EM 2016--Day Nineteen Recap

Your “Syndicate Hangover” is proudly presented by “Das Bier”

Only at Karlsruhe’s “Das Fest” can one buy beer bottles labeled “Das Bier”. Your friendly bookie does not often drink beer…but when he does, he prefers “Das Bier”. May we all meet again together under cerulean Southern German Skies. Bleib durstig, Kumpels!

Day 19: Recap

Record—

Spread: 16-31

Straight up: 24-14-9

Hot Girl Standings

Country	Tally	Games Played
Spain	45	4 (finished)
Poland	44	5 (finished)
France	42	4
Italy	40	5 (finished)
Germany	39	5
Wales	38	5
Iceland	36	4
Republic of Ireland	35	4 (finished)
Croatia	33	4 (finished)
Belgium	32	5 (finished)
Switzerland	31	4 (finished)
Northern Ireland	28	4 (finished)
England	26	4 (finished)
Slovakia	25	4 (finished)
Hungary	24	4 (finished)
Turkey	24	3 (finished)
Albania	23	3 (finished)
Portugal	22	5
Romania	21	3 (finished)
Austria	19	3 (finished)
Sweden	18	3 (finished)
Russia	16	3 (finished)
Czech Republic	16	3 (finished)
The Ukraine	11	3 (finished)

….

….

….

Do you excuse your friendly bookie as he continues to recover from no fewer than TWELVE heart attacks ; )  Wow. What an incredible fucking match! What a marvelous addition to the unparalleled historical rivalry between my Mannschaft and the Azuuri. A wild mercurial ride from start to finish. On my feet the entire time as Löw’s eleven produced plenty of quality tactical play, yet couldn’t put the pesky Italianos away.

The grey shades of 2006 and 2012 enhanced the heart-palpitating drama as we went deep in Extra Time and eventually to that thrilling NINE-ROUND penalty shootout. I nearly passed out from the pressure. For those keeping track, the Germans faced instant elimination FOUR times from the spot, calmly converting and extending the match in every last instance. Sensational performance turned in by the Jungs. At no time in my personal life have I come anywhere close to showing such grace under pressure. An inspiring match for the Ages. We’ll be talking about this one for the rest of our natural lives.

The Euros deliver, brothers. The full gamut of emotions and very nearly the full roster of Syndicate Members. Everyone had to check in at some point. Your friendly bookie still rides high off of yesterday’s ecstasy. Meet that happiest soul on all of planet earth. ; )

Here’s another spot of fun I’ve ben looking forward to.

 LINEUP—Deutschland (Match One)—4-2-3-1 

Mario Götze

Julian Draxler Meshut Özil  Thomas Müller

Toni Kroos         Sami Khedira

Jonas Hector            Benedikt Höwedes

Shkodran Mustafi   Jerome Boateng

Manuel Neuer

 LINEUP—Deutschland (Match Two)—4-2-3-1 

Mario Götze

Julian Draxler Meshut Özil  Thomas Müller

Sami Khedira         Toni Kroos

Jonas Hector            Benedikt Höwedes

Matt Hummels  Jerome Boateng

Manuel Neuer

 LINEUP—Deutschland (Match Three)—4-2-3-1 

Mario Gomez

Mario Götze Thomas Müller Meshut Özil

Toni Kroos   Sami Khedira

Jonas Hector            Joshua Kimmich

Matt Hummels  Jerome Boateng

Manuel Neuer

  LINEUP—Deutschland (Match Four)—4-5-1 

Mario Gomez

Julian Draxler Meshut Özil Thomas Müller

Toni Kroos   Sami Khedira

Jonas Hector            Joshua Kimmich

Matt Hummels  Jerome Boateng

Manuel Neuer

 LINEUP—Deutschland (Match Five)—PROJECTED—4-2-3-1 

(6/26/2016)

Mario Gomez

Julian Draxler Meshut Özil Lucas Podolski

Thomas Müller

Bastian Schweinsteiger

J. Hector  M. Hummels  J. Boateng J. Kimmich

Manuel Neuer

 LINEUP—Deutschland (Match Five)—PROJECTED—(4-5-1) 

(6/29/2016)

Mario Gomez

Julian Draxler Meshut Özil Thomas Müller

Toni Kroos

Jonas Hector   B. Schweinsteiger  Joshua Kimmich

Mats Hummels  Jerome Boateng

Manuel Neuer

 LINEUP—Deutschland (Match Five)—ACTUAL—(3-5-2) 

Mario Gomez    Thomas Müller

Meshut Özil                    Joshua Kimmich

Jonas Hector Toni Kroos Sami Khedira

Jerome Boateng

Mats Hummels Benedikt Höwedes

Manuel Neuer

Obviously, the most discussed change was Löw’s decision to deploy three centerbacks as a direct response to Conte’s “B-B-C Axis”. The German manager consciously opted to match the Italian defense man-for-man. This led to the slow-tempo stalemate over the first 45 as the respective trios effectively cancelled each other out. Kimmich and Hector were clearly instructed to move forward up the flanks, but only did so tentatively. Gomez roved around as a target “True 9”, but attempts to feed him were feeble to say the least.

