FourFourTwo

Major blunder - O’Neill got it all wrong

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 12:15:44 GMT

By Shaun Orange

For a long time now Martin O’Neill as one of the better coaches in the game. He has certainly established a huge reputation for himself as a shrewd tactician who does a marvelous job of getting the most of his players.

And his touch-line theatrics, which have him kicking at an imaginary ball or jumping as if to head the ball himself, have gone some way to help winning over the hearts of those who see him in full battle cry at Villa Park and elsewhere.

O’Neill distinguished himself as winner with Brian Clough’s famous side of the late 1970s and early ’80s, during which time he picked up an English league championship title and two European Cups. He has no doubt benefited enormously from the traits of one of England’s best managers yet.

Those wily moves to spur his players on to greater things than they are actually expected to achieve is something that O’Neill learnt from the great man with extraordinary accomplishment. That was clearly evident in his four-and-a-half years at Leicester City of all places, where he quite brilliantly won the League Cup, not once but twice. Add to that promotion to the Premier League and you should get the picture.

His four years at Glasgow Celtic yielded three league titles, three Scottish Cups and a Scottish League Cup. That is some success for any manager, more so one who operates on limited resources.

At Aston Villa, where O’Neill has been since August 2006, he steadily groomed the squad and has taken them from 16^th in the Premiership to 11^th and then sixth last season. And now, as he plots his bid to break into the top-four (the Big Four) he has encountered a big problem with trying to keep his inspirational captain Gareth Barry at Villa Park.

The England midfielder has openly declared his desire to move to Liverpool, if only because they offer him the chance to play in the European Champions League. And while it was always going to be difficult to deal with Barry’s lot, it has really taken on an acrimonious twist in recent days, with the player fined and banned from the club.

O’Neill, who handed down the penalty while the negotiations are still continuing, tried to justify his deeds by saying that Barry was out of order in telling a UK paper that the handling of the proposed transfer was bungled by his Midlands club (who have now turned down five offers).

All the while, O’Neill has maintained that he did not want Barry to leave, but would allow it if Liverpool paid the right price (£18 million - the top offer was reportedly around £15m). However, where O’Neill really got it wrong and failed himself was to exact what can only be viewed as a measure of spitefulness by ostracising the player.

That it hurts, and hurts bad, when one’s best player is prized from your midst is as tough as it gets in this game. But that is part of the game and it should not be allowed to eat away at one’s values and end up ruining what was otherwise a rare gentlemanly figure in today’s sometimes slipshod football world.

O’Neill should have been bigger this and I hope he can somehow right the wrong, because I have for a long time considered him the genuine thing.

Big-time transactions waiting to happen

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 09:56:39 GMT

By Shaun Orange

The transfer market that embraces European soccer, including England, is awash with all sorts of speculation – some of it mouthwatering (if you are neutral). And not only have the signings of players and conjecture being splashed across the pages of the UK pages and postings from all over on the Internet, but it;s been coaches as well.

The most high profile of these over the past week and a bit has been that of Manchester United number two, Carlos Queiroz, who it is understood, is being courted by the Portuguese Football Association.

There have been several calls from leading administrators for the 55-year-old to take over from Brazilian Luis Felipe Scolari, who quit the national team after the European Championships and joined Chelsea.

Some reports have it that the former coach of South African and Real Madrid had discussions with the Portuguese FA, although nothing tangible materialised from these. Some believe that this is because Queiroz has plans of his own to assume the mantle of Alex Ferguson who has said he will step down from the Old Trafford boss by 2012.

Still, there remains a likelihood (and a string one at that) that the Portugal native will not get the biggest job in club football, and he might just be tempted to take up the post of national team manager.

But even this has been sighed upon by some who feel that Queiroz is not his own man and raise his disastrous one-season stint with the Real Madrid in 2003/04 as a case in point. Further still, his detractors add that without Ferguson, he really is not capable of much.

Whether or not this is indeed a reasonable argument, Queiroz remains in the shadow of his countryman Cristiano Ronaldo. Sought after by the ambitious Spanish champions Real Madrid, Ronaldo’s future at Old Trafford is still the subject of intense speculation.

This has gone to such an extent that some reports have suggested that the ace Portuguese winger faces no alternative but to have surgery on a problem ankle. Meanwhile, the European champions said in a statement that medical consultations are still underway regarding the player’s injury and that no decision had yet been taken.

But while the big-wigs at Old Trafford continue to talk of unresolved issues, the hearsay continues to gather momentum. There have been a couple of instances whereby the club attempted to play down the matter while portraying a picture of things returning to normal so far as Ronaldo is concerned.

However, none of these have been totally convincing, and with Real Madrid still an imposing figure in the background, Ronaldo’s tenure at Manchester United continues to hang in the balance.

Even then, Old Trafford is not alone in their struggles to keep hold of their key players or offload a few on the transfer market. Among the real biggies mentioned is Brazil’s former World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho who is been chased by AC Milan and both Manchester City and Chelsea. Scolari had Ronaldinho in his World Cup winning side s2002.

But will Ronaldo sign for Real, or will Ronaldinho move to England? Who really knows with so much still in the air.

Chelsea make a statement of intent

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:42:17 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Hardly had Spain hoisted the winners’ trophy at the European Championships than Chelsea announced the signing of Barcelona’s Brazilian-born midfielder Deco.

The timing of making the news available is something that has got things written between the lines, and for those at Old Trafford, the Emirates Stadium and Anfield, it will have been crystal clear.

There is intent on the part of the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge to let all their rivals know that this coming season they will do everything they can but to settle for second place.

Runners-up to Manchester United in the English Premier League and European Champions League, and a similar result in the League Cup won by Tottenham, Chelsea have been stung badly by coming so close and then having been forced to finish with nothing to show for the big money spent on a potent squad and one brimming with individual ingenuity.

The intensity of the Blues’ approach to preparing for next term has been nothing short of vigorous and was evident ever since they boldly declared that Luiz Felipe Scolari would take charge of the team on July 1 - that was in the midst of Euro 2008.

