Euro 2012: quarter-final round up

 

The group rounds saw 16 teams cut down to eight with the Czech Republic and Greece surviving group A, Portugal and Germany group B, Spain and Italy group C and finally, England and France group D.

 

On the 21^st June, the Czech Republic and Portugal opened the quarter-finals in the National Stadium, Warsaw. Portugal had impressed, with Cristiano Ronaldo slowly becoming the player he is for his club side.

 

The Czech’s were thrashed 4-1 in their opener to Russia but had recovered to go through and, while not boasting the same technical talent as Portugal, still had the quality to reach the semis.

 

Despite this, the night was to be Ronaldo’s: just how he likes it. After clipping the post with a free kick, the Real Madrid man latched onto a Joao Moutinho cross and headed powerfully past Petr Cech.

 

Portugal held onto their lead for the 11 minutes remaining and progress to play the winner of Germany and Greece who played the next night in Gdansk.

 

Undoubtedly politically charged, Greece had their work cut out against a star- studded team of Germans. Greece were trying to replicate their 2004 Euro victory but the odds were against them.

 

Even the most ardent of Germanophiles would have felt sorry for what was to befall the Greeks. The first of the night did not come from any of Germany’s many attacking options but captain, Philip Lahm on 39 minutes.

 

Perhaps the most shocking event of the night occurred on 55 minutes when up stepped perennial misser and all-round row Z botherer, Giorgos Samaras.  Knocking in from five yards he drew the Greeks level and briefly gave them hope.

 

Germany’s Sami Khedira made it 2-1 with a fantastic volley and veteran Miroslav Klose headed in from a Mesut Ozil cross. Marco Reus made sure of the victory when he struck the ball off the crossbar and in. The Greeks won a penalty in the 89^th minute and Dimitris Salpingidis slotted the ball in the bottom right hand corner.

 

After the first two quarter-finals were done and dusted, the Czechs and Greeks made way while Portugal and Germany both looked strong and will go in to the semi-finals with confidence.

 

The third, and possibly most anticipated match, was played out by reigning champions Spain and Euro 2000 champions France. Attacking football was promised with both teams containing world-class forwards but unfortunately the match turned into a bit of an anti-climax.

 

France sacrificed their attack to prevent Spain scoring but it only took the world champions 19 minutes for Xabi Alonso to head past Hugo Lloris the French captain.

 

Despite some good hold up play from Karim Benzema and some nice touches by Franck Ribery, Les Bleus never looked like threatening the Spanish keeper, Iker Casillas.

 

After Pedro was pushed over in the box, the referee pointed to the spot and Alonso scored his second of the evening. Spain march on to face their Iberian neighbours Portugal, while Les Bleus will need to reevaluate.

 

The final quarter- final, played out between England and Italy in the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, was a tense affair with both sides having chances to snatch a victory and a shot at the Germans.

 

Andrea Pirlo controlled much of the match and, despite good opportunities for Glen Johnson and Wayne Rooney, Italy looked the more likely to score. After 90 minutes, and added-on time, neither team had broken the deadlock.

 

Penalties followed and once again there was heartbreak for the Three Lions. Initially the Italians went behind after Riccardo Montolivo missed the target but the two Ashleys, Young and Cole, failed to convert for England.

 

In the end the semi-finalists were fully deserved of their places. Portugal have looked strong, so have Italy, the Germans and Spanish boast sides that have the quality to win any tournament.

 

Sam Murray

Euro 2012: Round 3 round up

On the 16th of June, group A was decided with shock results all round. Kick-off times were simultaneous to avoid teams playing out results that would be beneficial for both sides. The Russians had impressed in their first two games and they took on the Greeks while the Czech’s took on Poland.

 

It seemed likely that the Greek side would reflect their country and crash out of the Euros. However, in added time of the first half, up stepped Giorgos Karagounis who, scoring the only goal of the game, gave Hellas something to be proud about. The Russians bombed out of the tournament, surprising fans and pundits alike.

In the other game of the day, the Czech Republic took on one of the host nations, Poland. Both had played reasonably well up until this point and could be fairly confident of going through to the knock-out stages. Home support was optimistic but Petr Jiracek broke Polish hearts: cue Pole axed headlines.

