Russia stun Holland – And me!

Russia inspired by the ever lively Arshavin, stunned not just Holland last night but most of Europe.

I thought their best chance of anything from the game would have been to use spoil tactics and stop the Dutch from playing their flowing game, but the truth was it was the other way around. Holland could not live with the Russians for much of the game and although they managed to grab an 86th minute equaliser that took the game into extra time, that period of extra time was dominated by the Russians and they scored a further 2 goals.

Hiddinks men where superb throughout and many are saying that they can now go on and win the whole thing, but in my opinion (which changes daily in this outstanding tournament) it is now wide open.

Italy I’m sure will be glad to see the Dutch head home after their mauling in the group stages, and should they now beat spain in their next game my master plan that says they will be champions this year could well come true.

Arshavin livens up the Russians – Euro 2008

It’s half time in the Russia vs Sweden match on Euro 2008.
A game I wasn’t expecting much from to be honest, but that was before I knew that Arshavin was returning to the line up for Russia.

Having served his two game suspension for a sending off in the qualification phase, his return has transformed an ever improving Russian team and had they faced Spain for their last game rather than the first, I think Spain would have had a much more difficult game on their hands.

Sweden have come stronger since they went a goal behind in the 25th minute. A good move finished by Pavluchenko gave the russians a thoroughly deserved lead.

Left back, Zhirkov, has impressed me tonight. He has made some great runs down the left and tracks back quickly whenever any moves break down.

I feel the second half could be even better as the Swedes now know they have to score to stay in it.

Russia will not feel they are strong enough at the back to just sit and soak up the pressure, they still look dangerous on the attack and must surely push on for a second early on in the second half.

If Russia do go through that will set the russian coach Guus Hiddink up to play against his home nation Holland in the quarter finals.

As a footnote I think it’s only fair to mention another Dutch man having a good game, referee Frank De Bleeckere has hardly been noticable suggesting he is letting the game roll as much as he can.

Holland and Italy through to the next round. Euro 2008

Minutes ago tonights Euro 2008 games ended between Holland and Romania and Italy vs France.

Holland, despite making 9 changes, managed an impressive 2-0 win against Romania. Something neither Italy or France had managed to do with full strength teams out against them. And Holland based on group stage performances must be clear favourites for the tournament now.

The Italy France match never lived up to the exciting game it promised to be.
Toni failed to find the net agaian despite having maybe 7 clear chances.
Italy won 2-0 and a woeful France will just want to go home and forget this tournament ever happened.

Italy must feel as though they have been given a second chance now though and surely must pick up their game in the quarter finals.
It’s not as though they have not created chances so far in this tournament. Even against Holland they had several excellent chances, however the lack of confidence in front of goal has seen them struggle whilst Buffon has done more than his share to ensure they move on through this stage of the competiton.
Toni, who I admired before the tournament and quietly thought he could be one of the top scorers, has failed to give Italy the goals that they desperately needed in the group and some people will say he should be dropped based on some of the chances he has scuppered so far. but who do you replace him with? well Del Piero for me is a better striker and his form this year suggests he still has some life in him yet, but I could not say he still has the stamina to play 90 mins in a top tournament.

Thankfully though they do go through. Remember they are my tip for the tournament. Surely based on performances so far they would find it hard to live with the likes of Holland, Spain or Portugal but only a fool would write them off totally.

It’s still a beautiful game……..Holland 3 Italy 0

Just when all the talk in football is of corruption, too many foreign players, and overpaid nancy boys you get a glimpse of something quite special.
Something that restores your faith in the game.

That something tonight is being displayed by Italy and Holland. The dutch will take the applause and rightly so. Their movement and passing has been pure football that I haven’t seen since it was Mr Van Basten himself splaying it around the pitch.
Don’t think Italy have been a walk over. The first dutch goal was yards offside, the second came on a break just 17 seconds after they cleared the ball off their own goal line and the third came 20 seconds or so after Van Der Sar made a simply stunning save down the other end.
Italy contributed to a wonderful game tonight and I can still see them going through to the next round, but I’d be a fool to not think the Dutch now must be favourites.

Everything they did oozed class tonight.
Thank you Italy, thank you Holland for finally announcing there is a major tournament going on and finally restoring football to it’s plinth labelled “The beautiful game”

It’s still a beautiful game……..Holland 3 Italy 0

Just when all the talk in football is of corruption, too many foreign players, and overpaid nancy boys you get a glimpse of something quite special.
Something that restores your faith in the game.

That something tonight is being displayed by Italy and Holland. The dutch will take the applause and rightly so. Their movement and passing has been pure football that I haven’t seen since it was Mr Van Basten himself splaying it around the pitch.
Don’t think Italy have been a walk over. The first dutch goal was yards offside, the second came on a break just 17 seconds after they cleared the ball off their own goal line and the third came 20 seconds or so after Van Der Sar made a simply stunning save down the other end.
Italy contributed to a wonderful game tonight and I can still see them going through to the next round, but I’d be a fool to not think the Dutch now must be favourites.

Everything they did oozed class tonight.
Thank you Italy, thank you Holland for finally announcing there is a major tournament going on and finally restoring football to it’s plinth labelled “The beautiful game”

Time to get a bit Tasty! Holland vs Italy and Romania vs France. Euro 2008

Today is the day it all gets a bit more serious.

Up to now it’s been the favourites that have won each game and to those watching there’s been no real drama.

Tonight though Holland play Italy and both of them will want to get off to a flying start to signal their intent.

Both have a great pedigree and when I watched Holland play Wales last week they looked more than worthy of their place in the championships.

Italy, my adopted club for the tournament, have lost Cannavarro which will be a big blow but I still think they’re tight enough to keep the Dutch out. I fancy a 1-0 win to Italy but don’t let that prediction fool you into thinking this will be a stale game. If the Dutch don’t go throwing themselves to the floor every time somebody looks at them they are a great team to watch. Former Chelsea star Arjen Robben looked on top form against Wales so the news that he will miss this opener with a groin strain will be pleasing news for the Italians.

Also today will see France kick off their competition. Romania should not have the strength throughout to upset the French but you never quite know which French team is going to turn up.

All in all it should be a decent evening of football.

My predictions: Italy 1 – Holland 0 Romania 1 France 3