Archive for June 9th, 2008
This was the first game in this years ‘group of death, which includes France, Romania, Italy and Holland. Before this game, several French players agreed that to succeed in this group you would have to do well in your first game, and compared to the other two teams, Romania sounds relatively easy, but in actual fact they have only lost three games in their last twenty matches (over a two year period)
The game kicked off, and both teams immediately sprung into action, forming the positions for what turned out to be most the half: France playing football down the wings, and Romania getting virtually all their players behind the ball at the same time. In fact, the first half was pretty dull. France keeping long spells of possession, creating very few opportunities though.
The fact there were only two shots on target speaks for itself in the first half. France’s best opportunity came from a low cross from Ribery, but unfortunately the French number nine couldn’t quite convert at the near post, although Anelka did have a header from a corner that went just over the bar. Towards the end of the first half, the Romanian players were creating some good moves, but to no avail.
The second half brought some good football, but again, minimal chances. As the Romanians brought more and more players back behind the ball, France got increasingly frustrated and started to try and use sheer force to get through the Romanian wall like defense unsuccessfully.
It was in the last ten minutes that the game started to get a bit more exciting, France changing to accommodate three players up front, but there was no real urgency towards their play. When three minutes of added time was added on, relief blew through the French dugout, but they still needed to find a goal, and the French players seemed quite content with relying on wins from the Italy and Holland games, which is not the best tactic, to say the least.
It was in the second minute of stoppage time when French and Romanian hearts temporarily stopped beating after Romania were rewarded a free kick right near the corner flag. All the staff on both teams had their heads in their hands, what they were thinking is pretty predictable, but France just about escaped from the free kick, but did not have time to counter and more importantly score.
France will go away from this game extremely disappointed, probably hoping the Holland v Italy game is a draw, although Romania will be happy with the point and the first draw of the competition.
Final Score:
France 0 – 0 Romania
Watch some of the missed shots on target:
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June 9th, 2008
Many videos out there on Youtube and other video hosting websites that attacks and exposes John Mccain, videos that shows how uneducated he is in economics and videos that show how he lied again and again about Iraq and how he wants to attack Iran. This video you are about to watch is really good, it shocked me by the end, it was created by a Ron Paul supporter back in February 2008.
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June 9th, 2008
This is the day every soccer fan is waiting for, the day when teams in the “Group of Death” compete. Group C had all the world excited, it includes Romania, France, Holland and the world champions Italy. It is truly the “Group of Death”, and the highlighted match today is Holland vs Italy, ofcourse Italy are declared the favorites by all analysts, but I think they were remembering Italy 2006 when they came up with that assumption.
Italy 2006 is different than Italy 2008, manager, players, tactics, its not the same Italy. What adds more pressure on Italy is that Cannavaro is injured and wont play, he is ofcourse the rock they need in the backline, also Panucci might not play.
What adds pressure on Italy also is the goal they have set before the start of the competition, they want to go for the double, like France who won World Cup 1996 and Euro 2000. And they deserve to dream, but I really doubt they will be able to achieve this.
But on the other hand things are not going so well in the Holland camp too, Robben picked up a groin problem Saturday, he will be replaced most probably by the young PSV player Ibrahim Afellay. Lets not forget that also Seedorf wont be playing after he was pulled out of the squad for personal problems. Ryan Babel also got injured and been replaced by Khalid Boulahrouz. Van Persie is not fully fit and also might miss the match, but most probably will be featuring next matches.
The players I will be watching are the Holland’s Goalkeeper Van Der Sar, he is an extraordinary Goalkeeper and he always surprises me. He will need to step up and be ready as his defense is having problems. In Italy I will be watching Luca Toni, he did score 39 goals for his club Bayern Munich this season and everytime I underestimate him he scores, Italy will need him to be in form to be able to bypass Holland tonight.
So both sides have problems, but it sure looks like it will be a win for Italy, it will be a huge shock if Holland win, but I think it will be a great achievement by them if they were able to get a draw. If things go as usual Italy should be able to pull a 2-1 win, but because this match has both sides weak in defense line, I expect something like 4-2.
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June 9th, 2008
Yesterday Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, spoke with his campaign staff and volunteers in the campaign’s headquarters in Chicago. He had couple of funny moments, but he was mostly encouraging them to keep up the good work and that they are doing something very important. Only five months to the November election day and he wanted to inspire them to go on.
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June 9th, 2008
The Germans went in to this game clear favorites, never losing to the Poles. Also, the Germans are one of the big six to win the tournament, so when they walked out, led by their captain everyone expected it to be easy for them.
After kick off, the Germans took control in their white tops, black shorts and white socks, and swiftly started attacking. The Polish defense (dressed in all red apart from their white shorts) were struggling to keep up with the lively German attackers.
Everyone was hoping this game would contain lots of goals, with the other three games including just four goals between them, but it looks like our prayers were answered as Germany surged forward. A certain irony rang around the stadium when on the twentieth minute Polish born Klose passed to Polish born Podolski for an easy tap in. One – nil to Germany.
After that it looked like the Germans were going to put at least three or so past the Polish goalie, but the Poles held on, and around thirty five minutes into the game the Polish players were so nearly rewarded for their efforts when two powerful shots were blocked and a low cross was put just inches beyond the far post.
The Germans became more and more frantic in their clearances and it was a relief for them when the half time whistle came.
Into the second half and Poland took control, creating long spells of possession, but never really converting that possession into shots. Just as the Polish threat got greater and greater, the play suddenly switched to the other end, where the Polish goalkeeper made a great save from a Ballack shot.
After that it was pretty easy going for Germany, creating some good moves, until they put together a series of skilled passes, before it eventually tumbled to Podolski to smash home for his second goal of the night. Germany then took complete control, and probably could have added another if they weren’t so tired.
Overall, it was a good performance by Germany, with short spells of Polish class, but ultimately the Germans deserved to win, and the score line does both teams justice for the football played.
Final Score:
Germany 2 – 0 Poland
Watch Both GOALS:
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June 9th, 2008
