The Set: Croatia 2-1 Germany

1. Marcel Jansen is receiving the most criticism of any of the players for the Germans after their embarrassing loss to Croatia. Yes, he did have a poor game defensively, but that can happen when you defend the entire right side of your opponent’s midfield with one young fullback. He received no support, whatsoever, from Lucas Podolski. This might be understandable as the lad is an out and out striker, but why didn’t Low compensate by directing either Frings or Ballack to help shut down that corridor. And it once again begs the question, why fit a square peg into a round hole. Podolski is not a left wing. He’s a striker and plays like one. Plus, having watched Werder Bremen weekly, I’ve seen some shocking defending from their left back that Per Mertesacker typically cleans up quite nicely. But Low has Metzelder as the left sided center-half, who was unwilling to move from the center.
   
2. Case in Point #1 - Deep in the first half, Croatia should have made the score 2-0 when Corluka received a ball from Pletikosa in his own half. He beat Jansen for pace on the left and ran the length of the field. This was a ball that was started slowly from a keeper who gingerly got off the ground to start the play. But during the time it took him to pick himself off the floor and get it to Corluka, Podolski, Frings and Ballack all stood in the middle of the pitch doing sweet fa, thus forcing Jansen to defend his left all by himself. And when he was schooled by Corluka, Metzelder held his position allowing him to run all the way to the 18 yard box, where he crossed the ball, eventually falling to Nico Kranjcar, who fortunately for the Germans has proven needs on average 65 shots to score one. The point is that Jansen was schooled but at least he was doing his job.
   
3. Case in Point #2 - The fist goal also saw Jansen involved, as Srna snuck by him on the far post and poked in a cross from Pranjic. But the problem on this play wasn’t that Jansen got beaten, but that over on Germany’s right side, Philip Lahm and Fritz got pulled into the center by a dummy run made by Ivan Rakatic leaving Croatia’s LB Pranjic with all the time needed to make a sterling cross. And Mertesacker and Metzelder also drifted in on this run, leaving a large gap between the central pair and Jansen, which Srna took advantage of.
   
4. Germany hasn’t scored from a corner in 95+ efforts. Watching Torsten Frings delivery, I can tell you one of the reasons for that. Time to reevaluate who takes set pieces.
   
5. Right now Joachim Löw is looking tactically inept, which is supposed to be a strength of his. I hate when managers don’t select on merit. And so far, Heiko Westermann, who had a monster season at Schalke, much of it playing on the left for the oft-injured Christian Pander, hasn’t had a sniff. Rene Adler was the Bundesliga keeper of the year, while Lehmann has lost his spot to an iffy keeper at Arsenal. Simon Rofles has proven to be a better partner with Ballack in the buildup to the tournament, but hasn’t seen a minute. And the Marin issue isn’t going to go away as he has lost Schweinsteiger and Podolski’s goals are covering his lack of ability as a left wing. And then there is the fact that Podolski and Klose, who both are coming off poor years, are automatics. Gomez has been brilliant the last two years, but he’s not the kind of player that links with Klose. He would be better suited to play with a jackrabbit like Neuville. So he looks like he is struggling, but a manager needs to play to strengths.
   
6. Schalke 04 is going to finally win the Bundesliga next year! You heard it here first. Ivan Rakatic will be in his second season, and watching his performance, which was immense, although overshadowed by Prajnic, he is going to be one of the best attacking mids in the world in five years time. His dummy run on the first goal sucked in most of the German side. His meander across the 18 and subsequent shot created the 2nd. And he was all over the pitch tonight, defending and creating. Add in the revelation from the Dutch, Orlando Engelaar and the just signed Jefferson Farfan from PSV to an already good squad and they may well make more noise in the Champion’s League that this years quarter final run.
   
7. MOM: Danijel Prajnic. What a performance! It was the best performance I have seen by a LB, since….well Van Bronckhorst. But seriously, it was the best performance by a LB that I can remember in a long time. He provided for the first goal; was a solid threat going forward throughout; and shut Germany's right side down comprehensively. They couldn't do anything on his side, with either Fritz or Odonkor. I imagine Herenveen’s phones have been ringing off the hook.
   

