The two 2006 World Cup finalists were fighting for Euro 2008 survival in this game, after both teams had lost to the Netherlands and drawn against Romania this game was anyone’s to win. Neither team went in favorite, so this game really was very open.
France started extremely badly, their midfield star Ribery getting a nasty injury which caused the French to make an early substitution. Not a good sign.
To make matters worse, Italy were playing tremendous attacking football, and Luca Toni was looking very threatening. There were several good opportunities for Italy, but it was only on the twenty fifth minute when Luca Toni was brought down from behind by Eric Abidal, and Italy had a penalty. Too add insult to injury for France, Abidal was also sent off. Pirlo kept his cool to convert for the Italians: an excellent penalty in to the top corner.
The Italians looked increasingly likely to score, and were appalled when the referee failed to stop play for an injured Italian player, and Pirlo received a yellow card for fouling to let the injured player receive treatment, and then the referee stopped the game for an injured French player!
In the second half the Italians still looked more likely to win, piling pressure on the French defense who started to look very tired, especially considering they were one man down. It was no real surprise when on the sixty second minute, a thirty yard free kick resulted in a cruel deflection off Thierry Henry which went passed his own goal keeper to make the French two goals down.
The Italians maybe should have got another goal or two, with Luca Toni looking very strong, but France held on to keep the score line low.
Overall a good game from Italy’s point of view, and they are through to the quarter finals, but the French will be upset at going out of the competition this early.
Final Score:
France 0 – 2 Italy
Watch both GOALS:
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June 18th, 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
News of the World is claiming that Henry is looking forward for the summer to leave Barcelona, its also believed that he prefers to be back to EPL, specifically London. Well we all know that he did struggle this season he only scored 7 goals from his 25 appearances, so the news was not a shock to many people who follow his news.
So its not wether he would leave or not, its where is he heading. Many Arsenal fans are looking forward for him to be back where he left last season, but I really doubt that happening. Actually I see that Arsenal is better without Henry, and don’t look to our status now we did suffer heavily from injuries. I think the players felt more at ease when Henry left and they became more creative, I believe that Arsene Wenger himself wont allow him to be back.
But the excuse he is using to leave Barca is that he is not seeing his daughter “Tea” as much as he wants after he broke up with Claire Merry. So what?! he didn’t know this would happen before signing for Barcelona!! Please…. Anyway its expected that Chelsea will most likely end up getting his signature, other team such as Newcastle and Manchester City are also watching and trying but it would take something so special to lure him.
A while after “News of the World” broke the story the Barca chief dismissed the news and ruled out his move. But I guess this is just playing games.
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April 20th, 2008
Arsene Wenger is the ultimate superstar maker, he gets youngsters and within couple of seasons they become wanted by all clubs in the world, and I respect him for that, and I am always happy to hear that new young talented players are joining Arsenal. The only thing I demand from Mr. Arsene Wenger is that I think we need at least one new player who is already a superstar, already a world class and who is already established talented player, you know those who we usually end up selling, such as Henry!
I really wish to see Wenger splash some cash to get a new FAMOUS player, I know everybody thinks that doing that might disrupt the harmony in the team, but I think it might be useful for the youngsters. Actually Wenger himself have said today that he was happy that Lehmann and Gilberto are staying and that it is good for the young players.
Anyway, lets talk about those two new players who do seem to be on their way to Arsenal during this winter transfer window, the first one is an English youngster, which is kind of strange as Wenger is not used to look for English players, with exception of Theo Walcott ofcourse. Luke Freeman is a very talented 15 years old striker who plays for Gillingham in League One. He made history when he became the youngest player to play in the FA Cup when he played for his club against Barnet.
Wenger is always criticized that his squad do not have enough English players, now he says that most of the youngsters he have are English and that he is very impressed by Luke Freeman and very interested in making him an Arsenal player very soon. He did admit that normally he would wait until a young player reaches the age of 17 or 18 but nowadays managers from all clubs are on the watch for those youngsters.
Arsene Wenger said: “I met the boy, I like him, his personality, he looks alert, He is a striker and at 15 years of age to play for the first team sometimes is something special.”
The other young talent that also might be on his way to Arsenal is Dentinho who is an 18 years old striker he plays for Corinthians in Brazil. The plan is to get him this month to get him used to the weather and get him ready to play next season. He have featured 4 times for his club bagging a goal in the process. He is one of the most wanted Brazilian youngsters. So Wenger seems to be looking for Strikers, and I still believe that Wenger needs to splash some cash to get a world class talent.
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January 12th, 2008
I am counting the minutes waiting for the new season of LOST which will start 31st of January 2007, sadly there will only be 8 episodes because of the writers strike, which is still going on.
The promo is amazing, I watched it again and again and again, yes I am one of those LOST addicted, the show is just amazing and it is so bad that we will have to wait another year to see the next episodes in another season.
Click Here to watch the new High Quality Promo.
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December 26th, 2007
