Saturday, 14 June 2008
Sunday, 8 June 2008
The Sonic Manipulator
I really, really, really, really hate this guy.
He annoys the shit out of me.
He annoys the shit out of me.
Die
Friday, 6 June 2008
EURO 2008 Lowdown
Group A
Predictions 1. Russia ; 2. Spain
Knockout
Portugal - Croatia*
*Germany - Turkey
*Italy - Spain
*Russia - France
Semis
Croatia - Germany *
Italy - Russia *
Final
*Germany - Russia
Portugal
All the hype on this team because of Ronaldo's presence. Ronaldo in my opinion does not live up to big games and succumbs under pressure. In my opinion, they have a strong enough midfield and defence and play with a lot of width. However they do lack quality in the striking department.
Whether or not their midfield will gel and there is a danger that it may turn into a show-boating competition between Ronaldo, Nani, Deco and Quaresma. But still they are not in a very strong group and will finish top.
Switzerland
If Phillip Senderos replicates his club form for his country, the Swiss are doomed.
Still, they are a very disciplined and they play tactically. Often playing with men behind the ball and are very tight. Strikers however could be a potent danger. But any minor slip-up against opponents such as Turkey or Portugal could mark the end of their tournament. Swiss to manage a draw or two but will not qualify from the group stages.
Czech Republic
Traditionally a team that utilises pace, counter-attacks, and width to do damage to their opponents. However this is not the same team that we saw in the previous Euro or in the World Cup. They basically use the same players as the past two tournaments and are an ageing side. One might refer to France and Italy to argue the contrary, but however, the style of play by the Czechs is very much different to that of France and Italy which are more tactical. Age would definately take its toll on the quick passing, width playing, counter-attacking Czechs. And to add to that we have the injury of Playmaker Rosicky plus the ageing defence are not the quickest to deal with the Portugese and the Turks. Czech to miss out on 2nd spot.
Turkey
Full of energy and attacking flair. They have exciting young players and are a good team to watch. Expect a lot of goals and expect to see the Swiss and Czech struggle to handle them. Turkey to make it through together with Portugal.
Predictions: Portugal 1st place; Turkey 2nd
Group B
Austria
Expect to see a dismal performance from the hosts.
Croatia
Very quick. They posses a very strong midfield and attack. Their midfield and attack are quick, skillful and are very exciting to watch. They have a couple of exciting young players as well. Expect to see one of the most talented and promising midfield play (attack-wise) in the tournament.
Poland
They will fare better than the Austrians. Are on a relatively good form at the moment but will be no match for Croatia or Germany.
Germany
One of the favourites of the tournament, and probably boast the best and most impressive line-up. They excel in every department of the pitch. Striking partners Gomes and Klose would be terrifying defences just as the Klose-Podolski partnership did in the World Cup. They have excellent wingers and full-backs on the flanks and the centre of their midfield is commanded by the in-form Ballack. Defence will be hard to break. Physically strong, disciplined and play with ruthless efficiency. Expect them to top the group with ease.
Predictions: 1. Germany 2. Croatia
Group C
France
Were it not for one player, I would have written off their chances this tournament. Karim Benzema surprisingly will be their key during Euro. The young striker has overtaken Trezeguet, Cisse, Anelka et al as the 1st choice partner for Henry. Despite Henry's dismal showing for Barcelona this season, the attacking trio of Henry, Benzema and Ribery had combined very well during the last couple of outings and are expected to shine during the tournament. It has not been the case for many years, but the attacking front of France will be the most fearsome and powerful in the tournament. They have good width from their attacking players and full-backs, and an evergreen and disciplined central defence partnership. However, despite their terrific link-up play at the front, they have surprisingly found it hard to score against opponents of late. All bark but no bite but they will get through this group of death.
Romania
A very attacking side and playing style and mentality very similar to the Turks. Form has been even better than them and have been playing superbly in Friendlies and Qualifiers. Very unfortunate for them to be drawn in this group but expect to see them fight all the way to the end.
