Well it's semi-final time again, and once again we're sitting here watching the business end of a tournament without England in it. At least we weren't here this time to get knocked out. And we still have the moderate comfort of watching some quality (and potential) premiership players.
The latest rumours surround the fleetfooted Andrei Arshavin, or Андрей Асрхавин as his mum knows him. I always wondered why the players names aren't in their own language on the back of shirts - now we know! Anyway, it appears the wiley old professor of Foreign studies at Arsenal has realised that Andrei has conjured himself out of fresh air, and anyone that can do that will be a welcome addition to the "go missing in big games crew" that occupy the Emirates dressing room. At least he has a pedigree of mesmerising Rangers in the UEFA pot final. Hmmmm.
Anyway, to tonight's match up.
Germany against Turkey offers yet another underdog scenario, and as usual the Germans have ground out the passage to the knock out stages. The majestic Michael Ballack looks like the player of old, and the guy who so nearly propelled Chelsea over the finish line this season. The solidity of Frings and the runs of Lahm from full back mean that Germany's midfield should dominate and create chances for Podolski, Klose and whoever replaces Gomes (who apparently can't remember scoring all those golas in the Bundesliga last season). The German weakness is that they have 2 centre halves who look like they'd be more at home administering Suplexes in the WWE than dispossessing a skilful forward. And then there's Jens Lehman. Add your own punchline.
Hands up anyone who can name a Turkish player other than Nihat, who dragged them back from the brink against the Czechs, but is now apparently out of the tournament. Much rests on Semih Senturk, who has 2 already this tournament. Turkey have battled their way through, and I heard a great stat that they've only been in the lead for 2 minutes of the entire tournament. This suggests that they're very fit and never give up, qualities that willbe tested against the Germans who might not be spectacular (Ballack free kicks apart) but will pound away til the opposition cave in. Their injury crosis is so bad that Terim claims only 13 fit outfield players will be in the squad tonight. Remains to be seen, but they are shorn of a couple of centre backs and Klose and Podolski are too much for many fit defenders, never mind the heroic Servet who has pretty much been on one leg since day 1. And Rustu's renaissance will probably last only two games.
It's a shame for that Turkish support which trebles by the formula - (Massive underdog x playing Germany)+ Hansen sticks to Germans - but I can't see anything other than the German bulldozer rumbling on in normal time - and if it did go to penalties we all know what would happen.
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Agree wholeheartedly with your views on the final - I think it would be one game too far for the plucky Turks with a full squad, let alone a squad which may include the third string keeper as a potential full back sub.
Regarding the media hype surrounding Mr. Arshavin, beware of purchasing players based on their performances in big tournaments.
A lot of good managers have fallen foul of buying players who shine on the International or European stage only to find their bones are made of glass in the premiership.
For example, Mr Ferguson who resides over the red (and most successful) half of Manchester knows a thing or two about wily transfer coups. However he has been stung on occasions by purchasing so called tournament stars such as Jordi Cruyff and Karel Poborsky to name a couple.
And we all remember when Liverpool bought half of the Senegalese national side based on the fact that they destroyed a ten man French team who really didn't turn up on the day.
How about Rebrov, the scourge of the European stage - didn't like the premiership much did he? Anyone who can make Stefan Iverson and Ruul Fox look like world class players is not worth the Rubels paid out for him.
So let Wenger buy Arshavin and a whole host of other premiership sides fight for the leading scorers of this latest tournament. I, as a United fan am confident that my club and my manager have put their homework in prior to this tournament and have their eyes on players that their scouts have watched over the course of a season rather than basing big money transfers on 300 minutes of football.
Long live the rash impulse buys of clueless managers who are grasping at potential straws in an effort to keep pace with the pack leaders.
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