Euro 2012 - The Story So Far

And so, fresh from the final whistles in the final group stage matches, here is my summary of what I've seen in the tournament so far. One thing I will point out that this has been a very attacking tournament so far, with the statistic of there being no goalless draws in the group stages for the first time since 1988, and the first (and last) in the 16 team format - we're up to 24 teams for the 2016 edition.



Group A
When Poland scored the first goal of the tournament, it looked like a fairy tale was under way. Only for those pesky Greeks to spoil the fun with an equaliser to deny Poland a first ever Euro finals victory. Then of course, there was the incredibly harsh Greek sending off, and the entirely deserved Polish keeper red card that almost cost the game completely. Then, later on, the Russians tore the Czechs apart in a surprisingly one-sided match.

Second time around, the Czech Republic looked on course to give the Greeks a battering with two goals in the opening 6 minutes, only for Petr Cech to gift a goal to Greece and make it interesting. Elsewhere, after the Polish fans attacked their Russian counterparts on the streets, the football team gave a brave, almost heroic display to take a point of their highly fancied Russian opponents.
To the final round of games, then. To increase the anxiety and spectacle of the event, both games were played simultaneously as is the norm these days. The Czechs had to overcome the co-hosts to secure a quarter-final place, Russia just had to avoid defeat, Poland had to win, and even the Greeks could sneak through with a win and other results going their way! Cue a workman-like win for the Czech Republic and a total shock result that saw Greece beat Russia.
So, Czech Republic and unfancied Greece through at the expense of the plucky co-hosts Poland and much fancied Russia!


Group B
Ah, yes. The Group of Death. Three previous champions and Portugal. The Danes were perceived as the weaker of the four, but all did not go according to plan. Another shock was the Denmark win over the World Cup finalists, Holland. Germany meanwhile, well they won a scrappy affair to beat the disappointingly tame Portuguese.
To follow that, Portugal took on Denmark knowing a defeat would actually knock them out. When a comfortable two goal lead was wiped out by Nicklas Bendtner and his sponsored undies, they looked ropey, but a last gasp winner spared their blushes. Germany then proceeded to beat the once-more-disappointing Dutch to all but secure a quarter-final spot.
In the final games, the Germans produced a steady performance to end Danish qualification hopes, meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo finally turned up to the party with two goals to send the Dutch home without a point to their name.
Quarter-final places for Germany and Portugal, but Denmark and Holland succumb to the Group of Death.


Group C
Another tough group saw the Spanish footballing dynasty matched with perennial Jekyll & Hyders Italy, and the more-than-capable Croatia. And The Republic of Ireland. Unfortunately for the Irish, they appeared not to wake up until five minutes into each half. By which time they'd conceded goals, and ultimately lost out to Croatia 3-1. Spain then took on Italy without a recognised striker. That game ended in a 1-1 draw, and Torres came on to squander some good chances.

The Italians then contrived to lose a goal lead to draw with Croatia. The Irish once again forgot to turn up for the first five minutes allowing Torres to score a goal. There was no way back as they were chasing shadows for ninety minutes in a 4-0 hammering.
Excitement and permutations abound in the final round of games. Italy had to win. Spain needed to at least draw. A 2-2 draw between Spain and Croatia would render any Italy result irrelevant. As it turned out, Italy huffed and puffed past a more spirited Ireland, and a late late goal helped a below-par Spain knock out Croatia.
Spain through as group winners, Italy joining them. The unfortunate Croatia and pluck Irish on the plane home.


Group D
Yes. Our beloved England. Expectations were low. Then they took the lead against France. A nation celebrated. For ten minutes. Pegged back by the French, England ended up with a useful point. The other co-hosts, Ukraine came back to beat Sweden thanks to two goals from the Ukrainian National Hero, Andriy Shevchenko. Expect a statue of the man to turn up in Kiev before too long!

In Donetsk, the weather threatened to give the organisers an unexpected headache by holding up play between Ukraine and France for almost an hour due to a quite spectacular lightning storm. France coped better and came away with a 2-0 win. England then took on Sweden, delayed by fifteen minutes to ensure no overlap with the earlier game. An Andy Carroll header gave England the lead they desperately needed. Then typical England gifted the Swedes two goals from set pieces, giving all fans the obligatory heart-attack. Thankfully, Walcott and Welbeck spared our blushes to hand England a nerve-shredding 3-2 win.
Which brings us to tonights shenanigans. Co-hosts Ukraine had to win to go through, England needed only a draw. France had to hope England didn't lose. Sweden were already out.
The returning Rooney headed in from 2 millimetres to ultimately win the game, and the Ukrainians had their own goal-line technology moment as John Terry cleared the ball away from behind the line (although repeated replays showed there to be a Ukraine player offside at the beginning of the incident. The French then lost rather surprisingly to Sweden in the other game.
England through as group winners. A nation now reaches fever pitch (especially having avoided a quarter-final with Spain). France through as runners-up. Sweden and Ukraine eliminated.


There it is. Now a day off before the Quarter Finals get under way. What the hell are we going to do with ourselves??!


But we have these games to look forward to:


Czech Republic vs Portugal
Germany vs Greece
Spain vs France
England vs Italy.

Monday Mix-Tape - 18.06.2012

And so, the time has come round again, quicker than you can say "Summer's here" - It's Monday Mix-tape time.



With the summer theme in mind, this current summer in particular being a bit crappy weather-wise at the moment, I've gone for a collection of feel-good tunes to help get you going on a drab, grey, drizzly monday morning. So iTunes or other mp3 purchasing website, eyes down, here we go....


