All's well that ends well(?)

So, the real Spain finally did turn up at Euro 2012. 'Twas a real pity they have to deny us this flair till the finals but better late than never.

Yes, Spain were clearly the better team and Italy started slowly but the 4-0 scoreline does no justice to the hard-work, graft and occasional craft that the Italians showed. Motta's injury was an absolute disaster and denied us the grand-stand finish but still the Italians can return home proud and they have the base for a good, solid team in Brazil 2014.

My team of the tournament (4-1-3-2)

Buffon
Lahm, Pepe, Ramos, Alba
Xabi Alonso (captain)
Ozil, Pirlo, Iniesta
Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic

Coach: Cesare Prandelli

Subs:Casillas, Hummels, Coentrao, Fabregas, Sneijder, Balotelli

PS:  After watching the Champions League in Ten Sports where the pundits are more clowns with no insightful punditry, it was a relief to hear Frank Lebouef. Also Neo's coverage of the Euros was excellent. Keep it up !!

Cup tournaments and shifting loyalties

2008 was the year when Pep started putting his imprint on Barcelona. The Blaugrana were such a brilliant team that it was impossible to see beyong Spain in Euro 2008. Besides, wasn't it time for the perenially under-achieving Spain to announce themselves on the World stage. And so, I supported them and they ended up victorious.

By 2010, the Spanish brand of tiki-taka was, let's all agree, getting a little tiresome and despite the fact that we all knew they would win the WC, a big part of me shifted loyalties.  Despite boasting of successive generations of brilliant footballers, the Flying Dutchmen had always flattered to deceive. Infighting and huge egos had always been their bane but under Marwijk, it looked like they had put it all aside to fight together. I rooted for the Oranje until that shocking final when Nigel De Jong set out to kick the Spaniards from the whistle. I didn't quite enjoy Spain winning the tournament with boring but controlled wins but it was still deserved.

Come 2012, I returned back to my roots. I first fell in love with The Fatherland in 1986. Maradona was at his imperious best and I still remember watching the final at my uncle's (actually, my mom's uncle's) place in Kailasapuram. It was Doordarshan those days but still the atmosphere at the Aztec stadium could be sensed/felt on TV. I have vivid memories of Rummenige and Voller pulling us back to 2-2 before Burruchago scored that breakaway winner which was an absolute dagger to my heart. Flash forward to 1990 and Lothar Matthaus lifting the WC was at that point in time, my greatest high in football. Die Mannschaft under Klinsmann were a joy to watch in 2006 but under Low, they've gone farther and this brave & fearless team now play with a certain intensity that is difficult to cope with. Its been 22 years since Germany last won a trophy & so I supported them in Euro 2012. Alas !!

Along the way, between 1986 and 2008, I've also come to admire the Italians a lot. Post 1990, a lot of the Germans like Matthaus and Klinsmann played for Inter and that made me follow Serie A and the Azzuri regularly. In fact, the first fan shirt I owned was of the Azzuri. During those days when I played central defence at school, my biggest idols in football were not the goal-scoring heros but the solid, defensive rocks Cannavaro and Maldini. While catenaccio is often reviled by the pundits, I've always been fascinated by the organisation and discipline that it involves. Between 1994 when the Italians finished runners-up in the WC, 2002 when we had to suffer the ignominy of getting knocked out in Rd 2 & finally winning the WC in 2006, every Italian fan will vouch for the fact that supporting the team is a roller-coaster ride. 

Which brings us back full circle to the finals of Euro 2012 - who am I gonna support? The Azzuri, of course :)

Close but no cigar

If Roy Hodgson's plan was to bore the whole of Ukraine and Poland before winning Euro 2012, he almost succeeded. How could a team that was inferior to its opposition in all 3 group matches actualy come out on tops and get to the quarters. In a wonderful tournament, trust England to be part of the first 0-0 draw. The Azzuri should have won it easily in normal time if only they had taken their chances - De Rossi and Balotelli guilty of some fairly easy finishes.

Observations

• Balzaretti who had such a good 1st half just didnt get the ball in the rest of the match. Why do Italy play so narrow?
• Pirlo is such a fantastic player but surely he must be knackered. There's no way he is going to be able to start the semis.
• I was quite upset with Cassano for all his cute tricks and lack of end product but after he was subbed, the quality of the game dipped drastically. Italy need him.
• Barzagli and Bonucci weren't really tested but from what little I've seen, they look solid. Carroll did not quite have the impact Hodgson would have wanted

Now, about England

• I knew it all along but Euro 2012 has just shown that Ashley Young is a one trick pony. Run fast, collide against opponent and win free kick. If the opponent avoids contact, dive.
• Terry was quite good today - surprisingly.
• Parker is a a headless chicken - lot of effort but no talent.
• Gerrard was quite disciplined sticking to his role and helping retain the shape of midfield
• 4-4-2 is just so passe
• Wellbeck's performance today has to be the laziest I've seen him
• Rooney...err... was he even on the pitch.

Having said that, the Germans must be licking their lips in delight. 3-0 is my prediction.

Thank goodness the more deserving team won !!

Moment of the match from the Man of the Match