Goals from Steve Morison and captain Aaron Ramsey gave Wales a first win of their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign at Cardiff City Stadium.
The home side turned in their best performance under Gary Speed and were unrecognisable from the side that lost so miserably to Australia last month.
Morison tapped in the opener in the 29th minute when Montenegro keeper Mladen Bozovic failed to hold a David Vaughan cross, before Ramsey slotted home after the break thanks to great wing play by the outstanding Gareth Bale.
Despite seeing his side pick up a first win in a competitive fixture since October 2009, there was bad news for Speed in the form of the bookings picked up by Vaughan and Craig Bellamy, who will miss Tuesday's trip to face England at Wembley.
Montenegro pulled a goal back through Stevan Jovetic but they could not find a leveller and they now trail England by three points at the top of Group G, after Fabio Capello's side won 3-0 in Bulgaria, with two games to play.
Speed, who brought Darcy Blake and Morison into his XI, had warned his side they could not repeat the slow starts that had proved so costly in defeat to England and Australia, but they were again sluggish out of the blocks.
The Montenegro triangle of Jovetic, Simon Vukcevic and Mirko Vucinic was causing the Welsh midfield all sorts of problems with their precise passing and movement, finding space with a minimum of fuss.
They served early notice of the threat they posed with Jovetic firing wide with a left-footed shot from the edge of the box.
Vukcevic then linked superbly with skipper Vucinic, with the striker dragging an effort from distance across goal as the visitors assured start continued.
But Wales slowly grew into the game, with Bale, playing predominantly on the right, and Bellamy proving particularly lively down the flanks, and it was they who took the lead in the 29th minute.
A composed build-up ended with Vaughan surging into the box and, when keeper Bozovic failed to hold on to his cross, the Norwich striker tapped in only Wales' second goal of the campaign.
Wales were on top for the remainder of the half and were unlucky not to double their lead as Joe Ledley narrowly failed to get on the end of a Bellamy cutback and Bale went close from distance, before Elsad Zverotic cleared an Ashley Williams header off the line after more uncertain work by keeper Bozovic.
But Wales were then dealt a double blow as Vaughan and Bellamy picked up bookings, the latter harshly awarded for pulling back, that will see them miss the trip to Wembley.
The hosts shook that off to deservedly double their lead just five minutes into the second half thanks to more superb play from Bale.
Williams' long ball forward found the Tottenham man, who turned his marker inside and out before teeing up Ramsey for a simple finish into the left-hand corner.
Ramsey was withdrawn shortly after with Andrew Crofts taking his place, and Wales began to lose control of a game they had been dominating.
And Jovetic then pulled a goal back as he cut inside Chris Gunter to hammer home and give the visitors hope.
The visitors could have been level moments later but substitute Dejan Damjanovic blazed high and wide from close range.
Bale curled wide at the other end as the game became increasingly stretched with Montenegro desperately seeking an equaliser.
Wayne Hennessey then saved from Vukcevic after an incisive break but Wales just about held out to give Speed his first win in a competitive fixture.
viernes, 2 de septiembre de 2011
Eurocopa Eslovenia 1 - 2 Estonia
Estonia produced a shock result to give them hope of pipping opponents Slovenia to second place in Euro 2012 qualifying Group C.
Konstantin Vassiljev's first-half penalty looked for a long time as though it would be enough to earn the visitors victory.
Tim Matavz, who had missed two good chances, eventually equalised in the 77th minute but parity lasted just three minutes before Ats Purje netted the winner.
After a quiet opening period, Vassiljev's free-kick led to a Martin Vunk shot which Bostjan Cesar blocked.
Valter Birsa tried his luck at the other end from Robert Koren's well-worked corner, but found Estonia defender Ragnar Klavan in his way.
Vassiljev's shot from an absurd distance sailed over the bar and Dmitri Kroglov was also off target from long range, but the breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute.
Home goalkeeper Samir Handanovic brought down Sergei Zenjov and was booked, and Vassiljev stepped up to slot away the penalty.
Matavz headed Birsa's cross over and Taavi Rahn blocked full-back Miso Brecko's drive, while Klavan shot over at the other end as the half came to a close.
