Monday, March 26, 2007

Euro 2008 Qualifying March 26 2007

Wrap up of Saturday's games.

Upset of the round:

Kazakhstan 2 - 1 Serbia

One would have thought Yugoslavia's defeat to Azerbaijan during qualification for Euro 2004 was an all time low, never to be repeated. One was also obviously wrong as Javier Clemente ensured Serbia sunk to a new low. It made sense to rest first choice defenders, Ivica Dragutinovic and Mladen Krstaljic, as Borat's boys would obviously be Serbia's weakest opponents; but not in view of the performance their understudies delivered. 23 shots, zero goals on offence. Meanwhile, two goals conceded off defensive lapses. Serbia, are you Arsenal in disguise ? Oh and by the way - Azerbaijan still have to be played and Zigic will be suspended for two games.

Lame result of the round:

Israel 0 - 0 England

Here's a thought, maybe, just maybe, England's players aren't really that good. Away from the cushioning and refereeing nepotism of the domestic league, England's stars are a rudderless ship, one bad steer away from the craggy rocks of non-qualification. Mclaren may be the most unsuitable coach in International football right now, but the complete inability of any of the English 'stars' to rise to the occasion and lift the team is the more damning indictment of England's chances of winning Euro 2008. Sorry Frank. It had to be said.

Terrific results of the round:

Greece 1 - 4 Turkey

Turkey were playing their biggest rivals away at their home. It was a top of the table clash between two teams who were 100% going into the game. Then even went a goal behind. Massive, massive result. Much will be made of Germany and Croatia going clear in their groups, but Turkey have taken the biggest step towards Austria-Switzerland.

Czech Republic 1 - 2 Germany

Again, top of the table clash between two unbeaten teams - both talented, skilled and well drilled as a team. Germany were playing in the Czech Republic, went a goal down but came back to trump their strongest opposition in the group. Roll on Austria-Switzerland. Injuries aside, this result should go a long way towards tying up the group for the mighty Mannschaft.

Norway 1 - 2 Bosnia

Bosnia pulled off a plucky away result against a more pedigreed side. Neither country may make the Euro finals but are trying to stay in the slipstream of the top two. With this result Bosnia have gotten the upper hand in the jostling for third place. Oh and Muslimovic's goal was a real beauty.

Good International Derby result of the round:

Croatia 2 - 1 Macedonia

They may have left it late, and required another goal from their Brazilian import, but Croatia avoided a potential banana skin and have gone clear in Group E. For Macedonia - file under plucky, tricky, erstwhile Yugoslav republic (see also, Bosnia).

Good but Ultimately Irrelevent International Derby Result of the round:

(Stephen) Ireland 1 - 0 Wales

Steve Staunton staved off further slagging along with Simon Davies. Wales is so far removed from their victories in the runup to Euro 2004.

Big win over decent opposition result:

Portugal 4 - 0 Belgium

Europe's two best wingers combined to tear Belgium to shreds. Ronaldo's purple run continues and this time he didn't need to dive. Ricardo Quaresma on the other hand is the best player in Portugal right now. Belgium aren't going anywhere - not with leaden footed Daniel Van Buyten at the back.

Big win over less then decent opposition:

Poland 5 - 0 Azerbaijan

The Poles have replaced Serbia as Portugal's main challengers in Group A. Azerbaijan meanwhile, have games against Kazakhstan and local rivals Armenia to look forward to. Only interesting aside was Radoslaw Matusiak not turning out for the Poles.

'We're still around mate' results:

Liechtenstein 1 - 4 Northern Ireland

A facile win over minnow opposition perhaps, but it leaves Northern Ireland still in the running for second place. Hard to believe that David Healy is going to be relegated this season.

Scotland 2 - 1 Georgia

You have to beat the opposition on the day and Scotland ensured that they did the chasing pack of Ukraine and Italy no favours. Top of the group, they are now the best placed team from the British Isles and Ireland. Special mention to Shota Averladze who ensured that Jari Litmanen is not alone in being an againg, erstwhile, ex-Ajax striker to score internationally this season.

Onto the next set of games midweek.

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Round of 16 Wrap Up

Then there were 8.

Aggregate Scores:
Valencia 2 - 2 Inter (away goals)
Liverpool 2 - 2 Barcelona (away goals)
Bayern 4 - 4 Real (away goals)
Man U 2 - 0 Lille
Arsenal 1 - 2 PSV
Lyon 0 - 2 Roma
Chelsea 2 - 1 Porto
Milan 1 - 0 Celtic

Revisiting predictions is often a very humbling experience as it reveals how wrong or how badly off you were about something. Picking over the deadwood following last night's second legs, one wonders if the cream of the crop has been knocked out, replaced instead by gritty veterans, savvy of the perils of the knockout stage.

After the streetwise Valencia knocked out the arguably more talented Inter in a stranglehold in the second leg, Liverpool, Europe's most enigmatic team, produced a throughly dominant performance to knockout defending champions Barcelona. Both ties were decided on away goals. Both winners performed better at home but got the result that mattered in the away leg.

