So, to Spain go the spoils. And deservedly so too. But before I get into my final thoughts about Euro 2008, I unearthed a little piece I wrote back in 2000 - eight long years ago - which seems just appropriate to ponder again at this time. Enjoy.
SPANISH LESSONS FOR AFRICAN SOCCER
Sola Egunjobi
A week after Cameroon’s historic Olympic victory, it’s difficult to stray away from the issue of youth development in football. Not just because the Olympic soccer event, which features U-23 teams, so easily demonstrates the gains of a well-laid out development programme, but also because, for African countries that lack the professional structures of the Europeans, there can be no other way to achieve international success on the playing fields.
Of course, the fact that Africa’s top countries boast players from the top European leagues suggests that it is in exporting players, rather than youth development, that the path to international success lies. For many countries that is certainly true, but the export of young players certainly goes hand in hand with youth development. For one thing, European clubs are more likely to import promising young players – Kanu left Nigeria at 17, ASEC’s Aruna Dindane, 18, has just joined Anderlecht. Secondly, it is no coincidence that player exports from Africa have grown with the growing profile of FIFA’s age group world championships over the last fifteen years. What better incentive to focus on youth development than a chance to compete against the world’s best at that level? And what better setting for European clubs to poach than from a collection of the world’s most promising youngsters?
Cameroon and Nigeria offer two African examples of countries that have reaped the benefit of youth development. Ghana have promised much, but the fruits of their youth endeavours could still lie in the future and South Africa have the right idea but, having just returned to the football fold eight years ago, are still new to the party.
For my money though, perhaps the best example for African countries comes from outside the continent. Olympic silver medallists, Spain once again showed the world the benefits of investing in youth, and this from a country whose clubs invest very heavily on foreign imports.
There indeed lies the lesson for Africa. Spanish clubs, one would assume, have little use for untried young players, or so the evidence suggests. Big clubs like Real Madrid so often line up sides with only a sprinkling of Spanish players and Barcelona once had more Dutchmen than Spaniards in their squad. Even smaller clubs, like Real Betis, Celta Vigo and Valencia have large foreign contingents and many young Spanish players seldom get a chance to prove their mettle. Yet, Spanish clubs continue to produce more than a fair share of talented youth. Barcelona, for all their riches, produced three of the Olympic team regulars – defender Carlos Puyol, midfielder Xavi, and striker Gabri - while from Valencia came David Albelda, and Miguel Angulo, regulars in the club’s Champions League run last season. More impressive perhaps is the quality of U-23 talent that couldn’t make the trip: Real Madrid keeper Iker Casillas, Barcelona new boy Gerrard and Inter Milan midfielder Paco Farinos.
But the Spanish example doesn’t end with clubs producing players. The Spanish federation gives top priority to youth football and they have done well in harnessing that talent into well-honed youth teams. Coach Inaki Saez Ruiz has handled the U-20 side for close to four years leading them to two world youth championships the last of which they won in Nigeria last year. So, if it seems as though Spain has simply filled its Olympic squad with talented youngsters from the clubs that isn’t the whole truth: four of the first team in Sydney played regularly in the championship winning team of 1999 and another three – as well as the missing Farinos - played at Malaysia 97. Beyond that, the likes of Xavi, Gerrard, and Casillas also played for the U-17 side at the 1997 world championships in Egypt where Spain finished third. Such continuity is hard to come by, yet it is clearly the way to go.
Of course it also requires loads of patience before the benefits are reaped at senior level and even Spain, for all their promise, are yet to win major honours. But that may not be too far down the road.
Rather prophetic, isnt it? Well, if anything, this argument is even stronger today. Of that silver winning team of 2000, four players featured at Euro 2008 - Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila and Xavi - and a fifth, David Albelda, would have made the trip but for some personal club problems. Then there's Casillas, who didn't go to Sydney. And that youth system continues to florish: eight other members of this squad have represented Spain at either U-17 or U-20 world championships - both for some -in the last nine years (Reina, Iniesta, Torres, Fabregas, David Silva, Navarro, Albiol and Sergio Garcia). That's a total of 13 players from a squad of 23. Impressive.
More on the Euros in my next post when I'll try and pick my team of the tournament. Yikes!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Euro 2008: This One's For Spain
I’ll try not to be glib but I fully expect Spain to clinch Euro 2008 this afternoon with a convincing victory over Germany. As you must know by now, the Spaniards have been my pick to win it right from the start, so – I’ll admit – it would feel great to be right, for once!
But that’s not the main reason I’m sticking my neck out for a Spanish conquest today.
That Spain would play superb possession football was no surprise to anyone coming into these finals. With a midfield featuring the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and David Silva, Spain were always going to dominate the ball. But they’ve also proved very effective in converting possession into goals – they’ve got a tournament high 11 so far – and they’ve defended pretty well too, letting in just 3 goals in 5 matches.
Beyond those tangibles though, the sheer quality of Spain’s play in these finals has been simply breathtaking at times. They again proved why they would be worthy champions in the 3-0 demolition of Russia last Thursday, so much so that the dreaded Andrei Arshavin – nemesis of both Sweden and Holland - was completely played out of the game.
I have alluded to Spain’s strength in depth in the past and they again proved the point in the Russia game. Not only did top scorer David Villa limp off injured in the first half, Aragones then decided to take off Fernando Torres and Xavi in the second half. Now, that would be akin to Russia taking off Arshavin, striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and Yuri Zhirkov, basically their three best players. Yet, if anything, the Spaniards looked even stronger, scoring two more goals after Fabregas, Xabi Alonso and Guiza took the field.
