Spain Dancing in the Rain: Spain, the eventual winner of Euro 2008, appeared to be always playing in the rain during the tournament. But the slippery surface never hampered their fluid style of play as the brilliant Andres Iniesta and Xavi thoroughly controlled the midfield, while the formidable duo of Fernando Torres and David Villa gave the opposing defence all sorts of trouble. The remarkable Iker Casillas was their hero when they beat Italy in the quarter-final on penalties, and Sergio Ramos, despite a nervy start, gradually improved his play and became a reliable stalwart in the end. A thoroughly-deserved win for them, after a wait of 44 frustrating years.
Sacrificial Lahm: There have been talks, before the tournament started, that linked German defender Philipp Lahm to a big-money move to Manchester United. But thanks to his poor play in the semi-final (although he did score the game-winning goal, he was the culprit which allowed Turkey to equalize at 2-2 just minutes earlier) and in the final (he poorly misjudged Fernando Torres' pace and allowed him to slip through for the championship-winning goal), chances are that move will more than likely fall through.
Two is Not Better Than One: UEFA had better stop allowing countries to co-host the European Championship in future. I agree that the host country (or countries) should be allowed direct entry to the finals without the need for a qualifying campaign. But co-hosting means that two (or possibly more) countries will take up places belonging to other more-deserving countries. While Switzerland did pick up a (meaningless) win in the group stage, one point and a single goal were all Austria could muster in three group matches. Many fans would prefer having England, Denmark or even Ukraine in the finals instead, even though there is no guarantee that they would have done any better.
A Lesson for All: For teams which have won their first two group matches and have secured a quarter-final berth, bear this in mind: Never ever ease up on the final group match by resting your regulars and sending in your reserves. Netherlands and Portugal were victims of their complacency and duly went out in the quarter-final, while Spain survived thanks to the heroics of Iker Casillas.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
More Thoughts on Euro 2008
We Should Have Welcomed You, Bros: Germany will lose to Turkey in the semi-final of the Euro 2008. Remember how Germany's Lukas Podolski, their Polish-born striker, was instrumental in sealing its Group B win against Poland? Germany rarely calls up any German-born players with Turkish ancestry to the national team. My bet is: Hamit Altintop, one of two German-born players on the Turkish squad (defender Hakan Balta being the other), will score the winning goal (in the last minute, no less) to secure Turkey their first ever final place in a major soccer tournament.
Marco's (Too) Quick Reflexes: When Khalid Boulahrouz, just days after the death of his prematurely born daughter, was cautioned early in the second half against Russia in the quarter-final, Dutch coach Marco Van Basten immediately replaced him with fellow defender Johnny Heitinga. It may have prevented the Dutch from going a man down (and given Boulahrouz a much needed rest), but it did cost them the match as the Dutch defence was visibly exhausted by the amazing pace of the Russians. And in hindsight, the three Dutch substitutes (Robin Van Persie, Ibrahim Afellay and Heitinga) all fared worse than the players they substituted (Dirk Kuyt, Orlando Engelaar and Boulahrouz).
Down But Definitely Not Out: History predicted that Spain should have lost to Italy as they always crashed out of a major tournament on penalties on June 22 (they lost to Belgium and South Korea in World Cup 1986 and 2002 respectively, and fell victim to England in Euro 1996). Had they lost that match, all the group winners would have lost in the first knockout stage. If history holds true from now on, it would not be good news for Spain, the sole surviving group winner. The last two European Championships were won by a team that came second in their group and had lost a group match in the process (France in 2000, and Greece in 2004).
The Precision of Turkish Watches: One minute was added to the end of extra time in the game between Croatia and Turkey. And when Semih Senturk's speculative shot hit the back of the net, the clock shown by the local TV broadcast read exactly 121:00. Not a second earlier, not a second later.
Marco's (Too) Quick Reflexes: When Khalid Boulahrouz, just days after the death of his prematurely born daughter, was cautioned early in the second half against Russia in the quarter-final, Dutch coach Marco Van Basten immediately replaced him with fellow defender Johnny Heitinga. It may have prevented the Dutch from going a man down (and given Boulahrouz a much needed rest), but it did cost them the match as the Dutch defence was visibly exhausted by the amazing pace of the Russians. And in hindsight, the three Dutch substitutes (Robin Van Persie, Ibrahim Afellay and Heitinga) all fared worse than the players they substituted (Dirk Kuyt, Orlando Engelaar and Boulahrouz).
