Day 6: Croatia shock Germany and Austria rescue a point

That’ll teach me for losing the faith. I’d thought before the tournament that Croatia would make the semis and now it looks like they probably will. Beating Germany 2-0 makes them group winners courtesy of the Austria 1 – 1 Poland result, so they will face either the Czech Republic or Turkey in the quarters – two teams that on this evidence they should beat well. Croatia were absolutely first-class against Germany yesterday, showing the discipline and organisation that was lacking from their second half against Austria. The switch to 4-5-1 definitely helped, though I was slightly disappointed by Niko Krancjar in the playmaker role – normally reliable in front of goal, he missed two relatively easy chances, which would have put the Germans out of sight. He worked hard though, as did every Croatian on the pitch, who in the end thoroughly deserved the win.

For me, actually, this was the perfect result. My Croatia prediction looks much better, and now the Germans can take a morale-boosting win over Austria in the final game (don’t pretend it won’t happen) and then beat Portugal in the quarters. They’re too good not to come back from this, and happily, the Prancing Prat will be the one to suffer for it. Then Croatia can beat them again in the semis and half of the table will be as I have foreseen.

A quick word on the Austria-Poland game – neither team played particularly well. Artur Boruc, who I’ve always thought of as one of the world’s best goalkeepers, played outstandingly well, but even accounting for his heroics the Austrian finishing was abysmal. They should have been 3-0 up within 15 minutes and Boruc should have been given no chance at all to deny them that. Instead, Christian Leitgeb and Martin Harnik (twice) made tame efforts and were punished for it by Roger Guerreiro’s goal. OK, it was marginally offside, but it was exactly what they deserved for being so impotent at the other end of the pitch. Three cheers for Southampton’s Marek Saganowski for getting the assist, carrying the torch for the mighty Saints at these championships while Rudi Skacel rots on the Czech bench.

I was glad to see Howard Webb give the Austrian penalty at the end of the game – it was a clear foul, but the kind that gets flagged up so rarely that it looks controversial. If more refs gave those decisions the game would be better for it.

Everything is falling into place. See you tomorrow.

Day 5: Swimming with the Swiss and Scolari to Chelsea

Czech Republic 1 – 3 Portugal. A decent enough game that was flattered somewhat by the two early goals – it was exciting without either team ever playing that well. The Czechs deserved more than they got – their midfield, and, shockingly, Milan Baros, were very hard-working and did well to bounce back from Deco’s early goal. Portugal will be praised for their attacking verve, but it’ll be blind praise based on reputation rather than substance – they weren’t that good at all yesterday. Deco did his best to fluff the first goal, and he would have gotten away with it if it wasn’t for that pesky Marek Jankulovski. Cristiano Ronaldo’s second goal was the only noteworthy thing he did all game, Galasek and Grygera having done an excellent job of keeping him quiet for vast periods of time. Quaresma’s third was fair enough, but I’ll be bitter about it anyway. On this evidence, the Czech-Turkey group finale should be a good match, but I think the Czechs will come out on top.

Speaking of the Turks, what a brilliant game their 2-1 European Swimming Championships win over Switzerland was. I was anticipating an utter bore, but thanks to the monstrous downpour the match was given atmosphere, drama, and its fair share of comedy. If they hadn’t been on such a tight logistical schedule the game would have been abandoned, but I’m glad it wasn’t. Hakan Yakin’s goal was hilarious, the pass from Derdiyok slowing to the speed of continental drift over the goalmouth puddle, giving him the easiest tap-in of all time.

Yakin also got the second easiest tap-in of all time later in the game – but he missed that one, which is probably why Switzerland are now out of the tournament. It’s a shame for the co-hosts, but an inevitable one. Nul points, here we come. Glad to see my pick for Turkish Man to Watch, Arda Turan, get the winner – albeit fortuitously. When he got on the ball he played excellently, a real achievement considering the conditions. They’ll need him at his best if they want to get past the Czech Republic.

But the biggest story of the day was from the Portugal camp – but not for much longer. Big Phil Scolari’s the new Chelsea manager! WOOHOO!

I can’t tell you how excited I am. My dad, a Chelsea fan, isn’t so keen, but I can’t wait – this man is the best possible alternative to the Special One for comedy value. His English isn’t great but his journalist-punching is, and to be able to watch his touchline antics every week is great news. Bring it on!

Day 1: Czechs and Portugal win

Switzerland 0 – 1 Czech Republic. Snore.

Actually, that’s a bit unfair. It was a fairly interesting game in patches, particularly the opening fifteen minutes or so but neither team really had the quality up front to turn that promising start into an actual contest of any great interest. I was surprised that Jan Koller was playing up front on his own, given that the Koller-Baros combination has been so incredibly successful in the past, and having seen Portugal and Turkey playing the later match, I think they’ll need that kind of firepower to beat those two.

Switzerland were, of course, completely useless, as we all knew they were going to be. Alexander Frei tried his best before suffering what looks like ligament damage – his tournament’s over, but then again it was only going to last two more games anyway. After he left the pitch the Swiss were pretty much devoid of ideas, though they should have had two penalties. I’ve no idea how Tomas Ujfalusi got away with both of those blatant handballs, but I wish he’d teach me the trick.

So let’s not dwell too much on that game, as Portugal 2 – 0 Turkey was a far more entertaining affair. You may sound surprised that I’m saying that, as I’m on record as being one of the world’s leading Cristiano Ronaldo haters, and by proxy his national team as well, but I see it this way: Portugal win, Ronaldo looks good, and Real Madrid throw all the money in their piggy bank at Man United in order to take him away from the Premiership and out of my sight. Brilliant! And, of course, there were some delightful moments during the game in which the Prancing Prat fluffed his lines, shot hilariously over the bar, hit the post, etc., followed by endearing close-ups of the poor dear on the verge of tears. How satisfying.

The game itself was pretty good, as I say, though Turkey never really looked like pulling up any trees. On this evidence Portugal will definitely walk the group. Colin Kazim-Richards was probably the standout for the Turks, looking composed and comfortable on the ball throughout. Rumour is he’ll be moving back to England this summer, so he could be a good bet for one of the newly-promoted Premiership clubs, maybe.

David Pleat Watch

Erstwhile ITV “expert” David Pleat will no doubt be treating us to a whole host of pronunciation mishaps during the tournament, and he started in fine style last night trying to get his head around Chelsea’s new right-back Bosingwa. “Bosinger”, “Boswinger” and my personal favourite “Botsingwa” all made an appearance. Thank heavens they put him and Tyldesley on together, I might have to kill myself if they shared the incompetence around.