Euro 2008 Day Twelve
Thursday, 19 June 08, 12:20 AM · Comments (16)
Just a short one for today, my computer has been having an off day and making life hard for me. Anyway, while I have finally got a connexion I'll give you a brief summary of the games today. For the first time I tried to watch both games at once (not two tellies, just flicking between two channels). Of Barça's players only Iniesta was playing for Spain although there was a chance to see a few ex-players as Pepe Reina, Fernando Navarro, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Garcia and Dani Güiza all started for Spain. The Russia-Sweden game promised more excitement and I always love to watch Larsson play.
In the end it was the Russians who played the best football of the night scoring two splendidly worked team goals to win 2-0. Larsson had one fine flicked header hit the bar but Sweden with the oldest squad in the tournament didn't have the legs to keep up with the Russians who have the youngest squad. Taras mate, if you are reading: congratulations on getting through, the Dutch on Saturday will be a much harder test.
Spain rested all their main starters with the exception of Iniesta who played 59 minutes. Greece took the lead just before half time when nobody picked up Charisteas at a free kick and he was free to head past Reina. Spain came out strongly in the second half but Sergio Garcia and Dani Güiza don't yet finish as well as Torres and Villa at international level. De La Red fired home an equalizer on 63 minutes and with three minutes to go Sergio Garcia crossed to Güiza who finally found the net with a header. The best of the Spanish was Xavi Alonso who in the first half came close to scoring from his own half, and then hit the post with a cracking 30 yard drive in the second half. He also almost took the head clean off one of the Greek players when his attempted clearance caught the Greek guy square in the face from point blank range. Ouch!
The quarter finals are now all set with Germany playing Portugal tomorrow (Thursday), Croatia against Turkey on Friday, Holland versus Russia on Saturday, and Spain against Italy on Sunday. My prediction is that Portugal, Croatia, Holland and Italy will get through, then in the semis Portugal will beat Croatia, Italy will beat Holland, then in the final Italy will beat Portugal. If you think I know nothing you are probably right, but why not send your predictions for the later stages of the tournament and we can then see who has the most egg on their face.
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What im more concerned about is that nic may stil have dial-up :-o
Catherine-Lucia - well spotted, I think I must have seen my mistake at the same time that you sent your comment. As you can see I have now corrected my mistake. It is indeed Holland V Russia on Saturday :oops:
Pray tell an old man: what the %`*¿ is dial-up?
I have to disagree with you there Nic. I think Spain can beat Italy.
I know Italy have been Spain's Bogey team for years, but Spain now have a much better team than Italy.
I think it's Spain's time to shine.
Playing Holland in the Semis. well that will be the tough test. But I think Spain can go all the way.
Good Luck Spain.
i think portugal vs croatia and Holland Vs Spain in the semis..
Gattuso is ban for 1 match so, Spain have the chance to
conquer the midfield.. Good Luck Spain!
The point about Gattuso is a good one. Also, Pirlo is out, right? I think that this may give the edge to Spain who already has more quality in the midfield without Italy missing two of their starters. I think Spain will take them, as long as they can shut down Luca Toni (which will be easier without Pirlo feeding him amazing through-balls).
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Nic you only have one television? what century are you living in? ;-)
Anyway I will go for Germany, Turkey, Holland and Spain for the quarter winners and then Spain to beat Germany 3-2 in the final
Holland's playing Russia, man, not Greece. :)