Spain will be without Villa – the tournament leading scorer - in the final and that would be a great loss for any other team. For Spain though, in a perverse kind of way, Villa’s absence could well make them even stronger. Aragones will more than likely stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation that saw out the semi-final, with Xavi dropping back alongside Marcos Senna and Fabregas starting between Iniesta and David Silva, just behind Torres. We’ve all seen what havoc Fabregas can wreak and I still think his vision and early passing suits Torres much better.
Furthermore, Aragones is far from unhappy with this “Plan B” given that his team had played in this formation for the better part of the last 12 months and there were a few raised eyebrows when he opted to start with two strikers in a 4-4-2 formation when Euro 2008 kicked off three weeks ago. So, in a sense, this is more a return to Plan A for Spain.
Now, contrast Spain’s comfort with seemingly second string choices to the hue and cry on the German side over the possibility of Michael Ballack missing the final and you’ll perhaps understand my conviction that this Euro title is heading to Madrid. A full strength Germany will have to be at their very best to overcome this Spain side – something we haven’t seen very often at these finals – and without Ballack they’ll certainly be missing their key inspiration.
Of course, this being the crazy game of football - and this being Euro 2008 - anything is possible and only the foolhardy would write Germany off, especially given their illustrious history. And Germany do have their strengths too – Ballack or no Ballack.
Their quick, direct play – especially through Lukas Podolski and Bastien Schweinsteiger – proved most effective against Portugal and Turkey and would contrast starkly with Spain’s patient approach. They also pose a potent threat from set-pieces and Spain will have to be wary of the aerial prowess of the likes of Ballack and Miro Klose who have plundered 3 headed goals in the last two matches.
Other than Ballack, Germany’s main threat will again come from Podolski on the left wing, but he’ll come up against Sergio Ramos, who was in excellent form against Russia’s Zhirkov in the semis. Of course, Ramos struggled earlier in the finals too and Germany will be looking to catch him stranded upfield on one of his usual overlapping raids.
Torsten Frings will be crucial in front of the back four, as he proved after coming on as a second half sub against Turkey. Germany’s defence certainly needs all the shielding it can get after conceding 4 goals in the last two matches.
This should be an exciting finish to what’s proved a great three weeks of thrilling football. Spanish finesse against German resilience should prove quite the contest, but I see the Spaniards taking this one – and it won’t be that close either.
The last three weeks have been a great advert for attacking football with loads of surprises and drama all the way.
Now, if we can just finish with some exciting football – and no surprises – Spain should be all set for a long awaited celebration. Viva Espana!!
But that’s not the main reason I’m sticking my neck out for a Spanish conquest today.
That Spain would play superb possession football was no surprise to anyone coming into these finals. With a midfield featuring the likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and David Silva, Spain were always going to dominate the ball. But they’ve also proved very effective in converting possession into goals – they’ve got a tournament high 11 so far – and they’ve defended pretty well too, letting in just 3 goals in 5 matches.
Beyond those tangibles though, the sheer quality of Spain’s play in these finals has been simply breathtaking at times. They again proved why they would be worthy champions in the 3-0 demolition of Russia last Thursday, so much so that the dreaded Andrei Arshavin – nemesis of both Sweden and Holland - was completely played out of the game.
I have alluded to Spain’s strength in depth in the past and they again proved the point in the Russia game. Not only did top scorer David Villa limp off injured in the first half, Aragones then decided to take off Fernando Torres and Xavi in the second half. Now, that would be akin to Russia taking off Arshavin, striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and Yuri Zhirkov, basically their three best players. Yet, if anything, the Spaniards looked even stronger, scoring two more goals after Fabregas, Xabi Alonso and Guiza took the field.
Spain will be without Villa – the tournament leading scorer - in the final and that would be a great loss for any other team. For Spain though, in a perverse kind of way, Villa’s absence could well make them even stronger. Aragones will more than likely stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation that saw out the semi-final, with Xavi dropping back alongside Marcos Senna and Fabregas starting between Iniesta and David Silva, just behind Torres. We’ve all seen what havoc Fabregas can wreak and I still think his vision and early passing suits Torres much better.
Furthermore, Aragones is far from unhappy with this “Plan B” given that his team had played in this formation for the better part of the last 12 months and there were a few raised eyebrows when he opted to start with two strikers in a 4-4-2 formation when Euro 2008 kicked off three weeks ago. So, in a sense, this is more a return to Plan A for Spain.
Now, contrast Spain’s comfort with seemingly second string choices to the hue and cry on the German side over the possibility of Michael Ballack missing the final and you’ll perhaps understand my conviction that this Euro title is heading to Madrid. A full strength Germany will have to be at their very best to overcome this Spain side – something we haven’t seen very often at these finals – and without Ballack they’ll certainly be missing their key inspiration.
Of course, this being the crazy game of football - and this being Euro 2008 - anything is possible and only the foolhardy would write Germany off, especially given their illustrious history. And Germany do have their strengths too – Ballack or no Ballack.
Their quick, direct play – especially through Lukas Podolski and Bastien Schweinsteiger – proved most effective against Portugal and Turkey and would contrast starkly with Spain’s patient approach. They also pose a potent threat from set-pieces and Spain will have to be wary of the aerial prowess of the likes of Ballack and Miro Klose who have plundered 3 headed goals in the last two matches.
