It's Spain's to lose now...
Mon Jun 23 12:38PM
There was much relief round our way when Spain refused to succumb to the omens. The coverage on the BBC of their quarter final against Italy made much of the fact that the Spaniards had lost three penalty shoot-outs - in the World Cup of 1986, Euro '96 and the 2002 World Cup - all on June 22.
The certainty was that Sunday would be the fourth nightmare on the 22nd. The Beeb had even prepared a little filmed package, full of foreboding and doom-laden mood music. If anyone thought it a little extravagant to spend the time editing up a package only useable in the event of penalties, then clearly they had not followed the form book. If any game was going to a shoot-out it was Spain against Italy.
If I had had the courage of my convictions, I would have engaged with that annoying bloke who leaps out from the advertising breaks during ITV's coverage of Euro 2008 games to tell you about in-match betting and would have put money on this one going to penalties from about two minutes in. Italy; cagey, clever, crafty against Spain; nervy, neurotic, convinced that fate was against them. Come on, it had nil-nil and penalties written all over it.
But when penalties came - against all type, against all assumptions of flakiness - Spain held out. Iker Casillas was the hero, Cesc Fabregas the finisher. And Spain are through. As they ought to be against a team whose sole attacking option appeared to be slinging high balls to Luca Toni, surely the worst centre forward ever to slip on an Italian shirt. Lumpy, slow, immobile, in comparison he makes Peter Crouch look like Jurgen Klinsmann.
So now all that stands between Spain and finally shedding the serial under-achiever tag is the Russians, a team they have already played off the park at this tournament. Sure, in Vienna on Thursday the Russians will not be as poor as they were a fortnight ago. Sure, the artistry of Andrei Arshavin (crazy name, wonderful player) will not be easily brushed aside. Sure, the Russians made the brilliant Orangemen of Holland look dull and leaden-footed. But that early victory will have given the perennially unselfconfident Spaniards the hint that they are, after all, the best team in the Alps this summer.
As for the final, well they will meet Germany there. The Turks' amazing luck will surely run out in Basle on Wednesday. Denuded by injury, suspension and emotional exhaustion, they will not be able to rise once more to the occasion. Besides, there is something extraordinary about the Germans. Not so much their players (only Michael Ballack and perhaps Philipp Lahm could be considered world class) but their attitude.
Knowing how to win at tournaments seems to be knitted into the German footballer's DNA, passed down through the generations, a continuous thread. Even when their side is mediocre (in the last two world cups, for instance) they make it through to the latter stages, surfing on a tide of confidence and belief. And this German side is not mediocre. Their manager Joachim Loew has them playing swift, compelling, attractive football. Married to an ability to wear down opposition that is second to none, it is a compelling combination.
Whether that is enough to cover for the worst two centre backs in their recent history is the moot point now at the core of this championships. Yes, the Russians are still to be overcome, but Fernando Torres and David Villa must be wetting their lips at the thought of running at defenders as cumbersome as Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker. It is Spain's trophy for the taking all right. Or is it? What do you reckon?
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IM this storysorry jim its russia all the way for me spain will fold when it comes to the crunch they ultimately lose out they are similar to portugal they never convince me they willwin the big one.the russians will have learned from that earlier defeat and their free flowing style will end spain hopes russia to win euro 2008 hiddink will tactically outshine the rest just my view thanks jim i enjoy your articles from mark gordon aberdeen.
From markgordon872 on Mon Jun 23 01:51PMSpain, Russia... I just don't want the Germans to win it.
From lolqbabolq on Mon Jun 23 02:00PMiT WILL BE SPAIN THE INNER AGAINST RUSSIA'" THE ALREADY BEAT THEM 2 WEEKS AGO AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTOR IS STILL THERE. THE HAVE THE QUALITY AND THEY CAN DO IT.
From maryland_spain on Mon Jun 23 02:06PMSorry Jim, but Spain didn't lose on penalty shoot-outs in the World Cup of 1982. They were eliminated in the second group stage when they played England and Germany.
