EURO 2016: ROUND OF 16 PREDICTIONS

A Late Strike from Ivan Perisic gave Croatia a 2-1 win over Spain.

Spain’s 2-1 defeat to Croatia has blown the knockout stage of the competition wide open.  A second place finish presents them a rematch of the 2012 Euro final against Italy. Additionally, this puts them in the same half of the draw as France, England and Germany.

The tournament which for the first time includes 24 teams has some intriguing prospects as it enters into the final round of fixtures for Match-day 3. Lack-lustre performances from the traditional big guns has thrown the tournament wide open.

Today sees the conclusion of the group stages with the final fixtures of Group E and Group F. Italy is assured of top spot in their group and Hungary regardless of results will make it to the round of 16. Slovakia and Northern Ireland were assured of a spot as well after results put them to finish in the top 4 among the third place teams. That leaves 4 more spots to be filled in the final 16.Two of the spots will be filled up by the runners-up from Groups E and F. 

This is the lookup of the draw currently: 

TOP HALF

BOTTOM HALF.

This means there are 2 third place spots up for grabs and it comes down between Albania, Turkey and 3rd place finishers from Group E and F. The third place teams to be chosen are decided by another table. ( one meant for all sides that finish 3rd).The hierarchy is in Points, Goal Difference, Goals Scored, Fair Play AND  UEFA Team Coefficient. 

Firstly, when UEFA announced the draw, Group Winners of A,B,C and D were slated to play the four 3rd place teams. 

Taking this in terms of France, the table states that they will play the 3^rd placed side from Group C,D or E. Logically it would be safe to assume the 3^rd place side from C and if they didn’t qualify it would be D. Failure of C and D to qualify would mean E. But this is not the case. 

Instead, UEFA has come up with another table to decide prospective match-ups.

Now, this present 4 main possibilities based on the results from the first 4 groups.

SCENARIO 1: THIRD PLACE SIDES FROM GROUPS A,B,C,D.

For this to be possible, today's results will have to look like this.

GROUP E: BELGIUM V/S SWEDEN (BELGIUM WIN/DRAW)
                   ITALY     V/S IRELAND (ITALY WIN/DRAW)

GROUP F: PORTUGAL V/S HUNGARY (PORTUGAL LOSE)
                   ICELAND    V/S AUSTRIA   ( ANY RESULT WILL DO)

TOP HALF

BOTTOM HALF

SCENARIO 2: THIRD PLACE FROM GROUPS B,C,D,E.

GROUP E: BELGIUM V/S SWEDEN (BELGIUM LOSE)
                   ITALY     V/S IRELAND (ITALY LOSE)

GROUP F: PORTUGAL V/S HUNGARY (PORTUGAL LOSE)
                   ICELAND    V/S AUSTRIA   ( ANY RESULT WILL DO)

TOP HALF

BOTTOM HALF

SCENARIO 3: THIRD PLACE TEAMS FROM GROUPS B,C,D,F.

GROUP E: BELGIUM V/S SWEDEN (ANY RESULT WILL DO)
                   ITALY     V/S IRELAND (ITALY WIN/DRAW)

GROUP F: PORTUGAL V/S HUNGARY (PORTUGAL WIN/DRAW)
                   ICELAND    V/S AUSTRIA   ( ANY RESULT WILL DO)

TOP HALF

BOTTOM HALF

SCENARIO 4: THIRD PLACE TEAMS FROM GROUPS B,C,E,F.

GROUP E: BELGIUM V/S SWEDEN (ANY RESULT)
                   ITALY     V/S IRELAND (IRELAND WIN)

GROUP F: PORTUGAL V/S HUNGARY (PORTUGAL WIN/DRAW)
                   ICELAND    V/S AUSTRIA   ( ICELAND WIN/DRAW)

TOP HALF

BOTTOM HALF

These permutations and combinations present mouth-watering scenarios for the Round of 16, Including the probability of France v/s Belgium and England v/s Portugal.