Other than Ballack, Germany’s main threat will again come from Podolski on the left wing, but he’ll come up against Sergio Ramos, who was in excellent form against Russia’s Zhirkov in the semis. Of course, Ramos struggled earlier in the finals too and Germany will be looking to catch him stranded upfield on one of his usual overlapping raids.
Torsten Frings will be crucial in front of the back four, as he proved after coming on as a second half sub against Turkey. Germany’s defence certainly needs all the shielding it can get after conceding 4 goals in the last two matches.
This should be an exciting finish to what’s proved a great three weeks of thrilling football. Spanish finesse against German resilience should prove quite the contest, but I see the Spaniards taking this one – and it won’t be that close either.
The last three weeks have been a great advert for attacking football with loads of surprises and drama all the way.
Now, if we can just finish with some exciting football – and no surprises – Spain should be all set for a long awaited celebration. Viva Espana!!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Euro 2008 Semi Finals: Predict At Your Own Risk!!
Just when you think you finally understand football, Euro 2008 comes along and blows everything out of the water. What can I say? That’s why we love this crazy game. Of my four picks for the semi finals only one remains in contention as the first of those games kick off this evening.
I am sure I’m not alone too. Did anyone out there really think Russia or Turkey would still be standing this late in the competition? Or that a Dutch team that had been irresistible in group play would be so summarily beaten by the unknown Russians? Well, one thing is for sure: these Russians are no longer unknown. The most popular name at Euro 2008 is now that of Andrei Arshavin, and the likes of left back Yuri Zhirkov and striker Roman Pavlyuchenko aren’t too far behind.
In truth, we should have known better. With Guus Hiddink at the helm, anything is possible and, just because of him, I kind of had an eye on the Russians from the off. Yet, after that 4-1 trouncing by Spain, I had to downgrade my expectations. Of course, like everyone else, I hadn’t heard of the phenomenon called Arshavin, who missed the first two games due to suspension. That is certainly an indictment of the polarization of the game today, since Arshavin had just inspired Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg to UEFA Cup glory. With all the attention on the high-profile Champions League we’d all kind off missed all that. But that’s a topic for another day. Now after dominating the last two games, scoring twice and setting up another two goals, the tiny No. 10 certainly has our attention. He will need to be at his best if Russia are to see off the Spaniards tomorrow. I don’t think that’ll happen though.
Spain remain my one consolation in the Euro 2008 prediction stakes. Not only are they the only one of my last four picks to get that far, I also picked them to win the whole thing and I still believe they’ll win this one. Spain’s biggest advantage is the depth of the squad. Not many teams at these finals can change it’s entire midfield without a drop in quality, yet Luis Aragones can take off Xavi, Iniesta and Silva, and put in Fabregas, Xabi Alonso and Cazorla. Up front, Torres was the pre-finals favorite, yet it’s David Villa that’s been taking the plaudits with his tireless running, trickery and finishing prowess. I think the Spain’s measured, patient approach doesn’t exactly play to Torres’ more instinctive, speedy style. He would benefit more from playing in front of Liverpool mate Xabi Alonso and Fabregas – who’s also used to the faster transition of the Premier League – but Aragones is unlikely to sacrifice ball winner Marcos Senna against the skillful Russians. Spain struggled to break down the Italians in the last round but I think they’ll fare better against a Russian backline that will be without centreback Denis Kolodin.
Can any one really be surprised that Germany is in the semi finals? Well, maybe considering that they got the better of a Portugal team that looked to have finally overcome its past failings on the goal-scoring end. Yet, the German “machine” is well known for eking out results without actually impressing the purists. They were solid against Portugal and took advantage of sloppy defending at free-kicks and I see them carrying on in the same manner to the final. In my last post, I said Michael Ballack would have to play better – he has – and someone other than Lucas Podolski would have to contribute some goals – they have. Joachim Loew has proved he can adapt tactics to match the opposition and it would be interesting to see how he sets up against the Turks tonight. If the Germans keep improving – especially Ballack and Bastien Schweinsteiger – and keep their concentration to the very end, Germany should be celebrating a place in the final.
And what can one say about Turkey? If this hasn’t been a miraculous sojourn so far, it sure would be if they pulled off one more win against Germany. Of course, the journey so far as been simply incredible. After losing to Portugal in the opening game, they’ve not only come from behind to win each of their last three games, they’ve also scored last minute goals in all those games, the most dramatic being Semih Senturk’s 120th minute equalizer against Croatia in the quarter finals – just a minute after Ivan Klasnic seemed to have put Croatia through. Another escape against Germany would simply put this into the folkloric realm, especially with Fatih Terim’s squad pared down to 15 players – including 2 goalkeepers – as a result of injuries and suspensions. They’ll be fighting to the very end but I don’t see Turkey getting past a savvy German side tonight.
Anyway, that’s just a few hours away now so we’ll wait and see. I can’t say I’ve got a good predicting record in this competition so far, but like the Turks I think I’ll come good right at the end.
So, here’s to a Spain v Germany final come Sunday. Enjoy the semis.
I am sure I’m not alone too. Did anyone out there really think Russia or Turkey would still be standing this late in the competition? Or that a Dutch team that had been irresistible in group play would be so summarily beaten by the unknown Russians? Well, one thing is for sure: these Russians are no longer unknown. The most popular name at Euro 2008 is now that of Andrei Arshavin, and the likes of left back Yuri Zhirkov and striker Roman Pavlyuchenko aren’t too far behind.
