Kevin Whitcher
Ok, so what happens with the onlinegooner website during the summer is this… Not actually very much to discuss, and the contributions tend to dry up a little. A couple of years ago, as I was travelling around South Africa for three weeks taking in the World Cup Finals first hand, it provided a rich vein of source material to give the website a bit of content during the lean month of June when there is traditionally little Arsenal news to ruminate over.
I decided ages ago I was going to forego the opportunity to attend the Euros in Poland and Ukraine. I tend to make the decision to go to a major tournament based on two things – 1. An interest in seeing the country itself. 2 – The convenience/possibility of doing it on the cheap. Normally, I choose not to go to the Euros. The exception was Portugal eight years ago which I really fancied doing. And in four years’ time I will definitely visit France. There are loose plans at the moment to attend the next World Cup in Brazil, although there is no way I am going to do Russia in 2018 unless I win the lottery.
So to get back to immediate matters, a few self-indulgent reflections on the Euros so far to provide a little reading in these Arsenal-lean times. It should be noted that I have had a pretty busy time over the last couple of weeks and have, on occasion half watched some of the matches and had to catch the highlights of others. This began when I was forced to attend a wedding on the opening day of the tournament. Believe it or not, the bride was Polish! When the Poles were kicking off, we were settling down to the reception. And no sign of a TV anywhere. Madness. I have still enjoyed the tournament though. There has not been a single goalless draw and most of the games have had their fair share of drama.
Group A. A genuine shock, this one. Who could have predicted that both hosts Poland and Russia would have exited. I had to have a chuckle that Tomas Rosicky picked up an injury. Whether or not he will be fit for the quarter final time will tell. But having beaten Poland, it looks like the Czechs can probably manage without him. I can actually see them beating Portugal and making the last four. As for Greece, I am forever haunted by the manner in which they won the Euros eight years ago, and frankly I do not see a lot of difference this time around. They qualified with just four points and surely Germany will overcome them. For the good of the tournament it must be hoped so, as they have provided little in the way of excitement in their play. The Russians started like a house on fire, but provided proof positive that the first match is exactly that. It is possible to lose it and still go on and win the tournament. It has happened before. Holland lost their opener – to Russia – in 1988. In the last World Cup, Switzerland beat Spain in their first group game. Andrey Arshavin symbolized his team. Good initially, but ran out of steam. They were much better four years ago.
Group B – What can you say about Holland? Simply this. If Robin van Persie had his shooting boots on, they could have ended up with at least six points. They did enough, but failed to take their chances. So in the end, they imploded. Germany look like the class act everyone thought they were going to be and for my money have been the best team so far. It would be a surprise if they did not win the trophy, with realistically only Spain likely to be able to beat them. Which is exactly what they have done over the last two major finals, so I think it will go the other way this time. What I find strange is that I do not dislike the Germany team anymore. I used the find them a loathsome bunch of arrogant individuals. Now, I don’t. Additionally, their style of play is easy on the eye. It is reminiscent of Premier League football in some respects, but for some reason, seems more effective. In a way, this might be what an Arsenal team devised jointly between Arsene Wenger and George Graham might play like. Schweinsteiger is such a good player. So tidy, so effective. Arsenal should break the bank to sign him. They won’t. Perhaps, one day, handled correctly, Jack Wilshere may develop into a player of similar stature. But to have them both in the same midfield would be the stuff of fantasy. Compare Alex Song with either Schweinsteiger and Khedeira and you can see where the team are falling short. I’m relieved Denmark did not go through. They are honest but uninspiring. Portugal are a two man team, but when Ronaldo and Nani are both on song, they can deliver victory. Their matches do tend to be dramatic for some reason, so I am glad they have progressed even though I would have been happy for the Dutch soap opera to continue. I lost count of the number of attackers they had on the pitch in the second half of their game with Portugal.
Group C concludes this evening. Italy should beat Ireland who have been exposed a bit at this level. Trappatoni achieved wonders to get the team to the finals, but for these players, it has been a step too far. And comparing their importance to their club sides, and the profile of their club sides, the odds they face are much greater then they were in the past. But if Croatia and Spain draw, Italy may need to win by three clear goals to qualify. So there is still tension in both games, as there has been in every other final group game so far. I actually have a feeling Croatia might beat Spain this evening and knock the holders out. It has been a tournament full of surprises, so we may not be done yet.
As for England’s group, what can you say? France are looking more like their old selves, albeit with a number of fresh faces. Laurent Blanc has got rid of the hangover that was Raymond Domanech, lest we forget a man who did not pick Robert Pires for astrological reasons. England have provided entertainment aplenty. They should beat Ukraine – even on home soil - but that means nothing. Anything could happen. Theo proved why he is always best as an impact sub against Sweden and then promptly got injured. There is the player in a nutshell. The addition of Rooney will mix things up a bit, but he may not have time to play himself into the tournament before he is boarding the plane home. I will be honest and say I am glad I am not an England fan in the Ukraine attending tomorrow’s match. Lose and you will experience that familiar depressed feeling. Win and you will probably be returning to your hotel via a casualty department. Not good at all. I hope the police offer some protection to travelling fans in the event of the host country going out, but I am not optimistic.
To finish, watching from an armchair, a word on the punditry. BBC – thorough, occasionally enlightening, but in spite of that, fairly dull. It does look like they have opted to save money by not going for a studio out there and having their main men watching things on a screen in Manchester. Will they do the same in sunny France in four years’ time? No chance. Fact is the senior executives didn’t fancy eastern Europe as much as they did Cape Town two years ago. On such whims are decisions made on how licence payers’ money is spent. ITV are out there though, and have the two star turns in my book. Gordon Strachan has always been a comedian and Roy Keane is such a miserable sod you just can’t help love him for the fact he is only there for the money and makes no attempt to disguise his contempt. Still, it’s all swings and roundabouts. Yin and yang. Who in the name of God ever decided to give Gareth Southgate and Andy Townsend employment? The other thing about ITV is that they have so little time to analyse anything due to their adverts that there really is no reason to have three pundits in the studio. Ditch Southgate and let’s enjoy a Keane-Strachan double act. One final thought. Does Gary Neville’s role in the England set up mean his days of working for Sky are over? A shame if it does, but there is really no reason he can’t do both.