FC Groningen target man Matavz was unusually wasteful in front of goal, heading over from inside the six-yard box once more two minutes after half-time, and then saw an effort saved by Sergei Pareiko.
Aleksandar Radosavljevic and Koren were off target before Dare Vrsic's drive was tipped around the post by Pareiko.
Handanovic had to make an excellent double save from Dmitri Kruglov's free-kick and Martin Vunk's follow-up.
But Zlatan Ljubijankic went close before Matavz equalised, turning home Ljubijankic's low cross.
Estonia restored their lead almost immediately, though, as Vassiljev set up Purje to finish right-footed.
Matavz's overhead kick was saved and Cesar headed Birsa's corner over, but Handanovic had to be alert to prevent the impressive Vassiljev killing the game off from 30 yards.
Birsa's stoppage-time volley flashed over, and with it went Slovenia's last chance.
Konstantin Vassiljev's first-half penalty looked for a long time as though it would be enough to earn the visitors victory.
Tim Matavz, who had missed two good chances, eventually equalised in the 77th minute but parity lasted just three minutes before Ats Purje netted the winner.
After a quiet opening period, Vassiljev's free-kick led to a Martin Vunk shot which Bostjan Cesar blocked.
Valter Birsa tried his luck at the other end from Robert Koren's well-worked corner, but found Estonia defender Ragnar Klavan in his way.
Vassiljev's shot from an absurd distance sailed over the bar and Dmitri Kroglov was also off target from long range, but the breakthrough arrived in the 29th minute.
Home goalkeeper Samir Handanovic brought down Sergei Zenjov and was booked, and Vassiljev stepped up to slot away the penalty.
Matavz headed Birsa's cross over and Taavi Rahn blocked full-back Miso Brecko's drive, while Klavan shot over at the other end as the half came to a close.
FC Groningen target man Matavz was unusually wasteful in front of goal, heading over from inside the six-yard box once more two minutes after half-time, and then saw an effort saved by Sergei Pareiko.
Aleksandar Radosavljevic and Koren were off target before Dare Vrsic's drive was tipped around the post by Pareiko.
Handanovic had to make an excellent double save from Dmitri Kruglov's free-kick and Martin Vunk's follow-up.
But Zlatan Ljubijankic went close before Matavz equalised, turning home Ljubijankic's low cross.
Estonia restored their lead almost immediately, though, as Vassiljev set up Purje to finish right-footed.
Matavz's overhead kick was saved and Cesar headed Birsa's corner over, but Handanovic had to be alert to prevent the impressive Vassiljev killing the game off from 30 yards.
Birsa's stoppage-time volley flashed over, and with it went Slovenia's last chance.
Eurocopa Irlanda Del Norte 0 - 1 Serbia
A horror back-pass from Steven Davis condemned Northern Ireland to defeat at the hands of Serbia and dealt their Euro 2012 hopes a grave blow.
With the score locked at 0-0 and Nigel Worthington's side finally starting to get on top after their opponents had dominated the first period, the Rangers midfielder gifted Marko Pantelic a 67th-minute goal.
The goal handed Serbia three points and pole position in the battle for second place in Group C.
Northern Ireland, meanwhile, will head face Estonia on Tuesday in fifth place after their next opponents recorded a surprise win over Slovenia.
Both Jonny and Corry Evans will miss that match after collecting yellow cards.
The bad news had started for Worthington before kick-off when key duo Kyle Lafferty and Paddy McCourt failed late fitness tests on calf injuries and midfielder Sammy Clingan pulled out due to illness.
In the sixth minute Chris Brunt had the first real shy at goal, collecting Chris Baird's pass before testing Bojan Jorgacevic at his near post.
Little did Northern Ireland know that would be the sum of their attacking efforts by the end of a tough first half.
After 12 minutes Serbia went close when former Liverpool forward Milan Jovanovic surged towards the penalty area and hit the crossbar with a deflected effort.
That settled the visitors, who went close again when Manchester City full-back Aleksandar Kolarov cut inside Craig Cathcart and forced a fine save from the stretching Lee Camp.
In an attempt to get David Healy into the game Brunt was moved up the pitch as a second striker but that merely relieved Dejan Stankovic of some defensive duties. The Inter midfielder, winning his 99th cap, began advancing further up the pitch but scuffed his first shot wide of Camp's goal.