In truth, we should have known better. With Guus Hiddink at the helm, anything is possible and, just because of him, I kind of had an eye on the Russians from the off. Yet, after that 4-1 trouncing by Spain, I had to downgrade my expectations. Of course, like everyone else, I hadn’t heard of the phenomenon called Arshavin, who missed the first two games due to suspension. That is certainly an indictment of the polarization of the game today, since Arshavin had just inspired Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg to UEFA Cup glory. With all the attention on the high-profile Champions League we’d all kind off missed all that. But that’s a topic for another day. Now after dominating the last two games, scoring twice and setting up another two goals, the tiny No. 10 certainly has our attention. He will need to be at his best if Russia are to see off the Spaniards tomorrow. I don’t think that’ll happen though.
Spain remain my one consolation in the Euro 2008 prediction stakes. Not only are they the only one of my last four picks to get that far, I also picked them to win the whole thing and I still believe they’ll win this one. Spain’s biggest advantage is the depth of the squad. Not many teams at these finals can change it’s entire midfield without a drop in quality, yet Luis Aragones can take off Xavi, Iniesta and Silva, and put in Fabregas, Xabi Alonso and Cazorla. Up front, Torres was the pre-finals favorite, yet it’s David Villa that’s been taking the plaudits with his tireless running, trickery and finishing prowess. I think the Spain’s measured, patient approach doesn’t exactly play to Torres’ more instinctive, speedy style. He would benefit more from playing in front of Liverpool mate Xabi Alonso and Fabregas – who’s also used to the faster transition of the Premier League – but Aragones is unlikely to sacrifice ball winner Marcos Senna against the skillful Russians. Spain struggled to break down the Italians in the last round but I think they’ll fare better against a Russian backline that will be without centreback Denis Kolodin.
Can any one really be surprised that Germany is in the semi finals? Well, maybe considering that they got the better of a Portugal team that looked to have finally overcome its past failings on the goal-scoring end. Yet, the German “machine” is well known for eking out results without actually impressing the purists. They were solid against Portugal and took advantage of sloppy defending at free-kicks and I see them carrying on in the same manner to the final. In my last post, I said Michael Ballack would have to play better – he has – and someone other than Lucas Podolski would have to contribute some goals – they have. Joachim Loew has proved he can adapt tactics to match the opposition and it would be interesting to see how he sets up against the Turks tonight. If the Germans keep improving – especially Ballack and Bastien Schweinsteiger – and keep their concentration to the very end, Germany should be celebrating a place in the final.
And what can one say about Turkey? If this hasn’t been a miraculous sojourn so far, it sure would be if they pulled off one more win against Germany. Of course, the journey so far as been simply incredible. After losing to Portugal in the opening game, they’ve not only come from behind to win each of their last three games, they’ve also scored last minute goals in all those games, the most dramatic being Semih Senturk’s 120th minute equalizer against Croatia in the quarter finals – just a minute after Ivan Klasnic seemed to have put Croatia through. Another escape against Germany would simply put this into the folkloric realm, especially with Fatih Terim’s squad pared down to 15 players – including 2 goalkeepers – as a result of injuries and suspensions. They’ll be fighting to the very end but I don’t see Turkey getting past a savvy German side tonight.
Anyway, that’s just a few hours away now so we’ll wait and see. I can’t say I’ve got a good predicting record in this competition so far, but like the Turks I think I’ll come good right at the end.
So, here’s to a Spain v Germany final come Sunday. Enjoy the semis.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
EURO 2008: Great Advert For International Football
And they say international football is on its last legs. That’s what the advocates of all-encompassing club football have been telling us for the past decade or so. Yet looking at the faces of the Italian players as they belted out the national anthem before the Holland match on Monday, you could see the sheer emotional depth that comes with the donning of the Azzuri shirt. Ditto for their Dutch opponents and I daresay, any of the other teams duking it out for the title of European champions in Austra and Switzerland.
Not to mention the overflowing stands and the sheer atmosphere at most of the matches seen so far at Euro 2008.
International football is very much alive and well. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. Clubs are fine, and the day-to-day slog of following your favorite club through the season is all well and good, but for true passion and nationalistic fervor you can’t do better than international soccer. More so in these days of cosmopolitan clubsides that hardly reflect the cities in which they are based. I mean, is there anything English about the Arsenal Football Club club these days?
But the real case for international soccer is being made on the field and Euro 2008 is proving one of the most exciting championships I’ve seen in recent years. After the first two rounds, there’ve been a couple of poor games – France v Romania, for example – but the number of exciting, top quality matches on view has far outweighed that.
And it’s not just the usual suspects – Spain, Holland and Portugal - that are providing the thrills either. On the contrary, while the likes of France and defending champions Greece have been off colour, some of the best team performances have come from unsung teams from Croatia and Romania. That’s certainly made for some surprising results and some really exciting soccer.
The best games have so far come from Group C. Holland have surprised and impressed everyone with their tenacious defence and fast, counter-attacking game, seeing off both Italy and France in two entertaining goal-filled games. The controversy surrounding Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first goal dominated the Italy game, but the execution of the other two goals was quite breathtaking. France lacked inspiration, despite the best efforts of Frank Ribery, but even their usually tight backline couldn’t cope with the pace and industry of Dutch substitutes Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben. Beyond the players at his disposal though, Marco van Basten’s positive outlook is one of the reasons why the Dutch have suddenly become everyone’s favorite. Many coaches would go cautious with a one goal lead, yet with the Dutch leading France at the break on Friday, van Basten took off defensive midfielder Orlando Engelaar for Robben, a move that would prove decisive.
