Day 7

Croatia 2-1 Germany

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.

Coefficients and Ranking

Group A

No longer applicable - penalties if tied.

Group B

Croatia

Germany

Poland

Austria

Group C

Holland

Italy

Romania

France

Group D

Sweden

Spain

Greece

Russia

verbal97 - Is there any chance that Platini's plan to limit the number of Champions League places to the big leagues comes to fruition?  I think it's one of those ideas that sounds nice in theory and when campaigning, but is not practical because if implemented perhaps the talk of a Super League gets more traction.

realmadridcffan - Now that Platini is the President of UEFA and he has said on record that he wants to limit the amount of UEFA Champions League spots from 4 to three for the big countries (Spain, England, Italy) and spread them around to the smaller countries, what do you think this will do if it does go through, de-value the UEFA Champions League at it's current format of 32 teams? Also do you see any ramifications for the UEFA Cup because of this (i.e.: possible format change)

Bobby – This is definitely the question of the week after Platini’s election. Just like any other politician who has just been elected Platini’s political capital is at its maximum. Unfortunately for him the TV deal does not come up for renewal until after the 2009 Champions League.  This almost certainly means that there will be no tampering with the Champions League until a new TV contract is agreed. In the meantime the big clubs in Europe will muster their forces in an effort to make sure that Platini's plan is not implemented. And remember he is only one man with one vote in an executive of 15. In the end, it will probably finish up with some sort of compromise and already there are a number of ideas floating around.  One suggestion I have here heard is that the top three countries will keep their four spots but only one team will be guaranteed a spot in the group stage.  This would leave the other 3 teams to go through the various qualifying rounds.

Another suggestion is that the group stage be expanded to include more teams.  This could be done by increasing the number of groups or by increasing the number of teams in eight groups. Either way it is difficult to see how either option could work without teams having to play more games or without the present knockout rounds being dismantled. As for talk of a European Super League I don't think the big clubs are really interested.  What they really want is a competition limited to the likes of England, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands.

The UEFA Cup - the competition is already a dog's breakfast and needs a complete revamp. Platini, at one point, did talk about reactivating the European Cup Winners Cup which I think is a good idea if it was restricted to only one club from each country and operated on a straight knockout basis.

Gunner 44 - My question to you is can't Wenger call up one of those players on loan (Stokes, Larsson etc.) instead of buying a new player if injuries become too many?

Bobby – It would depend on the deal that was made.  Some loan deals include the rate of recall at any point, while others are for a set period of time. However, Wenger would have difficulty recalling Anthony Stokes as the Irishman was sold to Sunderland.

Bigdavedisaster – I’ve been in a bit of an argument with a few friends. Who do you think are the 5 biggest clubs currently outside of the premiership? Big as in history and large fan support as in clubs that probably should be in the EPL.

Bobby – What a great question and probably not as easy to figure out as it sounds. I think you would to have separate history over the last 40-50 years from the early stages of the English league.  Here are my 5 pics; Sunderland, Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday, Wolves, and West Brom. Birmingham supporters will be after me but they lost out because they have never won the League or FA Cup. Derby County also came very close to making the top five. I am waiting to see your and your mate’s picks.   

Djnima - After Rooney scored his goal against Arsenal and his double against Pompey (I love it when he chips the keeper especially calamity James) commentators said that he had "broken his scoring duck"

I understand that it means he ended his goal drought but I was wondering if there is any significance to the word 'duck' and if there is a story behind it.

Also, how's your fantasy team doing? Do you think it would be a good idea to incorporate the fantasy league more into FSR?

Bobby – “Duck” is a cricket expression and is used when a batsman is “out” before scoring a run. When the batsmen scored his first run is sometimes said that he is off his “duck”. When a batsman is out to the first ball he faces it is referred to in some cricket playing countries as a “royal duck”. As far as Fantasy Football is concerned as of tonight (Tuesday) I am just over 5,000 points and in 300th place – safely above the relegation zone so far. The idea of incorporating a FF feature into FSR has been talked about and it is something you might see next season.

gregz - Recently coach Bora Milutinovic was named as national coach of Jamaica. I know a little about him and his accomplishments of taking 5 different teams to the World Cup, but what else can you tell me about him as a coach and how do you rate him Bobby?

Bobby – Bora has managed 5 countries at the World Cup but I think he may have only seen one of them (Costa Rica) through the qualifying stages. He seems to have fallen a bit out of favour since the 2002 World Cup and although he was linked with the Serbia national team job after last summer’s World Cup nothing came of it. His critics would point to his relatively poor record as a club coach while his supporters will quickly point out that he's taken for countries to the second round at four World Cups - no mean feat.  No matter how he does with Jamaica, there will probably be a country out there willing to hire him given his record. As a sidebar if Carlos Alberto Parreira manages to stick around with South Africa for the next three years he will also have managed five different countries at the World Cup.

 Napier22 - I enjoy your analyses on FSR. You obviously have a good eye for the game and pick up lots of things I don't see. I was just wondering if you have ever done any coaching?

Bobby – Thank you. I coached for a number of years. I got certified a few years after arriving in Canada and followed the usual route taken by most parents - coaching my stepson’s teams while still playing. I then moved on to player/coach for a local senior team and as the legs began to give in that became reduced to coach. Work then intervened and I haven’t coached a team for the last seven years. However, I should add that after attending the NSCAA convention in Indianapolis a couple of weeks ago I sent in a membership application and registration fee.