A second chance presented itself in the 28th minute as the ball was headed out from a corner, but this time Stankovic shot over from 20 yards.
Serbia continued to press and looked sure to open the scoring when a long ball from defence caught Northern Ireland off guard.
Pantelic was in pursuit but, with Camp committed and Gareth McAuley pressuring, he lifted his shot over the bar.
Jonny Evans was having a hard night keeping pace with the busy Zoran Tosic but did manage to block the winger's goalbound shot as half-time approached.
Healy, a willing but frustrated presence up front, took a boot to the head before the interval, Slobodan Rajkovic booked for high feet.
Northern Ireland regrouped during half-time and re-emerged with a higher line and better shape.
Their big chance came after 55 minutes when Grant McCann's shot ricocheted off a defender and found Jonny Evans on the left.
He chipped a cross into the centre where his brother Corry was waiting but the midfielder put a free header high and wide from close range.
There was another chance within minutes, Brunt pinging a 40-yard pass to Healy, whose cross was messily handled by Jorgacevic.
Brunt had motored up the pitch to strike the loose ball but his shot could cannoned off a red shirt and away from danger.
Corry Evans, who followed his miss with a yellow card, was replaced by Niall McGinn on the hour.
The Celtic man was quickly into the action, turning Kolarov and cutting back for McCann, who worked Jorgacevic from the edge of the area.
The Windsor Park faithful were sensing a goal but Milos Ninkovic gave a warning after 65 minutes, Camp making an athletic save.
But there was no stopping Pantelic two minutes later, Davis producing his nightmare back-pass to leave Camp isolated.
The Olympiakos striker made the most of his good fortune, rounding the keeper and slotting into an empty net.
Warren Feeney was summoned from the bench in place of McCann as Worthington attempted to grab the all-important equaliser, but his side looked deflated.
The momentum that had been building since the restart had all but evaporated and if not for the ever-alert Camp, who made two more interventions, Serbia would have scored again.
Healy gave way to Millwall forward Josh McQuoid for the final seven minutes - plus an added four for injuries - but there was to be no late drama.
With the score locked at 0-0 and Nigel Worthington's side finally starting to get on top after their opponents had dominated the first period, the Rangers midfielder gifted Marko Pantelic a 67th-minute goal.
The goal handed Serbia three points and pole position in the battle for second place in Group C.
Northern Ireland, meanwhile, will head face Estonia on Tuesday in fifth place after their next opponents recorded a surprise win over Slovenia.
Both Jonny and Corry Evans will miss that match after collecting yellow cards.
The bad news had started for Worthington before kick-off when key duo Kyle Lafferty and Paddy McCourt failed late fitness tests on calf injuries and midfielder Sammy Clingan pulled out due to illness.
In the sixth minute Chris Brunt had the first real shy at goal, collecting Chris Baird's pass before testing Bojan Jorgacevic at his near post.
Little did Northern Ireland know that would be the sum of their attacking efforts by the end of a tough first half.
After 12 minutes Serbia went close when former Liverpool forward Milan Jovanovic surged towards the penalty area and hit the crossbar with a deflected effort.
That settled the visitors, who went close again when Manchester City full-back Aleksandar Kolarov cut inside Craig Cathcart and forced a fine save from the stretching Lee Camp.
In an attempt to get David Healy into the game Brunt was moved up the pitch as a second striker but that merely relieved Dejan Stankovic of some defensive duties. The Inter midfielder, winning his 99th cap, began advancing further up the pitch but scuffed his first shot wide of Camp's goal.
A second chance presented itself in the 28th minute as the ball was headed out from a corner, but this time Stankovic shot over from 20 yards.
Serbia continued to press and looked sure to open the scoring when a long ball from defence caught Northern Ireland off guard.
Pantelic was in pursuit but, with Camp committed and Gareth McAuley pressuring, he lifted his shot over the bar.
Jonny Evans was having a hard night keeping pace with the busy Zoran Tosic but did manage to block the winger's goalbound shot as half-time approached.
Healy, a willing but frustrated presence up front, took a boot to the head before the interval, Slobodan Rajkovic booked for high feet.
Northern Ireland regrouped during half-time and re-emerged with a higher line and better shape.