 

Many had Poland and Russia to top the group but in the end, 2004 champions Greece and the Czech Republic are going through to take on the first and second placed teams in group B. Surely Greece cannot repeat their shock victory of eight years ago?

 

Group B had Portugal against the Netherlands and Denmark taking on Germany. Every team had a chance to go through including the Dutch, who had not taken a point from their first two matches.

 

The Danes looked to add to their country’s already impressive European history but realistically they had their work cut out against a Germany side who boast the likes of Ozil, Gomez, Muller and Lahm among many, many others.

 

Joachim Low’s men took the lead in the 19th minute through Arsenal’s new star, Lukas Podolski. Almost immediately the Danes struck back through Michael Krohn-Deli and hope was revived. The German’s ruthlessness was shown, 10 minutes from the end of time, when Lars Bender won the game making it 1-2.

 

The Netherlands looked to make significant improvements when they took on the Portuguese and only a win would do. Once again, however, they failed to shine and despite boasting some of the best attackers in the world, it was Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo who stole the show.

 

Often criticised for not performing for his nation, Ronaldo took the bull by the horns and scored a brace to send his nation through to the quarter finals. Despite the Netherlands drawing level, after Cristiano’s opener, they never really showed the form many had hoped for.

 

So group B ended with Germany topping the group and Portugal coming three points behind in second place. That means the Czech Republic will take on the Portuguese and Germany will play Greece in Gdansk, Poland.

 

Group C had Croatia facing off against Spain, who destroyed Ireland in the last match, and the Italians needing to match Spain’s Euro thrash. Already on the plane home, the Irish were playing to restore some pride.

 

Despite a strong Croatian resistance Spain eventually delivered scoring two minutes from the end of time through Jesus Nevas, who came on as a substitute. Croatia had every chance to go through; needing just a goal before Nevas’ strike.

 

Ireland once again succumbed to defeat, this time 2-0, as the Italians went through to the knock-out stage. Antonio Cassano broke the deadlock on 35 minutes; Damien Duff not quite reacting quickly enough to prevent the ball crossing the line. Mario Balotelli made sure of the victory in the final minute of normal time, just after Keith Andrews was sent off for a second bookable offence.

 

Group C finished with the two favourites going through: Spain top, Italy second. Ireland will probably be disappointed with the way they limped through the tournament but Spain showed real intent to defend their title, particularly in their match versus the Irish.

 

All that was left to be decided was group D which saw England take on one of the hosts, Ukraine and France face Sweden. With England and France favourites to go through, but both looking vulnerable at times, there was everything to play for.

 

England had talisman Wayne Rooney return to the side and it was the Three Lion’s number 10 who scored the first, heading in from close range. Both sides had chances with Ukraine looking to have a ball cross the line but the goal was not given by the referee. England topped the group while the disappointed Ukrainians were dismissed.

 

Sweden provided a shock result against group favourites France winning 2-0 in the Olympic Stadium. After 54 minutes had passed, the imperious Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a brilliant volley to put the Swedes ahead. In extra time Seb Larsson secured the win but the French still went through, second in the group.

 

The Euros once again delivered top class football and shocks all round. A tantalizing set of quarter-finals awaits with England facing Italy and Spain looking to knock out the French.

 

Sam Murray

 

A decade of Wayne Rooney

It seems quite unbelievable but ten years ago this October, Manchester United and England star, Wayne Rooney scored that last minute winner against Arsenal and became the hottest property in English football.

 

Since then it seems he has hardly left the back pages, often for sublime performances, sometimes for ill- discipline and every now and again for off-the-field misdemeanors. The Rooney celebrity is not something I will be discussing, mainly because I do not care about it, but also because it has been scrutinized enough already.

 

A decade one from that incredible goal and the United striker has won four Premier Leagues, two League Cups, one Champions League and one World Club Cup. On top of this impressive team haul he has also won, Player’s Player of the Year once and the Fan’s Player of the Year twice.

 

For United, he has shown the world why he is deserved of such accolades. Three Goal of the Season awards, given by BBC’s Match of the Day, is quite an outstanding haul for one player. The most recent, his overhead-kick against Man City, was the enduring image of the 2010-11 season.