As information-based as such a change was, the weakness of the formation remained on display throughout the match. Boateng did do great work as a semi-sweeper, and Schweine even looked comfortable subbing in, flipping with Kroos, and playing directly in front of him. That’s about the extent of the good news. Müller and Özil looked completely lost. Hummels and Höwedes were so preoccupied with their defensive duties that it adversely affected their touch. Kroos, Hector, and Kimmich spent too much time chasing middle-of-the park pinballs. This constituted a “one-off” attempt to tactically offset the lineup below.

 LINEUP—Italy—Match Five—PROJECTED (3-4-2-1) 

Graziano Pelle

Eder              Ciro Immobile

Danielle De Rossi      Thaigo Motta

Mattia De Sciglio     Allesandro Florenzi

G. Chiellini L. Bonnucci A. Barzagli

Gianluigi Buffon

 LINEUP—Italy—Match Five—ACTUAL (3-3-2-2) 

Eder      Graciano Pelle

Mattia De Sciglio          Alessandro Florenzi

E. Giaccherini             S. Sturraro

Marco Parolo

G. Chiellini L. Bonnucci A. Barzagli

Gianluigi Buffon

The injury to Danielle De Rossi and Thiago Motta’s suspension threatened to screw the system. Giaccherini wasn’t having any of it. He played a fantastic fixture, picking up his bros and carrything them on his narrow shoulders at times. De Sciglio and Florenzi did their level best step up their game in their new forward roles. Much respect to them and the “B-B-C” Axis for playing with vim, vigor, and heart. Finally, one simply has to acknowledge the impeccable class from Gianluigi Buffon in what was surely his final meaningful international match. The way he handled Müller and the shifting tides of the shootout.

Grazi, Azzuri! No derogatory ethnic slurs this post. Conte’s men proved a worthy foe. They furnished us with quite the show. It was a privilege to watch this team and this match.

Here are the grades.

 GRADES—Deutschland (Match One) 

Bastian Schweinsteiger	A+
Sami Khedira	A+
Toni Kroos	A
Manuel Neuer	A
Mario Götze	A
Shkrodan Mustafi	A
Juilan Draxler	B+
Benedict Höwedes	B
Jonas Hector	B
Jerome Boateng	B
Thomas Müller	B-
Meshut Özil	C+

  GRADES—Deutschland (Match Two) 

Manuel Neuer	A
Toni Kroos	A
Meshut Özil	A
Mats Hummels	A
Andre Schürrle	A
Thomas Müller	B
Sami Khedira	B-
Jonas Hector	B-
Julian Draxler	B-
Benedikt Höwedes	C+
Mario Götze	C
Jerome Boateng	C-
Mario Gomez	F

 GRADES—Deutschland (Match Three) 

Mario Gomez	A
Thomas Müller	A
Meshut Özil	A-
Toni Kroos	A-
Manuel Neuer	A-
Joshua Kimmich	B+
Jonas Hector	B
Jerome Boateng	B
Andre Schürrle	B
Sami Khedira	C+
Benedikt Höwedes	C+
Mats Hummels	C
Bastian Schweinsteiger	C
Mario Götze	C

 GRADES—Deutschland (Match Four) 

Julian Draxler	A+
Manuel Neuer	A+
Jerome Boateng	A+
Mario Gomez	A+
Lucas Podolski	A+
Bastian Schweinsteiger	A
Meshut Özil	A-
Toni Kroos	B+
Sami Khedira	B
Jonas Hector	B
Joshua Kimmich	B
Thomas Müller	B-
Mats Hummels	B-
Benedikt Höwedes	C+

 GRADES—Deutschland (Match Five) 

Mario Gomez	A+
Jerome Boateng	A+
Mauel Neuer	A+
Bastian Schweinsteiger	A-
Joshua Kimmich	B+
Julian Draxler	B+
Jonas Hector	B
Toni Kroos	B
Meshut Özil	B
Benedikt Höwedes	B-
Thomas Müller	C+
Mats Hummels	C

How can you give Jerome Boateng an “A+” after that flagrantly foolish handball that allowed the Azzuri back into the match, Vicey?!? Because, simply states, he looked great otherwise all throughout. He orchestrated beautiful upfield balls. He made some masterful tackles. His attmepts on goal with hopeful, but bold nonetheless. Most importantly, he redeemed himself by recapturing the momentum for the Fatherland in the Penalty Round.

