For Croatia a
performance that just about encompassed everything that the Sunday game against
Austria was not. Comfortable, composed and confident Croatia was well organized
and prepared to largely stifle the Germans attacking options.
Germany may
have had the edge in play but it was Croatia that had the definite advantage in
clear chances. With Kranjcar moving into a more central role Germany had
trouble dealing with the numerical advantage that Croatia held in midfield.
Marcell
Jansen underwent a torrid time at left back and his failure to deal with Pranjic’s
cross (a reminder of how very few crosses we have seen so far in this
tournament) saw Srna turning the ball in at the back post for the first goal. Not
long after Kranjcar had another great chance but Lehmann pulled of####reat
reaction save.
Not
surprisingly Jansen was substituted at half time with Fritz dropping back to
right back and Lahm switching sides. Impact player Odonkor came on ............but failed
to make any impact. Croatia’s second goal (from Olic) seemed to have put the
game well beyond Germany reach only for Podolski to score a cracker. The effect
of the goal may have clouded how good a goal it actually was.
But with ten
minutes left and their lead halved rather than panicking Croatians moved into
what was their most impressive spell of the game. Playing in three and fours
with one touch passing Croatia killed off the game and left only enough time
for Bastian Schweinsteiger to get
himself sent off.
Croatia within a hairs breadth of qualification and Germany now has to
beat Austria and even then they may still have to keep fingers crossed.
Man of the match – Given a free role by Slaven Bilic Niko Kranjcar proved impossible for Germany
to control.
Austria 1-1 Poland
It was a match that delivered much more in the way of incident and excitement than might have been expected. Austria came away with a
share of the points after it looked as if their pressure – particularly in the
first half – was again destined to deliver nothing. A point each keeps both
countries in with a chance to advance but Austria could have had this one
wrapped up in bows before thirty minutes was on the clock.
The Austrians streamed
forward in waves with Korkmaz and Harnik raiding almost at will down the flanks.
As the Polish defence went AWOL it was Artur Boruc vs. Austria. The Celtic
keeper stymied Austria at least four times and he was the reason Poland was
still in the game by the time they took the lead.
The goal came completely
against the run of play as it so often does and it came from a
Southampton-Brazil combo accompanied by a hint of offside. Southampton’s Marek
Saganowski saw his “shot” find Brazilian import Roger Guerreiro who had no
trouble from close in.
The goal took the sting
out of Austria’s attack in as much as they stopped creating chances although
still enjoyed the edge in possession. The second half lacked the cut and thrust
from Austria as the Polish defence reasserted their position. Then with stoppage
time minutes ticking down and a second Polish goal on the break looking more likely
than goal from the co-hosts – finally a goal for Austria and from the penalty spot.
The old man of the
tournament Ivica Vastic put his foot through the shot and the valiant
Boruc went the wrong way.
Update – No group B tie breaker is possible. Croatia qualify
as group winners and will play Turkey or the Czech Republic. Germany will join them
with a win or a draw against Austria. An Austrian win combined with Poland not
beating Croatia will put the co-hosts into the last eight. However, in order to
finish second Poland needs to beat Croatia by a goal more than Austria beats Germany
by. So Germany or Austria or Poland will play a rested Portugal.
Comment of the Day
"People
often think coaches can predict results. Coaches are like you, they are very
bad at giving predictions.” - Arsène Wenger
Tie Breaker
There seems to be a fair bit of confusion regarding the tie breaker rule for the group stage.
Excerpt Competition
Regulations – 7.07 and 7.08
If two or more teams finish equal on points after
all the group matches have been played, the following criteria will be applied
to determine the ranking :
(a) Greater number of points obtained in the matches
between the teams in question.
(b) Goal difference resulting from the matches
between the teams in question (if more than two teams finish equal).
(c) Greater number of goals scored in the matches
between the teams in question (if more than two teams finish equal).
(d) Goal difference in all the group matches.
(e) Greater number of goals scored in all the group
matches.
(f) Coefficient of points from the last two
qualifying competitions for the final rounds of the 2006 World Cup and Euro
2008 (points gained and divided by the number of matches played).
(g) Fair Play conduct of the teams (final
tournament).
(h) A drawing of lots by the Organizing Committee.
