OK guys, here I am... Now, as I had mentioned above I did not see the game live but instead had to watch it taped. I knew I was gonna miss it because of all the sh!t that I had going on yesterday but when I found out the score, I just had to watch it! Honestly, without a doubt I can say that this is the best game I've seen in maybe 4 or 5 years! And that's with me knowing the score! I can only imagine how it would have been if I actually watched it live (heartbreaking I'm sure). Even as I was watching the taped game, I was still hoping that the score I saw on the Internet wasn't true. I thought it was just a big government Internet conspiracy against us. What a way to lose. But you know what they say; a desperate team does desperate things. And Spain was one desperate team!!!! Granted, they got a little help (I will dedicate a whole another post entitled "That referee") but either way they deservedly go on to the next round.
And so do we of course! It would really have been a shame if we would have gone out and instead had to suffer watching Norway bore the football game to death. After all, no team which only scored 1 goal in 270+ mins of play should be allowed to proceed.
It is fair to say that Spain overall was a better team then we were. For most of the time they controlled the tempo and had more goal-scoring chances. Having said that, I think our guys put up one of the best team showings that we've seen ever since Hungary '98. Finally for full 90 minutes our players did what was expected of them! However (and this might be a blessing in disguise) they learned that you need more if you are to succeed. Whether its 92 mins or 95 or 99 or 125, you cannot allow yourself to let up for even one second!
Our defense should accept most of the blame for the loss because they played way too far back. Instead of moving up more, they were basically playing in their own penalty area and allowing the Spaniards to move around just outside our box. This also made it difficult for Kralj because the action was very close to him. Perhaps Boskov should take the blame for this because I'm sure he implemented the strategy.
We saw another exhibition of great passing skills, superb individual ball handling and three great goals! Without a doubt as we play more and more games in this tournament we are getting better and better (even though the score line doesn't agree).
Our guys have gone through a roller-coaster emotional ride and I hope that won't affect their game against Holland. We will need to be at our full mental awareness and great physical endurance if we are to beat the Dutch team!
And now the much-anticipated rankings
:rolleyes:22. Kralj 65% - Although he had a couple of good saves, I cannot possible give him any higher ranking after conceding 4 goals! Keep in mind that the "penalty" which resulted in Spain's 3rd goal could have been prevented had Kralj made the initial save of the shot. Instead of catching (a very catch able ball) he blocked it away, where a Spaniard got it - then centered it... and well you know the rest.
:)3. Djorovic 75% - He has been improving! Showed some great concentration and ball control. Keep it up!
:(. Jokanovic 59% - Hasn't impressed at all during this tournament. He really didn't do anything of great significance in the game, except of course for the send off. He is now also punished for 2 games (UEFA really doesn't like us!!)
<img src=http://smilecwm.tripod.com/net3/glasses.gif>5. Djukic 83% - Continues to play good solid defense and without a doubt he was our best defender on the field yesterday! And of course he continues to be a threat to push the ball forward, which always spells problems for opponent's midfield.
<img src=http://smilecwm.tripod.com/net3/icon24.gif>7. Jugovic 66% - I am surprised that he had such a low output yesterday. What happened? He played so great against Norway. I hope he hasn't run out of gas!
:mad:8. Mijatovic 61% - Continues to irritate the fans, and me, and frankly I don't know why Boskov is afraid to bench him earlier. His dives are not fooling anybody, and one of these days a ref is going to give him a yellow for diving and then we'll all start how it's a conspiracy and the ref hates us. I think he should be moved more back into a "midfield" type role where he can be freer and have more space to work with. Don't forget Pedja is a great passer!
:cool:9. Milosevic 80% - Another game another goal for Savoman! Currently the leading scorer in EURO 2000 and has at least one more game to add to that tally. A very likely candidate for the "golden boot"
<img src=http://smilecwm.tripod.com/net3/icon24.gif>10. Dragan Stojkovic 70% - Was rather quite in today's game. I don't know, him and Jugovic seemed to be tired. Hopefully they'll get enough rest before the Holland game. Its simple, Plavi without Piksi and Jugovic simply aren't Plavi. We don't stand a chance without these two playing at their best.
<img src=http://smilecwm.tripod.com/net/icon8.gif>11. Mihajlovic 49% - Very ineffective! Both on defense and offense. Here's a quick stat: All of our goals conceded have happened with him on the pitch!
:)13. Komljenovic 80% - This guy is great! He should be a regular starter! He was our scoring leader in WC '98 and now he got himself on the goalscorers list again. And it was quite a tough shot too. However his greatest power is in the defense, where we need it!
<img src=http://smilecwm.tripod.com/net/slant.gif>14. Saveljic no rank Did not play substantial minutes.
<img src=http://smilecwm.tripod.com/net/smile.gif>16. Govedarica 79% - Had a great game! Scored a classic goal - the types of goals you learn in school, and kept the ball alive for Komljenovic to score the 3rd goal. He is our best asset in the "air".
<img src=http://smilecwm.tripod.com/net/flash.gif>17. Drulovic 84% - This guy has developed into a star! I remember watching him play on our national team 2 years ago and thinking how he is just a "filler" and will never make it into the starting line up. Well so far in this tournament nobody but him has given so much in all three games! He was all over the field and directly set up 2 of our goals. Player of the game
<img src=http://smilecwm.tripod.com/net2/PARhmph.gif>19. J. Stankovic 70% - Had an OK game. Nothing special, I feel he should have stepped up more not only in defense but also took more chances in going forward.
Eagerly waiting for the Holland game.
Now I'm off to write my "That referee" column. Should be a good read (I hope) :)
[This message has been edited by Ivan (edited 23 June 2000).]