Spain v France preview: Nasri could hold the key

Published on Total Football Magazine (online). Full article can be found HERE 

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The third quarter-final of Euro 2012 will take place this evening between France and Spain.

France will be looking to bounce back from their 2-0 shock midweek defeat to Sweden, but face tough opposition in a Spain side yet to taste defeat in this year’s tournament. Alongside data analysed by Castrol Edge, here are some glimpses into what key battles can determine the outcome of tonight’s match in Donetsk.

Out of favour at Chelsea, Spaniard Fernando Torres has been in fine form for his country, finding the net twice in just 151 minutes of action and will be hoping to replicate this success and put his side into Wednesday’s semi-final.

France’s hit man Karim Benzema has had a slower start to his Euro 2012 campaign. Having attempted 17 shots without scoring, he holds the unwanted record of the most shots without scoring in the competition. Benzema will want to fix this quickly, emulating the form he has shown in last season’s La Liga when netting 21 goals in 34 appearances.

With good scoring form, strikers need good service. Spain have scored in all three of their group games, and before the knockout stage had scored the most goals as a nation. Whilst France have scored just three goals in their last three matches, they have not been short of chances.

Both teams will look upon their respective playmakers in David Silva and Franck Ribery for creativity, with both featuring prominently in their previous matches. As Castrol Edge analysed, Silva has led the way this tournament, netting a goal and creating three more in contrast to Ribery’s solitary single assist, yet with a slightly superior pass completion rate and chance creation, the Bayern Munich talisman’s threat is ever-present.

Nasri could hold the key

Alongside Ribery, Samir Nasri could hold the key to unlocking Spain’s defence. Having scored already this tournament, he has also set up 14 chances for his team-mates - nine more than Spaniard Andres Iniesta. This is not to say Iniesta has not been a threat, with the Barcelona man boasting an assist and an impressive 89% shooting accuracy from nine shots.

In charge of dictating the midfield will be fellow Catalan talisman Xavi and Newcastle’s in-form Frenchman Yohan Cabaye. If fit to play, Cabaye will be responsible for building chances for Les Bleus this evening, yet should also be feared in attacking positions after clinching a goal and an assist in just 152 minutes’ play.

Xavi however excels in midfield and, as Castrol Edge analysed, has amassed an astonishing 345 passes in just three games – over three times that of Cabaye. Of these, 15 led to clear cut chances and Xavi should feel unlucky that none of these have yet led to goals.

Where France could falter in this tie will be in defence, and Laurent Blanc’s side will need a strong back-line to neutralise Spain’s attacking threat and silence their critics. Whilst Frenchman Adil Rami has excelled in his ability to clear his lines, he has attempted just three tackles in his last three appearances, with only one being successful. In contrast, Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos has won seven of his 10 tackles in the same time – a figure only being surpassed by three other defenders.

France will be hoping for goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to be on top form later if they are to have any hope of keeping Spain’s strike force at bay. In the group stages, the Lyon player has saved just 62.5% of shots faced, Castrol Edge revealed, and Lloris must improve this stat if he is to record his second clean sheet of the tournament. Spain can feel confident however with Iker Casillas in goal, with the Spaniard saving 91% of shots faced – the highest save percentage of all 15 goalkeepers featuring this summer.

Data collected by Castrol Edge suggests Spain have a 66% chance of beating France and booking their place in the semi-finals, where they will play Portugal.

The last time these two sides met competitively saw France record a 3-1 victory at the 2006 World Cup, yet only two of the victor’s starting XI may feature this evening - Franck Ribey and Florent Malouda. As they will argue, the European and World Champions are beatable, and Les Bleus will be trying to prove just that in Ukraine.

By James Hartnett

Paddy Power: The Power of Advertising

Irish bookmakers Paddy Power have cashed in on their pot of gold after Nicklas Bendtner scored in Denmark’s 3-2 defeat to Portugal last Wednesday, before celebrating by showing off boxer shorts sporting the Paddy Power logo.

The £80,000 fine handed to Bendtner is now to be paid off by the bookmaker, and although this alongside the original fee handed to Bendtner for wearing the shorts may seem a large and overly-pricey amount for the bookies, all was not lost. 

The image of Bendtner lifting his shirt to reveal the printed boxers was used by every national newspaper covering the story, whilst even a week on any coverage of the running saga still has the same photograph complimenting articles just like this. Type into Google 'Paddy Power' and the first result is 'Paddy Power underwear' - this speaks volumes about the effect this advertising project has had.

