Have you caught your breath yet? Wow, that was an amazing sequence of games. Just when you thought things made sense, Turkey went and scored in the 122nd minute and Spain somehow overcame their history (June 22nd is a bad bad day), their national psyche, and Italy. Beating Italy was probably the easiest of the three tasks since the Azzuri decided they didn't really feel like playing.
Four Quarterfinal games, 3 extra-time affairs, 2 Russian goals late, and 1 group winner survived. That is why they say the Euro competition is harder to win than the world cup [note: this is not actually true since any competition that doesn't include 5-time world cup champion Brazil and 2-time champion Argentina can't be tougher to win. That's 7 World Cup titles out of 15 in the modern era. Throw in Uruguay's 1950 win at the start of the modern era, and you have a majority of winners barred from playing in the Euro. Only geographists would have the gall to say the Euro is tougher to win - I just like the rhetorical flair. ]
Of all the many surprises, Turkey's win has to be the most shocking, and impressive. After Croatia scored so late, probably only a handful of people in the world thought Turkey could reply. And that doesn't include one of my Turkish classmates (name withheld to protect the guilty) who left the viewing room immediately after the Croatia goal only to run back to the TV after the eruption of noise following Turkey's immediate response. I, too, must confess I was texting P2010 about what a terrible goalkeeping blunder Rustu committed. That is forgotten history now that Rustu saved a penalty and Turkey are through. Still, it should stir doubts about the Turks advancing any further. We all saw how merciless the Germans can be when pitted against a hesitant 'keeper.
As a side note, anyone doubting how disturbing German soccer fandom can be (and anyone who has walked among a crowd of German fans after a world cup win has no doubt) need only read this to understand that something sinister is lurking deep in the psyche of some of these fans. Not all mind you, but the militarism of the fans celebrations during the game points to something beyond support for the team. There have been many interesting studies on the role of football as a unifying force in sub-cultures. I think of the German experience as a reminder of a past which was submerged publicly but not fully eradicated, and every so often that spirit pops out to have a look around. It's a little unnerving to be honest.
The best game of the tournament might have been the Holland v Russia game. Personally, I have trouble rooting for Ivan (a remnant of the cold war no doubt), but they are the most exciting team in the tournament. They play with the skill and pace of, well, the Dutch, but whereas we have come to expect such attacking flair from Holland, Russia has been a total surprise. This kid Arshavin has just burst onto the scene and is an absolute joy to watch. Ivan has no fear playing with the big boys, and while that lead to a 4-1 mauling in the opening game against Spain, they have tightened up the D significantly since. The Dutch looked pretty good themselves, but things didn't quit work out for them, which happens in knockout games. There is always a slice of luck in any game against evenly matched teams. 'Fortune favors the Brave' is what Andy Gray likes to say, but more likely it was just dumb luck that separated Russia from Holland on that day. Both teams played entertaining football, and its a shame one of those clubs had to go home.
Entertaining football was not on the menu for the Italians. Instead, it was 10 in a bus parked in front of goal. I have never seen the Italians so scared to attack before. Yes, it was a masterclass in Italian defending, but they rarely ventured forward, which was all the more surprising given that when they did cross into the box, their height advantage was telling. The only inference I can make is that the Italians were so terrified of being cut open in the back that they basically gave up offensively and waited for PKs. A pretty pathetic way for the defending world champs to play and go out.
Give credit to Spain though. They came to play, and they tried to breakdown the Italian defense. Justice was served when they vanquished their PK demons. Cesc had ice-water in his reins when he knocked in the winning PK, and now we can all look forward to another offensive delight between Spain and Russia - two teams that are truly playing the beautiful game.
Four Quarterfinal games, 3 extra-time affairs, 2 Russian goals late, and 1 group winner survived. That is why they say the Euro competition is harder to win than the world cup [note: this is not actually true since any competition that doesn't include 5-time world cup champion Brazil and 2-time champion Argentina can't be tougher to win. That's 7 World Cup titles out of 15 in the modern era. Throw in Uruguay's 1950 win at the start of the modern era, and you have a majority of winners barred from playing in the Euro. Only geographists would have the gall to say the Euro is tougher to win - I just like the rhetorical flair. ]
Of all the many surprises, Turkey's win has to be the most shocking, and impressive. After Croatia scored so late, probably only a handful of people in the world thought Turkey could reply. And that doesn't include one of my Turkish classmates (name withheld to protect the guilty) who left the viewing room immediately after the Croatia goal only to run back to the TV after the eruption of noise following Turkey's immediate response. I, too, must confess I was texting P2010 about what a terrible goalkeeping blunder Rustu committed. That is forgotten history now that Rustu saved a penalty and Turkey are through. Still, it should stir doubts about the Turks advancing any further. We all saw how merciless the Germans can be when pitted against a hesitant 'keeper.
As a side note, anyone doubting how disturbing German soccer fandom can be (and anyone who has walked among a crowd of German fans after a world cup win has no doubt) need only read this to understand that something sinister is lurking deep in the psyche of some of these fans. Not all mind you, but the militarism of the fans celebrations during the game points to something beyond support for the team. There have been many interesting studies on the role of football as a unifying force in sub-cultures. I think of the German experience as a reminder of a past which was submerged publicly but not fully eradicated, and every so often that spirit pops out to have a look around. It's a little unnerving to be honest.
The best game of the tournament might have been the Holland v Russia game. Personally, I have trouble rooting for Ivan (a remnant of the cold war no doubt), but they are the most exciting team in the tournament. They play with the skill and pace of, well, the Dutch, but whereas we have come to expect such attacking flair from Holland, Russia has been a total surprise. This kid Arshavin has just burst onto the scene and is an absolute joy to watch. Ivan has no fear playing with the big boys, and while that lead to a 4-1 mauling in the opening game against Spain, they have tightened up the D significantly since. The Dutch looked pretty good themselves, but things didn't quit work out for them, which happens in knockout games. There is always a slice of luck in any game against evenly matched teams. 'Fortune favors the Brave' is what Andy Gray likes to say, but more likely it was just dumb luck that separated Russia from Holland on that day. Both teams played entertaining football, and its a shame one of those clubs had to go home.
Entertaining football was not on the menu for the Italians. Instead, it was 10 in a bus parked in front of goal. I have never seen the Italians so scared to attack before. Yes, it was a masterclass in Italian defending, but they rarely ventured forward, which was all the more surprising given that when they did cross into the box, their height advantage was telling. The only inference I can make is that the Italians were so terrified of being cut open in the back that they basically gave up offensively and waited for PKs. A pretty pathetic way for the defending world champs to play and go out.
Give credit to Spain though. They came to play, and they tried to breakdown the Italian defense. Justice was served when they vanquished their PK demons. Cesc had ice-water in his reins when he knocked in the winning PK, and now we can all look forward to another offensive delight between Spain and Russia - two teams that are truly playing the beautiful game.
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