Life in Football Manager

The Semi Final Draw

Sweden V Spain
England V Germany

An interesting set of draws, the first one being the curse of all England teams since 1966. Will it go to penalties? We sure hope not, it will also be a chance again to make those comparisons with the war. Also Sweden v Spain a repeat of the World Cup final, will Gus Hiddink get his revenge?

First up Spain and Sweden, Both fielding familiar sides as they go in search of the semi finals. The first half started just like the Holland game, with Sweden having to defend and once again Isaksson the hero, Kallstrom giving Fabregas a chance from a free kick which went close. Villa and Torres then linked up in a fantastic move which ended with a burying shot from Torres which yet again the Swedish keeper was in the way of. Once again Torres was on goal and looked certain to score one on one with Isaksson, but yet again the keeper kept the game level at half time. Sweden will have to come out stronger in the second half, Isaksson can’t be the hero all of the time when he has Villa and Torres running at him all the time.

The second half continued in very much the same fashion, Torres this time having two good chances to put the ball past Sweden and once again with his cape, was all super Andreas Isaksson. But it couldn’t last and on the hour mark David Villa who looked to be offside latched on to a square pass from Torres to open the scoring that was well deserved. After the goal Sweden found their fight, Rosenberg making Casillias work for the first time, as he broke through the defence and forced a save from the Spanish keeper. Zlatan got Sweden back into the game with 10 minutes to go controlling a cross well and moving the ball past Iker to have the open goal in front of him 1-1 in what looks like a frustrating evening for Spain, Spain believed it to be offside, it was more clear cut then the Spain goal, but two players were booked in the protest. Spain quickly got back down to work, a fine pass by Torres put Silva in front of goal, striking it from outside the box he hit the goal to send Spain back in front. Torres finally finished the game with the goal he so deserved and what a goal lopping Isaksson from 30 yards out to complete the goals and send Spain into their third consecutive final, Torres taking the match ball home.

Sweden 1-3 Spain

Next was the draw that all good finals should have Germany v England, a tradition that has produced some great games over the past couple of years and many English tears. Rafa stays with the formation that seen them past Czech Republic the only change is between the sticks Paul Robinson returning for this all important game.

The first chance of the game came to England, Bentley putting a freekick into the box which was forced goalwards by Micah Richards only for it to be saved by Metzelder. Terry nearly became the villain for the day a shot deflected off his shins changing the path of the ball, luckily Robinson was wise to it and smothered quickly. The ball was at both ends throughout the game. Rooney, should have done better and used his pace when he came up again the German defenders in a good move from England. Rooney was the one to break the deadlock, a goal for England really sent the stadium in rapture as it really looked like England could reach a final. Gerrard causing confusion for the German defence causing space for Rooney, the ball came in and Rooney advance well on goal striking it high into the net. On the 33rd minute with England still in front tragedy as Danny Rose went in with two feet on Busch he was quickly dismissed and will miss the final if England got through, memories of David Beckham quickly come to mind.

The Germans didn’t look to make things easy for England to go through and just after the hour mark, a Schipper cross found Schmidt free in the box to score the equaliser and not long after Germany found themselves in front and the England fans began to worry. Breitkpof hit the ball from just outside the box, across the goal and into the top corner, a great goal. England couldn’t get back into the game and for the last 15 really didn’t look like scoring until the final minute of the game, Metzelder the captain and goalkeeper threw the ball back out into play and it was no surprise when Shaun Wright Phillips was out jumped by Meyer, but the pressure was enough to force a rash decision, the headed ball was meant for centre back Breitkopf, but Rooney intercepted and was free of the last defender struck it hard with everything he had, the stadium watch the ball in slow motion, Rooney didn’t look until the crowd went wild 2-2 in the final minute with 10 men, the dream was still alive.

Extra time was a quieter affair, but no one wants to meet Germany on penalties, so England began to attack, Rooney being on the end of everything England had to offer. But Germany were able to see the game to penalties. First up Germany, Busch placed the ball on the spot and turned his back to goal. Turning round he ran and hit it straight down the middle, Robinson getting to the ball and saved the first shot. Right back Ryan Taylor next, hit it calmly into the bottom corner to open the score. Schikora next and finished nicely for the first mark for Germany. Michael Johnson stepped up for the second, but it was to close to the keeper and he was the first England player to miss. Goalscorer Breitkopf came forward for the fourth penalty, but he hit it badly and an easy save for Robinson, things were looking up for England. England man of the match Rooney next up placing it down and looking confident, and he placed it into the net. Schmidt the other scorer on the day put his penalty into the back of the net so did Ashley Cole so expertly. Truckenbrod then stepped up with the world on his shoulder, he needs to score to keep Germany in it looking nervous he put his ball down, beginning his run up he looked confident, the strike the ball good strong and heading toward goal, but Paul Robinson for the third time got to it and England go through to the final to play Spain. Take that Klinsmann, Take that Hitler, Take that Heidi Klum, Your boys got a whipping.

So already this competition has had everything the England fans could ever dream of a place in the final and beating Germany on penalties along the way, if nothing Rafa is already an English legend.

England 2-2 Germany (3-2 Pens)

For Skacel: Danny Rose