Criteria (a) to (h) above are not applicable
under these circumstances :
If two teams meeting in one of the last group
matches have the same number of points, the same goal difference and the same
number of goals, and if this match stands at a draw at the end of normal time,
then the ranking of these two teams will be determined by kicks from the
penalty spot, provided no other teams within the group have the same number of
points on completion of all group matches.
For Canadian fans - Brian Budd former Toronto Blizzard, Canadian national team member and most recently The Score soccer analyst passed away suddenly at the age of 56 today.
Sympathy and condolences to his family.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on June 12th at 8:06 AM.
Reading like a good game to start the day. sOrry catching the webcast version. unfortunately I will be watching a replay. Golf fans Tiger stinking after 3 holes at US Open.
Good, I'm glad the rule is the way it is... I'd rather see Turkey and the Czech Republic go to PK's instead of deciding one team is through and one team is done based on coefficient...
Granted, I'd rather they just play golden goal as long as necessary, but PK's are at least a part of the game...
This looks like a completely different Croatia team. Against Austria, they were down right pitiful, but today they look like contenders. Granted Germany hasn't looked that great. Still, promising signs from Croatia.
Mario Gomez has been aweful this entire tournament, Low needs to recognize this, and go with Klose and Podolski on top and Schweinsteiger on the left from here on out.
On another note, does Luka Modric ever take a touch with his left foot? In 2 games I can honestly say I've only seen him take one or two... That's definitely something that's going to have to change.
Let me have somebody dare to say anything against Croatia again.
As I have said many times before, we are better against the good teams.
Bad refeering based on what I read, losing control?
I will make an analysis after I watch the game later tonight.
I simply can't call him "Ronaldo." It just doesn't feel right. He's not Ronaldo. I can't get used to everyone calling that pretty boy Portuguese kid Ronaldo. To me, he's Cristiano. For me, the only Ronaldo is and always will be the guy from Rio with that space between his teeth, genetically bad knees, seriously bad taste in hairstyles and a baffling problem with transvestites.
If anyone wanted more proof that you can't make any serious judgments or predictions about the quality and outcome of any teams in tournaments like this, look at what just happened with Croatia and Germany. Don't write anyone off, esp. after one game.
I thought the red card for Schweinsteiger was excessive. He raised his hand, yes, but it was so weak and wimpy. A yellow, yes, a red, no. If you're going to do something like that to get sent off, go for it and do the headbutt already.
Sleeper, since you dared me... Croatia are damn lucky to get all 3 points today... They took the lead off o####reat goal after BRILLIANT buildup... But that second goal was truely a lucky bounce... Germany deserved their goal...
Now the real question is... Which Croatia is the real one? The pathetic, offensively inept one that played Austria, or the one that played today? I guess we'll know for sure when they play the Czechs in the quarter finals...
danielgregg- The first one, no, that was a great goal by Croatia and some sloppy defending by Germany... The second one was a poor play by Lens, a lucky bounce off the post, and some HORRENDOUS defending at the back by Metzelder and Mertesacker
leche, agree with your reply re Jens. I just feel sorry for Jens. I don't care how badly he mouthed off to the press last season, I still love the guy and wanted to see him do really well at this tournament.
Sleeper- this is the European championships... The Czechs beating Croatia is no less plausible than the Dutch routing the Italians 3-0, and Croatia beating Germany...
I wouldn't make such claims, it's very possible you could be eating crow before it's all said and done with.
Speaking of ordinary, Croatia is rather ordinary... The Germans didn't play very well today and Croatia played very well... And for Croatia to escape with a 2-1 win after Germany looked very poised to find the equalizer down the stretch is very flattering...
Gong, I can agree you could say Lehman isn't at fault for either goal... But when you break it down... He himself had the power to keep that goal from happening, as did Mertesacker as did Metzelder, as did Podolski, as did the bounce of the ball... And for none of those things to go right for Germany is very unfortunate... It's hard for me to say Croatia deserved that goal... But just like with the Swiss yesterday, sometimes that's just the way the ball bounces...
leche, I went a bit over the top due to euphoria and me thinking about nothing else but getting home and celebrating with beer.
Having said that, unlike you, I have never claimed the Czechs were not good enough or that any of their players could not make the Spanish team. That's unfair and really hard to assess as a lot of it has to do with coach's tactics.
Yes the Czechs can beat the Croats with some luck just like anyone else on a good day, but to me it would not be a surprise just luck it was not a surprise that we won today.
