Diary of Timothy Henryhttp://button.rediffiland.com/Diary of Timothy Henryen-usMy Euro 2008 review.....Wow. What a tournament. One should have to admit Euro' 08 was far better than Euro '04. The best part was that, for a neutral this was a great tournament because most teams played beautiful attacking football and not the defensive type that has been adapted by many teams(Rangers, Chelsea,etc) over the years.

In the end, Spain were deserved winners. This must be some relief for the Spanish fans who were getting used to seeing Spain play brilliant football during the group stages of every major tournament and then going out at the first knock-out round. Even the players were getting used to that I think. Anyway, this time around they made it. You have to admit that they were the best team and it's good to know that the best team won it. Stats don't lie. Spain scored more goals than anyone, they had more shots on target and had the highest passing percentage (81%) than anyone. The good thing for Spain is that this is a very young squad(most players would be retained for the World Cup 2010). So you can expect wonders from them.

Let's take a look at the winners and losers of Euro 2008:


WINNERS:

Spain, Champions : As I said earlier, Spain were deserved winners. Their quick passing one-touch football was too good. Spain have always produced brilliant individuals over the past years but have never made it as a team. To win a major tournament after 44 years would be a welcome boost for the country. But I hope they stop making it a habit of beating Italy (They've done it twice this year).

Fernando Torres : I had said in my preview that I would like to see Fernando Torres score a couple of hat-tricks. Well, he didn't do that but he scored a wonderful goal in the final against Germany, which proved to be the decisive one. It was a pure striker's goal. After a great season with Liverpool he has lived up to his name. Things can only get better for Torres.

Andrei Arshavin : He is the find of the tournament. He missed the first two matches due to suspension but he was brilliant against Sweden and Netherlands. I was disappointed that he wasn't at his best against Spain. But, this guy is a star for the future. Already Barca, Arsenal and a few other big clubs are trying to sign him. The future surely looks bright for Arshavin.

Russia, Semifinalists : The team that knocked out pre quarter-final favorites Netherlands, showed us how the game should be played(not talking about the semi-finals). Russia adapted a fast attacking style of football, something which England should try to do. They had two brilliant full-backs in Yuri Zhirkov and Anyukov. Arshavin was magnificent as a playmaker. And Roman Pavlyuchenko played the lone striker role very well.

Turkey, Semifinalists : It's amazing how a team can keep coming back again and again. That's exactly what Turkey did. Even in the semi final against Germany they almost pushed it to extra-time. It was a shame they didn't have the full squad available for the match against the Germans. But they had received too much yellow cards to deserve that.

David Villa : To score four goals and come back with the Golden Boot did Villa's reputation no harm. It was unfortunate that he wasn't able to play in the final, but Torres more than made up for that.

Luka Modric : Tottenham have found a gem in Luka Modric. The way he passes the ball is similar to Andrea Pirlo : Brilliant. It was very unfortunate that he missed a spot kick in the shoot out against Turkey. Croatia too can be proud of themselves. They played some superb football in the group stages and then did a Spain in the quarter-final. That equaliser by Semih will haunt them forever.

Daniele De Rossi : He earns a place in the Winners list courtesy of his commanding display against France in the 2-0 victory and due to the fact that he is one of my favorite players. He was solid against Spain too but went from hero to zero by not converting in the shoot-out. But, that's what shoot-outs are : a lottery. Italy, as a whole, didn't play as I would have expected them to. But, Who Cares?? They beat France. That was all I needed. Talking about De Rossi, he definitely has a bright future ahead of him.

Pepe : He was brilliant as a CB. It would have been nice for Portugal if a player better than Ricardo Carvalho had been the other CB. The good thing with Pepe was that he was good coming forward too. His goal against Turkey was really awesome.

Yuri Zhirkov : Special mention has to be given to Yuri Zhirkov, who was the best Left-Back of the tournament (don't even think about Phillip Lahm). His run to set up Arshavin's goal against Sweden was first-class. Sometimes you tend to forget that this guy is a Left-Back.

Wesley Sneijder : This chap was Netherlands's player of the tournament. His goals against Italy and France were great (Any goal scored against France is great).