 

The Englishman’s international career has not quite been the success story that his talent deserves.  All too often Rooney has cut a frustrated figure playing for the Three Lions; images of Rooney berating his own fans at the 2010 World Cup show his frustration boiling over.

 

Injured in the 2004 Euros, sent off against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup, booed off the pitch in 2010 and suspended for the first few games of the 2012 Euros, Rooney has not yet had an uncontroversial tournament with England.

 

Despite this, there is still no doubt he will be playing for England this summer. English realists will know that their side doesn’t stand much chance of winning the competition but a semi-final berth is a reality. Without Rooney even this seems unlikely.

 

For United he has already secured legendary status not forgetting that this is a club with more players deserved of legendary status than any other. He can sit comfortably alongside Law, Best, Cantona and so many others.

 

Yet he still has more to give. He is 26 and could have at least six or seven years at the top of his game. He has the awareness and ability to drop deeper into midfield when his legs eventually go.

 

He has already successfully played in the centre of midfield as well as on the wing. His malleability is a key strength and underlines his quality. He is a complete footballer with balance, pace, strength and determination. He scores with his head and both feet and has the ability to spot a pass.

 

With Rooney on the pitch anything can happen, recently with a more controlled temperament, it has been spectacular and positive. In maturing he has become a more responsible role model and a more consistent footballer.

 

Two goals against Aston Villa means silverware looks on it’s way to Rooney this season with United sitting pretty, five points ahead of local rivals, City and this summer maybe, just maybe, we will see him have the international competition that he has so often threatened to have.

Banning Football in New Zealand

Being a football fan in New Zealand means committing blasphemy. Kneeling at the altar of Messi et al is tantamount to worshipping false idols and the worst sin that can be committed, punishable by expulsion from the country itself, is suggesting that the All Blacks are not at the very least semi- divine. In a land where names like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo are seldom heard Daniel Carter and Piri Weepu rule the roost.

One example of the rugby dominance comes from my 6 year old cousin. Whereas most European children of his age will have seen the England shirt I was wearing and recognised the name Rooney on the back he asked me, “who’s Rodney?”, recalling a reverse of Del Boy’s bracelets in Only Fools and Horses. Show him a picture of Dan Carter, of which there are many in New Zealand, and he would have no trouble picking him out.

The Halberg Awards, the Kiwi version of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, provides little hope for fans of the spherical ball. The AB’s won every category apart from Disabled Sports Person of the Year, Sports Women of the Year and the Emerging Talent Award- all of which they would have a great difficulty in winning.

Even the marketing machine that is the Barclay’s Premier League has difficulty breaking the monopoly. The All Black’s fern appears on my deodorant, the Crusader’s sponsor beer in the pubs and Mr Weepu graces the television adverts trying to stop people smoking.

The reason I highlight the omnipresence of rugby, and in particular the All Blacks, is not for a chance to complain I do not get my daily fix of football nor to suggest that the sport needs funding from the national government or FIFA. The real reason is to say, “keep football out of New Zealand”.

This may seem bizarre coming from a dedicated football fan but there are strong and valid reasons behind it I promise you. It is particularly encouraging to visit a country where kids do not follow a team they will only see on a small coloured screen thousands of miles away from a place that they will probably never visit. Instead they wear the colours of their local heroes who play at the rugby pitch down the road.

Their athletes went to schools they themselves attended and grew up around the corner from them. They understand the clubs that they play for and more importantly the people who pay money to support them week in and week out.

I am of course not saying rugby is the perfect sport or that the people who play them are saints who only promote good, old-fashioned sportsmanship. Rugby has it’s failings like any other sport and humans will always make mistakes no matter what shaped ball they kick. 

Football is still present to those who seek it however and successes are celebrated to a certain degree. Last year’s Halberg Awards saw the All Whites presented with the Supreme Award and Ricki Herbert, New Zealand’s head coach, provided with the Coach of the Year Award.

As always the Premier League can be found on the sports channels and every now and then a flash of United red or Chelsea blue can be seen within the mobs of people on the high street. Wellington Phoenix also gets their fair share of coverage.

There is no doubt however that it is rugby that dominates the news headlines, rugby posters that cover kid’s walls and rugby that provides the heroes for the New Zealand public and long may it continue.

Sam Murray