Portugal 2-3 Germany
Croatia 1-1 Turkey (aet) (1-3 pens)
Netherlands 1-3 Russia (aet)
Three games there, all with one thing in common – entertainment. Each game has entertained those lucky enough to watch them and each in their own way.
Germany’s defeat of Portugal was entertaining because of the fluid football played by the Germans and sometimes Portugal, as well as the very tense ending set up by Helder Postiga’s habitual late goal.
Croatia cut Turkey open on many occasions throughout their quarter final, but failed to come up with that killer touch until Klasnic’s weak header went in very late in extra time, only to have Semih to hammer in an equaliser at the other end with the last kick of the game. Then the devastated Croats made English penalty takers look good by scoring just one of their four attempts.
Holland were bound to go out with a whimper having set the tournament alight beforehand. It was all too typical of them; the perennial underachievers. Although they managed to do that with a fight due to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s equaliser five minutes from the ninety barrier. But Russia knuckled down and came out with a victory that they more than deserved. Who could have predicted that result after the first round of group games?
These three quarter finals were all set to make this tournament the best European Championship in recent times (I say ‘in recent times’ as opposed to ‘ever’ because I, shamefully, don’t know enough about the history of the tournament to say this is the best of all time). However, last night the Italians and, to a lesser extent, the Spanish tried their utmost to bring the quality of this tournament crashing down to earth like the helicopter in Cloverfield (I watched that the other day so it’s the best simile I can come up with, sorry if it’s a spoiler). It’s strange to say that the two teams who played last night actually tried to do anything at all. I’ve never watched such a boring game in my life, and I’ve been down to Villa Park a couple of times (pre-O’Neill I hasten to add).
But, as bad as that game was, it would take something much direr to ruin this tournament. It has, so far, been pretty fantastic, and both semi-finals could be just as magnificent as the three quarters named at the top. Germany have the class and the drive to go all the way, but Turkey are easily comparable to that woman in the second Austin Powers who just won’t die. Russia could slice Spain’s defence to pieces; I am still adamant it is shaky, if Italy had have had a tiny bit of ambition and gone forward once in a while last night I think they could have really exposed the Spaniards. But Spain have Torres and Villa, both of whom could benefit from better service if ol’ Cescy is given a well earned start.
Either way the semis are going to be good. I just hate this intermission between the stages. Roll on Wednesday.
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