Euro 2004 from a Liverpool point of view

Euro 2004 was started on 6/12. So, many more early sleeps so that I can wake up for the 2:45am games.

Yesterday we saw 3 Liverpool current and 2 ex players played. Below are my general comments:

Henchoz (Switzerland): Did not start the game, what a waste!

Owen (England): Very quiet game. Not sure if it is due to the game plan or it's just not his day. Rooney seemed to be doing very well, but Owen was double marked all the time, and the captain only give long ball to him. Looks like he is doing Heskey's job when in Liverpool. Really amazed to see him substituted by Vassell. Shouldn't the manager send a DM like Butt up instead.

Gerrard (England): Reports about him are heading opposite directions. Guardian ranked him 8 but BBC give him a 5... Apart from the bad back pass which caused the Henry penalty, I think he's doing very well according to the game plan, ie, as a DM and seldom go forward. I have full confidence he will bounce back.

Heskey (England): Well, similar comment as Owen, I don't understand he subbed Rooney. Shouldn't Butt be played? And he lead to the equalized goal which changed the game. Maybe his days in England is gone now.

James (England): Had nothing to do before conceding the 2 goals... Was responsible for the first goal because of his positioning, but can't blame him for the 2nd goal.

Carragher (England): Not played as Eriksson picked King instead. Frankly King was doing quite well given Henry was almost invisible... So looks like it is unlikely he will get a game, which is bad news.

England: Well, as I expected they lose, though I didn't know it will be that dramatic. Beckham's penalty miss (second in a row in International games) is definitely the turning point. And if the referee sent Silvestre off, which is fair enough, then even if the penalty is saved I think England should be able to win the game. But honestly, England did not deserve to win the game, unlike the Brazil game that they did not deserve to lose if Beckham (again!) did not jumped and avoid the ball to hit him late in 1H which lead to the equalized goal. England played too negatively and the midfield did not provide any quality ball to the forwards, and Owen, as usual, did not link with Rooney well...

So what next to England? Well, first of all they must beat Switzerland, which may not be that easy as they will probably play 901 all defense. and then at least get a draw from Croatia. Having said that I think England should be able to do it. So the France - England 1-2 bet in Group B now seems very attractive.

I am looking forward to see Baros destroy Latvia. And Italy win X Czech win seems very attractive.