But the more surprising showing in Group C has been the performance of unsung Romania. Let’s face it, when this was dubbed the “Group of Death”, no one expected that Romania would be one of the “killers”. Yet their 1-1 draw with Italy was one of the best games of the first round and they could have sent home the Italians had Adrian Mutu been more accurate from the penalty spot. That could still happen, if Romania find a way to beat what will likely be an under-strength Dutch team in the final group game.
As for the Italians, I was impressed with the persistence of their attacking play against Romania – especially full backs Gianluca Zambrotta and Fabio Grosso – yet they have struggled to find the net in their two games. Roberto Donadoni’s wholesale changes improved on the first game performance, yet one wonders if he knows what his best team is. I think they deserve a place in the quarter finals – it’s a fun team to watch – and they should beat the French in the last group game on Tuesday.
The less said about France the better. Raymond Domenech’s decision to leave out Mathieu Flamini and pick an injured Patrick Vieira is only one symptom of his continued reliance on old, tired players at the expense of a new generation. Vieira is yet to feature at this finals and even if he makes an appearance against Italy, as with Zidane in 2002, it’s likely to be too little too late.
As for the other groups, Portugal have looked pretty solid with Deco back to his very best and Ronaldo always a menace. They should reach the last four again – regardless of who they face in the quarter finals. Turkey pulled off a minor miracle - with a little help from Petr Cech – in that comeback win against Czech Republic, but they proved they can play attacking football when they need to and will be pumped up for their clash with Croatia in the last eight. Villareal striker Nihat Kavechi may have stole the show with his two late goals, but the man to watch is Hamit Altintop, the Bayern midfielder who took a more central role in the second half and had a hand in both goals.
Croatia have looked pretty solid too – no surprise that they beat England at Wembley in the qualifiers – and that match with Turkey should be an exciting one that I expect the Croats to shade. The Germans still look like a team in transition, although losing to Croatia is certainly no disgrace. They could still come good, if Michael Ballack can step his game and someone other than Lukas Podolski figures out how to score goals. Otherwise, they’ll have a really tough time coping with Portugal in the last eight.
I tipped Spain to win it all and they’ve looked pretty good after two games in Group D. This was supposed to be Fernando Torres’ finals yet it’s David Villa that’s banging in all the goals. No matter. That only underlines the attacking quality available to Luis Aragones and with creative riches in midfield they should continue to thrive for a while yet. At least till the semi finals where they seem destined to play…Holland.
If I had to call the semi final line up today, I’d pick Portugal, Croatia, Holland and Spain. Yet, as Greece proved four years ago, upsets can happen. So I certainly won’t be counting out Germany, Turkey or even Romania.
Not to mention the overflowing stands and the sheer atmosphere at most of the matches seen so far at Euro 2008.
International football is very much alive and well. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. Clubs are fine, and the day-to-day slog of following your favorite club through the season is all well and good, but for true passion and nationalistic fervor you can’t do better than international soccer. More so in these days of cosmopolitan clubsides that hardly reflect the cities in which they are based. I mean, is there anything English about the Arsenal Football Club club these days?
But the real case for international soccer is being made on the field and Euro 2008 is proving one of the most exciting championships I’ve seen in recent years. After the first two rounds, there’ve been a couple of poor games – France v Romania, for example – but the number of exciting, top quality matches on view has far outweighed that.
And it’s not just the usual suspects – Spain, Holland and Portugal - that are providing the thrills either. On the contrary, while the likes of France and defending champions Greece have been off colour, some of the best team performances have come from unsung teams from Croatia and Romania. That’s certainly made for some surprising results and some really exciting soccer.
The best games have so far come from Group C. Holland have surprised and impressed everyone with their tenacious defence and fast, counter-attacking game, seeing off both Italy and France in two entertaining goal-filled games. The controversy surrounding Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first goal dominated the Italy game, but the execution of the other two goals was quite breathtaking. France lacked inspiration, despite the best efforts of Frank Ribery, but even their usually tight backline couldn’t cope with the pace and industry of Dutch substitutes Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben. Beyond the players at his disposal though, Marco van Basten’s positive outlook is one of the reasons why the Dutch have suddenly become everyone’s favorite. Many coaches would go cautious with a one goal lead, yet with the Dutch leading France at the break on Friday, van Basten took off defensive midfielder Orlando Engelaar for Robben, a move that would prove decisive.
But the more surprising showing in Group C has been the performance of unsung Romania. Let’s face it, when this was dubbed the “Group of Death”, no one expected that Romania would be one of the “killers”. Yet their 1-1 draw with Italy was one of the best games of the first round and they could have sent home the Italians had Adrian Mutu been more accurate from the penalty spot. That could still happen, if Romania find a way to beat what will likely be an under-strength Dutch team in the final group game.
As for the Italians, I was impressed with the persistence of their attacking play against Romania – especially full backs Gianluca Zambrotta and Fabio Grosso – yet they have struggled to find the net in their two games. Roberto Donadoni’s wholesale changes improved on the first game performance, yet one wonders if he knows what his best team is. I think they deserve a place in the quarter finals – it’s a fun team to watch – and they should beat the French in the last group game on Tuesday.
The less said about France the better. Raymond Domenech’s decision to leave out Mathieu Flamini and pick an injured Patrick Vieira is only one symptom of his continued reliance on old, tired players at the expense of a new generation. Vieira is yet to feature at this finals and even if he makes an appearance against Italy, as with Zidane in 2002, it’s likely to be too little too late.
