- 1 week ago
Slovenia drew 3-3 with Yugoslavia in their first group game. Spain lost 1-0 to Norway.
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00:00As you can see across the playing surface, caused by the struts of the enormous transparent roof, which is open
00:05at the moment.
00:07And immediately the ball is out of play for a Spanish throw to be taken by Agustin Aranthebol of Real
00:13Sofjeda.
00:17A little push noticed by Marcus Merck, the German referee, committed by Cech.
00:24Slovenia's most capped player.
00:33Here's Jero.
00:38Milanić slipping as he tried to clear.
00:41Cech.
00:44And the referee again close on hand to spot an infringement, it's Slovenia's turn to have a free kick.
00:53It's interesting, John, just to see how the game pans out, Spain playing 4-3-3.
00:59There will be a variation of it, and Slovenia playing 3-5-2 will be a slight variation of it,
01:05players dropping deep trying to pick the ball up.
01:07But I always think that if you play 4-3-3 at least, you've got the same amount of players
01:11in that middle area where so often at this level you can get outplayed if you're not careful.
01:16And I think that'll be an interesting battle to watch in there.
01:19You can tell we're in Holland, can't you?
01:23I think that's the keeper from the first game, the balloon, actually.
01:29That's been removed, and it's Zavic with the free kick.
01:33That was sliced by Alfonso.
01:35Here's Karic.
01:37This is too long for Udovic.
01:38But the deliveries from that left flank of Amir Karic were a feature of the game against Yugoslavia.
01:47Mendieta.
01:49Bring it back to Arantabar.
01:52Alfonso, put in by Milinovic.
01:56Now, Michel Salgado, the chance to set himself.
01:59Hit Pavlin.
02:00And the shot finds the corner of the net.
02:03And it's that man, Raul.
02:12No expression from Camacho.
02:15That if he had to rely on one man to score him a goal, it would be that man.
02:20What a magnificent finish, he's just bobbled about between.
02:23It's like a bagatelle there.
02:24But when he drops to Raul on his left peg, he's just hammered it in the top corner.
02:29A magnificent strike.
02:30He knows where the goal is.
02:31He's not looked up, he's knocked his eye off the ball.
02:34He just thumped it high, right into the top corner.
02:36The keeper had a wonderful attempt, actually.
02:39I'm not even sure if he got a touch to it, but no chance of stopping it.
02:42Great goal.
02:44Just what Spain required.
02:47After the nerviness of the game against Norway, that's offside.
02:52Raul now out on his own as the top scorer in this tournament.
02:57His 12th goal of this European Championship.
03:01Passing it.
03:02But of course, Spain are full of confidence now.
03:04They're a goal in front and they're a different proposition when they're in that position.
03:12Mistake by Galic.
03:14Was forced by Alfonso.
03:15He may take advantage.
03:22If anyone deserves credit, it's Milinovic, the Slovenian central defender, for getting in the way and just putting Ampolso off.
03:29Yeah, great defender.
03:30He's got all the way across.
03:31I think he's just wanted another touch extra to be quiet.
03:35Honestly, perhaps could have hit it earlier.
03:36But great defending by Milinovic, who got across and, well, he put him off.
03:41He didn't get the block, but he did put him off.
03:49And their supporters for once in this competition, relatively quiet.
03:53Now they leave their seats.
03:55It's Novak.
03:56Udovic missed his kick.
03:57Chance here, though, for Rodonia.
03:59And a combination of Hierro and Salgado saved the day for Spain.
04:04Yeah, great bit of interplay there down this side.
04:06Novak got stuck in the corner to cross it.
04:09I don't think it was the best cross.
04:10I've never seen the coach who's not happy yet again.
04:14Yeah, he's got three.
04:17Nines missed it.
04:19Udovic is it.
04:20Of course, Rodonia.
04:22He seemed to take an age to get his shot on target,
04:24but I thought he could have been a much better ball to in the first place.
04:27Great break, though.
04:31Milinovic, who's taking an age over the free kick.
04:36Bounce defeating Salgado.
04:38Here's Rodonia.
04:40Now check.
04:41Now check.
04:42Zavic.
04:44Check for a second time.
04:46Rudonia.
04:49Rather a waste.
04:52It was in the end, wasn't it?
04:53It looked promising.
04:54What a ball over the defender's head that spun back.
04:57He was just getting the finish.
04:59Well, to be honest, the defender, Salgado, has done well to close him down.
05:03Not giving him any time to hit it.
05:05And he's not got a great shot on it.
05:07You like to think, though, he might have kept it down.
05:15The aero's free kick.
05:17Raúl.
05:18Oh, Alfonso.
05:21And Raúl.
05:30Alfonso did well, didn't he?
05:31The ball bouncing around.
05:32He's got his flick on there into Alfonso.
05:35He's done ever so well if they've had a pull and a tug at him.
05:37He's got his dancing shoes on.
05:38Well, he's put a great ball back into Raúl.
05:41And he'd be disappointed.