LOSERS:

France : They did exactly what I wanted them to do : Leave the tournament as soon as possible. Their game against Romania was the most boring game of the tournament. Domenech's decision to play Eric Abidal as Center-back in the game against Italy was as stupid as Thiery Henry stretching his leg out to help De Rossi score. They were the worst team in the tournament and Domenech was the worst coach of the tournament.

Adrian Mutu : Well, the poor chap missed that crucial spot kick against Italy. He will have sleepless nights due to that. So he ends up in the Loser's list.

Petr Cech : He is considered by many as one of the best goal-keepers in the world. But his mistake against Turkey will make Fabien Barthez look like Dino Zoff.

Luca Toni : I hate to admit it, but Toni didn't look like the guy who had tormented every defender in the German Bundesliga. He wasted too many chances against France (It would have been great had it been 5-0 or 6-0). But his goal against Romania was outrageously ruled off-side.

Netherlands : After playing amazing football in the group stage matches they did something that Spain normally does : They Choked. Their approach against Italy and France were wonderful. But, against Russia they were never well settled. The good thing for them is that, just like Spain, this is a very young squad and they can look forward to the next WC in a positive manner.

Greece : I had said in my preview that I would be happy if Greece never had a shot on target. Well, they came close in the first two matches. This result proves that Greece's '04 victory was a mere fluke. Now I hope that they don't qualify for the next Euro.

Sweden : This is a team that never excites anyone and they didn't disappoint this time.

Michael Ballack : There is no second best in football. You are either a winner or a loser. And for the 352nd time in his life Ballack has lost in a final.



My Team of the Tournament :

GK : Buffon(Italy)/ Casillas(Spain)
Def : Anyukov(Russia), Pepe(Portugal), Chiellini(Italy), Zhirkov(Russia)
Mid : Senna(Spain), Sneijder(Net.), Modric(Croatia), Arshavin(Russia)
Att : Pavlyuchenko(Russia), Torres(Spain)

]]>Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:17:55 +0530http://button.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/07/02/My-Euro-2008-review.htmlMy Euro 2008 preview.....

Hey everyone. I am out here after a pretty long and well deserved break.(I'll make up for it don't worry. I've got my Preview of F1 season 2008 coming up).


Ok then. What have we got here. One heck of a tournament coming up. Tat's what we've got . Yes, I am talking about the Euro championship this summer. It's gonna be a cracking one, although we don't have England in it. Or maybe that's the reason why it's gonna be good. Whatever...


By the way, I am not keeping numb on who I will cheer for this Euro Championship(or for that matter any Euro Championship). Saw that picture over there. That's the team who's gonna walk away with the trophy(the winner's trophy ,of course). Yes, I am talking about the AZZURI. The best team in the world. The most cohesive team in the world. The team which is gonna kick France out of the tournament with 17,573-0 victory in the group stage.


Ya, and did you see those guys with then No.9 and No.11 jerseys(in the pic,dude). Those guys are gonna walk away with the Golden Boot (joint,of course). If you can't make them out(you shouldn't be here, if so), they are Luca Toni and Alberto Gilardino. Italy are gonna win this hands down.


Ok. Enough of my stupid little talk there(I really meant Italy are gonna win, though). Let's take a look at the different Groups this time.


Group A: Czech-Republic, Portugal, Switzerland and Turkey.


We can call this Group Stupid for two reasons: 1) Cristiano Ronaldo(the whinner,the winker,the loser,the guy with the stupid hair-style, whatever...) and 2) Tomas Rosicky(ditto C.Ronaldo). On a more serious note though, this can be a little tricky group. My favorites to go through would be The Czechs and Portugal. But don't count out The Swiss and Turkey. Especially the Swiss, they've got Barnetta and someother good guys over there and,of course, the whole country will be there to cheer them. Anyway, I just hope that Marek Jankulovski, Maniche, Barnetta, Tuncay(he's Turkish right?), Helder Postiga will shine. You know why? Coz they are some of my favorites.


