Euro 2012 Review: The Quarter Finals


Firstly I’d like to say that Euro 2012 has so far been refreshing and more than made up for the disappointments of a soggy and damp squib of a World Cup at South Africa 2010.

I’m also rather pleased that my £5 bet on Germany to win the tournament is looking ‘steady’.

It was a good round for:

Italy – The Italians absolutely dominated from beginning to end against England, and, despite the absence of key centre half Giorgio Chiellini, they created enough chances to win three games. It’s at the back that they look so good though, where they have only two goals conceded so far and is their starting point.

Portugal – A one man band? It is an easy assumption to make when Cristiano Ronaldo is in such imperious form; however the platform for him to perform has been built by a hard working and selfless midfield behind him. The clash against Spain is mouth-watering and winnable for Paulo Bento’s side.


It was a bad round for:

France – Never got started against Spain and were lacking any attacking intent despite Karim Benzema (right) playing domestically with Real Madrid. It was an easy 2-0 win for Spain in the end who picked a disgruntled outfit off with ease in the end.

England – Exceeded expectations but ultimately had faint hopes dashed. Hodgson’s men looked woefully out of their depth at times against Italy. Last time they beat a team of repute in a tournament? Argentina in 2002?


Heroes:

Xabi Alonso – Never seemingly gets the praise he deserves when put in alongside the formidable Xavi/Iniesta partnership, but took all the acclaim for his double against France on the night he won his 100th cap.

Joachim Low – You have to be brave to tamper with your whole forward line in a knockout competition. The Germany coach took what would now be termed as a ‘calculated risk’ by doing this against Greece and two of the replacements (Marco Reus and Miroslav Klose) scored in a 4-2 win.


Villains:

The BBC – Way behind ITV in terms of coverage of this tournament. From a media perspective, there was no sense of atmosphere and occasion when they broadcast from a Salford studio and by the time the Scottish Alan Hansen and Irish Mark Lawrenson got to Eastern Europe, England were out!

Roy Hodgson – A minor tactical complaint is this one but a fit and firing Andy Carroll (which he was against Sweden) is as much of a handful to European defenders as an unfit and lethargic Wayne Rooney. Former manager Fabio Capello tried his best to adopt the mantra of picking players on form rather than reputation, it’s one that Hodgson may like to explore, but it’s all hindsight and ‘no win’ situations.


 


Magic moment: Andrea Pirlo’s audacious chip in the penalty shoot-out win over England so nearly got this award yet again (his repertoire is making Paul Daniels feel nervous), however Sami Khedira’s powerful rising volley against the Greeks meant business and, above all, progression.

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