Advertising space in national newspaper has always been high, and the quest for free advertising is a long and hard venture. However, Paddy Power seems to have combated this with their latest stunt in what could yet be a talking point for weeks to come – especially now that fines for racism are being compared to that of Bendtner’s fine.

Be it a stroke of genius or a stroke of luck, Paddy Power is the bookie on everyone’s lips during Euro 2012. 

South Coast starting XI dream team

A five-year gap will separate the last and the next time a south coast outfit will grace the Premier League, after Championship runners-up Southampton secured promotion to the top flight for the first time in eight years. They did it in tremendous fashion too, boasting back-to-back promotions from League One to Premier League, sending the town in rapturous celebration. Their feat did not go unnoticed, with Saints striker Rickie Lambert awarded Championship Player of the Year ahead of teammate Adam Lallana.

Rivals Portsmouth FC sunk to 22nd in the Championship after being handed a 10-point deduction by entering administration mid-season and never recovered from the blow. Player of the Season, and winner of seven of the club’s nine supporters awards, Jason Pearce has since signed for Leeds United after the team’s relegation was confirmed.

Further westward, AFC Bournemouth suffered a rollercoaster season in League One, experiencing the turmoil of a relegation battle and the joys of promotion hopes before settling for a mid-table position. Following a string of unimpressive results, interim manager Paul Groves replaced Lee Bradbury in charge but his attempt of steadying the ship is yet to be determined.

There were however a few notable shining stars in all three south coast teams and here at BUzz we’ve constructed a South Coast Dream Team. Whether the team is destined for supremacy or mediocracy, you decide.

GK: Kelvin Davis (SOU) – Southampton captain, Davis’ form in goal has helped the team record the third highest defensive record in the Championship. Davis featured in the Championship Team of the Year this season, his third team of the year title in as many years.

LB: Dan Harding (SOU) – Having played at U21 level internationally, the Saints left-back earned a new contract during this season after impressing manager Nigel Adkins. Less known for his scoring ability, Harding’s box-to-box wing-play made him a constant threat both in attack and defence.

CB: Jose Fonte (SOU) – Big things were expected of the well-travelled centre-back after being heavily voted as Southampton’s Player of the Year last year, and Fonte has answered his critics majestically. Fonte scored the decisive goal in Southampton’s final game of the 2011/12 season, securing their promotion into the Premier League.

CB: Jason Pearce (POR) – Portsmouth’s Player of the Year took away all but two supporters awards after a solid season in the Portsmouth back-line. Pearce had previously held the captain’s armband at Bournemouth before moving to their south coast neighbours.

RB: Greg Halford (POR) – With Premier League experience, Portsmouth’s versatile right-back cemented his place on the wing after serving a season at centre-back previously. His performances last year earned him a three-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until 2014.

LM: Scott Malone (BOU) – After signing on loan from Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers, Malone soon became a Cherries favourite and earned himself a permanent contract and extension in his first year at the club. He is now Bournemouth’s first-choice on the left wing.

CM: Marc Pugh (BOU) – Named AFC Bournemouth’s Player of the Year, Pugh’s controlled midfield play, combined with an ability to play both on the wings and up front, has made him a Dean Court talisman, and a constant threat to defences countrywide.

CM: Adam Lallana (SOU) – Having featured in the League One Team of the Year in the 2010/11 season, Lallana was beaten to the Championship Player of the Year award by teammate Rickie Lambert after his 13-goal tally this season earned him runner-up spot. His international credentials include playing in the England U18, U19 and U21 teams.

RM: Shaun MacDonald (BOU) – With a toe injury setting the midfielder back midway through his debut season at Bournemouth, MacDonald soon recovered to become a regular starter for the Cherries. MacDonald put in various man of the match performances during his 21 games at the club, and he is expected for even greater things with continued full fitness.

ST: Wes Thomas (BOU) – Initially joining Bournemouth on loan, Thomas secured a permanent contract with the Cherries in January after a dynamic scoring form lifted the team from relegation strugglers to promotion pushers. The player adapted well from non-league football to score 11 goals in his first league season.

ST: Rickie Lambert (SOU) – The Saints’ season next year could rest on this man’s shoulders. If he continues his hot form into the Premier League, their survival would be all but sewn up. Calls for Lambert to join the England set-up are even being made, and with 31 goals in 45 games in all competitions this season, these are rightly justified.

