Still the goals keep going, still teams refuse to sit back and merely defend, and still the Dutch look like the best football team at Euro 2008. It's almost as if the players and the coaches of all the nations have got together and decided to play with the care-free air of an end of year party. At the end of a year which has seen my spine start to curl with cynicism over the state of the modern game, it's like a breath of fresh air, as, for about the sixth match in a row, two of Europe's best played out an absolutely magnificent match which could have gone in either direction but ended in another resounding win for a Dutch team that is rapidly starting to look as good as the team that won the competition twenty years ago, or even (whisper it) the great team of the 1970s.

All the talk of Italy and France in their biggest encounter could be mere piffle if Romania wins against the Oranje.

The Oranje may decide to take their foot off the accelerator for this match, inconsequential to their advancement. If they do, then Romania has a chance.

Well, as good a chance as any, considering their ball possession will be similar to Bush's approval rating.

Arsene Wenger is pursuing the Zenit St. Petersburg striker with deadly intent notwithstanding his coy statements. To do that he has to cloud Arshavin's mind by blurring Arsenal's style with that of Barca (which remains Arshavin's first choice). Having Cesc Fabregas team up with the Arshavin on display in this Euro should be a mouthwatering proposition for Arsenal this season.

We're all familiar with that "Who ME?" look most players give when they're called for a foul. Eyes wide. Hands raised. Mouth open in shock that the ref could mistake their sweet and innocent behavior for a foul. And this is particularly true when the suspected foul takes place anywhere even remotely close to the box.

Marcos Senna is being celebrated as a find, a player finally giving teeth to the much maligned Spanish defence, a noteworthy ally in its potent attack. But he is in a minority because this Euro shone a spotlight on the number of flatfooted defenses which became red meat for swift counter attacks.

Part 2 of Premiership Talk's season preview features Blackburn and Bolton.
Blackburn
Best Case: 8th place. Blackburn were lucky to squeeze into 7th place last season, and I don't think they can do it again. With aging stars such as Brad Friedel, Andre Ooijer, and Ryan Nelsen I can't see them doing better than last season's performance.

Everton and Blackburn played out a very entertaining game which Blackburn ran out 3-2 winners thanks to a last minute goal from Andre Ooijer. David Dunn gave Blackburn the lead in the 21st minute but just on the stroke of half-time a Mikel Arteta free kick ensured the sides went in level at the break.

Picture from the BBC via Getty Images.
Continuing on with what I started last week.
Blackburn Rovers v Hull City: Richard Garcia's equalizer five minutes from halftime makes sure the game ends honors even at Ewood Park 1-1.
The offsides trap can be a tricky thing and it was the root cause of both goals.

Now Blackburn Rovers defender Andre Ooijer has more than a funny name; he has an admirer in Louis van Gaal. Tribal Football reports that the AZ Alkmaar manager did indeed approach his Dutch compatriot earlier this month but was turned down by the player. The former FC Barcelona coach is quoted as saying: He is a Dutch [.

Russian playmaker Andrei Arshavin has claimed that a move to Spanish giants Barcelona would be the culmination of everything he has worked for in his career.
After being suspended for Russia's opening two games of Euro 2008, Arshavin has set their campaign alight with a string of impressive performances for one of the tournaments dark-horses which has led Guus Hiddink's side to within one victory of a showdown with either Germany or Turkey in the final.