The Round Football Column 06.19.08: 160th Edition – Euro 2008 Special
Posted by on 06.19.2008
Wesley Sneijder, Luka Modric and Fernando Torres could all be key as the Euro 2008 quarter-finals arrive. Predictions, one click away.
The quality of this tournament has been exceptional thus far and now.....
The quarter-finals are upon us:
PORTUGAL v GERMANY
Much like Spain v Italy on Sunday, this is a match that really should go to form but you just know that you can't be sure. Anyone putting a substantial bet on Portugal or Spain in the quarters would be a brave man, because history shows that Italy and especially Germany just know how to bundle their way through knockout games. Of course, you could be one of those sane people who thinks history means shit and it's all about the here and now.
I'm with the latter crowd. I thought Croatia would win Group B (honestly, check the pre-tournament roundtable) and that meant this quarter-final was always a possibility. Per Mertesacker has had a better tournament than critics have given him credit for, Philipp Lahm is a sensational attacking full-back and Michael Ballack is still a great impact player, but there's something seriously missing for them to be considered worthy champions. They don't have the quality to stifle this Portugal side and their opponents fluidity and pace should carve them open on numerous occasions. I think they've got to try an offensive game tonight, because this crop don't have the ingredients required to successfully shut-out a Portugal side who look dangerous from all angles.
Prediction: Portugal to win 3-0.
CROATIA v TURKEY
This is a lot more interesting than people are giving it credit for. Of course, Croatia got nine points out of nine and they have a very tidy unison in the way they play, but Austria missed a lot of chances against them and Germany never gave them a stern attacking test. Turkey play with the sort of balls-out attitude that hurts them defensively, but gives them so many options in attack. Arda Turan is one of the breakout stars of the summer and La Liga followers will know all about the predatory danger Nihat possesses.
I really expect Turkey to score at least once, but that doesn't mean Croatia can't cancel that out with four themselves. They are a really interesting team with an already great manager, and the likes of Pranjic, Rakitic, Modric, Olic, Kranjcar, Kovac, Kovac, Kovac, Kovac and Srna will surely help them progress to the semi-final. Either way it should be a great game, with two insane managers going nuts on the touchline for our viewing pleasure.
Prediction: Croatia to win 4-2.
HOLLAND v RUSSIA
Ah, the Dutch.....how you've pleased us so. We haven't seen team football played so incredibly on the international stage in many years. They really did have an amazing group stage in a ridiculously tough group – yet they made it look so easy. They are rightly favourites for the whole thing now and they've developed such an aura over the past fortnight that I genuinely can't imagine seeing them other end of the spectrum. The tears, the open goal misses, the defensive calamities, the plane home – I just can't see it. They really have been that good.
As for Russia, well they looked sublime against Sweden, but Zlat and co. were very ordinary and didn't setup with the right tactics to hurt Russia's system. Holland will be ready for them and the defensive midfield pairing of Engelaar and De Jong should allow Marco van Basten's side to neutralise the threat of Russia's busy runners and maintain the attacking flow that saw them destroy Italy and France. I really like Pavluchenko and Arshavin, but I'm afraid the end is nigh for Guus Hiddink's endearingly creative Red Army.
Prediction: Holland to win 3-1.
SPAIN v ITALY
Apparently the Spanish are – for the lack of a more sophisticated term – "shitting themselves" about this match. They've got a bad record against the Italians and their media have always had a problem with the way they produce success.
Sometimes you've just got to grow a pair, stand up and have the confidence to show your worth. This reminds me a lot of Spain v France in the 2006 World Cup second round, where the former had a great group stage and the latter stuttered their way through. Of course, France won 3-1 and went on to lose in the final, whereas Spain felt hard done by like they always do. Excuses are for losers though. They are a lot better than Italy right now and the world champions are missing Fabio Cannavaro, Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo for this game – this is their time, no more excuses.
Luca "I couldn't finish my dinner even if I was really hungry" Toni could be a major threat to Spain's vastly overrated centre-backs and a bit of width could counter against Spain's attack-minded full-backs, but aside from that and the gloves of Gigi Buffon I can't envisage anything but psychological reasons stopping Spain reaching the semis here. They've shot themselves in the foot, arm and knee so many times now – surely they can't fuck this up, can they?