Holland
Judging on the individual talent, they have an average defence if you compare their defensive line-up to that of the powerhouses of this tournament. However, Holland have actually conceded the least among the Euro teams during Qualifying. They have, like France, found it hard to score against opponents of late. They play a very disciplined game and do not expect to see free-flowing attacking football from this side. Will try to get 1-0's in all their games. van Nistelrooy would be a danger as always, however their midfield and other attacking players look less than convincing recently. van Persie would be a sure starter and had been a key player for Holland for the past couple of years but I expect to see him stutter in the tournament as he has looked very rusty for Arsenal.
Italy
They basically won the last world cup on some superb tactics and substitutions from the coach and maintaining their discipline throughout the tournament. A team that plays behind the ball and hits on the counter with venom. They have been performing well of late and they are a more consistent side than the other main contender of the group - France, and are more efficient than the Dutch. Expect to see them top the group due to these two factors.
Predictions: 1.Italy ; 2. France
Group D
Greece
They would be playing with almost the same team that won the last the tournament. Their last showing was inspirational. They are still a good, disciplined and tactical side as they were before. Expect them to play well but it will take a miracle for them to go as far as they did during their last outing.
Sweden
A team that plays ever so well during Qualifiers for any major tournament but has never manage to display the same standards after getting through. Captained by injury plagued, terrible form Ljungberg, I expect to see them end up bottom with the group. Will manage a draw against someone if lucky.
Spain
Somehow all the powerhouses of the tournament (other than Germany) with excellent players in the striking department are finding it hard to score against opponents of late and Spain are no exception. Torres having just finished a phenomenal season with Liverpool would be looking to spearhead the one man attack of Spain. A passing team so do not expect to see him lack any service from the midfield. Strangely Spain are probably the team with the least width in the tournament. Spain will field all their central midfielders (expect to see at least 5 of them) to make sure they fully utilise their passing talent while sacrificing the two wide spots. The two full-backs will provide the width and expect to see holes in their defence due to this. Chances galore for the spaniards and how well they would fare in the tournament would depend on whether or not they covert those chances and how well their holding-midfielders protect the back four (or should i say two? - given that their full-backs will never be there).
Russia
A team brimming with self - confidence, a lot of young talent, great team play. It does seem a bit strange to call any team with Hiddink at the helm a 'darkhorse'. Expect to see them progress throughout this tournament more on the energy of their players, substitutions and tactical play by Hiddink.
All the hype on this team because of Ronaldo's presence. Ronaldo in my opinion does not live up to big games and succumbs under pressure. In my opinion, they have a strong enough midfield and defence and play with a lot of width. However they do lack quality in the striking department.
Whether or not their midfield will gel and there is a danger that it may turn into a show-boating competition between Ronaldo, Nani, Deco and Quaresma. But still they are not in a very strong group and will finish top.
Switzerland
If Phillip Senderos replicates his club form for his country, the Swiss are doomed.
Still, they are a very disciplined and they play tactically. Often playing with men behind the ball and are very tight. Strikers however could be a potent danger. But any minor slip-up against opponents such as Turkey or Portugal could mark the end of their tournament. Swiss to manage a draw or two but will not qualify from the group stages.
Czech Republic
Traditionally a team that utilises pace, counter-attacks, and width to do damage to their opponents. However this is not the same team that we saw in the previous Euro or in the World Cup. They basically use the same players as the past two tournaments and are an ageing side. One might refer to France and Italy to argue the contrary, but however, the style of play by the Czechs is very much different to that of France and Italy which are more tactical. Age would definately take its toll on the quick passing, width playing, counter-attacking Czechs. And to add to that we have the injury of Playmaker Rosicky plus the ageing defence are not the quickest to deal with the Portugese and the Turks. Czech to miss out on 2nd spot.
Turkey
Full of energy and attacking flair. They have exciting young players and are a good team to watch. Expect a lot of goals and expect to see the Swiss and Czech struggle to handle them. Turkey to make it through together with Portugal.
Predictions: Portugal 1st place; Turkey 2nd
Group B
Austria
Expect to see a dismal performance from the hosts.
Croatia
Very quick. They posses a very strong midfield and attack. Their midfield and attack are quick, skillful and are very exciting to watch. They have a couple of exciting young players as well. Expect to see one of the most talented and promising midfield play (attack-wise) in the tournament.
