Euro 2008 Day Five
Wednesday, 11 June 08, 10:29 PM · Comments (13)
He may not be a Barça player for very much longer but tonight Deco showed his class as Portugal beat The Czech Republic 3-1 to book a place in the quarter finals. Deco scrambled in Portugal's first in the 8th minute after Ronaldo had played a neat one-two with Nuno Gomes. He then went on to play a part in the two other Portuguese goals.
Amusingly after Deco's goal ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley said "There wasn't a player lying behind the goal-line so the goal stands." This was the commentator who got it wrong for Van Nistlerooy's goal on Monday. What is strange is how instead of apologizing for his mistake he tries to ridicule the offside ruling instead. His sidekick David Pleat chipped in ten minutes later by mentioning the "farce of the Dutch goal." What is it with TV pundits and commentators who think they know more than the referees? Then just before half time when Ferreira left the field with a cut eye Tyldesley informed us that he couldn't come back on until the ball went out of play, one second later the ref waved the player back on as play continued.
Portugal looked pretty good again but they showed they are vulnerable at set pieces as proved when Sionko equalized for the Czechs in the 17th minute. In the second half Deco set up Ronaldo for Portugal's second, and then in injury time quick thinking from Deco in taking a free kick sent Ronaldo on his way and he set up substitute ex-Barça player Quaresma for a simple tap in.
Deco did very well but it does beg the question of why he hasn't been able to perform like this for Barça in the last two seasons. I always thought he had a pretty good attitude but despite the odd glimpses he just hasn't done it for us. Maybe Chelsea or Inter will get some more out of him next season. A possible replacement for Deco, Moutinho, had a quiet game tonight and was substituted in the 74th minute.
Switzerland and Turkey then took part in a highly entertaining game of waterpolo in Basel. The Swiss took the lead in the first half when Hakan Yakin swam in at the far post to score, but the Turks equalized in the second half through Semih, and then in injury time Arda got the winner for Turkey. The Swiss are now out while Turkey face the Czechs to see who joins Portugal in the quarter finals. I understand that if the Czechs and Turkey draw there will be penalty kicks to decide who goes through. From Uefa's webpage - http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/19079.pdf (scroll down to points 7.07 and 7.08)
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Deco was amazing today, he scored, assisted and showed how clever he is, only a few players do what he did on the 3rd goal, most of them pass it to the guy who is next to them.
Really hope he stays, been my fav player since he landed in barca.
Valo - point 6.03 is talking about the qualifying group stage, (i.e. what England were playing in) point 7 onwards is the final group stage (what we are watching now)
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FINALLY! This should have been said weeks ago! He is going to be one of our most crucial players over the next few years.
Thanks Nic, I wasnt sure -- but you are right -- Turkey and Czechs will go to penalties if they tie.
I had not heard about this but Giralt apparently is heavily backed by Boixos Nois and may remove the Censure Laporta placed on them if he is made president :(
Laporta said at that his org does not take pictures with criminals :)
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Nic, what is going on? does this Giralt clown have a chance to bring Laporta down?
Deco's performance is no more surprising than those of Zidane and Thuram in the last World Cup. There are a lot of players who, in the later stages of their careers, can't perform consistently over an eight-month season, but can turn it on for a short international tournament. Plus, Deco is in the shop window, so he has a motivation to put on a good show. We should have seen this coming.
Valo - I think Laporta was wrong to call the Boixos Nois criminals. I know he has been threatened before but it is unlikely that those sort of threats will ever come to anything. He should avoid getting involved in a dirty campaign. As for whether Giralt has I chance it is difficult to know, but I would certainly hope that the majority of members will see sense and realise that getting rid of Laporta would only bring greater instability.
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wow what a game. The first two goals were quite interesting as two playmakers created a magnificent play and like a unique clockwork ended with them scoring.
The first goal Deco started the attack, running up the field and sending a beautiful pass to find Cronaldo between the defenders. Cronaldo dribbled towards goal, played a nice one-two with Nuno Gomes, tried to beat Cech but Cech being a fantastic goalie, used his feet to block the ball. However Deco was there to collect the rebound and he scored.
The second goal Cronaldo drifted in the middle, trying to create something. As he is surrounded by czech defenders, he lays it off to Joao Moutinho who plays a terrific diagonal ball through the defence to find Deco on the wing as he gets hit by a czech player. Deco dribbles up the right side, cuts it back into the space in front of the 18 yard box for Cronaldo to take a perfect shot. Cronaldo steps up and shoots........and damn he scores a goal.
The third goal was Deco and Cronaldo combining again! Deco took a quick free kick and lobbed it over the defenders and Cronaldo with his blistering speed collected the ball in open space. Cronaldo dribbles up the field and squares it off to Quaresma for an easy tap in the net.
Deco and Cronaldo were on point today, both combining quite well with each other. Clearly in comparison between the last two games, it should be evident by now that Cronaldo is much more efficient on the left wing. Not only can he cut in on his preffered foot but he can also combine with Deco.
yeah simao and moutinho had a quiet game mostly because the ball was circulating around the left side most of the time.
Point 6.03 says it goes by Goal Diff. Points 7 onwards are for after group stage(?)
I am happy for Deco -- He did well. If he wont play for Barca like this, then at least he is raising his stock price.
He may well be headed for Chelsea now that his current coach will be coaching Chelsea come July.