euro2008
Sunday, November 18, 2007
So its the second last round of matches of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. After so much time being spent over the course of 2 years, involving so many countries, stadia and not forgetting, many club vs country issues being brewed and solved, it had come down to it for most countries yesterday night, and for some it will come down to Wednesday's matches.
I was really disappointed to see
Scotland not qualify, after such a fairytale campaign, highlighted with their two wins, home and at the Stade de France, over the French. But against Italy, their defence was really lacking. Luca Toni's 2nd minute goal was really due to some poor marking on the part of the Scots, they didn't mark the crosser, Di Natale, and the latter duly got the cross in for the Bayern target man. Scotland also had many chances to get back into the game, one in particular, was Everton forward James McFadden missing the target with Gianlugi Buffon scrambling across his goal. It was also
kinda cruel how the last minute of the game killed of Scotland's chances. An Andrea Pirlo set-piece saw Christian Panucci rise highest to score, again because of poor defending, as no one challenged Panucci in the air. So unfortunately, Craig Gordon and company will not be in Austria and Switzerland next summer.
Portugal have to battle it with Finland and Serbia for the other spot of qualification, which Poland had already booked one place. Portugal just have to draw with Finland to make it to Austria and Switzerland. Cristiano Ronaldo and gang should take care of it.
Engla
nd wasn't on the pitch yesterday night, but the
Engla
nd fans all over the world, English or not, will definitely have their morale boosted after Israel did them a HUGE favour by beating Russia 2-1 in Tel Aviv. Israel took the lead through some good movement and a great through pass, to allow Elyaniv Barda to score inside 10 minutes. Russia came out fighting in the second half, and in truth the only keeping
Engla
nd in Euro 2008 was Israel's goalkeeper. Guus Hiddink must have set out Russia to go all out for it, and it was seen by the substitution of Dmitri Sychev. This Locomotiv Moscow forward looked very bright, and he could have got Steve McClaren sack with two shots, a long range one that just eased past the post, whilst another one that hit the post after a good run. The center of Russia's three-pronged defence committed a huge error, Omer Golan dispossessed the Russian sweeper, and an incoming Israeli midfielder recovered the ball and slide an inch perfect pass to the on-running Golan to finish past the hapless Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. With Croatia surprisingly losing to lowly Macedonia,
Engla
nd not only have a chance of making it to Euro 2008 with a draw at Wembley, a win would put them at the top of the group, and be seeded in the group stages in next year's tournament. Its all firmly placed back in
Engla
nd hands, can they take it, or will they slip up at the final hurdle of the year?
Spain gave Sweden somewhat of a thrashing too, and secured their place in the finals. Joan Capdevilla volleyed home a Xavi corner to score Spain's first. Very nice goal, indeed. Sergio Ramos scored the third after Capdevilla had another of his volley, from a corner too, saved on the line but the rebound, unfortunately, fell to Ramos to score. Spain cruise to victory, and they should secure top spot in their final qualifying match. It would also be interested to note if Northern Ireland can do the impossible and steal a spot from Sweden, after such a magnificent start to the campaign, with David Healy in the centre of it, especially the 3-0 win over Spain, but it just sizzled out, sadly.
Congratulations to
Netherlands,
Romania,
Czech Republic, Germany,
Spain,
Croatia,
Greece,
France,
Italy and Pol
and for making it through to the Euro 2008 finals to be held in Austria and Switzerland next summer!
And good luck to England!
Bye~!
my thoughts at 5:49 pm