing shadows at times when the Turkish attacking threat of Altintop and Kazim came at them. All square going into the half time break.
As it goes all Turkeys attacking effort was for nothing in the second half, it was nearing 79 minutes when Rustu Recber wrongly came for Philip Lahms cross and he misjudged it and missed it leaving Klose to head in to make it 2-1. It looked like the Turkish had shot themselves in their own feet, but the Turkish spirit lifted them once again and when they seemed to be heading out of the European Championships it was again Semih who saved them. Lehmann gifted Turkey a goal when Turkish player Sabri went past Lahm on the right and crossed the ball low into Lehmann’s right hand near post and as Lehmann went down to what he thought was an easy collection Semih ghosted in from Lehmanns blindside to beat Lehmann at his near post with a neat right footed finish. The score was now 2-2 with 86 minutes gone.
It was now time for Philip Lahm to overcome his in game mistakes, it was time for him to step up and wash his memories of Sabir and Kazim ghosting past him. Lahm came down the left side like a rampaging mad man full speed with the ball at his feet he came up against Kazim who Lahm brushed past and Kazim went down clutching his leg.
GK - Rustu Recber - Turkey - Fought back the years to be a penalty shoot out hero putting the Turkish into their first European major competition semi final this decade.
DF - Philip Lahm - Germany - Pressed Ronaldo inside caused the Portuguese problems when moving forwards, his consistancy has brought the attention of the Europe’s best clubs after him.
DF - Yuri Zhirkov - Russia - The marauding wing back showed his qualities and caused the Dutch problem after problem, could not contain his overlapping ability.
DF - Dennis Kolodin - Russia - Long range efforts from 30 yards plus cause Edwin Van Der Sar issues? Damn right this boy was lethal from any distance had a few long range pops which scared Edwin into palming over and he played defensively well against the Dutch.
DF - Carlos Marchena - Spain - Contained Luca Toni along side Carles Puyol, effortless display and did a good defensive job keeping the Italians out.
MD - Bastien Schweinsteiger - Germany - Showed his class in the German midfield, he has silenced his Bundesliga critics and showed his true form with a well took goal against the Portuguese.
MD - Andrei Arshavin - Russia - The Zenit midfielder come striker showed the class he showed against rangers in the UEFA cup final he took apart the Dutch and scored Russia’s 3rd goal.
MD - Wesley Sneijder - Holland - Even though his team went out against Russia he never gave up the fight and tried and tried to get a goal but to no array, on of the best middlemen in the world in my eyes.
MD - Mauro Camoronesi - Italy - Italy looked a threat when he had the ball possibly one of the very few Italians in the national squad with real pace, he caused Spaniard Iker Casillas to make a wonderful reflex save.
ST – Semih Senturk - Turkey - Slowly becoming a popular face, the striker again broke croatian hearts by scoring a last gasp equaliser in the dying minutes of extra time to push the match to pens.
ST - Ivan Klasnic - Croatia - Back from a kidney operation and scoring two goals in a major competition, what a guy, his goal scoring exploits nearly put Croatia through to the semi final.
The semi finals
Turkey vs Germany - The Turkish before this match had 13 players to pick a starting 11 from, the Germans on the other hand had a full strength squad minus the defensive midfielding talents of Torsten Frings. This match was said to be definitely the Germans match to take. The Turkish on the other hand have a never say die attitude and in the match this definitely showed. Philip Lahm, Germany’s defensive wing back had his work cut out.
This time Germanys Mr Consistancy, Lahm, faced up against English born Turkish lad Colin Kazim-Richards, an ex-Sheffield United and Brighton player who was nowhere near any major competitions of world calibre 4 years back. Kazim caused Lahm plenty of misery cutting inside and out and firmly shrugging Lahm time and time again off the ball in the first half. Inside the first 12 minutes Kazim had already shook Jens Lehmann after he sent a venomous shot crashing off the German crossbar. Turkey hit the net first with a Ugur goal off another Kazim shot which struck the woodwork around 22 minutes, Lehmann tried to parry Ugurs shot but the ball nestled in his net.
