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THE TEAMS
For the past decade in big tournaments,
you could bet on the presence of either
Spain or Germany in the final.
Not this year. Portugal vs. France could
be read as a shift away from the two
power players in international football.
Germany still has the semblance of the
world beaters from four years ago, but
there is a sense that the new players
are a shade less formidable than their
predecessors. Philipp Lahm’s brilliance
has never been replaced.
Bayern Munich reject Mario Gomez
lead the attack while Manchester
United reserve Bastian Schweinsteiger
was core to the midfield. Add to that
Thomas Muller’s lack of form and you
get a surprisingly weak German team
Spain’s problem is not one of personnel:
it could be one of style. Addicted to the
tika taka of Barcelona, they can’t seem
to get the idea that this possession
brand football has been found out by
teams operating on the break. And
given the defensive mentality exhibited
in France, they were bound to hit an
iceberg at some point.
If Germany and Spain get a C+ or B, a
big red F can be seen on the English
report card. The British press no longer
assume that they will romp home in
the next tournament, but they could
at least expect more then they got in
France. A desperate draw against fellow
losers Russia, a narrow win against
Wales and a nil-nil against tiny Slovakia
did not bode well.
The
English
management
were
delighted to get drawn against Iceland
in the Round of 16. One eye on the
quarter finals, they tripped over the
handy Icelanders, being out thought
and out played.
SPEAKING OF ICELAND…
This tiny European island showed the
world that a well-drilled team who
take their chances could win on the
international stage. This success has
actually been brewing for years, as
the Icelandic footballing bodies have
steadily invested in youth training. They
moved like a single organism and only a
Frenchman would have enjoyed seeing
them get heaved out of the competition
in a 5-2 decimation.
Another country whose size was far
outweighed by their performance was
Wales. OK, they do have a one genuine
super star, but the rest of the team
is full of lower division players and
Premier League reserves.
But they refused to work as water
carriers for Real Madrid’s record signing
Gareth Bale, with Joe Allen setting the
tempo and Aaron Ramsey pulling the
strings. Finally, the champions should
get a mention. Worthy winners? In
football, it is easier just to look at the
score board. Yes, they only won once
in 90 minutes. Yes, their games against
Croatia and Poland were excruciating.
But they won. That should be enough.
Right?
THE PLAYERS
There is more to say about Portugal’s
players than there is about their team.
Pepe, Madrid’s pantomime villain,
who has been known to fall down
under the assault of a stiff breeze, was
outstanding. In a defensive team, with
few big stars, Pepe did a miraculous job
in organising the back line and pitching
in.
Then there was Ronaldo. His colossal
ego and strangely manicured face is
nauseating to say the least, but there
are few players as talented and driven
in the history of the sport. It may be too
much to say that he singled-handedly
dragged Portugal to the final, but it is
pretty much what happened.
After getting injured in the final, the
book-makers turned the dial down on
Portugal’s chances. But with Ronaldo
unable to stay away from the spotlight
as he bounced around on the touchline,
Eder’s goal got him the medal he
deserves.
It is a shame he had to be so ungracious
about Iceland.
Bale was formidable, given a free
role and told by his coach to just
PLAY. Unshackled by any tactical
responsibilities, he was a galloping
menace and a joy.
Antoine
Griezmann
has
been
astonishing for the past couple of
seasons at Atletico Madrid, and in
France he outshone even Paul Pogba,
recently made the most expensive
player in history by Manchester United.
Griezmann left the tournament with 5
goals, making him the Golden Boot.
THE SPECTACLE
It was a mixture of good and very, very
bad in the stands and on the streets of
France.
Naturally, the violence between
the English and Russian supporters
will demand a rethink of whether
hooliganism is as dead as we thought.
It would appear that the Russian actions
were organised and the English more
spontaneous, but the blight they caused
on the tournament should mean that
both confederations are sanctioned.
In contrast, the Irish supporters were
incredibly jolly and entertaining,
spreading good will though the street.
The Northern Irish composed an iconic
song for striker Will Griggs, and the
Icelandic fans gave the world the now
ubiquitous Thunderclap.
For the most part, the tournament
was an enjoyable spectacle and the
authorities will be delighted that there
were no terrorist scares to mar the
otherwise smoothly run competition.
Overall, while Euro 2016 will never be
deemed a classic, there were enough
bright moments to consider it a success.
Touchline issue 24 | September 2016 | 23