I'm feeling pretty hyped up right now as my 2 favourite picks for Euro, the Netherlands (realistic pick) & Turkey (romantic pick, although I can concede that both are pretty idealistic choices in their own ways) have had good chances to qualify for the next round. The Dutch showed a massively impressive example of Total Voetbal by destroying the languid (or complacent rather?) Italians, with Sneijder & van Bronckhorst particularly impressive & Turkey recovering from that Portugal meltdown to register an astonishing comeback against the Swiss piss. Amazing. Swiss made to cry like the missus on their own home turf. So let me review the stunners and misses from my Dream Team Pick
"Damn that small kid!"
GK- Igor Akinfeev (Russia)vs Spain -6/10 - Disappointing first game, but I would argue that his defence was more to blame for exposing him time and again for the goals. They were just awfully slow. Still, I back him to bounce back and keep a clean sheet against the meandering Greek bullshit players. Yes, he's gonna keep a clean sheet ( I hope)
RB- Valon Behrami (Switzerland) vs Turkey -7/10- The Swiss are out of this, but Valon showed some impressive performances in the games, I think he was especially dangerous in the Turkish game where he filled in at right midfield. He did not disappoint for me, with the manner of his effervescent display. Statistics from UEFA justifies this. He was the hardest running player for Swiss in the game.
"What else should I do to qualify.. Sigh"
CB- Andrea Barzagli (Italy) vs Holland- 4/10- Ahh, what happened to the Catenaccio?? The whole of the Italian defence was awful, ponderous, static (yes, put in all manner of superlatives you can think of) He well and truly bombed. Heir apparent to Cannavaro? I'd rather Donadoni himself played, 40 years plus and all. But he has a chance to redeem that performance against the Romanians. I've not lost faith in him, not yet. I know he can do better than this.
"No Andrea, you're not gonna get the offside call.."
CB- Sebastian Prödl (Austria)vs Croatia- 7/10- I surprised even myself by choosing him, but based on my limited knowledge of reading up on the Austrian team and finding out that he scored 2 goals from defence recently made me plump for him. Plus he's young. And what I saw of him against Croatia looked promising. He wasn't to be faulted for the penalty, and almost scored with a long range strike in the first half. I'm hoping he can nick a goal against the Poles next. But he'll do well to shackle the dangerous Smolarek in the next game.
June 13 Update vs Poland: What a match! If Prödl were an Austrian striker I would have clubbed him to death, his performance for today's match wasn't really world-class, but was decent enough to merit mention. Highlight of the game was that he was the player who was fouled for that injury time penalty, he had his shirt tugged in the goalmouth scramble. The fact that he was Austria's 2nd best passer of the ball for the game (80% completed passes) signifies how horrible their midfielders are..or even their strikers.. They could have been 3 goals up in the first half. But as they say, half full or half empty.
Revised rating: 7.5
Looking much like his age. Acting fierce, like a gangsta.
LB- Marcell Jansen (Germany) vs Poland- 7/10- Solid, if unspectacular, display for him. I'm looking for him to grow in strength in the next game.
June 13 Update vs Croatia- Argh.. This is frustrating. He played like the proverbial fish out of water and was duly substituted on the half. Admittedly, the Srna goal was his fault for not tracking back and sticking close to the wingback. I'm sorry , but I have to be critical. He promised so much.
Revised Rating: 6/10 (average of 2 games)
ARDA TURAN!!!!!
RM- Arda Turan (Turkey) vs Swiss- 9/10- Didn't play in the first match, but duly responded in the next against the Swiss, with a Man-of-the-Match display , capping off with a fine goal. I was jumping after that goal!! I was tipping him, even before Euro 2008, to move to a major European club soon. (okay I didn't exactly get to see him play a full match prior to the tournament, but I saw his Youtube videos and he was impressive for Gala) On a serious note though, Fatih Terim should really relook at Turkey's strategy of always using the wasteful Tuncay at the other flank.. Believe more in this 21 year old!!
CM- Luka Modrić (Croatia) vs Austria- 7/10- His team was decidedly awful despite the win, but hey, he scored! He was one of the more effervescent players in a boring display, but against Germany in the next, that would surely test his potential credentials. I hope he can live up to expectations. Come on Luka!
June 13 Update vs Germany- : Ahh he was the fulcrum of the team in that competent display against the mighty German juggernaut. The reason why the seemingly unstoppable machine screeched to a halt is because Croatian players like him were like little hobbits running all round the pitch closing down the Germans denying them space to play their quick passing game.. He almost scored with a one-on-one late in the game, but the referee arguably got the decision on him fouling a defender wrong.. That was a bad call I think.
So far, he has lived up to the hype.
Revised Rating: 8.5
"Duhh.. I scored? If you know what i mean *wink*
CM- João Moutinho (Portugal) vs Turkey, Czech- 7.5/10- 2 games, 1 assist. I think he did very much better in the game against the Turks, that was a clever assist in the last minute to Raul Meireles. In the second game, however, he was largely anonymous as Deco, Ronaldo and co stole his thunder, but nevertheless, looked comfortable on the ball. I hope he gets to play in the final game too, even though Portugal have now qualified.
LM- Samir Nasri (France)vs Romania- 6/10- Didn't get to show much, as he played in the final 20 minutes, but the whole French team were limp anyway. Come on they can surely do better?? Will update after the Holland game. That will test him. (if he gets to play!)
CF- Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Holland)- Didn't get to play. Will update after France game.
CF- Mario Gómez (Germany) vs Poland- 6/10- Missed a couple of gilt-edged chances which he really should have tucked in.. He looked disappointed with himself, but had a hand in one of the goals. He can do better, surely. I hope he can find his feet later on in the tourney.
June 13 Update vs Croatia- He was the reason why Podolski was forced to shift to left wing, but in both games so far, he has been decidedly awful, looked like the grinch everytime the ref blowed him correctly for offside, and never really had a real chance to score anywhere in this tournament. What a flop. And oh, Lukas scored 3, my friend.
Revised Rating: 5/10
"Duhhh... Who scored...?"
subs- Mertesacker (Ger) vs Poland- 8/10- Dependable. Didn't put a foot wrong
vs Croatia: 6/10- Arguably at fault for him and Metzelder somewhat miscommunicated, resulting in the Olic goal.
Corluka (Cro) vs Poland- 6.5/10- Played OK,
vs Germany: 8/10- Oh one of them hobbits. Never stopped running. Are they on some special performance-enhancing shiznitz??
Barnetta (Switz)vs Czech, Turkey- 7.5/10- I think he played well so far, but the Swiss Achilles' heel has got to be their finishing. His shooting was a let-down against the Turks.
Benzema (Fra)vs Romania- 5/10
Biggest flop so far.
Come on Oranje.. Don't disappoint me now!!
Rant 3:06 PM of Azmie
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