A Bayern duo then made it all square. Bastien Schweinsteiger then leveled the proceedings with a finely struck right footed glancing effort off a Podolski cross from the left channel. All level at 1-1 with only 27 minutes played. It was Turkey who kept showing the attitude and spirit to get forward and have a go, the Germans looked shadows of themselves and seem to be chasing shadows at times when the Turkish attacking threat of Altintop and Kazim came at them. All square going into the half time break.
As it goes all Turkeys attacking effort was for nothing in the second half, it was nearing 79 minutes when Rustu Recber wrongly came for Philip Lahms cross and he misjudged it and missed it leaving Klose to head in to make it 2-1. It looked like the Turkish had shot themselves in their own feet, but the Turkish spirit lifted them once again and when they seemed to be heading out of the European Championships it was again Semih who saved them. Lehmann gifted Turkey a goal when Turkish player Sabri went past Lahm on the right and crossed the ball low into Lehmann’s right hand near post and as Lehmann went down to what he thought was an easy collection Semih ghosted in from Lehmanns blindside to beat Lehmann at his near post with a neat right footed finish. The score was now 2-2 with 86 minutes gone.
It was now time for Philip Lahm to overcome his in game mistakes, it was time for him to step up and wash his memories of Sabir and Kazim ghosting past him. Lahm came down the left side like a rampaging mad man full speed with the ball at his feet he came up against Kazim who Lahm brushed past and Kazim went down clutching his leg.
Lahm continued his run to the left hand corner of the Turkish box where he exchanged a neat one-two pass with ex-Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzelsperger, and Hitzelsperger played Lahm through on goal and Lahm fired a shot past Rustu high into the net to seal the 3-2 victory for Germany and to send them soaring into the Final.
Russia vs Spain - On the eve of this Match Andrei Arshavin, Russian midfield master, discussed his club future in an interview for the BBC. All the hype surrounding Andrei has been phenomenal and he became a casualty to his own hype as he entered the match against Spain with an un-clear head as such as his focus did not seem fully on the task which faced him.
In the match Arshavin seemed distant and seemed to look out of sorts in a match he should have been be well fired up for. The Spanish looked flamboyant on the ball and the Russians seemed to be chasing the Spanish around alot. The technique of the Spanish game showed in the first half with Senna securing the midfield defensively for the Spanish and Villa and Torres looking livelier than a pack of kids who have drank a case of Redbull. Villa was subsequently injured on the 34th minute and Arsenals Francesc Fabregas entered the battle ground. The fact was Russia kept the Spanish out for 45 minutes and it was all square going into half time, 0-0.
After the break it took 5 minutes for the extravagant Spanish to break the deadlock. It was Barcelona middlemen who gave Spain the lead. Andres Iniesta crossed and Xavi Hernandez finished who fired Spain 1-0 up. Russian goalkeeper Akinfeev was livid with his defence but it was Xavi who was ecstatic. Fernando Torres was substituted on the 69th minute and Daniel Guiza came on to play the frontline.
It was at this point Fabregas started to take control of the middle of the pitch, Senna was clearing up and Fabregas was venturing forwards. With 17 minutes left of the 90 Fabregas broke open the Russian defence to play in Guiza, who had been on the pitch for only 4 minutes, and he lofted Fabregas's wonderful pass over the clambering Akinfeev. Guiza then raced away into his bow and arrow celebration. It was now 73 minutes into the match, 2-0 down and Russian heads began to go down, they looked like they had given up.
A matter of 9 minutes later Spain hammered the last nail in the coffin as such as the creative Fabregas tore open the Russian defence again playing in the Liverpool touted midfielder Da Silva who fired a low shot past Akinfeev to beat the Russians and give Russian gaffer Guus Hiddink his 3rd semi final loss in major international tournaments. Spain celebrated in style as the final whistle blew. All what faced them now was a final against the Germans.
The semi finals dream XI (4-4-2) -
GK - Iker Casillas - Spain - Kept a clean sheet against Russia and looked tidy throughout the match even when Russia did threaten the Spain goal, made a world class fingertip save off a Pavyluchenko curler.
DF - Carles Puyol - Spain - Kept track of Pavyluchenko, was inevitably the man who stopped Roman from scoring and getting in behind the Spainish defence.
