Euro 2008 Day Eleven
Wednesday, 18 June 08, 12:02 AM · Comments (12)
Eric Abidal and Thierry Henry have come in for a fair bit of criticism since signing for Barça last summer. Whether Barça are to blame or not I cannot say, but now playing for France they have both had poor tournaments as a lacklustre French team finished bottom of the Group C.
Abidal was moved to centre back to play alongside William Gallas but the decision proved to be extremely costly. After just four minutes a schoolboy error from Abidal allowed Luca Toni a shot on goal that went wide, but in the 24th minute Abidal again allowed Toni to get goalside and then a clumsy tackle from behind saw Italy win a penalty and Abidal sent off for preventing a clear goalscoring opportunity. Pirlo scored from the spot to make it 1-0.
With France down to ten men it was always going to be an uphill struggle. Then in the 61st minute a free kick from De Rossi, who had an excellent game in Italy's midfield, took a wicked deflection off the unfortunate Henry to make it 2-0 to the Italians.
In the other game Holland kept up their 100% record by beating Romania 2-0 through goals from Huntelaar and Van Persie. So Holland top the group and will play either Russia or Sweden in the quarter final on Saturday, while Italy will now face Spain on Sunday in Vienna. Spain have a history of doing well in the group stage before getting knocked out in the quarter finals: can they go any further this time?
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I thought Benzema did play well. The problem for him was he had to play in a bit deep position which he is not used to I suppose! Henry and benzema should have switched positions. But then the moment Ribery got injured I knew its over for France.
Whatever have to admit Buffon is the best Goalie in the world.
See This
LINK
Is this necessary? If Guardiola can't get the team qualify without Messi, he should hang himself.
in my point of view , i think the main reason of the poor performance of both henry and abidal is BARCA , i mean look at torres and how much he developed with Liverpool .. shouldn't we do the same ??? yesterday i felt like our players r amateurs compared with the rest of France squad
Hey Nic u heard of this latest transfer for Hernanes and Alex Silva both of Sao Paulo? Apparently we are close to a deal for both worth €25million. I have seen and heard a lot about Hernanaes who looks to be a really good prospect for the future, could end up being a great replacement for Deco. I have read he is so two footed that it is almost impossible to tell which foot he favours, he also has one hell of a shot on him. The defender, Silva, I have not heard of though. Anybody know anything about him?? All i know is that he is 6'4 and he is Luisao's younger brother.
Hilal,
Hernanes is Sao Paolo's #10
Here are his stats: LINK
12 Comments · Add yours
I felt Henry played well today, he really did, he was the only player other than Evra who actually played a part in that team. Benzema is such a load of over hyped crap!! Didnot score, didnt play all that well, whats all the fuss about??
Abidal?? He really is a joke, had a wonderfully miserable season at Barca and Domenech chooses him again? What, isn't France producing talent anymore? Without Ribery, that team was just crap. Henry filled into his shoes and has to be said that henry tried, hard, France completely kept Italy busy, pressing, troubling the Italian defense, till when I had to leave for college.
All in all, sad for France, played well, yet Abidal and good luck were all the Italians needed to qualify.
henry was terrible, he needs to score goals and he cant do that anymore, when its one on one with the goalie, he misses the goal by so much.