Congratulations to Spain, deserved European champions for the first time in 44 years. It was a very good game, packed full of flair, incident and tension. Just the end to Euro 2008 that the tournament deserved. Presumably Dani Guiza will now marry his girlfriend, as he pledged the other day.
Germany started brightly, but Spain are well worth their 1-0 half-time lead from Fernando Torres (pictured) -- whose experience of bruising Premier League defences with Liverpool may have helped him to battle the ball into the net. The chipped finish was pure class, too. The German centre backs are being outwitted in the air, through the middle and around the side. Which doesn't leave much latitude! An early near own-goal and a Torres header well smothered by Jens Lehmann on the near post could have opened an even greater lead for the Spanish, who have now won 21 games in a row. Creative in midfield and lively up front, their record of conceding only three goals in Euro 2008 as a whole suggests that they should end their long wait (since 1964) for a major trophy tonight.
I'm not going to predict a Spanish victory tonight, but like the millions who will be watching, I hope that the final of Euro 2008 is a fitting climax to what has been (after a bit of a slow start) a fabulous tournament. Sad that Scotland were so near yet so far to getting there. But England haven't been missed, despite attempts by the BBC to make their absence the defining issue. Gary Lineker (pictured, trying to look wry) famously quipped that "football is a game involving two teams, in which the Germans eventually win on penalties." I don't think that will be the outcome tonight. But I could well end up saying, as I have many times before, "what do I know?" Or you, or anyone, for that matter. Which is one of the things that makes it a great game. A beautiful one in Vienna, too, we'd all like to say on a balmy evening.
Well, España, actually. But Spain are thoughtfully wearing Dumbarton colours for their Euro 2008 semi-final clash with Russia tonight... an absorbing, positive encounter between two skilled, technical and tactically aware sides. A few more fireworks are coming from the Spanish, though not with sharp enough finishing. Arshavin is very quiet for the Russians as the end of the first half approaches. But he could certainly explode into life at any moment. Update 21.33: Fabulous football from the Spanish and a deserved 3-0 victory, taking them to their first major international final in 24 years. [Pic: Two more for Jim Chapman?]
Given that they have five players injured and four out with suspensions, few have given Turkey much consideration as Euro 2008 draws ever-closer to its denouement. But Germany have clearly been shaken by their opponents' smart semi-final start, with Colin Kazim-Richards rattling the bar and then a scrambled goal going in on 22 minutes. In a certain sense, the pressure is now on the outsiders in a game which is, in certain respects, a 'derby' -- given the close ties between the countries, including 2.5 million Turkish migrants and guest workers in Germany. It was gratifying to see that all sections of the crowd joined in the anti-racism aspect of the opening ceremony. Just over half-way through the first half, and this tournament is again living up to its promise of excitement, tension, twists and turns. (As I write, Germany have just equalised. This could be a corker, with both teams believing it is their destiny to get to the final.) Update, 21.42: though their performance did not merit it, Germany stole a turbulent match 3-2.
Yes, I know it's a cliché. But all lovers of the Beautiful Game will surely rejoice that the forward thinking Spain triumphed over negative Italy tonight -- with Cesc Fabregas' cool decider in the penalty shoot-out and Iker Casillas' goalkeeping heroics finally separating the sides after a less than enthralling encounter in Vienna. Justice was done.
Well, here I am, blogging during a Euro 2008 quarter final again, and as I correctly predicted (for once) Italy are deadly -- in all senses of the word. Ten at the back much of the time, with four in the middle being just about their most adventurous gambit so far. Spain, to their credit, are seeking to enliven proceedings and actually win the game. But they could well go the way of the inventive Dutch and Portugese. I hope not. Even ex-Celtic and current Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, a splendid man and a committed Azzurriphile, is recanting on live TV. Quite right, too. An Italian win on penalties would be the worst of all results.