DF - Carlos Marchena - Spain - The Sydney 2000 Olympic silver medalist kept the Russian threat at bay and had his hand in fighting off Arshavin with Capdevila. His presence was felt every time the ball came near the box.
DF - Philip Lahm - Germany - Overcame his shocking errors to continue his consistancy again saving German blushes with a finely took run forward and a goal which was priceless.
DF - Mehmet Topal - Turkey - Was quite decent when the German frontline came at him and he looked decent going forward possibly made many new admirers with his impressive displays.
MD - Colin Kazim-Richards - Turkey - Knocked a boy inside knocked a boy out is a Dizzee Rascal lyric and that is what he did with Lahm, he turned him inside out on a few occasions an impressive performance, proved some of his critics wrong with this display.
MD - Francesc Fabregas - Spain - In a nutshell he changed the match, he like many before him Zidane, Roy Keane and Steven Gerrard all have that extra special characteristic which makes them change matches and he has it. Fabregas is a very special player and he showed it with his creativity.
MD - Bastien Schweinsteiger - Germany - This lad is also specal, would not surprise me if we see him in a top La Liga side or an English Premiership side in seasons to come. His timing was impeccable to the Germany attack.
MD - Hamit Altintop - Turkey - Time after time he pushed the Turkish forwards, he seemed calm and collective on the ball and you can see why he is on the team sheet at Bayern Munich. Nearly scored a 35 yard plus free kick over Lehmanns head.
ST - Semih Senturk - Turkey - Class act again he showed his predatorial class, this fellow could have a smorgasbord of clubs after him now due to his impressive displays. He will possibly now be a god like figure in Turkey.
ST - Daniel Guiza - Spain - He scored 37 goals last season for RCD Mallorca with 26 coming from open play, he gave us a taster of his finishing ability with a neat finish over the approaching Akinfeev. He now is also being touted by the top clubs.
The Final Review
Germany - Germany are full strength but Torsten Frings injured ribs are still questionable. Podolski will be asked possibly again to go down the left flank to get a few much needed crosses into Miroslav Klose. Defensively the Germans may call upon Arne Freidrich again after his decent display against the Turks. The Germans also have a bench full of talent including Mario Gomez and David Odonkor who can change matches but are yet to impress.
This is how the Germans will possibly line up.
Lehmann
Lahm
Metzelder
Mertesacker
Friedrich
Schweinsteiger
Frings
Ballack
Hitzelsperger
Podolski
Klose
Spain - The Spanish are without tournament top scorer David Villa but have plenty in reserve. I believe Fabregas will get the go ahead in this match and he will be more than capable of troubling Frings and Ballack. Torres may play a lone striker role but Iniesta or Silva may tuck in behind him when attacking. Daniel Guiza may be entered into the fray but not as a starter, he could appear as the game goes on.
This is how the Spanish will possibly line up -
Casillas
Ramos
Marchena
Puyol
Capdevila
Iniesta
Xavi
Senna
Silva
Fabregas
Torres
Head to heads
Puyol vs Klose - Klose has the aerial ability to find the net and Puyol has the heading ability to clear, has looked shaky with some crosses but he gets on with it and does it no nonsense style. This is where the match could be won for the Germans if Miroslav gets the best of Puyol for a split second, Klose will capitalise. Puyol needs to be at the top of his game tonight to keep Klose quiet.
Fabregas vs Frings - The suspected ribs of Torsten could come into play with Fabs hustle and bustle style of play at times but Frings does not shy away from a challenge either. Fabregas will try and pull and draw Frings and Ballack to him to create holes in behind them to let Torres and Iniesta drop into. Frings will need to be also at the peak of his conditioning to get the best of Fabregas but its unlikely if Frings is not 100%.
Torres vs Metzelder - Torres has the turn of pace, the in air ability and he can finish, he is due a goal and Metzelder may be the man trying to stop him. Metzelder played a handful of matches for his club last season and it has showed, Torres could runs rings round him if he is not concentrating fully. Tonight could be Torres' night.
