Always loaded with talented players, Spain has spent four decades falling short of expectations. Now they have proved the critics that they can win a major competition!
Well done Spain...!
Superb Spain Claim Euro 2008 Crown
So there you have it Spain won the Euro 2008 Football Tournament beating Germany 1-0 in Vienna. Finally they have achieved to win a major competition which has been long coming! It was 44 years ago that they last triumphed.... Congratulations to a fabulous side who played consistently in this competition from the very first match when they demolished Russia 4-1. So were they surprising winners? No not really, because they entertained, were positive in their approach, they kept possession and were patient even when under pressure. They matured as they progressed in this competition and whoever they played against they kept to their game plan of being comfortable on the ball, passing moving and never resorting to long ball tactics. Strong throughout the squad as was demonstrated in their last group match where they almost had a reserve team out. Different players but playing the same way.
Euro 2008...as at 13 June '08
So the Euro 2008 competition in Switzerland & Austria is off the ground .....
Who's in the "pecking" order to win and who's "packing" to go home?
Here a short take on the teams.... so far....
Austria
Lots of "huff & puff" in the team but at the end of the day no real quality within the squad. They have had lots of home support but will not progress to the latter stages.
Croatia
Excellent result against the pre tournament favourites Germany. Could go far and they play attractive football. Must keep the impetuous up.
Czech Rep
Need to up their recent performances to progress into the later stages. Will be fighting for second place with Turkey behind Portugal who should top their group.
France
Which team will turn up? Same old same old France, they can be brilliant or very bad. Need to up their work ethic to survive in the "Group of Death"! Must beat Italy to progress.
Germany
Seemingly cruising until their recent defeat to Croatia. Will progress. Never write off the Germans. I predict that they could be very close at the end.
Greece
Too negative for my liking. If they attempt to continue to win games just on set pieces they will be going home soon. I don't think they will retain their Euro trophy this time...
Italy
Current World Champions struggling with an aging squad. Difficult to beat but are they hungry enough to win the Euro 2008. Big match against the French. Winner could join Holland in the knock-out stages.
Netherlands
They must be careful not to become over confident. Done really well so far. Play very attractive football. Dangerous side. Few sides can boast that they have beaten the Current World Cup Champions and Runners up, scoring seven goals in the process.
Poland
Not strong enough to win again like Austria lots of effort but no match winner for me. Apparently they have the loudest supporters, but will that help?
Portugal
Looking good at this stage. No-one will want to be drawn against them in the knock out stages. Strong squad and mentally tough as well. Can Ronaldo and co add to their trophy collection this year?
Romania
They will struggle. Did well to qualify but don't expect them to do well. Need to beat Holland to qualify. Difficult!
Russia
Talented team but lack a cutting edge. Skillful but again like many other sides in this competition they lack real quality & belief.
Spain
Always the "bridesmaid". How many times do Spain fold in a major competition. Perhaps this is their year. They have quality and should do really well.... !!?
Sweden
Hard working side and very organised, difficult to play against but that's about it.
Switzerland
Gone home already. Well at least the live there! (Not too far to go!)
Turkey
Too negative. Like Greece attempt to steal a game rather than dominate.
What do you think?
Who's in the "pecking" order to win and who's "packing" to go home?
Here a short take on the teams.... so far....
Austria
Lots of "huff & puff" in the team but at the end of the day no real quality within the squad. They have had lots of home support but will not progress to the latter stages.
Croatia
Excellent result against the pre tournament favourites Germany. Could go far and they play attractive football. Must keep the impetuous up.
Czech Rep
Need to up their recent performances to progress into the later stages. Will be fighting for second place with Turkey behind Portugal who should top their group.
France
Which team will turn up? Same old same old France, they can be brilliant or very bad. Need to up their work ethic to survive in the "Group of Death"! Must beat Italy to progress.
Germany
Seemingly cruising until their recent defeat to Croatia. Will progress. Never write off the Germans. I predict that they could be very close at the end.
Greece
Too negative for my liking. If they attempt to continue to win games just on set pieces they will be going home soon. I don't think they will retain their Euro trophy this time...
Italy
Current World Champions struggling with an aging squad. Difficult to beat but are they hungry enough to win the Euro 2008. Big match against the French. Winner could join Holland in the knock-out stages.
Netherlands
They must be careful not to become over confident. Done really well so far. Play very attractive football. Dangerous side. Few sides can boast that they have beaten the Current World Cup Champions and Runners up, scoring seven goals in the process.
Poland
Not strong enough to win again like Austria lots of effort but no match winner for me. Apparently they have the loudest supporters, but will that help?
Portugal
Looking good at this stage. No-one will want to be drawn against them in the knock out stages. Strong squad and mentally tough as well. Can Ronaldo and co add to their trophy collection this year?
