June 2008

OK, so we’ve moved from Paris to London, but here we are in the Porterhouse in Covent Garden for the Russia v Spain semi final, and we promise you live video and photos, plus some interviews (possibly) with the many revellers who are packing this Irish/English place out.

We’ve pitted two of the bloggers who have contributed to our sites in Spain and Russia against each other, challenging them to tell us how their team is going to progress to the final.

First up was Zhenya, who reckons that although his beloved Russian players aren’t (as well known as Spain’s as they are mainly based in the Russian leagues), they have put themselves in the shop window and players like Arshavin can now pick which European giant they want to play for. He dismisses the 4-1 defeat in the group stages, saying Arshavin wasn’t there to make the difference before going on to extol the virtues of several players, including the young goalkeeper Akinfeev.

Miguel from Diarios de Futbol begins his repost by attacking the Russian defence, much like he hopes his countrymen will tonight, saying that in their last game Ignasevich was ‘horrible’. He goes on to question the tactics of Aragones in implying he won’t play Villa, but reckons it is intended to keep the competitive spirit in the camp.

Zhenya comes back saying the main aim of the Russians will be to block Spain’s attacking threat of Villa and Torres (who he kindly points out didn’t have great games in the quarter final). He also points out that this will be a ‘battle of the coaches’, with Hiddink already having got the better of van Basten.

Thanks lads, and we look forward to seeing who is right and who triumphs in tonight’s match.

He’s having the tournament of his life, and Yuri Zhirkov needs to stamp his authority on the game against Spain tonight in order to establish Russia’s dominance. Zhirkov is so far 4^th in the ‘ground covered’ standings (over 47km), has clocked the fastest time of anyone at 31.3km/h and has the most touches per match of any player at an average of 95. Patrolling the left wing with almost military precision, Zhirkov might want to maintain a position slightly closer to the box against Spain, who were mighty on the counter when they destroyed the Russians in their group game. A look at his Castrol Index heat map shows that spending too much of his time nearer the half way line could be costly.

Whoever is the victor in tonight’s game, we’re guaranteed a tremendous number of shots on goal as the two teams top the charts in terms of numbers (if not necessarily accuracy). Racking up an impressive 134 shots between them so far, there are bound to be bagsful tonight as both teams strive to find the back of the net and progress to the final on Sunday.

Hopefully tonight will hold another game like the first semi, which can only be described as a thrills and spills roller coaster ride. I’m gunning for Spain to win 3-1 (I have them in a sweepstake, so I’m naturally biased).

Jack reckons the Russians will triumph 2-1, with Cameron Diaz netting a brace.

Stats provided by Castrolindex.com

So now you’ve had a chance to take a closer look at all the players on offer (like a horse breeder checking out the available stock before choosing which to buy), it’s time for you to make your decision on Player Of The Tournament.

The top 3 selections will go up against three chaps picked by the technical experts at UEFA. These 6 players – in one of the most convoluted procedures known to man – will then be assessed by a UEFA Technical Study Group and a winner chosen. This ensures both the public and UEFA have their say in the matter. Leading the charge so far is Turkey’s Arda Turan with 27% of the popular vote, closely followed by Poland’s goalkeeping hero Artur Boruc.

Tranquillo - he like banana!

Here at Euro2008statistics.com though, we’re throwing our weight behind the guy with undoubtedly the coolest name in football. He’ll engender a feeling of calm and peacefulness in you at the mere mention of that name, and his play for ill-fated Switzerland lit up a team that was otherwise tawdry throughout. That man, our new hero, is none other than the mighty Tranquillo Barnetta. There, feel peaceful? Now go vote!

No doubt that this semi-final left off where the quarter-finals begun, and what excitement! Never say die Turkery er.. (almost) never say dying, but this time it’s Germany scraping that last minute winner, Phillip Lahm finishing with some style to send the pre-tournament favourites through to the final.

Turkish hearts may be broken, but long will they remain in the hearts for a whole host of gutsy performances against all the odds. Even the BBC couldn’t cope with the action, old mother beeb failing time after time. The bitter cynic in me snarls that Germany haven’t been that great, and they don’t really deserve this. But with 6 goals in the last two games, perhaps they do - and noone more than Michael Ballack - who has summed up the German work-rate throughout the tournament.

Take a look at his heat map, taken from the CPI, and Jens Lehmann - if you’re reading… Feel pleased that there were players in that team to spare your blushes.

See you tomorrow….

Hands up who thought this would be a stroll in the forest for Germany… Come on, don’t lie - the poor injury-hit Turks laying down and taking a right old battering from their culturally efficient, no-nonsense neighbours. Big-game Ballack bound to pop up with several, and Germany to cruise easily into the final, dismissing the brave Turks with a sweep of their mighty hands. Well no… Because this half has been all about Turkey.

Capatalising on some mighty interesting goalkeeping from Jens Lehmann (for interesting, read bloody awful), Turkey took the lead in that storming first half, and down to some tenacious attacking flair from them, they’ve really got at the Germans. Could this be… Could this REALLY be another massive latter stages shock. I’m erring on the side of no, as I think the injury-hit Turkish side may have problems during the second half with stamina, and having no real options on the bench.

Take a look at this Semhi Senturk heat-map from the CPI for example, which goes someway to demonstrate the lads dominance upfront… We’re in for a big second half!

In response to Alexander from Clubfans.de, who argued very strongly - and with good support from the Castrol Index – that Germany will prevail against Turkey tonight, we give you our defence of the Turks.

Alexander stated that Germany have beaten Turkey 11 times out of 17, but in the last 3 games Turkey have won 2 and drawn one. Germany haven’t won against the Turks since May 1992 – over 16 years ago (!) – and that was in a friendly. The Turkish side certainly have the bragging rights here, and the fact that none of the German regime who were involved in the last victory have anything to do with the current team means that there will be an increased confidence and swagger in the Turkish team as they line up tonight.

Admittedly, Turkey have lost their first choice ‘keeper following Demirel’s ‘rush of blood’, but let’s just take a moment to consider the positions of the starting stoppers tonight in the CPI. Rustu Recber is sitting comfortably at number 8, and where is Herr Lehmann? Oh yes, I see. Down there at number 10. Despite playing 3 more games than Rustu, he still hasn’t been good enough to amass the mighty 1366 CPI points that the Turkish number 2 has gained.

And if there is one place superiority is important, no doubt it’s between the sticks. Let’s face it, Jens Lehmann doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, especially when you look at one or two of his gaffes that he has committed in the last few years. So that’s Turkey with recent history and a better keeper.

Then there is the Turkish style of play to consider. We at Euro2008statistics.com reckon that Turkey will prove difficult to break down, frustrating the Germans. They may well play 10 men behind the ball, and hope to catch them on the break as they throw more and more players at the unbreakable wall of red. Consider that Turkey have only ever scored once in the first half at the Euros, and have scored 6 of their 9 total championship goals at this tournament. That guarantees Germany are in for a tough second half, and if they haven’t got it sewn up by then are likely to face an onslaught for the last period of the match. So that’s recent history, a better keeper and a second half to blow Germany away.

What we will agree with Alexander on is that this match should bring together two nations in a friendly festival of football (the Turkish ex-pat community in Germany is huge). We also concur that whoever loses should do so gracefully and thus maintain the harmonious solidarity that has so far blessed the Euros.

That said, there’s a fair chance Turkey could cause an upset and the Germans may well start whingeing about dirty play and so forth…..let’s see how the game pans out.