These permutations and combinations present mouth-watering scenarios for the Round of 16, Including the probability of France v/s Belgium and England v/s Portugal. It promises to be another day of high-intense football where every result matters and could play a role in determining the future champions.

Cleveland Cavaliers 89-104 Golden State Warriors: Game Review

The Golden State Warriors cruised to a 104-87 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the 2015-16 NBA Finals.  Shaun Lvingston and Andre Iguodala were the star men for the warriors as their star duo of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson had their lowest scoring game of the season. The Cavaliers scoring was dominated by the big three of Lebron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. The 3 combined for 66 of their 89 points. 

Both teams started off brightly with good plays on the offensive and defensive ends. Unlike last year’s finals, the Cavs had their best players on hand and were in prime condition going into the finals. They began the game well on the offense whilst restricting Thompson and Curry on the other end. Curry did manage to get off 2 quick 3’s, but he would eventually have an off-scoring night. The Warriors front-court did all the work in the first half, with Harrison Barnes justifying his bump into the starting 5 by knocking three consecutive field goals. Draymond Green seems to have found his focus back as he was immense on the defensive end for the warriors. Despite a good run by golden state in the 1st quarter, they would end it only up by 4.

Livingston led the Warriors with 20 points.

The 2nd quarter began with yet more joy for James and Coach Steve Kerr made the adjustment, putting Andre Iguodala on James. The matchup, reminiscent of last year’s finals is what ultimately turned the ball game in favour of the warriors. Curry and Thompson’s off shooting game had no effect as the warrior bench took centre stage and rose to the occasion. Shaun Livingston with some tough shots off post-ups. He would ultimately finish with a playoff-career high of 20 points (8/10 FG). The warriors would eventually end the first half with a 9 point lead.

The second half began with a Cavaliers come-back as they tried to cut into the lead. Kyrie Irving got finally rolling and he was making his shots and important plays on the offensive end. A 9-4 run in favour of the Cavs, midway through the 3rd quarter saw them take the lead for the first time since the 1st minute of the game. This was followed by 6 consecutive changes in lead. When Curry missed an open 3-PT, it looked like the momentum was now with the cavaliers. But Iguodala on the defensive end, and Livingston on offence made play after play sending the warriors on a 7-0 run to end the quarter.

The fourth period of play saw some more magic from Livingston as the warriors extended their scoring run to 21-0. With none of the Cavs bench or the other starters contributing, their top three found it difficult to get their offense going. The Warriors bench would eventually outscore the Cavs 45-9. A mini-comeback by Cleveland midway in the 4th was sent to a halt as Curry and Thompson both hit 3’s to send the stadium into frenzy.

The reigning finals MVP put in another inspiring performance.

The game re-emphasized the reason why Golden State Warriors are the reigning champions. Without much contribution from their star players, they have the quality in their bench to come out and make it happen. Iguodala, the finals MVP last year is a direct-example of the Warriors motto “strength in numbers”, as the star man has taken a demotion to the bench to further his teams cause.

As for Cleveland, they will have to work more cohesively as a team and contribute from all fronts if they want to stand any chance of winning the championship

FALLACY TO ECSTASY: THE BOURNEMOUTH STORY

The season of the underdog – words best describing the recently concluded English League campaign. Leicester’s meteoric rise to the champions of England has been well documented throughout and deserved plaudits meted out to their manager as well as the players. Much, if not all of the attention has been directed towards the likes of Leicester, Tottenham, and the traditionally big clubs. A title triumph is near miraculous for a club that staved off relegation by the skin of their teeth. But there has been another club who had a miraculous season themselves, but have gone about their job silently without creating much noise among the football faithful or the traditional media. No, their success has not been of the grandiose nature of the foxes, but when you consider that they went into near extinction 8 years ago, AFC Bournemouth’s inaugural campaign has been nothing short of miraculous.  

