Croatia-Turkey, and Euro 2008 predictions

So, in my infinite wisdom, I decided that if there was one quarter-final I could afford to miss, it was Croatia-Turkey. Fortunately, I decided to come home from work early, and began watching around the 70th minute of regulation time. Both sides had chances; both keepers made some near mistakes, and some brilliant saves. The 119th and 120th minutes, though, will be forever remembered for Rustu's ascent from the ridiculous to the sublime, for Croatia thinking they had secured a semi-final berth only to lose it 30 seconds later. Poor Slaven Bilic could only complain, to no avail of course, that there had been too stoppage much time added on. The whole situation was reminiscent of Wiltord's 94th minute equalizer against the Italians in the 2000 final, titled "Cursed Minute" by Italian newspapers. It would be condescending to say that either Turkey's or Croatia's successful run is a surprise: Turkey were 3rd place winners in the 2002 World Cup; Croatia were World Cup quarter finalists in 1998. I'm hoping Turkey chew up the Germans in the semis, but with four first-team players suspended, and the kind of mistakes Rustu seems capable of making, it might not happen.

Another issue is the draw. What is it with the possibility of group-mates meeting again in semis, rather than in the final, and why is there no media outcry about this? It seems dead wrong that only one team from any group can make it to the final, specially in light of how tight the group stages have been.

Other thoughts/predictions:

Netherlands are playing total football / beautiful football, and should get past Russia, who have done Guus Hiddink proud. 

Italy-Spain will be a cracker, but based simply on international success pedigree, I would have to predict an Italian win, even though Italy have shown up without a defense, and Toni cannot hit a cow's arse with a banjo / score in a brothel / insert ineffectual striker cliche here. del Piero still in the national side, and Totti retired: who would have thunk? Also, what is it with Azzurri leading lights Toni and Grosso playing in Ligue 1 and the Bundasliga? Is Serie A in that much financial trouble? Buffon will make some unreal saves, Panucci will score a goal, and we will have a repeat of the 2000 semi-final in Italy v Netherlands. Hopefully this time there will be no sending offs, and del Piero won't have to play as the 10th defender.

Like everyone else, I am predicting a Germany-Italy final. Being an Italian fan, I'll have to predict an Italian win. It would be fun seeing this motley Italian crew achieve the same World Cup / Euro double success as France's golden generation: should ruffle quite a few well-groomed European feathers.

Oh, and was anyone else scandalized by Ruud Gullit's comments on ESPN? He told the male anchor to complement the female anchor on being so knowledgeable about the game. As if women aren't supposed to know about football. Such blatant sexism from a champion of racial non-discrimination made my angry female side still angrier. Next we'll have sexism from Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama.