Feelfootball blog

So what next?

Thu Jul 03 11:26PM

Now it is over, now the trophy is safely ensconced in Madrid, now that newspaper columnists are telling us that victory at the European Championships will lead to a new, united Spain (you can be sure the Basques are dancing in the streets at that idea) what can we learn from the three week fiesta in the Alps? Which players have left a mark permanently in our collective consciousness? Who will be soon forgotten? And which teams showed everyone else the way to do it?

1. The league whose reputation was least advanced was, without question, hugely self-important Premier League. Only Michael Ballack of the team of the tournament plies his trade in England. Which means one of two things. Either the Premier League is stuffed full of second raters (unlikely given that every single participant in the Champions League final makes a living there). Or that its ten month demands so completely drain a player, that, at the end of a tough, extended season, they simply do not have the energy and resolve to flourish in an international tournament. I'll leave it to you decide which it is.

2. If you want a tournament of exciting football, always ensure that the forwards are - however marginally - better than the defenders. In Switzerland and Austria, it worked a treat.

3. In order to thrive, every side needs a quick, intelligent, mercurial midfielder to play just behind the strikers. The classic number ten in other words. Xavi, Deco, Andrei Arshavin: it was their tournament. This is not good news for England, who would be incapable of fielding a decent number ten if their collective lives depended upon it.

4. Never, ever, ever, ever write off the Germans. Under the enlightened leadership of Joachim Loew, they once again proved that the values of team work, persistence, guts and resilience run deep in their footballing DNA.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo could do with a rest.

6. As Italy proved by utilising Gattuso and Pirlo at the 2006 World Cup, an international team thrives if its central midfield pair are clubmates. It was a lesson of communication and familiarity Spain absorbed to perfection as Barcelona's Xavi and Inesta ran the competition ragged in Euro 2008. England's best hope, therefore, is to build around Manchester United's Hargreaves and Carrick. The problem is, right now, the England coach has no time for at least half of that pairing.

7. Sometimes, in order to win, you need to make decisions that seem, at the time, entirely self-destructive. Luis Aragones's sacking of Raul was harsh, cruel and worked an absolute treat. Fabio Capello could do worse than heed that lesson with regards to David Beckham.

8. Referees need to get a grip with those who persist in rolling over pretending to be injured in order to con their opponents into kicking the ball out of play just as they are gaining an advantage. True, it would mean the Italians would require a Plan B, but no-one else is going to complain.

9. Like fine wine, some goalkeepers become better with age (Edwin van der Sar). Others (Jens Lehmann) appear to be corked.

10. It is hard to see beyond the following - Spain, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Argentina, Holland, Brazil and, of course, Germany - making up the last eight at the 2010 World Cup. Despite possessing enough talented players to keep Roman Abramovich's cheque book occupied for a couple of months, France's disjointed, disconsolate disappointment spoke of deep structural problems. South Africa, sadly, do not appear to have a team to put up a good host's performance. And Russia are maybe still a little flaky. As for England, frankly, they will do well even to qualify.

