Viva Espana - European Champions 2008

A wonderful tournament (well somewhat wonderful if you take out the French performance) came to an end yesterday with the best team walking away with the trophy. Spain defeated the Huns 1-0 on a spectacular goal from Torres. The score line could have been much more severe had Torres' first half header blasted off the post, Lehman had not made a great save on Ramos and Senna had been a few inches taller. Germany never looked likely to win this game, they defended and sat back absorbing the Spanish attacking flair looking to strike on set pieces and counter attacks. As the game progressed it became clear that the only way Germany would steal the trophy would be to get a fluke goal, go to extra time and win in PKs. Fortunately this did not occur and the proper team won the tournament. Spain was the class of the tournament. Their attack was lethal with Villa on top of his game. Senna was a beast showing how a team can play with one holding/defensive midfielder (please note Domenech). They did not concede a goal in the knock out stage demonstrating their solid team defense. So where does Espana go from here? Many will already have them touted as favorites for the World Cup - they are young - Fabregas 21, Villa 26, Ramos 22, Silva 22, and Torres 24 - not a bad core to build on. I think the main question becomes does Senna keep up his high level at 31+ and who is ready to step up to replace him. Spain had everything going for them this tournament, and a strong reason why their offense was so dynamic was they had a pit bull behind them protecting the back 4. Without that player the game will be very different.

Spain has shaken off their moniker of underachievers, they have the talent, the core and the system. But international football world is fickle, it is up to the new manager to find the right system and to continue to build. The future is bright for Espana...hopefully my buddy Jose is breathing a little easier today and for the next few years!

Viva Espana

Germany v Spain for all the European marbles

Tomorrow will be the finals of what has turned out to be a very exciting and wide open Euro. We have had surprises - France's terrible showing, Russia getting to the semifinals, Turkey's last minute victories, to name a few. And now we are down to two - Germany a six time finalist and Spain a 3 time finalist, and what I did not know was that Spain has the 3rd most final appearances behind Germany and Russia....who would have known! What this comes down to is a nation that somehow finds a way to make finals when they do not deserve to - Germany (this Euro and World Cup 2002 to name two) and a nation that has long been labeled an underachiever - Spain.

I realize that Germany was a pre-tournament favorite but as I had stated in the past I thought they were wildly overrated. Even a win over Portugal and a last second victory over the Turks to propel Deutschland into the finals I still think they are punching above their weight class. With a number of players stepping up - Ballack, Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Podolski, and Klose to name a few, Germany has been difficult to defend since they are not reliant upon an individual player. However they have not convinced me, they have beaten teams they should beat - Poland and Austria (although unconvincingly). Lost to teams that exposed their defensive weaknesses - Croatia. Their defeat of Portugal was not convincing for me, I felt the Portugese were the class on the pitch but allowed the Germans to beat them on set pieces. The semi finals against Turkey, Germany ran into a team decimated by injuries and suspensions....and still were played very closely by the Turks. However this is Germany, as was famously stated "we play beautiful football and then Germany wins." So once again the German machine finds itself in a major final. How about Spain?

Espana has always been seen as the perennial underachiever. They came into this tournament with that albatross around their necks, they had arguably the most talent of any nation - when Fabregas does not even start you know you have outrageous talent. They held service, as they do in many tournaments playing the group stages with mouth watering football, making all the pundits dream that this team could finally shake off their demons and advance far in this tournament. I think this year those pundits might finally be right. Spain have found the right formula and I think the main reason for the success - Senna. Espana finally have the holding/defensive midfielder they need to free up their wealth of attacking options. And being able to leverage Fabregas gives them another midfielder who can link up defense and offense. In addition, having a number of key players plying their trade in England, I think they have a toughness otherwise lacking in the Spanish sides of past.

