THE EURO 2016 QUARTER FINALS PERMUTATIONS

POLAND VS PORTUGAL, BELGIUM VS WALES, GERMANY VS ITALY, FRANCE VS ICELAND

Most ardent followers of the beautiful game made one big collective heave of relief when the preliminary rounds of the 2016 Euro cup concluded. The huge representation of underdogs had seemingly colluded to threaten this edition and almost turned it into one of the drabbest tournaments in recent memory, resulting in the corresponding high number of low scoring performances on display.

Well, that has come to pass and with round of 16 over, the Euro soccer jamboree shifts into top gear as the quarter finals beckon with some intriguing if not outright, mouth watering match ups!

This, having been branded an underdog’s tournament, there was no keeping the minnows away as Wales, Poland and most incredibly, Iceland have all surmounted great odds and surpassed expectations to make it this far.

Every connoisseur of the game must be wishing that Poland versus Portugal and Germany versus Italy would have been switched around with either power playing the less fancied Portugal or Poland but football being what it is, one of the giants will unfortunately have to take an earlier flight home.

POLAND VS PORTUGAL

This can rightly be adjudged as a contest of polar opposites. Of the two, it would be easier to predict what Poland will bring on the day as compared to Portugal, a compact and defensive show. 
The Portuguese squad which boasts of a higher profile player courtesy of Real Madrid’s iconic forward Cristiano Ronaldo, has largely been lethargic and has performed in fits and jolts, belying its potential.

Poland boasts the best defensive record at these finals, behind Germany, going undefeated and having conceded a solitary goal, albeit a beautiful one, a Xhedran Shakiri’s overhead wonder goal for Switzerland at their last game. 
Playing an ultra compact and defensive 4-4-2 formation, has been both their forte and bane as Poland concedes few but scores even fewer because numbers are committed in midfield aimed at stifling opposition which has largely left the two lethal front men, Arkardiuz Milic and Robert Lewandowski isolated. Lewandowski has yet to even score! 

Relying on quick movement from defense through midfield, this is a team adept at playing direct or courtesy of their pressing capitalizing on opposition mistakes in transition to launch rapid counter attacks where the pace of full back Lucasz Pischek and winger Jakub Blaszykowsky comes in handy.

Portugal stands accused of being lethargic and too dependent on Ronaldo. If their last gasp win over Croatia is anything to go by, it was Croatia that didn’t turn up perhaps having written their opponents off after their convincing win over Spain at their last group game. Portugal at last rose to the occasion and credit to their fighting spirit on the day, were rightly rewarded when Carlos Queresma headed in a rebound deep in added time.

Irrespective of whichever side they wake up on or whichever Portugal turns up, this is a game the mercurial Portuguese wouldn’t want to concede early because if they do so, its “bom dia adios, hasta la vista amigos!” redemption would be next to impossible! All the same, Poland should win this one by the odd goal. Poland 1-Portugal 0.

BELGIUM VS WALES

Battle of the wizards; Bale vs Hazard

Its a case of the bigger demon; Welsh Dragons versus Belgium's Red Devils! There is no doubt that Wales have at times ridden their luck. It wouldn’t be unfair then to say that they have finally reached the end of the road. Heavily dependent on the individual brilliance of Gareth Bale and to some extent Aaron Ramsey, they just don’t have enough in their tank to overcome Belgium. Unless of course Belgium implodes or conspire against themselves!

Wales might also have to contend with the absence of team captain as well as the glue that holds their defense together, Ashley Williams, via shoulder injury.

That coupled with the magical Eden Hazard’s sparkling performance at Belgium's last game against Hungary, finally showing glimpses of why he was voted the English Premier League’s best player the season before last, plus an embarrassingly rich array of attacking options available to Marc Wilmots, its hard not to conceive a convincing victory for the Red Devils. The Devils will surely slay the Dragons. Belgium 3- Wales 1.

GERMANY VS ITALY

Conte expected to produce another tactical masterstroke against old enemies Germany

This is arguably the final before the final! It’s so so unfortunate that these two colossi of world football have to meet this early in the competition. This is a match up that would confound even the most celebrated crystal ball of all crystal balls out there!

