" The best seat is in your house " - Astro
One of the biggest Sport event this year has kicked off. Euro 2008- that's what i'm talking about. Hosting this happening event are Austria and Switzerland. The event will last a month, stretching across the month of June. This means that i'll be having numerous late nights, will be turning nocturnal, facing inadequate sleep and the desperate need to overcome my tiredness early the next morning just to enjoy, cheer and watch as the countries clash among themselves, vying to be crowned the next champion. The defending champion is Greece, who beat Portugal in the final, in the previous Euro held in Portugal. A brief information on how is the journey so far and my favourites on the whole, are what i would like to spotlight on this post.
Group A - An interesting opening...
Portugal - Deco is really good! Plus, the world well-known C. Ronaldo has and always will be a threat. He's great, but i don't seem to like him very much though. Beat Turkey in their first round by 2 goals and battled Czech Republic to a 3-1 win for the Portuguese. With that, Portugal became the first country to check-in into the Quarter finals with a steady 6 points lead. Despite losing to co-host Switzerland in the third, meaningless round by 2 goals, Portugal still remains top in this group.
Turkey - Having being defeated by Portugal in the opening match by 2 goals, Turkey was forced to win against Switzerland in the second round. With the win, Turkey tied with Czech Republic, both having 3 points. In what is said to be the most dramatic match so far, Turkey bounced from a narrow lost to the Czechs in the third round, dashed Czech Rep's 2-goal lead and sliced their hope with a third goal from captain Nihat, who earlier scored the equalizer. I truly admire Turkey's spirit and determination to stay on in the competition. An absolute fighter!
Czech Rep - Good goal keeper, Petr Cech, in hand. Besides that, strong leading attackers- Libor Sionko would be one of my favourites in Czech Rep. Tied with Turkey at 3 points before exiting this Euro. They should be stunned at the strength of the Turkey's comeback that snatched their three points away with 20 minutes left in the game. Unfortunately, they were forced to pack for back.
Switzerland - Lost in the opening match against Portugal and Turkey in the second round made them the first country to face the exit gate. I hoped that they will progress into the next round though, but it seemed otherwise. Alex Frei, my favourite Swiss player, injured and was shown the early exit in the opening match. Vital losses, the Switzerland managed to end Euro with heads high up beating current-champion-in-the-group with 2 goals to nil.
Group B - Wasn't able to watch any matches from this Group so far.
Croatia - Could be considered the dark horse in Euro 2008. They beat Austria in the first round with a comfortable goal and won Germany 2-1. Comfortably checked themselves into the Quarter finals. To watch them soon!
Germany - Lukas Podolski, with 3 goals in the list and Micheal Ballack to shine. Almost a complete team, but was disappointing to have lost against Croatia. However, the Germans should be comfortable in the third round and will progress to the Quarter finals.
Austria - Co-host but lost to Croatia in the first round. Like deja vu, they lost 1-0. Drew and only one point in hand.
Poland - Almost the same fate as Austria. Accompanying Austria at one point.
Group C - Also known as the 'Group of Death'!
Netherlands - Sprung to surprise. Admit that they have been committing all the 'killings' so far. Won the Italians, the current world champion, with a destructive 3 goals and continued their winning streak against the French with a remarkable 4 goals to one! Without a doubt, all eyes are on the Dutch as they progress to the Quarter finals with dignity.
Romania - Adrian Mutu is my favourite in this team. He's a real playmaker and places the opponents' defense in a constant state of peril. However, his penalty was saved by the Italian goal keeper, leaving the Romans to leave with one point in that match. And the other one point was courtesy of the French in their first round.
France - With many placing their bets on the French, they have been rather disappointing and disheartening. They must play like they used to, that was when i started to have faith in them. With experienced players like Thierry Henry, Makelele and Nicholas Anelka together with young, fresh new comers like Karim Benzema, they should have won, but to date, they managed a single draw with the Romans and a big blow by the Dutch.
Italy - With either Italy, France or Romania to be the next team to progress, the current world champion's fate is left hanging in thin air. Without Cannavaro, Italy's defense lacked. Albeit with the absence of Cannavaro, Italy still has Buffon which superbly saved a penalty and kept the Italians' hope alive.
Group D - With the defending champion!
Spain - David Villa is the best! He scored a perfect hat-trick against Russia in the first round, and another against Sweden in the nick of time to enable them to propel into the Quarter finals. Apart from Villa, Fernando Torres is a key player in Spain's attack. He's fast and lethal. Great defender, Puyol and his other teammates seemed likely to be complete. Plus, they play beautiful football and i enjoy seeing them play! Checked in nicely into Quarter finals.
Sweden - With seasoned player like Ljunberg, Sweden might be the next to check in into the Quarter finals. However, they have to beat same-point Russia, also vying to qualify, in the third round.
Russia - Good in attack, but when they are countered, they seemed at a loss. They still have chance though, if they are to battle it against the Swedish, it's a lot of work!
Greece - Not near the previous Euro, unfortunately, when they emerged as the champion. Having lost both games, they landed at 0 points and was axed out from the running and the title.
The official ball in the Euro 2008.
Group A - An interesting opening...