Portugal, led by the World Cup winning Brazilian the last six years, were up to then looking a good bet to eclipse their runners-up finish of 2004. That was as forthright as a team could get to “showing off” under the circumstances.

And now, even with Deco already marked as Scolari’s first signing, the west London club have let it be known that they have some serious ambitions of luring Scolari’s countryman and Brazil international winger Robinho to Stamford Bridge.

That Robinho’s agent has come out to confirm there have been discussions between Chelsea and him, merely serves to underscore the point that Chelsea are bent on starting the season in explosive fashion, and loaded with enough talent to embarrass their main rivals.

Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea coach and now boss at Inter Milan, weighed in on the developments at the London club (maybe unintentionally) when he said that Frank Lampard, one of his primary targets since taking over at the San Siro club last month, would probably only move to the Italian side next year.

Of course, there appears to be nothing alarming in Mourinho “accepting” that he won’t get his man this summer. However, what it would also mean (if it is indeed accurate) is that Scolari’s midfield will not only be one of the most fearsome in the game, but a bolstered one with the inclusion of Deco.

Should Robinho too, make his way to Stamford Bridge, then Chelsea’s attacking options down the flanks will also have been greatly enhanced. Additions of this magnitude should, and will probably, not be taken lightly by those who aim to scuttle the hopes of the Blues.

Further still, even if Robinho does join the London side, there is every possibility that Scolari will not be done shopping. Not with the transfer window set to remain open until the end of August and reports that he has been handed a bounty of some US$100 million to strengthen the squad.

So, be prepared for more of the same from Stamford Bridge, more telling developments.

A deserved triumph for Spain

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:20:02 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Spain’s La Liga is technically, in terms of soccer, more superior to all of Europe’s leagues. This makes them among the best leagues in the world, if not THE top of all.

And for a long time the Spaniards were mockingly looked upon in the international arena, where their sole triumph in a major tournament came at the European Championships in 1964. There was some substance to the criticism, of course, given the almost limitless resources available in a footballing nation that lives and breathes for this game, and this game alone.

But Luis Aragones, the controversial coach who has had his term in office tainted by racist issues, changed all that and gave Spain something to savour with their well-deserved victory at Euro 2008. They put paid to the aspirations of Germany’s bid for a fourth continental crown with a narrow and competent win at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna on Sunday.

In many respects, this tournament was won by the best team , although Holland might suggest otherwise, and they would really have had a case had they not blundered against Russia in the quarterfinals.

Even in the absence of David Villa, the top scorer at this year’s European Championships with four goals, Spain saw off the challenge of a methodical and efficient, but not outstanding, German team. The final was marked by an excellent solitary strike from Liverpool’s 24-year-old marksman Fernando Torres. And it was a goal worthy of winning the championship and could not have come at a better time for their world-class centre-forward.

The Spanish Armada are the champions of Europe and will be so for four years. In between now and when they defend their title in 2012, many inside and outside Spain game will believe that this side can get even better than they are now. And there will a growing number of fans and pundits who will have been given more than enough fodder to moot the idea that maybe they could go on and win the World Cup in South Africa in two years’ time.

Needless to say that is a tournament played on a different scale, where the South Americans will favoured, even if only because the competition will be held in the southern Hemisphere. Still, Spain will be buoyed by Sunday’s triumph and if they can carry this momentum into the World Cup finals (for which they still have to qualify) they could well have a decent chance of not only calling themselves European champions, but world champions as well.

With more than a few young players like Cecs Fabregas (21), Sergio Ramos (22), Rubén de la Red (23), David Silva (22) and Torres in the squad, Spain have reason to be optimistic about the future. But they will be forgiven for not looking too far ahead, as they revel in the glory of their hard-earned triumph in Austria.

With Xavi Hernández named the Player of the Tourmanet, Spain clearly showed why they are so technically better than the rest. This was indeed a case of the best team at the tournament winning the cup.

A cracking final on the cards

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 11:12:40 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Spain have been installed by the bookmakers as favourites for Sunday’s 2008 European Championships final at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna, Austria, yet it was their opponents Germany who started the tournament with the tag.

But regardless of who wins the three-week biennial event, which has been a compelling competition, this showdown is unlikely to be anything but as absorbing as all that which has entertained with some of Europe’s greatest football riches.

Euro 2008 will go down as among the best since the tournament was inaugurated back in 1960. There has been a glut of goals, many of them sublime finishes that merely added a brilliant polish to the continent’s premier championships.

On Sunday, Spain and Germany, two of the proudest football nations to be found anywhere in the world, will engage in a final that could add its own chapter to the annals of European soccer. The winners of the 13^th edition of the tournament will not be new ones, with Germany having won the title on three occasions (1972, 1980, 1996) and Spain once (1964).

On Sunday though, both teams are expected to be without a key player in their line-up and in both instances, because of injury.

The Spaniards will be missing the championships’ top-scorer David Villa (four goals), who pulled up limp in their semifinal victory over Russia with a thigh injury and has been ruled out of action for anything up to three weeks.

The German camp, meanwhile, reported that Michael Ballack could be left out of the starting line-up if he doesn’t respond to treatment in time. The skipper has a calf muscle problem that kept him from training with the team on Friday and scuppered his plans of hooking up with the squad at the stadium venue the following day.

But while Spain coach Luis Aragones has resigned himself to losing one of the key components to the side that has looked the most impressive at these championships – the only squad to have won all their games, his German counterpart, Joachim Low, remains hopeful that Ballack will be included in the starting line-up – fully fit or not.

Indeed, the Chelsea player’s mere presence will be a huge boost for Germany. He has served his national team with distinction over the years and scored many important goals. But perhaps his biggest influence on the team is his leadership qualities, and they would be sorely missed if he cannot make it.

Aragones, despite having to do without the irrepressible Villa, still has loads of talent at his disposal to see off the challenge of Germany. And among those crucial to his plans could well be Villa’s replacement – Cecs Fabregas.

