French Toast the Spanish Tap(as) Dancers!
24/06/12 01:33
Footcall 2012 Day 15...
Day 15 in the Footcall house (you have to say that with a Geordie accent) or should that be with a Jordi (Alba) accent, as the Spanish left back was instrumental in unpicking the frayed seams of a lack lustre French defence. This was the third Quarter Final of Euro 2012 and on paper was set to be tight, defensive, cagey affair with the reigning champions against the Millennium winners and you know what, that's exactly what we got! This was like watching Audley Harrison box, all the prospects of something spectacular but sadly lacking in any fireworks. Maybe that's a bit harsh, I certainly wouldn't want to get in the ring with Our Audley, but I was looking forward to this match because we had more than a few world class players on the field and I'd gambled our cats (don't tell the present Mrs Jenner) on France pulling this off! I had visions of our near neighbours walking this match, cantering across the Semis and trotting through the finals to victory seeing "Everybody Loves Beer Pong!" gallop up the Footcall table quicker than Black Caviar in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot!
Let's face it, France were poor, they had a shaky defence and a distinct lack of fire power, the only thing they did possess was a moderate midfield but they couldn't trust wandering up the field to leave the centre backs to their own devices. Conversely, Spain are in a different league, strong in all departments and one of the best in the world at ball hogging. They're not flash, they don't terrify their opponents, they just don't give the ball away nor do they worry when they don't have it either. This was all brought into sharp focus when that Jordi boy escaped the floundering French right back to get his head up and pitch a ball across the face of goal that even Phil Mickelson would tip his cap to! It landed right onto the oncoming head of Xabi Alonso who powered into the goal, wrong footing the French keeper. It was as if Spain had simply decided to stop messing about and grab the game by the balls. We were 20 minutes in and surely this was all going according to Del Bosque's master plan? I'm guessing the next stage was to just taunt the French another 70 minutes? Probably. All I can say was it must have been effing hot in Donetsk this evening as it seemed both sides slowed to a pedestrian paced game of keep ball. maybe both nations were happy with one nil? Comfortable victory for Spain whilst not totally humiliating for the French. We've been treated right royally to some end-to-end, exciting football matches over the past two weeks and maybe we were getting complacent, we had 6 goals last night for Pete's sake... I want more! I'm not saying the Euro 2012 bubble has burst as the Spaniards were utterly professional and they can only beat what's in front of them; but with the exception of Franck Ribery, France just weren't at the races. Long range shots cleared the bar like Jonny Wilkinson conversions and if there are any aspiring goalkeepers looking for some new gloves, I know Iker Casillas has got an unused pair for sale!
As the game was drawing to a close, Spanish substitute, Pedro was brought down in the box and Alonso duly stepped up and converted the penalty, not for the first time tonight sending Lloris the wrong way. We were beyond the 90 now and there was no time for Xabi to get his hat-trick and perhaps two goals was enough all things considered. Another Waterloo for the French whilst the Spaniards celebrate with Fernando! In summary, Spain do not look as red hot as their shirts and maybe they will be undone against Portugal and the might of Mr Ronaldo next Wednesday. My suspicion is that they will know how to snuff him out and we'll see Torres steal the show, but hey, what do I know I picked France to go all the way!
And so to the Footcall league...
OK I'm finally conceding defeat! A ridiculously tiny part of my Footcalling brain had mathematically figured out the ultimate combination of results to see my team push up the table. Realistically I was never really thinking I could win but maybe I had dreams of crashing into the top 100 :-) Well that dream has been quashed now and all I've got now is to pin my hopes on England to win their first major trophy since we won the Rugby World Cup in 2003 (thanks Trish for pointing out this previous oversight in an earlier Footcall report!)
Once again the table has barely changed shape as Spain were hot favourites to secure the win tonight amongst the Footcall revellers. Craig Amos (top of Cohen Division) had France to win and has consequently slipped a little as too did Lyn Rennie although he maintains the top spot of Banks Division. Don't forget that winners of the each Division will get free entry to Footcall 2014, a small prize I know but it's the equivalent of getting your stake money back. Dan Shroeck is holding his own in the money bracket and top of the Ball Division. Dave Herbert (now threatening Craig in Cohen), Rob Pearson (now giving Jon Hill a gentle nudge in the Stiles Division), James Ridley (reminding Nathaniel who pays the bills in Hurst Division) and Rob Smith (asking the questions of the Statesiders above him in Ball Division) and all of them are knocking Hall of Fame door!
Chris and Nick are still topside of the big league and CharltonB Division, Nick Singleton is still top of Greaves Division but Colin Jessop is hanging about like a bad smell ready to step up if he should falter. It's an all Cowland affair in Hunt Division (Steve: 42 years v Finley: 3 months), the ManOnAMission Matt must be feeling the heat in Moore Division from JT who is not that far behind. Steve Goodwin is top of Peters Division with Darryl Farmer not completely out of it just yet. Manoj and Paul are having a big ruck at the top of Wilson whilst Tat just tries to mediate, with the devious view of sneaking up on their blindside!
However Simon Dudson might have taken his eye off the smaller prize as he's dropped 4 out of the 6 points in the Knockouts so far and now Tim Jennings and Julia Virco have actually caught him. What was Si thinking; picking France and Greece? Nutter! In fact, in the infamous As It Stands table, Tim and his pet Seagulls will technically go top on Knockout Stages points scored.
That'll do for now!
Dj