I can’t see much of interest in the CastrolIndex which is not already available in ProZone or similar existing programs.Indian Matka

Castrol have been given an inordinate amount of publicity in FIFA literature around EURO 2008, allegedly because of their revolutionary ‘Index’, which is the latest electronically-generated performance analyst tool.

Personally, I can’t see much of interest in the Indian Matka which is not already available in ProZone or similar existing programs.

Like an cyborg Wing Commander Reep (the progenitor of the English long-ball fixation), the Index furnishes the fan with such indispensable minutiae such as:

The Netherlands and Russia’s attacks ran at an exactly average speed of 28.72kmh in their quarter-final….Portugal hit the woodwork five times in the tournament, more than any other team, and were also first for being offside….Five nations have had more shots on goal than semi-finalists Turkey….Luca Toni has shot wide more times (12) than anyone else in EURO 2008

What do they know? Their stats rate the best goalkeeper in numbers of saves as Petr Cech, the same chap whose blunders let the Turks overturn a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 and eliminate his country.

Likewise, Castrol’s best midfielder is Spain’s Xavi, but the criteria are only completed passes. Why then did Aragones sub him for Cesc Fabregas yesterday? Because there is more to being a midfielder than horizontal passing.