Their big chance came after 55 minutes when Grant McCann's shot ricocheted off a defender and found Jonny Evans on the left.
He chipped a cross into the centre where his brother Corry was waiting but the midfielder put a free header high and wide from close range.
There was another chance within minutes, Brunt pinging a 40-yard pass to Healy, whose cross was messily handled by Jorgacevic.
Brunt had motored up the pitch to strike the loose ball but his shot could cannoned off a red shirt and away from danger.
Corry Evans, who followed his miss with a yellow card, was replaced by Niall McGinn on the hour.
The Celtic man was quickly into the action, turning Kolarov and cutting back for McCann, who worked Jorgacevic from the edge of the area.
The Windsor Park faithful were sensing a goal but Milos Ninkovic gave a warning after 65 minutes, Camp making an athletic save.
But there was no stopping Pantelic two minutes later, Davis producing his nightmare back-pass to leave Camp isolated.
The Olympiakos striker made the most of his good fortune, rounding the keeper and slotting into an empty net.
Warren Feeney was summoned from the bench in place of McCann as Worthington attempted to grab the all-important equaliser, but his side looked deflated.
The momentum that had been building since the restart had all but evaporated and if not for the ever-alert Camp, who made two more interventions, Serbia would have scored again.
Healy gave way to Millwall forward Josh McQuoid for the final seven minutes - plus an added four for injuries - but there was to be no late drama.
Eurocopa Irlanda 0 - 0 Eslovaquia
Ireland and Slovakia battled to a goalless draw Friday, putting Russia in control of Group B in Euro 2012 qualifying.
Richard Dunne missed a free header in the Slovak box in the dying seconds to deny Ireland a last-gasp winner in front of a booing, whistling home crowd.
And striker Robbie Keane, who flew back to Dublin this week after starting his new job with the Los Angeles Galaxy, blew a gift-wrapped chance for a 74th-minute winner.
Winger Damien Duff floated a pinpoint cross into the box to Keane, who had got inside his marker. But Ireland's record goal-scorer headed over the crossbar from barely four yards out.
"It was a pity because I think we deserved to score," said Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, referring to three second-half misses by Keane, substitute striker Simon Cox and winger Aiden McGeady.
Slovakia, led by midfielder Marek Hamsik, dominated possession for long stretches as Ireland, bereft of initiative or pace in central midfield, opted for long and often off-target balls to isolated wingers and strikers.
The visitors forced several saves from goalkeeper Shay Given and the Irish defense, most crucially in the 61st minute, when striker Filip Holosko left Dunne for dead, then crossed to catch Hamsik sprinting into the box. But defender Sean St. Ledger leapt into the path of Hamsik's strike, deflecting it clear.
Slovak winger Vladimir Weiss _ son of the team's same-named coach _ repeatedly rattled the Irish defense with a mix of pace and deft passing, but his two on-target strikes both went straight to Given.
The Dublin draw left Ireland and Slovakia both level on 14 points behind Russia, which beat Macedonia 1-0 earlier Friday to take the group lead with 16 points.
While Ireland remained technically in second place with a better goal difference, the result handed Slovakia an advantage for winning the group's second-place playoff spot.
The Slovaks already have defeated Russia in Moscow, while Ireland must play there Tuesday. Slovakia, meanwhile, plays fourth-placed Armenia.
Ireland will travel to Moscow without St. Ledger, their best defender Friday, after he drew a late yellow card.
But St. Ledger urged the booing fans to keep the faith,
"Stick with us. The group's not dead yet," he said. "We're still in with a fighting chance on the same points as Slovakia."
___
Lineups:
Republic of Ireland: Shay Given; John O'Shea, Richard Dunne, Sean St. Ledger, Stephen Ward; Damien Duff, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Aiden McGeady (Stephen Hunt, 85); Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle (Simon Cox, 64).
Slovakia: Jan Mucha; Peter Pekarik, Jan Durica, Martin Skrtel, Marek Cech; Miroslav Karhan, Juraj Kucka (Karim Guede, 77), Marek Hamsik, Miroslav Stoch, Vladimir Weiss (Erik Jendrisek, 86); Filip Holosko (Robert Vittek, 88).
