The Danish do a Greece?
In this column last night, we talked about how, despite the broader differences between teams, tournaments as a whole can conform to certain patterns. And, after Denmark followed Greece by claiming an improbable result with a reactive display, will this continue to be a tournament that favours pragmatism?
Certainly, Giovanni Trapattoni should be encouraged.
The Danes, it must be said, were not completely defensive. Nor were they completely successful in defending.
The Netherlands, after all, missed a host of chances and should have had a penalty. As such, this was more of a freak result than a show of primal, defensive force.
But, all in all, it conforms to something of a pattern so far.
Credit: Manu Fernandez/AP/Press Association Images
Not so reliant Robin
Perhaps Robin van Persie’s first-half miss wasn’t that much of a shock. Because, despite such a devastating season, he only scored three times in his last 10 games. Has he felt the fatigue of such a campaign at exactly the wrong time?
In saying that, Van Persie’s blank wasn’t completely his fault. In many ways, the issues that the Dutch only just managed to avoid in the 2010 World Cup: as has been much discussed, they are a tactically ‘broken’ team. Despite their ample attacking talent, there is no real link between defensive base and dynamic front. They could, for example, do with a Xavi or Andrea Pirlo to play right behind Wesley Sneijder. And, the Inter playmaker’s superb pass for Van Persie aside, they simply couldn’t really get the ball up to the Arsenal forward.
It is one of the main reasons why, on the whole, they are – and always have been – a few levels below Spain and Germany. And why it’s going to take an individual, like Van Persie, to rise above it all to win it. It may be asking too much.
Credit: EMPICS Sport/EMPICS Sport
Mario makes up for his misses
While Van Persie was generally lauded towards the end of the season, though, Mario Gomez was made a figure of ridicule. Tonight, he produced the only figure that mattered, and his goal was beautifully taken. The pity for Bayern Munich, of course, is that it came 73 minutes too late.
In general, this was quite a flat performance from Germany. And, for that matter, Portugal. You do have to wonder, though, how much the Netherlands’ slip subconsciously affected the performances of both teams.
In many ways, it might have killed the excitement of the group of death.
For their part, though, the Germans weren’t exactly fearsome. They left an awful lot of gaps at the back, and Portugal really should have taken one of their chances late on.
Has the pendulum swung back towards Spain despite Germany’s win? We’ll find out today.
Credit: Adam Davy/EMPICS Sport
Average goals per game so far: 2.25
Good day for:
- Reactive, defensive-based football
- Those who knowingly – and cleverly – tipped Denmark
Bad day for:
- The Dutch
- Robin van Persie
- Varela
Very lazy choice for coach of the year Hansens a good coach but Schmidt was magnificent
Ya your dead right! Never mind the blacks breaking the world record of any team for consecutive wins throw in southern nations championship win and where they are now…. Very lazy choice!
Subjective awards are meaningless anyway.
@phillipryan did the AB not just equal the record cause they drew 12-12 with oz when they lookin to break it?
Don’t loose too much sleep he was never going to get it
If he goes though the 6 nations and the world cup the way he has gone through the last 3 games he’ll get it next year .
Should do! His all round performances have been superb and and his place kicking has improved quite a lot. If he keeps this form coming into the six nations and world cup then he is surely in with a shout.
Fancy that. A man from New Zealand named player of the year. A Cinderella story, if ever there was one.
Nothing worth getting upset over.
If sexton was from the south he would of won. Irb prefer to award anyone who plays down south
He wouldn’t have been my winner! Savea or Le Roux would have gotten it off me
Never heard of him
John if you’ve never heard of Retallick you obviously don’t know or watch the fantastic game that is Rugby Union. Well deserved. Maybe watch a game or two and you might be qualified to comment then champ.
It may be a long shot, but if Murray keeps up his form, I’d stick a few quid on him for next year.
If an ape coached NZ they’d still win, and the ape would get coach of the year. Although that’s more or less what’s currently happening. They’re about to be toppled in the next year, far to many close games and a shambles at fly half to maintain their supremacy going forward.
No disrespect to apes meant by the way, I just don’t think they’re coaching material. Although I’m sure they’d make a monkey out of me.
Apparently Joe isn’t even the radar in New Zealand….. Maybe we should be thankful the sign him up to a 10 year contract.
Shame on them if they’re not considering him!
I’m not being bitter but I find it very hard that southern and northern players are put in same category cus lets be honest they hardly play each other and its very mindset in both spheres probably fair if they spit them (exulting Rwc years)
Wouldn’t say bod would have been overly impressed if he did get it!
Hard luck Johnny