TWELVE gone, four left. As this wonderful tournament reaches its climax, it’s time to reflect on the past four days, which saw three ‘second placed’ teams, Germany, Turkey and Russia progress, with only the Spaniards doing their bit for the table toppers. Usually at this time of a major championship, the attacking bravado of the earlier rounds is replaced by a far more conservative ‘defend-first’ approach, and this was certainly the case in a couple of the quarter finals, particular yesterday morning’s dreary effort by the Azzurri. As we look ahead to the semi finals, fingers crossed we still see attack flourish, and the portents are certainly good with the presence of Guus’ Russians and the nimble Spaniards.
But first, a wrap of the quarters;
Portugal 2 vs Germany 3
Earlier in the tournament I reported on how certain managers had tinkered in order find the right formula. Up until this game Loew hadn’t been one of them, sticking to his 4-4-2 and the underwhelming Gomes and Fritz. But here he finally reacted, bolstering the central midfield with Hitzelsberger and Rolfes (Frings was injured) and going to a 4-2-3-1, with Ballack supporting Klose from deep. What this did was not only stiffen their central midfield (an area that had been exposed against Croatia), but it freed the skipper of the defensive burden. It worked a treat, Ballack getting on the ball and providing the perfect link between midfield and attack. With Podolski continuing his excellent form and Schweinsteiger burning Ferreira every time he touched it, Germany were back, and exposed Portugal at the set-piece (even if Ballack’s goal was a blatant foul), a trait that had been evident since the Czech game. Scolari failed to react to Loew’s moves, sticking with his rigid 4-3-3, and Portugal were out, exposed for a number of deficiencies (average keeper, lack of a striker, average holding midfielder and some defensive weakness).
Croatia 1 vs Turkey 1 after extra time (Turkey 3-1 on penalties)
An average game that only livened up thanks to the dramatic climax. It was a little cruel on the Croats, who had controlled most of the game without ever really threatening to put it to bed. It was particularly cruel on Modric and ‘Aussie Joe’ Simunic, who had been excellent throughout, but after the deflating Semih equaliser, it was hardly a surprise they couldn’t pick themselves up for the pens. Both teams started with only one striker, congesting the midfield, and Croatia were largely blunt up front, Modric playing very well, but far too deep. In fact, that was Croatia’s down-fall, the fact they couldn’t find a midfielder to play deep alongside Nik Kovac, thus freeing Modric to influence higher up the pitch, as Loew did with Ballack. As for Turkey, they worked and worked, and, as is their way, never gave up. Altintop and Tuncay were incredible in central midfield, while the central defensive pair Emre Asik and Gokhan Zan looked far more solid than the Turks have hitherto looked. What drama.
Holland 1 vs Russia 3 after et
If the Russian performance against Sweden was special, then this one, against better opposition, was even better. Is there any stopping the Hiddink and Arshavin show? The Russian started nervously, but not for the first time this tournament, they were the ones soon controlling the game, Hiddink dominating the flanks and pinned back the Dutch wingers by making them work. Sneijder and Kuijt were blunted by the willingness of Zhirkov and Anyukov to get forward, and both were spent by half-time. With the two fullbacks and Zyrianov bombing on, Arshavin popping up all over the place to influence things and Pavlyuchenko providing a neat mobile target, the Dutch couldn’t live with them, and van der Sar was kept busy. The only problem was they didn’t have the goals to confirm this domination, and Holland stayed in it thanks to some wonderfully taken ‘in-swingers’ to the back post (such a trend at these championships) by van der Vaart and some uncertain set-piece defending by Russia. After a couple of near misses, van Nistelrooy finally got on the end of one and it was extra time, where the Russians got what they deserved thanks to some brilliance from Arshavin and the fesh-legs of Torbinski. As the great Hiddink said afterwards, Russia were tactically, mentally and physically too good for Holland.
Spain 0 vs Italy 0 after et (Spain 4-2 on penalties)
Missing the craft of Pirlo, Donadoni went into this one with an ultra conservative approach, sitting deep, congesting the midfield with workhorses (Aquilani and Perotta were terrible), hoping that Toni could feed off scraps to pinch Italy the win. Clearly the intention was to win any-which-way they could and give Pirlo a crack in the semis. While the defending was brilliant at times (especially from Chiellini), the strategy didn’t work, and Donadoni can have no complaints. Spain was the only team trying to get forward, and while they didn’t do it with much conviction, at least the intent was there. Indeed, Spain were very calculated, ensuring they weren’t exposed on the counter, and Puyol and Ramos were magnificent in defence. Twinkle-toed Silva continued his eye-catching tourni, looking a threat every time he was on the ball. Senna continues to be important in the holding role, and while guys like Guiza and Carzola struggle to make an impact off the bench, Fabregas certainly looked good here.
Now for the semis, which start on Thursday morning (4.45am our time);
Germany vs Turkey
With Turkey cut-apart by suspension and injury, it’s hard to see them getting over the Germans, but how many times have we said that already this tournament? As I’ve said before, they certainly are one of the most united sides, and given they’ve only led for a few minutes all up, surely this is one task too big. But destiny and belief are strange beasts, and Turkey will defend deep and try and get men around Ballack, Podolski and Schweinsteiger. Germany sure look more solid now that Lahm has moved to the left and Friedrich has come in on the right.