All what awaits now is the final, 7.45pm kick off. I’m excited already and I cant wait to see what happens its surely going to be a great spectacle all I need now is a comfy chair and a television.
Next time - Euro 2008 Final review and sportswatch - all the sports news and news from Wimbledon.
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Sportsocracy - 11th Edition - Euro 2008 super special - Group stages are over, quarter finals have been done, time for a review and a look forward to
"What a beauty" was my cry when gargantuan super Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic rifled in a thunderbolt of a shot outside the right hand angle of the area against Greece. One of the highlights of many beautiful first round goals in first round, group stage matches.
The beautiful game is shining brightly once again. The first round has been immense, full of fight, upsets and shocks, great goals and as Ruud Gullit would say "shexy" Dutch football.
As the Grolsch adverts say and as I will quote "Shtop", with the tournament metaphors and superlatives and lets get down to the nitty-gritty again.
The first phase - Group stage.
The first group, Group A. This group originally before the tournament suggested the fact that it was no group of death and football optimists suggested that this group would be firmly took by the two group favourites Portugal and the Czech Republic, this was not the case. Switzerland wanted to do their home nation proud on home soil, and Turkey looking like considerable dark horses this group could be tough. Portugal and Turkey did race through to the next phase but it was a encapsulating finish to the group stage for Turkey and the Czechs. Portugal comfortably got through to the quarter finals stage, even though they lost to Switzerland in their last match. It was Turkey who shocked the Czechs in a winner takes all deciding group game as Turkey beat the Czechs with a stunning last gasp winning goal from NiHat Kahveci who fired a shot from the left hand side of the area which looped over Petr Cech and went in off the right hand side of the cross bar and smashed into the net. The Turks came from 2-1 behind to snatch the match 3-2. In my view one of the most exciting matches of Euro 2008 so far. Portugal group winners, Turkey 2nd place quarter final qualifiers.
The proceeding group, Group B. This group contained Croatia, Poland, Germany and Austria. A group again pundits said the favourites Germany and Croatia would take, they did but they did not see Croatia giving the Germans a rough time. They beat the Germans, the polish and Austria and comfortably won the group with the Germans trailing in 2nd place. Poland even though their team contained not many top drawer players they where kept from embarrassment with world class goalkeeper, Artur Boruc in impressive goalkeeping form keeping Poland within a chance in some of their group stage matches but they failed to gain the points needed and went out. Austria failed to impress with home advantage and bowed out with no wins in the tournament at all. Croatia Group winners, Germany 2nd place quarter final qualifiers. Shining moment from this group was Lukas Podolski hitting top form and striking Germany To victory over the Poles.
The next corresponding group, Group C. The group of death, "da da deeeerrrr" as the creepy sound effect would go, if this was on TV that is. The world champions Italy faced off against former European and World Champions France who also faced off against 1988 European Championship winners Holland and throw Romania in and you have a group of death. This is the group everybody wanted to see. We knew before this group even played a fixture that a possible favourite for the tournament would be going home. It was c'est la vie for the French who got hammered off the Dutch, drew with Romania and then beat comfortably off the Italians. It was Holland’s "shexy" attacking football which lit this group up. The Italians scraped through due mainly to the heroics of Gianluigi Buffon who saved a "possible" match winning penalty against Romania which gave them the boost they needed. Holland topped the group and the Italians qualified for the quarter finals stage in 2nd place.
Last but not least Group D. We had the Swedish, the Spanish, the Russians and the Greeks fighting it out for the two quarter final stage places. Spanish striking starlet, David Villa stole the first round show with 4 goals - including a hatrick against the first game jittering Russians and a last gasp winner against the Swedish. Swedens Zlatan Ibrahimovic also nestled in with a couple of goals himself, one a humdinger of a rifled shot against greece which was laid on by Celtic Legend, Henrik Larsson, in a comfortable 2-0 win. Holders Greece became the whipping boys of the group but it was Russia who had the last laugh. The eastern Europeans inspired by Dutch manager, Guus Hiddink, had picked up a head of steam and started to look like a real threat. Fuelled on by the strike partnership of the magical orchestrator Andrei Arshavin and the predatorial, Roman Pavlyuchenko they made the quarter finals stage with a win over Sweden. Spain finished group leaders with Russia taking the second placed spot and a place in the quarter finals.