So what does this mean for the finals? I think this will unravel much to script - Germany playing a very rigid and disciplined defensive system while Spain will have the run of the game early. If Ballack cannot play I think Germany will sit back even more and look to hit on the counter. Spain will not have Villa, which will be a minor problem since Fabregas will have to start, not a problem, but will not afford him as a game changing substitute. There will be a tremendous amount of pressure on Lehman, and while he has held his shaky own until now, not sure that trend will continue. I think Senna will frustrate the German midfield and Casillas is the ultimate last curtain of defense. I have picked Spain to win this and I will stick with that pick. Spain have too much talent and are not afraid of being in the finals. If they can play like they did against Italy, do not get frustrated, do not make silly mistakes and bide your time, they can beat Germany. If Spain get frustrated and forget to keep their shape late, they will get burned by the German counter. The Spanish midfield of Xabi, Xavi, Fabregas and Senna will control the German midfield, and Torres and Silva will prove too quick and dangerous for the German defense. If Ballack does not play, I think Germany will be in real trouble. Senna will most likely take Schweinsteiger and try to mark him out of the game, leaving the German midfield without a viable engine. Without an engine not sure Klose or Podolski will have the support they need.

Spain 3 - Germany 1. Espana celebrate their second Euro title and get the monkey off their backs.

Les Bleus - Euro post mortem

I am a beaten man...I am slowly emerging from my deep depression from France's crashing out of the Euros. I am a little happier that both Holland and Italy have since crashed out as well...misery loves company. Rather than go on about the games and how poorly France played let me jump right into overall thoughts:

• Les Bleus never had a system for play. Since France lost the World Cup, the have struggled to discover their system of game. Primarily due to the retirement of a certain Zinedine Zidane, the French system struggled to find itself. With Zizou the system was "simple": play a flat back 4, with two protecting defensive midfielders, two wide midfielders, and zidane sitting behind the lone striker. France looked to play strong defense and either hit teams on the counter or play through Zidane, a player who could control pace of the game, come back to collect the ball, or push forward to be another striker. When Zizou retired, the question becoming who is the next Zizou rather than, what system makes sense for the current French players? Domenech stuck with his favored 4 flat back with 2 defensive midfielders, however when one of those defensive midfielders was Vieira you really had 1 defensive midfielder and 1 "box to box" midfielder. While players such as Toulalan are incredibly talented, he is more of the Makelele mold, not bad, but hard for attacking football. The next issue became how to best leverage Ribery? Out on the flanks? Behind the strikers? High up on the pitch? And what about Malouda, he was not getting regular games for Chelsea so did he deserve his spot on the French team? Or should another player get his chance? What about the strikers? Go with 2 or 1 lone striker? What about Nasri, Ben Arfa, and Rothen? Domenech had 2 years to develop a system, granted he needed to ensure qualification for the Euros, but he needed to figure out what system France would move forward with. Rather than look at the players he had available and determine what system to play with he appeared to be stubborn in his methods. National teams are incredibly difficult to manage, unlike a Wenger, you cannot just go out and acquire a new right back to fit your system. Instead you need to take inventory of your players and determine what system works best. France's glory days came when they built a system around the talent - the 50s around the genius of Kopa, in the 80s a system built around a power house midfield led by Platini, and the most recent side built around a strong back 4, 3 defensive/holding midfielders (Deschamps, Karembau, and Petit) Zidane running the show, Djorkaef floating from wing to wing and a lone striker. The current team had no system: 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2-2....play with two wide wingers and two holding midfielders? Play a traditional #10? Domenech never identified the system and therefore France had no system.
• A tournament too far....Much is owed to the generation of 1998, the players that gave France their World Cup victory followed by a European trophy. It could be argued that the 1998 - 2000 France team was one of the all time greatest teams. However did they go a tournament too far? Were players like Thuram, Vieira, Henry, Makelele and Sagnol stretched too far? I know that Thuram, Vieira and Henry were the ones that at the World Cup, but the others were of that generation. Transitioning rosters is always difficult, when is a generation to be asked to leave to allow the new generation to assume the mantle? And what is the proper mix of youth and experience? Fundamentally I think that the 1998 generation did not go a tournament too far, but there was no back up plan were some of the important cogs missing. The main cog was Vieira. France was built around having a healthy Patrick Vieira patrolling the midfield, linking defense and offense. When Pat was hurt, Domenech could not change the system. Was this a sign of over reliance on the 1998 generation that was getting long in the tooth? This is not Vieira from 2000. Just like the 2002 World Cup that was dependent on Zidane, and for some reason could not weave a talent like Micoud to slot into the midfield to support the strikers. Domenech had to realize that he had older players at key spots - Thuram anchoring the defense, Makelele and Vieira in midfield. It was evident that purely holding/defensive midfielders are in abundance for Les Bleus - Diarra, Flamini, Toulalan to name three. However where was the back up for Vieira? And if there did not exist one, why stick with the 1998 mindset?
  