As for the other groups, Portugal have looked pretty solid with Deco back to his very best and Ronaldo always a menace. They should reach the last four again – regardless of who they face in the quarter finals. Turkey pulled off a minor miracle - with a little help from Petr Cech – in that comeback win against Czech Republic, but they proved they can play attacking football when they need to and will be pumped up for their clash with Croatia in the last eight. Villareal striker Nihat Kavechi may have stole the show with his two late goals, but the man to watch is Hamit Altintop, the Bayern midfielder who took a more central role in the second half and had a hand in both goals.
Croatia have looked pretty solid too – no surprise that they beat England at Wembley in the qualifiers – and that match with Turkey should be an exciting one that I expect the Croats to shade. The Germans still look like a team in transition, although losing to Croatia is certainly no disgrace. They could still come good, if Michael Ballack can step his game and someone other than Lukas Podolski figures out how to score goals. Otherwise, they’ll have a really tough time coping with Portugal in the last eight.
I tipped Spain to win it all and they’ve looked pretty good after two games in Group D. This was supposed to be Fernando Torres’ finals yet it’s David Villa that’s banging in all the goals. No matter. That only underlines the attacking quality available to Luis Aragones and with creative riches in midfield they should continue to thrive for a while yet. At least till the semi finals where they seem destined to play…Holland.
If I had to call the semi final line up today, I’d pick Portugal, Croatia, Holland and Spain. Yet, as Greece proved four years ago, upsets can happen. So I certainly won’t be counting out Germany, Turkey or even Romania.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Italy-Holland - What A Thriller!
WOW! What a game!! After the damp squid that France and Romania served up at the Euros yesterday, it was quite refreshing to take in the Holland-Italy game. A thrilling game by all standards - even if you are a Italy fan. The quality of football was clearly at a higher level than the excrutiating stuff France and Romania put out. Italy didn't score - and greatly struggled to get past a resolute Dutch backline. On the few occassions that they did, they found in Ed Van Der Sar a master shot stopper.
Okay, Holland got a lucky break with that first goal when Ruud van Nistelrooy was clearly offside, but there can be no arguments about the other two goals - poached in fine fashion after two classic counter-attacking raids.
I still think Italy will go through from this so-called group of death, even if they now have to overcome this three-goal deficit. I think France have let their team get just a little long in the tooth, and Romania will eventually break under some quality pressure. France continue to rely on Sagnol, Thuram, Makelele, Vieira and Henry and with the latter two missing against Romania, they just couldn't get it going. Makelele was competent as always, but when the defensive lynchpin is your best passer, there'll be trouble on the attacking end. Even with the undeniable ability of Frank Ribery, just as they did at the 2002 World Cup, France look lost without Zinedine Zidane.
As for the whole tournament, I doubt if we'll have another Greece surprise this year. My favorites would be Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy and Holland. I've always had a soft spot for the Dutch so I'd be pretty pleased if they win it. But I think this might just be the year that Spain finally get their act together. They've got an embarrasment of riches in midfield and attack and it'll come down to how Aragones decides to deploy his troops.
We'll have to wait and see. I just hope that in the meantime we get to see more games like this Italy-Holland clash.
Okay, Holland got a lucky break with that first goal when Ruud van Nistelrooy was clearly offside, but there can be no arguments about the other two goals - poached in fine fashion after two classic counter-attacking raids.
I still think Italy will go through from this so-called group of death, even if they now have to overcome this three-goal deficit. I think France have let their team get just a little long in the tooth, and Romania will eventually break under some quality pressure. France continue to rely on Sagnol, Thuram, Makelele, Vieira and Henry and with the latter two missing against Romania, they just couldn't get it going. Makelele was competent as always, but when the defensive lynchpin is your best passer, there'll be trouble on the attacking end. Even with the undeniable ability of Frank Ribery, just as they did at the 2002 World Cup, France look lost without Zinedine Zidane.
As for the whole tournament, I doubt if we'll have another Greece surprise this year. My favorites would be Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy and Holland. I've always had a soft spot for the Dutch so I'd be pretty pleased if they win it. But I think this might just be the year that Spain finally get their act together. They've got an embarrasment of riches in midfield and attack and it'll come down to how Aragones decides to deploy his troops.
We'll have to wait and see. I just hope that in the meantime we get to see more games like this Italy-Holland clash.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Is Amodu The Right Man?
It’s been at least six weeks since the Nigeria Football Association named Shaibu Amodu Super Eagles coach and I’ve been pondering that decision ever since. At first look, it’s another poor decision from an organization that’s not exactly known for making many smart ones. With good reasons too; first, the NFA dragged its feet through out March – ostensibly to let Berti Vogts’ contract to lapse, and then named James Peters interim coach. Worse still, after interviewing several candidates for the job, they allowed Stephen Keshi – the best of the lot - to leave in frustration to sign up with Mali. With Samson Siasia tied up with the Olympic squad, Amodu appears to be the last recourse open to the NFA.
But the benefit of hindsight has left me wondering why the notion of Amodu’s return appears to have rubbed so many Eagles’ fans the wrong way. Surely, if local coaches are again flavor of the month in Nigerian soccer (after the Berti Vogts’ disaster, they seem to be) it’s hard to look too far beyond the experience and accomplishments of Amodu. Now, whether that is a testament to Amodu’s creds or merely a reflection of the poor state of local coaches is for you to decide, but Amodu’s records with the likes of BCC Lions, El Kanemi and Orlando Pirates speak for themselves – even if more recent spells at Sharks and Nassarawa have been less than stellar. As for international experience, once you look beyond Adegboye Onigbinde and perhaps Siasia, - and the recently departed Austin Eguavoen and his predecessor Christian Chukwu - it’s nigh on impossible to name any other credible options.
