Today’s Euro 2008 Championship quarter final victory for the Turks on penalties sets up a semi final meeting for them with the Germans. They will be without four key players at least and I cannot see them getting to the final. Once again fortune appears to be smiling on the Germans in a major tounament – I can’t remember when it hasn’t, not since England’s third goal in the ‘66 World Cup Final anyway!
There are some who think Turkey are a team of destiny, and that has some validity I suppose, but I tend to think that their destiny was to get to the semi-final and no further. I think Germany will win easily. and progress to their seventh Euro final..
On the other side of the draw, in another example of German good fortune, we have perhaps the four best teams – assuming Italy play like Italy can play. In the Netherlands and Spain we have the two top teams and Russia looked very good indeed in their last match. In tomorrow’s quarter final I cannot see the Russians containing the free-Dutch football and although they may produce some entertaining stuff of their own I have to go with a two goal Dutch victory…
Meanwhile , at the risk of getting too repetitive, can someone please let me know when E.S.P.N. commentator Tommy Smyth says something insightful, informative, or just mildly amusing…Today he was dreadful, with a series of inane comments, vague reminiscences, and several incorrect pieces of analysis when he became too excited. This clown has to go…