• Domenech's poor management style. I have never been a fan of the French manager. I have been very critical of his management style when it comes to relationships with clubs and players, as well as his ability to strategize in game. A few situations that come to mind: a) His handling of Trezeguet. He was willing to call strikers such as Briand and Pongolle, but was always sour towards one of Serie A's top scorer. I have no problem him turning his back to Trezegol but he should have handled it better, come out and tell us "Trezeguet's game is not part of the system I want to use." Rather than always saying Trezegol was in the mix but he wanted to look at others. This was not only bad for Trezeguet but I am sure did not help team morale. b) The "relationship" he had with managers such as Mourinho and Houllier to name two. Rather than calling and talking to the club managers about their players, building a relationship, Domenech was arrogant and demanding of the club teams and the handling of their players. He would wield the stick before even considering the carrot. Look at what happened with Makelele, he retired and stated he wanted to allow the youth to take the mantle. Domenech basically bullied Claude to come back to the team by stating that any French player was subjected to be called to the national team and if they refused would face sanctions from the federation, granted Makelele kept a team face stating he wanted to come back, but the process left a terrible taste in everyone's mouth. c) During a qualifying game in Israel, France were up 1-0 in a tough qualifier. With about 30 minutes Trezeguet (who had scored the lone goal) was red carded due to a head butt after a vicious tackle. Down to 10 players, and with all 3 of his substitutions left Domenech just sat there and watched as his team was broken down and gave up the tying goal, rather than break the game's rhythm by using his subs and bringing in defensive players to protect the lead. Domenech made his first change AFTER the tying goal was scored....
  not exactly shrewed in game management. These are just three examples of fatal flaws I see with Domenech. d) His selection decisions are in question. Not sure how he can constantly take a player like Boumsong while leave Mexes on the fringe. Not sure how Barthez was given the #1 role in Germany over an inform Coupet. Not sure how Gouvou constantly gets time on the pitch in big games. Not sure why alienate players like Guily right off the bat.
  

So what does this mean? It means France need a change at the helm. Yes Domenech took Les Bleus to the finals of Germany 2006. Yes Domenech was unfortunate in that game that Vieira got hurt early in the second half and that Zidane lost his mind, otherwise he might have added a second star to the France stripe. However I think that France got so far despite their manager. He did keep faith in Zidane, even when pundits such as this one, was calling for the Zizou to sit on the bench.

Domenech is a very cerebral and thoughtful man, but at times he does not realize that he is dealing in a field where emotion and egos play a major role in success and failure. Unlike a Mourinho who also has some questionable management styles, Domenech appears to be as arrogant and difficult towards his players as he does to the outsiders. At least the Special One shielded his players and allowed an esprit de corps to form.

France had a very disappointing tournament, a team that was full of potential and talent should not leave with 1 point, 1 goal for and 6 against. Les Bleus have a bright future with player like Benzema, Nasri, Ribery, Toulalan, Mexes, Sagna, Clichy, Mandanda to name a few. But the system of play and the core must be determined very soon because World Cup qualifiers are right around the corner.

Les Bleus - Dien Bien Fu

Les Bleus crashed out of the Euros today after a difficult 2-0 loss to the Azzurri...I am still in a haze after this horrible week. Much like those manning Beatrice, Anne-Marie and Gabrielle those wearing the Blue stripe of France fought a tough but doomed battle today...once I recover from my heartache I will give some thoughts on the match, the Euros and the future for Les Bleus.

Merci Lilian, Willy et Claude

Les Bleus change is in the air

Looks like Les Bleus will go into the final Group match with the following formation -

Coupet - Clerc, Gallas, Abidal, Evra - Makelele, Toulalan - Ribery, Gouvou - Benzema, Henry

An infusion of youth...playing the 4-4-2 will be interesting but it really feels like a 4-2-2-2, with two holding midfielders, two wing players supporting the two strikers. I fear that we will have the same problems faced in game one, little creativity, too much space in the midfield and not enough support coming from the flanks. Makelele and Toulalan are good players in their own rights, but they are too similar in their style. Both are great at protecting the back 4 but not the most adept at jumping in the offense and when they do are no threats to score (how ironic would it be if Keke were to score the winning goal today....that would be awesome....). I like slotting Ribery to the left where he is used to playing for Bayern, and Gouvou...well he is Domenech's binky so I guess he has to play. Granted, he might form a good link between Clerc, Toulalan and Benzema all play these positions at Lyon.

