What will be the lasting memories of Euro 2008

The final of the Euro 2008 was played last Sunday and most soccer fans are already over it and involved neck deep in the transfer activities that will go a long way in determining the destiny of their favourite clubs in the coming season. It is therefore a good time to look back and try and identify what could possibly be the lasting memories of Euro 2008.

After all, the euphoria is already over (except for in Spain) and we can no longer re-collect the amount of tiny details that we could do a week back. The short-term memory bank of Euro 2008 has already been wiped clean and the condensed reminiscences that are still with us are finding a place for themselves in our long term storage.

So lets pick out the memories which will define Euro 2008 and remain entrenched in our minds forever – much in the same way as the Van Basten volley of 1988, the double strike of Olivier Bierhoff in Euro 96, the Danish fairy-tale of 1992 or the heroic performance of the Italian defence in Euro 2000.

To ensure that the process is robust, I am not going to be relying on the internet and I saw enough of the tournament to not miss anything important.

So here goes (in no particular order)

The ‘wonder goal’ scored by the Dutch against Italy

Most of us never saw the ‘Total Football’ of the 70’s (in person that is). But we caught a glimpse of what it would have been like as the Dutch scored a spectacular counter-attacking goal against Italy. Holland had a disappointing exit from the tournament but their performance in the first 270 minutes was a thing of sheer beauty. We should be hearing more of Van Basten the coach in the future.

The ‘heart-breaking’ Turks

Grabbing one win with a sensational late goal is usually gratifying enough. The Turks managed three in a row!!!. Their late comebacks were heart-breaking for the opposition fans - the Swiss, the Czechs and the Croats. No one would have broken so many in the course of one tournament. Their exploits could usher in a new term – doing a Turkey, every time someone gets a late winner. And all this with nearly half the squad injured or suspended.

No suffering as an English fan

I am an Indian. But we identify a lot with the English – having been ruled by them for so long and then from watching the comprehensive coverage of the EPL week in and week out. Not having our home nation India to cheer for, we invariably end up supporting England at most major tournaments and needless to say, we are a dejected lot when all is said and done. Therefore for once, we could watch the tournament in peace without the threat of a heart break looming large (I am not counting the 1994 World Cup as we had no EPL coverage then). Unluckily for us and luckily for England (now that Capello is on board) this might be a one off. The memory will surely last.

For once the Spanish were victors

Will not delve too much into why this would be a lasting memory. We all know why

The ‘Master Coach’

It takes a really special manager and an outstanding coaching job to pass the ‘lasting memory’ criterion. Guus Hiddink and his effort with the Russians got full marks on both. The most accomplished manager heading into the tournament was also the ‘best manager of the tournament’ – like a top seed who also ended up winning – doesn’t happen too often in major tournaments. We’ll always remember the Dutchman who brought the Dutch juggernaut to a grinding halt and did that with such attacking verve that we almost forgot that it was the team at the receiving end (Holland) which had been winning hearts for their attacking play. As a neutral fan (who just supports good football) I had been rooting for the Dutch yet there was no sadness when they went out.

The blunders and the ‘what if’ discussions

There is a chance that we might forget the guys who did well but rarely are the villains forgotten. Usually their blunders have a decisive impact on their teams fortunes and spawns a ‘what if’ discussion for the ages. Romanians will talk about Mutu’s missed penalty and what could have been. Same goes for the Czechs and the horror goal conceded by Petr Cech. Portuguese fans will debate the impact of Scolari’s Chelsea announcement and then there will be the regulars – the referees and the usual set of refereeing decisions which could have gone either way.

And finally

Euro 2008 did not have a single player who took the tournament by storm – a clear cut ‘player of the tournament’. Many like Ronaldo were expected to do so but failed. There were some wonderful performances no doubt but no player stood out like a colossus. We will not be associating this tournament with the brilliance of any player. Rather we will remember the team efforts. The ‘total football’ of the Dutch. The crisp passing of the Spaniards. The boundless energy of the Russians and the indefatigable spirit of the Turks.


This article was originally published on www.soccerlens.com

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Brazil or England

The “Vision Plan" of Greg Chappell is over. Heads will roll, fans will mourn, but trust me in six months time, this cricket mad nation will be back to normal. We just cannot do without cricket. As I take leave from being a cricket fan and go back to being a football fan once again, I have been thinking. Which country would be the equivalent of India when it comes to football?

After a little thinking, two countries come to mind and both have strong arguments in their favour.Brazil and England. I will now try to make a case for each country and then decide. We’ll have some parameters and allocate points on each. The scale will be from 10 to 1, with a country getting a score of 10 on a parameter if, they are exactly like India on that parameter.

So let us begin

The country as a whole - Brazil is so much like India. A developing country with strong agricultural base and grappling with very similar issues. Looked upon as a future economic power. England on the contrary is a far developed nation whose growth has plateaued.
Brazil 9 England 2

Passion for the game - Even though both countries excel in various other sports, football rules. It transcends all boundaries, engulfing everybody with the same passion.
Brazil 10 England 10

Playing Style - Brazil like India, favours natural talent and flair. England is more industrious, its strengths lying in physical conditioning and being better organized .
Brazil 8 England 2

Talent Pool - Brazil has a never ending assembly of world class players . So much so , that great players like Deco turn out for other countries, unable to get into the Brazilian team.India would love to have a couple of world class fast bowlers and a genuine all rounder. England suffer from the same affliction, regularly playing players out of position to complete the team.
Brazil 4 England 8

Home and Away -India and England have had their best results at home and have been miserable away. Very few English players have succeeded in foreign leagues. Look at the list of Indians to fail at county cricket. Gavaskar , Ganguly, Tendulkar and Kapil.Brazilians dominate every league in the world and are the only country to win the world cup outside their continent.
Brazil 2 England 9

Domestic Structure - Even with their great clubs, the domestic structure stinks in Brazil. Football is their greatest export as hundreds of young players look for greener pastures abroad.They dont even have a national level league.India and England are a lot better with coaching academies,corporate sponsorships and proper development programs for all age groups .
Brazil 2 England 8


Achievements - There is no doubting Brazil's position as the greatest country in football. England fans are still clinging on to the memories of 1966, not unlike India and 1983.
Brazil 2 England 9

The verdict - Brazil 37 England 48
India England Bhai Bhai

This is the way I see it. You may have a different opinion. Please feel free to give your own rating scores and comments.

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