European Championships? Well hardly! In the absence of England, frankly standards have been a little poor to say the least. Where are the plastic chairs being hurled across a water cannon-sodden public square? Where are the deserted streets of once bustling cities covered in a thin haze of tear gas billowing among the narrow cobbled passageways? Call this an international tournament? There has been a complete absence of gangs of Stone Island-clad youths steaming the designer label shops. And you call that a fight between the Germans and the Poles? Sky News pictures revealed that the weapon of choice appeared to be beer foam. Yes, when it comes to pre- and post-match mob-behavioural technique, the English can certainly show the rest of Europe a thing or two. So is Euro 2008 really missing us?
Joking aside, of course, RTG is gutted not to see England there, but we have to confess to quite enjoying the prospect of watching the tournament for purely football reasons rather than turning a critical eye to England’s performances and another eye on fancied teams in the hope that they perform badly – in case England end up meeting them. Though, worryingly, Russia and Croatia’s performances so far have perhaps highlighted just how poor England were. But let’s not dwell on that any longer. It’s been done. Not least by RTG in previous posts.
The English press has done its level best to try and persuade the rest of Europe that the tournament is worse for our absence. Meanwhile BBC and ITV have glossed over England’s lack of participation with the occasional break from script, by a pundit, when viewing Russia and Croatia, with the lament: “how on earth did England not make it?” Michel Platini, when asked (amongst a whole host of ex-football players and managers) if he missed England, replied to the effect that missing England would be disrespecting those teams that have actually qualified. And it’s hard to argue against that point.
The only real losers, let’s be honest, are the licensees and brewers of Austria, Switzerland and, of course, England, who must still be crying in their beer when they survey their empty bars. Let’s also spare a thought for Umbro, JJB and other sporting goods purveyors who could have done with the boost in these troubled times. In fact, given the current oil and credit crisis, we could all have done with a bit of a market stimulus.
On a positive note, for football lovers, the first round has actually produced some great matches. Apart from Romania and Greece, getting the win has appeared to be the overriding objective of each team. Just like the World Cup of 2006, having only two teams qualifying from each group and three points for a win, has put a premium on winning group games – especially the first one. Indeed, in two of the best matches, Holland v Italy and Spain v Russia, despite the three goal margins, with different luck, the results may have been different. It should also be remembered that, due to the unfairness of World Cup qualifying regional groups, this tournament is probably of a higher standard then the World Cup. Austria aside, the other 15 teams are all in the top 32 of the world and hence worthy of a World Cup place.
However, RTG does believe that the opening matches will gradually give way to a more cautious approach in the knockout stages, again like World Cup 2006. So be prepared for the brandishment of yellows and reds, general haranguing of officials and blatant diving to make a comeback in approximately two weeks time. Germany will, at some stage, definitely get through on penalties, after a cagey knockout stage performance and before reaching the final. Portugal will eventually flatter to deceive, probably at the semi final stage, again. Holland will do their usual self-inflicted implosion, again probably at the semi final stage and lose on penalties. Italy, however, should not be disregarded until they are actually on a flight home. RTG is still scratching its head wondering which ‘one-tournament wonder’ will be bought by a Premier League side, at great cost, only to end up on the bench once Christmas has been and gone. We’ve spotted Gomis of France but we’re not too sure yet. And it was nice to be reacquainted with the Greek players who moved en masse after Euro 2004 – some into the Premier League – only to be returned, tail between their legs, one year later.
Over this summer, though, there are optimistic signs for England fans to ponder. RTG believes we have got the best manager for the job as a result of McClaren’s departure (although we could do without him reminding us of his shortcomings by being a pundit on Five Live), we have an FA that appears to be finally getting its act together in setting up a better infrastructure for the grass roots, as well as, finally, setting a target date for opening the Burton centre of excellence in 2010. Readers of this blog would have noted this as one of RTG’s main issues in assessing the demise of England. Hence, the fight is by no means over. After all, the FA is only one area of the football industry that needs reform. There are still many others. Join us by signing the guestbook.
Hat’s Off. Take a Bow (or not)!
Player of the Week – David Villa spearheaded an exciting Spanish performance with a hat-trick.
Villain of the Week – Ronaldo. RTG is bored with all his transfer shenanigans. He should have sorted this out before the tournament. Now it is going to continue to be referred to every bloody day. Yawn!
Hero of the Week – Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Could have done his usual and gone down for a penalty when rounding goalkeeper Buffon but opted to stay on his feet. Hopefully this is a trend that will long continue. Although not to do with Euro 2008, RTG felt compelled to highlight also Randy Lerner, Aston Villa’s owner and CEO, for finishing his team’s shirt sponsorship and replacing it with a hospice charity instead.
