So
the group stages are over and the quarter-final line ups are complete. Eight
teams have progressed to the next round, while the other eight are heading for
home, their tournament over. The final round of matches threw up a few
surprises so here is an overview of what really happened:
HEROES
Roy
Hodgson – From tournament no-hopers to group winners. England may not have been
pretty, but they’ve certainly been effective. Credit has to go to the coach for
setting them up superbly in an organised fashion and installing a winning
mentality that will hopefully last until July the 2nd. I’m not sure many saw
England winning the group upon his appointment.
Cristiano
Ronaldo – I happily criticised him last week for his inept displays but as the
best always do, he came back with a bang. Ronaldo almost single-handedly
demolished the Netherlands; indeed that was as fine an international
performance as he has ever produced. Pace, power and gracefulness oozed out of
every pore as he tore the Dutch defence apart and he was unlucky not to bag a
treble. Paulo Bento will hope he kicks on from here.
Greece
– Well who could have predicted that. Everyone was tipping Russia as their dark
horses for the tournament after their demolition of the Czech Republic, yet
they end up dumped out of the tournament after losing to the Greeks. You can never
write them off ever and skipper Giorgos Karagounis’ goal caused one of the
shocks of the tournament so far. The Germans are next but just don’t mention
2004…
The
Germans – The German machine ruthlessly powers on. Efficient, clinical and full
of quality, yet they still look like they could find another gear if necessary.
They’ve made the supposed Pool of Death look relatively simple and still found
time to knock their two neighbours out of the tournament, the Dutch and the
Danes. Their squad looks incredibly strong, especially in terms of midfielders
and with the Greeks drawn in the quarters, it seems as if Joachim Loew’s side
is where the sensible money should go.
Zlatan
Ibrahimovic – Goal of the tournament anyone? He may be the most arrogant man in
world (or Nicklas Bendtner, I just can’t decide), but there’s no doubting
Zlatan’s unbelievable talent (unlike Bendtner). Sweden may have been appalling
this tournament, but Zlatan has led from the front and demonstrated his
undoubted class on the international stage. Nice for him to sign off with a
win.
ZEROS
The
Footballing Governing Bodies – Once again the men in charge have proved how not
to run the greatest sport on the planet. The week started with the fining of
Nicklas Bendtner for showing his Paddy Power sponsored underwear. Little bit
anal, but fine, rules are rules. It got more ridiculous when Croatia were fined
significantly less for the racist behaviour of their fans towards Mario
Balotelli. Simply unbelievable. And then just to throw a spanner in the works,
up comes the whole goal line technology debate once again. Racism and balls
crossing the line – the two things FIFA and UEFA simply cannot seem to get
right.
France
– Uh oh. They’re at it again. If imploding in the last World Cup wasn’t enough,
the French now seem hell bent on destroying their chances at the Euros as well.
Seemingly nailed on to win Group D, they were simply rubbish against Sweden, a
side that rolled over meekly against Ukraine and were also poor against
England. Laurent Blanc had looked like he’d solved the French problem left over
from the previous regime, but they now face a tricky quarter final against the
Spanish. Good luck with that!
Ivan
Rakitic – If you get the opportunity of a free header against the World
Champions and you need to score to qualify for the next round, don’t nod it
straight at the keeper. Rakitic says he’s having nightmares about his horrific
miss that could have shocked the Spanish and I can’t say I’m surprised!
Bert
van Marwijk – Now is the graceful time to go Bert. You couldn’t kick the
Spanish out of the World Cup final and you couldn’t even kick your way out of
the group stages here. Tactically awful, the players just looked disinterested
the entire tournament. Their defeat against Portugal left the Dutch with
precisely no points, the same as…ermmm Ireland.
Oleg
Blokhin – Granted, your side have just been knocked out of the tournament
thanks to a dubious decision, but have a bit more class. Blokhin’s post-match
press conference involved him ranting and raving about referees, England and
the journalists themselves before he offered one of them outside to have ‘a man
conversation.’ Do you think the pressure got to him a little bit?
Read Euro 2012: Heroes and Zeros of Round 2: http://goo.gl/w1uYa
Read Euro 2012: Heroes and Zeros of Round 2: http://goo.gl/w1uYa
By The Coin Toss
Twitter: https://twitter.com/The_CoinToss
