Tags:
Journalism of Courage
A: Algarve, where English hooligans went on the rampage and reinforced the stereotype
B: Bulgaria, the team with most yellow cards so far (11 in 2 matches and counting)
C: Corinthia Alfa Hotel, Lisbon, put up the Germans on the 13th floor. Soon got a request to be relocated
D: Denmark, the most active side on field. In two matches they have completed an unbelievable 952 passes
E: Eriksson, Sven-Goran, who saw his diamond formation dropped by his team in favour of traditional flat four. Result: Eng 3, Swi 0
F: Free-kicks. Zidane holds the copyright but others aren’t doing too badly either
G: Georgios Karagounis (Greece), scorer of the first goal in Euro 2004. Not popular in Portugal
H: Henrik Larsson, whose response to a petition signed by 150,000 fans was two goals in his return match
I: Ibrahimovic, Zlatan, scorer of outrageous goal against Italy. One of few living up to pre-Euro hype
J: Jokkmokk, Sweden, where 85-year-old farmer Soren Gellerstedt survived 4 days without food by listening to radio commentary of Sweden’s 5-0 win over Bulgaria
K: King, Ledley, sent in to halt King Henry in England’s first match. Did the job but couldn’t retain his place
L: Lausanne, straight-laced Swiss town which allowed its citizens to let down their hair: klaxon-beeping permitted for an hour on match days
M: Mostovoi, Alexander. Key member of Russian team sent home for arguing with coach Yartsev’s tactics…So dissent still not tolerated Moscow-side
N: Nedved, Pavel. Along with Ballack and Gattuso the most hard-working of midfielders
O: Ovchinnikov, Sergei, Russian keeper sent off for handling outside the area. Dramatic protests were futile…
P: Portugal: The hosts, on the verge of being forced to leave the party. A shame if it happens, because they can pull off some magic
Q: Quote of the week from Greece coach Otto Rehhagel: The nets are black. This could only have been the work of some bureaucrat, not a football man. They are mournful, ugly nets. Fans want to see the ball going into white nets.
R: Roteiro, the official ball supplied by adidas. Named after Vasco da Gama’s log-book, it has drawn praise and criticism. Coincidentally, those praising the ball (Beckham, Rui Costa) are also sponsored by adidas…
S: Silvestre, Mickael, penalty king. One penalty is an accident, said the commentator, two carelessness. Third time would be really unlucky…
T: Totti. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth…now we know why! Blame it on the player cam?
U: Underdogs, all having their day in the Portugal summer. Greece, Greece and Croatia have got results, Latvia and Bulgaria have won fans for their style of play, if nothing else
V: Van Nistelrooy, Ruud. Much derided for his ungraceful style, silenced critics with phenomenal volley against Germany. Goal of the week
W: Wayne Rooney. ’Nuff said
X: X-rated pictures of 9 Russian footballers’ wives printed in top newspaper to bring the team good luck. It hasn’t worked, so we’re waiting for the next step
Y: Yakin, Hakan: The Swiss Zidane, they call him; troubled England but won’t be seen much more this competition
Z: Zdravko Zdravkov. You thought he’s here just for the name? Bulgaria’s No. 1 has let in the most goals so far: seven in two matches