Richard Dunne missed a free header in the Slovak box in the dying seconds to deny Ireland a last-gasp winner in front of a booing, whistling home crowd.
And striker Robbie Keane, who flew back to Dublin this week after starting his new job with the Los Angeles Galaxy, blew a gift-wrapped chance for a 74th-minute winner.
Winger Damien Duff floated a pinpoint cross into the box to Keane, who had got inside his marker. But Ireland's record goal-scorer headed over the crossbar from barely four yards out.
"It was a pity because I think we deserved to score," said Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni, referring to three second-half misses by Keane, substitute striker Simon Cox and winger Aiden McGeady.
Slovakia, led by midfielder Marek Hamsik, dominated possession for long stretches as Ireland, bereft of initiative or pace in central midfield, opted for long and often off-target balls to isolated wingers and strikers.
The visitors forced several saves from goalkeeper Shay Given and the Irish defense, most crucially in the 61st minute, when striker Filip Holosko left Dunne for dead, then crossed to catch Hamsik sprinting into the box. But defender Sean St. Ledger leapt into the path of Hamsik's strike, deflecting it clear.
Slovak winger Vladimir Weiss _ son of the team's same-named coach _ repeatedly rattled the Irish defense with a mix of pace and deft passing, but his two on-target strikes both went straight to Given.
The Dublin draw left Ireland and Slovakia both level on 14 points behind Russia, which beat Macedonia 1-0 earlier Friday to take the group lead with 16 points.
While Ireland remained technically in second place with a better goal difference, the result handed Slovakia an advantage for winning the group's second-place playoff spot.
The Slovaks already have defeated Russia in Moscow, while Ireland must play there Tuesday. Slovakia, meanwhile, plays fourth-placed Armenia.
Ireland will travel to Moscow without St. Ledger, their best defender Friday, after he drew a late yellow card.
But St. Ledger urged the booing fans to keep the faith,
"Stick with us. The group's not dead yet," he said. "We're still in with a fighting chance on the same points as Slovakia."
___
Lineups:
Republic of Ireland: Shay Given; John O'Shea, Richard Dunne, Sean St. Ledger, Stephen Ward; Damien Duff, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Aiden McGeady (Stephen Hunt, 85); Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle (Simon Cox, 64).
Slovakia: Jan Mucha; Peter Pekarik, Jan Durica, Martin Skrtel, Marek Cech; Miroslav Karhan, Juraj Kucka (Karim Guede, 77), Marek Hamsik, Miroslav Stoch, Vladimir Weiss (Erik Jendrisek, 86); Filip Holosko (Robert Vittek, 88).
Eurocopa Islas Feroe 0 - 1 Italia
Con un único tanto de Antonio Cassano contra las Islas Feroe, Italia dio un paso gigante en su objetivo de conseguir la clasificación para la Eurocopa 2012, ya que, a falta de tres partidos para el final de la ronda previa, le saca ocho puntos al segundo clasificado.
En un partido con claro dominio de los italianos y un sinfín de ocasiones, los futbolistas de Cesare Prandelli no estuvieron nada acertados de cara al gol, por lo que tuvieron que conformarse con una victoria por la mínima, que desmerece los innumerables tiros a puerta que realizaron durante el encuentro.
En el minuto 11 llegó el gol de Cassano, quien después de controlar con el pecho un gran pase en profundidad del veterano Andrea Pirlo, batió al arquero Togard, que reclamó encarecidamente, como todos sus compañeros, el fuera de juego del delantero.
Aunque el gol tardó en llegar, Italia sembró el miedo en el área de las Islas Feroe desde el minuto 1 del encuentro, cuando el propio Cassano, primero; y el joven Riccardo Montolivo, después, disfrutaron de una doble ocasión muy clara, que finalmente se marchó afuera.
El ex madridista se mostró muy activo durante los 84 minutos que jugó y, gracias a su gol, además de la victoria consiguió alejar las dudas que siempre rodean a su forma física y su problemático carácter, sobre todo estos últimos días en los que el de Bari volvió a mostrarse violento con algunos compañeros en un entrenamiento.
Su acierto de cara al gol permitió que la selección "azzurra" no echara en falta a su hombre de referencia en ataque, el delantero del Villarreal Giuseppe Rossi, muy apagado durante todo el encuentro, hasta el punto de que fue sustituido por Giampaolo Pazzini en los primeros compases de la segunda mitad.
