Euro 2008 review

Euro 2008 - Return of the beautiful game.

One who has seen only the final match of Euro 2008 between Spain and Germany could be forgiven for thinking that the above title is a misnomer.
Spain has won this tournament defeating the Germans who put up an insipid show in the final.
We take a look back at this tournament and we will frame the dream team for this tournament.
Croatia started the tournament with a win over Austria 1-0. The eye catching player was the playmaker Luka Modric. Excellent in possession, Modric is a creative player. Other croatian players also created a reputation for themselves, mainly Pranjic who plays in left back position.
The other team in the group was Germany. Germany made a good start with a 2-0 win over Poland. Lukas Podolski caught the eye and was excellent.
Croatia vs. Germany was a big match and Croatia won this encounter 2-1 exposing the weakness of the German team when vying with technically superior team.
Germany had to earn a draw against Austria and they showed their effectiveness with a 1-0 win thanks to a marvellous strike by German captain Michael Ballack.
Croatia and Germany entered the quarter finals with Croatia winning all their 3 encounters.
Portugal, Turkey, Czech Republic and Switzerland comprised one group.
Portugal started in a grand fashion beating Turkey 2-0 and Czech Republic managed to beat Switzerland 2-1. Switzerland undesrvedly lost the match. Cristiano Ronaldo impressed and Portugal's slick passing moves impressed one and all. Cristiano Ronaldo stole the limelight when Portugal beat Czech Republic 3-1. Another player who impressed was Deco. He was in his creative best.
Turkey won against Switzerland and everything was set for a great contest between Turkey and Czech Republic-the winner will go through to the quarter final stage.
Czech Republic went up 2-0 in the match and 15 minutes from the end the turks showed their belligerence to script one of the greatest comebacks in european tournament history. Arda Turan pulled one back and Nihat Kahveci took advantage of mistake by Petr Cech to make the score 2-2. It was set for a penalty shootout. But the climax was still to arrive. Altintop set up Nihat who finished with aplomb to complete the fairy tale comeback. Turkey qualified for the Quarter Finals.
Spain, Russia,Sweden,defending champions Greece comprised another group.
Spain signalled of the things to come as they started their campaign in stylish fashion defeating Russia 4-1. David Villa struck a superb hattrick. So much talent was at Spain's disposal that Cesc Fabregas, English Premier Lague's best central midfielder came on as a substitute. Greece was defeated by Sweden 2-0. Zlatan Ibrahmovic struck a superb goal. Spain won the subsequent matches against Sweden and Greece. Such was the Spanish strength and depth that they defeated Greece and completed their misery with a 2-1 win playing mostly with reserves. Russia's star player Andrei Arshavin who had been suspended for games against Spain and Greece came back for the decider against Sweden. Russia defeated Sweden 2-0 and Russia was a completely different team. Their counterattacks were carried out with dazzling speed and ruthless eficiency. Spain and Russia qualified for the last eight.
Finally the group of death - World Cup winner Italy, World Cup runner France, Holland and Romania. The encounter between Holland and Italy threw up a surprise result as Holland beat Italy 3-0. What impressed everybody about the Dutch was their ability to counterattack at a quick pace. Italy uncharacteristically conceded 3 goals and their defence looked sub-par. France got off to a dim start as well drawing with Romania 0-0. The next game was Holland vs. Italy and this provided one of the matches of the tournament. Holland took the lead through 1-0 and then the football audience one of the most spectacular counterattack displays. Holland went ahead furthur through some enterprising play to lead 2-0. France came back through Thierry Henry to 2-1 but then Holland scored 2 goals more through the brilliant individual efforts of Robben and Sneijder. Italy drew with Romania 1-1 thanks to the brilliant penalty save by Gianluigi Buffon. In the final group game Italy won vs. France courtesy a penalty by Andrea Pirlo. Italy qualified along with Holland who won the final group game 2-0 against Romania. Holland was looking ominous but Italy was set to miss Andrea Pirlo because of his inane actions.

Quarter Finals
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Croatia vs. Turkey
Holland vs. Russia
Spain vs. Italy
Germany vs. Portugal

