Before final whistle blows
The stage is all set for grand finale Germany vs Spain. Spain would be favorite for this title race. Here I jot down EURO 2008 journey so far.
Spain - Russia, Group D's first league match is by far the best league match. The pace of both team impressed me. The victory of turkey from the jaw of defeat in league match against Czech would remain as one the most dramatic come back in history of EURO cup. Turkey managed to achieve same feat again against one the most fav team, Croatia in quarters. Croatia won all of their league matches, they were looking quite a strong team, but could not hold it in the final moments, and allowed Turkey to score equalizer in dying moments and then loosing into the penalties. Croatians crying on field was disturbing sight.
The Netherlands played like Champions in league matches, they were clearly looking the most favorite title contenders, but Russian aborted Dutch demolition in quarters. This was another major upset. It's hard to see a team like that, exiting at such early stage. I guess it was just one bad day for the Dutch, or may be an extra-ordinary day for the Russians. The Russians were up against the best team of the tournament, and they delivered better than the best. No doubt, Guss Hiddinik is proud man. Hats off this guy, he deserves standing ovation. A beautiful mind of football. Russia could not continue their magical performance in semis but they 'velot of positive things to take home. Of course who can forget the rising of the start Andrei Arshavin. Boy, you've great future ahead waiting for you!! Play on.
I would not want to dig more into German journey, yeah they stumbled to qualify in quaters, then a win over better looking team, Portugal. Ballack produced some inspiring stuff. In the fist semifinal, Germany vs Turkey, Turkey's rather inexperienced team, defied all expectations to produce, what I would term as an outstanding performance. When it was looking certain that game is headed for extra time, Philipp Lahm's last-minute strike booked EURO cup final berth for Germany. And Turkey's campaign ended in the style it started, it was payback time for them, they managed to win in dying moments twice in the tournament, and they lost in similar fashion. Turkey thank you very much for proving again and again that Game is not over until final whistle blows!!
Glad to see, Italy at loosing side. The fourth quarter, Italy-Spain was anything but interesting, with all 11 Italian players playing defensive game. Italians were somehow convinced that they're master of Penalties with Buffon on their side and they played the game to take it to penalty stage. But it back fired as Spanish keeper Iker Casillas emerged as has hero by saving two penalty shots.
Spain - Russia, Group D's first league match is by far the best league match. The pace of both team impressed me. The victory of turkey from the jaw of defeat in league match against Czech would remain as one the most dramatic come back in history of EURO cup. Turkey managed to achieve same feat again against one the most fav team, Croatia in quarters. Croatia won all of their league matches, they were looking quite a strong team, but could not hold it in the final moments, and allowed Turkey to score equalizer in dying moments and then loosing into the penalties. Croatians crying on field was disturbing sight.
The Netherlands played like Champions in league matches, they were clearly looking the most favorite title contenders, but Russian aborted Dutch demolition in quarters. This was another major upset. It's hard to see a team like that, exiting at such early stage. I guess it was just one bad day for the Dutch, or may be an extra-ordinary day for the Russians. The Russians were up against the best team of the tournament, and they delivered better than the best. No doubt, Guss Hiddinik is proud man. Hats off this guy, he deserves standing ovation. A beautiful mind of football. Russia could not continue their magical performance in semis but they 'velot of positive things to take home. Of course who can forget the rising of the start Andrei Arshavin. Boy, you've great future ahead waiting for you!! Play on.
I would not want to dig more into German journey, yeah they stumbled to qualify in quaters, then a win over better looking team, Portugal. Ballack produced some inspiring stuff. In the fist semifinal, Germany vs Turkey, Turkey's rather inexperienced team, defied all expectations to produce, what I would term as an outstanding performance. When it was looking certain that game is headed for extra time, Philipp Lahm's last-minute strike booked EURO cup final berth for Germany. And Turkey's campaign ended in the style it started, it was payback time for them, they managed to win in dying moments twice in the tournament, and they lost in similar fashion. Turkey thank you very much for proving again and again that Game is not over until final whistle blows!!
Glad to see, Italy at loosing side. The fourth quarter, Italy-Spain was anything but interesting, with all 11 Italian players playing defensive game. Italians were somehow convinced that they're master of Penalties with Buffon on their side and they played the game to take it to penalty stage. But it back fired as Spanish keeper Iker Casillas emerged as has hero by saving two penalty shots.