The Arsenal youngster has played above himself, chipping in with significant contributions each time he has come off the bench for Aragones in this competition. Many now believe he could have an even bigger role to play in the biggest match of his career. If the situation presents itself to him, Fabregas is unlikely to let his country down; not with his current from and quite exceptional skills.

But this climax will hardly come down to it being just about just one player, or two for that matter, but rather on how the team clicks as a whole. And given the fine line drawn between the two – one starting the championships as favourites and the other playing themselves into the position, there still isn’t much to choose between them.

Cantona terribly insensitive

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:01:29 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Manchester United, who must remain a bit worried about whether Cristiano Ronaldo will show-up for pre-season training, will have begun their search for a replacement for Alex Ferguson.

And while the ol’ Scot has still got about three years to go before stepping down, it is not unreasonable to think that the hierarchy of Old Trafford do not have a Plan B up their sleeve. These things happen nowadays, that’s the way of the world – you just never know what will crop up tomorrow; who’ll walk out on whom, and who’ll walk in from where.

This, of course, brings us to the case of the once worshipped-like Man United star, Eric Cantona. The Frenchman went on record after Ferguson said he would quit the team by 2012 that he would love to coach the Red Devils.

However, my immediate reaction is that this fellow, despite his enormous popularity with the fans (never mind the fact that he has got no clue about managing a big-time club), would be the wrong character for the job.

On the eve of the 2008 European Championships final – the grandest stage in continental football for two years, he chooses to moan about his beleaguered national team (knocked out in the quarterfinals). In complete disregard for the occasion in Vienna on Sunday, the former French international laments the “boring” and “negative approach” of Les Bleus.

He castigates the work of Raymond Domenech who has been in charge of the French side for fours years. That Domenech was unable to emulate their successes of the 1998 World Cup (held in France) and Euro 2000, is something we might have expected.

And for Cantona to whine about their plight, it might be understandable, but his timing is way off the mark. In fact, it nothing short an attempt to selfishly draw the spotlight to himself.

This is hardly the trait of someone who should be given the task of taking over the reigns at Old Trafford, one of the world’s two biggest football clubs.

It is clear evidence of his shortcomings and hastens one to remember his infamous “karate kick” at a Crystal Palace fan. While a wonderfully talented footballer, he has still got some growing up to do if he really aspires to coach a club like Manchester United.

One would think that his advisors (if he has any – and should have if he doesn’t) would have pulled him aside and suggested maybe he show some sympathy for Lilian Thuram.

The former France defender told a news conference a couple of days ago that a medical examination taken to join Paris St Germain from Barcelona had unearthed a heart ailment.

Thuram said that “the doctors detected a heart malformation” and that within a month he would “know whether he could pursue his career or if he would have to stop playing”.

Thuram’s brother Antonio died of a heart attack while playing basketball in the 1990s with the same illness.

That is what Cantona should have done. He should have shown some respect for the people of the game and the game itself, instead of recklessly and insensitively loud-mouthing it again.

His ridiculing the idea of Didier Deschamps, France's World Cup-winning captain from 1998, taking over the national team is another issue where he has grossly erred. Deschamps is now a highly qualified coach with a decent track record and has been heavily tipped to get the job. He also has the backing of former Les Bleus stars Marcel Desailly, Christian Karembeu and Christophe Dugarry.

All this tells us that Cantona still has a serious problem with wanting all the attention – even after all these years. It’s a sad situation for him really.

Spain will sorely miss Villa

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 10:39:14 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Spain duly booked their place in Sunday’s of the 2008 European Championships final at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna. But their impressive 3-0 victory over Russia in the semifinals came at a high price – one that will leave David Villa on the sidelines for the showdown.

The Valencia striker hobbled off during the thumping of the Russians and coach Luis Aragones said afterwards that a pulled muscle would sideline the tournament’s to-scorer. It is a bit blow for Villa, who has been one of the star attractions at these championships and will be sadly missed if he indeed does sit out the final as Aragones said.

With four goals to his credit, the final would have been the ideal stage to add to his tally and walk away with the accolade of the Best Player of the Tournament – not that he cannot still win it. The present scenario just further limits his chances.

Villa, who told the media that he was prepared to “play on one leg” if the need arose, took his disappointment on the chin, adding that he realised that there were players who were “100 percent fit” and that the team came first; rather than the interests of individuals.

Sought after by a string of Europe’s leading clubs, including English champions Manchester United, Villa should have his role adequately filled by Cecs Fabregas. The young Arsenal attacking midfielder has done well for Spain when called on in this tournament as he has on more than one occasion come off the bench to deliver telling contributions for Aragones.

But even with Villa missing from the line-up, Germany will be wary of the threat that Spain will pose. Fernando Torres will likely feature as Spain’s sole striker upfront, but this will not deter the Spaniards into believing that they cannot win the championships for a first time since 1964.

However, Germany have big ambitions of their own. And while unlike Spain who have won all their games at the event, Germany have grown in stature leading up to the final.

The tournament favourites have a well-balanced side and that appears their strength more than anything else. They left it late against Turkey in the semifinals, coming from s goal down and only securing the win after a 90^th-minute strike in their thrilling 3-2 victory.

The way things have turned out, this should be a cracker of a final; one deserving of bringing the curtain down on an eventful and exciting Euro 08 championships.

Turkey bow out with full marks

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:22:53 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Turkey proved more just a handful for Germany in the 2008 European Championships semifinal in Basel on Wednesday. They proved a match for the tournament favourites and will leave the competition with their heads held high and a bulging reputation of a side who fear no-one, even the world’s best.

This is Turkey’s story at Euro 08 and it is one that they can be immensely proud of. One that has left only a few in doubt of the resolve that they have in them. Against Germany at the St. Jakob Park Stadium they lined up against Joachim Low’s star-studded squad with a decimated side, ravaged by injuries and suspensions; to the degree that coach Fatih Terim only had 13 outfield players to start with. But even then the Turks were expected to give the Germans a tough fight – something borne of they never-say-die approach to the game.

However, no-one, perhaps only those in and around the team, thought they would actually threaten to over-run the opposition on the biggest stage they played in their history. And that is just what they did.

