Germany still perfect

          Germany still haven't lost a Euro match, qualifying or finals, since the final heartbreak in Vienna four long years ago. The latest of these many wins has been a 4-2 humbling of Greece, who seemed like making giant-killing a habit. Greece, having never lost a Euro knockout and having never beaten the efficient Germans, went into the game with nothing to lose. They came out with heads bowed, ruing their shaky second-half defence.
          Six different people found the net on Friday night, five being splendid open-play goals and one neatly taken penalty. Germany pressed hard for nearly forty minutes before Lahm put the Mannschaft ahead. It stayed that way till half-time. After the break, Germany looked surprisingly sloppy, losing the ball easily and not winning tackles. Six minutes post the interval, Samaras pulled debt-ridden Greece level. That jolted Germany into action - they began attacking sharply again, and it wasn't long before Khedira restored Germany's lead. The match was only half over! The floodgates opened - Miro Klose headed in a simple one after the Greek goalkeeper came forward clumsily. Speaking of which, I doubt if he made a single clean catch, he always seemed to spill and then regain the ball. Newbie Marco Reus smashed one in after the keeper denied Klose and fell. It was all over for Greece, 4-1 down, but they managed to salvage a little pride towards the end. An unintentional Boateng handball gave Greece a penalty, coolly slotted home by Salpingidis. But the 'debt derby' had gone the way of favourite Germany. German Chancellor Angela Merkel watched with obvious pride.
          Tonight Spain and France battle to face Portugal, and the lethal Ronaldo, in the first semifinal. Spain looked rather tentative in the group stage, a shadow of the dominant figure of the past four years. But this can change very quickly. France, having won the last six games between the two, will look to exploit the defensively weak Spaniards. They have in their ranks Ribery, who made the Champions League final with Bayern, and Nasri, English champions with Manchester City. Spain needs no introduction - just take a look at the Spanish players of Barcelona and there you are. Add to this an in-form Torres and the best goalie at the moment, Casillas, and you have a world-class team.
          The great games we see all around may vanish next time round, as the next edition in France will welcome 24 teams, not 16. This will dilute the quality, no doubt, and will possibly mean a second group stage after the first.This clumsy format is Platini's brainchild.
          Anyway, let us savour these mouth-watering clashes as they are around now. Happy watching.

Mid-Euro Musings

          We are halfway through the group stage of the Euro this year, and one team has really stood out. I am an unabashed Germany fan, let me clarify right away, and that team is Germany. They are the only team to register two wins so far. They have faced tough opponents - namely Portugal spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo, who can be fatal if he wants to, and the Netherlands, featuring stars like Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt. Strangely, though, they are not yet completely assured of a place in the last eight - if they are toppled by Denmark and Portugal win against the Netherlands, the group will be decided on goal difference. But seeing that their next opponent is relative minnows Denmark, that should not be a problem. Not to forget that Denmark beat the second favourites.
          Some players have looked great as well. Mario Gomez, Alan Dzagoev and Mario Mandzukic jointly top the scoring charts, the former finally breaking his jinx for his national side in important games. Andriy Shevchenko, no less than 35, scored twice in a come-from-behind win for his host team Ukraine. Fernando Torres was half the scoresheet is Spain's 4-0 thrashing of Ireland.
           Notable absentees so far have been Villa, Lampard and Puyol (injury), Gotze and Mata (Bench) and Rooney (Red card in qualifying). All of them would have lit up the games so far. But none is missed quite as much, especially by fans of Barcelona, as Lionel Messi.
          Paul the Octopus, watching from up in the heavens, will definitely be amused to see his countless successors trying to emulate his 100% record two years ago. Animals from many countries, including an elephant, monkey and parakeet have tried their hand. But none is quite as iconic as Paul, who created the field of animal predictors of games.
          Apart from the lightness, there is the serious issue of racism and fan misbehaviour to consider. Black players of the Dutch team were abused during training and Czech Theo Gebre Selassie by Russian fans during ther opening match. With many countries fielding players who are black or of mixed race, the problem could recur. It doesn't help that the UEFA has stated that players leaving the field due to racist abouse will be yellow-carded. Does that mean they should tolerate it and stay on? Is it their fault they take offence and wish to leave? It is in the hands of the UEFA, the body presiding over the event, and the associations of the national teams, who influence their fans, to stop this age-old problem. Also, supporters have thrown things onto the pitch.
           But in terms of winners, nothing is clear. The team with most wins so far has looked tentative and error-ridden in the penalty box. Spain are finding their feet. England and France are yet to play the minnows of the group. Netherlands, who has a mathematical chance, are wounded and will want to give it their all. It is also possible that all these falter when crunch matches loom and a less-fancied team will take the cup home. Who will throw the biggest party come July?

