Group Winners-itis sans Los Matadores

Wow... what an exciting finish to the second round. The Dutch simply were runover by the Russians and Los Matadores shrugged off a 22 year jinx to see them through to the semis and send home the Italians on penalties. The Dutch side finally appeared to have their weakness of soft central defending exposed and simply were not able to connect on enough set pieces to best the Russian side. I wasn't surprised by the Spain-Italy stalemate but was dissappointed that the Spanish side didn't take more advantage of one of the weakest Italian defenses (minus Buffon) in recent history. I continue to wonder how a team managed by one of the greatest Italian defenders of all time has such a questionable back line. Oh well, they do and it's good to see the World Champs head home.

So in the end three group runner-ups (Germany, Turkey, and Russia) went through with the lone group winner through being Spain. This sets up a Germany-Turkey semifinal and a firecracker Russia-Spain showdown. I'll take Germany and Russia to go through to the final. I would have picked Spain before the last round but it appears that the addition of Arshavin has the Russian side clicking on all cylinders. I do think that the Russia-Spain match is probably a truer representation of the two best teams in the tournament, but oh well. The final four matches of the tournament should provide some memorable football.

I'll see you after the semis.
Yours in the beautiful game
Coach Butler

Achtung BABAY!

Sorry about the lapse in posts but for some reason work got in the way of my blogging and Euro watching. Yes, I agree that I need to get my priorities right.

So as a quick catch up... In group C, the Dutch were through before the final match day and the Italians went through assisted by a tough red card to the French in the first 30 min of play. In group D, Los Matadores were already through and Russia earned a spot into the next round with a decisive win over Sweden.

Now for the Second Round analysis, who would have thought that Portugal would be out so early after such brilliant runs at the last Euro and the World Cup. I think the Germans were a difficult match up for the Portuguese due to the Germans rumored ability to defend (not observed yet in Euro play) and their ability to dominant crosses in their attacking third. In the end the inability to defend services into their defensive area (particularly due to some indecisive goalkeeping) is what sent Christiano Ronaldo and his teammates packing much earlier than experts thought. At the same time I think it is also appropriate to applaud the German team for their effort. The first goal off transition was counter attacking worked to perfection and in the end the tactical speed of Podolski timed brilliantly with a succinct near post run by Schweinsteiger left the Portuguese defense with one option ...... to pray for an errant touch. But it wasn't to be and Germany progressed through to the semifinals and Christiano Ronaldo gets to consider his options for the future and Big Phil Scolari gets to start his reign under the Russian dictatorship at Stamford Bridge.

Turkish delight PART II. There is not a commentator I heard from who thought the Turks had anything left in their tank after their dramatic win against the Czech Rep. Well so much for the experts... After a full 90 minutes the game was forced to extra time and a poor decision by the Turk's new goalkeeper, Rustu, had Croatia up 1-0 in the 116th minute and already planning the training sessions for next week. Well so much for 1-0 as Rustu sent a ball 90 yards and with the last touch of the game the Turks forced a penalty shootout. The Turks prevailed in the penalty shootout and face the Germans in the next round and YES .. I am sticking with my pick of the Germans continuing through. I would have loved to see a Germany-Croatia rematch to see if the Germans could re-establish themselves after their earlier 2-0 loss in group play but I'll be interested to see if the Turks have one more game in them after the past two dramatic matches.. there's no way they have anything left in their tank.. or do they.. are the Turks the Greeks of 2008? We'll see...

Youth Soccer Focus: So I've already mentioned the "goal monster" that is the far post run. Well while goalscoring opportunities are often with a far post run..... they aren't as often but are ten times as lethal with a near post run (See Mr. Schweinsteiger's goal vs. Portugal). Near post runs predominantly work effectively due to good timing. The runner needs to hold their run (not coming to a stand still) until the ball is played in from the flank, and the ball from the fland needs to be played to a position that is just outside the 6 yard box. If contact is made with the ball by the near post runner it does not need to be a powerful touch but rather a simple re-direct as the keeper won't be ready to respond to the re-direct as the keeper is anticipating to follow the ball across the front of their goal mouth. A simple touch will do just fine in this situation( and in most situations with crosses that are coming in from the flank) ... regardless typically the most difficult part of this is getting the near post runner to hold their run. The runner needs to be patient and be ready to sprint towards that near post when the appropriate ball comes across. Timing is what makes this one of the most difficult but most exciting plays in the game.