Whilst a 16^th place finish, with a total of 42 points for a newly promoted club isn’t unheard of. The size of the club and the odds they faced to fight to get here, make this a story worth telling.

Bournemouth, a tiny city on the south coast of England has a rich footballing history with their club being formed in the late 1800’s. However, poor management and ownership troubles drove them to near extinction in 2008. In a season where two big English clubs, Aston Villa and Newcastle saw themselves relegated, the cherries secured safety way back in early April and were never involved in a relegation dog-fight.

RISE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE

After heading into administration for a second time, the Football League gave a 17 point deduction and an 18 month transfer embargo. The club, in the lowest division of the football league, headed into 2009, 10 points off safety and relegation looming large, meaning extinction if they failed to stay up. Chairman, Jeff Mostyn, took a decision, what most people considered lunacy by appointing a 31 year old rookie manager.

Howe, was named the football league manager of the decade in 2015.

Eddie Howe, the youngest manager ever in the Football League was a product of the Bournemouth academy and had been at the club since the age of 10. Severe injuries forced him to retire at 28 and he immediately took over as reserve team manager. He was initially appointed as caretaker manager, but despite suffering defeats in his first two games, he secured the permanent position in January, 2009. Howe then took the club to safety, after they secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Grimsby on the final day of the season.

The following season saw them promoted to league one. Howe was receiving rave reviews for his management and the style of play he professed. Sought after by a number of championship clubs he refused to leave the club.

Finally, in 2011 he took over championship side Burnley. With the exit of Howe, the club went back into adversity with a dismal start to the 2011-12 campaign. Hanging close to the relegation zone, the club decided to bring back their young prodigy. Howe made his return to Bournemouth in November 2012. He steadied the ship and not only ensured safety, but earned them a promotion with a second place finish.

Life in the championship was not all rosy in the beginning as the cherries could only manage a 10^th place finish, 8 points off the playoff berths. Howe, a manager not known for splashing the cash was being backed by the new club owner, Maxim Denim. Denim, a Russian oil baron, bought the club in 2011. With money available, Howe signed league one star Calum Wilson and made smart loan deals for striker Kenwyne Jones and Keeper Artur Boruc.

New additions and rise in the level of play of the existing players helped Bournemouth to a promotion to the premier league. They went onto win the championship (2014-15), scoring 94 goals en-route. Midfielder, Matt Richie, finished with 15 goals and 17 assists, and was voted their player of the season. Wilson would finish with 20 goals, 4^th highest in the championship.

In Wilson and Ritchie the club possessed players who had the skill and desire to make it big in the Premier League and had experience in players such as Simon Francis, Harry Arter and Adam Smith. Addition of quality in the form of Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings promised them a bright first campaign in the top flight.

LIFE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

As most pundits expected, the Cherries made an off start and problems seemed to mount with both their summer signings sustaining season ending injuries.

Untethered, Howe stuck to his style of play, never altering to a more defensive and lower possession game. The confidence he placed in his players and the system resonated through his squad with players stepping up their games to come up with some key victories. Striker Wilson was on a brilliant run, scoring 5 in his first 2 months in the league. In him they had a reliable source of goals, they had a player who promised goals and was clinical.

The ghost of 2008 struck them again as Wilson sustained an injury that would end his season. Devoid of their star striker and new signings, the Cherries looked to be heading back to the championship.  

“Together, anything is possible”, the motto of the club. The manager, players, fans live by it and the feeling of togetherness is persistent in and around the club. In Howe, they possessed a man who had the ability to bring out the best from every player. Results improved and they went on mini-undefeated runs. Their most noteworthy run coming in December, with back to back victories against Chelsea and Manchester united.

TURNING POINT

If one had to point to a single game as their turning point, it would be the 3-3 home draw to Everton. Going into half-time trailing by 2, they came out all guns blazing to level matters. A 95^th minute Ross Barkley goal, looked to have sealed off the points for the Tofffees and condemn Bournemouth to another home defeat. The match, 98 minutes in was allowed to carry on by the ref, and it was enough time for one more attack. Junior Stanislas heading in from a Charlie Daniels cross, sparking title-winning like celebrations among the fans. The cherries never looked back from then, and had reached 38 points before the start of April. They were well and clear of the drop zone and assured of another year of football in the top flight.

