Portugal, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Holland, Croatia and one of either Russia or Sweden will fight it out for the semi-final places. I wrote earlier that the best football may already be over and then maybe not. Certainly above named are indeed the best in Europe so there is enough reason to be optimistic. Marco Van Basten's flying Dutch promise the most and seem to be headed for glory this time. The unity in this team is spoken of and written about which is a welcome change for the talented Dutch. They have scored 9 goals in three matchs and outclassed opponents by such huge margins that nothing less than winning the cup is expected of them. Skill, strength, speed, strategy and stars....you name it and they have it. Lady Luck is a different proposition altogether...and the other pretenders to the throne can never be discounted once you go beyond the group stage.
A determined Italy deserved to join the last eight. De Rossi lived up to my expectations and how?! He was the man of the match, more for his box to box play and brilliant passing than because of the goal off old man Henry. How can Domenech the Demented get it so wrong? His team selection, tactics, substitutions confounded both critics and football fans. Once Rebery was injured the French challenge was as good as over. Luca Toni did everything he could to miss all opportunities created by Pirlo, De Rossi, Grosso and others...that was until Abidal choked and saw red. Pirlo prevented any further nonsense from Toni and established Italy on the path to the QF. With no Pirlo and Gatusso in the QF it will be tough for the Azzuri against Spain.
Best part of the match was to watch Donadoni go through a range of emotions. Be it tactics or drama, it was humanely endearing stuff from the Itallian coach. In comparision Domenech the Demented cut a forlorn figure.
Can Russia beat the Swedes? I hope they can. They are the youngest team in the competetion and Sweden are the oldest! Also Russian's, I understand, are the only team of this tournament who do not have their own cook or dietician. What they do have is a Dutch coach with an incredible record at major touranaments with many different sides.
I am supporting the Russians. If they progress they will be everyones favorite underdogs.
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About Me
- Sanju
- Vile Parle, Maharashtra, India
- I wish I was Sanjeev Kapoor and then I could have people eating out of my hands. I wish I was Tendlya or better still Franz Beckenbaur. I could then literally have the world at my feet. I wish I was Clint Eastwood and then I could be Dirty Harry or The Man with No Name shooting up all the bad guys. I wish I could sing like Rafi or Kishore and make people happy. But above all I wish I was born again as Sir David Attenborough.... and then I might be able see God's world in its full glory; with my own eyes!
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