The Set: Holland v Italy

1) Well concerns over Orlando Engelaar's ability to set up in front of the defense were proven unfounded. The soon to be Schalke man orchestrated that midfield perfectly and linked play between the defense and van der Vaart and Sneijder perfectly.

2) But he wasn't as good as Nigel de Jong, who did the hard work in the midfield, winning the ball, getting stuck-in and being an overall pain in the ass for the Italians. De Jong has had an inconsistent two years at HSV. Perhaps new coach Martin Jol will see tonight and realize he has quite the double pivot in De Jong and Vincent Kompany.

3) The flag stayed down one van Nistelrooy's opening goal because Barzagli, who got injured in a collision with Buffon and fell down behing the by-line, did count in establishing offsides. This had to be explained to us by officials, which tells you two things. The first is that the rule is way too complicated; and the second is that it was the right call as officials never comment on calls. Tough break for Italy.

4) Cannavaro's absence was felt by the midfield, who fell back to cover the backline and were overrun, by the Dutch attack. And it's not smart to play deep when facing two world-class #10's (van der Vaart and Sneijder) and a deep distributor in Engelaar.

5) Forget Luca Toni, Jan Koller or Michael Ballack.....Giovanni van Bronckhorst is the aerial king on Switzerland/Austria.

6) Don't count the Italians out. Romania will be lucky to score with that flaccid attack and France is rudderless and about to panic. Meanwhile Italy had a bad day at the office. Donadoni made all the right tactical decisions, which just didn't pan out. And his willingness to let go of Matrix bodes well for his defense going forward. Now if he can just get some service for Toni.

7) As a Dutch fan, I have to say that pessimism is the way to go. I felt they could do it 98, 00, 02 (especially 02), 04 and 06. I wrote them off months ago and look what happens. Friday is going to be the worst day ever.

Euro 2008: Group C Analysis

Italy

Coach: Roberto Donadoni

The Guys You Know: Buffon, Gattuso, Pirlo and Luca Toni

The Ones You Should: Antonio Di Natale and Andrea Barzagli

Reasons for Hope: It’s a tournament and they are in it. That alone is enough reason to be excited for Italian fans. The world class player at every position doesn’t hurt either.

Reasons for Concern: The injury to Cannavaro hurts. Make no mistake about it. It’s not that he’s irreplaceable as a pure defender,as Italy is blessed with them. The problem is that few people read the game the way Fabio can. And his ability to read the game, allows the midfield freedom. With Materazzi filling in as Barzagli’s partner, De Rossi and Gatusso are going to be forced to play deeper to insulate the back line, throwing off the balance of their partnership with Pirlo.

The other small factor that could cause issues for the Italians is the service that Luca Toni will get. At Bayern he gets service from wide (which the Italian wings will provide easily) but also from quick passes to his feet from Ribery or when he partners with Klose. Italy’s set up is based around a deep lying playmaker. Those quick passes will be lacking and he will either have to create, which is the one weakness in his game, or wait for play from the wings

Unknown Fact: Have you ever considered that the monument in Pisa isn’t leaning, but that your fucking eyes are crooked, you cross-eyed mook!

Bottom Line: Only Italy can stop Italy. But as most Italians will tell you, it happens too often.

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Romania

Coach: Victor Piturca

The Guys You Know: Adrian Mutu and Christian Chivu

The Ones You Should: Dorian Goian and Ciprian Marica

Reasons for Hope: The team that everyone will overlook in the group of death also happens to be best suited to playing the teams in it. With a double pivot of Christian Chivu and Siena’s Paul Cordia, they are the only team likely to play a 4-4-2 in the group. The emergence of Dorian Goian, gives Romania and man-marker of extraordinary ability whose physical presence will allow him to handle Toni, Henry, Benzema or van Nistelrooy. The fact is that his partnership with Gabriel Tamas has become so good that Piturca moved the captain Chivu into a defensive midfielder role. They will be able to counter from the wings with the Rat, Dica and Nicolita providing service to a reborn Adrian Mutu and the guy that every defense in this group will overlook: Ciprian Marica. Remember that name; you will see it a lot.


