Woolworths: 3 - Ikea: 2
16/06/12 01:44
Footcall 2012 Day 8...
First game up this afternoon was between France and Ukraine but barely four minutes into the match the ref was pulling em all off for what Soccer AM's Sheephead would have described as light drizzle! This was accompanied with some fork lightning which had knocked out some of the screens around the ground so maybe he had a point. On their return it was the French who took command and it was probably the Ukrainian keeper, Pyatov, who was the man of the match in the first half as he saved several opportunities for France to take the lead. Soon after the break the breakthrough came as Menez tucked one away with his left peg. From then it was one way traffic and eventually Cabaye doubled their lead and in the final minutes he belted the post before the game finished 2-0 to France.
Then off to the showcase event of the evening, England's second game, this time against Sweden. Our record against the Swedes has never been great but our band merry men were willing to give it a go. A lot has been made of England's lack of experience, Rio being left at home, Rooney on the bench, Lampard and Cahill injured, if it all went t*ts up at least we had our pick of the excuses lined up! But we weren't gonna need em, were we? We still Capt'n Stevieee and Colonel Parker shoring up the midfield whilst Privates Carroll and Wellbeck created havoc up front. The first half was typically frantic but it was Gerrard who looped in a gem of a cross that met the rising head of Andy Carroll as he steered the ball right into the bottom corner of the net ably assisted by Manager Hodgson on the touch line simulating the header. Wallop! England in front and looking good, we even managed to hold on to the slender advantage whilst we went back to the studio to a beaming Gary Linekar and Alans Shearer and Hansen.
On the return we started in typical form to sit back on our lead, only to see the ball ping about in our box before Mellberg sent it goal-ward just to see Glen Johnson stop it from going in the net but then deciding there was nothing he could do to prevent momentum carrying it over the line. Damn it... one all. Ten minutes later that man Mellberg (who looks uncannily like Robinson Crusoe) headed in the Swedish second from free kick. Now we were rocking and it was looking tough, as we all knew a draw was bad news but a defeat disastrous. Going behind somehow woke England up and with a chance at the other end the boy Walcott (some fans questioned why he was in the squad) lifted the ball above all the Swedish defence and into the roof of their goal. Game on! As Hodgson nervously looked on, we pushed for a winner and young Theo ran to the line dragging defenders with him as he cut it back to Danny Wellbeck who magically flicked it off the inside of his heel past the wrong footed keeper. We weren't content there as we pressed for a fourth and Walcott's pace saw him take the ball into the box and cross it for Stevieee to guide it in but this time Isaksson thwarted his effort and it remained 3-2. Blinding effort lads!
And so to the Footcall league...
Two nil to France was a very popular choice and it saw Nathan Ridley move topside all on his own. Rob Pearson, Dan Shroeck, Stephen Read, Shane Barden, Steve Cowland and Spencer Collins all netted perfect threes. Looking at others who also picked up red squares include Lucy Ginger, Adam Jones, Andy (I'm new to this game) Kirchell, Eddie Bojtler, Ryan Smith and Leigh Boardman. Others include Lee Albrecht, Rob Smith and yet another for Jo Mackenzie. Patrick Ferguson, Barry Smith, George Relf and Nick (do you want chilli sauce with that?) Simmonds, Lyn Rennie not forgetting, Neil White (OMG again?), along with Colin Jessop, James Jones, Steve Russell and I'm gonna give special mention to Nick Rowland and Harry Hitch who, after indifferent starts, collected their first red today and they certainly deserved it!
But best call of the tournament so far must go to Maxine Coupland, as she the only Footcaller to predict England to win 3-2... and it was her first three to boot!
Tomorrow sees the final games of Group A.
Until then...
Dj