Spanish Flamenco: 4 - Irish Jig: 0
15/06/12 02:47
Footcall 2012 Day 7...
Week one of Euro 2012 draws to a close and saw Italy play Croatia in their second games of Group C. Italy would have been favourites for this but they really didn't set the world alight in their first game against Spain. After a couple of speculative Balotelli shots early on, Andrea Pirlo dispatched a beauty of a free kick over the Croatian wall and into the bottom left corner of the goal proving (once again) that without the wall, the keeper would have (IMO) stood a better chance of saving it (*puts soapbox away). However the Croats didn't drop their heads and after the break Mario Manduzukic sneaked in at the far stick to beat the offside trap and smash in their equaliser off the post. Both teams saw out time and it finished 1-1.
The evening game was the do or die match for the Republic of Ireland as they took on the current World Cup and Euro holders, Spain. Despite a promising start for the Irish they were quite frankly out classed. The quality of the first touch by the Spanish was evident as after three or four minutes they were the ones making the chances. And it was Fernando Torres who jinked his way past the hapless defence to blast the Adidas Tango right between Shay Given's gloves. From then on it was pretty much one way traffic. After half time David Silva seemed to nutmeg half the Irish centre-backs to put the game out of sight. Late on Torres went one on one and made it three, and this is where Christine and I wanted it to stay as we were both on for our first three pointer! Then just to rub salt in our Footcall wounds Cesc Fabregas who had come on for Torres bobbed up in the six yard area to hammer in the Spanish fourth and the final nail :-( Well at least we get a point! One thing we can award Ireland is the award for most in-tune fans; despite what Roy Keane might say, they love a sing-song the Irish!
And so to the Footcall league...
We have a new leader! Manoj Gupta joins young Nathaniel Ridley top-o-table. Nick Singleton, Simon Dudson, Matthew Green, Jon (Don't be like Dave) Hill, Andy Brunt, Eddie Bojtler Jnr, Chris and Nick Kotsonis, Graham Weaver and Paresh Tailor all got threes today for the first game. We should mention Joanna (look further down the table for Dan) Mackenzie picked up her second red square and Lyn "Loves Footcall" Rennie got his very first correct answer. As did Barry Smith, Peter Short and Peter Nilsen, well done guys!
Game two offered up a few threes to Johnny (you can trust me) Trent, Gary Thorp, Chris Amos, Dave Herbert and yet another for (Bobby) Dazzler Alldritt, steady fella, you're gettin' dangerously close to the leaders! Buckin Fonkers Utd (David Frost) can Fear and Midloathing (Angus McPheep) collected their first red squares since day one, you deserve it guys. Whilst hardened Footcallers Neil (Ytee) White and Peter (Millwall) Mulvey were rewarded for all their patience with their first one of the competition, I'm sure they would both like to thank Mr Fabregas for that late goal!
But it's Craig Amos and Matt Clark who take top honours today for their perfect 6 and both players now feature in the top 10. It's a short way to the top but a long back down again chaps!
Tomorrow sees the return of England as we go head-to-head with the Swedes!
Dj