Wrong Predictions

So my Euro championship predictions have been proved completely wrong. Football is becoming unpredictable and the favourite team on one day is out on the other. And teams which were almost out on the first day are already in the semi-finals.

The performance of the Dutch against Italy and France made them the super favourite title. They played well. Pundits claimed that this Dutch side was the reincarnation of the total-football concept. They trashed Italy and demolished France. They won against Romania and were drawn to play against less favourite Russia. The Dutch dreamt until all the dreams were shattered thanks to an outstanding performance by Hiddink’s boys.

The Russian side played like the South Korean side of the 2002 world cup. In both cases the architect was Mr Hiddink

The Turks, under the guidance of Fatih Terim, have also made it to the semi finals. They beat another side on my list of favourites, Croatia.

Croatia was punished for being too inaccurate in front of goal. Turkey made it because the players believed that nothing was impossible. Their rivals in the semi- finals will be the ever-green Germany.

There were those who said that this German side is weak and will have to succumb to the power of Ronaldo and Co. Yet, it was Portugal which was eliminated from the tournament, and thus all the three teams who I thought stood a good chance to win the tournament are already home.

Tonight, Italy will play Spain. A lot of statistics have been brought into the discussion preceding this match. Spain has spent 80 years suffering the Italian power. Italy is always a slow starter (always better than being non-starters). Spain always start well, but stumble on their way to glory. Basically, despite the fact that on paper Spain are favourites, no one wants to say it for one simple reason, the Italians might upset another favourite who is tipped to win the trophy.

On Friday night I wrote: “So the first two Quarter finals saw two favourites out. It is interesting to note that both Portugal and Croatia came first in their group. Now, they're first (of the last 8) to go home. If the pattern holds for the other two quarter finals, then the next semi-final should be, Russia vs ...” Let's wait till Sunday evening.