But they lost on penalty shoot-outs to Belgium in the 1986 World Cup, and it happened on 22nd June.From oeichler65 on Mon Jun 23 02:24PM@#$%bersome defenders? Hey Jim, you really missed that one. I bet you didnt give the Russians much chance against the Dutch, which if you ask me had the deadliest finisher in recent times - Ruud. Villa & Torres didnt nick a goal against an Italian defence that the Dutch had roasted for breakfast. I dont know about the Germans carrying the day. But it isnt beyond them. & it wouldnt be for any DNA lingo either. These tournament has seen enough twist. You have written well anyhow. ALOZIE_ Eastern Nigeria, EHIME-MBANO, Umuopara
From aloxyedozie on Mon Jun 23 02:31PMI believe the key poitn is this sentence right here
"Fernando Torres and David Villa must be wetting their lips at the thought of running at defenders as @#$%bersome as Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker."
That is the primary reason why spand may win this. However, the germans could do what Russia did against Holland. Defend in numbers not in talent. Each time holland would mount an offensive move the midfilders moved almost all completely backed. Ballack has done this before and Frigs will surely play mainly as a CDM right in between Christoph Metzelder and Per Mertesacker. Add to this the fact Lahm will, as usual, play his entire wing and than take care of the center threats by spiking inside sometimes. The only time he had trouble was against spain and that new chelsea player Munintiho or whatever his name is.
If germany can do the above mentioned they will win.
From seriousness_one on Mon Jun 23 02:41PMcome on spain
From jaredkirby on Mon Jun 23 02:51PMi hope that germany will win the euro cup.so disappointed when italy lost to spain.no offence against spain but i juz hoped that italy would be meetin german in the finals.now that the hope is perished,i am expecting germany to win.i think russia will beat spain in the semis now that they are much tougher.go russia!GO GERMANY!
From fredngeorge07 on Mon Jun 23 02:56PMhave said it before and il say it again, its a germany v russia final with germany winning 3-1
From ciaranreid on Mon Jun 23 03:02PMSPAIN HAVE THE TROPHY RIGHT UNDER THEIR NOSES NOW
From terrymatayali on Mon Jun 23 03:02PMI did not like to see Spain shrinking in attack when being confronted with a powerful defence and I hoped, before the match started, that they would confidently crack the Italian shield, as there is enough quality in Spain's attack to do so. Instead we got the old style unimaginative playing that has caused Spain to fail again and again, diving, over-acting, looking for the chance of a free kick or corner rather than looking into putting the ball between the posts. That's a sign of frustration and lack of confidence. (To be continued)
From jdiazlerin on Mon Jun 23 03:32PMI'm not impressed with yesterday's performance by Spain, because the lesson learnt is that a sealed defense and counter-attack (that has so often bored us in international tournaments) does give results against the Spanish side and I hope Russia and (maybe) Germany won't decide to bring a static defensive strategy against this potentially brilliant team, otherwise any expectations of quality football will be deceived. (To be continued)
From jdiazlerin on Mon Jun 23 03:34PMAs a Spanish supporter I have to give the benefit of the doubt to the team I support, maybe yesterday's uninteresting display was due to a very understandable lack of confidence: going through was terribly important and so much expectation had been raised, the style was going to be conservative from the beginning, they couldn't afford to make a mistake and concede a goal to a defensive Italian side. Yesterday's performance can also be attributed to a cowardish Italian strategy. I strongly hope that is the case, because I believe that we have changed our attitudes and our complexes as a football playing nation, but our past is haunting and I might be wrong. Our next match against Russia will tell the truth. (This one's the last comment of the three)
From jdiazlerin on Mon Jun 23 03:35PMI just hope Spain finally settle it and prove they are the TEAM to beat. They have supreme skill and ever since I 1st watched them, in the 50's at Wembley against England, I've always fancied them. Go on Fabregas and Torres. You can do it. It will be good for Soccer to see Spain win.
From jape1939 on Mon Jun 23 03:49PMObvisouly Jim and the rest of europe are a little too confident of themselves...
what do you say jim? only Ballack and Lahm are world class? Where are you from again? (ENGLAND)
get your facts right sir...else keep your opinions to yourself and spare us the time.
But fine by me. We like it when the rest of you thing so highly of themselves, only for us to run over you and bring you down to earth!!!
DEUTSCHLAND! the rest of you follow after.From raeheid on Mon Jun 23 04:03PMone more thing jim...A mediocre team in the last world cup? ... are you talking about england? I agree very much so...you sir are an ...