... melts into air, as someone or other said. (It was a German striker). That certainly happened to the Dutch tonight. Somehow the magic from the Euro 2008 group stages deserted them when substance was most needed. Russia and the wily Hiddink deserved their victory. It is discipline, application and mental toughness that wins competitions like this, rather than bursts of footballing alchemy. My heart now wants Spain to weave a spell. My head tells me that Italy and Germany will be boxing and coxing in the final, with the technically proficient Italians best bets to lift the trophy. Turkey have probably had their day (yesterday).
In, er, a totally scientific and representative online opinion survey, of the kind for which football is renowned, the thronging hordes of Dumbarton fans are apparently plumping for Holland to win Euro 2008. By 68 per cent, no less, with Spain next in line on 15 per cent. What with the aura of Cruijff, several Dutch friends, Scotland manager George Burley and my trade paper The Guardian all plumping for the mighty Orange, the writing is surely on the wall. One way or the other. My nails may not get through the Netherlands -v- Russia match tomorrow night -- and this isn't even the semis, let alone the final. [Picture: Holland's destined players... or possibly a Dumbarton team from the early '70s. Those were the days...]
Croatia versus Turkey in the quarter-final of Euro 2008 hasn't been a neutral's dream as far as pure football is concerned. Underneath the cliches about "passionate support" lies an aura of violence and menace that makes neither of these sides instantly appealing. But extra time has been absorbing, and strangely, I have a feeling that Turkey, the less equipped of the two teams technically and imaginatively, might just nick this one. It's 0-0 in extra time so far. It could come down to set plays, stamina, heat... and in the final analysis, penalties. Nothing like the pulsating Germany versus Portugal game, which I was pleased to see the Germans win, if only to wipe the smug grin of Ronaldo's face. If he could switch to Spain for better prospects and money, I'm sure he would. [22.17: Astonishing. Croatia looked as if they had it, and the Turks scored in literally the last kick of the game. Then won on penalties. Nicked indeed.]
It's hard to imagine more going wrong for France than it has this evening against boring, boring (if highly accomplished) Italy. First, Franck Ribery out with an early injury, then a slightly harsh red card after the (quite justified) penalty on 25 minutes, a second goal for the Azzurri deflected off the heal of Thierry Henry... Plus you know you really are in deep, deep trouble when one of your 'solutions' is to bring on Jean-Alain Boumsong (who's just got a yellow card for a clumsy, clattering challenge). As I write, France need to score three, or Romania two against the Netherlands. It's not going to happen. No revenge for the last World Cup Final, and Italy's first win over the French in open play since 1978. Not a good combination. Farewell la France pauvre.
The tragedy in question being the dire game on the telly right now (scribing at 9pm). When Greece scrapped their way to the European Championship title last time, it was a blow for the plucky outsider. This performance against Sweden, however, has been laced with long stretches of cynical back-passing and other forms of 0-0-seeking football avoidance. A plucking disgrace... Oh great, Ibrahimovic has just scored with a stunning strike for the Swedes. His first international goal for two years. And now another, this one delightfully scrappy. Go, you Svensters!
Flashes of inspiration up front, periodically confused in midfield, occasionally woeful at the back. Sounds like some past Scottish international performances we can think of all too readily, huh? Actually, I'm referring to Poland in Euro 2008 tonight, losing 2-0 to a couple of comedy goals against Germany when they should have stuck in at least two themselves. Then again, the Tartan Army had recently decided to give its official support to the Poles, on account of local links and (for some) Artur Boruc. This, frankly, was bound to be the kiss of death. Almost as bad as having me deciding to support you -- which could be bad news for Holland in the 'group of death', as it is they I am throwing my lot in with for this tournament. That's partly on account of Johan Cruijff's famous but unconsummated fling with Dumbarton (you always need one daft reason), but mostly because, on their day, the Dutch can still be the Brazil of Europe. Plus I've spent some rather happy times on vacation and on work assignments in the Netherlands. Go Orange!