Reasons for Concern: Their fullbacks play more like wingbacks. Shaktar’s Razvan Rat and Getafe’s Cosmin Contra will bomb forward relentlessly. However they will be up against three teams that will attack from the wings. If these two can’t get back and defend as well as they attack, Romania could end up where everyone expects them: at the bottom of group C.

Unknown Fact: Romanians hate Costa Ricans. For no reason whatsoever.

Bottom Line: They can score and they can defend and they may well win this group

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The Netherlands

Coach: Marco Van Basten

The Guys You Know: Ruud van Nistelrooy and Edwin Van der Sar

The Ones You Should: Orlando Engelaar and Demy De Zeeuw

Reasons for Hope: Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Arjen Robben, Ruud van Nistelrooj, Dirk Kuiyt, Ibrahim Afellay and Robin Van Persie make up their attack force. Read that again and marvel at the creativity.

But the main glimmer of hope is that the team is united for the first time ever.


Reasons for Concern: Johnny Heitinga, Wilfred Bouma, Joris Mathijsem and Andre Ooijer are their starting back four. Read that again and try not to laugh.

But the main problem is that Van Basten is rather tactically inept and plays defensively when he doesn’t have the tools to do so.

Unknown Fact: 5’8 is the cutoff height for dwarfism in Holland.

Bottom Line: While Van Der Saar is a goalie that will help mask the obvious deficiencies of the Dutch defenders, their tournament hopes are pinned to their double pivot of Orlando Engelaar (there’s a reason Twente are in the UCL next year) and AZ’s De Zeeuw. If these two protect the back line and are able to link with the attack (and Engelaar is a magnificent passer for someone so big), this team could actually win the whole thing. If they can’t handle it, the Dutch will do what the Dutch always do: fall short.

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France

Coach: Raymond Domenech

The Guys You Know: Ribery, Henry, Viera, Gallas, etc. etc.

The Ones You Should: Jeremy Toulalan, Benzema and Bafetimbi Gomis

Reasons for Hope: Nobody has their talent. Nobody!
Reasons for Concern: Domenech does not run a meritocracy. Phillip Mexes is France’s best defender but wasn’t included in the squad because Domenech doesn’t like him, while headcase Gallas and centenarian Thuram start at the back. Bacary Sagnol, the EPL’s best right back isn’t even on the team, while Wally Sagnol, who was last seen uninjured in Euro 2000 will start. Viera and Makalele are their starting central midfield pairing, when Jeremy Toulalan and Matthieu Flamini are coming off incredible years. Patrice Evra won a double but will sit behind the struggling Eric Abidal. And Thierry Henry will start up top, forcing Benzema and Gomis, who could both start for even the mighty Brazil, to be subs. Managing is about making the tough decisions, and he is incapable of doing so.

Unknown Fact: All letters are silent in the French language.

Bottom Line: : In two years, they will win the World Cup. They will do so because their starting lineup for this tournament will finally be done. I can’t see them winning a game unless they suffer massive injury problems to their starters

Rene Adler

Nice compilation of the World's Best Keeper

Ribery v. Toni

Euro 2008: Group B Analysis

Germany

Coach: Joaquim Löw

The Guys You Know: Michael Ballack and Miroslav Klose

The Ones You Should: Simon Rofles and Mario Gomez

Reasons for Hope: There is no outfield weakness. Michael Ballack is playing some of the best football of his career and has two great ball winners in Torsten Frings and Simon Rofles to partner with. If Metzelder is healthy, his partnership with Per Metesacker is outstanding and should make up for their goalie issue. Expect Mario Gomez to take Podolski’s starting position and win the Golden Boot. He’s that good. And while a huge name in Germany, he will be a household name throughout Europe by the end of this tournament.

Reasons for Concern: Germany is the one team that would probably be guaranteed the championship if a starter was injured. Keeper Jens Lehmann is shell of his former self, good for a blunder a half and a cancer to morale. Robert Enke and emerging superstar Rene Adler are much more reliable and would both be much better choices. Low may rue taking experience over competence. He may also pay heavily for leaving Borussia Mönchengladbach’s wonderkid Marko Marin off his roster, as he now lacks a natural left winger. For a team with the best aerial prowess in the world, forcing Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has to cut in to provide service and has difficulty utilizing the by-line, on the left takes away a significant offensive strength.