Los italianos fueron muy superiores durante todo el partido y apenas tuvieron que emplearse en tareas defensivas, pero las Islas Feroe disfrutaron de tres ocasiones muy claras, una en la primer tiempo y dos en el segundo, que finalmente se estrellaron contra el palo, el travesaño y el arquero italiano Gianluigi Buffon.
Es la tercera victoria consecutiva en partido oficial del equipo de Prandelli, que solo ha perdido un encuentro en esta ronda previa y que hace unas semanas consiguió ganar a España en un amistoso que llenó de optimismo a los aficionados y a la prensa.
De hecho, desde entonces los medios resaltan una y otra vez las virtudes de esta nueva Italia que, con Rossi a la cabeza, quiere olvidar la decepción que supuso la eliminación anticipada de la selección italiana en el Mundial de Sudáfrica 2010.
El próximo martes 6 de septiembre, Italia recibe en Florencia a Eslovenia, el segundo clasificado del grupo C, en un partido en el que los italianos podrían conseguir matemáticamente el pase a la Eurocopa de Polonia y Hungría.
Este choque de clasificación para la Eurocopa 2012 se jugó en el estadio Tórsvollur, en la ciudad de Tórshavn, de las Islas Feroe.
Video Eurocopa Alemania 6 - 2 Austria
El madridista Mesut Özil lideró el viernes, con tres goles, la goleada de Alemania por 6-2 ante Austria que clasifica matemáticamente al equipo de Joachim Löw para la fase final de la Eurocopa 2012.
Alemania necesitó menos de media hora para sentenciar el partido y, de paso, asegurarse matemáticamente la clasificación a la Eurocopa. La idea de que los alemanes suelen complicarse la vida contra Austria estaba en el ambiente, pero un gol tempranero sirvió para disiparla.
Fue Özil, en el minuto 8, quien abrió el marcador con remate desde la media luna, aprovechando un rechazo deficiente de la defensa austriaca.
En el 23 llegó el segundo de Alemania, también en los pies de Özil, tras una pared con Miroslav Klose; y en el 28, Lukas Podolski aumentó la cuenta con un remate de zurda dentro del área, aprovechando un pase del defensa Holger Badstuber que se había incorporado al ataque.
El marcador era un reflejo de lo que pasaba en el campo. Alemania ejercía un claro dominio y se acercaba con peligrosidad al área de manera casi permanente.
El partido estaba liquidado y lo que vino después, que fue mucho, fue más bien un añadido. A más tardar a partir del gol de Podolski, para Austria la única meta podía ser aminorar los males e intentó rebelarse con remates de media distancia de Daniel Alaba y Ekrem Dag.
La consigna parecía ser no dejarse masacrar y el descuento llegó, aunque desaprovechando un descuido de la defensa alemana
Florian Klein, desde la derecha, centró con demasiada libertad, Philipp Lahm estaba demasiado lejos, y encontró a Marko Arnautovic, prácticamente sin marca, que derrotó al meta Manuel Neuer con un cabezazo contra el piso.
El segundo tiempo, sin embargo, empezó mal para los austriacos cuando, en un contragolpe de manual, Özil hizo el cuarto en el minuto 47. Austria volvió a descontar, con un remate de Martin Harnik tres minutos más tarde, pero el partido seguía marcado por el dominio alemán.
Klose, Jerome Boateng y el propio Özil tuvieron ocasiones claras de aumentar la cuenta antes de André Schürle, aprovechando un pase de Thomas Müller, marcase el quinto en el 84 y Mario Götze, ya en el 89, completara la media docena para Alemania, también a pase de Müller.
Alemania necesitó menos de media hora para sentenciar el partido y, de paso, asegurarse matemáticamente la clasificación a la Eurocopa. La idea de que los alemanes suelen complicarse la vida contra Austria estaba en el ambiente, pero un gol tempranero sirvió para disiparla.
Fue Özil, en el minuto 8, quien abrió el marcador con remate desde la media luna, aprovechando un rechazo deficiente de la defensa austriaca.