Portugal - Deco is really good! Plus, the world well-known C. Ronaldo has and always will be a threat. He's great, but i don't seem to like him very much though. Beat Turkey in their first round by 2 goals and battled Czech Republic to a 3-1 win for the Portuguese. With that, Portugal became the first country to check-in into the Quarter finals with a steady 6 points lead. Despite losing to co-host Switzerland in the third, meaningless round by 2 goals, Portugal still remains top in this group.
Turkey - Having being defeated by Portugal in the opening match by 2 goals, Turkey was forced to win against Switzerland in the second round. With the win, Turkey tied with Czech Republic, both having 3 points. In what is said to be the most dramatic match so far, Turkey bounced from a narrow lost to the Czechs in the third round, dashed Czech Rep's 2-goal lead and sliced their hope with a third goal from captain Nihat, who earlier scored the equalizer. I truly admire Turkey's spirit and determination to stay on in the competition. An absolute fighter!
Czech Rep - Good goal keeper, Petr Cech, in hand. Besides that, strong leading attackers- Libor Sionko would be one of my favourites in Czech Rep. Tied with Turkey at 3 points before exiting this Euro. They should be stunned at the strength of the Turkey's comeback that snatched their three points away with 20 minutes left in the game. Unfortunately, they were forced to pack for back.
Switzerland - Lost in the opening match against Portugal and Turkey in the second round made them the first country to face the exit gate. I hoped that they will progress into the next round though, but it seemed otherwise. Alex Frei, my favourite Swiss player, injured and was shown the early exit in the opening match. Vital losses, the Switzerland managed to end Euro with heads high up beating current-champion-in-the-group with 2 goals to nil.
Group B - Wasn't able to watch any matches from this Group so far.
Croatia - Could be considered the dark horse in Euro 2008. They beat Austria in the first round with a comfortable goal and won Germany 2-1. Comfortably checked themselves into the Quarter finals. To watch them soon!
Germany - Lukas Podolski, with 3 goals in the list and Micheal Ballack to shine. Almost a complete team, but was disappointing to have lost against Croatia. However, the Germans should be comfortable in the third round and will progress to the Quarter finals.
Austria - Co-host but lost to Croatia in the first round. Like deja vu, they lost 1-0. Drew and only one point in hand.
Poland - Almost the same fate as Austria. Accompanying Austria at one point.
Group C - Also known as the 'Group of Death'!
Netherlands - Sprung to surprise. Admit that they have been committing all the 'killings' so far. Won the Italians, the current world champion, with a destructive 3 goals and continued their winning streak against the French with a remarkable 4 goals to one! Without a doubt, all eyes are on the Dutch as they progress to the Quarter finals with dignity.
Romania - Adrian Mutu is my favourite in this team. He's a real playmaker and places the opponents' defense in a constant state of peril. However, his penalty was saved by the Italian goal keeper, leaving the Romans to leave with one point in that match. And the other one point was courtesy of the French in their first round.
France - With many placing their bets on the French, they have been rather disappointing and disheartening. They must play like they used to, that was when i started to have faith in them. With experienced players like Thierry Henry, Makelele and Nicholas Anelka together with young, fresh new comers like Karim Benzema, they should have won, but to date, they managed a single draw with the Romans and a big blow by the Dutch.
Italy - With either Italy, France or Romania to be the next team to progress, the current world champion's fate is left hanging in thin air. Without Cannavaro, Italy's defense lacked. Albeit with the absence of Cannavaro, Italy still has Buffon which superbly saved a penalty and kept the Italians' hope alive.
Group D - With the defending champion!
Spain - David Villa is the best! He scored a perfect hat-trick against Russia in the first round, and another against Sweden in the nick of time to enable them to propel into the Quarter finals. Apart from Villa, Fernando Torres is a key player in Spain's attack. He's fast and lethal. Great defender, Puyol and his other teammates seemed likely to be complete. Plus, they play beautiful football and i enjoy seeing them play! Checked in nicely into Quarter finals.
Sweden - With seasoned player like Ljunberg, Sweden might be the next to check in into the Quarter finals. However, they have to beat same-point Russia, also vying to qualify, in the third round.
Russia - Good in attack, but when they are countered, they seemed at a loss. They still have chance though, if they are to battle it against the Swedish, it's a lot of work!
Greece - Not near the previous Euro, unfortunately, when they emerged as the champion. Having lost both games, they landed at 0 points and was axed out from the running and the title.
The official ball in the Euro 2008.Top two teams in each group will advance to the Quarter finals- the knock out stage. If scores are level after 90 minutes in the knock out stage, matches go into extra time before being decided on penalties. Until now, i cannot predict who will win, or who will reach the finals. The battle is still too overwhelming and the journey will always remain unpredictable. Having said that though, i personally favour Spain this Euro- they seemed to have the spark! Bear in mind, we cannot write off countries like Croatia, Germany, Portugal and Netherlands. They are bound to stun. To know more, visit Euro 2008 official website. Below is the Euro's official song- Can You Hear Me, Enrique Iglesias!
With this Euro atmosphere flying high, wc08 finds it difficult or rather a challenge not to watch any match. And this Euro has reignite his interest of football which has diminished over the years in silence.
With this Euro atmosphere flying high, wc08 finds it difficult or rather a challenge not to watch any match. And this Euro has reignite his interest of football which has diminished over the years in silence.
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