My dream XI (4-4-2, and 3 subs) of the first round was as follows : -
GK - Artur Boruc - Poland - Single handedly tried to keep Poland in the competition with some great saves, was unlucky to have such a leaky defence in front of him.
DF - Philip Lahm - Germany - Most consistant defender in the first group stage, his attacking forward runs and defensive back tracking from his full back position was second to none.
DF - Pepe - Portugal - The big Real Madrid centre back showed his worth with some great composed play and even ending up on the scoresheet with a stunning well worked goal which he placed into the net.
DF - Rat - Romania - Impressive against the Italians and French team, he did well moving from his wing back position up the field to link with the Romanian midfield as well as getting back defensively with some great slide tackles.
DF - Capdevila - Spain - Very Creative defender, clever and reacted great to set Torres free with a 30 yard daisy cutting pass which Fernando set up David Villa to tap in against Russia.
MD - Luka Modric - Croatia - Creative fluent midfielder, Croatias pivotal point, great passing and very secure with the ball at his feet. Oozes dynamism, Spurs have signed a 'corker' of a midfielder.
MD - Wesley Sneijder - Holland - World class, a real threat everytime the ball was at his feet. Showed his class, brilliant with both his feet and showed his class with a fantastically finished goal against the French.
MD - Orlando Engelaar - Holland - Calm composed and a joy to watch nothing tricky he is a player who makes the game look simple, he keeps it simple and does nothing stupid. Rarely lost possession throughout the tournament when he was on the pitch.
MD - Hakan Yakin - Switzerland - If he was brought off the pitch you could see the difference he made. Yakin was instrumental for the Swiss a diamond in the rough, a great player but could not do it all on his own in a very average Swiss side.
ST - David Villa - Spain - A special player, who scores special goals. His off the ball movement and on the ball pace is enough to trouble any level of defender. Individually creative, creates chances for himself and has bags of composure when in goalscoring positions.
ST - Lukas Podolski - Germany - The Pole come German has been hit and miss in the German Bundesliga this season. In Germanys first match he was on top form netting 2 goals with clinically composed finishing.
The quarter finals shaped up like this : -
Portugal vs Germany
Turkey vs Croatia
Holland vs Russia
Spain vs Italy
The second phase - Quarter finals stage
Quarter final, match 1 - Portugal vs Germany - The Ronaldo injected sportscar that is Portugal faced off against the ultra powerful steered Michael Ballack engine room that is Germany. As you can tell Jeremy Clarksons job is safe, but cars to one side this was clash of the titans. The Germans height advantaged side against the tricky, close controlling Portuguese. The Germans pressed Portugal to go inside and did it well by cutting off Ronaldo with their wingbacks, and another impressive display from Lahm, it forced Portugal into making errors and It was the Germans who took this match and progressed to the semi finals.
Quarter final, match 2 - Turkey vs Croatia - It was Turkey who pushed this match to a penalty shoot out in the 119th minute of extra time. Croatia thought they had won with a Klasnic extra time goal themselves but it was Turkey who won the penalty shoot out as the Croatians found it hard to concentrate and missed a few penalties and also with the well travelled goalkeeper Rustu Recber saving the Turks bacon and putting them through to the semi finals.
Quarter final, match 3 - Holland vs Russia - "Shexy" football was destroyed as Russia pumelled Holland into submission. The dutch legendary manager Guus Hiddink led the Russians to a stunning 3-1 victory over the mighty favourites Holland. It was players like Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko and Zherkov who inspired the Russians to a memorable victory. Holland put out by one of their own countrymen, the irony.
Quarter final, match 4 - Spain vs Italy - Another penalty shootout found the result of this match up between two greats. Iker Casillas spanish stalwart in the nets found his penalty saving form making two impressive but comfortable saves from Di Natale and De Rossi as well as an in game save from close range as Mauro Camoronesi gunned down on goal with a quick shot which Iker belted away with his shins with a reaction save. Spain Through.
