June 2008 Archives
EURO 2008
Firstly hats off to the stylish Spanish who brought a breath of fresh air to a major Championships and fully deserved to win on the big stage for the first time since 1964.
While striker Fernando Torres of Liverpool was the hero last night in the final against Germany Spain boast an entire squad of gifted players who for
once all pulled in the one direction for the benefit of their country.Today the 28 year old Barcelona midfielder Xavi (pictured right) was voted player of the tournament though I have to say I disagree with UEFA's panel on that decision.
Certainly he played a major role in Spain's return to the big time and his goal against Russia opened the floodgates for his side but at least two of his fellow countrymen stood out for me.
WIMBLEDON TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP 2008
It's almost impossible to dislike the wonderful Roger Federer. At 26 the Swiss star is already a legend and his five succesive Wimbledon wins speak for themselves.
The King of centre court he just doesn't know how to lose in South West London but last year the first signs of a Federer crack started to emerge.
There he was back in a Wimbledon final and though he was facing the world number two Rafael Nadal he probably thought it would be another usual four set win.
Nadal had other ideas. The reigning Champion did hold on to win but he was brought to a fifth set for the first time in his Wimbledon career.
Federer won 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 but fans leaving Wimbledon that day knew the great Swiss' run as undisputed leader in chief here could be coming to an end.
Then at this year's French Open final in Paris the clay court specialist Nadal coasted past his great rival winning 6-1,6-3,6-0. It was the third year in a row that he beat Federer in the Roland Garros final but the first in consecutive sets and in such a commanding way.
Now we must ask has the tide finally turned in the men's game?
EURO 2008
I remember wiping tears of joy from my eyes in New Jerseys Giants Stadium in 1994 after watching Ray Houghton score for the Republic of Ireland to defeat the Italians 1-0 in the World Cup.
We were on cloud nine and thought we were world beaters.
A few short weeks later our boys were on their summer holidays and Italy were in the World Cup Final against Brazil, a clash they lost in a cruel penalty shoot out.
That tournament showed clearly that writing off the Italians is as fool hardy as placing Theo Walcott in your World Cup squad though you know you'd rather play with 10 men than use him!
True neither they nor pre-tournament favourites Germany have set this competition alight yet in the same way Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands have but they have experience on their side and a mental resilience that all the skill in the world can't match.
Be in no doubt, the appointment of Portugese boss Luiz Felipe Scolari as manager of Chelsea is of massive, massive significance for the future of the Premiership.
With most football eyes fixed on events in Switzerland and Austria this month where the European Championships are being held the big Brazilian's new job did not make the splash one would have expected and thats just how Scolari likes it.
Prior to the misguided appointment of Steve McLaren as English manager in 2006 it was revealed that Scolari had agreed to take the English job but decided against it after a pack of English tabloid reporters and photographers laid seige to his home.
With only 24 hours to go before the start of this summer's European Championships the anticipation is reaching fever pitch on the continent's main land.
England and their merry bunch of multi-millionaire players may be sitting on their tods this summer while nations from across Europe fight it out for the European Championships but football fans here can still have a fantastic summer regardless.
Even without England or indeed Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland taking part the rolls royce of continental championships is shaping up to be one of the best yet.
It's expected to be an exciting fanfare of International football with Europe's best players strutting their stuff in the world's largest football event after the World Cup itself.
But the question remains who are we going to put our money on to win the tournament?