Fatigue from a first season of high octane football coupled with knowledge of safety sent the club fizzled out their momentum and they went into a slew of defeats. They collected only 4 points from the last 8 games. Defensive weakness very evident, it is an issue Howe will have to solve over the summer, if he wants to achieve a top table finish the next season.

With Maxim Denim at the helm, they have an owner who has the financial muscle to back the club. And the new TV deal money kicking in from next season, some key transfers look very possible.

 

The current crop of talented, hard-working players and a manager whose age has no relation to his footballing acumen; the cherries will continue dreaming and hope to add more chapters to their fabled rise. The Leicester Story maybe one of a kind and might never happen again, but what their success has taught is that one can always dream and dreams do come true.



First published on www.sportskeeda.com

An open letter to Virat Kohli

                                                                                                              Source:PTI

The rush of emotions that i feel pass out with each breath, and with my calmness i analyse the events that transpired in the Wankhede. It was a close encounter, ultimately triumphed by the Caribbean crew. A well deserved victory! 
The lasting image in my mind though, was watching you, Mr. Kohli, trying till the very end, to somehow get us through. And at the moment when social media is buzzing with people in anger cursing the no balls and other extraneous subjects, all i can feel right now is gratitude! Gratitude to you, for getting us till here.

Superlatives fail to describe your achievements over the last 5 years, let alone the last month.Your outstanding service to the profession, dedication, as well as the passion with which you go about it is deserving of supreme adoration. The spirit with which you have fought and tried to ensure the best for our nation on every occasion is no small feat; the numbers speak for themselves. But, I am not going to delve into averages and strike rates. For feelings and emotions are unquantifiable, and so is your effort. You leave everything out there on the field, let it be batting, fielding or even bowling for that matter. When the team has failed to support you, you have held their backs and pushed them forward. And we have recognized this, put you on a pedestal. 

Expectations of you are near superhero like, yet you somehow find a way to deliver. In return, some of us have publicly shamed your personal life and your dear friend Anushka Sharma, for matters that are totally unrelated. I have to admit that I'm one of those who have joined the bandwagon and laughed to these memes and jokes, and I sincerely apologize on mine and everyone’s part. They say, personal and professional lives are unrelated; your performances on and off the field ( social media, public events, etc ) have exemplified the same.

I feel gratitude that I was born in the same generation as you and witnessed your rise from your U19 World Cup days. I exclaimed with joy when my home IPL team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, secured your signature for a meagre Ten Lakh Rupees. I wish you all the best and hope you achieve some well deserved success with the outfit in the coming season. Watching you live has been one of my most memorable cricketing memories, and it is something I look forward to in the next two months.

You faced loss a year back, at the same stage of the 50 over format, and took a lot of hate for a minor blip. But you came back stronger, worked harder and the result is for all of us to see. This tournament is a stepping stone to a new era of world domination, by you! This, I'm sure of. Handling expectations of a Billion people in high pressure situations is not easy, but you have conducted yourself brilliantly on every occasion and displayed magnificence. 

They say, Humility is the hallmark of a champion,and we all got to see that side of you when you expressed gratitude to your childhood hero." Sachin Tendulkar has carried Indian cricket on his shoulders for 21 years. So it was fitting that we carried him on our shoulders after this win", you said, after the 2011 World Cup triumph. 5 years down the line, you are in his shoes, making him proud. There will come a day when the same will be said about you, if not more, and I’ll have tears in my eyes but be proud to have witnessed greatness in my generation!

Thank you, Mr. Virat Kohli

Chelsea's Billion Pound Game

After a torrid start to their title defence, leading to the sacking of Jose Mourinho;Gus Hiddink’s return to the Stamford bridge managerial hot-seat has seen the Londoners go 8 unbeaten. 