Turkey took the lead, only for Germany to hit back less than five minutes later. And when the favourites assumed the lead themselves, everything looked like going to form. But that was before the Turks found an equaliser of their own, and then – as fate would have it, Germany struck the winner, and killer blow, in the 90^th minute to move into Sunday’s final.

In a tournament like this, if you have the tenacity to flatten your opponent like Germany did, then you deserve to go through. But Turkey hardly deserved to lose, not the way they played and certainly not with the sheer guts and determination they exhibited, in this semifinal and throughout the championships.

But that’s the way the game goes and Terim was big enough to admit it at the end, although he also hastened to lavish praise on his players.

The focus now shifts the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna where fancied Spain clash with another surprise package – Russia, in the other semifinal, on Thursday. And if the unfolding of the championships thus far is anything to go by, then coach Luis Aragones and his exceptionally gifted Spanish side could be in for a hard battle themselves.

Russia, like Turkey, have scornfully thrown the form book out the window; much to the delight of the neutrals, and will face Spain with geeat confidence; some of it gained from their remarkable (3-1) triumph over Holland in the quarterfinals.

Dutchman Guss Hiddink, who masterminded the downfall of his countrymen in the last round, now knows that he has the chance to reach the final of a major tournament for the first time and will be relishing the occasion.

But does he have what it takes to go the one step beyond where he has been the furthest in the past – both as coach of Holland in the European Championships or with South Korea at the World Cup.

Given the way this tournament has gone, he has perhaps his best opportunity to do so, but Spain will be difficult to beat. The controversial Luis Aragones has some of the best talent at the tournament at his disposal and if there was one outfit looking really sharp as an all-round compact unit, then it is Spain. And therein lies Russia’s challenge – to get past seasoned campaigners.

Turkey tried it against Germany, came agonisingly close, but bowed out. Now it’s Russia’s turn to show not only Europe if they can do it – but the whole world that is watching.

Turkey should prove more than a handful

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:06:41 GMT

BY Shaun Orange

German skipper Michael Ballack has called for a sense of pragmatism ahead of their 2008 European Championships semi-final clash with Turkey and warned his team-mates not to under-estimate the opposition.

Ballack’s observation that the Turks are a real threat is in itself a real positive move and one that will pay handsome dividends if his squad indeed heeds his warning.

Turkey will be ravaged by both injuries and suspension when they line-up to take on the highly fancied Germans in Basle on Wednesday.

But that might not count for much against this team, who go into the fixture with absolutely nothing to lose. Their progression to last four is in itself a magnificent achievement and reaching the final would only be viewed as a wonderful performance and due reward for a side that has played above and beyond the call of duty.

To win the championship title is not something they are dreaming of, not just yet.

And it is perhaps for that reason that the experienced and levelheaded Ballack has rallied his troops to prudently approach the crucial fixture at the St. Jakob Park if they are to continue with their march towards the tile.

His remark that the Turks are “unpredictable and won't underestimate” the threat posed by Germany was right on cue in the analysis of just how this match might be played out.

That the German captain openly admitted Turkey have “been brilliantly set up against their opponents and (that) they almost have a bit of the German mentality about them” also speaks volumes for the respect earned by the east European nation, one of the rank outsiders before the tournament started.

By Turkey will be hindered by a long string of injury and disciplinary casualties. All of Nihat Kahveci, Emre Gungor, Servet Cetin, Tumer Metin and Emre Belozoglu are stricken on the treatment table, while first choice goalkeeper Volkan Demirel , who had an appeal for a reduced ban turned down by UEFA on Tuesday, and Tuncay Sanli will be banished to the stands for untoward behaviour.

But even then Turkey cannot, and should not, be written of as easy fodder. They proved on no fewer than three occasions in this tournament that they have big hearts; coming from behind to win even everything else in the world seemed lost.

That never-say-die attitude has not only won them games, but also great admiration from their foes as well as their fans. It is something that they know can carry the day for them, and 21-year-old striker Colin Kazim-Richards, who was born in London, was quick to point it out.

He said that they were looking to Terim, nicknamed 'The Emperor', to pull another cat out of the bag. “He is incredible. He doesn't let your head go down”, is how Kazin-Richards summed up his take on Terim.

The coach certainly does know how to get the best out of his players and has done more than enough to prove it in these championships. It is something that has not been lost on Ballack and it is easy to see why.

Things are just starting to hot up!

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:41:19 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Spain are the only team in the last four of the 2008 European Championships who finished top of their group standings. And while the other three table-toppers have been left to rue missed chances, the Spaniards look a decent shout for their first title in the competition since 1964.

Spearheaded by Iker Casillas and young Cecs Fabregas, who led the way in their penalty shootout victory over world champions Italy, Spain will now face Russia in the semi-finals on Thursday.

It was by no means an easy task for coach Luis Aragones’ side, but they did enough to deserve a place in the last four. For long periods of the game at the Ernst-Happel Stadium the match was too closed out to generate any sort of hype that the three previous quarterfinals dished out.

But more importantly for the Spaniards, they are through to the next stage and remain on course for what could be a wild celebration on June 29.

Before that, of course, they will need to sweep past a Russian outfit coached by the wily Guus Hiddink and boasting a few classy players that have loads of individual flair, and will give any team a run for their money – more so at this stage of the championships.

Russia’s impressive victory over Holland at the weekend gave notice that they will be no pushovers. But Spain will draw confidence of their own from eliminating the Azzurri, who were just beginning to show signs of how good they really are.

Spain are also the only team still left in the championships who have won all of their games and Fabregas, the rising Arsenal star, said after their triumph that they deserved every pat on the back.

They do indeed. This win is their first over the Italians since the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games. And it will go some to making up for the defeats at the 1986 and 2002 World Cup finals and Euro 96.

Fabregas dedicated the victory to their fans, whom he said had come in “large numbers”. He added that they deserved the win because it was a “very difficult game and took a lot out” of them as it was hot.