Germany, who are at an advanced stage of a rebuilding project for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia, have at times not looked their best but have yet to concede a single goal at these finals with a nil all draw against Poland in the group stage as their only blemish. Coach Joachim Loew's replacement of one Mario for another, Gomez for Gotze seems to have been the missing chip.

Italy, who admittedly by their own high standards are parading their weakest team ever at any major tournament have only conceded once, the late goal by Republic of Ireland’s Brady, albeit Conte having rested 8 regular players. Devoid of exceptional talent, the Azurri has thus relied on sheer workmanship, team work and most of all the tactical brilliance of Antonio Conte. 
As is typical with Italian footballing tradition, Conte has simply built his team from the back, going with the sure handed goalkeeping abilities of Gianluigi Buffon ably assisted by the defensive trio of Juventus teammates, Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonucci.

Against Spain, Conte blindsided the fleet footed Spaniards by brazenly setting up his side to play a more possession based game, matching their more illustrious opponents in play, confusing and rattling them to submission.

With Germany now playing a possession based passing style of play akin to the Spaniards, would it be safe to therefore assume that Conte will employ the same approach against the Germans? A safe bet probably and why not? Expect the wily Italians to come up with a shrewd plan.

History beckons, a record going back decades old nemesis Germany and Italy meet again

The defending World Champions Germany might be slight favourites in this contest but Italy can sleep soundly at the thought of their historical superiority over the Manschafft going back to the semi-final of the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, a 4-3 win for the Azurris. Italy has since overcome Germany severally; 3-1 at the final of the ’82 World Cup in Spain, 2-1 at the semi-finals of 2006 World Cup when Germany played hosts and most recently at the semi-finals of the last Euros in 2012 where they overcame their nemesis 2-0.

History aside, Italy should win this one by the odd goal. Germany 0- Italy 1.

FRANCE VS ICELAND

Deschamps having a word with his captain Evra, has struggled to come up with a winning formula

Watch out for the slings, David versus Goliath anyone? Its more like, David against one of the many Goliaths, as Iceland, playing at their first ever international tournament, has exceeded its own as well as everyone's expectations and overcome several big hurdles to get to the quarters.

Iceland hoping to emulate their Scandanavian kin Denmark who ripped the form books in 1992!

Could this band of well organized and confident Scandanavians do the unthinkable and eliminate hosts France? Not entirely impossible! Denmark did the unthinkable in 1992.

Though abundantly gifted in attack, its no secret that the French rear guard is fragile and Coach Didier Deschamps has seemed unsure of his best combination relying on the individual brilliance of Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann severally to lift them out of adversity. Going by Coach Lars Largarback’s exemplary record as Sweden’s coach at 5 major tournaments and how well he’s been able to drill this Iceland side and succeeded in making them seem like a seasoned and sophisticated machine, France has their work cut out for them. 
It’s not hard to see Iceland drawing France out to a long match spilling into extra time and then a penalty shootout and overcoming them on via post match penalties! The soccer gods must be crazy….

MARAUDING ICELAND PUT ENGLAND TO THE SWORD!

Iceland Captain Aron Gunnarsson leads teammates and travelling fans in the celebratory viking chants

Boom! boom! boom! boom! Roared the hordes of enthusiastic Iceland fans! As they chanted away accompanied by rhythmic clapping, unfazed by the occasion and perhaps invoking the deafening thunders of their famous Eyjafjallajokull (Eyjafjalla) Volcano, which though small in size, paralyzed the global aviation industry in 2010 when it erupted and continuously spewed clouds of volcanic ash for a week.

Iceland's team and fans epitomized the indomitable viking spirit

Iceland’s football team at the Euro 2016 caused a seismic event of their own overcoming a jaded Three Lions of England 2-1, sending shock waves throughout the entire sport of football when they inflicted the most embarrassing defeat in modern sport! Iceland with a population totaling slightly more than 330,000 most of whom live in or around the capital city of Reykjavik, clearly proved that football is the great equalizer by overcoming an established football powerhouse such as England with a population of close to 60 million.

Just to put some perspective on this shocking result, the defeat ranks alongside England’s 1-0 loss to the U.S.A at the 1950 World cup in Brazil, the U.S defeat of the great Soviet Union Ice hockey team at the 1980 Olympic games, Algeria’s 2-1 opening match win over West Germany at the 1982 World Cup, Cameroon’s 1-0 defeat of defending Champions Argentina at Italia ’90 and most recently, Senegal’s 1-0 win over then defending World Champions France at Korea/ Japan 2002!