So we’re back to Amodu and, don’t get me wrong, I am not entirely thrilled by this development – I was hoping for Keshi. I certainly remember Amodu’s last term at the helm, when an uninspiring, out-of-sorts team crashed out to Senegal at the semi final of Mali 2002. Amodu’s greatest failing was an inability to get a handle on his big name players, leading to anarchy in camp and an ultimately disastrous clash between the players – led by Sunday Oliseh – and the powers that be at the NFA. As coach, Amodu has to carry the can for that debacle, and he certainly paid the price when he lost his job after the finals and missed out on leading the Eagles to the World Cup.
Yet, when it comes to Amodu’s coaching abilities, I am not sure we have given the coach a fair shake. The truth is, for all the Super Eagles experience Amodu boasts, we’ve never really given him a chance to actually coach the team. Seriously. Chukwu had three years and Eguavoen two years, Amodu’s been given a few months here and there, totaling no more than two years spread over an eight-year period. Certainly not the kind of continuity required to leave a mark on a team.
Amodu first took the helm in 1994, with the nation basking in the euphoria of Nigeria’s first World Cup appearance and a triumphant Nations Cup campaign in Tunisia. Understandably, expectations were sky high, and that would always prove an unwieldy albatross, yet Amodu was blessed with a team and players of genuine quality, with the likes of Okocha, Oliseh, Amuneke, George and Amokachi just reaching the heights of their powers and a younger corps – Kanu, Babayaro, West – coming through the ranks. But Amodu never quite got a chance to prove his worth. He was gone within a year, with only a handful of inconsequential matches – in the Confederation Cup and a tour of the US – under his belt. It’s not that the results or performances were that bad, especially since the first choice players hardly featured, but there was that constant clamor for a foreign hand (guess, they were flavor of the month then) and the wave of unrealistic expectations was way too high. Case in point: many Nigeria fans considered a 1-0 loss to England at Wembley unacceptable, even if the Eagles had played some breath-taking football. I wonder what they make of our recent struggles against the likes of Mali now.
His next attempt is hardly worth mentioning, lasting just the first two matches of the 1998 World Cup qualifiers. He was gone after a 1-1 draw in Kenya and replaced by Frenchman Phillipe Troussier. Had he stayed, Amodu would have benefited from working with perhaps the best collection of talent the country has ever had. Fresh from Olympic glory in Atlanta and blessed with a nucleus of players featuring at the highest club level in Europe. But that never happened. Another opportunity lost.
Then came Mali 2002 – the one championship Amodu actually led the Eagles to. A third-place finish –and the team’s uninspiring performances - may have proved ultimately disappointing, yet the fact that the team arrived for those finals as one of the favorites – and with a World Cup ticket in hand – was down to the near-miraculous turn-around job that Amodu and his crew had accomplished after taking over the mess that Jo Bonfrere had bequeathed on them six months earlier.
Need reminding? Bonfrere led the Eagles to losses in Liberia and Sierra Leone (!), leaving the World Cup campaign teetering on the edge of disaster before the FA gave him the boot.
Amodu led the team to three straight wins – including an impressive 4-0 win in Sudan – and took advantage of Liberia’s home loss to Ghana to seal World Cup qualification. Bonfrere’s team managed to garner just 7 points from five matches; Amodu’s – featuring the same players - got the maximum 12 points from 3 matches. In total, between May 2001 and February 2002, the only time he was given a decent run of matches, Amodu’s Eagles played 10 matches, won 7, drew 2 and lost 1- and only one of those games was a friendly. Good numbers by any standard.
The mess in Mali took much away from those early successes, especially since that one defeat was to Senegal in the semi-final, but in retrospect, I think Amodu should have been given a chance to right the ship and lead the team to Japan/Korea 2002. I doubt the outcome could have been any worse than the first round elimination we suffered in the orient.
Ironically, Amodu’s longest spell in charge coincided with the decline of the all-conquering team of the 1990s. In truth, the 2002 squad was at best, a team in transition. In that light, finishing 3rd at the Nations Cup can hardly be labeled a disaster. Certainly not when compared to the class of 2008.
The real test of Amodu’s mettle would have been to transition that aging team to a new, potent force. I would like to think that process was already under way – the likes of Yobo, Udeze, Aghahowa, Agali and Ayegbeni were already important squad players. Yet, Amodu’s lack of control over the squad and the lack of young options in midfield – a condition that continues to dog the Super Eagles – suggest otherwise. Again, we lost the opportunity to see if he is up to the task.
Sadly, Amodu faces an even tougher battle this time. Nigeria no longer has the quality or the depth of talent that comprised the Super Eagles between 1994 and 2002, and Ghana 2008 further underlined the lack of midfield talent. Perversely, the Eagles’ recent failings may also prove a positive for Amodu; expectations are probably more reasonable now that the team’s limitations have been exposed.
Of course, there are no guarantees that he would be allowed any more time than he had in the past. There’s already talk that he is only holding the forte until Siasia makes a triumphant return from Beijing.
I don’t know if Amodu is the right man to re-build Super Eagles. But I would sure like to find out and I hope he gets enough time to make his case – for once.
