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On Day Seventeen.

1 Leave a comment on verse 1 0 Spain v Russia.

2 Leave a comment on verse 2 0 I’m backing The (former) USSR(sic)
In the shoot-out
Buenas Noches Espana.
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3 Leave a comment on verse 3 0 Denmark v Croatia

4 Leave a comment on verse 4 0 A lottery
Morphed into refereed psychology
Denmark succumb to mind-games.
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Notes

Both of these ties – albeit far from pretty viewing – showed what an astute coach can achieve with an un-fancied team who actually listen to what they’ve been told to do.

Russia stuck to a game plan, and stood admiring Spain – like Portugal the day before – pass endless ineffectual balls across acres of space around the half way line. I’m of the opinion penalties was part of said plan from the off.

Denmark changed a system that clearly wasn’t working at half-time, and looked to me like the team wanting to win the game in the second-half. However it was not to be the case. When it went to penalties, the sight of both keepers almost standing on the penalty spot blatantly trying to psych out an opponent- under the eyes of the referee – was a new one on me. I’ve often wondered why a team would employ a sports psychologist? Now I know.

Source: http://footballpoets.org/poems/on-day-seventeen/