We are talented enough to go all the way.
What does deserving have to do with anything? Oh they should've done this or that? Who cares. What matters is that the goals stand, and that Croatia have deservedly won the game.
It bothers me that people labeled Croatia as average after one game. How many ordianary games did Italy play, and yet they ended up winning all those trophies. You have to be objective and look at many different aspects of the game. I doubt Croatia will play as bad as they played their first game against the hosts.
Leche-
If you have a personal beef with Sleeper let it lie for a minute and give credit to Croatia, they mostly dominated the match and in particular Germany's midfield.
It's a disservice to a brilliant tactical game plan by Bilic and execution by his side.
Again where was Captain Ballack all day? In Modric's and Krancjar's back pocket.
If you are a Spuds fan you have to like the talent of Luka Modric.
I find Sleeper's "homerism" refreshing as opposed to the incessant EPL homerism on this blog.
Last edited by gongatore on June 12th at 12:03 PM.
Sleeper- I find it comical that to you Croatia won today because they are talented enough to win, and it showed, but if the Czechs were to beat Croatia, it's due to luck...
Come on dude, this is the Euro's... Other than Austria, every team in this tournament is talented enough to beat anyone else on any given day... Today that showed with Croatia over Germany... But mark my words, the Czechs and Turks (I'll throw them in there too because it could be them) are both more than talented enough to beat Croatia on any day. As far as surprises go... Other than the actual number of goals scored in a victory (3-0 by the Dutch over Italy-esque)... No results from this tournament are actually "surprises"...
For a second, get off your high horse homerism, and try to look at the rest of the tournament through the same pair of glasses...
Gunner, I read an article in the French press while in France last month with Domenech saying he didn't pick Sagna because he's not yet fully fit from his injury. It's the same reason he didn't pick Mexes (a terrific defender), who had a horrible knee injury at the Copa Italia final just a few weeks ago. He probably wouldn't have chosen Sagna either, Domenech prefers experience, stability and continuity over youth. He's not a risk taker, he's very conservative. (something millions of Frenchmen and women rant and rave about, he's not at all popular). He's right to try to seek a good balance between youth and experience but his choices leave a lot to be desired.
Right now, he needs to take risks and he knows it -- he's actually talking about rotating in 4 positions. And if you know Domenech, that's a pretty amazing admission. He practically admitted in an article on eufa.com that he knows Evra is better than Abidal but has to weigh the risks of giving up stability offered by the longstanding Abidal and going with Evra's superior movement and attacking skills.
Over on eurosport.fr their reporting that his admission that he's considering rotation against the Dutch came as a result of Gallas' public comments that were criticisms of Domenech's instructions to the team. Gallas caused a stir in the French press. He said that Domenech gave instructions to play too cautiously against Romania and that the team had wanted to be more ambitious. This embarrassed Domenech, who countered with "Gallas makes me laugh" and that Gallas "never gets up before noon."
While Schweinsteiger deserved to be sent off, the Croatian deserves to have his man card taken away. Pushed in the shoulder and acting like you got shot in the face is an embarrassment!
Yeah coz I just feel as if Sagna was healthy coz Wenger even said he could have played the last couple of games at the end of the season. He was the best RB before he went down shocked that he didn't even get picked. I think Evra and Clichy both deserve to start over Abidal they both had better seasons than he did. Yeah I also dislike Domenech for his decision making especially after he refused to pick Pires time after time when Pires was still ata Arsenal.
Austria can't score for their lives gosh. But they are playing with purpose and putting on a show for us. Poland seem stunned by how well Austria is playing and the crowed.
I'd say the same thing about you and the Czechs. Don't be a hypocrite.
For your information, I did not pick Croatia to win the whole tournament, but I feel they are good enough to do some damage.
Whatever, think however you want. My team can do all the talking for me with their results which is the only thing that matters to me.
By the way, this blog is about objective reasoning which you clearly lack.
In football if a team beats another team they are not better than their opponents or better than everyteam their opponents have recently beaten. It doesn't work that way.
The trophy goes to the team that wins the final, not the best team in the tournament.
Italy were not the best team at the WC, and Greece were definately not the best team four years ago.
I don't care if Italy are the best team in the tournament, or play the most attractive football or deserve to win. In fact I'd rather if some other team 'deserves' to win.