Preview for the next set of matches: Well I think the odds on favorites to win the tournament after the first round would have to be the Dutch and Spain and I think it is going to be difficult to keep them out of meeting each other in the semifinal. However, the Russians looked improved in their last match vs. Sweden and who knows what the Italians will do anymore when they step on the pitch. Both games should provide some high level football. I'm going with the experts and taking the Brilliant Orange and Los Matadores.

Yours in the beautiful game,
Coach Butler

Turkish delight

MATCH OF THE TOURNAMENT so far has to go to the Czech Republic vs. Turkey game. Talk about a tale of two halves. Until Jan Koller netted his brilliant header into the Turkish net it appeared as if the Czech Republic was the only team not playing for a penalty shoot out. However, once the Turks were forced to go forward with the ball the intensity in the match was turned up 10 fold. The Turks created chance after chance that you were certain they were going to put away and get an equalizer. However through halftime the game remained 1-0 Czech Republic and then 62 minutes in, entirely against the run of play and with the first realistic chance that the Czech team had in the second half, the Czech team goes up 2-0. I was aghast... what inhumane fate had the soccer gods dealt the Turks..... well little did I know. Time ticks on and the Turks get one goal... okay game on! As the match steamrolls forward, bodies are flying, the rain is falling and pulses are racingm I continue to think that the match is somehow going to penalties. The Turkish team HAS TO have another goal in them. Ah but it's getting late no more time for goals... OH No! Oh no.. it didn't ...it couldn't.. Petr Cech hands the Turks the equalizer. How I wish every player I told to follow their teammates shots on frame saw this goal. Petr Cech is considered by many to be the best keeper in the world but for that one play, for that one split second, he made the routine collection off a cross turn into a carnival celebration for the Turks. To penalties we go... aht aht aht .. not so fast. The tension builds and then.. no they didn't .. THEY did and HE DID! Kahveci gets played through on a horrible decision to attempt an offsides trap by the Czechs and finishes what I consider now to be the best goal of the tourney taking all things into consideration (time, place, pace and location of shot). Wow.. Turkey go through... who would've thought... amazing.. I LOVE THIS GAME and this is why I watch.

The Swiss-Portugal game was a nice farewell for the host country and the Swiss pulled off a nice victory to reminisce about on their trip home but the game was never expected to amount to much and lived up to it's expectation. Regarding the other matches today, Croatia appropriately goes through and Germany .. oh Germany.. I had such high hopes and yet you simply haven't lived up to the bill. Nice goal by Ballack but the Germans will need much more than that to have any chance against the Portuguese in the next round. That being said I'm looking for both Croatia and Germany to win their next round matches and advance to the semi-finals. Yes even though the Germans are playing awfully I am standing by my pick to advance on.

Youth Soccer Focus: I think I will simply reiterate the importance of following up shots on goal if you are either defending or attacking. You simply never know when a miscue in front of the goal can occur and an extra defender or attacker around that miscue can greatly effect the outcome of the game. This particularly applies for games played in the rain when dropped shots are more common by goalkeepers, however, don't wait until the game in the rain comes to develop these habits. Develop these habits in everyday training sessions and they will be second nature during the match.

Preview of June 17th matches: I am billing this as match day of the year. It all comes down to the final day to determine the other team through from the grupo de muerte. A friend of mine will actually be in Paris tomorrow for the match and oh how I'd love to switch places for a few hours. The match of the day has to be France vs Italy and I'm predicting the French find a way to advance. I am taping this one for future reference and it has all the right ingredients to become an instant classic. I think Romania will struggle with the Dutch B team and I am predicting a 1-0 Dutch win. Oh how I wish there was some national holiday tomorrow... oh well. Enjoy the matches and let me know your thoughts about the next round.

Yours in the beautiful game
Coach Butler

Quieres comprar los matadores?

So do you buy the matadors (Spain) is the question at hand. After a lack luster second half that produced few chances, Spain's newest prodigal son, David Villa, took advantage of some poor defending by the Swedes and cleanly finished a 1v1 opportunity and in doing so got Spain through to the second round. After the win, Spain clearly look like one of the favorites to win it all even though Sweden appear to have developed a solid defensive plan to slow down the Iberian express. It will be interesting to see how Sweden come out in the final match of the round against Russia after suffering such a brutal defeat in the closing minutes.