For his part, Aragones said they will not be resting on their laurels and instead “want to go on and it (the tournament)”.

But before they endeavour to do that, Germany, who started the championships as favourites to add yet more silverware to their trophy cabinet, take on Turkey in the first semi-final on Wednesday.

That one too should be laden with thrills and spills as the Germans set about maintaining their ranking as Europe’s best team right now. However, they too should find much resistance in a side that knows no fear.

After ejecting the Dutch, the Russians have their tails up. And who would blame them at this juncture for thinking they can topple the aristocrats of continental soccer and then lie wait for either Spain or Russia.

This tournament is just getting to the boil.

Hiddink’s Russian delight

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:47:08 GMT

By Shaun Orange

The knockout stages of the 2008 European Championships have proved anything but predictable and Russia added yet another chapter to the unfolding of an absorbing tournament.

Just a day after Turkey reached the semifinals of a major competition for the first time in their history, Russian stormed into the last four with such an emphatic victory over the highly-rated Dutch that they too now believe that they can win the continental title.

Having led Holland by the odd goal since early in the second half, Russia were setback on their heels with an equaliser from Ruud van Nistelrooy in the last five minutes of regulation time.

But even this was just a temporary reprieve for Marco van Basten’s side, who looked so good in the group stages with their impressive victories over world champions Italy and fellow European big guns France that Russia were given little chance in this quarterfinal.

Coached by Dutchman Guus Hiddink, the Russians were all over the champions-elect and their two goals in the second period of extra-time was justification of their dominance. Not surprisingly, their advance to the last four left Hiddink a proud man of their accomplishment, and he was quick to rightly point out that they were superior in all departments on the field.

Russia will have until Thursday to prepare for the semifinals, where they will play the winners of the fourth and final quarterfinal – Italy or Spain. The fixture on Sunday could be worthy of the final itself, featuring two of the most technically gifted sides in Europe, and both brimming with individual flair.

Italy, by virtue of being the holders of the World Cup and seeing off France with a solid and competent performance in their last Group D match, will start with a slight edge over their opposition.

However, with regulars Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso missing from the midfield through suspension, Italy are likely to look to 23-yaer-old Alberto Aquilani to partner either Massimo Ambrosini and Mauro Camoranesi in the engine room.

Azzurri boss Roberto Donadoni noted they their “results have been steadily improving” but hastened to mentioned that Spain “are less physical compared to France and that their players are faster, thus they could cause more difficulties for the defence”.

No doubt, Italy will be wary of the threat that David Villa and Fernando Torres will pose up front as the Spanish bid to win the tournament for a first time since their last success in 1964.

Spain’s pillar of defence, Carles Puyol also said that they would treat the Italians with the respect they deserve, although they remained confident of a right result themselves.

He added they were “concerned about every aspect of the Italians” as they are “the world champions and a very complete team. They are very dangerous in these competitions because they have a winning mentality”.

Spain will need to adopt a similar mentality themselves if they are to reach the semifinals and face Russia, which could be another cracking and unpredictable fixture of these championships.

Turkey deserve the glory

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:51:42 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Croatia played sleek, entertaining soccer to top Group B in the pool stages of the 2008 European Championships and on the way jolted Germany with a deserved triumph. So when they went into the quarterfinals against Turkey as huge favourites to reach the semi-finals it was not surprising. Yet it is the Turks who are celebrating the best tournament of their football federation history.

Dubbed the “Comeback Kings” after two come-from-behind victories in the group fixtures, Turkey looked anything but making the last four when they trailed Croatia 1-0 in time-added-on of extra-time. And somehow they equalised – through Semih, and went on to win the penalty shootout.

To suggest that they are over the moon would not quite describe just how delighted this team is with reaching the semifinals of a major championship for the first time. And such has their confidence grown that they now believe they have it in themselves to go on and win the tournament being held in Austria and Switzerland.

They might take a leaf out of Greece’s book, who four years ago turned European soccer on its head by winning Euro 04. And now with Greeks having packed their bags and gone home, Turkey look primed to pull off a similar upset. They are just 180 minutes from lifting the continental title and every chance of doing so.

Midfielder Hamit Altintop certainly believes they can build on their great run and give fancied Germany a tough time in their semifinal clash next Wednesday. Hamit said the feeling they have after knocking out Croatia was “indescribable” and added that “if we can keep going like this and believe in ourselves, anything is possible”.

Their gritty determination has held them in good stead and has been key to them coming this far in the competition. Now they just they need keep going, while taking stock of what troops they have left. Injuries and suspensions could have a telling effect on how their next assignment pans out.

Turkey coach Fatih Terim had eight players on a yellow going into the quarterfinals. By the time they had shown Croatia the exit, three of those eight - Tuncay Sanli, Arda Turan and Emre Asik - had picked up another caution and will now miss the semifinal against Germany at the St. Jakob Park Stadium in Basel, Switzerland.

There is also concern in the Turkey camp over the fitness of their inspirational captain Nihat Kahveci, who is carrying an injury and looks unlikely to start the game against the Germans. Kahveci did not finish the quarterfinal, coming off with what appeared to be a groin injury. It left Terim to say that they would be analysing his condition before making a statement.

With Tuncay, Arda and Emre ruled out, the absence of Kahveci would further handicap their chances and maybe scuttle completely their dream of playing the final at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna on June 29. Just reaching the final would be a big, big triumph for the Turks; even greater than their wonderful victory over Croatia on Friday.

Will Ronaldo go or will he stay?

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:49:24 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Portugal, one of the high-flyers coming into the 2008 European Championships, were made to eat humble pie by the efficiency of a proud and well-oiled German machine.

The pre-tournament favourites knocked the Portuguese out of the continental showpiece in the quarterfinal at the St. Jakob Park Stadium in Basel, Switzerland on Monday night and gave notice to the rest the pretenders that they will be a difficult proposition, regardless of whomever they might meet.

Their next assignment, in the semi-finals, appears to be Croatia. They are down to play Turkey in the second quarterfinal, on Thursday, and look a good bet to come through even if their opponents do put on another gutsy performance.

