So, Euro 2008 is well underway and I thought it was time to weigh in with a few observations about the tournament so far. However, just before doing that I must say that my slovenly approach to commenting on the event to this point is directly as a result of England’s absence from the proceedings. It’s just the way it is. For me and many others, I’m sure (English fans almost exclusively perhaps), it’s just not the same and whilst I have watched most of the matches so far, it has been without my usual interest and commitment and there’s not a lot I can do about it…Perhaps it will get better as the tournament progresses
Anyway, I have seen every team play and my pre-tournament wish of a Spain v Netherlands final would seem to be coming along nicely. Of course both of these teams could get knocked out in the first knockout round but perhaps in a tournament that has no clear-cut favorite they might just be the two best teams. Having said that the draw means that if the Spanish beat the Italians in the quarters (and Italy will get much better) and the Dutch overcome the stubborn Swedes, these two would have to meet in the semi-final so my wish is a waste of time and I don’t know why I mentioned it!…
On the other side of the draw, Portugal would be my guess to reach the final. However, following today’s Croatian victory over the Germans, the latter will now probably finish runner-up in Group B and will meet Ronaldo and the Kings of Diving in the quarterfinal. I would still expect the Portuguese to win that game, beat the Croats (who will have beaten the Czechs in their quarter) in the semi and then face the Dutch in the Final.
Now as an England fan since conception and still pitifully living off the ’66 victory, I went through the seventies with a similar feeling to that which I have now. England’s failure to qualify for the World Cup in 1974 and 1978 meant that I chose the ‘total football” of the Dutch team in each of those tournaments. They lost in the final of both but played some fantastic football in the process, perhaps bettered on the world stage only by that produced by the Brazilians in 1970. Coupled with the fact that I’ve said hundreds of times, not always in a football context and quite often when slumped on a barstool in a bar/’coffee shop’ in Amsterdam, “you’ve got to like the Dutch”, means that I’d love them to win Euro 2008. However, I fear that Ronaldo will finish off his amazing season in style and Scolari will reach the peak of his career on June 29th, before he embarks on a slow decline, beginning with his tenure at Chelsea that starts on July 1st…
On other matters that have arisen so far, I must say that the ‘spirit” in which the games have been played so far has been very good. The refs have been very solid, and apart from the ridiculous decision on Van Nistelroy’s goal against Italy (that was an easy offside decision – what can those who disagree possibly be thinking), there have been few contentious moments…In fact it has been a little dull with occasional flashes of excitement…
Talking of dull, why is Tommy Smyth still emplyoed by ESPN? He is simply awful; always has been. His insights are superficial, his comments obvious and unecessary, and his voice excruciatingly annoying. Plus he was the only person in the world apart from the linesman who thought Van Nistelroy was on-side. Julie Foudy was chosen for the obvious politically correct reasons, which is fine but her comments are also vacuous and one has to wonder why she the best woman they can come up with…I like Andy Gray despite his “professional Scotsman” voice – he does know the game. It all amounts to more kicks in the b***ocks as I not only have to put up with England’s absence from the field of play but there also isn’t an English commentator to give his sixpence worth!
I thought the Greeks were poor and got their just desserts against a solid Swedish team; the two host teams are probably the two worst teams in it; Czech (and former Villa) striker, Milan Barros, is still one of the best divers in the game; France and Italy are not as bad as their first games suggested whilst Germany and Spain are not as good – since proven by today’s German defeat against Croatia…the most impressive midfielder so far has been Luka Modric of Croatia (and Tottenham, work permit pending), the least impressive, Ballack of Germany…
I’ll be back to offer more tomorrow…
Claret & Light Blue and Missing the Three Lions…
