The great Petr Czech, looking here more like an incarnation of Arnold Scharznegger although Terminated is more the case than Terminator. He had an explanation for dropping the ball. He had an explanation for dropping the ball. "It was wet!"
Although pre-tournament there was a lot of discussion among keepers as to the aerodynamics of this ball and fears that long range shots would curl and dip. Michael Ballack showed that was possible for the Germans putting the Austrians out last night with a 35 yard screamer from a free kick, but largely goals have not come that way. Czech explained that he had tried to catch the ball and fluffed it when he should have punched it. All of which might not have mattered if the Turks had not also banged another two quick goals past him to pinch a slot against a Croatia team that are growing in confidence and self esteem under a mix of Slaven Bilic's shrewd management and some naked patrioism.
