Eurozoned... Half time report

We are now exactly halfway through the Euro's .Time for a team report then...

Czech Republic;
After their opening 1-4 defeat to Russia even the most fanatical Czech fan must've feared the worst.However they pulled it back with a win over seemingly doomed Greece then broke Poland's hearts with a pulsating win over the co hosts...All that with Milan Baros still plodding around upfront too...

Greece:
What can you say? Total rubbish to exhilarating in the space of not one game,not two games, but all three! Nobody  can explain how they got to qualify for the Quarter Finals but they have and it would be a churlish soul who would deny them their little bit of joy.The Footballing Gods being mischievous buggers have of course pitted them against Germany in the Euro's to go with their match in the Euro.I expect Germany to win both...

Poland:

If they could play for the full ninety minutes and take their chances they'd be through to the next round.They don't and they can't so they're not...Can take pride in co hosting a great tournament.

Russia:

The most exciting team in the competition so far...Gone home due to complacency and arrogance thinking all they had to do was turn up against Greece.Once again the biggest nation in Europe fall short...

Denmark;

So near yet so far...Gave themselves a great chance by beating Holland and scared the bejesus out of Portugal before coming up against the Juggernaut that is Germany...Sad to see them out.

Germany;

The aforementioned Juggernaut.The only team with a 100% record.I still think their defence is more suspect than previous German teams but have the midfield & attack to counter that small failing...There's lots of goals in this team...

Holland;

Oh dear.Always expect the unexpected with the Dutch.Pre tournament favourites who managed to lose every game and go home earlier than they should've done.Bad managerial decisions coupled with the usual Dutch in-fighting did for them.The best thing about the Dutch were their shirts in the V Portugal.

Portugal;

The biggest one man band since Wham! If Ronaldo plays well they win.If not they struggle...

Croatia;

Have yet to implode al la Holland.Always dangerous both on and off the pitch...If they beat Spain tonight it will be the shock of the tournament so far...

Italy;

Doing what Italy do.Just enough...Have shown they still have what it takes to win major tournaments and could well be on the same road again.The match up of Cassano & Balotelli upfront is intriguing...

Eire;

Bitterly disappointing.Have prided themselves on being hard to beat over the last couple of years but that singular skill has eluded them to such an extent that in footballing terms they're the runt of the Euro's litter...They do have the best fans though,much to the chagrin of Roy Keane...The Wolves players in the squad must be thinking the only way to get the fans behind them is to get dicked with alarming regularity...

Spain:

Favourites and will probably win the cup...Ho hum...

England:

Four points from two games is probably more than anyone dared hope for.Got a tough game coming up tomorrow versus co hosts Ukraine who can still qualify themselves.Think it may well be a tense evening...The constant complaints keep cropping up.We don't keep the ball long enough,our defence is suspect,midfield uninspiring ect ect...All true of course but despite that a quarter final game V Spain beckons...

France;

Quietly going about their business.Could end up winning the whole damn thing...

Sweden;

Already out of the competition. Which is good news as far as the Zaltan Ibramivitch question goes. Is he world class or a showpony flat track bully? I tend toward the latter...

Ukraine;

If they beat England tomorrow they go through.Simple as that.They must fancy their chances especially with England's occasionally moribund defence and a resurgent Schevchenko.This could well be his moment...