Greek Dogs

Spain 4 – 1 Russia
Greece 0 – 2 Sweden

In a curious echo of World Cup 2006, Spain scored 4 in their tournament opener last night. Chelsea/Spurs target David Villa was on the score sheet twice back then and bettered it with a hat-trick in the Innsbruk rain.
With the game so completely won, the second half, after the expected initial Russian offensive, turned into a training session for both teams, pretty much as it did with Ukraine two years ago. I only mention the similarities because now, as then, everyone drooled over the Spanish flat-track bullies and predicted them to go all the way. Some of us knew better and even after eight goals in three group victories, they were undone by Ribery, Vieira and Zidane when the going got tougher. It is perhaps paella for thought when you come to predict the knockout stage of this tournament as they could meet again. Having said all that they did look pretty good and more than once I was found to be thankful that England had not qualified.

I worried for Russia’s future in this group, right up until I watched the second game of the day featuring Greece and Sweden. It started-off brightly enough, but very soon memories of four years ago came flooding back as I realised that there cannot be an equivalent for the “Beautiful Game” in the Greek language. Towards the end of the first-half I swear I saw Ray Wilkins in the Greek back-four.
That an average side like Sweden can look like the Harlem Globetrotters of the global game says much for this Greek tragedy. The only consolation, apart from perhaps that their keeper George Clooney looked more than four years older, is that they surely won’t qualify with games against Spain and Russia coming up.
You also wonder about Sweden, whose best player I thought was, worringly, Grandad Henrik Larsson, if and when they reach the business end of the competition.


The pyre on which Greek football was burnt is reflected in the sky last night






In the PAS there were, not surprisingly, lots of you who got the point for a Spanish victory but no bonuses for the correct score.