In the other match, the Greeks are sent home in tragic fashion. As a previous goalkeeper myself, I often discuss with my fellow soccer colleagues how minimal the role of the goalkeeper SHOULD BE if defense is played properly and yes I understand that is a big IF. Regardless, keepers can definetly make a mess of matches if they decide to and last night was a perfect example. The Greek goalkeeper, Nikopolidis, was practically appointed a seat on top of Mt. Olympus only 4 years ago after playing a key role in helping the Greeks win the European Championships. However, after last night's gaffe I'm not sure if he'll make it past customs to get back into the country. I could follow his line of thinking with respect to following the ball wide and out for a goal kick but once the Russian attacker got a hold of the ball in such an awkward position on th goal line, Nikopolidis should have retreated back to the goal to take care of the pass to the center of the goal that followed. That being said, this one play by Nikopolidis did not send the Greeks home nor did it even lose them the match. It certainly didn't help with them winning the match but the Greeks had plenty of opportunities to at least tie or even win the game. Which leads me to my youth soccer focus of the day...

Youth Soccer Focus: For the advanced youth player, it is important that you begin to analyze how goals are scored and in turn how goals can be prevented. To highlight this point I'd like to analyze the goal that Sweden scored against Spain. At the end of the play, Casillas probably should have handled the ball better (and gotten his weight onto the balls of his feet to dive forward) and Ramos should not have dove in defensively inside the goal box unless he was certain he was going to get a touch on t he ball. However if you take the play back two passes you'll realize that the Swedish team with 3 players played through the entire 11 players on the Spanish team and the reason for this was due to a lack of pressure on the ball. Llundberg's ball to Stoor at half field had so little pressure that it was able to switch the entire field with one touch. Then Stoor's ball into Ibrahimovic from 35 yards out, that ended up in the goal box, had no pressure on it either. The Swedish team might as well been playing an 11v0 training match. Spain had to stop the ball's progress further out than 8 yards from their own goal to prevent the goal from happening and the lack of pressure and intensity on defense outside of the goal box is truly what allowed for the opportunity to develop for Sweden in my opinion. It's always very easy to point fingers at a keeper or defender when a goal is scored but as you develop your knowledge in the game you need to understand where the origin of the goal truly was, in the case at half field, in order to play better defensive football in the future.

Preview of the next match: I don't tend to watch a lot of TV except for sporting events and thus one TV in a house is fine for me, however, on the final match days for the World Cup and European Championships I can develop a strong argument for two TVs on simultaneously side-by-side. Anyway, the game of the day to watch is Turkey vs. Czech Rep as this game will decide who goes through to the next round. I think the favorites would have to be the Czech Rep based on historic performance but based on recent events I would not at all be surprised by a draw followed by the ensuing penalties. Should be an energetic match though and fun to watch. I'm not sure the Portugal-Swiss match will be the same as I imagine Portugal will allow their best players to rest and the Swiss team has already realized their only way to participate in the next round is to watch it from the comforts of their own home. Enjoy the matches and let the drama begin for the round of 8.

Yours in the beautiful game
Coach Butler

Total football clicking on all cylinders

4-1.. 4-1 ... I looked at the scoreline before I watched the match and couldn't believe it. Then I watched the first half of the match and still couldn't believe it. The French had their chances and really had the better possession. The French were dominating the play and so what does Marco van Basten (head coach of the Dutch side) do ... but put in two attacking minded players who view defending solely as a necessary evil as a result of their job description. So the substitutions are made and then ..... 1 minute later, 2-0 Holland on a wonderful cross connecting the two subs, from Arjen Robben to van Persie that van Persie would have put well wide of the goal if the keeper hadn't deflected the ball into the back of the net (Youth soccer focus: Far posts runs from the opposite flank are often extremely productive but take a lot of work to do. Keep the running up and be composed with your shot on goal and you are certain to have your number of chances to put the ball in the back of the net.) So the games over right? Well then comes Thierry Henry ... while not an Arsenal fan by any stretch of the imagination I still recall a match I saw at Highbury between Arsenal and Blackburn and loved the fans singing his name. It was so memorable that my wife even still remembers the song to this day. Anyway back to the game ... Thierry Henry with a beautiful touch to the far post off of a cross and it's a game again at 2-1 (this goal is getting a consideration for goal of the championship so far by yous truly). AND THEN..... 1 minute later Arjen Robben roofs the ball in the top of the net from 10 m away. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? How did he maintain possession that far into the box? How did the defender not challenger stronger? How did the keeper not tip it out for a corner? Regardless the chants in the stadium immediately stopped from the supporters in blue and transferred to the supporters in orange. In the end the Dutch ended up adding a goal on for good measure in stoppage time (which was a fine strike as well) and ended up wrapping up Group C which means we'll be seeing the B team for the Dutch vs. Romania more than likely.

