Sunday, June 08, 2008
Euro 2008 Group D Preview:
RussiaCoach: Guus Hiddink
Star Player: 10 Andrei Arshavin
Rising Star: 1 Igor Akinfeev
Captain: 11 Sergei Semak
Qualification Stats: 2nd in Group E, ahead of ENGLAND but below Croatia
Top Scorer: Alexander Kerzhakov (6 goals)
Expectations: Quarter Finals
With master tactician Guus Hiddink as Russia's mastermind, they, along with Croatia, are the dark horses of the tournament. They'll have to depend on playmaker Andrei Arshavin, and the pace of Dmitri Sychev and Ivan Saenko upfront. Their goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev are, like Holland, the only bright spot in their weak defence, probably, only Sergei Ignashevich can boast some quality. Even then, they prevented England from going through, didn't they?
GreeceCoach: Otto Rehhagel
Star Player: 9 Angelos Charisteas
Rising Star: 22 Alexandros Tziolis
Captain: 6 Angelos Basinas
Qualification Stats: 1st in Group C, ahead of Turkey and Norway
Top Scorer: Theofanis Gekas (5 goals)
Expectations: Group Stages
The surprise winners of the last edition of this tournament, Greece will still certainly start as the ones destined not to advance to the quarters. Angelos Basinas and Alexandros Tziolis will hold up the defensive guard in midfield, shielding the back four. Gergios Samaras, Theofanis Gekas and Angelos Charisteas will need to score some goals for Greece to stand any chance of advancing.
SwedenCoach: Lars Lagerback
Star Player: 10 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Rising Star: 18 Sebastian Larsson
Captain: 9 Fredrik Ljungberg
Qualification Stats: 2nd in Group F, below Spain and ahead of Northern Ireland and Denmark
Top Scorer: Marcus Allback (6 goals)
Expectations: Group Stages
After sensationally bringing legend Henrik Larsson back into the international fold, Lars Lagerback will have some difficulty in picking either qualifying top scorer Marcus Allback or Larsson himself to partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front. If Ibrahimovic delivers, Sweden have a chance, if Ibrahimovic decides to be lazy, Larsson and Fredrik Ljungberg will be heavily burdened to bag goals.
*SpainCoach: Luis Aragones
Star Player: 9 Fernando Torres
Rising Star: 21 David Silva
Captain: 1 Iker Casillas
Qualification Stats: 1st in Group F, ahead of Sweden
Top Scorer: David Villa (7 goals)
Expectations: Semi Finals
1 Iker Casillas
5 Carles Puyol
__ 20 Juanito
15 Sergio Ramos
______________________________________ 11 Joan Capdevila
19 Marcos Senna
8 Xavi
__________________________ 10 Cesc Fabregas
David Silva
7 David Villa
______________________ 9 Fernando Torres
The world's biggest underachievers in international football, Spain will be hoping to triumph in this year's edition. They have the best EPL debutant this time in Liverpool's Fernando Torres, partnering David Villa, to be supported with one most would think is David Silva, or otherwise. They also have Arsenal's wonderkid in Cesc Fabregas, and Barcelona's playmaker Xavi, whilst either Marcos Senna or Xabi Alonso guards the back four. Iker Casillas leads the back line, with Carles Puyol and Sergio Ramos the stars of the defence. They have good back-up in Andres Iniesta, Daniel Guiza and the defensive likes of Alvaro Arbeloa and Raul Albiol. They even have a quality 'keeper should Casillas get injured, in Jose Reina and the very experienced Andres Palop. Spain will have to do good and realise their potential with such a talented squad.
Yesterday's Results:
Switzerland 0-1 Czech Republic
A very scrappy game. A game of missed chances. But even after substitute Vaclav Sverkos scored the eventual winner, Switzerland had quite a number of chances to score in the game. Czech 'keeper Petr Cech did well to stop a number of shots, but had to thank his upright on a couple of occasions.
Portugal 2-0 Turkey
I must say... Portugal should have gone at least 5-0 up. Their skipper Nuno Gomes kept hitting the bar, and Cristiano Ronaldo's showing on the left should have been rewarded by a goal from his usual free-kicks. Having said that, Turkey should have scored a few too, Nihat and Sanli Tuncay the guilty parties. Portugal look very convincing. I really loved the last goal. Nice turn by Joao Moutinho, and his passed allow the substitute to score the last goal. Nice name too from him, Raul Meireles.
Bye~!
my thoughts at 8:25 pm