Portuguese Let-Down and Other Updates

As predicted, the Portuguese defence proved to be their bane as they fall to a German team usually inept in the offensive department. They failed to outscore how much they (would always) concede and have paid the price for it.

The Spain-Italy encounter looks very similar to this. The Italians are as methodological as the Germans in their approach to tournaments, while the Spanish are brilliant going forward and as abysmal as the Portuguese in defending. If this Spanish armada is sunk, it will be a massive blow to the tournament, since the remaining teams lack the flair and excitement both the Portuguese and Spanish can provide.

What about the Dutch you say? Well they are efficient and no doubt a brilliant team, but not as exciting and flambouyant as their more exotic counterparts. Russia should be a breeze, setting up a mouth-watering clash with Spain.

If things were straight-forward, the semi-finals will see Croatia reunited with Germany after disposing of the dirty Turks with the Germans looking to set right their early group game defeat; while Spain will dispatch the underseving Italians which will see them match up against the Netherlands.

I am silently rooting for Spain in this tournament, and I hope their defence will hold up to the Orange Army.

Allow Me Biasness...A One-off Ramble

I may sound like a racist bastard here, but the Turks were certainly undeserving, stinking and largely annoying in the second round Group A match against hosts Switzerland. Hakan Ya-kin was perhaps too bothered about playing against his kin to finish numerous chances that came his way. Even his goal was one whose celebrations were muted, so much for naturalizing citizenship.

Portugal has announced their intentions with two wins in the first two group stage matches. Their defending though, leaves more to be desired. They will have to score more than they will probably concede in the later stages if they want to live up to their pre-tournament billing as favourites; or maybe, just defend better.

Spain has started off brightly but they too share the same problem as the Portuguese. Coupled with their standard self-destruction that we have so often seen in past tournaments, it would be risky to back them all the way. One potential saving grace is the fact that political animal Raul is not in the squad, and Spain is finally playing and behaving like a team on high spirits.

The German machine seems all at home in the tournament hosted by the Swiss and Austrians, and produce yet another methodological victory. They were efficient, but not brilliant. Should be enough to see them into the semis.

The Netherlands are on a high after a not-so-fluke 3-0 win over world champions Italy. If I were forced to choose a team that gave the best balanced performance, it would be them. They will probably see Spain in the semi-finals if all goes as plan. From then on, may the team more endowed with ability and luck go through.

So you heard it here first, the not so surprising predictions of a Portugal-Germany, Spain-Netherlands semi-final. To stick my neck out further, I see a Portugal-Spain final. Oh yes and one more thing, expect to see Greece get creamed in the group stages, to my delight.

Melvin out...