Germany vs. Portugal
Portugal was the Favourite to win the match and Cristiano Ronaldo was expected to steal the show. Cristiano Ronaldo did shine in patches but it was the revitalised Bastian Schweinsteiger who took centrestage. He scored the first goal for Germany and provided two furthur assists in 3-2 win for Germany. This brought to an end Portugal's campaign where they promised so much and delivered far less. This also was the last match for Portuguese coach Luiz Felipe Scolari who have done a commendable job of putting Portugal back to the map of World football.
Holland vs. Russia
This promised to be a spectacle as Holland took on a rejuvenated Russia. Russia started to dominate the game gradually and was the better team in the first half as the half ended 0-0. Holland also went close a couple of times in the half but Russia was the dominating team. In the second half Russia took the lead through Pavlyuchenko. Holland tried to comeback into the game while Russia continued to play the pressing game. Russia looked dangerous in counter attacks. Ultimately Holland equalised through Van Nistelrooy 1-1. The match went to extra time. Russia dominated Holland in the extra time and this culminated in couple of goals. Andrei Arshavin was heavily involved creating one and scoring another. Russia won 3-1. Holland once again faltered in a big tournament. Their midfield simply lacked the ability to play against the Russian midfield where the pair of Zyryanov and Semak was excellent in winning the ball and keeping the possession.
Spain vs. Italy
This game was always going to be a cat and mouse game. Italy tried to score goal through counter attack and really lacked belief when it came to taking hold of the game. Spain on the contrast tried to create chances but did not look dangerous. After Cesc Fabregas came on, Spain looked more enterprising but the Italian defence was impregnable. The match went to penalties and Spain won 4-2. Spanish goalkeeper Casillas proved to be the hero as he saved two penalties. Spain was ready to go all the way now.
Croatia vs. Turkey
Throughout the Tournament the Turkish team provided drama. They had last minute wins against host Switzerland and Czech Republic including the great comeback and this time it was going to be no different. Croatia played a better game of football, Luka Modric being the main inspiration. The game went to extra time only because Croatians contrived to miss some great chances. Ivan Klasnic came on as a substitue for the croats and scored for them in 119th minute. Surely Croatia has won. But No! Semih scored for Turkey with the last touch of the game in the 122nd minute. What drama! This was a psychological blow for Croatia and Croatia went on to lose the match in penalties. Rustuc Recber was the hero for the Turks. Croatia was left to rue the missed chances.

Semi-finals
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Germany vs. Turkey
Russia vs. Spain

Russia vs. Spain
No one presaged that Russia will be in the semifinals before the start of this tournament and no one dared to portend the Russia will be trounced by Spain by the same margin again. Spain took the initiative in this match and after 32 minutes they lost David Villa through injury. This proved to be a blessing in disguise for Spain. Cesc Fabregas came on and Spain started to play a five man midfield. An injury brought about a tactical change which tilted the scales in favour of the spaniards. Spain was keeping good possession and Russia failed to match up to Spain's quality passing. In the second half Xavi passed to Iniesta who put in a flat cross in the box. Xavi, who continued his run finished it off. Spain took the lead. After that it was all Spain. Spain scored two more goals through Daniel Guiza and David Silva, the goals being created by the excellent Fabregas. Spain won 3-0. David Villa was set to miss the final unfortunately.

Germany vs. Turkey
Turkey was the most exciting side in the tournament and they provided the most exciting encounters.This proved to be a clash of the two most fighting sides in the tournament. Turkey missed key players like Nihat,Turan and a number of other first team players. But Turkey played to everyone's amazement better and enterprising football and took the lead deservedly. But the germans first equalised through Schweinsteiger to equalise and then Klose took advantage of Rustuc's mistake to give germans the lead. After the first half the Turks continued to play good football and were rewarded in the 86th minute when Semih provided a cheeky finish to level the scores. But unfortunately this was not going to be another fairytale comeback. Philip Lahm scored in the final minute to give the germans an undeserved 3-2 victory. It seemed as if the Turks' luck have finally run out. This tournament would have generated much less excitement but for Turkey.

Final
Spain vs. Germany

Past records said that Germany would win because of their immense mental strength and Spain would lose because of the lack of it. But any logical person would suggest Spain as the favourite. And so it happened. Spain did not take much time to control the proceedings. Fabregas started a move down the right channel and a dangerous cross came in which Torres headed to the post. The signs were ominous. In the 33rd minute Xavi displayed good vision to place a fine pass and Torres scored. The persevering striker showed good strength to go around Lahm and then finished with consummate poise. Spain held on for the rest of the first half. In the second half, things did not get any better for the germans. Near the hour mark, German striker Kuranyi was brought in and the game changed. Suddenly the germans looked dangerous. But Spanish coach Luis Aragones responded with another smart substitution. He brought on Xabi Alonso in place of Cesc Fabregas to tighten the midfield. This spelled the German team's doom. Spain created best opportunities but did not add on to their score. The Germans' fighting spirit was not enough to save them. Suave and sublime Spanish football won the day and the best team of the tournament won the Euro 2008 cup.

Best Player
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Xavi Hernandez

Dream Team
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Casillas
Lahm Marchena Puyol Pranjic
SchweinSteiger Xavi Senna Podolski
Sneijder
Villa


Honourable Mentions: Buffon, Modric, Fabregas, Ballack, Iniesta, Altintop,Arshavin,Zyryanov

Epilogue: Euro 2008 saw the return of attacking football. Holland, Turkey, Germany, Russia and of course Spain gave the spectators great memories. We also saw the emergence of wide players who are not traditional wingers in the likes of Arda Turan, David Silva. We also saw the emergence of 4-5-1 being the most used formation. This was a tournament to cherish- a treat to the connoisseurs of football and a relief to all those who timorously predicted the death of enterprising football. The beautiful game has well and truly returned.