On to what turned out to be the match of the day, Romania vs. Italy. I'll be the first to admit that I thought the Romanian performance vs. France was an anomaly, but after the results of this match the Romanian side have placed themselves in position to go through to the next round. While not a fan of the Italian side, I do have to admit that Toni's goal at the end of the first half should have been allowed, however, his horrendous dive in the box towards the end of the match reminds me exactly of the reasons why I have no sympathy for them. In the end I think the Italians have to be disappointed not to get 3 points but at the same time realize how close they were from being sent out of the tournament (practically 1 whole shoe size on Buffon's right foot that prevented the penalty going through). Final note, what a match by the Romanian keeper, Lobont. Simply a super performance to keep his team alive. So in the end all teams are alive in Group C and we'll see if the Romanians can take advantage of playing a weaker Dutch side and punch their ticket through to the next round. If not, the second ticket through to the next round will be punched by the winner of the France-Italy match. Should create a final day full of spirited matches.

Youth Soccer Focus: The most important times to tighten up your defense is 5 minutes at the beginning and end of each half along with 5 minutes after a goal is scored by your team. We saw that today in both matches. As discussed already, the Dutch answered back Henry's beautiful goal with a quick strike from Robben and in the other match the Italians finally broke through right after Mutu took full advantage of the miscue in the Italian defense. Both goals were scored in the next minute. So the bottom line is .. enjoy the goals you score and be creative in your celebration but after the celebration is over and before the next whistle is blown by the referee to resume play, get your team together and make sure you know that defense is key for the next 5 minutes.
Youth players, make sure you get some fitness in today. Jumping a rope for the entire halftime is also a great option or juggle a ball during the halftime session... whatever you do just get it done without any excuses and then enjoy the second half.

Preview of Matches: I think the Sweden-Spain match has the possibility for some high level fireworks and should create the best day of the match, 4+/5. However, if Spain play the way they did in the first round I'm not sure they can be beat. We'll see what the Swedish team does to counteract the Spanish goal scoring machine of David Villa. The Greece-Russia game should be good as well with less fireworks and more defense. It will be interesting to see if the Euro Cup holders can put themselves in position to get through to the next round.

Yours in the beautiful game
Coach Butler

Croatia onto the second round ?

Well if you read my blog yesterday, I'd be lying if I thought this picture would exemplify the end of the Germany-Croatia match. How can two teams look so different between their first and second match? Oh well, in the end the Croatians made the most of their opportunities while hopefully (for my Euro pick at least) the Germans got a gentle reminder that they are a far way off from winning the cup.

In the other game, it was good to see Austria get some points. As a result it leaves 2nd place in group B up for grabs until the final day of round play which always creates a dramatic end to the round fixtures.

Youth Soccer Focus: From the Austria game, never give up... goals scored in the last minute of a match count just as much as those scored in the 33rd minute. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose .... but it is imperative that you always provide the maximum effort until the final whistle. Look what it did for the Austrian team and unfortunately look what it did for the Polish side.

Headline for tomorrow ..... who knows who will come out of the the grupo de muerte (group of death)? We will see tomorrow if the Dutch can keep up their form and if Italy can get back on track. If I had to pick one match I'd watch the Holland-France match (anyone else ready for a Frank Ribery sighting?) but both games should produce a 4+/5 stars and some high level futbol.

Yours in the beautiful game,
Coach Butler

Portugal go through and Swiss go home...ish

As a Manchester United fan it is always good to see Christiano Ronaldo shine on the international stage, however, even as Portugal clinched a birth to the next round I wonder how much longer the Portuguese run will last? The Czech Republic could have easily tied and won that game but in the end were unable to put away a handful of close range chances on goal. If the Portuguese are to advance deep into the tournament they are going to need to continue to defend by attacking because it is becoming more and more apparent that a solid dose of corner kicks and crosses could mean defeat for the Portuguese (see Greece 2004) and more rest time before next year's Premier League for Christiano Ronaldo.