The Three Lions completed a Brexit of their own

England lined up in an offensively oriented 4-3-3 formation but never really looked like usurping command over their less fancied opponents after the early exchanges that saw them win a penalty after forward Raheem Sterling was clumsily brought down by the charging Hannes Halldorson in goal. Coming in with a domestic record that read; penalties saved 14, conceded 10 since the year 2000, Halldorson perhaps fancied his chances. Wayne Rooney had other ideas though, making no mistake when he tucked in an inch perfect spot kick to the bottom right corner to give England a short-lived lead.

Playing a cleverly organized 4-4-2, which in offensive mode switched to a 4-2-2-2, like wounded lions Iceland simply fought fire with fire and took the game to England’s doorstep and were at par within two minutes! From Aaron Gunnarson’s long throw, Kari Anarsson flicked a header into no man’s land that left the entire England defense plus Joe Hart stranded! Ragnur Sigurdsson simply ghosted in for the easiest of tap-ins.

Iceland's instant response

In a frenetic 15 minute spell, Iceland were unthinkably ahead when Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jon Bodvarsson and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson neatly exchanged two touch passes deep in the England box, which left central defensive pairing of Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill not only dazed but rooted! Sigthorsson punished their ineptitude by simply curling the ball with the inside of his boot to beat Hart in goal, giving Iceland the lead which never looked like being overturned thereafter!

Sigthorsson's clinical finishing ruthlessly exposed England's defensive frailties

With tactical awareness and organization that would have made any Italian maestro proud, the Icelandic team gave England little to work with as they covered the lanes and shut all spaces like a team accustomed to big tournament football, belying their experience, or a lack of. In offense, like their marauding Viking ancestors, they fearlessly drove forward in numbers and constantly gave the shaky England defense a torrid time. This was a game that in all fairness could have easily ended in a humiliating 4 or 5-1 if the underdogs had been much more clinical in their finishing!

Signorsson's pointblank overhead kick, one of Iceland's many near misses

To keen observers however, this result was not entirely shocking and was perhaps long overdue. England coach Roy Hodgson has frequently cast the impression of someone treading uncharted waters or out of his depths as he’s constantly seemed clueless from the dugout. His tactical changes and substitutions didn’t have much effect on his team until he threw in Manchester United’s wunderkind, Marcus Rashford with five minutes of regular time remaining, who made a series of dangerous runs into Icelands box. As usual with Hodgson, another case of too little too late!

No where to hide, Hodgson's moment of ignominy

After suffering the ignominy of such a humiliating defeat, it was only fitting that Hodgson resigned, as he did in his post match interview. What was worse was that his charges never really had the fight in them to win this gave which is perhaps an indictment to the structureless English football as a whole. This defeat will perhaps trigger some sincere soul searching by England's football fathers and entire fraternity, which despite the facade of its multi-billion pound television deal glitz, is in serious need of overhauling!
England’s exit capped off a miserable week for a nation that is currently in political and economic crisis engendered by their controversial referendum vote to leave the European Union.

Iceland's Coach, Swede Lars Largaback maintained his unbeaten run against England

With the win, Iceland’s Coach Lars Largaback thus retained his unbeaten record against England going to his days as Sweden coach, to seven games (3 wins, 4 draws). To watch Iceland Captain Aron Gunnarsson lead his teammates and the Iceland fans in the stands to more viking chants of boom! boom! boom! at the end of the game, was simply breathtaking and was a sight to behold!

In their next game and what promises to produce fireworks, Iceland has a date with destiny! Their fairy tale run continues as they take on the hosts and former champions France, in one of the quarter-final matches, in their first ever participation at an international tournament. David versus Goliath match doesn’t even come close to describing this match up.

Well, will this band of marauding Icelandic Viking warriors reenact the “Waterloo” and finally make the Le Bleu see blue? Could they emulate what their Scandinavian cousins, Denmark did at the ’92 Euro and go all the way?

CAN HODGSON’S ENGLAND SURPASS GLENN HODDLE’S EURO ’96 TEAM?

