My Archives: June 2004
Friday, June 18, 2004
Latvia play Germany . Latvia looked good against the Czech Republic and certainly won't be a push over in any of their group games. However, looking at their stats in their first game, despite playing very well they had only 36% of the possession and only 7 shots on goal compared to the Czech's 28! Verpakovskis looked good up front, and Latvia will probably play just him up front for this game. With Germany drawing with Holland then anything that Latvia can get from this game will still put them in with a great chance of qualifying going into their last game. Germany looked very good against Holland, not the disappointing team that all the pundits had predicted. They defended like Germany teams of old and kept the Dutch out for most of the game. Germany looked good going forward and more willing to attack than traditional German teams. This game will be attacking from both sides. Both are playing the tactic of trying to score goals on the break. However, expect Germany to go out to win here, and Latvia to play on the break. It's hard to see Latvia scoring here despite their good performance against the Czech Republic. But with only 7 shots in that game it's hard to see them breaking down this German defence. Expect a Germany win.
Posted by Alice @ 11:18 AM GMT [Link] [Karma: 0 (+/-)] [No Comments]
Italy play Sweden . Italy had a disappointing opening match against Denmark and now face needing a win here to make certain their qualification. A draw or a loss could see Italy going into their last game facing a tournament exit at the first stage. Sweden looked good in their first game, thrashing Bulgaria 5-0. In the first half they were equal to Bulgaria, and maybe lucky to score. Yet in the second half once they gained confidence Sweden tore Bulgaria apart. Don't expect Sweden to have as much confidence here, but they do look like they can create a goal or two, especially with Larrson playing. Italy don't look like tournament winners, and have yet to get into their stride. Expect Sweden to give them a good game. This one is far from a certain Italian win. Go for the draw here, Sweden will be happy with that and could almost qualify here with a draw.
Posted by Alice @ 11:16 AM GMT [Link] [Karma: 0 (+/-)] [No Comments]
Jesper Gronkjaer had join the squad in Portugal and may play apart against Bulgaria.
Denmark had a remarkable match against Italy and looked to be the likely side to win but the game ends in a 0-0 draw.
The Danes need to improve on the scoring as they had not score in their last four matches at the European Championship, dated back to Euro 2000. But after seeing Bulgaria at the receiving end of the 5-0 hammering by Sweden, you Danes might open their account in this match.
Bulgaria had some injuries in midfield, Dimitrov and Marian Hristov. To make matter worse, there have been allegations of a dressing-room punch-up following the Sweden game.
Striker Dimitar Berbatov on the result against Sweden: "It was a disastrous result for us," he said. "But we have to pick ourselves up and show that Bulgaria can really play football well."
The Danes will be the favourtive to win this match but there are some surprises here and there so expect some resistance from the young Bulgaria team.
Posted by Alice @ 11:14 AM GMT [Link] [Karma: 0 (+/-)] [No Comments]
Only a test
Posted by Alice @ 10:58 AM GMT [Link] [Karma: 0 (+/-)] [1 Comment]
Only a test
Posted by Alice @ 10:57 AM GMT [Link] [Karma: 0 (+/-)] [No Comments]