This from the BBC today: "Scotland could be the beneficiaries if Uefa takes a dim view on Ukraine and Poland's preparations for Euro 2012. Doubts persist about the suitability of stadiums and infrastructure in the former Eastern bloc nations and an inspection is planned this summer.
Much of the best and some of the worst of what the English Premier League has to offer was on display in the Champions League Final tonight -- passion, commitment, moments of great skill and high drama; but also clumsy challenges, niggling responses and a petulant sending-off as tempers boiled. Watching Bobby Charlton lead Manchester United up to the podium at the end provided a moving recollection of a past era of tragedy and triumph: one that somehow transcends the drumbeat of money to which the modern game all-too-often resonates. Oh go, on, call me a hopeless romantic. United merited their victory for the season and their history, if not particularly for their second half in Moscow.
Well, as we surely know: it's not just for champions and it's not actually a league. But the world 'final' is accurate enough. And even if the game does feature two of the most debt-ridden, over-hyped and annoyingly self-regarding teams in the world, we all hope that tonight's proceedings in Moscow will provide a dose of that top quality football entertainment that 'big occasions' have a tendency to fall flat on. In reality I don't much care who wins, but there are one or two heart-strings pulling in the direction of Manchester United rather than Chelsea -- because of their flowing football, the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster (just a month before I was born) and the 40th anniversary of the victory over Benfica in the '68 European Cup Final, as it was then. That was one of my earliest major football memories, even if I was heartbroken to discover that Denis Law wasn't playing.
Rangers' appearance in the UEFA Cup Final this evening, I mean. There are a number of concerns about this match, and not all of them are to do with the football. It would be a great shame if the sectarian bigots among the 'Gers support and some racists and ultra-nationalists in the Zenit St Petersburg camp stole the show. Both clubs are on warnings about the behaviour of their followers. Then there's the issue of the large army of travelling fans who haven't get tickets to the City of Manchester Stadium, because a combination of the relative smallness of the venue and the number of seats gobbled up by the corporates means that the allocation to Rangers, in particular, was way, way below the demand. So far the two sets of supporters are mingling OK. But it could be touch and go.
My Geneva friend and correspondent Jane Stranz writes: "I saw this football floating at an unlikely angle in the sky the other evening but until receiving this picture from my colleague Theo Gill did not realise the strategic placing of the ball over Geneva's famous jet d'eau. Obviously the beautiful game is seeking the stars and becoming more heavenly by the moment. Now I'll just have to go into the centre of town in the evenings to see whether the ball lights up at night time like the jet d'eau does... It's actually tethered in place by large steel ropes cunningly hidden - clever isn't it?"
I don't profess to be a big fan of the Old Firm, given their effective stranglehold on the game in Scotland - which is not without its benefits, but overall sucks resources, fans and hubristic attention in hugely disproportionate quantities. That is the way of the modern, corporately-driven football world. However, it would be churlish not to congratulate Rangers on their fantastic UEFA Cup quarter final achievement in beating Sporting Lisbon away from home by two great goals. I only caught the highlights, but it looked to be a solid, professional performance, even if Sporting were not exactly on song (especially defensively) and Fiorentina in the semis will be a different prospect altogether.
Well, it was hardly the game everyone's been talking about this evening (my heart is still in my mouth after the Liverpool -v- Arsenal Champions League thriller), but Dumbarton finally got to play out our home tie against fellow stragglers Forfar Athletic this evening. It was originally set for 08 March, then due to an unplayable pitch rescheduled for 01 April, while I was up in Scotland. That too was called off due to a waterlogged pitch. So this evening the Sons' date with destiny (or, rather, the Loons) finally happened, drawing the lowest crowd of the season. A 0-0 draw and nothing to write home about, apparently. For the record, since it is really rather dated by now, my column for that programme - focusing on matters managerial and Scotland - is reproduced here.