Valencia's game with Inter finished scoreless but the Spanish team had more chances and could have put the tie away. Their late goals in Milan ensured progression but it was no less than they deserved. The only blemish on a thoroughly absorbing tie was the disgusting violence that broke out at the end. UEFA should ensure David Navarro gets banned for a ridiculous piece of on field thuggery. Nicolas Burdisso must be feeling doubly sore - the pain from a broken nose adding to the disappointment of getting knocked out. Europe will be poorer with Inter's absence - although predictably their exit will be greeted with jeers in Italy who regard this as proof that Inter are getting a free run in Serie A.

Liverpool outclassed Barcelona at Anfield with ample chances to bury their visitors early. Sadly, for the second time in a week, Liverpool ended up losing despite dominating an opponent at home. Good thing that they had beaten Barcelona in Spain as they too advanced on away goals. The 2-1 away win priceless for Benitez and his men. Liverpool may still be off the pace domestically, but they have developed an impressive pedigree in Europe. Barcelona, like Inter, haven't sparkled in Europe and their start stop performances have never really convinced.

Lyon, on a slide since the start of the year, ensured they tripped when presented with their best chance of going deep in the draw. After stuttering in Rome they were clinically beaten at home by Roma. Luciano Spaletti got his tactics spot on as he ensured Lyon paid for their defensive mistakes with some efficient finishing from decent chances - Arsenal are you watching yet ? Notoriously inconsistent, Roma ensured they held firm at a crucial stage of their season. Being off form is one thing but questions must be asked of Gerrard Houllier who has taken a championship outfit and made them distinctly midtable. If talismanic midfielder Juninho and attacking presence Florent Malouda leave over the summer, Lyon's era of dominance may be truly over.

Lille out-muscled Manchester United again in a good performance on the field that doesn't deserve their childish behavior off of it. United, though have ensured this season that they take points from games despite their performance on it. They deserved their win in the tie but were run very close by Lille. The benefit of experience in your side is the presence of mind they bring when the going gets tough. Witness Giggs' smartly taken free kick in the first leg and Larsson's composed strike here. Lille have done themselves proud on the field but have let themselves down off of it. United, on the other hand, have shown that grinding out wins is not below them if the situation demands it.

Chelsea, on the other hand are the epitome of grinding out wins. Of all people, passenger of the year, Michael Ballack scored the winner after Arjen Robben drew Chelsea level. Ricardo Quaresma had scored the opener to give Porto an early lead both in the game and tie. Chelsea have come back strongly and their resilience in the Champions' League is to be admired. Jose Mourinho may claim that he is unperturbed by events on the pitch vis-a-vis his future but make no mistake - he wants to leave with Europe's top prize his, once again.

Celtic took 2003 winners Milan all the way before Kaka finally made sure one of Milan's astonishing 38 shots finally went in. Throughout the match Milan thrust but Celtic parried. Having played better in the home leg, Celtic were always up against it in Milan but they kept their more illustrious opponents at bay for almost 120 minutes. In the end it was only a moment of brilliance from one of Milan's stars that separated the two sides. That's all.

I was extremely skeptical of the fare that Real Madrid and Bayern Munich would serve up but they proved me wrong as they ensured their tie was the most absorbing. Real won the first leg 3-2 but then Bayern triumphed 2-1 in the second to go though on away goals - the third team to do so in the round. 8 goals all round with even a scuffle thrown in. Bayern's favorite midfield nuisance Mark Van Bommel tussling with Real's new nuisance - Mahamaddou Diarra. Both promptly got sent off.

Finally, Arsenal ensured that once again, they would end their Champions' League campaign earlier than it should have with a classic combination of defensive lapses and offensive impotency. Few teams in the last decade would have lost this tie to PSV having created the number of chances Arsenal did. Results have rarely mirrored performance for Arsenal and this season that discrepancy has reached an all time gap. PSV, soldiered on without doing anything special, 3 real shots on goal in 120 minutes and they go into the draw for the last eight.

Stat Wrap Up.
There are no representatives from Group G (Porto, Arsenal) and Group E (Real, Lyon) left while Group C (Liverpool, PSV) and Group D (Valencia, Roma) still have both their representatives going strong. In the 16 games, 3 were scoreless, a further 5 were 1-0 affairs and only 2 games featured more than 3 goals. Chelsea, Bayern and PSV are the only domestic champions left. 3 ties were decided on away goals. Milan, Roma and Manchester United did not concede a goal. Meanwhile Lille, Lyon and Arsenal didn't have a single goalscorer in their ranks this round. Inter went out despite not losing. 29 goals were scored in 16 games - less than 2 a game - 8 of them came in the Real-Bayern tie. Arsenal and Lyon are the only group winners who didn't make it.

Goal of the round:
Mancini's 'step'over Lyon.

Team of the round over both legs:
4-4-1-1
Gomes; Riise, Albiol, Lucio, Carragher; Silva, Deco, Cambiasso, Robben; Totti; Raul

Gracious Loser: Gerrard Houllier - he knows when he's truly beaten.

Stupid Comment: Jamie "Best night in Europe" Carragher. What about that win over Milan 2 years ago ? Stick to letting your football do the talking Carra.

Moron Award: David Navarro

Special mention for consistent Dejavu: Arsenal. Stick. ball. in. net.

Do-nothing-but-still-notch-2-goals award: Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Scrappy to the very end.