Unknown Fact: German Chancellor Angela Merkel hates Schnitzel so much that she refers to it as Shit-zel.

Bottom Line: There’s a reason the German’s are favorites. It’s their tournament to lose, but can they show the efficiency of previous generations?

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Croatia

Coach: Slavin Bilic

The Guys You Know: Nico Kranjcar and Luka Modric

The Ones You Should: Ivan Rakatic and Mladen Petric

Reasons for Hope: Contrary to popular opinion in South London, Croatia aren’t a one man team. And while Eduardo was key to qualification, Mladen Petric and Olic are both quality strikers coming off good years in the Bundesliga; meanwhile, youngster Nikola Kalinic could become a revelation this June. Modric, Kranjcar and wonderkid Rakatic are all wonderfully adept creators, with the ability to pass and stretch the defense. And at the back the pairing of Kovac and Simic is strong and stable. This is a team that is expected to go deep and rightfully so.


Reasons for Concern: They lack a holder to set in behind their creative players. Their choices are 36 year old Jerko Leko, the declining Nico Kovac or the untested Nikola Pokrivac. How this position is filled will go a long way in determining their fate. There are also worries about the quality of #1 Stipe Pletikosa, who can be brilliant one day, indecisive the next.

Unknown Fact: All Croats are conjoint-twins. Ask them where they are hiding theirs, the next time you meet one.

Bottom Line: Could make another 1998 style run. They should at least make the knock-out and cause headaches in that round.

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Poland

Coach: Leo Beenhakker

The Guys You Know: Artur Boruc and Ebi Smolarek

The Ones You Should: Mariusz Lewandowski and Roger Guerreiro

Reasons for Hope: In Beenhakker, the Poles have the most experienced manager in the tournament, and his ability to craft a team and change tactics quickly will make them a tough side to break down. While the defense has concerns, it is bookended by a phenomenal keeper in Boruc and the behemoth Lewandowski. If the defense performs, they have enough flair in recently naturalized Brazilian Guerrerio on the left and Blaszczykowski on the right to create chances. And in Smolarek they have a solid target man to hold the ball up for the speedy midfield, so this team should be able to cause problems for anyone.


Reasons for Concern: The defense is patchwork at best, especially with the injuries Beenhakker’s back line has endured. Few of their defenders play outside of Poland and they may be forced to bring the versatile midfielder Dudka into defense. They could find themselves outmanned against the German and Croatian attacks. But Beenhakker has done more with less (see T&T at the last World Cup).

Unknown Fact: Polish people are incapable of burping.

Bottom Line: It comes down to the Croatia game. If they win that one, they should make the knock out phase.

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Austria

Coach: Josef Hickersberger

The Guys You Know: You Don’t

The Ones You Should: You Shouldn’t

Reasons for Hope: They can only embarrass themselves thrice.

Reasons for Concern: Could be compared to Derby County at an international level.

Unknown Fact: Sigmund Freud thinks you want to nail your mom. Are you going to take that from him?

Bottom Line: Makes Belgium 2000 look like Brazil when it comes to host nations.

Euro 2008: Group A Analysis

Portugal

Coach: Phil Scolari

The Guys You Know: Christian Ronaldo and Deco

The Ones You Should: Miguel Veloso and Hugo Almeida

Reasons for Hope: Forget Ronaldo! Portugal’s claim as one of the favorites of the tournament is based on their backline. Pepe, Carvalho and Meira give them three reliable and tough CB’s, while Bosingwa and Ferreira (likely to play on the left) give them fullbacks capable of defending and attacking. With Petit and Veloso holding in front of them, the only scoring this back line in bound to see will be at Ronaldo’s after-parties.

Reasons for Concern: Who will score? The Portuguese system churns out talent at every position but one. The likes of Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga do little to scare Superliga reserve sides, let alone the best defenses in Europe. However, the emergence of Hugo Almeida at Werder might provide them with a new forward, who can definitely score in a 4-4-2. If he proves capable of holding the ball up for the attacking force that is Ronaldo, Deco, Nani and Queresma, there will be no stopping this team.