Spain vs Russia
Promises to be another free-flowing classic. While Spain walloped them in the first game, the scoreline lied a bit. Since then they’ve tightened things up significantly, and Hiddink has continued to engender incredible belief. Despite needing penalties, Spain made a massive mental breakthrough against Italy and must now fancy their chances of making the final. But they will need to cope with the physical run of Russia, and as the Greeks, Swedes and Dutch found out, knowing about it is one thing. Dealing with it, entirely another.
But first, a wrap of the quarters;
Portugal 2 vs Germany 3
Earlier in the tournament I reported on how certain managers had tinkered in order find the right formula. Up until this game Loew hadn’t been one of them, sticking to his 4-4-2 and the underwhelming Gomes and Fritz. But here he finally reacted, bolstering the central midfield with Hitzelsberger and Rolfes (Frings was injured) and going to a 4-2-3-1, with Ballack supporting Klose from deep. What this did was not only stiffen their central midfield (an area that had been exposed against Croatia), but it freed the skipper of the defensive burden. It worked a treat, Ballack getting on the ball and providing the perfect link between midfield and attack. With Podolski continuing his excellent form and Schweinsteiger burning Ferreira every time he touched it, Germany were back, and exposed Portugal at the set-piece (even if Ballack’s goal was a blatant foul), a trait that had been evident since the Czech game. Scolari failed to react to Loew’s moves, sticking with his rigid 4-3-3, and Portugal were out, exposed for a number of deficiencies (average keeper, lack of a striker, average holding midfielder and some defensive weakness).
Croatia 1 vs Turkey 1 after extra time (Turkey 3-1 on penalties)
An average game that only livened up thanks to the dramatic climax. It was a little cruel on the Croats, who had controlled most of the game without ever really threatening to put it to bed. It was particularly cruel on Modric and ‘Aussie Joe’ Simunic, who had been excellent throughout, but after the deflating Semih equaliser, it was hardly a surprise they couldn’t pick themselves up for the pens. Both teams started with only one striker, congesting the midfield, and Croatia were largely blunt up front, Modric playing very well, but far too deep. In fact, that was Croatia’s down-fall, the fact they couldn’t find a midfielder to play deep alongside Nik Kovac, thus freeing Modric to influence higher up the pitch, as Loew did with Ballack. As for Turkey, they worked and worked, and, as is their way, never gave up. Altintop and Tuncay were incredible in central midfield, while the central defensive pair Emre Asik and Gokhan Zan looked far more solid than the Turks have hitherto looked. What drama.
Holland 1 vs Russia 3 after et
If the Russian performance against Sweden was special, then this one, against better opposition, was even better. Is there any stopping the Hiddink and Arshavin show? The Russian started nervously, but not for the first time this tournament, they were the ones soon controlling the game, Hiddink dominating the flanks and pinned back the Dutch wingers by making them work. Sneijder and Kuijt were blunted by the willingness of Zhirkov and Anyukov to get forward, and both were spent by half-time. With the two fullbacks and Zyrianov bombing on, Arshavin popping up all over the place to influence things and Pavlyuchenko providing a neat mobile target, the Dutch couldn’t live with them, and van der Sar was kept busy. The only problem was they didn’t have the goals to confirm this domination, and Holland stayed in it thanks to some wonderfully taken ‘in-swingers’ to the back post (such a trend at these championships) by van der Vaart and some uncertain set-piece defending by Russia. After a couple of near misses, van Nistelrooy finally got on the end of one and it was extra time, where the Russians got what they deserved thanks to some brilliance from Arshavin and the fesh-legs of Torbinski. As the great Hiddink said afterwards, Russia were tactically, mentally and physically too good for Holland.
Spain 0 vs Italy 0 after et (Spain 4-2 on penalties)
Missing the craft of Pirlo, Donadoni went into this one with an ultra conservative approach, sitting deep, congesting the midfield with workhorses (Aquilani and Perotta were terrible), hoping that Toni could feed off scraps to pinch Italy the win. Clearly the intention was to win any-which-way they could and give Pirlo a crack in the semis. While the defending was brilliant at times (especially from Chiellini), the strategy didn’t work, and Donadoni can have no complaints. Spain was the only team trying to get forward, and while they didn’t do it with much conviction, at least the intent was there. Indeed, Spain were very calculated, ensuring they weren’t exposed on the counter, and Puyol and Ramos were magnificent in defence. Twinkle-toed Silva continued his eye-catching tourni, looking a threat every time he was on the ball. Senna continues to be important in the holding role, and while guys like Guiza and Carzola struggle to make an impact off the bench, Fabregas certainly looked good here.
Now for the semis, which start on Thursday morning (4.45am our time);
Germany vs Turkey
With Turkey cut-apart by suspension and injury, it’s hard to see them getting over the Germans, but how many times have we said that already this tournament? As I’ve said before, they certainly are one of the most united sides, and given they’ve only led for a few minutes all up, surely this is one task too big. But destiny and belief are strange beasts, and Turkey will defend deep and try and get men around Ballack, Podolski and Schweinsteiger. Germany sure look more solid now that Lahm has moved to the left and Friedrich has come in on the right.
Spain vs Russia
Promises to be another free-flowing classic. While Spain walloped them in the first game, the scoreline lied a bit. Since then they’ve tightened things up significantly, and Hiddink has continued to engender incredible belief. Despite needing penalties, Spain made a massive mental breakthrough against Italy and must now fancy their chances of making the final. But they will need to cope with the physical run of Russia, and as the Greeks, Swedes and Dutch found out, knowing about it is one thing. Dealing with it, entirely another.