Wise words from Venti. Almost any team can beat any other team on their day. I say "almost" because I can't quite imagine the Faroe Islands beating Italy or Brazil...but hey, you never know. :-) The Brazil squad could get sick from food poisoning on the day of the game....or they could just be in a rotten mood... or a generous one... :-)
For one game a team can be absolutely brilliant (and lose), the next game, they're quite poor (and still win anyway). Portugal are doing very well but they could flop -- lose key players, get tired, etc. Esp. given the fact that several players at this tournament are coming off the back end of a long season where they played in every major competition.
Bobby: Just back from watching the first game at a house full of despondent German fans. And despite becoming a vicarious Hrvatska fan through Spurs signing Modric, I've managed to exit with my skin on. Not unlike the real Flashman in The Holstein-Schlessweig Question.
As for Brian Budd, well, I guess from reading all the other comments, I'm all you've got to work with in expressing sadness about his very premature departure.
Love him or hate him, he provided an entertaining and opinionated take on the game each week on Canada's weak-sister sports network, The Score.
But he was a fine player who enjoyed a productive spell as a professional player during the NASL's fledgling years and featured on Canada's national team many times.
His greatest claim to fame was winning three World Superstars challenges, a made for ABC-TV event that pitted top atheletes from various sports against one another to determine each year's 'World's Greatest Athlete.' Budd won it from 1977 to 1979 and was banned from participating in any others since a soccer player winning a U.S. athletic competition was an absolute ratings killer.
Here's a link to a very entertaining interview with another Canadian icon, CBC's Peter Gsowski. Brian Budd, in his prime.
VVV- Isnt the point of the tournaments to find out who the best team is. If the tournament does not produce the best team then whats the use of the tournament. In that case lets get rid of the fifa rankings as well I truly believe Brazil were the best team in 2002 and italy were the best team in 2006(although very boring). If the tournaments do not prove who the best team is then how do u propose we find out who the best is? Any way i guess its all a matter of opinion because there is no tournament or formula u can use to find out who the best player in the world is its all a matter of opinion.
So the old 2008 (real?) Ballack is back -- playing the way he did all year until April. After today, I wish I could retract my call for Germany to win it. This really is wide open though -- if the Netherlands can do to France what they did to Italy (and as presently constituted, this is not a good French team) they will probably be favorites, although I agree with Bobby that they're very suspect at the back. Go for Portugal or Spain...
Question Bobby: why wasn't the Polish goal offside? Unless there was a player offscreen on the wing, I see only one defender between Guerrero and the goal -- the GK is in front of him!
Let's bring up something Bobby wouldn't dare bring up on air.
UEFA wanted the Austrians to get the tie because if Poland won today, and if Croatia deliberately tanked in the last group game against Poland, Croatia and Poland would both go through and Germany would be eliminated.
Would Croatia be willing to give up first place to eliminate a team they profoundly hate? Absolutely, and the Poles would be willing accomplices.
If France and Italy were also eliminated, you would see the teams representing UEFA's most lucrative audiences out of the event and the ad salesmen for the next event in Ukraine-Poland would have their work cut out for them.
Which is why Howard Webb will enjoy a lifetime of free, luxury holidays in the Tirol.
And now, back to a series of meaningless statistics and inoffensive comments from our studio hosts.
If you are going to try and bait people then at least put together a better effort than that. That is the most pathetic conspiracy theory that I have ever come across. Conspiracies need to have at least a plausible element to them. Considering the tie breaker rules it doesn't even hold together.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on June 12th at 3:48 PM.
Both games are helping the Czechs...first Germany loss puts Croatia vs. the winner of the Czech vs. Turkey game on Sunday in the Q-final and Germany doesn't even have the 2nd spot quaranteed due to the Austrian tie...to play Porugal in their Q-final.
That penalty{against Poland} though was a give away by the ref...
There was so much mutual shirt grabbing that to single out this for a penalty in 93rd minute is good refing.
Yup, Bobby's right. Even if there's no late penalty by Austria, Germany will definitely go through if they beat Austria in the final match. In case of a 3-way tie among Croatia, Germany, and Poland, Germany cannot finish third because of their positive goal difference (2-0 vs Poland, 1-2 vs Croatia). So Croatia losing to Poland could potentially eliminate themselves (if they lose by two goals or more).
And thanks to the mention by Derek yesterday on FSR of my "little" stat. Much appreciated! :-)
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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