So Germany are through to the semi-finals and one match away from fulfilling this observer’s prediction that Joachim Loew’s men would reach the European Championship final in Vienna.
Thursday night’s 3-2 victory over Portugal was achieved in spite of the many flaws that afflict this German squad. The central defensive partnership of Per Mertesacker and Christoph [...]
Entries from June 2008
June 19, 2008
Behind The Wall: Flaws With Claws
June 17, 2008
Euro 2008 Diary: Days 9 & 10
Malingering musings:
1. Austria’s forwards left the rest of their squad down. While the defenders and midfielders acquitted themselves well, the Austrian attack could have a case for false advertising brought against it by the football fans of Europe. Still, the co-hosts were far from disgraced and gave their all in Group B.
2. Germany continue to [...]
June 16, 2008
Games of the Tournament
Despite the excitement in Switzerland and Austria, I don’t yet feel that this tournament has quite hit the heights of the 2000 event in Belgium and the Netherlands.
That said, it’s a far better tournament than any of those played in 1980, 1988, 1992, and 1996. It has also surpassed the last event in Portugal.
The standard [...]
June 16, 2008
Euro 2008 Diary: Days 6, 7, & 8
Random thoughts from the weekend’s dramatics:
1. Holland were magnificent against France, showcasing their brand of exhilirating counter-attacking football against the World Cup finalists for the second time in four days. They take defensive chances at times, but they’ve got a goalkeeper bang in form – something every European champion team needs.
2. Arjen Robben’s sabre-like goal [...]
June 14, 2008
Behind The Wall: Grim Reality Breaks Through the Cracks
Reality bites. For the first time in over two years, the fundamental flaws in the German nationalmannaschaft have been brutally exposed. For all the hype about Germany’s attacking style and Jürgen Klinsmann’s revolution (a euphemism for the importation of American psychobabble in place of tactical and technical substance), this morning finds the harsh light of [...]
June 12, 2008
Euro 2008 Diary: Days 4 & 5
Random thoughts on the last two days of action:
1. As expected, Spain looke great in attack. They also look highly suspect in defence – and in their own heads. Witness the panic that broke out when they led 3-1.
2. Cesc Fabregas’s goal was disgracefully offside. Poor old Akinfeev in the Russian goal deserved better after [...]
June 12, 2008
Euro 2008 Group A: Penalties to Decide Group Stalemate
UEFA have confirmed that penalties will be used to decide the second qualifier from Group A if the Czech Republic and Turkey draw their final group match on Sunday.
The sides have identical records after two games, both having three points, scored two goals and conceded three. This will be the first time that penalties will [...]
June 12, 2008
Euro 2008: Predictions Update
Not a bad start for the Soccer Scribe. Okay, it’s looking difficult for both Italy and Romania to progress from Group C, but a draw in their meeting on Friday will keep both in contention. I’d fancy the Romanians to beat the Dutch – they already did in qualifying – if they have two points [...]
June 10, 2008
Euro 2008: Group D Preview & Predictions
Group D features champions Greece, quadrennial fancied tip Spain, the ageing Sweden, and dark horses from the east, Russia.
With matches in Innsbruck and Salzburg, Group D is perhaps the most unfashionable of the four pools. With Germany, France, Italy, and Marilyn Monroe, I mean Cristiano Ronaldo, elsewhere, most eyes will be on everybody’s favourite busted [...]
June 10, 2008
Euro 2008 Diary: Day 3
Random thoughts:
1. France look spent.
2. Claude Makelele gets away with war so often, another spiteful tackle against Romania goes unpunished.
3. Victor Piturca got his tactics spot on – but may regret not being more offensive against what could turn out to be the weakest opponent Romania will face in the group.
4. Fabio Cannavaro was hugely [...]