Comments1 - 17 of 17

Hey!! I am Rose, a sexy girl from France. I want a man here and he takes care of me. You want to see my beautiful photo, please go to FrenchSugardaddy.cQm . I have a profile named MGivy76.
From li_ten on Fri Jul 04 09:43AM
Report abuse
Hey!! I am Rose, a sexy girl from France. I want a man here and he takes care of me. You want to see my beautiful photo, please go to FrenchSugardaddy.cQm . I have a profile named MGivy76.
From li_ten on Fri Jul 04 09:43AM
Report abuse
Hey!! I am Rose, a sexy girl from France. I want a man here and he takes care of me. You want to see my beautiful photo, please go to FrenchSugardaddy.cQm . I have a profile named MGivy76.
From li_ten on Fri Jul 04 09:43AM
Report abuse
Hey!! I am Rose, a sexy girl from France. I want a man here and he takes care of me. You want to see my beautiful photo, please go to FrenchSugardaddy.cQm . I have a profile named MGivy76.
From li_ten on Fri Jul 04 09:44AM
Report abuse
i am from south africa my self and i totally agree with you jim.....our team sucks ass!!!!! our football federation doesnt see the sense in shipping our players off over seas to play or at least train for free with major clubs so that they can develop well enogh to compete against major international teams...look at aaron mokoena, benni mcarthy etc...... they played overseas and they did well on the international front because of it..our team is disgracefull
From dannickbates on Fri Jul 04 10:42AM
Report abuse
Excellent article Jim. One aspect you didn't mention was the 'pride' factor. It was a joy to see how much playing for your country meant to the Turkish and Croatian players.
You don't have to look too far to see how far you get these days without it. I'm thinking of England obviously, but also the Irish team as examples of how it's all gone wrong. If anybody is familiar the whole saga of Trapatoni trying to coax Stephen Ireland (Irish midfielder) out of international retirement and his response to it, will realise just how far down the pecking order "pride in playing for your country" is now at in our countries.
From davidkelly_ireland on Fri Jul 04 02:07PM
Report abuse
who does torres play for then?
From tgranado on Fri Jul 04 02:23PM
Report abuse
also if the manager for england would get his head out and stick with gerrard in the middle of the pitch, rather than that over-rated fatboy lampard, he'd get a bit more mileage out of the team and the strikers too.
From tgranado on Fri Jul 04 02:26PM
Report abuse
" dannickbates"..Hi,Howzit?-I agrre to some extent..But the whole Federation "Sucks" since the days when Carlos QUEIROZ, told them, it was "Written on the Walls",and slammed the door firmly behind him..Remember? it's really sad..Broer..!
From dinosky123 on Sat Jul 05 10:26AM
Report abuse
Yes..I totally agree with you there Jim..Cristiano RONALDO, does need a "REST"...most of All from "Some" Toits, Sick Rantings and Antics..!!-With such Supporters and Fans..WHO needs "Ennmemys"..?? Eh..Eh..Eh..!- The now so-called "Ronaldo-Ferguson" SAGA..at Old Trafford..is Beyond BELIEF..!-Sir Alex's "Genial God"has beeen "SUBMERGED"into a Living HELL..and now too,from His Stunningly Beautiful NEREIDA..The Spannish Girl, who is doing a "Waynette-like" Trick..saying she will "Never" come to live in Britain..according to a Prestigious French Woman's Magazine,reported in the Portuguese Press..!!So, Sir ALEX..has "much" to Rumminate on..Ah..Ah..Ah..!- adding to his Troubles,CARLOS QUEIROZ..the ex-South African National Team Manager, and Fergy's "Brain"...Promisses NEW DELIGHTS, to the Premiership...!!
From dinosky123 on Sat Jul 05 10:43AM
Report abuse
tgranado are you a complete moron? Do you watch any football, because i really don't think you do. In the last 4 years lampard has always scored more goals than gerrard, plays for a better team than gerrards, and came 2nd to ronaldinho in world player of the year. SO to answer my question: YES, you are a moron.
From dannydwilton on Sun Jul 06 11:24AM
Report abuse
I guess Xabi Alonso and Torres DON'T play for Liverpool then? Also what about Cesc Fabregas? Seriously how can anyone take this guy seriously?
From bigbrother09447 on Mon Jul 07 07:11PM
Report abuse
@#$% off jim white
From ddr_transport on Tue Jul 08 10:46PM
Report abuse
you are a good footbal analyist,you have said it all.
From decxyz on Wed Jul 09 05:28PM
Report abuse
I bet i can find 1,000,000 soprt and militery guys and admires on internet ! jion us and show your respect to i like this poem. Uniformedmatch*com
From yolanda_hotgirl02 on Wed Jul 16 03:34AM
Report abuse
I bet i can find 1,000,000 soprt and militery guys and admires on internet ! jion us and show your respect to i like this poem. Uniformedmatch*com
From yolanda_hotgirl02 on Wed Jul 16 03:35AM
Report abuse
I bet i can find 1,000,000 soprt and militery guys and admires on internet ! jion us and show your respect to i like this poem. Uniformedmatch*com
From yolanda_hotgirl02 on Wed Jul 16 03:37AM
Report abuse