GROUP B ENGLAND, RUSSIA, SLOVAKIA, WALES

England Coach Roy Hodgson brings with him the most technically astute England team since Glenn Hoddle’s team of Euro ’96 and the World Cup in France in ’98! His charges are obviously the top dogs in a not so tough looking Group B.

Glenn Hoddle (L) took over from Venables (R) ending a miserable era

Well, Wales, Russia, and particularly Slovenia have other ideas.

Boasting a very mobile and silky core of attacking players, this squad belies it’s country’s reputation as the bastion of “route one football”, or if you like, “direct football”. In an era of tiki taka and such sumptuous delights, this is a tag they are desperate to discard and thus have a point to prove.

Other prior three Lions generations have for the most been workman like, who won by attrition and sheer physicality than wit and their technical quality. The late Sir Bobby Robson almost brought them to the brink, reaching and losing the quarter finals in Mexico ’86 to a Maradona inspired” hand of god” Argentina and to West Germany via post match penalties at the semis in Italia ’90, through sheer tactical brilliance and great squad management.

One of his protégés from those two campaigns, Glenn Hoddle would take over the reigns after Terry Venables disaster laden stewardship of the early ‘90s.

Deadly combo Mac Manamann and Alan Shearer at the '96 finals

It’s been two decades since Hoddle’s boys, led by then Liverpool talisman Steve Mac Mannaman, who would later join Del Bosque’s Real Madrid on a free, and the clinical finishing of mesmerized the world with their audacious style. As the 1996 hosts, in a defining moment and playing rat tat tat rapid fire football, they confounded everyone by dismantling Guus Hiddinks hapless Dutch Oranje 4-1 in one of their group games.  They were to lose to Germany at the semifinals via full back Gareth Southgate’s skied spot kick.

Since that generation left the stage, preceding the unprecedented rise in commercial value and global popularity of the English Premier League, the world has expectantly been awaiting a transfer of their league’s billion pound appeal onto the English national team. Well that has mostly come to naught, until now!

Kane's rare abilities compared to the legendary Gazza

This generation of Three Lions hold plenty of promise with Harry Kane’s mazy runs drawing comparisons with the legendary Paul Gascoigne, who coincidentally also plied for North Londoners, Tottenham Hotspurs. His compatriot Dalle Alli’s vision and range of passing compliments Kane’s and Jamie Vardy’s pace and is the corner stone of this team’s success. Other attacking options are Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Ross Barkey.

The lethal trio

Roy Hodgson’s inclusion of Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney however could unsettle the intuitive balance that the preferred three have developed. Hodgson stands accused of being loyal to the old guards [read Rooney and Wilshire] who served his cause in earlier campaigns. Jack Wilshire’s inclusion reeks of favouritism as he’s been out injured for the better part of 14 months, making a few cameos as a sub, for his Arsenal side towards the end of the season. His inclusion was at the expense of a proven regular performer in Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater.

Hodgson's final selection cast him in bad light

The obvious weakness to this team is the central defense, where Gary Cahill, who brings plenty of experience, has suffered a recent dip in form and their untested partnership with Chris Smalling will surely creak or flounder against any top team.

Slovakia will especially offer formidable opposition. Led by creative maverick and AS Roma forward Marek Hamsek assisted by Turkish based left sided midfielder Miroslav Stoch, both of whom spot outrageous Mohawks! Liverpool's Martin Skyrtel should offer leadership from the back.

Slovakia's lethal duo

Russia is largely an unknown quantity, more so after what seems like the retrogressive reign of Italian Fabio Capello.

In what should produce fireworks as any derby would, England’s game against brethren and U.K neigbours, Wales, is one to look forward to. Wales, who’ve sporadically and sparingly produced talented players, can now boast of having a set of footballers they can be proud of, who made them dare to dream. 

Bale, Ramsey and Williams have made their nation dare to dream

Gareth Bales meteoric rise from North London to the hallowed grounds of the Spanish capital’s premier establishment, Real Madrid has raised the Welsh profile, probably more than retired legend, Ryan Giggs.

Bale’s goal scoring abilities will be complimented by Arsenal’s creative midfielder Aaron Ramsey, with Swansea’s Ashley William sitting at the bottom of a decent looking spine.