Now all what leaves us is the semi finals : -
Turkey vs Germany
Russia vs Spain
Who will win? Who knows, but im sure we will find out. Will Germany take the crown, will Russia come through as dark horse winners, will Spain finally win a major competition this century. The semi finals await. See my next post for the XI dream team of the quarter finals stage and my reviews of the semi final match ups.
The beautiful game is shining brightly once again. The first round has been immense, full of fight, upsets and shocks, great goals and as Ruud Gullit would say "shexy" Dutch football.
As the Grolsch adverts say and as I will quote "Shtop", with the tournament metaphors and superlatives and lets get down to the nitty-gritty again.
The first phase - Group stage.
The first group, Group A. This group originally before the tournament suggested the fact that it was no group of death and football optimists suggested that this group would be firmly took by the two group favourites Portugal and the Czech Republic, this was not the case. Switzerland wanted to do their home nation proud on home soil, and Turkey looking like considerable dark horses this group could be tough. Portugal and Turkey did race through to the next phase but it was a encapsulating finish to the group stage for Turkey and the Czechs. Portugal comfortably got through to the quarter finals stage, even though they lost to Switzerland in their last match. It was Turkey who shocked the Czechs in a winner takes all deciding group game as Turkey beat the Czechs with a stunning last gasp winning goal from NiHat Kahveci who fired a shot from the left hand side of the area which looped over Petr Cech and went in off the right hand side of the cross bar and smashed into the net. The Turks came from 2-1 behind to snatch the match 3-2. In my view one of the most exciting matches of Euro 2008 so far. Portugal group winners, Turkey 2nd place quarter final qualifiers.
The proceeding group, Group B. This group contained Croatia, Poland, Germany and Austria. A group again pundits said the favourites Germany and Croatia would take, they did but they did not see Croatia giving the Germans a rough time. They beat the Germans, the polish and Austria and comfortably won the group with the Germans trailing in 2nd place. Poland even though their team contained not many top drawer players they where kept from embarrassment with world class goalkeeper, Artur Boruc in impressive goalkeeping form keeping Poland within a chance in some of their group stage matches but they failed to gain the points needed and went out. Austria failed to impress with home advantage and bowed out with no wins in the tournament at all. Croatia Group winners, Germany 2nd place quarter final qualifiers. Shining moment from this group was Lukas Podolski hitting top form and striking Germany To victory over the Poles.
The next corresponding group, Group C. The group of death, "da da deeeerrrr" as the creepy sound effect would go, if this was on TV that is. The world champions Italy faced off against former European and World Champions France who also faced off against 1988 European Championship winners Holland and throw Romania in and you have a group of death. This is the group everybody wanted to see. We knew before this group even played a fixture that a possible favourite for the tournament would be going home. It was c'est la vie for the French who got hammered off the Dutch, drew with Romania and then beat comfortably off the Italians. It was Holland’s "shexy" attacking football which lit this group up. The Italians scraped through due mainly to the heroics of Gianluigi Buffon who saved a "possible" match winning penalty against Romania which gave them the boost they needed. Holland topped the group and the Italians qualified for the quarter finals stage in 2nd place.
Last but not least Group D. We had the Swedish, the Spanish, the Russians and the Greeks fighting it out for the two quarter final stage places. Spanish striking starlet, David Villa stole the first round show with 4 goals - including a hatrick against the first game jittering Russians and a last gasp winner against the Swedish. Swedens Zlatan Ibrahimovic also nestled in with a couple of goals himself, one a humdinger of a rifled shot against greece which was laid on by Celtic Legend, Henrik Larsson, in a comfortable 2-0 win. Holders Greece became the whipping boys of the group but it was Russia who had the last laugh. The eastern Europeans inspired by Dutch manager, Guus Hiddink, had picked up a head of steam and started to look like a real threat. Fuelled on by the strike partnership of the magical orchestrator Andrei Arshavin and the predatorial, Roman Pavlyuchenko they made the quarter finals stage with a win over Sweden. Spain finished group leaders with Russia taking the second placed spot and a place in the quarter finals.
My dream XI (4-4-2, and 3 subs) of the first round was as follows : -
GK - Artur Boruc - Poland - Single handedly tried to keep Poland in the competition with some great saves, was unlucky to have such a leaky defence in front of him.