I trust that Domenech will not be afraid to shift his formation if a goal is needed, maybe take out Makelele for a Nasri, play with 3 offensive midfielders, allow Toulalan to protect the back 4. You risk the counter attack but if you need a goal....you need a goal (that was deep).

I am surprisingly calm before this game. I think that I am ready for France to crash out of another tournament, I hope that if and when they do we get rid of Domenech. He has been frustrating as a national team manager. I will save my postmortem for another date, but needless to say the manager will share his fair share of blame.

France can advance and my heart says they can, but unfortunately my brain tells me that they have no heart and are already thinking about their summer vacations on the Riviera.....Italy is hungry and Buffon will find a way to get Italy a clean sheet and a win. Let us hope that Van Bastard and his band of merry Oranje men play a good game and get the victory.

Allez les Bleus

Less than 24 hours for Les Bleus

At this time tomorrow Les Bleus will be heading off to their summer vacation...or will it be the beginning of an incredible adventure??? The situation is as follows:

• Holland must not allow Romania to beat them otherwise the France v Italy game is moot.
• If Holland beat or draw with Romania, the winner of the France v Italy game go through, Italy can go through with a draw (as long as it is not a goalless draw and some other crazy things have to happen with Romania and goals...rather not get into it)
• Bottom line....France must win tomorrow.....the rest is out of their hands.

Of course there are some interesting changes that are apparently in the works...

• Sagnol is out...Clerc will be inserted at right back. Giving Les Bleus some youth on the right flank.
• Thuram is out...Abidal will slot in to the middle of the defense. This is not a role that Abidal is not familiar with, however having an Abidal - Gallas central defense, while a good idea for the future, might not be a good idea to try at this stage....then again not sure the defense can be worse than it was during the 4 goal debacle versus the Dutch.
• Makelele out? Keke might make way for Diarra, giving France a more creative defensive midfielder. Lassana is viewed as the next "Makelele" so let us see what he can do in this venue. He did play very well at the San Siro during qualifiers, so I have no fear that the moment will overwhelm him.

Italy is due to make some changes as well, so the two sides will have some tinkered with sides heading into this must win game. So what do I think will happen?

I think both teams will be looking to win the game, they both desperately want to get to the knock out stages and both would love a chance to get back at the Dutch. I think that the Benzema-Henry-Ribery combo might click and cause the Italian back line some problems. Luca Toni will be a monster to handle for Les Bleus, but I think with Abidal in the middle they should have enough pace and athletic ability to control the Italian striker. The Italian midfield will be different once again, the one player to look out for is De Rossi. I think that had he been given the start against the Dutch the outcome might have been very different.

My prediction - France will win a scintillating game 3-2 with a last minute goal from Gallas. Romania will carry a 1-0 lead deep into the game only to see an own goal sink their chances to get to the quarter finals.

Yes wishful thinking
Yes farfetched
But this tournament has been crazy so why not more insanity...

Friday 13th horror show for Les Bleus...

I am not sure what to say after yesterday's disaster of a game...FOUR goals...FOUR GOALS???? How does a team, ranked in the FIFA top 10 give up FOUR GOALS????? Just typing that makes my stomach churn. Not sure how to review the game...or if I even want to but for my own sanity I will spew my thoughts...please excuse my drunken ramblings I feel as if I got kicked in the stomach by someone in wooden shoes.

The Good:

• Holland was very good, how else can you explain FOUR GOALS...there I go again. Van Basten, at least for the first 2 games, has found the right formula. Being able to bring in Van Persie and Robben for the last 30 minutes is huge. Both players barely played this season so they are the freshest players at the Euros! I hope Wenger sells Van Persie because I cannot stand seeing him under the Arsenal colors after what he did to Les Bleus. Van Nistelidiot is playing like a young Cruyff, the ball he saved on the touch line which led to goal #2 was spectacular, the stuff of playground lore.