1) Town Called Malice - The Jam
Bouncy bass-line from the Modfather's first incarnation!


2) Wake Up Boo - The Boo Radleys

Guitar pop from mid-90's!


3) Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves

Super summery cheese anthem!


4) Guiding Star - Cast

It's all in the opening refrain - Get up!


5) Disco 2000 - Pulp

Excellent sing-along song for the car journey!


6) Alright - Supergrass

Fantastic summer tune!


7) Baggy Trousers - Madness

Cheeky Ska!


8) Burning Love - Elvis Presley

The King with a swagger!


9) I'm A Believer - The Monkees

Manufactured sing-along anthem!


10) Everybody Needs Somebody To Love- The Blues Brothers

Film soundtrack soul sing-along!


So, there you go. With these in hand, you should be able to get through any dreary Monday morning. Until next time...

Monday Mix-Tape - 11.06.2012

Yes, it's that time of week again. Time to warm up your Ipod or other branded mp3 player for the latest offering of musical delights. With the European Championships underway in Poland and Ukraine, unsurprisingly, I've gone for a football theme...



1) World In Motion - New Order
England's song performed with one of Manchester's finest and written by cheeky Keith Allen!


2) Vindaloo - Fat Les

Unofficial footy song for the 1998 World Cup, featuring Keith Allen (again) and his celeb mates!


3) Three Lions - Baddiel, Skinner and The Lightning Seeds

From when Football came home in 1996!


4) Anfield Rap - Liverpool FC

My first experience of that now long-dead tradition of the 'Cup Final Song'!


5) Ossie's Dream - Chas & Dave

A cockney knees-up for Spurs in 1981!


6) Back Home - England's 1970 Squad

England players form a slightly wooden choir!


7) Fields of Anfield Road - John Power

Famous Liverpool song found during my recent Cast revival!


8) You'll Never Walk Alone - Gerry & The Pacemakers

Chirpy Merseybeat band release song that got adopted as a world-renowned anthem!


9) Catch Us If You Can - Dave Clark Five

More sixties pop used as a run-out by Shrewsbury Town FC!


10) Nessun Dorma - Pavarotti

Slice of opera used as BBC theme for Italia '90!


There you are my faithful followers and readers. Go get them!!

All-time European Championships Winners Team

As with any major tournament, the build up centres around the big players and how they will affect their teams chances. Also, many people join in the fun and games that is 'Fantasy Football'. Somehow, somebody decides the imaginary value of all the players and then leaves it to people like you and me to pick a team of eleven players whilst keeping below a set spending limit (usually either £50m or £100m).


That's all well and good, but I decided to try and put together an All-time Winners team comprising eleven players and seven substitutes. I fully expect people to disagree with me, and welcome any challenge, but here goes:


1 Peter Schmeichel - Denmark (1992)
The man-monolith that helped the Danes to an unlikely victory 
2 Lilian Thuram - France (2000)
Classy right back who could score from time to time
3 Paul Breitner - West Germany (1972)
Legendary left back played key part in rosy period for Germans
4 Ronald Koeman - Holland (1988)
Forget the time he robbed England of World Cup qualification in 1993. He was solid
5 Matthias Sammer - Germany (1996)
Ginger haired defensive stalwart
6 Andres Iniesta - Spain (2008)
Possibly the best Spanish midfielder of a generation
7 Zinedine Zidane - France (2000)
Hard to believe a player of this calibre only won the tournament once. Simply mesmerising
8 Antonin Panenka - Czechoslovakia (1976)
Winning penalty taker for the Czechs, cool player in normal play too.
11 Sandro Mazzola - Italy (1968) 
Italian class
9 Marco Van Basten - Holland (1988)
Dutch maestro and scorer of THAT goal in the final
10 Gerd Muller - West Germany (1972)
West German goal machine


Subs:
13 Lev Yashin - USSR (1960)
Iconic Soviet keeper won the very first tournament
12 Franz Beckenbauer - West Germany (1972)

Der Kaiser. Enough said.
14 Michel Platini - France (1984)
Another French icon, famous for his goal in '84 and now big boss man at UEFA.
15 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge - West Germany (1980)
Yet another West German representative, helped his nation to second victory
16 Ruud Gullit - Holland (1988)
Big hair, big man for the Dutch. Scored a not-so-famous goal in the final
17 Patrick Battiston - France (1984)
Part of the French midfield that tasted victory on home soil
18 Patrick Vieira - France (2000)
The steel in French midfield as France added Euro glory to their World crown


Now, how much money would I need for these lot??

Monday Mix-Tape - 04.06.2012

It's that time of week again!

As a certain somebody is celebrating a jaw-dropping 60 years on the throne, this week my selections have a 'royal' theme...

1) God Save The Queen - The Sex Pistols
The original anti-anthem!

2) Dancing Queen - Abba
Swedish pop with a royal twist!

3) Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
Freddie et al rock out!

4) Half The World Away - Oasis
Theme tune for the other Royle Family!

5) Jubilee - Blur
The title says it all!

6) Diamonds Are Forever - Shirley Bassey
It's Bond, but it's got Diamonds in it!

7) Prince Charming - Adam And The Ants
A royal stomp!

8) The Queen Is Dead - The Smiths
Oh no she isn't!

9) Elizabeth My Dear - The Stone Roses
Seems they don't like her either!

10) Her Majesty - The Beatles
Short and sweet!

Enjoy these and come back next week for more Monday Mix-Tape!