From raeheid on Mon Jun 23 04:04PMI think it will be the spanish all the way..!! The italians played the most boring, inept game I have seen in a long time, they just hoped for a long pass for goal to their slugish inept forward Luca Toni. The Italians have to go back to the blackboard and change their game to one that is more entertaining, fun to watch.
From gentil777 on Mon Jun 23 04:26PMSo wait... does this mean Luca Toni will keep his mustache until World Cup 2010?
From lolqbabolq on Mon Jun 23 05:07PMheello
From themerrymonk on Mon Jun 23 05:07PMC'mon the Ivans , breath of fresh air to this tournament .
From laurencesmith1 on Mon Jun 23 05:14PMFirst of all I want to say that not all fans of the German team are as biased, rude, unrespectful and unbearable as 'raeheid'. I do think it will not be as easy as some Germans might think to become European Champion, but it is certainly possible. We have a very balanced and well 'stocked' team, but they have to be concentrated all the way and well prepared against their opponent(s) the way they were in the quarter-final against Portugal. If the team is flexible enough to counter the other team's(s'
(respectively) tactics and speed, we should be able to win against every of the remaining teams. So being German I of course keep my fingers crossed for the German Team but if any of the other teams win by playing better they are the deserving champions. In the end a champion should firstly be judged by performance, and only secondly by nation.From ayers67@ymail.com on Mon Jun 23 05:16PMwell i backed (bet on ) a Germany -Spain final and a Spanish win so im sitting quite happy at the moment.As for Germany maybe not a speedy back four but like the old Arsenal back four well drilled , disciplined and always in the right place at the right time.Also i would say Klose is a world class finisher and I would love City to buy the amazing Poldoski.Oh and keep up the good work on Fighting Talk.
From rand1812 on Mon Jun 23 05:28PMstill think its a poorer tournment without England.we would have taken over every ground and shown more passion than every other supporter. Martin.covered end
From feriel522 on Mon Jun 23 05:56PMhey jim,
shame on you for calling luca toni the worst attacker to ever put on the italian shirt! give the man a break, he's just come off a fab season in germany where his goals helped bayern to the double. before that, he was a goalscoring hero at fiorentina. he's had 1 (ONE) bad tournament and suddenly he's @#$%? come on man! he's right up there with crouchy as far as gifted big strikers go plus he's outscored 'good old pete' in the league every season, no?
From baydo12 on Mon Jun 23 06:11PMWhat about a final between turkey and Russia? when a talented team meet a solid one, it is not always tha same things that hapend in history, if you are weak you go out
!!! that's will happen to Germany....From chafik84 on Mon Jun 23 06:25PMDid you just call Turkey a talented team?
From lolqbabolq on Mon Jun 23 06:38PMgerman russia final with the germans winning through experience. unfortunately because it would be nice to see spain win but i think they are going to have a much harder time of it second time round against russia.
From rajahralphrajah on Mon Jun 23 06:43PMI say Germany lose in the final
Probably against Spain
From lolqbabolq on Mon Jun 23 06:47PMI think Spain's chances are better than they seem. Some people say that Italy managed to tie them down, and therefore if somebody else manages the same then Spain will be powerless. But it should not be forgotten that most people (erm, yes, myself too...) thought Spain would never get through a penalty shoot-out. So the question is: will Russia or Germany will be as confident to try to get the game to a draw to get to a penalty shoot-out? If the Spanish players do not dread the prospect anymore, then they are less likely to make mistakes in frantic attacks towards the end of the game to try to avoid going into PSO.
Question: would Italy have stayed back so much if they thought that the Spanish players would not crack? Iker Casillas did his en masse penalty-saving once before (Ireland in WC 2002). Now any side would have to think: Spain has Casillas under the goal and now they CAN throw penalties...It is not almost certain we are going to get them if we manage to go to PSO....
Concerning Russia, I am more concerned by the fact that they seem to have woken up and 4-1 is the kind of thing you want to warmly say "thank you" for to whoever did it to you...possibly returning the kindness if you can...You know what I mean.
From f_talens on Mon Jun 23 06:52PMAv got two advices for you: don't go with the wind, and don't bet your penny on it. Russians have shown you that they are unreliable, and mathematically react differently to various teams. Against the wind, we may see another 4-1 bashing. from unzwa@yahoo.co.uk
From unzwa on Mon Jun 23 08:16PM
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Jim White
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