Taking guesses isn’t always easy, mostly if you want to be taken seriously. So, it is very pleasing to know that some things are happening just the way I expected. Let’s begin by Dzagoev. Probably, this is an obvious and unanimous thought: a new star is born. This young Russian has got the glam and the shine it takes to be a football hero. Dzagoev scored one more goal and Russia got closer to the quarter-finals. And now it would take a dramatic and heavy loss against Greece to stop Russians from going through. Against Czech Republic, the very same Greece proved once more they are one of the most fragile squads in the tournament, so Russian optimism is quite legit. And now, Czechs and Polish will fight over the one place left in the group.
In Group B, Germany also confirmed all the previous thoughts and guesses: they are to be taken very seriously. Germany is playing an extremely elegant and skilful game, putting together beauty and killer instinct, satisfying their basic needs – such as winning the games – without ever conceding to the ugly side of the beautiful game. They play the ball like gentlemen, they score the goals like snipers. And that’s why they are officially my favourite team to win the cup. And as I say this, I shall remind myself I said these precise same words two years ago, during the World Cup at South Africa. However, looking at Mario Gomez, I guess he is not in the mood to be third or even second best. This man wants to go all the way. And he seems to have the power to do it.
Also at Group B, Portugal appears to be finally awaken from a long attacking nap that prevented portuguese from scoring goals. They made three and they could have scored two or three more. Cristiano Ronaldo, however, is still asleep – so, imagine if the man wakes up. Poor Holland, whose depressing football has produced two defeats and one only goal, if Europe’s top player decides to show up at fine form in the final round of the group. We said it would be bloody. And it should be, if CR7 is able to manage his stress and anxiety. This means that, to me, in this precise moment, Portugal is one of the best teams in Euro 2012.
Chibazqui