A unique experience and Euro 2012

          Few people not from the mass media or a sponsor company get to attend a press conference. More so if the person is all of 14 and the sportsman being grilled is giving his first PC in his home country after having sealed a world championship title abroad for the fifth time. Which is why I consider myself really lucky to have managed this on Sunday.
          Viswanathan Anand made his appearance shortly after 11, for an event organised by his main sponsor, of which my father is a part. He addressed youngsters about many things, including a blow-by-blow account of the eighth regulation game, which was the turning point of the match. The holder was a point down and needed a win to not trail and put more pressure on himself. He won in just 17 moves, a record, the small number also making it easier to go through for the students. (What if he had chosen the 77-move second tiebreak game?) This was followed by a brief autograph and picture session.
          Some time later, the press arrived in large numbers. TV channels were to beam the PC live, and set up their cameras and slung their mikes over the speakers. Print media people took a seat and whipped out their writing material, armed with the press release. The cameramen stationed themselves behind a row of chairs. Photographers knelt abominably close to the stage, standing up when the champion arrived and blocking view of all present. They also took a keen interest in his wife Aruna, who was also there.
          The humble star spoke for a while, again going through the seventh game, this time with a tad more detail. He then sat down and answered the myriad questions from the press. The questions ranged from retirement to family to Kasparov, and the articulate 43-year-old answered most of them. Some were asked and answered in Tamil.
         Many answers were laced with humour, while some dealing with Kasparov's comments showed displeasure. As is with many aging sportspeople, the question of retirement reared up again and again. Some were as inane and how the man felt on winning it for the fifth time. Some were probing, some were unnecessary. But Anand handled them with ease and grace. He did not at all seem tired or jetlagged, he looked like a champion.
          Turning to a more popular sport, there are no outstanding favourites for the Euro this year. Sure, Spain as holders are very formidable, but they are missing Villa and Puyol. Torres and Pique look out of sorts. Xavi and Iniesta, the team's core, are aging. They had a flawless qualifying campaign but that does not indicate that they will perform against big names.
          The Netherlands, with their starry line-up, look strong as ever. Robin van Persie has come off a great season with Arsenal, albeit trophyless. Arjen Robben made two finals with Bayern Munich, but missed penalties have hurt him hard. They will be wanting revenge after their World Cup final loss after extra time.
          Germany's midfield is peerless. Many players have been picked from Bayern and league champs Borussia Dortmund. The young talent is hard to miss. Joachim Low, the young coach, will be yearning to crack the Spain puzzle which cost them the last Euro and a spot in the World Cup final. Though the Champions League loss will still be hanging over the Bayern players, Schweinsteiger in particular, they have the power to shake it off and win a first major since 1996.
          Don't rule France and Italy out either. Both have found young talent and will want to make the world forget their group stage exits in the World Cup. If France have Ribery, Nasri and Benzema, Italy have Balotelli, Cassano, di Natale and Pirlo. Italy in particular will look to overcome the fixing scandal which has attacked the Serie A. England have the power to make it to maybe the last eght, but missing Lampard, Cahill and Barry for the tournament and Rooney for the first two games will hit them hard.
          And the unpredictable may happen like it did in 2004 and 1992. That is the reason the likes of Croatia and Sweden play. Never underestimate a team like they all did back then. Always be ready for a surprise.
          The party begins Friday. Who's your winner?