Shay has Given Croatia the Advantage!
11/06/12 02:34
Footcall 2012 Day 3...
Here we saw the big Spanish guns take on another big dog in the competition, Italy. This was set to be a match of verve and skill as we would be entertained by two of the favourites to potentially lift the trophy. Well it seemed that Spain played into Italy's plan and like a typical Apprentice task it certainly looked as if it was the Italians with the better "strategy". The first half was a cagey affair and desperately cried out for a goal and whilst Iniesta went close it was 0-0 at half time, great for me (and the GLW*) as that's what we had predicted. After the break, Super Mario Balotelli failed to impress was substituted for Di Natale who promptly tucked the ball into the Spaniards net. This opened the game a little more and three minutes later Barcelona (defender/midfielder/striker) Cesc Fabregas equalised! In the latter stages of the game Fernando Torres squandered two opportunities to seal the game and has probably knocked another 10m quid off his value! The game finished 1-1 and maybe both sides would have been happy or maybe not.
Game two saw an evening kick off between Ireland and Croatia and the Irish had vast vocal support many of whom were dressed as stereotypical Leprechauns! But the Croatians silenced them rather quickly as Mario Mandzukic headed past a wrong footed Shay Given within three minutes. However soon after, Sean St Ledger latched on to an Irish free kick and they were back in it. But the Croats were in full control and their dominance saw Jelavic put them ahead before the break... over to the studio and miserable looking Roy Keane! Pretty much normal service resumed after the return and they even advanced further, as that man Mandzukic got a second after he hit the post only to see it it ping back off Given's head and in the net leaving poor old Shay with white line paint covered all over his face like he'd just been busted at a cocaine party! Irish eyes were certainly not smiling when Robbie Keane had a good shout for a penalty turned down and it finally ended 3-1 to Croatia leaving it extremely tough for Ireland to qualify for the knockout stages.
And so to the Footcall league...
Nick Stacey forged up the top with seasoned Footcall campaigner Paul Firmston with three pointers for the first game. In fact there were quite a few red squares for this match including, Dan Wilks, Les Herbert (don't tell Dave), Steve Goodwin and Patrick Ferguson. I'm sure Kevin Appleton is delighted to get his title defence underway with a three along with Jill Fuller, Steve Cowland, Andy Kirshing Kirchell and Clive Catterall.
In the second match we saw far fewer exact score lines but Nathaniel Ridley nailed it and bang; he goes top! Other red square players include, Chris Read, Julia (just where is Simon?) Virco and James Parker, back from holiday to claim his first points of his campaign. But hey look... who's this creeping up the table? Leanne Maloney is showing consistent form with three ones and a three to move into 6th (I know just how much she is loving the Euros and Footcall 2012) whilst fellow division players the brothers Broad languish at the opposite end of the table!
Next up... ENG-ER-LAND!
Dj
*GLW - Good Lady Wife