The 3-2 scoreline flattered Portugal because this win was nowhere near as close as it appears on paper, only because the Germans, when 3-1 up, took their foot off the gas and allowed the Iberian side a second goal with less than 10 minutes to go.

And while Germany will be reveling in their victory, which comes after they saw off the same opponents in the third-place playoff at the 2006 World Cup, the Portuguese will be pondering a future of uncertainty. Luiz Felipe Scolari stepped down as coach after the loss to take charge of Chelsea in about a week's time. Also, several of their “old-hands” will be making way for new blood in the squad.

But one character who should be around for sometime is Cristiano Ronaldo, now the hot subject of a possible transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid.

Needless to say, the English champions are furious at what they perceive to be underhanded tactics by the Spanish giants and have vowed that they would rather have the 23-year-old “sit in the stands and rot” than play for their great European rivals.

Speculation is mounting that Ronaldo could well be making his way to Spain’s capital and follow in the footsteps of David Beckham and Ruud van Nistelrooy, both of whom left Old Trafford in the last five years.

England’s Player of the Year, two years running, has openly conceded that he wants to play in Spain one day, but has not yet publicly said when. With this veiled invitation Real are said, by Man United, to have pursued the winger contrary to the laws of the game.

FIFA, the Federation of International Football Associations, released a statement saying that they saw no cause to sanction the La Liga champions – well not yet anyway.

But over and above this, there remains a riveting debate as to whether or not the player will actually be moving. Ronaldo came out after the exit from Euro 2008 to say that he would make an announcement on his future within the “next 72 hours”. By my calculation, that should be done before the weekend is out.

Such has Old Trafford boss, Alex Ferguson, been hurt by all the conjecture that he has declared he would resign if Ronaldo were sold to Real Madrid. But some see this as just a last-ditch attempt to hold on to his most prized asset.

However, if Real did come up with the reported 75 million pounds offer, there would probably be no way the Manchester club could refuse to accept. Not from a business point anyway.

Nonetheless, as the saga continues to unfold, things will almost certainly get a bit more heated before it all dies down.

Germany, for their part, will remain quietly confident of their chances of winning Euro 2008, more so after giving Ronaldo and his teammates the boot.

Good for Germany to come through

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:13:32 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Germany are through to the last sixteen of the 2008 European Championships and rightly so. The pre-tournament favourites were put through a bit of an ordeal before seeing Austria to claim second spot in the Group B and will now face Portugal in a tantalizing quarterfinal clash next week.

Austria were never expected to make the knockout stage of the championships and while they did flirt with the unlikelihood of going through at the expense of the Germans who were humbled by Croatia, the tournament would have lost one of its leading lights had Michael Ballack’s goal killer-goal not counted for so much in the decisive encounter.

So, with Germany through, there remains the possibility that they might still not make the semi-finals. That is, not if Portugal have their way and put paid to their chances in what must surely be one of the more appetizing quarterfinals.

What this also means is that the championships will definitely be without one of the four top seeds in the semi-finals.

But even as German enjoy their moment of scrapping through; either Italy or France (or both) will bow out of the event on Tuesday evening.

The two teams who played out the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin will lock horns in a Group C clash that will have the winner join the in-form Dutch squad in the next round, provided Romania do not beat Holland in the other pool match.

The Romanians are tipped to pull off an upset victory over the most impressive side at the championships thus far. However, Marco van Basten’s talented team could be undone the underdogs if they stroll into the fixture complacently.

But knowing the former AC Milan striker, he will not allow the Oranjes to get carried away, and if anything will want to bring the curtain down n the group matches with as much as a showing as they did when they hammered Italy (3-0) and thumped France (4-1).

Such has been the Dutch team’s form that they have now been installed as the favourites to win the championships. And going by their performances against the two giants who clash in game that could save face for one and bring to bear further humiliation on the other, Holland will not mind who finishes second in Group D – Sweden or Russia.

With two wins out of two, Spain are tops in the pool and are also looking like a good bet to triumph in the championships for the first time since their success of 1964.

The Spanish certainly have the technical capabilities to emerge victorious on June 29 but they will have to maintain their best form throughout, more so with the knockouts starting at the weekend.

Either way, with the big guns getting sort out from the rest, things should get even more exciting for the fans. And no doubt, the survival of Germany is one issue they will appreciate.

A Turkish lesson

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:33:43 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Turkey’s quite outstanding come-from-behind victory over the fancied Czech Republic in the decisive Group A fixture at the Stade Geneve vindicated the point that you need not be totally reliant on skill to succeed in this game.

The Turks, with their amazing 3-2 win that knocked the Czechs out of the 2008 European Championships and booked them a spot in the quarterfinals – a possible meeting with Germany, will for a long time remember the heroics of a gallant side, and particularly the exploits of skipper Nihat Kahveci who spearheaded the fightback with a brace in the last four minutes.

That there was so much drama on yet another action-packed evening of entertainment also confirmed that these championships are heading in the right direction to set themselves up as among some of the most exciting championships yet.

There will be only a few who would begrudge the Turks of their berth in the last sixteen. They were absolutely sublime in their gutsy stand, not necessarily in the way they played, as they would not bow to the pressures of seeing their tournament come to an end when everything else around them looked just like that.

Coach Fatih Terim hailed their determined spirit as being the core of their progress to the quartefinals, but even his praises could fall short of just what this really means to one of the rising nations of European football.

Turkey and all the new support they will have gained from the now famous triumph at the Stade Geneve should not dive head-first into believing that when they come up against the Germans, as they are expected to, they will walk it. It would be folly to think so.

On the contrary, Terim should take this win and build on it – get his team to believe even more in themselves and have no fear of any side they play (as long as the opposition too have only 11 players).

Sad to say though, the Turks’ great victory was marred by crowd violence. Reports that Turkey fans went on the rampage, causing much damage to property, was the last thing this team would have wanted to hear – not after such a special win.

But that is how things go sometimes. We have come to accept that somewhere along the line, some fans will lose their way in supposed celebration, but more likely under the influence of intoxicating liquids.