Poland
They will fare better than the Austrians. Are on a relatively good form at the moment but will be no match for Croatia or Germany.
Germany
One of the favourites of the tournament, and probably boast the best and most impressive line-up. They excel in every department of the pitch. Striking partners Gomes and Klose would be terrifying defences just as the Klose-Podolski partnership did in the World Cup. They have excellent wingers and full-backs on the flanks and the centre of their midfield is commanded by the in-form Ballack. Defence will be hard to break. Physically strong, disciplined and play with ruthless efficiency. Expect them to top the group with ease.
Predictions: 1. Germany 2. Croatia
Group C
France
Were it not for one player, I would have written off their chances this tournament. Karim Benzema surprisingly will be their key during Euro. The young striker has overtaken Trezeguet, Cisse, Anelka et al as the 1st choice partner for Henry. Despite Henry's dismal showing for Barcelona this season, the attacking trio of Henry, Benzema and Ribery had combined very well during the last couple of outings and are expected to shine during the tournament. It has not been the case for many years, but the attacking front of France will be the most fearsome and powerful in the tournament. They have good width from their attacking players and full-backs, and an evergreen and disciplined central defence partnership. However, despite their terrific link-up play at the front, they have surprisingly found it hard to score against opponents of late. All bark but no bite but they will get through this group of death.
Romania
A very attacking side and playing style and mentality very similar to the Turks. Form has been even better than them and have been playing superbly in Friendlies and Qualifiers. Very unfortunate for them to be drawn in this group but expect to see them fight all the way to the end.
Holland
Judging on the individual talent, they have an average defence if you compare their defensive line-up to that of the powerhouses of this tournament. However, Holland have actually conceded the least among the Euro teams during Qualifying. They have, like France, found it hard to score against opponents of late. They play a very disciplined game and do not expect to see free-flowing attacking football from this side. Will try to get 1-0's in all their games. van Nistelrooy would be a danger as always, however their midfield and other attacking players look less than convincing recently. van Persie would be a sure starter and had been a key player for Holland for the past couple of years but I expect to see him stutter in the tournament as he has looked very rusty for Arsenal.
Italy
They basically won the last world cup on some superb tactics and substitutions from the coach and maintaining their discipline throughout the tournament. A team that plays behind the ball and hits on the counter with venom. They have been performing well of late and they are a more consistent side than the other main contender of the group - France, and are more efficient than the Dutch. Expect to see them top the group due to these two factors.
Predictions: 1.Italy ; 2. France
Group D
Greece
They would be playing with almost the same team that won the last the tournament. Their last showing was inspirational. They are still a good, disciplined and tactical side as they were before. Expect them to play well but it will take a miracle for them to go as far as they did during their last outing.
Sweden
A team that plays ever so well during Qualifiers for any major tournament but has never manage to display the same standards after getting through. Captained by injury plagued, terrible form Ljungberg, I expect to see them end up bottom with the group. Will manage a draw against someone if lucky.
Spain
Somehow all the powerhouses of the tournament (other than Germany) with excellent players in the striking department are finding it hard to score against opponents of late and Spain are no exception. Torres having just finished a phenomenal season with Liverpool would be looking to spearhead the one man attack of Spain. A passing team so do not expect to see him lack any service from the midfield. Strangely Spain are probably the team with the least width in the tournament. Spain will field all their central midfielders (expect to see at least 5 of them) to make sure they fully utilise their passing talent while sacrificing the two wide spots. The two full-backs will provide the width and expect to see holes in their defence due to this. Chances galore for the spaniards and how well they would fare in the tournament would depend on whether or not they covert those chances and how well their holding-midfielders protect the back four (or should i say two? - given that their full-backs will never be there).
Russia
A team brimming with self - confidence, a lot of young talent, great team play. It does seem a bit strange to call any team with Hiddink at the helm a 'darkhorse'. Expect to see them progress throughout this tournament more on the energy of their players, substitutions and tactical play by Hiddink.
Predictions 1. Russia ; 2. Spain
Knockout
Portugal - Croatia*
*Germany - Turkey
*Italy - Spain
*Russia - France
Semis
Croatia - Germany *
Italy - Russia *
Final
*Germany - Russia
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