En el 23 llegó el segundo de Alemania, también en los pies de Özil, tras una pared con Miroslav Klose; y en el 28, Lukas Podolski aumentó la cuenta con un remate de zurda dentro del área, aprovechando un pase del defensa Holger Badstuber que se había incorporado al ataque.
El marcador era un reflejo de lo que pasaba en el campo. Alemania ejercía un claro dominio y se acercaba con peligrosidad al área de manera casi permanente.
El partido estaba liquidado y lo que vino después, que fue mucho, fue más bien un añadido. A más tardar a partir del gol de Podolski, para Austria la única meta podía ser aminorar los males e intentó rebelarse con remates de media distancia de Daniel Alaba y Ekrem Dag.
La consigna parecía ser no dejarse masacrar y el descuento llegó, aunque desaprovechando un descuido de la defensa alemana
Florian Klein, desde la derecha, centró con demasiada libertad, Philipp Lahm estaba demasiado lejos, y encontró a Marko Arnautovic, prácticamente sin marca, que derrotó al meta Manuel Neuer con un cabezazo contra el piso.
El segundo tiempo, sin embargo, empezó mal para los austriacos cuando, en un contragolpe de manual, Özil hizo el cuarto en el minuto 47. Austria volvió a descontar, con un remate de Martin Harnik tres minutos más tarde, pero el partido seguía marcado por el dominio alemán.
Klose, Jerome Boateng y el propio Özil tuvieron ocasiones claras de aumentar la cuenta antes de André Schürle, aprovechando un pase de Thomas Müller, marcase el quinto en el 84 y Mario Götze, ya en el 89, completara la media docena para Alemania, también a pase de Müller.
Eurocopa Noruega 1 - 0 Islandia
No tuvo mucho éxito en las filas del Wimbledon FC y en el combinado nacional iraquí, pero Egil Olsen está labrando su propio camino como seleccionador de Noruega. Esta semana sus pupilos podrían dar un paso de gigante hacia la UEFA EURO 2012.
Noruega es uno de los tres equipos que se encuentran empatados en el liderato del Grupo H con Portugal y Dinamarca. Esta semana se medirá ante Islandia en casa y ante Dinamarca a continuación, por lo que el técnico de 69 años, que llevó a Noruega a las fases finales de las Copas Mundial de la FIFA de 1994 y 1998, está consiguiendo mucho crédito. Premiado con la renovación de su contrato hasta 2014, 'Drillo' comentó: "Estoy muy motivado para continuar como seleccionador y estoy muy contento de que la federación esté lo bastante satisfecho con mi trabajo y que quiera que continúe".
Pero se puede decir que en estas palabras el técnico se subestima a sí mismo. El éxito de Olsen en su segunda etapa es tan grande que la Federación de Fútbol de Noruega no dudó en ofrecerle una ampliación de dos años a su contrato en vigencia. Fue un reconocimiento para un entrenador que comentó un "soy demasiado viejo para esto ahora" cuando sustituyó a Åge Hareide como seleccionador en 2009.
El que una vez fue un eléctrico extremo (de ahí su apodo de 'Drillo'), Olsen fue internacional en 16 ocasiones con Noruega entre 1964 y 1971, cuando desarrolló su fútbol en un club de fútbol local. Consciente de su reputación como amante de una táctica de fútbol directo, la NFF se mostró reacia a poner a Olsen en el cargo por primera vez en 1990. Primero se hizo cargo del puesto de manera provisional y sólo cuando demostró su valía se hizo con el cargo de forma permanente.
Su énfasis en la organización y en el trabajo en equipo continúa definiendo la filosofía de fútbol de Olsen. Los jugadores de Noruega todavía lo veneran por su habilidad para dar simples y precisas instrucciones. Sus jugadores parecen saber exactamente qué se espera de ellos, y la habilidad de Olsen para maximizar el potencial de su equipo a través de la táctica llevó a Noruega a los Mundiales de 1994 y 1998, sus primeras fases finales desde 1938.
La importancia del colectivo por encima del lucimiento individual sigue creando controversia en algunos círculos de opinión, pero los noruegos llevan a Olsen en sus corazones. En 1994 se podía incluso comprar un helado "Drillo". Sin embargo, ese apelativo se perdió en la traducción con su marcha a la Premier. Su Wimbledon descendió en 2000 y su suerte no fue mejor como seleccionador de Irak, ya que supo de su destitución cuando se nombró a su recambio.
