Romania: 3rei Sud Est 53%
Italy: Matia Bazar 47%
Total Voters: 19
Poll closes: 8 May 2008 @ 13:00
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ITALY: Matia Bazar – “Ti Sento”
The manager says: “The prevailing wisdom within the Italian camp is that a complacent team were given a let-off against a Dutch team that imploded. Cue one manager standing on the touchline looking furious, the wives and girlfriends banned from seeing the players, and the squad thoroughly put through their paces. One tactical rethink later sees a more patient, expansive, deep-lying game that plays to the Popazzuri’s historical strengths, namely epic synths and a massive-voiced diva upfront.”
Our analyst says: This side aren’t here to mess around – they’re looking for a quick and convincing win. If that comes from a long punt to the head of their towering striker, no complaints, but she has excellent control for a big lad(y) and you feel this team won’t need to win ugly.
ROMANIA: 3rei Sud Est – “Ma Iubaei”
The manager says: “The Romanian charts are full of two things: Boy Bands and eurodance-pop. 3rei Sud Est are the band that bring both together – and they’ve been dominating the charts for a decade now. This is one of their dancier numbers from last year – Ma Iubeau.”
Our analyst says: The Romanians are playing a high-tempo, physical game – plenty of passion but not lacking in skill. Against a lot of sides you’d back them to win, but do they have the technique and experience to worry the Italians. A lot depends on their frustratingly wayward forward line.
MATCH REPORT: Austria 0 Poland 3: A woeful Austrian side were on the wrong end of a heavy beating from a fired-up Poland. Poland’s one-touch passing and nimble forwards put them three up at half time, and only desperate defending in front of a rapidly-emptying stadium stopped the deficit being even worse for Austria. Poland’s job isn’t quite done yet but they have a firm lead in Group B ahead of their final game against Croatia. Austria meanwhile need to win and win well against Germany – no easy task as the players are reported to blame their coach: a senior dressing room figure suggested his tactical ideas were “thirty years out of date”.
Coming next… Greece provided the shock of the tournament so far with a fortunate win against Sweden: Russia look set to provide a sterner test, having been very unfortunate to lose their opening game. The tactics which took Greece to victory in their opener are all too familiar to a Russian coach who is a world expert in Europop styles – can they triumph again or will Russia take this opportunity to kick their campaign into gear?