Down But Definitely Not Out: History predicted that Spain should have lost to Italy as they always crashed out of a major tournament on penalties on June 22 (they lost to Belgium and South Korea in World Cup 1986 and 2002 respectively, and fell victim to England in Euro 1996). Had they lost that match, all the group winners would have lost in the first knockout stage. If history holds true from now on, it would not be good news for Spain, the sole surviving group winner. The last two European Championships were won by a team that came second in their group and had lost a group match in the process (France in 2000, and Greece in 2004).
The Precision of Turkish Watches: One minute was added to the end of extra time in the game between Croatia and Turkey. And when Semih Senturk's speculative shot hit the back of the net, the clock shown by the local TV broadcast read exactly 121:00. Not a second earlier, not a second later.
Friday, June 20, 2008
It's Panini Time
I thought I was not going to do it this time, but I'm now in the thick of it.
I'm talking about collecting the Panini stickers for the Euro 2008 album.
I had my first World Cup sticker album in 1986, and I also did the ones for the World Cups in 1990 and 1994. I vividly remember how I was trading stickers with my schoolmates at a torrid pace during the five-minute recess break at school. It was a fun experience, as I wonder which stickers will emerge from the packs my parents had just bought me (after hours of persuasion and days of behaving like a good son), and it is simply fascinating to see the empty spaces in my album gradually being covered by the stickers obtained in trades. When the album was done, a sense of emptiness oozed in as I wondered, "Hm, what am I going to do next?"
I missed the albums for the World Cup in 1998 and 2002. The reason? Girls. Put it simply, I was devoting all my energy and time to my girl (sometime girls), and just didn't have enough spare time for the albums. More importantly, I didn't want my girl (sometime girls) to think that I had never grown up. A macho thing, you know.
When my pregnant wife was admitted to the hospital for an emergency check-up just weeks before the start of the World Cup in 2006, I couldn't be more worried. Luckily she turned out to be okay, and gave birth to Daryl on the third day of the tournament. Yet anyway, I decided to do something to please myself.
Entered the sticker album again.
Unlike the previous times when I had great difficulties in completing the albums, I found lots of allies and friends from the Internet. Thanks to their help, I managed to finish it in just a couple of weeks' time, right before the start of the tournament.
You know, I'm definitely not the richest guy in the world, and every penny means a lot to us. That's why when I knew that the sticker album for the Euro 2008 was out, I didn't go get it as I wanted to save money and spend more time with Daryl. But when my wife's younger sister picked up an album during her trip in Europe and gave it to me as a souvenir, I knew I was destined to do it.
My advice on the sticker album? Never buy too many stickers. Take this year's album as an example. There are 535 slots to be filled, and there are five stickers in each pack ($3 per pack). So I just bought 107 packs (i.e., 535 stickers in total) and then started trading, buying and selling. That way I won't have to carry too many stickers around, but will theoretically have enough ammunition for trades that will complete the album. Luckily for me, my album was more than 70% completed after my 107 packs, and trading partners have been easy to find thanks once again to the Internet. At this pace, I will be able to finish it at the end of the week.
Some would say it's a waste of money, but I think it's an absolute bargain as my $321 worth of stickers has once again given me the long-lost joy that I have been looking for.
I'm talking about collecting the Panini stickers for the Euro 2008 album.
I had my first World Cup sticker album in 1986, and I also did the ones for the World Cups in 1990 and 1994. I vividly remember how I was trading stickers with my schoolmates at a torrid pace during the five-minute recess break at school. It was a fun experience, as I wonder which stickers will emerge from the packs my parents had just bought me (after hours of persuasion and days of behaving like a good son), and it is simply fascinating to see the empty spaces in my album gradually being covered by the stickers obtained in trades. When the album was done, a sense of emptiness oozed in as I wondered, "Hm, what am I going to do next?"
I missed the albums for the World Cup in 1998 and 2002. The reason? Girls. Put it simply, I was devoting all my energy and time to my girl (sometime girls), and just didn't have enough spare time for the albums. More importantly, I didn't want my girl (sometime girls) to think that I had never grown up. A macho thing, you know.
