Luck of the English

England are through to the quarter finals of Euro 2012 after a rather fortunate 1-0 victory over co-hosts Ukraine.

The returning Wayne Rooney scored the only goal aided by the use of fellow striker Andy Carroll’s ‘product’.

But as is commonplace in sport the stats don’t tell the full story, England were second best for much of the game conceding too much of the ball and initiative too cheaply.

Ukraine buoyed by home support raised their performance knowing only a win would suffice, but on too many occasions they were aided by England players who played the wrong pass time and time again.

On several occasions an England player would try and find a team mate in a tight congested area, when if they would have looked there was always another option in more space, but they didn’t so they just kept giving it away.

Then came the big slice of luck John Terry seemed to have made a miraculous goal line clearance, however replays showed the ball had clearly crossed the line, and unsurprisingly the much maligned do nothing extra official failed to notice this despite being 5 yards away.

Sepp Blatter tweeted of the incident that goal line technology is now a necessity, which is frustrating because he’s been advocating goal line technology for almost 2 years now, if he was serious about introducing it into the game he should have done it by now.

Almost every other sport has embraced the technology with consummate ease, which has enhanced the spectacle no end, football is badly lagging behind, and frankly its becoming a bit embarrassing.

England’s other slice of luck was a surprise defeat for France, meaning England qualified as group winners and avoid playing reigning World and European champions Spain.

Instead England face a quarter final against Italy, which out of the four is the closest to call.

Despite a lack of expectations at the start of the tournament you can hear the shackles of the headline writers being removed, allowing them to restore order. (i.e. printing line after line about how England now have a divine right to win the thing)       

England can win the game but they have to keep the ball and get their heads up and stop trying to play tight little balls into congested areas, only Spain and Barcelona have the players and ability to do that.

They need to look and think before they pass and keep the defensive organisation they have shown so far, and hopefully a now match hardened Rooney will provide better link up play in the opposition third.

If (and it’s a big if) England beat Italy they would in all probability face Germany in the semis. (good luck with that one)