As we enter into the final round of the European Championships we are starting to see the true character of teams, including dark horses and giants that failed to wake up for the tournament.
Who do you fancy to win now?
The Netherlands have put in a frankly shocking display, something no-one expected from the 2010 World Cup finalists. The main reason seems to be that the 23 Dutch players couldn’t work together as a squad effectively. Arjen Robben tried to shoot from everywhere, Van Persie missed more chances in the past three games than he did the whole of last season in a Gunners football kit, and Van Bommel couldn’t pull of playmaking manoeuvres that every player is supposed to learn using the most basic football training equipment – dribbling round cones, flags, etc.
Greece, despite looking as though they were going to go crashing out of the Euros faster than the Eurozone, managed to win 1-0 against Russia to go through behind the Czech Republic. This seemed unbelievable before their last match as Russia seemed so clinical and smooth in their dismantling of the Czech Republic, and were easily the better team against Poland.
As is the nature of football, out of the six teams through to the quarter-finals so far (the Czech Republic, Greece, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and Italy), only the Germans and the -Catalans- Spaniards have won more than one game. Arguably, only the Germans really feel like a strong team that has turned up in Poland, although Ukraine seem to have a bit of fire in their bellies.
Add the fact that they’re the German football team and this is a potent and very dangerous situation for every European team in football kits. Spain seem to be the only other side that could topple them, but even they haven’t looked quite like the force that they have been over the past few years.
Which brings us to England. Hodgson’s men went on to the field in Kiev knowing that, like the Germans, Sweden were traditionally a bit of a bogey team. England had never won a competitive game against the Swedes – even in friendlies wins have been rare and England had to rely on an own goal to nick a result last November.
So they were up against it from the start. But boy did they step up to the plate. For a team that was put together in three weeks under a manager that has only been in the job for six they looked cohesive, coherent and, dare I say it, good. The defence was tight and strong; Lescott and Terry made it difficult for Sweden to penetrate.
It was up front though where the team excelled themselves. Gerrard was firing balls into the box with more accuracy than Robin Hood and his bow, which led to the first Carroll goal – a simple header but beautifully executed. Then Mellberg, the oldest member of the Swedish squad, scored two within 10 minutes and every England fan sighed and thought we’d thrown it away yet again.
However, England then showed the character and commitment required of a side wanting to win football trophies, something which has often been lacking. After Walcott scored a fantastic, albeit lucky, strike against a stunned Sweden goalkeeper it was all level. With about 17 minutes remaining, England performed a move straight from the training ground with Welbeck riding his luck (with a pinch of skill) to slip another into the back of the net.
The Three Lions are now in a position where a draw against Ukraine would send them through to the quarter-finals. Better get practicing penalties then…
Image Rights: Bernenka
