14th June: Czech Republic 2-1 Italy
The game got off to a good start when Jimmy Hill didn't turn up for the pre-match analysis. Smart use of runs from deep by the midfield and a man advantage gives the Czech
Republic a 2-1 victory over Italy. Italy dominated but could have been 4-0 down at
half time thanks to a blatant Czech penalty turning into an Italian goal 30 seconds
later. Nice to see a keeper looking solid for a change.
Star man: Babjel (Czech)
Most annoying impression of a weeble: Chiesa (Italy)
Portugal 1-0 Turkey
Oh well, it might as well be said: Turkey stuffed by Couto. Couto gives Turkey the bird.........
Star man: Rui Costa (Portugal)
13th June: Holland 2-0 Switzerland
Oh no. Not again. It's Sun journalist mode: Swiss rolled over by jammy Bergkamp.....
Star men: Hansen and Gullit (Commentary Box)
Bulgaria 1-0 Romania
One minute of genius from Soitchkov. Ninety minutes of temper tantrams from
Stoichkov and Hagi.
Top man: Bobby Mikhailov (Bulgaria)
Only room for one ego award: Hagi - but only after he stamped his feet lots and refused to eat his tea.
11th June: Turkey 0-1 Croatia
Similar pattern to most of the games that had preceeded it; good passing in the midfield but no
cutting edge up front. Croatia, the 'dark horses' of the event, were pitch black
until five minutes from time when Vlaovic latched on to a pass from Asanovic, beat a defender and ran half of the
length of the pitch before cooly rounding the keeper to score. Otherwise the game was fairly eventless
so much so that I phoned my sister in the middle of it. (Sorry she's been
desparate to get a mention).
Apparently played quite well but I can't remember award: Sergen (Turkey)
Italy 2-1 Russia
A double strike from Casiraghi gave Italy a victory which looked in the balance
in the first half when crisp Russian passing and a couple of close offside
desicions left the game level going into the second half. Needless to say the first Italian goal
was thanks to a dodgy keeper (who sported full dodgy keeper haircut and moustache).
One of the "players to watch" - Del Piero - was seen doing bugger all in the first half
and indeed became a player to watch as he spent the second half as a disgruntled spectator.
Australian disguised as a Russian award: Bushmanov
10th June: Romania 0-1 France
Dodgy Keeper number two made an appearance to give a lacklustre French team a win they barely
deserved. On this evidence the winner will not be coming from Group B.
Star man for staying awake: Me
Holland 0-0 Scotland
Great goalkeeping by John Collins and woeful finishing by any Dutch player
you'd care to mention kept the scoreline blank. Looks good for Wembley - on current
form the Scots should nick it by the odd goal or five.
Best Scottish keeper on the day: Andy Goram
9th June: Denmark 1-1 Portugal
Suffering from football overload by the time this game came around. The Portugese
passed well but looked toothless up front whilst Denmark didn't look up to much but
there was always the threat of a Laudrup getting a goal on the break, which they did.
Brian Laudrup hit a thunderous shot past Baia's near post in the first half. I missed
the Portugese equalizer as I was cooking my dinner, but a draw was about right.
Team most in need of a visit to the barbers: Portugal
Germany 2-0 Czech Republic
"Thouroughly professional performance." "Wouldn't bet against them." "Well organized."
"Just wait until Klinsmann is back.".........Bunch of boring bastards if you ask me.
still they'd crap on England.....
Star man: Berger (Czech)
Spain 1-1 Bulgaria
Best goal of the tournament contender from Stoichkov was ruled out for being two yards
onside. Still if it was a penalty yesterday then I'd say he should have been sent off for scoring
such a good goal. Fairly dull opening game of the group was livened up by the referee
who brandished two red cards and about fifty seven yellow cards. Not bad considering there
wasn't a bad foul all game.
Team who need to stop setting silly directives: FIFA/UEFA
8th June: England (lucky to get) 1-1 Switzerland
Good first half performance by England was capped by a fine strike from Alan Shearer, ruined by a totally inept second half display.
The dye was cast in a half time interview with Terry Venables. "I'll tell the boys to get the ball out from the back a bit quicker."
And yes, we got fairly good at punting the ball down the field to let the Swiss have another attack.
Mystifying substitutions didn't help nor did the penalty desicion that gave the Swiss a deserved equalizer, but the players just
seemed to take their foot off the gas. It looked like they were 4-0 up at half time. Must do better!
Team that should have bagged a win: Switzerland
The Flying Pig's qualifiers:
Group A: Netherlands and England.
Group B: France and Bulgaria.
Group C: Germany and Italy.
Group D: Portugal and Croatia.
The Flying Pig's champions: The Netherlands.
