Euro 2012 Review: Third Round of Group Fixtures

Welcome to the third instalment of Biltcliffe Sports Thoughts review of this summer’s European Championships, the last round of fixtures would see the field halved with only Ireland and Sweden categorically unable to reach the knockout phase.

Good end for:

Greece – The 2004 winners looked down and out heading in to the final round of group fixtures. Anchored to the foot of the table with just a point to their name, the Greeks needed a) to beat Russia and b) hope Poland did not win. It was left to captain Giorgos Karagounis (right) to snatch the only goal of the game against the unsuspecting Russians and put Dick Advocaat’s men out despite their superior goal difference.

Czech Republic – After their opening day mauling at the hands of Russia, this blog hinted that the Czech’s may still be able to progress due to ‘the kinder nature of their group’. Michal Bilek’s side did well to take full advantage, and still had to overcome Poland on their own turf. Petr Jiracek scored the decisive goal to knock out the co-hosts out and put his side through top of the group, where they will face Portugal.

England – Roy Hodgson was as disbelieving as fans of the Three Lions that his England team had not only got out of the group, but were 3 points and 2 goals better than second placed France. Whisper it quietly but the ‘rub of the green’ that has evaded England side in tournaments of the past is apparent and few could argue that their disciplined nature hasn’t warranted it. Better equipped England sides would and have lost the three ‘banana skin’ games that this side have played.

Bad end for:

Poland – The co-hosts did not do enough in their encounter with Czech Republic to deserve a place in the last eight of the tournament. Coach Franciszek Smuda (right) has subsequently resigned over the exit and it is a shame that they did not utilise Robert Lewondowski to greater effect. It was enjoyable to watch the Poland game drinking Polish Lager with Polish people in a Polish bar...in Doncaster and get a taste of ‘Euro fever’; its unfortunate that they won’t take on the old enemy Germany in the next round.

Russia – A team of their quality managed by a manager of Advocaat’s calibre should not have lost to Greece and technically they shouldn’t have gone home. Rules are rules though unfortunately and goal difference ultimately counted for nothing when the head-to-head rule is put before it.

Spain – While the Spaniards are still (joint) favourites to retain their crown, I, for one, have been left quite underwhelmed by their style of play and they look, dare we say...beatable? Some may argue that playing with so many midfielders enhances a fluid style of play, but it looks more of a muddle. Cesc Fabregas is a talented attacking midfielder, but one wonders how he gets the nod ahead of Fernando Llorente – who would add structure to the setup – off the substitute’s bench.

Hero:

Cristiano Ronaldo – Having often been lambasted for not producing on the bigger stages for his country, the Real Madrid star turned up when he needed to – bagging a double to rescue his side from behind against Holland. BBC were very accurate in their description of Portugal captain as ‘scintillating’ and despite the pressure on his shoulders, he should be the difference between themselves and the Czech’s in the quarter finals.

Petr Jiracek – The Czech midfielder coolly slotted the ball home from a brilliant counter-attack in Wroclaw before collapsing in enjoyment / exhaustion at sending his side through to the quarter-finals. It was a moment that took the air from his lungs and the wind from the sails of the Poles.

Wayne Rooney – So nearly in the ‘villain’ category for missing a sitter against Ukraine, the England forward, who had been suspended for the first two games, needed to show that he merited a place in the side. After all, Danny Welbeck and Andy Carroll are in form, whereas Rooney was short of match practice and hadn’t scored in tournament football for EIGHT years. He changed that in simple fashion and could be the difference when facing the equally organised Italians.

Villains:

Sepp Blatter (part 1) – Where is the incentive to score more than one goal, when the team who scores the most in the group can be eliminated? Russia had a goal difference that was two better than Greece’s yet still went home on the head-to-head rule. It also lead to conspiracy theories from Italy that a 2-2 draw between Croatia and Spain would knock the Azzuri out. Fortunately it was not the case.

Sepp Blatter (part 2) – His reaction to England’s no goal against Germany in the 2010 World Cup came across as a mere shrug of the shoulders. However, when England profit from a slice of luck, the FIFA president says goal line technology needs introducing as soon as possible. Maybe Blatter is asking too much of the extra officials to spot whether Marko Devic's shot had crossed the line before John Terry hooked clear.

Croatia fans – Another ‘political’ choice, but the racist banners displayed by the minority of their fans against Spain, following their abuse of Mario Balotelli, has given Croatians a bad name. Financial penalisation is not enough and points should be deducted from their future tournament qualifications.

Magic moment – Mario Balotelli’s goal in the 90^th minute against Ireland was a stunning improvised overhead swivel – the only thing he has done all tournament so far – but he was beaten by someone of similar languid stature: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish centre forward volleyed home from 15 yards to regain some pride for himself and his side. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-CdyLzc8Z8