All the talk of racism was over at least
momentarily when the opener between Poland and Greece got underway. Poland took
the lead through Lawandowski and looked certain to win when the Greeks got down
to 10 men. Someway it was not to be as the Greeks equalised and managed to miss
what might have been the winner when Karagounis sent his spot kick into the
goal keeper’s arm. Later the same day, Russians eased past Czech Republic convincingly.
In the end however, it is the Greeks and Czech Republic that qualify from group
A of the 2012 European Championship.
Group A results
Poland 1: 1 Greece Greece
1: 2 Czech Greece 1:0 Russia
Russia 4: 1 Czech Poland
1: 1Russia Czech
1:0 Poland
Football does not ever stop to surprise fans,
analysts and pundits alike. The Danes somehow managed to upset the Dutch and
their array of club only super stars. Die Manschaaft were never in doubt when
they put up an efficient display to ease past the Portuguese. In the make or
mar fixture between the Dutch and the Germans, everyone thought, the Dutch
would rise to the occasion but they failed to convince even themselves. Dutch courage
was lacking and where there is an absence of courage, there is nothing left to
offer but mediocrity. Christiano Ronaldo and Portugal got past the Dutch and
joined Germany to the quarterfinals.
Group B results
Holland 0:1 Denmark Germany 2:1 Holland Germany 2: 1 Denmark
Germany 1: 0 Portugal Denmark 2:3 Portugal Holland 1:2 Portugal
The group opener between Spain and Italy
proved to be a tactical delight. Italy at first attacked on the break while the
Spaniards could not create much with their passing inquisition of the Italian
defence. It ended one apiece, while Slaven Bilic and his Croatian side eased past
the Irish in a convincing 3:1 win. The Italians conceded after taking the lead
against Croatia and got a two nil win over the groups whooping boys Ireland to
qualify as runner up. Spain on the other hand got a deserved 4 nil win against
Ireland only to struggle to earn a slim win against Croatia who should have
taken their chances. Spain and Italy go through.
Group C results
Spain 1:1 Italy Ireland
0:4 Spain Croatia 0:1 Spain
Croatia 3:1 Ireland Croatia
1:1 Italy Ireland 0:2 Italy
Group D began with Manchester City
players making an impact when Joleon Lescott scored from a Gerard corner kick
while teammate Samir Nasri equalised from a well taken strike from outside the
box. It eventually ended one apiece between the English and the French. It was
however surprising when a certain old guard Andriy Shevchenko inspired his
Ukraine side to a two nil win over Sweden. The French would have none of such
fantasy though as they brushed the Ukrainians aside in the next game but lost
to Sweden on the last. England on the other hand got a first victory over Sweden
in as many years and Rooney made his mark on return from suspension when his
lone goal gave England victory over co-hosts Ukraine. The Ukrainians felt hard
done though considering what might be a legitimate goal that was ruled as did
not cross the line. Even conservative Sepp Blatter began making a case for
technology soon after the match.
Group D results
England 1:1 France Sweden 2:3 England Ukraine 0:1 England
Ukraine 2:1 Sweden Ukraine 0:2 France Sweden 2:0 France
Player watch:
Mario Gomez has lived up to pre
tournament expectation by scoring 3 goals. With Germany to take on Greece in
the quarter finals, you will expect more goals from the lethal hit man. Alazn
Dzagoev also had 3 goals but his quest for a Russian progress has been stalled.
How much longer before he leaves CSKA Moscow is unknown though. Torres failed
to impress when he came on as a sub against Italy but managed to score twice
against Ireland. On the assist watch, Arsenal reject, Andre Arshavin lead the
park with 3. Manchester City’s David Silva is joint top with 3 and still in the
competition. Will he create something for Spain in the contest against the
French and maybe beyond? Bayern’s Bastian Schwensteiger and Andrea Pirlo are
worthy mentions with two each.
Tactics
There has been a preference for good
paced possession football thus far with some teams preferring the 4:2:3:1
formation which has players spread all over the pitch. Spain had begun by playing
a false striker approach against Italy. They have soon returned to a more
traditional approach ever since. There has been no clear indication of teams
preferring to sit back as was the case when Greece won in 2004. Flank attacks
have not been pronounced with notable wingers, Nani, C.Ronaldo, Ribbery and
Robben contributing few goals. Central midfielders deep (Pirlo, Xavi,
Schweinsteiger, Gerrard) and advanced Silva, Modric and Oezil have contributed
significantly more to attacking play and indeed assists.
QUARTER FINAL PREVIEW
Juicy encounters are expected in the quarter
finals. Portugal against Czech will be one of such. The Czech may have been
uninspired at the group stages but the Portuguese were no better. Christiano
Ronaldo managed to get two past the misfiring Dutch to announce his presence
while Petr Cech and his compatriots must up the ante or get knocked out.
Portugal vs Czech: Editor prediction –
Portugal win. A set piece goal will be all it takes to separate the two.
Greece will dream their way up and wake
up to the harsh reality of German efficiency. There will be no stopping the
Germans in this encounter. The Greeks are not a write off except that it will
take the Germans to malfunction on more than two cylinders to lose this tie.
Greece vs Germany: Editor prediction –
Germany win. Put your money on Germany, they should win with one eye closed.
The French have not been convincing
enough. Ribbery is perhaps still in the
throes of Champions League defeat leaving the burden of inspiration on Nasri. Will
the Man City man do it alone against the Spaniards who believe there are two
scores after each match: the score and possession score. The Red Fury will
dominate and only luck will prevent them from winning.
France vs Spain: Editor prediction –
Spain most likely to go through. France are no pushovers either. Call it
sitting on the fence, the French may as well force the encounter to a shootout.
Italy will look to prove a theory that
they get into form as a tournament progresses. England on the other hand have
Rooney back in the starting line up. It will be exciting to see how Prandeli’s
3:5:2 formation will attempt to prevent Chamberlain or Walcott from exploiting
the flanks. Will Scott Parker prevent a Pirlo domination? Mario Balotelli will
play a role in this fixture and that means there will be controversy at some
point.
Italy vs England: Editor prediction –
Italy to win in full time or extra time. No this match won’t go to the shootout.
Extras
Octopus Paul, do you remember him? Well
a new psychic cockerel has attempted to emulate the octopus but has been
largely amateurish. Kev the psychic cock in Kiev must qualify for the psychic
championship first.
The march to Euro-2012 glory continues and we will keep you up to date.
See you soon
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