Last Saturday, I described Luka Modrić (that marvellous orchestrator and string-puller) as "the chief sprite in [Croatia's] bewitching ballet of nimbleness". Less than a week later, however, and the fat ladies of Turkey had sung their funereal dirge. The Croat ballet was ended and the chief sprite was dead. Who would answer the call and flutter in to replace him?
Well, the even more sprightly and pixie-like Andrei Arshavin - that's who. If Prince Harry, a winged ethereal humanoid, and Garrincha were to combine their essences to produce an offspring, it's a safe bet that the result would bear more than a passing resemblance to the man who emphatically shaved Dutch arses on Saturday night.
Realising that his team had been on the receiving end of a convincing (and thrilling) rump kicking, Marco Van Basten was sensible (and gallant) enough not to try and spin this obvious narrative into a Dutch hard luck story:
"I can live with the indisputable fact that they were better than us."
Amen to that, brother. It was very nearly a far less happy end for two of the tournament's other magical mini men. With 59 minutes gone in Spain's fruitless search for a goal against the dark lords of Italy (Buckram described the contest as "reminiscent of a young Jimmy White paying Cliff Thorburn"), Aragonés (bafflingly) decided to haul off both Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.1 The Spanish manager's resemblance to an ogre must surely have been commented on before (possibly by Archie MacPherson, who once memorably called Mario Zagallo "a little troll-like creature"2), and he was certainly a cruel enemy to the footballing pixies tonight.
Happily, after 120 gruelling minutes, the villainous, neg-headed Azzuri were vanquished and the Iberian imps were free to jig and frolic merrily on the green, green grass. And they all lived happily ever after (or at least till next Thursday).
Spain 0 - 0 Italy (4 - 2 on penalties)
The Italians are a frustrating bunch. On the rare occasions they actually try and win a game they can play some exquisite stuff. Del Pierro in his brief cameo last night was taking players on and actually having a go.
Sadly he got 5 minutes and the dull as dishwater Simone Perotta 115. Functional dull football, scarily for Spain though it almost worked, you’d have to fancy the Germans to test the aerial vulnerability that Toni failed to exploit.
Ace tournament though. Last nights chess match may have been the ghost of tournaments past but the majority of the encounters have been the stuff of legend.
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:36 pmWithout Pirlo they had practically zero attacking creativity…and I share your frustration at Del Piero’s pathetically brief cameo. If Italy had had any ambition at all to unlock the (fairly mediocre) Spanish defence they’d have thrown him on much earlier. A lack of courage, a lack of conviction, and a distinct lack of ambition. Glad to see the back of them.
Spain’s mistake was (I reckon) to be initially too measured in their build up and then (with time running out) becoming panicked into shots from distance. Quick one-twos and lots of movement were about the only things that would (eventually) have tired the Italians out. Italy were more than happy to give them oodles of possession in deep midfield positions because they knew they were perfectly capable of dealing with the patient approach.
It was almost enjoyable to get a tense, dour, grinding bit of knock-out football after the terrific fireworks we’ve enjoyed. Like a spell of rain after a week of sun.
June 23rd, 2008 at 2:49 pmExactly. It wouldn’t be a tournament without one of these matches. Having said that I’ve had my anorak tendency sated and am happy to resume abnormal service for the hopefully goal packed semis.
From a Liverpool perspective its interesting to note which quintessential Spanish qualities Rafa has retained and which he’s discarded.
I felt the Spanish overplayed and criminally wasted the speed and direct qualities of Torres.
If the Spanish had been prepared to move more quickly from defence to attack I think the older Italian players might’ve cracked under the pressure.
June 24th, 2008 at 3:32 pmMe too. I’m hopeful for both games. Russia v Spain should be a cracker - even though semis rarely are. The only thing that could threaten to spoil it would be Russian nerves. If they play with the same energy and verve as they did against Holland then it can’t be anything but captivating (as Spain will, surely, do their bit).
Turkey v Germany could end up being either a) a hefty German win, or, b) a 1-0 German win (in extra time, after the Turks have put everyone and everything behind the ball).
I hope not though. I reckon Turkey’s only chance, given the severe depletion of the squad, is to just have a go and tear into them. They’ll never hold a team as physically fit and well-drilled as the Germans for 120 minutes.
June 24th, 2008 at 6:42 pm