Players to watch out for: Marek Jankulovski, Maniche, Barnetta, Helder Postiga, Tuncay, Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky, Cristiano Ronaldo(yeah,he can play well too,remember),Quaresma, Nani.....



Group B: Austria, Croatia, Germany and Poland


Group Boring. You don't need to be into rocket science to know that Germany and Croatia will cruise through to the Quarters. Austria and Poland are there to just make up the nos. Austria qualifies as hosts. Million dollar question : How the hell did Poland make it????


Anyway,Players to watch out for: Miroslav Klose, Bastian Swienstager(I don't know whether this spelling is right. I don't care too.What funny names these Germans come up with?),Michael Ballack, Phillip Lahm, Nico Krancjar, Kovac,....



Group C: France, Italy, Netherlands and Romania


This is most definitely the "Ultimate Group of Death" . I mean, Italy, Holland and Romania in the same group .Awesome football to look forward to. Forget about France. They are going nowhere.(ya,I hate them. So what?). I would be really pissed if France make it though. Italy and the Dutch would be my choice. Forecast for the azuuri's games. Italy-Holland(2-1). Italy- Romania(2-0). Italy-France(17,573-0). Holland should be pretty strong with guys like Wesley Shneider, Van Persie, Van Nistelrooy, Van This, Van That around. Romania will be no slouch though. They've got Adrian Mutu , which is a big plus(the guy has got 13 goals in Serie A this season already)


Players to watch out for: The WHOLE ITALIAN SQUAD, Wesley Schneider, Adrian Mutu, the various Vans from Holland, and nobody from France.



Group D: Greece, Russia, Spain and Sweden


Two things I would like to happen. 1) Fernando Torres(El Nino, the kid....his nickname) scores a couple of hat-tricks. 2) The Greeks will never get a shot on goal. I can't believe those guys are actually the reigning Champs of Europe. Acutally,on a veree(tat's supossed to be "very", streched) serious note, this group would be as tricky as C.Ronaldo(you just never know when he's gonna dive, do ya?). Spain would be Numero uno favorites to pass through. Sweden are veree(there I go again) good and so are Russia(the cool chaps who knocked England out). Greece will try too. By the way, recently, Paolo Maldini has tipped Spanish Right-Back Sergio Ramos to become the best defender in the world as he gains experience. You can't doubt that, can you? The guy is a legend man(Maldini, of course). Ya, and if you didn't know, Russia is being coached by Guus Hiddink.(I hate this guy, but have to admit he's damn good.)


Players to watch out for: Fernando Torres, Sergio Ramos, David Villa, Mellberg(the Swede), Larson, Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Roman Pavlyuchenko.



Ok, then. I think I have done my job pretty well. Just hope all the players involved will do their jobs and give us a football fiesta to enjoy and give the Azzuri their second European Championship.



Ok. To Football. To Goals. To Azzuri. To Tifosi. To ...........whatever I just don know how to end this blog. I think I'll just say bye. Ya, that's what I am gonna do. I'll just say bye. Bye.





]]>Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:36:21 +0530http://button.rediffiland.com/blogs/2008/01/29/My-Euro-2008-preview-.htmlFinally Jenson............All you F1 fans would have seen that bizzare sight of Jenson Button lifting the winner's trophy two weeks back at Budapest. That was by far the best Hungarian GP ever.

That first win had taken 6 1/2 years of midfield running . Not that he will continue to win ,though. Honda are not good enough to do just that. It may all change next year though.

Meanwhile Schumi had a great chance to close in on Alonso in the championship and Alonso had a great chance of finishing off Schumi's title fight too. One would feel Schumi was the loser there as he retired just three laps from the end and could have finished fourth or somthing had he taken it easy. But that's the way it is in F1. As a result the title race is wide open with five to go. I hope Schumi wins this year and kicks Alonso's butt.

By the way, Jacques Villeneuve was recently heared blasting Schu ......Hmmmm, How many times do we have to hear that pathetic loud mouth go off for no reson at all. F1 doesn't need an arse like him.

JENSE FOR WINS IN 2007


]]>Sat, 19 Aug 2006 16:08:04 +0530http://button.rediffiland.com/blogs/2006/08/19/Finally.html