Why pre-match entertainment should be more... Americanised.

I remember when I was a good foot or so shorter than I am now, back in the days when I went to the football and bought a teddy bear instead of a pint, a chocolate bar instead of a pie, the days when I first used to get that all-too-familiar buzz as the atmosphere of a football match greeted me with roaring occasion. In particular, I remember my very first game as a youngster, sitting in the first row of the family stand right next to the corner flag, and watching our team's forwards partake in some target practice before rushing back into the changing rooms.

I also remember the mascot, only too well. He used to scare the absolute hell out of me. For a start, I couldn't get my head around why a huge cockerel was prancing about on the sidelines of a football match cheering people on. What did this bird have to do with football? Why was he given a name, and why was this poor sod called Chirpy? I remember him running up to me and shaking my hand, whilst my dad proudly smiled before promptly laughing after seeing my face screwed up and me hiding for shelter as this man-size bird flocked toward me.

At the time - as I'm sure most children felt - I was scared for my life at this mascot. But now it's plain to see he was just doing his job, and I can't fault the man in the bird costume for trying to lift the crowd before their team ran out on the pitch, savouring the moment a stadium full of fans would sing their praises. Chirpy served as the perfect pre-game booster, and without him there wouldn't be near as much anticipation and pre-game 'buzz' ringing around the stadium.

The thing is, us Brits love doing things half-hearted. Mascots and entertainment are no exceptions. Since being a youngster, sat in the corner of the stadium and virtually tucked away into nothingness, I can't remember the last time I saw Chirpy anywhere near the pitch. To put this in perspective, I've been a season ticket holder for 4 years - that's 72 games, and 72 chances to see a man dressed in a cockerel outfit prancing around the field. I didn't.

Whilst singing is always a solid way of uniting thousands of fans - just look at West Ham's 'Forever Blowing Bubbles' chant - we really could benefit from taking a leaf out of the Americans' book.

Pre-game entertainment across the pond is as big as the game itself. The NFL's Superbowl is designated a day in America, it's that big - not to mention its half-time show (show!) attracting such big names as Madonna, Nicki Minaj and The Black Eyed Peas. NBA often also give fans the chance to win thousands of dollars by shooting hoops. Every NFL team has a mascot, fleets of cheerleaders flock to centre circles in fields and courts nationwide shaking pom poms to adorning fans, and the omission of a marching band along the bleachers is virtually unheard of.

TV audiences would sky-rocket whilst tickets would no doubt sell like hot cakes if this were applicable in the UK. The cliche 'everything's bigger in America' has never been more suited than here, but quite rightly in this matter. I know for sure if my favourite team's pitch was invaded for 15 minutes before the match and 15 minutes during half-time for a piece of entertainment perfection I would definitely skip the queues for the pies. In a society driven off entertainment, constantly striving for new thrills and experiences that last a lifetime, half-time and pre-game shows would be a terrific start. All it would probably take is a slightly higher ticket price, and when my favourite football team charge upwards of £50 for a ticket as it is, a few pounds extra would hardly detract me from picking up the phone and booking my seat, that's for sure.

Cristiano Ronaldo: Too long in Messi's shadow...

It seems week in week out La Liga legend Lionel Messi is breaking records at his own free will. Only recently he broke the long-standing record for most Champions League goals for Barcelona, whilst his league and cup goal tallies purely compliment this statistic. He is the current Ballon D'or holder, as well as the world's best goalscorer in any league - not even Huddersfield's Jordan Rhodes can keep up, who is scoring almost for fun down in League One.

However, what with all this publicity and awe over the nifty Argentine, there is an elephant the size of a sperm whale in the corner of the room. No disrespect to Lionel Messi - after all, it's no fluke that he's got to where he has and any recognition to his remarkable talent is well-deserved - but why isn't Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro (or Cristiano Ronaldo, as he is better known as) receiving such legendary credentials by the press, the public, and the footballing world?

During his time at Manchester United over five years ago, Ronaldo was quickly dubbed one of Sir Alex Ferguson's most successful signings yet during the Scot's 26-year-and-counting managerial reign. Fair enough, public blunders such as Ronaldo's activity during the 2006 World Cup quarter-final between England and Portugal, whereupon he suggested Wayne Rooney should (and was) sent off for his stamp on Ricardo Carvalho, haven't helped ignite his career for the better - and it's perhaps easy to see why the winger dubbed 'the winker' doesn't get the credit he deserves by some England football fans.

