Euro 2012 Review: First Round of Group Fixtures

Throughout June, Biltcliffe’s Sports Thoughts will bring you a regular condensed and opinionated version of events throughout this summer’s European Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

Good start for:

 

Denmark – The unlikeliest of victories over the Netherlands on Saturday courtesy of Michael Krohn-Dehli's first half strike has seen the Danes in with a chance of escaping the ‘Group of Death’. Morten Olsen’s men were priced at 100/1 to win the tournament this summer and while that price is unlikely to have reduced, the dark horses will hope they can spring at least one more surprise.

Russia – A convincing 4-1 hammering of Czech Republic has left former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat on the brink of progression from another tournament group stage. The Dutchman is due to return to club management with PSV Eindhoven the day after the final of this tournament. Don’t expect him to be there though, despite the best efforts of Alan Dzagoev’s double.

Italy – Amid more match-fixing scandals and threats of walk offs from Mario Balotelli should racist abuse head his way, it must have been a relief for Cesare Prandelli’s side to get on with the game of football. However, the current European and World Champions, Spain, stood in their path on their opening day but the Azzurri coped well against La Roja to earn a creditable 1-1 draw.

Bad start for: 

Republic of Ireland – The Irish simply had to win their opener against Croatia to have any hope of progression. They were slow out the blocks in both halves and although the goals they conceded were a little unfortunate, Giovanni Trapattoni’s side looked out of their depth despite their fans brilliant support in Poznan. The wise old Italian has a few selection quandaries and is torn between reputable players such as captain Robbie Keane and Aidy McGeady and form players such as Jon Walters and James McLean.

Netherlands – The defeat to Denmark on Saturday is simply not acceptable back home and should they lose the massive encounter against Germany on Wednesday they will be out but perhaps not in such a hurry to board the next KLM flight back.

Czech Republic – Although they didn’t look too bad going forward in their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Russia, the Czech’s are going to have to dig deep to give themselves a chance of getting to the Quarter-Finals. Remarkably though, it’s not impossible considering the kinder nature of their group.

Heroes:

Andriy Shevchenko – Two unlikely headers against Sweden meant the story of the tournament so far was left right until the last match of the first round of fixtures. His movement was top drawer and if he didn’t already have legendary status in Ukraine, he’s immortalised now. A tournament always has a greater buzz when the hosts still have something to play for.

Robert Lewandowski – Yes, another host nation player, but it was fitting that the Borussia Dortmund and Poland striker got the tournament off to the best possible start with the opener in a 1-1 draw against Greece. The Premier League surely beckons if he keeps this up!

Mario Gomez – Spurred on by the sight of his replacement, and tournament specialist, Miroslav Klose limbering up on the touchline, Gomez sprang to life to nod the Germans past Portugal in an intriguing 1-0 win. Typically efficient start, as you, and they, would expect.

Villains:

Carlos Velasco Carballo – The referee of the Poland – Greece encounter had a quiet first half hour but made a rod for his own back when booking Socratis Papastathopoulos for the most innocuous header before sending the Greek defender off moments before half time. He evened things up with the correct dismissal of keeper Wojciech Szczesny but has set the tone for a ‘picky’ tournament.

Giorgos Karagounis – Had his penalty well saved from the resultant incident above. A “no no” at international level and could have given the Greeks a shock victory.

Bert Van Marwijk – Though his Dutch side had much the better of the chances in the Denmark game, the coach simply got his tactics wrong. He paid too much respect to the Danes and didn’t need one holding midfielder, let alone two in the form of Captain Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong. Robin van Persie looked lost and will have to be more clinical or supported for the next game.

Magic moment – Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo (below) showing that there’s still life in the old dog yet with a majestic display of intelligence, awareness and vision. The Juventus star looked finished when leaving AC Milan last summer, but more than held his own against the six quicker and younger Spanish midfielders against him.