My regards to the Swiss for their solid hosting yet unfortunate performance in the European Championships. Good thing it's not a long trip home for them.. I don't even think a "WARM UP THE BUS" chant even applies. HA! According to the ESPN crew the Swiss have yet to gather 3 points in any Euro Championship. I already hear the arguments against automatic qualification for host countries building up. Let's be honest... what would have been a more competitive side... the Swiss or the English. I'm not sure you even need to know who Wayne Rooney is to answer that one. Anyway, cest la vie. The Swiss will go back to their homes at weeks end and be able to watch the rest of the championships with their Italian brethren I imagine (Yes, that is me going out on a very small branch).

Youth Soccer Focus: I hope all of the players out there saw the goal scored by the Czech Rep. What a great goal built solely on the ideal that Sionko wanted the ball off the cross more than anyone else in the 18 yard box and was willing to take out his own teammate to make the goal happen. The most important aspect of attacking or defending a corner kick is that your mentality is committed to winning the ball no matter where it is in the goal box. Goals off of corners aren't always as beautiful as the one scored today but they are more often than not won by the team (and players) that simply wanted the ball more.
A great bit of advice that was given to me during my NSCAA coaching licensure course by Paul Marco (Head Men's Soccer Coach, Binghamton University, NY) is to make sure that you jump in the air first before the player next to you when fighting for a head ball. If you jump before the player next to you does when they go to jump up they will be jumping into you and thus will not be able to jump as high.

PREVIEW for June 12: Should be an interesting day of matches tomorrow with the Germans expected to bring home 3 points and it should be a battle between Austria and the Polish team to avoid being eliminated from the tournament. I'll take the German-Croatia match as my choice for the day and an overall 3.5/5 stars with the expectation of a strong defensively organized match.

Yours in the beautiful game,
Coach Butler

EURO 2008: First Round Round up

My name is Coach Robert Butler (NSCAA Advanced National) and I coach the U16 SWISA girls team in Newburgh, IN. I have coached at the state ODP level as well as at the club level in addition to stints as an assistant coach at a number of colleges. I hope this blog provides some interesting commentary about the ongoing European Championships and provides a message board for some discussion. Onto the commentary.....


Wow.. what a first round. The more and more I interact with the game the crueler it becomes. How do the Swiss and Austrian teams leave with zero points after their heroic efforts? Tragic really....

So far it appears that Spain is ready to get rid of their label of perennial underachievers, the Dutch look like a counterattacking machine, the World Cup holders appear headed for a first round exit, the reigning European Champs have some work to do to get through to the next round, the Germans are the Germans, and oh yes we have the Portuguese.

So who do YOU like for to raise the trophy in early July? I am going with the Germans with the overall complete package but in the end it could probably be anyone of 8 teams... but then again maybe we have another underdog getting on the end of a series of 1-0 wins based on solid defense (see Greece 2004). Also.. what has been the best goal of the tournament? I have to go with the sweet Swedish shot from Mr Zlatan Ibrahimovi... what a blister .... no chance for Nikopolidis.

Now to step away from the European Championships... I'd like to applaud the efforts of the USMNT vs. Argentina on Sunday night. WHAT A MATCH.. .WHAT AN EFFORT. Unfortunately, as I continue to tell my players, now that I know they can play like that weith that kind of effort I expect to see it every day. I'd like to provide the utmost praise to the US Soccer Federation for booking those 3 matches to provide our national team players the quality competition they need to develop.


Youth Soccer Focus: To develop into a great soccer player it is imperative to watch great soccer players and there are plenty of great soccer players at the European Championships. Make a point of watching at least two matches a week. Pick a team and follow them along their path. Research the players.. what club do they play for... what position do they play on their club team ... what are some of the chants sung by the supporters.
In addition, use the half times for a little bit of fitness... See how many of the following activities you can perform during a 30 sec commercial: 1) sit ups s) push ups 3) squats 4) jumping jacks 5) ball juggles and 6) toe touches on top of the ball. For your balance see if you can stand on one foot for the entire commercial. Invite a friend to your house and challenge them to see who can perform the most repetitions for a given activity. Whatever you do make it fun and keep it creative...


Yours in the beautiful game...
Coach Butler