Euro 2008 Austria-Switzerland
I analyse the various teams performances in the Euro
Austria and Switzerland
Hosts of the tournament n switzerland cruelly say goodbye to the tournament after a turkey comeback n also a lose against the lacklustre Czech republic with captain n topscorer Alexander Frei was definitely an indication luck wasn't on their side. Otherwise, the Swiss team played well with their young squad despite coach Kobi Kuhn dropping world cup 2006 captain Johann Vogel. For Austria's case, they also dun have luck n r simply wasteful in their goalscoring ability as they had many chances to score against Croatia, Germany n Poland. They should be playing like their women's team, which is far more deadlier when trying to score goals. In Austria, sayings of the whole Austrian team was rubbish except for captain n best playmaker Andreas ivanschitz turned out to be the other way round as other team members like Martin Harnik n Sebastian Prodl shone but Ivanschitz did more or less nothing. To sum it up, Austria performed well in this tournament but wasteful at goalscoring.
Germany n turkey
Both teams have great teamwork n also their fighting spirit makes both teams not to be written off n taken lightly with. Never write off the Germans is this famous saying n i wanna put Tourkey in as well. Turkey comebacks against Switzerland, Czech republic n Croatia n Germany until Phillip Lahm's last minute goal dashed their hopes of making it to the Euro final. For Germany's case, if not for Michael Ballack n Bastian Schweinsteiger, they might not have made it to the final. Joachim Loew n Fatih Terim, Germany n Turkey's coach has done pretty well to motivate their team.
Czech Republic n Greece
2 very lacklustre teams in the tournaments. Czech republic's fluke win against Switzerland was marred by defeats against Portugal n Turkey n also a very bad way of seeing off their coach Karel Bruckner. For Greece, they did not win any games during the tournament n proved to be lousy defending champions.
France
The biggest dissapointment in the tournament. Despite having many world class strikers such as Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelkas n young starlets Hatem Ben Arfa n Karim Benzema with good attacking midfielders such as Florent Malouda, Samir Nasri n Franck Ribery, they managed to score only 1 goal in the tournament. Patrick Vieira's inclusion in the squad also raised questions as Vieira is injured n unfit n Raymond Domenech can pick a fit Matthieu Flamini, who shone for Arsenal. Samir Nasri, young starlet, hardly played n only featured for the game against Italy when he replaced the injured Ribery. However, he was taken off 14 minutes later when Eric Abidal was sent off n Domemech decided to replace Nasri with Jean Alain Boumsong. Overall, a lacklustre performance n coach had guts to propose to wife after defeat by rival Italy.
Italy
Lucky to have gotten through the group stage despite the opening defeat n thrashing by Netherlands. Donadoni was certainly not the best choice of coaches picked to lead the italy's squad as he needed the help from the media whether to include Strikers such as Antonio Cassano n Del Piero, Gilardino n Inzaghi etc. Defend n dun know how to attack was superbly shown in the match against Spain, where they were knocked out in the Quarters after a 0-0 draw with Spain n lose by penalties.
Russsia n Netherlands
Better to have Russsia than England in the euros in my point of view. Superbly lead by magnificent coach Guus Hiddink n played marvellously against Netherlands to reach the semi-final. However, against Spain the semi final, the whole Russia squad seemed to have forgotten how to play well when they lost 3-0 n their captain Andrey Arshavin was largely anonimous. For netherlands, how could i not have seen their defeat to russia after winning all games in the group of death, Group C. Peaking so early in the tournament but lost their momentum against russsia.
Poland
Played extremely well in the Qualifying stages of the tournament when they managed to beat Portugal twice through goals from their best striker Ebi Smolarek. However, they were very different when they played in the finals when they only managed a point in group B. Ebi Smolarek was utter rubbish in the tournament n 1 has to look at the starting line up to know that Smolarek was playing. Leo Beenhakker must be rather very angry at his team's performances. Punished by a controversial penalty in the match against Austria.
Portugal
Peaked in the group stage despite losing to Switzeland 2-0 in their final group stage match. Portugal, bowing out early in the quarter final despite a weakened Germany they were playing against. Only had themselves to blame n not chelsea, who annoucned scolari as replacement for Avhram grant during the tournament as their biggest star, cristiano ronaldo, performed very badly n was the tournament's biggest dissapointment. Very bad way to see off coach Luiz Felipe Scolari n not very good to see their legend eusebio da silva ferriera so sad.
Romania
an average side in the Euro. Star man Adrain Mutu was their biggest enemy after having a penalty saved by Buffon against Itlay.
Croatia
Slaven Bilic had put a good young team together despite their best player Eduardo Da Silva injured. Luka Modric lead the assualt. Not a very convincing performance against Austria where they won by a penalty but very pleasing to watch against Germany n also Poland. However, a turkey comeback in the quarter final proved to dampen their morale as they lost 4-1 on penalties.
N of course Spain
Spain, the winner fot this year's tournament. Luis Aragones, a racist coach who infamously talked about Henry's skin colour to Jose Antonio Reyes, put together a good combination of midfield n never lost a game in the euro. Little surprise that Xavi hernandez won the player of the tournament award. Worthy winners, for me, Yes, even though i m a germany fan but ya, Spain performed well.
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