The Bad:

• Hmmm where to start.....Domenech is a good place to begin. The French manager continues to baffle me. I have made it clear that I was not keen on some of the players he selected, but that is not the point for this match. Here are some areas I think Domenech was exposed for during this 4-1 drubbing. First his substitution of Gomis for Malouda. I know that Gomis has wowed everyone with his two wonder strikes for his first cap, however Domenech has constantly had Henry-Benzema-Ribery playing together during the tune up games....the first game he has a chance to run out this trio and instead he leaves the young Lyon prodigy on the bench?? After Benzema had been warming up for an hour. Not sure that makes any sense from a game standpoint and from the psyche of the players. Second he decision to bring on Anelka for Govou...um at that point you were down by 2 goals, the only chance you have is to throw on more offensive players for either Toulalan or Makelele...maybe even go with 3 at the back. But substituting offense for offense, when you already were not generating the offense needed makes no sense. One thing if the game is even or if you are only down a goal. Finally, okay I said I would not, but the fact he left a player like Ben Afra or even Rothen at home did not give Domenech the flexibility of bringing in a true left wing player to allow his team width and to change the game. Anelka has bags of pace and ability, but he is not a true left winger. Domenech was fortunate in 2006 that Zidane took over and willed Les Bleus to the finals, he was fortunate that Scotland inexplicably lost to Georgia in Euro qualifiers, yet with all these chances he always appeared too smug for his own good and that is coming back to haunt him.
  
• Thuram - Gallas, these two players have over 200 caps between them and have been the anchor for the French back line the past few years, so how is it that all of a sudden they look like the could not even play for my O30 footie league? They both seemed out of sorts, took bad angles and did not seem to know what to do against the waves of Oranje descending on their goal.
• Maybe it is me, but I felt Coupet looked terrible. You cannot place too much blame on him for the first goal, although the ball was struck near post within his 5 yard box....maybe he needs to attack that ball. But he looked disinterested and defeated on the other goals. Granted he was not getting too much help from his defense but something tells me that Cech, Buffon, or Iker would have made better showings.
  
• I think Ribery looks tired, he still has flashes of brilliance and makes some great runs but overall he appears to be lacking a gear that he had 2 years ago and all season with Bayern. Even earlier this season in a friendly against England he looking much fresher, much more assertive. Maybe it is the pressure, he is seen as the focal point for Les Bleus. During the World Cup he was a piece of the puzzle, this time he is the fulcrum for the team.
  

The Ugly:

• The entire French team....FOUR GOALS??? I mean please....I gave up four goals earlier this season and I was EMBARRASSED, but when you are a national team who has won 2 European cups and a World Cup, whose players are sought after by ever major club team, who leaves players such as Mexes, Escude, Sagna, Clichy, Trezeguet, Flamini, Ben Afra, Cisse at home because you have outrageous talent and you take 4 GOALS in a major tournament in a game you must get points from...that is not just ugly but down right EMBARRASSING. This could go down as one of the worst tournaments for Les Bleus, rivaling the 2002 world cup where they did not even register a goal.
• France's heart, I am sure some readers will snicker and make jokes about France surrendering again etc etc, but Les Bleus have always had heart. Whether it was Platini's teams of the 80s battling Germany in two world cup semi finals, or Zidane's teams never giving up until the final minute, or even the teams that rose from the ashes of not going to USA 1994 France always showed heart and a fighting spirit. Unfortunately I do not see the same in this team.
  

Okay...I feel a little better but not much. The sad part is Les Bleus, with 1 measly point, can STILL qualify for the 1/4 finals. If they beat Italy and as long as Romania do not beat Holland, France is through to the 1/4 finals so Spain can score 4 on them as well. I am torn, do I want France to find a way to the 1/4 finals? Or is it better for them to put me out of my misery get shlacked 4-0 by the Azzurri and allow me to move on with my summer in a general malaise???

What I think will happen - France and Italy will play a game for the ages with Les Bleus winning on a last minute tap in from Gallas to win 3-2, unfortunately Van Basten will pull a Germany 1982 and loose a "friendly" game 1-0 seeing both Holland and Romania through.

At least I have already starting thinking about my postmortem for Les Bleus, I should have plenty of time after Tuesday to write it.....

Les Bleus all done

Inexcusable....3 goals? And the game is not even done. This is ridiculous. Les Bleus do not deserve to go on. And with Holland guaranteed the top of the group and Romania needing a win, would anyone be surprised with a nice 1-0 win by the Eastern Europeans? Ugh....see you in 2 years in South Africa....hopefully