Unknown Fact: Portuguese is commonly spoken in Portugal.

Bottom Line: If their attack can score, they will win this tournament easily.

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Switzerland

Coach: Koebi Kuhn

The Guys You Know: Tranquillo Barnetta and Phillippe Senderos

The Ones You Should: Patrick Muller and Gokhan Inler

Reasons for Hope: Playing at home doesn’t hurt, but Kuhn’s side is a very composed and organized side. The return of Muller allays the defensive fears that Arsenal fans were well aware of with the pairing of Senderos and Djourou. Muller, the defensive organizer, is the heart of a solid defense. His influence on Senderos is remarkable and the development of Udinese’s Inler into a top holder provides insulation at the back. With two strong attacking fullbacks in Degen and Stuttgart’s Magnin, they should be able to match their defensive prowess from Germany 2006.

Reasons for Concern: Barnetta’s ankle is touch and go. If he is fit, he spearheads the offense with Man City’s Fernandes and Lazio’s Behrami working off him. If he isn’t, Fernandes and Behrami, while hard working, lack the industry and imagination to allow this team to score often, especially with the weak front line.

Unknown Fact: The famous book Heidi is about American Football.

Bottom Line: Expect emotion to allow them to get past the Czech’s in the first game. This should lead to a showdown with Turkey for the 2nd position in the group. Considering only one of those two teams can defend, expect Switzerland to make it to the knockout, but no further.

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Turkey

Coach: Fatih Terim

The Guys You Know: Hamit Altintop and Emre

The Ones You Should: Servet Cetin and Nihat

Reasons for Hope: When it works, this team can score at will. They are blessed with attacking flair in Bayern’s Altintop (who looks set to overcome a late injury), Newcastle’s Emre, Galatasaray’s Arda and Boro’s Tuncay Sanli. The pairing of Villareal’s shit-hot Nihat with Fenerbahce’s Senturk gives them one of the most underrated pairing up front at the tournament. They should be one of the funnest teams to watch this June.


Reasons for Concern: They lack a holder (now that Mehmet Aurelio is questionable) and the ability to defend aerials. Other than the solid Cetin, their defense is shaky on a good day and relies on the old adage of the best defense is a good attack. Any team that plays them on the counter should fire their manager at the half.

Unknown Fact: The modern founder of Turkey, Mustafa Ataturk, could eat his weight in Jello Pudding Pops.

Bottom Line: Defense wins tournaments. Their games will win them plaudits and fans, but it won’t get them to the knock-out phase.

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Czech Republic

Coach: Karel Brueckner

The Guys You Know: Petr Cech and Tomas Galasek

The Ones You Should: Martin Fenin and Jaroslav Plasil

Reasons for Hope: Petr Cech seems to be regaining the form that made him the best in the world. The men sitting in front of him, Jankulovski of Milan, Rozenhal of Lazio, Grygera of Juve and Kovac of Spartak, are solid and will keep them in games as well as allow Karel’s men to play the attacking style that is his trademark without the absolute fear of the counter. In addition, the next generation will be represented by target man Martin Fenin. If he is given the opportunity, he can make up for the loss of Rosicky, albeit higher on the pitch.

Reasons for Concern: The loss of Rosicky is brutal. He had taken over as their talisman following the departure of Nedved. But his injury only masks a rather average midfield outside of the star. Plasil on the left is not to be underrated and could flourish if pushed to create, but Galasek is old, Jarolim and Marek are average and rather shocking by Czech standards. On top of that, a partnership that should have been disbanded before Germany in Koller and Baros makes even the Portuguese feel bad for the Czechs.

Unknown Fact: The population of the Czech Republic is primarily composed of supermodels. The remaining 10% are sycophants and well-wishers.

Bottom Line: Transitions periods are tough times for national teams. The Czechs are well past the last generation that was by far the best team at Euro 2004. They are two to four years from utilizing the bulk of the U20 finalists from last year, with Fenin being the first to make his mark. Sadly, this should be a rough tournament for the country, but the mark of a good footballing nation is the ability to qualify in the lean years, and the Czechs have done just that.