NEUTRALS were upset that the attacking Czech Republic side were knocked out in the semi-finals, but many European journalists struggled to share that view. Though coach Karel Bruckner won over the fans and pundits with his attacking substitutions, he was the hardest interviewee at post-match interviews.
The Czech coach could not have given more of an impression that he did not want to be at his press conferences, as he endured every one of them by looking at a fixed point on the ceiling, never so much as glancing at one of his inquisitors.
His a
nswers were rarely helpful and always brusque. Example: "You will face Denmark in the quarter-final. What is your assessment of their team?" Answer: "I am not that much of a workaholic that I have studied Denmark already." After the Denmark win, he was asked by a Greek reporter to sum up the Greece team’s strengths and weaknesses. Answer: "They beat France in the quarter-finals." He was later asked about his recipe for success with the national team. Answer: "Recipes are for cakes." Try taking any of that to your editor.
His team will be missed but his wise-cracks won’t be.
HISTORIANS have been looking at the last time teams have played in the final after meeting each other previously in the tournament and there are some occasions, which could cheer both Portugal and Greece fans. The most famous example is perhaps from the 1954 World Cup, when Hungary beat West Germany 8-3 in the group stages, before the Germans went on to win the final 3-2. In Euro 88, Holland lost their first group game 1-0 to Russia before beating the same opponents 2-0 in the final. All reasons for the Portuguese to be confident.
But the Greeks can take heart too: In Euro 96, Germany beat the Czech Republic 2-0 in their first group game before they played each other again in the final. Germany won that too, needing a golden goal from Oliver Bierhoff to win 2-1.
YOU are an aspiring coach and you need to know where to find a Scolari tactics board. Fear not: you no longer need to cannibalise the travel scrabble or your kids’ Battleships game, just log on to www.sport-thieme.co.uk/shop/artA BANNER in the Greek fans’ area at Porto’s Dragao Stadium during the semi-final against the Czech Republic told of their new-found swagger.
Emblazoned across it were the names Figo, Raul and Zidane. Through each was a red line. Underneath, it asked: "Next?"