DF - Philip Lahm - Germany - Most consistant defender in the first group stage, his attacking forward runs and defensive back tracking from his full back position was second to none.
DF - Pepe - Portugal - The big Real Madrid centre back showed his worth with some great composed play and even ending up on the scoresheet with a stunning well worked goal which he placed into the net.
DF - Rat - Romania - Impressive against the Italians and French team, he did well moving from his wing back position up the field to link with the Romanian midfield as well as getting back defensively with some great slide tackles.
DF - Capdevila - Spain - Very Creative defender, clever and reacted great to set Torres free with a 30 yard daisy cutting pass which Fernando set up David Villa to tap in against Russia.
MD - Luka Modric - Croatia - Creative fluent midfielder, Croatias pivotal point, great passing and very secure with the ball at his feet. Oozes dynamism, Spurs have signed a 'corker' of a midfielder.
MD - Wesley Sneijder - Holland - World class, a real threat everytime the ball was at his feet. Showed his class, brilliant with both his feet and showed his class with a fantastically finished goal against the French.
MD - Orlando Engelaar - Holland - Calm composed and a joy to watch nothing tricky he is a player who makes the game look simple, he keeps it simple and does nothing stupid. Rarely lost possession throughout the tournament when he was on the pitch.
MD - Hakan Yakin - Switzerland - If he was brought off the pitch you could see the difference he made. Yakin was instrumental for the Swiss a diamond in the rough, a great player but could not do it all on his own in a very average Swiss side.
ST - David Villa - Spain - A special player, who scores special goals. His off the ball movement and on the ball pace is enough to trouble any level of defender. Individually creative, creates chances for himself and has bags of composure when in goalscoring positions.
ST - Lukas Podolski - Germany - The Pole come German has been hit and miss in the German Bundesliga this season. In Germanys first match he was on top form netting 2 goals with clinically composed finishing.
The quarter finals shaped up like this : -
Portugal vs Germany
Turkey vs Croatia
Holland vs Russia
Spain vs Italy
The second phase - Quarter finals stage
Quarter final, match 1 - Portugal vs Germany - The Ronaldo injected sportscar that is Portugal faced off against the ultra powerful steered Michael Ballack engine room that is Germany. As you can tell Jeremy Clarksons job is safe, but cars to one side this was clash of the titans. The Germans height advantaged side against the tricky, close controlling Portuguese. The Germans pressed Portugal to go inside and did it well by cutting off Ronaldo with their wingbacks, and another impressive display from Lahm, it forced Portugal into making errors and It was the Germans who took this match and progressed to the semi finals.
Quarter final, match 2 - Turkey vs Croatia - It was Turkey who pushed this match to a penalty shoot out in the 119th minute of extra time. Croatia thought they had won with a Klasnic extra time goal themselves but it was Turkey who won the penalty shoot out as the Croatians found it hard to concentrate and missed a few penalties and also with the well travelled goalkeeper Rustu Recber saving the Turks bacon and putting them through to the semi finals.
Quarter final, match 3 - Holland vs Russia - "Shexy" football was destroyed as Russia pumelled Holland into submission. The dutch legendary manager Guus Hiddink led the Russians to a stunning 3-1 victory over the mighty favourites Holland. It was players like Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko and Zherkov who inspired the Russians to a memorable victory. Holland put out by one of their own countrymen, the irony.
Quarter final, match 4 - Spain vs Italy - Another penalty shootout found the result of this match up between two greats. Iker Casillas spanish stalwart in the nets found his penalty saving form making two impressive but comfortable saves from Di Natale and De Rossi as well as an in game save from close range as Mauro Camoronesi gunned down on goal with a quick shot which Iker belted away with his shins with a reaction save. Spain Through.
Now all what leaves us is the semi finals : -
Turkey vs Germany
Russia vs Spain
Who will win? Who knows, but im sure we will find out. Will Germany take the crown, will Russia come through as dark horse winners, will Spain finally win a major competition this century. The semi finals await. See my next post for the XI dream team of the quarter finals stage and my reviews of the semi final match ups.
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