Rebuilding England Take Euro Revenge

England   2           Italy   1

                                       Jagielka  27                                       De Rossi  15 

                                       Defoe  80

 

After the vast success of team GB in the last two weeks England’s footballers gave yet more satisfaction amongst the sporting public, as Roy Hodgson’s new look side fought back  to claim sweet revenge over a forceful Italian team who were England’s conquerors in the recent European Championships.

Only Ashley Young’s name remained on the team sheet which suffered the heart breaking defeat to the hands of the Italians just 52 days ago as both sides fielded more youthful teams, many with a point to prove.

Manchester United’s Tom Cleverly was handed his first cap for his country as Hodgson switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, providing an extra body in midfield along with the recalled experience of Frank Lampard and Michel Carrick.

Jack Butland impressed many at the recent Olympic tournament and at only nineteen the Birmingham shot stopper who is yet to play at even Championship level became the youngest goalkeeper to win a full England cap.However just fourteen minutes later Butland found himself removing the ball from the net after Alessandro Diamanti's corner was met by Italy captain Daniele De Rossi out jumping Carrick to guide the ball past the stranded keeper.

Nevertheless Hodgson’s side did not panic as they drew level just twelve minutes later after Adam Johnson and Kyle Walker’s pace combined to force a corner allowing England to take a set piece of their own, when Lampard’s delivery found the brave head of Phil Jagielka who dived down low to glance his header across the goal into the bottom right corner.

England looked more settled after the goal, keeping more possession of the ball and controlling the tempo something many believe was a downfall at the Euros. The Italian's remained a threat though with De Rossi’s long passes causing problems for the England defence.

At half time Hodgson replaced Butland to give another debut this time to Norwich keeper John Ruddy. While Jermain Defoe was also introduced replacing Andy Carroll whose lack of service made it difficult to get involved.

Ruddy missed the Euros with a broken finger but sprang quickly into action denying
Mattia Destro whose quick movement proved a problem but wasteful finishing from the Italian prevented his side taking the lead.

After the hour mark Hodgson’s substitutions helped to take the sting out of the Italians attack giving them more to think about in defence. James Milner looked a threat after coming on putting the ball in dangerous positions in the Italian area.

But the winning moment came ten minutes from time when from their own corner Italy were quickly caught out after substitute Ryan Bertrand cleared off the line before a quick counter attack led by Milner finding Defoe who cut inside of the defender and unleashed a shot from the edge of the area worthy of winning any football match.

Hodgson later said “ It gave a chance to have a look at some new players and give some of the players who played at the Euros a rest”. England’s next match will be away to Moldova on the 7^th of September as they look to qualify for the world cup in Brazil in 2014.
　
　

Murray's Golden Moment

What a difference a month makes. Just 28 days ago Andy Murray was left distraught after a heart breaking defeat to Rodger Federer in an energy draining Wimbledon final, but now after an extraordinary Olympic week for Team GB in general Murray has achieved the status of double Olympic medallist, holding one gold after taking ruthless revenge on Federer in the singles final hammering the 16 time grand slam champion 6-2 6-1 6-4 in a wild centre court. 

Murray with his two Olympic medals

Murray later described the win as the “best of his career “as he became the first British player to win   Olympic singles gold since Josiah Ritchie in 1908. Shortly after Murray took back to court in a tightly contested mixed doubles final as he and partner Laura Robson narrowly missed out on another gold medal losing 2-6 6-3 10-8 in a match tie break to the Belarusian pair of  Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi.

After a shock exist in the first round of the games in Beijing four years ago this week has shown just what the Olympics means to Andy Murray playing under the name of team GB. A big sports fan Murray has said he has been inspired by Britain’s success at the games describing Mo Farah’s 10,000 metres win as “amazing”. Murray’s performances over the past week showing an extra motivation brilliantly denying the likes of Federer and Djokovic a unique Olympic gold.

Murray had never beaten Federer over five sets in their previous Grand Slam meetings but after saving two break points in the opening game the Brit never looked back with a dominant display over the world number one. In the opening games Murray was the bigger hitter of the two knowing aggressive play was the only way to beat the Swiss maestro. 

Murray made the breakthrough in game six as heavier hitting forced the errors from Federer’s racquet to lead 4-2. After holding in the next game Murray took no chances mercilessly breaking Federer for the second time to the roar of the Olympic crowd who showed far less respect to the Wimbledon champion than four weeks ago producing a similar biased atmosphere of a Davis Cup tie.

At the start of the second it seemed Murray could do no wrong after two net cords in one game helped him break yet again to keep increasing momentum. Murray’s biggest battle came in the following game, reminiscent of a game in the Wimbledon final where Murray was finally broke. But this time in a game lasting twenty minutes where Federer threw everything at his younger opponent Murray held his nerve brilliantly saving six break points to lead 3-0.

Federer looked tried and emotionally drained after a marathon semi-final on Friday but no one could have foreseen a match this one sided, with the Swiss losing nine games in a row to trail 6-2 5-0 on a court where he has claimed seven Wimbledon titles. Murray on the other hand made no hesitations in serving out the second set now on the brink of Olympic gold.

Murray’s level never dropped as he landed another blow on Federer in game five of the third set with more aggressive play persistently keeping his the world number one behind the baseline not allowing him to dictate the points. The Brit’s serve never let him down as he only conceded one point when serving in the third set sealing the match with an ace.   

Murray later said “I did not expect this I had a chance of going deep into the tournament I was a little tired after Wimbledon but today I felt so fresh” For Federer who is 31 on Wednesday this may have been his last chance to take Olympic gold in singles the one thing missing from his great career.

Federer’s semi-final opponent Juan Martin Del Potro took bronze after recovering from the longest singles match in Olympic history against Federer to beat Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-4 to win Argentina’s first medal of the games.