Slim chances of a top 4 finish were given a boost with a victory over arch rivals arsenal. Despite the win, Chelsea are 14 points adrift of a top 4 position. Champion’s league qualification for next season looks far-fetched, making this the worst season in the Roman Abramovich era.

The significance of not achieving a spot amongst Europe’s elite will have an effect on the clubs spending powers next season due to financial fair play regulations. But in all likelihood, the club's financial prowess and football ambition will suffice in keeping hold of the current group , and , build on it next season. 

The ramifications of this repugnant campaign in current context might seem abysmal but does not come in comparison to what the club has endured in its past.

Circa 2003, the club was in a completely different situation. Locked in a period of major financial debt and growing rumours  regarding massive player clearout and budget cuts at the end of the 02-03 campaign. Finshing in the top 4 that season; quintessential in keeping them financially able,to compete at the top level.

Chelsea’s final game of the season was at home against Liverpool. Both clubs were ajar 68 points, but, blues greater goal difference meant they were the ones in the final champion’s league spot. Anything but a loss would send the London club to Europe’s premier competition.The clash was dubbed the £20mn game.

The squad walked out onto the pitch knowing theirs as well as the clubs future depended on what transpired in the next 90 mins. The group consisted of many talented players like Zola, Lampard, Gudjohnsen, etc. The headlines though would belong to a certain Dane. (not Nicklas Bendtner!).

11 minutes in to the game and pool silenced the home crowd; taking the lead. Sami Hyppia escaping his marker to head into the Chelsea goal from a Steven Gerrard free kick.

The home side hit back within a minute; levelling the game. A Chelsea corner was not dealt with by the Liverpool defence and Danish winger Jasper Gronkjaer sent the ball back into the box,onto the head of Marcel Desailly; the frenchman pulled of a perfect a header that went in off the far post.

Gronkjaer celebrates his goal in the blues 2-1 win.

26 mins in, a throw in on from the right side of the Chelsea attack was collected by gronkjaer and the dane cut in to escape riise and unleashed a shot with his left foot that nestled into the bottom right corner!The blues were heading to europe and,now, liverpool had to score twice. The merseyside club failed to find the chelsea net again ,and, a red card to gerrard sealed the result.

Chelsea F.C were going into the champions league and crisis seemed to have been averted for the time being.

Amidst all the drama on and off the pitch, a Russian oil tycoon was pondering the takeover of a premier league club. Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur his two best options at the time.The west london club's financial conundrum had Abramovich leaning towards spurs.

Passage to the champions league and spurs inability to do so tilted the odds in chelsea's favor,and, he would eventually take-over the club in July, 2003.

Abramovich took over the club from Ken Bates on 1 July 2003.

Jetting back to 2016, this is his 13th season as club owner and he's spent approximately 1 billion pounds in transfer fees; fuelling a meteoric rise from near reaches of bankruptcy to European champions.

One might wonder, would the Russian have bought the club if not for that victory?

Looking back at the clubs history, it is safe to say, that game in May of 2003 was their billion pound game!




First published on www.sportskeeda.com

Monchengladbach 1 - 3 Dortmund: Counter Class gets BVB back to winning ways.

Dortmund consolidated on their 2nd place position in the league with an enthralling 3-1 victory over 4th placed Gladbach.

Goals from Marco Reus and Henrik Mikhitariyan on either sides of the halftime gave dortmund a 2-0 leads. But, a resilient fightback from the Gladbach saw them pull one back through Raffael. However, a deft gundogan volley gave Tomas Tuchel's side all 3 points.

Gladbach were thrashed 4-0 by Dortmund in the opening game of the season ,where they looked exposed at the back and were hit on the counter. They seemed to learn from their shortcomings and sat back deep, defended well, and created some good chances.

The best chance for Gladbach in the first half fell to the head of Chelsea Loanee Andreas Christensen who headed wide after being left free in the box from a corner.

