Euro 2012 - Semi Finals

It is Semi Finals time and as per usual England are out and the final four are made up of Western European giants. I am not going to dwell on the past, because frankly that bit could be paraphrased into “England were solid but predictable and lost on penalties again”, and look with anticipation at the Semi-finals to come.

Wednesday sees the Iberian battle, and let’s hope it is more Boer War than Cold War. By which I do not mean more deaths but actually something happening. This one has the potential to become a bit of a dreary affair, especially if Spain score first and then hold onto that lead, as they did against France. However, Portugal are a more potent attacking force than France, spearheaded by Ronaldo, who, after a slow start, has come to life. He will be chomping at the bit to gain bragging rights over his Real chums and Barca rivals, much as he was against England in Euro2004.

The main man in the match though will not be Ronaldo, or Silva, or Alonso, but Raul Meireles. Playing deep in the Portugal midfield, he has the potential to snuff out the passes and runs of the six strong Spanish midfield. If he fails, there is little that Pepe and co can do to stop the Spanish steam-roller. It may be that the Spanish choose to play a front man – Torres has been their main option in that role – in which case it will be up to the centre-backs to stay tight and bring him down.

Portugal’s best option is to invite Spain onto them and hot while they aren’t concentrating on defence. Pique and Ramos like to get forward, and if Nani, Ronaldo and Almeida can pour themselves onto the full backs then we could see Portugal nick the odd goal. Spain should win. They have quality coming out of their armpits and then when that gets the blast of Portuguese anti-persperant  they have a sweaty back too. Sorry. The game will be dangerous and could get dirty, there is no love lost between the neighbours, so expect a few cards to be put up. I am going to go for Spain to win by two, but I could be well out.

The other Semi final looks to be the more straightforward one. Germany should dispatch Italy with ease. The Italians lacked finesse infront of goal against England and the same impotency again will see Germany through at a canter. If Ballotelli and De Rossi can find their shooting boots then perhaps the Germans will have some work to do, but frankly I don’t see it bothering them. Schweinsteiger or Ozil, whoever Loew chooses, will be more than a match for Pirlo, and without their main man dictating play the Italians could fall to bits. The Italian team has had two fewer days to recover from 120 minutes of match than the Germans have had from 90, and a lot of their first choice players didn’t even face that. Germany to win then, although Italy will put men behind the ball, so perhaps only by one or two, but Italy shouldn’t worry them too much.

It may seem that I am being unfair towards the Italians but it seems every way of winning a game has been negated recently by the Germans. You can’t pass around them, as Holland tried, you can’t counter attack them, Greece tried, you can’t frustrate them, Portugal tried. You just have to be better than them, and Italy aren’t.

Enjoy the games.