by George Ivanov

Created on: June 27, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

In 2007, you were sitting in front of your monitor, following the qualification groups for EURO 2008 with trepid anticipation, hoping your team would qualify in the final sixteen for the final tournament. I should know; Group 8 was perhaps one of the most hotly contested groups, because Bulgaria finished merely a point behind Holland, and could have qualified in its place. Needless to say, I was rather disappointed when that happened.

So now, you will have to make a choice between the sixteen teams that qualified, when yours is not participating. For me, that was Italy. Why them? Well, because I really like their style, players and passion for football. The Azzuri, as they are otherwise known, are the reigning world champions, and they proved it with the beautiful game that is uniquely theirs. Admittedly, in this edition of the Euro championship, they did not quite perform to expectation, and Spain was quick to hand them a defeat, which I think they deserved.

That is the best strategy. Which team do you enjoy watching play? Do you prefer the more direct, confrontational style of football, or would you rather go for technique and finesse?
The teams from Northern and Central Europe do practice the first style. Back in the hay day of Backenbauer, Germany played what is termed "total football", which in essence means outlasting the opponent, and dominating the field. Today, Germany seems to uphold that legacy on Sunday, they'll be facing down Spain in the final.

If you tend to prefer technique and finesse, then the nations of Southern Europe are the kings of that style. From Portugal to Bulgaria, technique is valued over brunt force, and these teams play to make football the beautiful game that it is. This is what I prefer. Seeing a team working together in a way that is creative, attractive to watch, and efficient enough to create goals. This is why Italy are the team I support. When they lost 3-0 to Holland, their defence was lacking, and God knows what Materazzi was still doing on the team, but in offence, they did create quite a few nice opportunities.
In conclusion, to support a team other than your own comes down to what style of game you prefer to watch: direct and strong, versus technique and finesse. The decision is entirely yours, but as Spain was one did oust my favourite team, I will bet on direct and strong for the final. Go Germany!

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