This should not be allowed to happen; not in the least, because they have no place here to enjoy themselves in the name soccer. This game can do without these people, who call themselves fans, but are not. How can they be?

The stage is set - it’s crunch time!

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 05:29:17 GMT

By Shaun Orange

David Villa’s injury-time goal against Sweden, who were hoping for a draw in their Group D tie on Saturday, added yet another intriguing installment to the 2008 European Championships in Austria and Switzerland.

Coming as it did after a string of high-tempo performances, not in the least the two scintillating victories of Holland over Italy and France; the ruthless, yet purposeful, advance of Portugal to the quarterfinals; and the displays of technically efficient Croatia, some will have us believe that these championships are just getting warmed-up.

Far from it! Euro 2008 has hit full-stride and as we cheerfully anticipate the unfolding of the third and last round of the group stages, we can look forward to even more absorbing stuff to come.

The Group A clash on Sunday between the Czech Republic and Turkey, who are locked on three points apiece and with an identical goal aggregate (-1), should add to the excitement in a winner-takes-all encounter. The reward for the triumphant side from this duel will join Portugal in the first knockout round and it has all the ingredients of a Sunday thriller.

With so much at stake for the victorious team, we can rest assured that there will be no holding back in search of the right result, and from a purist’s point of view, it should be played at a cracking pace. Goals have certainly not been in short supply at these championships and we can expect maybe a flurry in this match too as both camps go for the jugular in an attempt to knock over the other.

Technically, the Croatians shade their adversaries. But Turkey have proved a long while ago that while they might be less skilled than their opponents, they more than make up for it with sheer grit – a burning desire in the heart that drives one forward even if the cause sometimes looks lost.

On Monday, Germany take on host nation Austria for what should be second place behind Croatia in Group B. Pre-tournament favourites Germany need just a point from the fixture as they lead the Austrians by two points on the log standings. However, to finish runners-up in this pool could mean a quarterfinal date with rampant Portugal, heavily tipped to reach the final from the top half of the draw – Groups A and B.

Nonetheless, Germany should not be written off too lightly, despite the harsh rhetoric from the German media, administrators and former star players. This nation prides itself as the most resourceful and successful of Europe in big tournaments.

And as all the knowledgeable officials tell us, the championships really hit high-gear in the knockouts. Only because this is when all is won and lost - in a single game; unlike the group stages where one can still rally from defeat to live to fight another day.

Even then, the first phase of the tournament is just as important as any other. It is more than useful to get a good run going in the early days of the championships, build momentum and then position the squad for the decisive push towards the end of the competition.

Something similar to what the Czech Republic and Turkey will be hoping for on Sunday.

Dutch show their class

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:04:35 GMT

By Shaun Orange

In the toughest pool of the 2008 European Championships first round, Holland have played unlike any team in the competition thus far, and in a processional manner have taken over the mantle of tournament favourites.

Their quite remarkable 4-1 thrashing of France on Friday has lit up the championships beyond the wildest dreams of the organisers. The fluidity with which they embarrassed the 2006 World Cup finalists will have struck fear into the hearts of all those who might fancied their chances of winning the title.

That this glorious triumph came just days after the Dutch humiliated world champions Italy 3-0 in the first Group C match, underscored what kind of impact Holland’s latest exploits has had on the championships.

Italy and France came into the tournament heavily tipped to succeed and were the seeded teams in the group. But after Friday’s demolition job by the Dutch that all counted for zero, and will remain that way until something befalls the Oranjes.

Coach Marco van Basten, himself part of the winning Dutch team of 1998, said before the French massacre that they could not afford to rest on their laurels and think that one good result (against Italy) would win them the championship.

He was right. But after this latest showing they might even be adjudged as a great failure if they don’t go on to win the thing. That is just how impressive they have been. And the way this game is, it could well turn out that way.

Nonetheless, Italy and France - assuming Romania do not pulled off the shock of Euro 2008 and beat Holland next Tuesday, could redeem themselves with a victory when they clash at the Letzigrund Stadium.

A Romanian victory is highly unlikely – at this stage, although not entirely impossible. And it is for that reason that the finalists of the last World Cup will be quietly praying that they get a reprieve.

A draw would probably not be enough for either side, given that Romania have two points and they have one apiece.

With their place assured in the next stage of the competition - the quarterfinals, Holland look likely to come up against Sweden in the last 16, while the team that finishes second in Group C will most probably play Spain, who have looked the best in Group D.

In the top half of the draw, and with Germany struggling in Group B despite arriving in Austria as pre-tournament favourites, Portugal look a good bet right now to reach the last four and maybe the finals itself.

The Portuguese, who were this week told that their Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will be joining Chelsea after Euro 2008, look set to top Group A after two straight wins. Turkey and the Czech Republic clash in a winner-takes-all last fixture on Monday, to see who joins them in the next round.

Just a draw with Poland would be enough to hand the top spot to Croatia in Group B, and that could mean a Portugal versus Germany quarterfinal showdown next Friday. That would be a mouthwatering encounter, but maybe not on the same scale as the Holland-France epic witnessed on Friday.

Scolari is a Chelsea coup

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:58:02 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s appointment to the post of Chelsea manager, effective July 1, has been a coup for the London club.

This is a big-time coach in world football, and although the Blues might not have got their first-choice – Carlo Ancelotti, Scolari is more than they could have asked for in the circumstances.

The Brazilian won the World Cup in 2002 and had rekindled the fortunes of Portugal, taking them to the finals of Euro 2004 and the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

That in itself speaks volumes of the man that Chelsea will look to as they bid to erase the memory of Avram Grant, sacked after the European Champions League defeat last month and the departure of Jose Mourinho last September. There will be no ducking the task at hand when the fiery Latin-American arrives at Stamford Bridge. His priority will be to make Chelsea a winning team again. And on the face of it, it should not prove too difficult a task.

Scolari will take over side (or most of it) that finished second to Manchester United in the English Premiership and Champions League, and to Tottenham in the League Cup.