Gomez’s creativity gifted us Özil’s finish. Schweine let nerves get the better of him at times, but was always hustling down the ball. Another promising performance from Draxler. Kimmich and Hector had their issues, but sunk ice-veined penalties when called upon.

Little negative to report, aside from Hummel’s suspension and the fact that it just doesn’t look like Müller will find his form alongside Gomez. I now don’t expect him to make much of a contribution in this tournament at all.

Grades for the proud Italians.

 GRADES—Italy (Match Five) 

Gianluigi Buffon	A+
Emmanuele Giaccherini	A
Graciano Pelle	A
Eder	A
Leonardo Bonucci	A
Giorgio Chiellini	A
Andreas Barzagli	A
Matteo De Sciglio	B+
Alessandro Florenzi	B
Marco Parolo	C+
Stefan Sturaro	C
Lorenzo Insigne	C-
Matteo Darmian	D
Simone Zaza	F

Parolo and Sturaro were given a monumental task; one which ultimately proved too much for them. Excellent work otherwise from the back three and the two strikers. Simone Zaza will go down in history for the “stupidest penalty ever taken”. Good God, man! What was he thinking? So you think you can dance? Strong possibility he’ll never dance again, not even at the discotheque.

With France the likely Semi-Opponent, here’s your friendly bookie’s initial look at Löw’s upcoming eleven.

 LINEUP—Deutschland (Match Six)—PROJECTED—4-4-2 

Mario Gomez Mario Götze

Meshut Özil               Thomas Müller

Toni Kroos  Sami Khedira

Jonas Hector             Joshua Kimmich

Emre Can Jerome Boateng

Manuel Neuer

Not an easy one to project, given the preponderance of move Jogi has made over the course of the tournament. The suspension of Hummels will likely mean that Höwedes gets the start, but this bookie thinks pairing Emre Can with Boateng will give us the height down the middle the compete with the French aerially. Hector and Kimmich return the their roles as “stay-at-home fullbacks.” Assuming his injury isn’t serious, Khedira pairs with Kroos in an attempt to reprise their chemistry.

Özil and Müller are given one last chance to get their placement straight. Should either one of them falter, they’ll find themselves yanked for either Draxler on the left or Podolski/Schürrle on the right after the first 45. Gomez and Götze are also given 45 minutes to feel out the tempo of the game. It should become apparent after the initial 45 whether a “false 9” or a “true 9” is needed. Naturally, I’ll update the projection in the Semi-Finals post.

Such a lovely day we all shared together yesterday, brothers. I’ll cherish all the calls, texts and e-mails. I easily jacked up my cell phone bill by $300. Quality riff exchanges throughout all the festivities and deep into the night. The “Riff of the Day”, however, must belong to 13-M, with whom I furiously texted throughout the full match.

“Riffs of the Day”—Day Nineteen

Reader: I’ve got some Jameson’s and a girlfriend to piss off. I think I’ll have a swig!

Vicey: Bwahahahahaha! Good ol’ 13-M. Classic Syndicate Cynicism. Brilliant Stuff! Time to throw one back and work on chasing away the poor nice girl who has the profound misfortune of loving you. ; ) No one will ever be as good at  the art of “Self-Sabotage” as your friendly bookie. He’s been getting in his own way and tripping over his own feet since he learned how to walk. It was nevertheless a valiant effort from one of the Syndicate’s oldest and dearest members.

 

Nice try, brother, but you can always leave the blatant self-destruction to me. I do the “fuck ups” around here!

And on a nicer note…we’re almost done, ladies ; ) We’ve the whole rest of the year to go prancing around in meadows with you. Have a few mates to look after first. We’ll get around to inseminating you with “Demon Hellspawn Children” later ; )

DAY TWENTY—PREVIEW

France vs. Iceland 

  vs. 

Should be a good one. The line holds, as no one really expects the Icelandic Fairy Tale to continue. It remains worth taking a look to see if pixies really do exist.

THE LINE: France +2 Goals (holding)