Vivam Joga Bonito

The football aficionado had given up on Euro '08. Without the ebullient energy of the Africans-so beautifully exemplified by that Senegalese midfielder, Papa Bouba Diop at the World Cup a few years back-and the creative and technical brilliance of the South Americans, he had forecast a bland, insipid tournament with the inherent fear- so much a characteristic of European sides-making for tedious viewing. It was a prognosis which had a background to it as Otto Rehagel had so efficiently but boringly illustrated with his Greek outfit four years back.

But just a week into the tournament, we have already seen some of the most exhilarating football on display at the international level in recent memory. European football has been given a whiff of fresh air by five sides playing some of the most pleasing (read audacious) football: Portugal, Germany, Spain, Russia and the Dutch.

The Oranje have undoubtedly been the story of the tournament. Renowned for introducing the concept of total football by that brilliant Rinus Michels and epitomised so brilliantly by the legendary triumvate of Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco Van Basten at the '88 Euro Championships, the Dutch performance has indeed been a pleasant surprise. Notorious for internal bickering and attitude problems, Van Basten has made them communicate effectively through the medium of football. Their free-flowing style has been given impetus by the adventurous Van Basten and it is not difficult to see why Real Madrid want to get Ronaldo to complement Van Nistelrooy, Robben and Schneider. Now that would be quite a combination!


But let us not forget Portugal who have looked invincible albeit in an easy group. Very few coaches have achieved consistency at the international level in the manner Big Phil has and he continues to reap rich rewards with that system of a single forward, a playmaker and two defensive midfielders backed by - the now-to-be-certain World Footballer of the year- Christiano Ronaldo.

Spain are also flourishing by gambling with Elnino and the Mestalla favourite- David Villa- up front. But there are fears that Aragones' penchant for Xavi over Fabregas might cost them dear in the later stages at which Spain have been notoriously succeptible. Germany have just carried off from where they left in the last World Cup playing a brand of football that is so distantly German. For all the talk, Klinsmann has indeed been able to leave behind a legacy and inspite of that loss to Croatia, the presence of that talisman Michael Ballack must still make them contenders. Few footballers turn up for the big occasion as frequently as Ballack does and with the best 1-2 strike partnership in the tournament, they will be there at the business end of the tournament.

Guus Hiddink might have branded his team 'naive' after the loss to Spain, but there was a distinct Hiddink stamp in the way Russia played. The miracle conjurer- as Hiddink is known for his exploits with South Korea and Australia- has his task cut out, but there is unmistakable promise in this young Russian unit.

The most positive aspect about the tournament is that England haven't been missed and that is testimony to the football that has been on display. All the football aficionado can now say is Vivam Joga Bonito.