Romania
They will struggle. Did well to qualify but don't expect them to do well. Need to beat Holland to qualify. Difficult!
Russia
Talented team but lack a cutting edge. Skillful but again like many other sides in this competition they lack real quality & belief.
Spain
Always the "bridesmaid". How many times do Spain fold in a major competition. Perhaps this is their year. They have quality and should do really well.... !!?
Sweden
Hard working side and very organised, difficult to play against but that's about it.
Switzerland
Gone home already. Well at least the live there! (Not too far to go!)
Turkey
Too negative. Like Greece attempt to steal a game rather than dominate.
What do you think?
Brief History of Bicycles
The Walking MachineBaron von Drais invented a walking machine in 1817, that would help him get around the royal gardens faster: two same-size in-line wheels, the front one steerable, mounted in a frame which you straddled. The device was propelled by pushing your feet against the ground, thus rolling yourself and the device forward in a sort of gliding walk. The machine became known as the hobby horse or Draisienne. It was made entirely of wood. This enjoyed a short popularity as a fad, not being very practical for transportation in any other place than a well maintained pathway such as in a park or garden.
The Boneshaker 
(Velocipede)
In 1865 another two-wheeled riding machine was made, when pedals were applied directly to the front wheel. This machine was known as the velocipede ("fast foot"), but was popularly known as the bone shaker, since it was also made entirely of wood, then later with metal tires, and the combination of these with the cobblestone roads of the day made for an extremely uncomfortable ride. They also became a fad, and indoor riding academies, similar to roller rinks, could be found in large cities.
(Velocipede)In 1865 another two-wheeled riding machine was made, when pedals were applied directly to the front wheel. This machine was known as the velocipede ("fast foot"), but was popularly known as the bone shaker, since it was also made entirely of wood, then later with metal tires, and the combination of these with the cobblestone roads of the day made for an extremely uncomfortable ride. They also became a fad, and indoor riding academies, similar to roller rinks, could be found in large cities.
The High Wheel Bicycle
In 1870 the first all metal machine appeared. (Previous to this metallurgy was not advanced enough to provide metal which was strong enough to make small, light parts out of.) The pedals were still attached directly to the front wheel with no freewheeling mechanism. Solid rubber tires and t
he long spokes of the large front wheel provided a much smoother ride than its predecessor. The front wheels became larger and larger as makers realized that the larger the wheel, the farther you could travel with one rotation of the pedals. You would purchase a wheel as large as your leg length would allow. This machine was the first one to be called a bicycle ("two wheel"). These bicycles enjoyed a great popularity among young men of means (they cost an average worker six month's pay), with the hey-day being the decade of the 1880s. Because the rider sat so high above the center of gravity, if the front wheel was stopped by a stone or rut in the road, or the sudden emergence of a dog, the entire apparatus rotated forward on its front axle, and the rider, with his legs trapped under the handlebars, was dropped unceremoniously on his head. Thus the term "taking a header" came into being.
In 1870 the first all metal machine appeared. (Previous to this metallurgy was not advanced enough to provide metal which was strong enough to make small, light parts out of.) The pedals were still attached directly to the front wheel with no freewheeling mechanism. Solid rubber tires and t
he long spokes of the large front wheel provided a much smoother ride than its predecessor. The front wheels became larger and larger as makers realized that the larger the wheel, the farther you could travel with one rotation of the pedals. You would purchase a wheel as large as your leg length would allow. This machine was the first one to be called a bicycle ("two wheel"). These bicycles enjoyed a great popularity among young men of means (they cost an average worker six month's pay), with the hey-day being the decade of the 1880s. Because the rider sat so high above the center of gravity, if the front wheel was stopped by a stone or rut in the road, or the sudden emergence of a dog, the entire apparatus rotated forward on its front axle, and the rider, with his legs trapped under the handlebars, was dropped unceremoniously on his head. Thus the term "taking a header" came into being. The High Wheel Tricycle
While the men were risking their necks on the high wheels, ladies, confined to their long skirts and corsets, could take a spin around the park on an adult tricycle. These machines also afforded more dignity to gentlemen such as clergymen and doctors. Many mechanical innovations now associated with the automobile were originally invented for tricycles. Rack and pinion steering, the differential, and band brakes, to name a few!
While the men were risking their necks on the high wheels, ladies, confined to their long skirts and corsets, could take a spin around the park on an adult tricycle. These machines also afforded more dignity to gentlemen such as clergymen and doctors. Many mechanical innovations now associated with the automobile were originally invented for tricycles. Rack and pinion steering, the differential, and band brakes, to name a few!
The High Wheel Safety
Improvements to the design began to be seen, many with the small wheel in the front to eliminate the tipping-forward problem. One model was promoted by its manufacturer by being ridden down the front steps of the capitol building in Washington, DC. These designs became known as high-wheel safety bicycles. Since the older high-wheel designs had been known simply as bicycles, they were now referred to as "ordinary bicycles" in comparison with the new-fangled designs, and then simply as "ordinaries."
