It's about time I talk a little about the Euro. Initially, like most, I anticipated a pretty predictable tournament with spectacular play from the recently dominant european sides and players. I thought that Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands as well as superstars like Ozil, Xavi, Schweinsteiger, Podolski, and Ronaldo would certainly showcase their skill, ability, and superiority. However, that has only been the case to a small degree.
The Group of Death
Needless to say that the Netherlands have started their tournament on the wrong foot. Consecutive losses in the group stage to Denmark (1-0) and Germany (2-1) have left Holland in a terrible position, one that many of us did not foresee. The Oranje insisted on playing long balls to Van Persie, a strategy that proved largely ineffective. Frankly, their game lacked creativity as neither Afelley nor Robben found their stride. The Germans, particularly Gomez, capitalized on errors made by the Dutch defenders. And ultimately, though the score was close, Germany outplayed the Netherlands and proved they are the better team.
If the Germans continue to play as they have so far they will likely advance and maybe even go undefeated in the group stages.
Even with the Torres of a day that Ronaldo had, the Portguese defeated the Danes with only a few minutes left in the match to stay very much alive in the group of death.
The Dutch are not out of the group just yet, with a win of at least a +2 goal differential against Portugal and the Germans defeating the Danish, the Netherlands could become the first team to advance out of the group stages having began 0-0-2.
It has not been dubbed the group of death for nothing. Group B could end up so many different ways. There are two three-way-tie scenarios: Germany, Denmark, and Portugal tied at 6 points, and then there's the possibility of Denmark, Portugal, and the Netherlands ending up tied at 3 points.
Today's Action: Group C
Croatia, Italy, Spain and Ireland take center stage today. Tough Spain are totally capable of dominating possession to an embarrassing extent, this does not always translate into goals, or a win for that matter. Generally speaking, strikers are responsible for the goal scoring. So who's supposed to be scoring the goals for the spaniards? Spains top scorer at the last Euro and the World Cup, David Villa is out of the tournament, leaving the goal scoring up to Llorente, Negredo or Torres who all have a whole lot to prove for Spain. Spanish manager Vicente del Bosque decided to resolve his striker dilemma simply by not picking either one, implementing a 4-6-0 formation. In the end, Italy were able to sit back and frustrate the Spaniards and made it out with a 1-1 draw.
As for today, I expect La Furia Roja to defeat Ireland easily and the Croatians and Italians to draw.
Group D
Without Rooney, who is serving a two game suspension, England have a difficult task ahead of them in producing goal scoring opportunities against Sweden. The French defense stifled the English offense in their first match of group play which resulted in a 1-1 draw between the two. Coming off a loss to Ukraine, we can expect the swedes to play with a sense of urgency and desperation against England. Though the result of their first match was a 1-1 draw, the French appeared superior having out-shot and out-possessed the English.
I think both England and France will win their upcoming matches and end up advancing, as I had initially anticipated.
No comments:
Post a Comment