Jordan Watch : Review of Euro 2008 First Round

Although this particular blog is focused on socio-economic and political issues in Jordan, my real passion is about football where I consider myself as a self-declared expert on international football. This is why I am sure I will be enjoying this review of Euro 2008 first round and I hope you find it useful.

To begin with I love the European Championship since it is way better than the World Cup. In Euro only the best teams reach the finals. You cannot see teams like Togo, Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, Trinidiad & Tobago and Angola in such a tournament. Consider me "racist" but in football only the best should prevail in a real darwinian fashion.

The other issue is the exciting football played. Euro has always been rich with fantastic moments in history. Unlike the defensive mind World Cup the matches in Euro are mostly straight forward attacking unless Italy is concerned as well as Dominique's lousy french team.

The greatest highlight of the first round was the Dutch team. Simply out of this world and the best team I have seen since France's 1998 team. If football was really fair Holland should win the title. However, fairness is the last thing that can contribute to shaping a champion and this is why Italy are still a big candidate. This is the best goal of the tournament so far scored by Wisley Snejder against France. Pure magic.

The second highlight was the ferocious knock out of France with one of the most lackluster performances in the history of the Tricolor team. The writing was on the wall since the first game against Romania. The team was slow, uncreative and without passion. No solutions were present and the only player with a glimpse of creativity was Ribery. Against Holland France was much better, having 13 shots on target but still unable to break down the Dutch defence and keeper. Against Italy you should expect any catastrophe and everything went from bad to worse. Ribery's injury, Abidal's suicide foul on Toni- who could have never scored even if there was no goalkeeper- and finally Henry's foot diverting Di Rossi's harmless free kick into a goal.

Italy again was able to rise from the ashes. This time it was thanks to Buffon who kept them in the tournament with the penalty save from Adrian Mutu. With such a luck on their side only a fool can write them off.

Spain is another team that is making the headlines. They have the most effective striking partnership between Villa and Torres. The midfield is brillinat and plays silky football but still their real character will be tested in the knock-out stages.

Portugal started brilliantly and had two amazing wins. Then the pattern was disrupted with a defeat against Switzerland. Scholari's decision to announce his departure to Chelsea DURING the championship and to rest most of his players may have contributed to the exit against Germany tonight.

Turkey was the icing on the cake with its fantastic ability to come from behind and win matches. They have done it twice but may not be able to do it in the third time against Croatia. However, their matches were some of the best and any neutral fan would love to see them involved in further stages.

Germany came with a lot of confidence and it was justified with the first match with the customary win over Poland. The rythm was disrupted agaisnt Croatia but then developed. Like Italy no one can write them off even if they were in worst conditions. Remember World Cup 2002?

The two host nations played better than the low expectations before the tournament. Indeed Austria dominated the play in there three matches but fell victim to lousy finishing. Against Poland they should have been 3-0 up in 20 minutes and against Germany they could have easily scored first and caused a surprise if they had one decent finisher.

Russia was delightful especially in the least game. Both them and Croatia have provided some consolation for England's absence from the qualification round.

Romania can be pround of their team. They were one penalty away from reaching the second round even before they play Holland. The team that was thought to be a bridge in the group of death was alive until the last minute.

Czech republic and Greece were both disappointing as well as Sweden. All three team, plus France need drastic changes in their squads and attacking approaches if they are going to have a role in the next World Cup.

Poland? nothing new. Brilliant in qualifications and complete failure in the finals. I would hateb to be a Polish fan. being Jordanin is much better as we lose in the qualifications and never have high expectations.