Hi all,
Sorry for the lack of updates. I had a lot of stuff going on in my private life, a lot of professional duties, and several travels. I hardly found the time to fix the bug in my earlier blog entries and to write new material. I even had little time to write despite the Euro 2008!
But, be confident, this blog is not disappearing and it will be revived as I am going to pick up blogging again.
Maybe, let's first write some stuff about the European Championships 2008 and then I will write more in detail about my travels later on. Well, nuff said, the tournament was excellent. A few surprising teams, lot of spectacle, some beautiful goals, a well deserved winner, a good atmosphere.
With my favourite teams (Norway and Israel) not qualified and my native Belgium absent, I mainly looked out for the performances of my current homeland Germany and my former homeland Turkey. As it was Turkey where I lost my heart, it was Türkiye I would support.
To make a summary of all games with such a delay is quite impossible. So let me just give my personal opinions on the teams involved, or at least the majority of them.
The hosts: Switzerland and title defenders Greece were the big disappointments. Switzerland was expected to maybe surprise but they lost their first two games and were out without many chances. Only in the third game against a Portuguese B team (as they were already qualified) the Swiss could get a result. Co-hosts Austria finished with only 1 point, a draw against Poland. For the first time ever both co-hosts of a tournament are out after the first round. Austria set a new record for worst home nation ever in terms of results (1 point). However, IMO the Austrians were not that bad. They may have not impressed but they showed a lot of determination, spirit and some decent football. If only they had a striker that easily scores, they could have done better than their 1 point. But they proved to have a decent team and not to be minnows, maybe that is a victory in itself.
Greece: for a defending champion, it was a first time ever to leave the tournament with 3 defeats. The defensive tactics did not work and the Greeks embarrassed their country. Cold shower after the triumph of the former Euro 2004, but because of the sensational win then I guess Otto Rehhagel still got some credit as coach.
France: another big disappointment. Showed inspirationless football without Zidane, with Ribery being the sole exception. The French were outclassed by both Holland and Italy, and left the tournament with one single point. Coach Domenech is in serious trouble although he has not been sacked so far.
Italy: somewhat halfway a disappointment and decency. Against Holland they were outclassed but then every team can have an offday I guess. Against Romania it was not convincing, against France they showed that they still win the games when it is really needed. However, in the quarter finals against Spain the Italians refused to play, they just defended the entire game in pure catenacchio style, hoping to reach the penalties. Which they deservedly lost, good riddance. This Italy was simply not good enough, although maybe the coach's defensive tactics were partially to blame. Luca Toni, who was expected to explode during this Euro, did not score a single goal and was the disappointment of the tournament in terms of players.
Holland: showed extremely fantastic fast combination football with tactical flair against Italy. To beat the world champion 3-0 was impressive. The 4-1 against France was less impressive IMO although I realise many will disagree with me. France was not that much worse but Van der Sar was keeping excellent and the French refused to score the goals. Holland scored very efficiently and with a bit of help of a fumbling French goalkeeper Coupet. Right after the 2-0, Henry scored the 2-1 but Holland then immediately stroke again and the game was decided. Everyone was full of praise and already named Holland the winner of the tournament. I did not get impressed against France, Holland was more efficient though and to score 7 goals against the two world cup finalists is a great achievement. Somehow I expected Holland however to not get too far, and my prediction was right when they were unrecognisable and underperforming against Russia, resulting in a totally deserved 3-1 loss and elimination in the quarter finals. Typically... The Netherlands always shine a few games but then lose it before really getting that far. Inconsistency has been their trademark under Van Basten, and I expected this to happen. Maybe though, with the huge talent pool they have, they can achieve something with a new coach?
Portugal: impressive against Turkey. Best midfield around? Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco, Nuno Gomes, Nani, ... Nuff said. Impressive team and I expected them to win this Euro. But their only really bad game, against Germany, proved fatal, partially thanks to two fumbles from the very insecure goalie Ricardo. May be a penalty hero but whenever he leaves the goal for a cross, it is total mayhem in the Portuguese defense...
Croatia: one of the teams I considered outsiders for the victory. However, after some really good first games, they were very unlucky to have a goal against them in the very final second of extra time against Turkey. Broken moral and penalty loss...
Russia: were nowhere against Spain in the first game (4-1 defeat) but with star player Arshavin back in the team they impressed against Greece and Sweden. Nice combination play, nice collective attacks, fast attacks, some technically gifted players. That they would also completely overpower Holland to reach the semi-finals was beyond expectations. They completely outplayed the Dutch team that was considered unbeatable and surprised them with the fast attacks. Without an incredibly strong Van der Sar, Russia could have embarrassed Holland completely in the scoreline. Now they were not capable of stopping Spain, but to reach the semi-finals with such a young team was an incredible achievement and maybe Russia is on its way to become the new powerhouse in Europe??
Turkey: my favourites so I may not be entirely neutral here. Turkey had to cope with a lot of injuries but nonetheless faught like lions from the first till the last second and never gave up. The determination and moral strength of Fatih Terim's team were incredible. Both against Switzerland, Czech Republic (from 0-2 to 3-2 in the final quarter) and Croatia they came back from behind. The game against the Croats and the celebrations afterwards will stick with me for a long time. Turkey faught like lions despite many injuries, goalkeeper Rustu makes a capital mistake in the last minute of extra time and Croatia scores. Nobody expected Turkey to come back, but in the last second of extra time the final shot on goal went in. Rustu became the hero in the penalty shootouts and Turkey was in the semi finals !! To lose narrowly against Germany with a lot of injuries, was no shame and the Turkish players rightfully were welcomed as heroes when they returned to Istanbul.
Germany: mediocre but somehow going to the final. Typically German?? Played only one good game, versus Portugal. The other games they struggled (even against Austria and injury-torn Turkey) and always made it with luck. In the final they came nowhere near threatening the Spaniards. Germany got more than they deserved with their silver medal. Schweinsteiger was very good, Ballack and Lahm were very decent. The others were mediocre, and the German defense and goalie Lehmann were constantly insecure.
Spain: deserved winners. The stereotypical underachievers at a tournament finally proved the cliche wrong by winning a major trophy. And well deserved. In every single game they were the better team, overpowering their opponents. They always chose attacking football and were a pleasure to watch. Xavi, David Villa (top scorer of the tournament), Torres, Casillas, Guiza, ... The team was a pleasure to watch, chose attacking football, was the only team to not play a single bad game. Totally deserved champions of Europe!
In the margin:
Best games:
- Croatia-Turkey and Czech Rep-Turkey: very emotional games for me as a Turkey fan. To see the team fight from first to last minute and come back from a lost position in a sensational way was just beyond belief. The joy and excitement were huge.
- Holland-Italy: although Italy clearly had an offday, the Dutch were simply impressive. Fantastic display, one of the best teams of the Euro by far although their inconsistency caused an early exit later on against Russia.
- Russia-Holland: again fantastic attacking football and a great team spirit, this time from the Russians however.
Best players: Xavi, Iker Casillas, David Villa, Boulahrouz, Van der Sar, Sneijder, Arshavin, Schweinsteiger, Mehmet Aurelio and Nihat (although those two may be the Turkiye fan in myself speaking)
Nicest personal experience: celebrating with over 50000 Turkey fans dancing on the Kurfurstendamm in Berlin. 50000 Turks dancing in the national jerseys and waving the flags, celebrating as if they won the European Cup.
Disappointments of the tournament: as a team France and maybe Greece and Italy as well, as a player definitely Luca Toni
Prettiest footballers wife: Schweinsteiger's belle... At least one trophy for the Germans :)
