Euro 2008 Review Part II

Turkey, Croatia and Russia led a trio of nations embracing the beautiful game with positive plays. Each team had a star player who controlled and orchestrates the play. Arda Turan who plays his club football for Galatasary showed immense promise with skilful forays down the Turkish flanks. Nihat reaped benefit from his industrious display to cap a few goals for himself. Luca Modric who recently signed for the wrong side of North London showed glimpses of talent without actually taking the tournament by storm. Always articulate with the ball, he showed no fear to take on defenders. The absence of Eduardo hindered the wonderful passing game that Slaven Bilic had introduced.

Guus Hiddink must be leading a charmed life. There will be no country in the world that wouldn’t want him in their side. For the 3rd consecutive nation that he has led into a major tournament, he has managed to take them past the group stages. But with this Russian side, he not only took them further but also portrayed a brand of total football that is otherwise alien to Russia. In Arshavin, they have a genuine star who is comparable to Zidane in the way he practically drag them through the quarters.

This was to be the tournament that Portugal announced themselves to the footballing world. Ronaldo off the back of an unbelievable season was looking to add the European Championship to his metal tally for the year. Properly supported by Deco and Simao, Portugal ease through the group stage, qualifying with a game left to play. Germany and Italy did not have such luck but got through nonetheless. These two have the winning mentality that England will never have. They always triumph in adversity. With Ballack looking fit after only half a season out with injury, the Germans might not be solid at the back but the class that they have won them games.

Italians fared no better in their group. Missing the likes of Nesta and Cannavaro, the Italian defense lacked authority and stability at the back. As always, Pirlo looked like a touch of class. Every time he’s on the ball, the Italians looked dangerous. He sprays glorious passes all over the field with consummate ease. Luca Toni will look back on this tournament to reflect a very disappointing proceeding. Without a goal, he looked a shadow of his form in the Bundesliga.

Holland and Spain were by far the most impressive during the group stages and the only teams to have a 100% win record in the tournament. Their wins were typified by the quality of players that mind the engine room of both teams. The likes of Sneijder, Van Der Vaart, De Jong, Xavi, Silva and Iniesta are names that just roll off the tongue. The Dutch steamrolled over the much fancied France and Italy displaying total football albeit minus the wingers. And every time that the opposition thought they had enough to contend with on came substitutes with different threat. Robben and Van Persie both came off the bench with great effect. The same can be said of the Spanish with Fabregas and Corzola coming off the bench. The thing that strikes me is that these players can interchanged their roles and positions on the field which confused opposition. A midfield that is mobile and quick on the ball. That is the story of their success.