Never write the Germans off
June 19, 2008
This afternoon in the office I was talking about how only a fool would write off the Germans.
They always get better as a tournament proceeds.
I have to admit there was a part of me that said Ronaldo, Deco and the other Portuguese stars had too much pace for the Germans to handle at the back, but sitting here now watching Germany lead 3-1 after 66 minutes it’s hard to see how Portugal can pull this one back.
Germany have looked a much improved team tonight. They started the game looking hungry and the first goal cam about from some beautiful football down the left of the field.
Portugal on the other hand seem to want that one pass too many in the opposing half , despite their undeniable talent they just don’t seem willing to try their luck once in a while. Maybe they got of f to such a good start that they became complacent, thinking they would waltz past the Germans as they have some other teams.
What is slightly concerning, seeing as though he is due to arrive to manage Chelsea in a few week is that Big Phil seems to be out of ideas as to how to pull it back.
I wonder what the Chelsea chairman is thinking now?
Actually he is probably still celebrating Russias excellent win last night!
Scolari takes the Chelsea hotseat.
June 12, 2008
Luis Felipe Scolari, “Big Phil”, was last night named as Chelsea boss.
The job that nobody wanted was finally filled by the Portugal boss just minutes after Portugals impressive 3-1 win against the Czech Republic.
I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself about his influence in the premier league already.
It all clicked into place, his helping hand at unsettling Ronaldo at United makes sense now. Knowing he was going to be Chelsea boss next season makes him want to get rid of the largest thorn he is likely to encounter, taking 40 goals a season off their nearest rivals is certainly a help.
Saying that the best move to help his career is to go to Real Madrid is a shocking statement, when you realise he was only actually saying that to benefit his own career, not that of Christiano Ronaldo.
So is it a good signing?
Well I think “Big Phil” has a bit to do to actually convince me. Of course the purists will say that he has won the world cup!!! But that was with a team that could have won the world cup managerless. Brazil where a dream team and Scolari moved on quickly after that, knowing expectations would be too much to live up to. In fairness he was right though and things began to fall apart a little after his departure.
His appointment at Portugal has coincided with some outstanding talent emerging. I am sure the Portuguese will be gutted to see him go, and the players I am sure will want to send him out with another trophy.
So why do I suggest I am still to be convinced?
Well I think Brazil and Portugal have spoilt Scolari for choice having world class talent to choose from.
Of course the bank balance at Chelsea ensures he can build a dream team of his own now but it’s the first season that I will be interested in. Will he be able to keep the key players he has and if so will he turn them back into champions?
I think he will be a great cup manager and so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take the European cup this year (although if Ronaldo goes to Madrid I would love to see United meet Real in the final!!) but I am not convinced he can take the league.
Portugal too good to win Euro 2008?
June 8, 2008
Well it’s started! Euro 2008 got under way with a better game than I expected actually. The Czech’s where a lot worse than I expected but the Swiss were spirited and it was an, as expected, even game. The swiss for me where the better team and I felt for them as they ended up coming from the game with nothing.
The second match saw Turkey play many people’s favourites Portugal.
I had tipped Turkey to cause an opening day upset, but from the kick off it looked very unlikely.
Portugal where too fast, too organised and overall just too good for the Turks to live with. There could have been several more goals against them with Portugal putting the ball in the net two times only to be dissallowed by the referee and they hit the woodwork I think three or four times.
They made it a good game Portugal, despite never really being in any trouble. They entertained and set
the bar high for any teams that where watching them looking at who is in with a chance and who’s not.
As I am writing this Germany have just scored against Poland. From memory I do not think Poland have ever beat Germany and from what I have seen so far here tonight, there’s little chance of that changing any time soon.
Germany are the tournament favourites. From what I’ve seen so far they don’t move as well as the Portuguese, they don’t pass as well as the Portuguese, they don’t seem to have the sparkling, twinkle toed approach as the Portuguese but they have something. Something I can’t quite put my finger on. Maybe it’s just the knowledge that everyone still seems to dislike them, maybe it’s a certain amount of German ignorance, I’m not sure, but there is something there that tells me they look like they could win this thing!
You may ask yourselves why I keep overlooking the Portuguese, if they look so good why won’t I turn around and say I think they will win it? Well the answer is this. I think they are too good. I think recent history shows it’s not the best team in the tournament that wins it, it’s a bit of an underdog which is why, as I have said for the past few weeks I still think it will be Italy who win it. I wonder when the last time a team that is World Champions went into a tournament without even being amongst the top 5 favourites to win it?
So with half time approaching in the Germany Poland game I’m going to grab myself a beer and get ready for the second half and I reckon Germany could get another 2 goals yet!
3 days to go and counting!!!!
The opening day of a major tournament is quite often a cagey affair with no teams wanting to be the first to concede in a championship.
The opening games on Saturday are Switzerland vs Czech republic and Portugal vs Turkey.
I can’t see there being too much to get excited about in the opener and expect it to be a 1-1 draw, both teams have a couple of decent players but neither have anything that makes the pulse race and get me jumping off my feet.
The second game on that opening day of Euro 2008 though is a different story. Portugal are many peoples favourites, with the remarkable Christiano Ronaldo lining up to drive his country men on to greatness. Let’s not put them down as a one man team though as they are anything but. They have oodles of talent throughout in the likes of Deco, Nani, Gomes, Postiga and Carvalho and that is why I am thinking that perhaps the best time to play these guys is in the opening game. Hit them before they have a chance to get into their stride. A couple of games in they’re going to be hard to beat as players find their form and the team starts playing a high tempo, smooth passing game. Turkey therefore are in for a difficult opener but not an impossible one.
If they can hit the Portuguese early on and stun them with an early goal I fancy the Turks to cause an upset right there on day one!
Turkey, fresh from a 2-0 win against finland, are quietly fancying themselves to do a job on Portugal an I for one won’t be surprised to see them get that job done. My prediction Turkey 2 – Portugal 1
I love the big International football tournaments.
Everything about them gets me excited, the passion, the skill, the colours.
Obviously the big two for me being The World Cup and The European Championships. Ok so this year it will be a bit strange that there’s no British teams to support, but I don’t think it will make the tournament any less enjoyable. It’s not as if any of the home nation teams ever do anything exciting like looking as though they stand a chance of winning it anyway. So this year I’ll adopt a team, and cheer them on.
Most people I speak to seem to think that it’s going to be between Croatia, Portugal and Spain and I’d be a fool if I said I don’t think they’ve got a chance. Spain in particular look a bit tasty with Torres in fine form.
My favourites though are the Italians. Ok they’re not everyone’s cup of tea but hey they’re World champions and still have a quality set up. I think if they can get through their group, which will be an achievement in itself, they’ll become their usual tight at the back unit who can pull off a one nil against anyone.
With the recent turmoil and scandal involving italian clubs I think it would be a fitting return to the top of the pile and I dare say UEFA would like to see some good reports about Italian football at the moment, so don’t be surprised if there’s one or two dubious decisions in favour of the Italions and they end up with another trophy.