Shock of the Week – Italy losing by more than two goals in a major tournament for the first time since the World Cup final in 1970.
Cliché of the Week – “Are you missing England?” RTG feels for all the people who’ve been put on the spot and asked this question when they clearly are not.
Joking aside, of course, RTG is gutted not to see England there, but we have to confess to quite enjoying the prospect of watching the tournament for purely football reasons rather than turning a critical eye to England’s performances and another eye on fancied teams in the hope that they perform badly – in case England end up meeting them. Though, worryingly, Russia and Croatia’s performances so far have perhaps highlighted just how poor England were. But let’s not dwell on that any longer. It’s been done. Not least by RTG in previous posts.
The English press has done its level best to try and persuade the rest of Europe that the tournament is worse for our absence. Meanwhile BBC and ITV have glossed over England’s lack of participation with the occasional break from script, by a pundit, when viewing Russia and Croatia, with the lament: “how on earth did England not make it?” Michel Platini, when asked (amongst a whole host of ex-football players and managers) if he missed England, replied to the effect that missing England would be disrespecting those teams that have actually qualified. And it’s hard to argue against that point.
The only real losers, let’s be honest, are the licensees and brewers of Austria, Switzerland and, of course, England, who must still be crying in their beer when they survey their empty bars. Let’s also spare a thought for Umbro, JJB and other sporting goods purveyors who could have done with the boost in these troubled times. In fact, given the current oil and credit crisis, we could all have done with a bit of a market stimulus.
On a positive note, for football lovers, the first round has actually produced some great matches. Apart from Romania and Greece, getting the win has appeared to be the overriding objective of each team. Just like the World Cup of 2006, having only two teams qualifying from each group and three points for a win, has put a premium on winning group games – especially the first one. Indeed, in two of the best matches, Holland v Italy and Spain v Russia, despite the three goal margins, with different luck, the results may have been different. It should also be remembered that, due to the unfairness of World Cup qualifying regional groups, this tournament is probably of a higher standard then the World Cup. Austria aside, the other 15 teams are all in the top 32 of the world and hence worthy of a World Cup place.
However, RTG does believe that the opening matches will gradually give way to a more cautious approach in the knockout stages, again like World Cup 2006. So be prepared for the brandishment of yellows and reds, general haranguing of officials and blatant diving to make a comeback in approximately two weeks time. Germany will, at some stage, definitely get through on penalties, after a cagey knockout stage performance and before reaching the final. Portugal will eventually flatter to deceive, probably at the semi final stage, again. Holland will do their usual self-inflicted implosion, again probably at the semi final stage and lose on penalties. Italy, however, should not be disregarded until they are actually on a flight home. RTG is still scratching its head wondering which ‘one-tournament wonder’ will be bought by a Premier League side, at great cost, only to end up on the bench once Christmas has been and gone. We’ve spotted Gomis of France but we’re not too sure yet. And it was nice to be reacquainted with the Greek players who moved en masse after Euro 2004 – some into the Premier League – only to be returned, tail between their legs, one year later.
Over this summer, though, there are optimistic signs for England fans to ponder. RTG believes we have got the best manager for the job as a result of McClaren’s departure (although we could do without him reminding us of his shortcomings by being a pundit on Five Live), we have an FA that appears to be finally getting its act together in setting up a better infrastructure for the grass roots, as well as, finally, setting a target date for opening the Burton centre of excellence in 2010. Readers of this blog would have noted this as one of RTG’s main issues in assessing the demise of England. Hence, the fight is by no means over. After all, the FA is only one area of the football industry that needs reform. There are still many others. Join us by signing the guestbook.
Hat’s Off. Take a Bow (or not)!
Player of the Week – David Villa spearheaded an exciting Spanish performance with a hat-trick.
Villain of the Week – Ronaldo. RTG is bored with all his transfer shenanigans. He should have sorted this out before the tournament. Now it is going to continue to be referred to every bloody day. Yawn!
Hero of the Week – Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Could have done his usual and gone down for a penalty when rounding goalkeeper Buffon but opted to stay on his feet. Hopefully this is a trend that will long continue. Although not to do with Euro 2008, RTG felt compelled to highlight also Randy Lerner, Aston Villa’s owner and CEO, for finishing his team’s shirt sponsorship and replacing it with a hospice charity instead.
Shock of the Week – Italy losing by more than two goals in a major tournament for the first time since the World Cup final in 1970.
Cliché of the Week – “Are you missing England?” RTG feels for all the people who’ve been put on the spot and asked this question when they clearly are not.