05:42Perhaps he should have hit the target there.
05:45You'd fancy him on his left foot.
05:49Just saw it bobble wide of the far post to safety.
06:08Milinovic.
06:09A hopeful hack more than anything else.
06:12Fourth official appearing down below us to signify one minute of time to be added on.
06:20What are your thoughts on the half overall, Mick?
06:24Well, it was a blistering start, wasn't it, by Spain?
06:28And I thought they'd go on and actually score more goals now.
06:31I still think they will in the second half.
06:33I think if...
06:35It's Milanovic with the clearing header.
06:37We'll come back to that.
06:39Mendieta.
06:41This control is difficult to fault.
06:43Zavic.
06:46It's time for one last break with Pavline.
06:49Good ball over the top towards Rodonia.
06:50And the goalkeeper's come way out.
06:52And has made the block and is grateful that the loose ball fell to Valeron.
06:58Zavic.
07:01Rodonia.
07:02Really strong finish to the half from Slovenia.
07:05Nearly altered what you might have had to say, Mick.
07:08Thank you, Slovenia.
07:09They've had an attack and changed my opinion.
07:11I managed to get to see it.
07:11I just thought that Spain would actually go ahead and score more goals.
07:14That really is the first time that Canizales has been tested.
07:20So can you see Slovenia coming back in the second half?
07:24Despite the fact that they've finished strongly, I can't see that.
07:26I think Spain will go on and win by more than one goal.
07:30Well, Hierro and Salgado, two very experienced defenders, will be reasonably happy with a controlled first-half performance.
07:38Rodonia's late chance.
07:40As good an opportunity as Slovenia have managed to carve out.
07:44It was played through to him by Pavline.
07:48And the goalkeepers rush from goal.
07:51Didn't cost Spain.
07:53They lead at half-time through the goal by Raúl.
07:56Scored after only five minutes, they've been the better side.
07:59And that scoreline reflects that fact.
08:02All set to get the second half underway.
08:04Spain now in their traditional colours playing from the left.
08:08A tournament that's gradually improving for them.
08:11Having in mind that they arrived at the team hotel
08:14and found that the kitchen had been condemned as a fire risk
08:16and closed by the local fire brigade.
08:19They tried to get on their bus to go to training
08:21and found it broke down and had to go by bike.
08:24And then they lost their opening game.
08:26So after a start like that, anything's an improvement.
08:29That's not a bad ball forward either, towards Alfonso.
08:34Echeberia.
08:37Was out of play for a Slovenian throw.
08:39I said early on in games that if you lift your foot and show your studs,
08:43the referee's going to give a free kick against you.
08:45And I think that's just what happened on that occasion.
08:49Raúl waiting alongside Milanic, a Slovenian skipper.
08:55Alfonso also forward, so to his Mendieta.
09:00Arantabar.
09:10No question about the focal point for Spain.
09:13Yeah, but it was a long time coming, wasn't it?
09:16Arantabar got the ball switched over to him from the free kick.
09:19It's a great header.
09:20You're trying to head it back where he's come from.
09:23His movement's good.
09:26He just takes a look, he pulls off his shoulder.
09:28Great movement that.
09:29And to be fair, he's unlucky with the header.
09:38Pavlin, Ostec is straight offside, but it's played to Rodonia who was on.
09:42And the cross for Ostec.
09:44Oh, and Zavic was in there as well, and it's gone in!
09:48Zavic takes the plaudits.
09:52What a horrible mess.
09:55But Slovenia are at it again against one of the big boys of Euro 2000.
10:03It hadn't looked likely, but they have drawn level.
10:06I don't know if Ostec has scored it, but if he has,
10:08he looked to make quite a mess of it to start with.
10:11If he had, he was offside when the ball was played.
10:14I mean, this rule of third phase of offside, he was in an offside position.
10:19He's had a wild swing at it.
10:21Let's see who has finished it.
10:23The answer is I don't know, I'm afraid.
10:25They both seem to have got contact on it.
10:32My vote's going to Zavic.
10:35Well, I'd give it to Zavic because Ostec has made such a mess of it
10:38with a swing that big leg at it.
10:40But I think he would have been offside,
10:41although the referee linesmen weren't going to give it.
10:45Mendieta.
10:48Well, that has really livened things up inside the Amsterdam Arena.
10:53Well, whenever they've got anything to hold on to,
10:55and now they've got something to hold on to,
10:57and perhaps even improve.
10:58Spain were just starting to get a bit frustrated with each other,
11:01but they gave the ball away prior to that attack.
11:04They're simply getting upset with one another.
11:11Mendieta.
11:14Just what the game for we neutrals needed.
11:16What Slovenia don't need is a surging run from Mendieta,
11:19and no-one's picked up Echevarria!
11:24Goalkeeper's mistake.
11:25Spain back in front inside a minute.
11:29Well, it was a great goal for the game,
11:31the one that Zavic, I think, has been credited with it.
11:35But again, they've done it yet again.