Improvements to the design began to be seen, many with the small wheel in the front to eliminate the tipping-forward problem. One model was promoted by its manufacturer by being ridden down the front steps of the capitol building in Washington, DC. These designs became known as high-wheel safety bicycles. Since the older high-wheel designs had been known simply as bicycles, they were now referred to as "ordinary bicycles" in comparison with the new-fangled designs, and then simply as "ordinaries."
The Hard-Tired Safety 
The further improvement of metallurgy sparked the next innovation, or rather return to previous design. With metal that was now strong enough to make a fine chain and sprocket small and light enough for a human being to power, the next design was a return to the original configuration of two same-size wheels, only now, instead of just one wheel circumference for every pedal turn, you could, through the gear ratios, have a speed the same as the huge high-wheel. The bicycles still had the hard rubber tires, and in the absence of the long, shock-absorbing spokes, the ride they provided was much more uncomfortable than any of the high-wheel designs. Many of these bicycles of 100 years ago had front and/or rear suspensions. These designs competed with each other, your choice being the high-wheel's comfort or the safety's safety, but the next innovation tolled the death of the high-wheel design.
The further improvement of metallurgy sparked the next innovation, or rather return to previous design. With metal that was now strong enough to make a fine chain and sprocket small and light enough for a human being to power, the next design was a return to the original configuration of two same-size wheels, only now, instead of just one wheel circumference for every pedal turn, you could, through the gear ratios, have a speed the same as the huge high-wheel. The bicycles still had the hard rubber tires, and in the absence of the long, shock-absorbing spokes, the ride they provided was much more uncomfortable than any of the high-wheel designs. Many of these bicycles of 100 years ago had front and/or rear suspensions. These designs competed with each other, your choice being the high-wheel's comfort or the safety's safety, but the next innovation tolled the death of the high-wheel design.
The Pnuematic-Tired SafetyThe pneumatic tire was first applied to the bicycle by an Irish veterinarian who was trying to give his young son a more comfortable ride on his tricycle. This inventive young doctor's name was Dunlop. Sound familiar? Now that comfort and safety could be had in the same package, and that package was getting cheaper as manufacturing methods improved, everyone clamored to ride the bicycle. This 1898 Yale uses a shaft drive to dispense with the dirty chain.The bicycle was what made the Gay Nineties gay. It was a practical investment for the working man as transportation, and gave him a much greater flexibility for leisure. Ladies, heretofore consigned to riding the heavy adult size tricycles that were only practical for taking a turn around the park, now could ride a much more versatile machine and still keep their legs covered with long skirts. The bicycle craze killed the bustle and the corset, instituted "common-sense dressing" for women and increased their mobility considerably. In 1896 Susan B. Anthony said that "the bicycle has done more for the emancipation of women than anything else in the world."Bicycling was so popular in the 1880s and 1890s that cyclists formed the League of American Wheelman (still in existence and now called the League of American Bicyclists). The League lobbied for better roads, literally paving the road for the automobile.
The Kid's Bike 
Introduced just after the First World War by several manufacturers, such as Mead, Sears Roebuck, and Montgomery Ward, to revitalize the bike industry (Schwinn made its big splash slightly later), these designs, now called "classic", featured automobile and motorcycle elements to appeal to kids who, presumably, would rather have a motor. If ever a bike needed a motor, this was it. These bikes evolved into the most glamorous, fabulous, ostentatious, heavy designs ever. It is unbelievable today that 14-year-old kids could do the tricks that we did on these 65 pound machines! They were built into the middle '50s, by which time they had taken on design elements of jet aircraft and even rockets. By the '60s, they were becoming leaner and simpler.
Introduced just after the First World War by several manufacturers, such as Mead, Sears Roebuck, and Montgomery Ward, to revitalize the bike industry (Schwinn made its big splash slightly later), these designs, now called "classic", featured automobile and motorcycle elements to appeal to kids who, presumably, would rather have a motor. If ever a bike needed a motor, this was it. These bikes evolved into the most glamorous, fabulous, ostentatious, heavy designs ever. It is unbelievable today that 14-year-old kids could do the tricks that we did on these 65 pound machines! They were built into the middle '50s, by which time they had taken on design elements of jet aircraft and even rockets. By the '60s, they were becoming leaner and simpler.
Now...Pedaling History has on display even the recent history of the bicycle in America that we are more familiar with: the "English 3-speed" of the '50s through the '70s, the 10-speed derailleur bikes which were popular in the '70s (the derailleur had been invented before the turn of the century and had been in more-or-less common use in Europe since), and of course the mountain bike of right now. There are also many oddball designs that never quite made it, including the Ingo (you have to see it to believe it!)
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)