But the benefit of hindsight has left me wondering why the notion of Amodu’s return appears to have rubbed so many Eagles’ fans the wrong way. Surely, if local coaches are again flavor of the month in Nigerian soccer (after the Berti Vogts’ disaster, they seem to be) it’s hard to look too far beyond the experience and accomplishments of Amodu. Now, whether that is a testament to Amodu’s creds or merely a reflection of the poor state of local coaches is for you to decide, but Amodu’s records with the likes of BCC Lions, El Kanemi and Orlando Pirates speak for themselves – even if more recent spells at Sharks and Nassarawa have been less than stellar. As for international experience, once you look beyond Adegboye Onigbinde and perhaps Siasia, - and the recently departed Austin Eguavoen and his predecessor Christian Chukwu - it’s nigh on impossible to name any other credible options.
So we’re back to Amodu and, don’t get me wrong, I am not entirely thrilled by this development – I was hoping for Keshi. I certainly remember Amodu’s last term at the helm, when an uninspiring, out-of-sorts team crashed out to Senegal at the semi final of Mali 2002. Amodu’s greatest failing was an inability to get a handle on his big name players, leading to anarchy in camp and an ultimately disastrous clash between the players – led by Sunday Oliseh – and the powers that be at the NFA. As coach, Amodu has to carry the can for that debacle, and he certainly paid the price when he lost his job after the finals and missed out on leading the Eagles to the World Cup.
Yet, when it comes to Amodu’s coaching abilities, I am not sure we have given the coach a fair shake. The truth is, for all the Super Eagles experience Amodu boasts, we’ve never really given him a chance to actually coach the team. Seriously. Chukwu had three years and Eguavoen two years, Amodu’s been given a few months here and there, totaling no more than two years spread over an eight-year period. Certainly not the kind of continuity required to leave a mark on a team.
Amodu first took the helm in 1994, with the nation basking in the euphoria of Nigeria’s first World Cup appearance and a triumphant Nations Cup campaign in Tunisia. Understandably, expectations were sky high, and that would always prove an unwieldy albatross, yet Amodu was blessed with a team and players of genuine quality, with the likes of Okocha, Oliseh, Amuneke, George and Amokachi just reaching the heights of their powers and a younger corps – Kanu, Babayaro, West – coming through the ranks. But Amodu never quite got a chance to prove his worth. He was gone within a year, with only a handful of inconsequential matches – in the Confederation Cup and a tour of the US – under his belt. It’s not that the results or performances were that bad, especially since the first choice players hardly featured, but there was that constant clamor for a foreign hand (guess, they were flavor of the month then) and the wave of unrealistic expectations was way too high. Case in point: many Nigeria fans considered a 1-0 loss to England at Wembley unacceptable, even if the Eagles had played some breath-taking football. I wonder what they make of our recent struggles against the likes of Mali now.
His next attempt is hardly worth mentioning, lasting just the first two matches of the 1998 World Cup qualifiers. He was gone after a 1-1 draw in Kenya and replaced by Frenchman Phillipe Troussier. Had he stayed, Amodu would have benefited from working with perhaps the best collection of talent the country has ever had. Fresh from Olympic glory in Atlanta and blessed with a nucleus of players featuring at the highest club level in Europe. But that never happened. Another opportunity lost.
Then came Mali 2002 – the one championship Amodu actually led the Eagles to. A third-place finish –and the team’s uninspiring performances - may have proved ultimately disappointing, yet the fact that the team arrived for those finals as one of the favorites – and with a World Cup ticket in hand – was down to the near-miraculous turn-around job that Amodu and his crew had accomplished after taking over the mess that Jo Bonfrere had bequeathed on them six months earlier.
Need reminding? Bonfrere led the Eagles to losses in Liberia and Sierra Leone (!), leaving the World Cup campaign teetering on the edge of disaster before the FA gave him the boot.
Amodu led the team to three straight wins – including an impressive 4-0 win in Sudan – and took advantage of Liberia’s home loss to Ghana to seal World Cup qualification. Bonfrere’s team managed to garner just 7 points from five matches; Amodu’s – featuring the same players - got the maximum 12 points from 3 matches. In total, between May 2001 and February 2002, the only time he was given a decent run of matches, Amodu’s Eagles played 10 matches, won 7, drew 2 and lost 1- and only one of those games was a friendly. Good numbers by any standard.
The mess in Mali took much away from those early successes, especially since that one defeat was to Senegal in the semi-final, but in retrospect, I think Amodu should have been given a chance to right the ship and lead the team to Japan/Korea 2002. I doubt the outcome could have been any worse than the first round elimination we suffered in the orient.
Ironically, Amodu’s longest spell in charge coincided with the decline of the all-conquering team of the 1990s. In truth, the 2002 squad was at best, a team in transition. In that light, finishing 3rd at the Nations Cup can hardly be labeled a disaster. Certainly not when compared to the class of 2008.
The real test of Amodu’s mettle would have been to transition that aging team to a new, potent force. I would like to think that process was already under way – the likes of Yobo, Udeze, Aghahowa, Agali and Ayegbeni were already important squad players. Yet, Amodu’s lack of control over the squad and the lack of young options in midfield – a condition that continues to dog the Super Eagles – suggest otherwise. Again, we lost the opportunity to see if he is up to the task.
Sadly, Amodu faces an even tougher battle this time. Nigeria no longer has the quality or the depth of talent that comprised the Super Eagles between 1994 and 2002, and Ghana 2008 further underlined the lack of midfield talent. Perversely, the Eagles’ recent failings may also prove a positive for Amodu; expectations are probably more reasonable now that the team’s limitations have been exposed.
Of course, there are no guarantees that he would be allowed any more time than he had in the past. There’s already talk that he is only holding the forte until Siasia makes a triumphant return from Beijing.
I don’t know if Amodu is the right man to re-build Super Eagles. But I would sure like to find out and I hope he gets enough time to make his case – for once.
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