11:37They've got back in the game, and they've just given it away.
11:41You see the Spanish course there is demonstrating with everybody.
11:44Not one single person can hear a word he's saying.
11:46I know, because I've tried it.
11:48Great movement.
11:50Echevarria's had a good game defensively.
11:52I think the keeper...
11:53Well, I know the keeper's not going to be happy with that.
11:55The keeper should have saved it, he's made a mess of it.
11:57But this little fella here, Mendieta, I think, has had a fantastic game.
12:01He's been absolutely brilliant.
12:03Wonderful ball stuck into Echevarria.
12:05He's just hit the back of it, shouldn't be beaten at his near post.
12:08Keeper to blame for me.
12:13So, apart from the fact that 40-odd thousand people are a great deal more excited
12:17and animated than they were two minutes ago, we're back where we started.
12:21Spain, one goal to the good.
12:25But Slovenia showing rather more by way of attacking intent.
12:29Slovenia just keep going.
12:30They know how to play one way, they'll keep passing it, they'll keep running,
12:33they'll keep moving off the ball, they'll keep dinking it into each other.
12:37They'll just keep going, and even now they'll still believe
12:40maybe they can get back in this game, but they won't change their way of playing.
12:43And Spain now, they need to concentrate here.
12:47Karic to take.
12:49Oh, and a free header!
12:50Which is saved by a plunging goalkeeper, it was Galic who got forward.
12:57Unbelievable, I mean, the guy on the ball, Karic, who's taking the free kick.
13:01So, he's on the go.
13:01Well, here's Mendieta, his last surging run.
13:04Led to a goal, this one won't.
13:09Ostets.
13:10The pace of this game has picked up so markedly these last three or four minutes.
13:16Zavic.
13:19Ostets.
13:20Tackle was from behind by Aranthabal.
13:23Decision effectively given by the referee's assistant on that far side,
13:27and the sanction is a caution for the Spanish defender.
13:31Number three, Aranthabal.
13:35No arguments, I don't think he can have there.
13:37He's coming from behind, and it's a tackle from behind, which is a booking.
13:43And a chance for Slovenia to swing in another free kick.
13:48Zavic to take.
13:50Milinovic and Milanić both up from the back.
13:58And the long clearance, dispatched downfield by Cannazaris, seeking out Raul.
14:08Well, from...
14:09This is one I'm trying to make a point at before they went on the attack,
14:12it's just all of us have gone end-to-end.
14:14There's all sorts of pushing and shoving.
14:15Who is it? The number five, Galic, who's got a free header.
14:19Well, the hunts back of Notre Dame would have been pleased with that,
14:21because he'd probably put it back in with a hump,
14:23but if anything, if he just gets himself in the box, he can attack that far post.
14:27And he was stood there at the edge of the box watching it.
14:31This is Spain's first corner of the game.
14:36So Mendieta hasn't had much practice.
14:40There's Abelardo's header.
14:45And it was a good chance.
14:47He obviously doesn't need much practice, I think he's had a great game.
14:50Playing on the left, he's right-footed.
14:52Fantastic corner for Abelardo.
14:55Great, that gun attack in the ball in front of the keeper.
15:00It's Alexander Knauss of Tyrell Innsbruck who's going to come on.
15:07Zavic trying to place it!
15:12Well, the placing was spot-on, so was the goalkeeping.
15:16I don't know if it's a corner they've worked.
15:17It looks to be, because on two occasions now,
15:20the bloke at the far post, very far post, has got him free.
15:23And it's a wonderful effort by Zavic, and it's a good save.
15:27Canizares with his right hand, brilliant.
15:30Well, before the...
15:32Garantabal has been robbed.
15:37Acimovic.
15:39Spain have got men back in plentiful numbers.
15:44And Rodoña's control let him down.
15:46Salgado nearly let him back in.
15:49Echeverria.
15:54He was always going down.
15:55I mean, that's...
15:56He's just crafty, experience.
15:59He's...
15:59He's sucked the defender in, knocked it round him,
16:02and any slightest little touch he's going to go down.
16:04That kills the game for him.
16:05A beautiful look from Katanets.
16:08Beside once more, have acquitted themselves well.
16:11Raúl.
16:12In spite of having his shirt tugged.
16:15He's trying to run down the clock.
16:1920 seconds on it.
16:24What has been proved, Mick, is that Slovenia are no make-weights.
16:28Even if on this occasion, they have come second best.
16:33That's right, they made a game of it, didn't they?
16:34The game...
16:35The game looked to be going nowhere.
16:36And thanks to Slovenia getting the goal back,
16:39they made a great second half of it.
16:41But I think Spain deserved winners.
16:43They could have won by more.
16:45Echeverria with the crucial goal
16:47after Zavic had equalised Raúl's opener.
16:52For a five or ten minute spell in the second half,
16:55it was all very frantic.
16:57Plenty of passion, lots of noise and colour.
17:00And Spain, for once, no pain, only gain.
17:03They're back on track in Euro 2000.
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