Greece U21's 3 - 1 England U21's

Not a big report here. Two Greek goals in the first half won them the game, but England were basically crap.

The second half brought a slightly better England performance, albeit with a John Terry own goal sealing our fate early in the second.

Ameobi ahould have started according to the Eurosport commentators, which I really agree with. The whole team were playing long (Warren Barton stlye) balls and going wide, but with Christie and DeFoe in the box, they had no chance of winning headers.

Ameobi came on late on, but it was all too late. He made little difference really.

The Russian referee was a pile of piss. The Greek team were definitely the worst case of play acting I've ever seen in my life. In the English leagues, they would have been down to 5 men by half time from their diving. Absolutely diabolical. The sad thing is, that the referee never punished any of them until the last ten minutes.

We pulled a goal back late on through Carrick, a class shot in the corner of the net, shooting across the keeper from outside the box, but he didn't play well over the course of the game.

The England players were well annoyed with the diving, and frustration got the better of Luke Young and John Terry, Young for a harmless "Di Canio" style push that the Greek School of Acting graduate made the most of, and Terry's for a two fotted challenge on one of the biggest culprits of them all for diving (very long names the Greeks have :) )

Overall, England lacked organisation and didn't seem to want to win the ball in 50-50's. The referee didn't help with his apparent love of Greek Theatre, but we never deserved to win.

The only player who looked good to me was DeFoe, who was quick and skilful, although he had a shocking lack of service. The balls into the box were mostly atrocious.

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

Answers

Once again, that refree was an ATROCIOUS PILLOCK

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

Nice report Paul. Sad Ameobi didnt play until the last minutes. GL vs Greece tomorrow!

-- Anonymous, June 05, 2001

The two worst players on the pitch IMHO were Hargreaves? the English goalie who made a right hash of a headed backpass that my five year old girl would have caught, and Michael Carrick who was absolutely pants. A ten million player ,????? I have my doubts after that performance. His one good contribution was his goal. As for the rest of the game. Paul was 100% acurate.

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2001

maybe Hargreaves and Carrick played badly for a reason?

that isn't their level?

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2001

'Sad Ameobi didnt play until the last minutes'

He still managed to get booked.

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2001

I don't think he did get booked, that was just a mistake with the egotistic Greek TV producers flashing up cards on the screen.

Three match reports I've read don't mention the Ameobi booking.

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2001