When my pregnant wife was admitted to the hospital for an emergency check-up just weeks before the start of the World Cup in 2006, I couldn't be more worried. Luckily she turned out to be okay, and gave birth to Daryl on the third day of the tournament. Yet anyway, I decided to do something to please myself.
Entered the sticker album again.
Unlike the previous times when I had great difficulties in completing the albums, I found lots of allies and friends from the Internet. Thanks to their help, I managed to finish it in just a couple of weeks' time, right before the start of the tournament.
You know, I'm definitely not the richest guy in the world, and every penny means a lot to us. That's why when I knew that the sticker album for the Euro 2008 was out, I didn't go get it as I wanted to save money and spend more time with Daryl. But when my wife's younger sister picked up an album during her trip in Europe and gave it to me as a souvenir, I knew I was destined to do it.
My advice on the sticker album? Never buy too many stickers. Take this year's album as an example. There are 535 slots to be filled, and there are five stickers in each pack ($3 per pack). So I just bought 107 packs (i.e., 535 stickers in total) and then started trading, buying and selling. That way I won't have to carry too many stickers around, but will theoretically have enough ammunition for trades that will complete the album. Luckily for me, my album was more than 70% completed after my 107 packs, and trading partners have been easy to find thanks once again to the Internet. At this pace, I will be able to finish it at the end of the week.
Some would say it's a waste of money, but I think it's an absolute bargain as my $321 worth of stickers has once again given me the long-lost joy that I have been looking for.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Initial Thoughts for Euro 2008
Sit down and Keep Your Mouth Shut: Big applause for Luis Felipe Scolari for his sportsmanship. When one of his strikers (I don't remember who he was. Parkinson's must have set in.) was bundled down by a Turkish defender in the penalty area, Scolari, just like everyone else on the sidelines, jumped up and yelled for a penalty. But when Nuño Gomes picked up the loose ball after the non-call and shot on goal, Scolari swiftly asked his assistants and substitutes to return to their seats, despite the ball hitting the post and not going in.
Where are the Strikers? The two central defenders, Pepe and Raul Meireles, were the scorers of the two goals for Portugal against Turkey. In fact Pepe should have opened the scoring in the first half but had his header ruled out for offside.
Inspired Substitutions: On the opening day, both Raul Meireles and Vaclav Sverkos (for Czech Republic against Switzerland) came on as second-half substitutes and went on to score.
You Just Knew It Would Happen: Polish-born striker Lukas Podolski scored twice against his home country in Germany's 2-0 win, while the second goal was set up by Miroslav Klose, another Polish-born German striker.
Joke of the Week: Gerhard Kapl, Chairman of Austria's refereeing commission, backed the referee for not ruling out Ruud Van Nistelrooy's opening goal against Italy. Kapl claimed that Van Nistelrooy was onside as Christian Panucci, who was lying injured BEHIND the goal line at the time, was the "one of the last two defenders" according to "article 11.4.1 of the refereeing code".
Where are the Strikers? The two central defenders, Pepe and Raul Meireles, were the scorers of the two goals for Portugal against Turkey. In fact Pepe should have opened the scoring in the first half but had his header ruled out for offside.
Inspired Substitutions: On the opening day, both Raul Meireles and Vaclav Sverkos (for Czech Republic against Switzerland) came on as second-half substitutes and went on to score.
You Just Knew It Would Happen: Polish-born striker Lukas Podolski scored twice against his home country in Germany's 2-0 win, while the second goal was set up by Miroslav Klose, another Polish-born German striker.
Joke of the Week: Gerhard Kapl, Chairman of Austria's refereeing commission, backed the referee for not ruling out Ruud Van Nistelrooy's opening goal against Italy. Kapl claimed that Van Nistelrooy was onside as Christian Panucci, who was lying injured BEHIND the goal line at the time, was the "one of the last two defenders" according to "article 11.4.1 of the refereeing code".
Friday, June 06, 2008
A Much Needed Break
Nothing special happened recently. I'm now waiting for the start of Euro 2008, and will resume my habit of writing long but pointless articles really soon.
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