Dortmund, especially Aubameyang were wasteful in front of the goal in the opening exchanges, finishing poorly from good crosses by marco reus. Aubameyang failing to add to his 18 league goals and eventually being substituted in the 2nd half.

As the first half went on BVB seemed to get into their stride and they made it count in the 32nd minute. Ilkay Gundogan putting Reus through on goal and the German finished incisively to the bottom left of Yann Sommer's goal.

Dortmund missed a couple more chances in the first half to extend their lead; mikhitariyan shooting wide from an Aubameyang cross.

Gladbach came out in the second half with a higher defensive line and pushed their full backs on in search of a leveller.
A brilliant tackle from Hummels sparked a counter for the away side and it was a 3 on 2 situation for them. Reus found Mikhitariyan free on the left who did not disappoint on this occasion finishing calmly the the keepers left.

There was some hope for the home side after they got a goal back through Brazilian Raffael, resulting from shoddy defending by Dortmund.
Good defensive substitutions by Tuchel bringing on Ginter and Durm stemmed the comeback. A third goal from Gundogan,50th in the league for Dortmund , handed Andre Schubert only his 2nd defeat as Gladbach manager.

The victory sees Dortmund 8 points behind leaders Bayern, thus getting back to winning ways after a shock 2-1 defeat to Cologne before the winter break.

Man of the Match: Ilkay Gundogan.

HAMBURGER SV 1 - 2 BAYERN MUNICH

Bayern extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to 11 points with a hard fought 2-1 win over mid table Hamburg. A brace from their leading marksman Robert Lewandowski gave Pep Guardiola's side their 16th win of the season. Hamburg went into the game having lost 3 of their previous 4 home games and looked to rely on their defensive plaudits to keep Bayern out. 

Hamburg were the better side in the first half, defending well, and, creating half chances on the break Bayern dominated possession wise but lacked in creativity. Kingsley Coman who was brilliant throughout and by far the best player on the pitch, looked to be the most likely route to goal for the reigning champions. The match looked to be heading to a 0-0 at half-time but an incisive ball over the top of the Hamburg defence from skipper Phillipp Lahm had Thomas Muller through on goal, only for him to be brought down inside the box by an onrushing Rene Adler. Lewandowski, in the form of his life, slotted the ball in to the keepers left from the spot to give Bayern the lead. His 8^th  goal in 12 games against this opposition. 

Hamburg came out running in the second half, making all the early inroads and pushing players forward. Eight minutes into it, they were rewarded for their enterprising play. A spot on free kick from Aaron hunt seemed to miss everyone and crept into the near post of Manuel Neueur’s goal. Bayern hit back almost immediately the 59^th minute. A dreadful corner from Hamburg sparked a counter,but, the home team got enough players back to prevent Lewandowski getting off a clean shot on goal. Bayern upped their play to get back in the lead and a Thumping goal kick from Neuer had them on the attack and the ball eventually hit the back of the net. A nothing shot from Thomas Muller was deflected in by Lewandowski. Muller’s original shot seemed tame and to be heading into the keepers palms but good positional play from the Bundesliga top scorer left him unmarked and he punished Hamburg by deflecting past a stranded Adler into the goal. Bayern almost got a third in the 65^th minute through a brilliant free kick from David Alaba , which came off the far post. 

Hamburg at this point were committing more players forward and it left them exposed on the break. Costa missed a good chance to kill the game off in the 75th minute. Coman ran past the Hamburg defence on the right and he seemed too quick for his colleagues as Costa was out of position when the ball eventually got to him and lead to a shot that was way off goal.

Arjen Robben got a ten minute run out coming on for Douglas Costa, who by his high standards had a poor game. A Foul by Xabi Alonso right outside the box on kevin rudnevs presented an opportunity for the home team to get back in the game,but, a poor free kick meant that they suffered an 8th defeat this season. This leaves them just 7 points clear of the relegation zone.