Olsen parecía significar una vuelta al pasado cuando fue nombrado otra vez seleccionador de Noruega (una vez más como interino) en 2009, pero mientras que su juego con balones largos seguía siendo una apuesta firme también lo era el rigor táctico. El equipo que parecía derrumbarse bajo el mando de Hareide volvía a tener consistencia. "Soy el primero en reconocer que nuestro juego de ataque deja mucho que desear, pero defensivamente somo un equipo de clase mundial", comentó tras su victoria en el Grupo H sobre Portugal.
Olsen sigue siendo un excéntrico. Publicó un libro de preguntas geográficas (una de sus obsesiones) y es sabido que odia la música. Pero si Noruega alcanza su primera fase final desde la UEFA EURO 2000 sus curiosos métodos no serán reprochados por nadie.
Noruega es uno de los tres equipos que se encuentran empatados en el liderato del Grupo H con Portugal y Dinamarca. Esta semana se medirá ante Islandia en casa y ante Dinamarca a continuación, por lo que el técnico de 69 años, que llevó a Noruega a las fases finales de las Copas Mundial de la FIFA de 1994 y 1998, está consiguiendo mucho crédito. Premiado con la renovación de su contrato hasta 2014, 'Drillo' comentó: "Estoy muy motivado para continuar como seleccionador y estoy muy contento de que la federación esté lo bastante satisfecho con mi trabajo y que quiera que continúe".
Pero se puede decir que en estas palabras el técnico se subestima a sí mismo. El éxito de Olsen en su segunda etapa es tan grande que la Federación de Fútbol de Noruega no dudó en ofrecerle una ampliación de dos años a su contrato en vigencia. Fue un reconocimiento para un entrenador que comentó un "soy demasiado viejo para esto ahora" cuando sustituyó a Åge Hareide como seleccionador en 2009.
El que una vez fue un eléctrico extremo (de ahí su apodo de 'Drillo'), Olsen fue internacional en 16 ocasiones con Noruega entre 1964 y 1971, cuando desarrolló su fútbol en un club de fútbol local. Consciente de su reputación como amante de una táctica de fútbol directo, la NFF se mostró reacia a poner a Olsen en el cargo por primera vez en 1990. Primero se hizo cargo del puesto de manera provisional y sólo cuando demostró su valía se hizo con el cargo de forma permanente.
Su énfasis en la organización y en el trabajo en equipo continúa definiendo la filosofía de fútbol de Olsen. Los jugadores de Noruega todavía lo veneran por su habilidad para dar simples y precisas instrucciones. Sus jugadores parecen saber exactamente qué se espera de ellos, y la habilidad de Olsen para maximizar el potencial de su equipo a través de la táctica llevó a Noruega a los Mundiales de 1994 y 1998, sus primeras fases finales desde 1938.
La importancia del colectivo por encima del lucimiento individual sigue creando controversia en algunos círculos de opinión, pero los noruegos llevan a Olsen en sus corazones. En 1994 se podía incluso comprar un helado "Drillo". Sin embargo, ese apelativo se perdió en la traducción con su marcha a la Premier. Su Wimbledon descendió en 2000 y su suerte no fue mejor como seleccionador de Irak, ya que supo de su destitución cuando se nombró a su recambio.
Olsen parecía significar una vuelta al pasado cuando fue nombrado otra vez seleccionador de Noruega (una vez más como interino) en 2009, pero mientras que su juego con balones largos seguía siendo una apuesta firme también lo era el rigor táctico. El equipo que parecía derrumbarse bajo el mando de Hareide volvía a tener consistencia. "Soy el primero en reconocer que nuestro juego de ataque deja mucho que desear, pero defensivamente somo un equipo de clase mundial", comentó tras su victoria en el Grupo H sobre Portugal.
Olsen sigue siendo un excéntrico. Publicó un libro de preguntas geográficas (una de sus obsesiones) y es sabido que odia la música. Pero si Noruega alcanza su primera fase final desde la UEFA EURO 2000 sus curiosos métodos no serán reprochados por nadie.
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