Editorials

Four years ago, Wayne Rooney burst onto the world stage by starring for England in the 2004 European Championships. Many people in England, maybe optimistically, think that we would have gone on to win that tournament if Rooney hadn’t been injured in the penalty shoot-out defeat to Portugal.At that time, I was convinced that Rooney […]

Twenty four year old Togo and Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor did little to end the speculation about his possible transfer to Milan yesterday. At a press conference he seemed to clarify the position by saying, “I have a good contract, we have a good team there and I’m playing for one of the biggest teams […]

The second semi-final saw a Russian side who had comprehensively outplayed Holland take on a Spanish side who had comprehensively outplayed Italy. The prize being the opportunity to take on the Germans in Sunday’s final.The first half was fairly even with Russia just shading the possession. Spain lost David Villa to injury towards the end […]

I know I’m not the only one to have said it, but I repeat once again, never write off the Germans. They didn’t play particularly well against Turkey and, on balance, they are probably lucky to be through to Sunday’s final. Having said that, one team can only have so much luck and they’ve been […]

I read a very interesting article the other day in the aftermath of the appointment of Paul Ince as Blackburn manager.In this day and age it is perhaps remarkable that Ince is the first black manager to be appointed in England’s top league. Despite many people feeling that Ince’s appointment is a major breakthrough for […]

I would like to build on Graham’s brilliant analysis. I have to warn you though that I will have to disagree. In my office pool (how many out there are already planning what to do with their money…?) I had Spain beating Germany in the final. Unfortunately the rules got confused, and I can no […]

With the break between the quarter-finals and the semi-finals at Euro 2008 we can finally draw breath and look at the tournament so far. One thing is for sure. It has been a great success on the field.The host nations didn’t disgrace themselves in the way their fans, particularly the Austrians, feared that they would. […]

Day sixteen of the Euro 2008 tournament saw the long awaited quarter-final between the exciting, young and in form Spain side and the dull, old and out of form Italians.The game turned out to be a major disappointment for anyone other than the most fanatical connoisseur of the game who may possibly have squeezed some […]

It’s a dangerous game writing off the Germans, as many soccer betting pundits and bookmakers did midway through Euro 2008.  Joachim Low’s men were the pre-tournament favourites but after defeat to Croatia in the group stage, Germany were eased in the market allowing the shrewd punters to take the value about them.  Low’s men were […]

With comprehensive wins against the two world cup finalists, France and Italy, together with a fine victory by their reserve side against Romania, Holland had become many people’s favourites to win the tournament.The style of football they have produced, particularly on the counter attack, has endeared them to nearly everyone who has watched them.Russia started […]