However, his scoring tallies have helped put Real Madrid firmly on course for the La Liga title this year, with newspapers having to constantly create new headlines for each hat-trick or two-goal haul Ronaldo manages - something which is happening almost on a weekly basis in Spain. Indeed, last month he too broke records, having scored 100 La Liga goals in the fastest amount of time since a player's arrival after his brace against Real Sociedad on 24th March. This rout was achieved after just 92 games, surpassing the record previously held by Real Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas. Lionel Messi didn't even come close to breaking it.

Whilst at Manchester United, the winger racked up 84 goals in his 196 appearances - almost one goal every two games, and a record any striker would be proud of holding. This was to be just the beginning of a prodigy.

Ronaldo has taken to life in La Liga like a fish to water, with the league's fast-paced openness suiting his playing style to a tee. He's already scored more goals whilst at Real Madrid than he did whilst at United, at a remarkable rate of 1.1 goals per game too. Bookies are so assured that he will feature on the scoresheet that the odds of him grabbing a goal is often so low it's almost impossible to profit from. It comes as little surprise then that this weekend saw Ronaldo net his seventh hat-trick of the 2011/12 campaign.

To put this in retrospect, since Messi's arrival at Barcelona he's working up 0.76 goals per game - three in every four matches. Fair enough, he did come up through the youth system and thus featured through a string of substitute appearances, but why does he warrant so much more recognition than Ronaldo?

I won't deny that Messi can easily change games. Just his presence alone on a pitch is enough to make any full-back uncomfortable for 90 tortuous minutes. But, the same can be said about Ronaldo. Messi also isn't scared to take on defenders - in fact, he is actively jinxing around the pitch with the ball glued to his feet and opponents stumbling over themselves just to attempt to get a tackle in - well, so does Ronaldo. Furthermore, Messi possesses such flair and flawless technique his 1-on-1 finishing is next to nothing - just like Ronaldo's. I'm sure you can see a pattern emerging.

There's nothing more tantalising for a journalist than to compare players, I understand that. However, endless newspapers, magazines and broadcasters revel in comparing these two playmakers yet seem to always edge towards Messi's camp. Even when they've both delivered man of the match performances, producing goals and creating chances, Messi still triumphs. What gives? Will Ronaldo ever get his time in the spotlight, or will the three-year gap in Messi's favour prove the ultimate disadvantage to Ronaldo in this ongoing battle? Either way, Ronaldo's table-topping performances has nowhere near as much recognition that it warrants and this needs changing. He can even take free kicks, regularly scoring - so why is he still second best?

Down But Not Out ... The EV's Rollercoaster Life (University Project)

First published section of my multimedia final year project, this being on the history of the electric vehicle. What does the future hold?

Spurs Kit Comparison: 2007 vs 2011

'07 kit: I remember '07 well. We signed Les Ferdinand that season from Newcastle and he just couldn't stop scoring under new manager Juande Ramos. There was nothing sweeter than seeing the Lilywhites enter the pitch that season, with dreams of European football never far away and with signings like Les and Gus Poyet leading the line it wasn't long before Spurs became a wrecking force and soon we were diving into the 'UEFA Cup'. This was the year I also started drinking Holsten Pils, and is possibly subconsciously why I drink it still now, after finding out through THFC what Holsten as a company actually was. The colour scheme itself of the kit is basic, and reminded me of Newcastle's sky-blue away kit (though also Coventry City). It did reflect a mid-table, undaring nature, though, and I do wish it was a little more daring.

'11 kit: With big signings like VDV, Adebayor and Bale, Spurs as a team were a far more formidable force than the 2007 season. The colours of the kit are more vibrant, with the white arms and styling on the shorts giving the kit a stylish edge to Spurs' typically monotone kit. The subtle stripes are a nice touch, too. The iconic thing about this kit was the use of two sponsors, Auresma and Investec - Investec being for European games - and during such mid-week clashes it never quite seemed like the same Spurs team entering the pitch (regardless of if the 'kids' played or not). The kit itself was rarely used though, so season-defining moments were rare. Overall though, seeing the team pull through for a top 5 finish - 4 points in front of Liverpool after beating them away in the second-last game of the season - was memorable enough and one I'll remember for quite a while.