There has been a lot of speculation about Chelsea’s playing staff; about who might go and who might stay. But overall, he should inherit a powerful squad all the same. The nucleus of the team – Petr Cech, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, John Mikel Obi, Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou, should be still be intact when the big Brazilian assumes office in two weeks’ time.

He finds Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba still in the mix, then that would be a bonus for him, only because these two giants of the game have been the subject of relentless transfer talk.

The departures of Claude Makelele and Andriy Shevchenko are real possibilities but would not negatively impact the squad; not by a long shot.

Thus far, the statement announcing his imminent arrival aside, Scolari has been publicly welcomed by Cech and Carvalho. No doubt, there are a few others who will follow when the “distractions” of Euro 2008 are out of the way.

The British will be licking their lips because Scolari has got character and an abundance of it; similar one could say, to Mourinho. But the Portuguese national team boss will not have it easy in the Premier League, or will he?

This is a coach who has a track record of speaking his mind, and loudly at that (something like Mourinho). He has a fiery temper and given the heat of the Premiership, he will almost certainly snap from time to time (something like Mourinho – but only more so).

In September 2007, after a European Championship qualifier, he took a swipe with a left hook, aimed at Serbian Ivica Dragutinovic. In short, he is a volatile character, but also a respected one, so one can understand why Chelsea sought him after Ancelotti declined the job.

Then again, one would have to ask, how long will Scolari be at Stamford Bridge? My guess is, as long as he wins a few trophies shortly after his arrival and stays clear of crossing paths with club owner Roman Abramovich. The latter is another issue and something more likely than not.

Nonetheless, with a price tag of £6 million a year, the new coach should be winning things, not just talking about it.

Glimpses of ‘total football’

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:35:37 GMT

By Shaun Orange

Ever since the draw was done, the Italy-Holland clash always held the most appeal in the first round of the 2008 European Championships group stage. And that was, as stated a few days ago, with no disrespect to the others.

It was a sincere observation borne from the fact that these two teams are not only among the best on the continent, but in world soccer. Their coming together on Monday night in Group C proved just that and much more.

It was not so much the scoreline, although this of course did have a bearing on how things were played out, but mostly because it was enterprising stuff – classical attacking soccer, brimming with verve, imagination and loads of talent.

This applied to both sides, but it was the Dutch who left the Stade de Suisse in Berne with the three points safely in the bag. To say that this victory, in all its awe, will have bolstered Marco van Basten’s squad in their self-belief as they bid to further enhance their credentials, would be an understatement of sorts.

This was a sound 3-0 thrashing that paved the way for Holland’s first victory over the Italians in three decades. It was a vintage performance; one of the best in a long, long time, but by no means on par with the “total football” that the Dutch introduced to the world in the 1970s.

That kind of soccer is something more special than what we witnessed in Berne. It might still come, and there were signs of it in some of the build-ups and particularly the second goal, but it was not yet total; that was the difference.

One television commentator, it could be said, got carried away and harped on about it being “total football”, but it was not. Nonetheless, it was excellent soccer and was there for all of us to enjoy.

Wesley Sneijder’s goal – the second of the night especially, reminded me of just how good the Dutch used to be. It was an exquisite strike that the Real Madrid star knocked in with much aplomb. But the making of the goal itself, I thought, was even more outstanding.

Breaking free from a clearance off their line, Holland set their sights on the Azzurri goal and never took their eye off it until after Sneijder found his mark at the end of a move which will surely figure as one of the best of this three-week tournament.

Needless to say, the event is not even a week old and there will definitely be much more to come in similar fashion. But this goal will surely rank up there with the best, if not THE best.

The Italians, who are also the world champions, will be licking their wounds, and they have every right to be. They were rolled over by a performance that van Basten said was “historic”. But they will live to fight another day (against Romania on Friday) and can still progress from this pool, although it will be more difficult now.

Italian coach Roberto Donadoni said the game “started badly” and finished “terribly” for them. He was right. He added that they would be looking to bounce back without delay and I believe they can. But that game doesn’t hold as much interest as this one did. This one was always going to be a cracker, from the day the draw was done.

All going according to plan

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:43:12 GMT

By Shaun Orange

A couple of days into the 2008 European Championships and everything, so far as the results are concerned, is going according to form the book. The Czech Republic, Portugal, Croatia and then Germany, all won their won opening fixtures and did so without any undue alarm.

From a purist’s point of view that is good soccer. Football to be enjoyed by the aristocrats - played in an entertaining atmosphere and without the murkiness that this game is so often associated with.

Of course, some would say that it is early days yet and boldly predict that the upsets will come with time. That is almost certain to happen, but as it is, there has been some good, clean fun. And for a tournament of this magnitude, it is more than welcome.

One wonders if has got nothing to with the fact that the two host nations – Austria and Switzerland and known for their laid-back approach to life in general. But this cannot really be it; not with what we know about how this game is played and how the emotions so easily boil over.

Well, at least for the meantime, things are going to schedule and we hope it remains that way, regardless of who wins and who loses.

With half of the first round fixtures done, Portugal and Germany appear the best equipped to go on and land the title. And while again, it is indeed early to start calling who might do what and when, these are the two favourites to win Euro 2008 anyway.

Portugal eloquently swept past Turkey with a 2-0 victory while the Germans racked up an identical scoreline over Poland. In both instances the triumphs were well deserved, and I am not going to say that we will not see anymore of the same from these well-oiled machines.

It will be interesting though to see how Italy, France, Spain and Greece respond when they enter the fray. It is not a bad idea to get in a good performance early on the in the championships only because the confidence borne of that can be used to step up one’s momentum. Needless to say that the big guns – and they are big, will all be looking to do just that.

But Romania could throw the form book out of the window with something special against France, and that would do just nicely for those etching for an upset. I would say that even a draw against the French would be a huge result for the Romanians.

A victory would get them talking about making the quarterfinals, and why not? But can they put on a show good enough to rattle Les Blues? My guess is yes – definitely so!

Book List: Football Channel

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:36:08 GMT

Football Channel