Published Date:
19 June 2008
THURSDAY, 5pm: So the Euro 2008 group stages are over and what a refreshingly exciting feast of attacking football it's been.
The negative, boring teams have been sent packing and attacking play has prospered, especially from the rampant Dutch.
From my initial predictions four days before the tournament I am pleased to say most of my fancied teams have not let me down.
All but two of my predicted quarter-finalists have made it through. And had it not been for the Czech Republic losing a 2-0 lead against Turkey, it would have been seven out of eight correct.
The French were the other team to let me down, but I fear the French public are feeling a lot worse than I . Their national side were dismal, lacking passion or hunger from the very beginning. A championship too far for much of their ageing squad.
I am not so confident when it comes to the knockout stages.
I still have doubts over my initial title tip Spain when they face the Italians who are following their customary tournament routine.
After starting poorly Italy always build ominously during a championship and their fans will see Buffon's penalty save against Romania to keep them in the tournament as an act of fate.
Spain tend to go the other way, and after a good start, any signs of weakness and nerves will be exploited by the wily Italians. An acid test of the Spaniards' mental strength and a good yardstick for their tournament chances.
Portugal are being widely tipped to beat Germany, but no matter how ordinary Germany have been, I still see them edging past Scolari's men. Without Ronaldo I still think the Portuguese are relatively toothless in front of goal. The Germans will need a bit of luck, but hey, it's Germany.
My biggest question is when did the Dutch start looking and playing like a team that gets on with each other?
You don't need to be a football expert to know that putting seven goals past the French and Italians is a big deal. The team did exactly the same at the 1988 championships, slipping into the championships without much fuss only to sweep all before them.
Holland should get past Russia, one of my pre-tournament outside bets, but meeting their old manager Guus Hiddink, in charge of the rejuvenated Russians, could upset their rhythm and their mindset, and that could just be their undoing.
Croatia, my other outsider tip, have the momentum and quality to beat Turkey, but how will they cope with being favourites for the tie?
And how will Turkey react to their miraculous qualification after coming from two goals down with 15 minutes left to dump out the traumatised Czechs?
They were pretty dreadful up until then, but it could give them unshakeable belief and they should be chock full of confidence.
So basically anyone can win! Sticking my neck out I will stick with my title tips Spain, simply because I'm stubborn, Germany, because you never bet against them, Croatia and Holland.
Sit back and enjoy!
-
Last Updated:
20 June 2008 11:41 AM
-
Source:
n/a
-
Location:
Melton
