Euro 2012.

The UEFA Euro 2012 Champion is...

  • Total voters
    32
  • Poll closed .
F

forthegame

Hall of Fame
Time for some real football!

At work all day so missed the opening match. Watching Russia v Czech Republic now and the atmosphere seems to have picked up after the first goal.

Hoping for an exciting tournament!
 
F

forthegame

Hall of Fame
Russia absolutely creaming the Czechs!

Petr Cech not so great without John Terry diving around in front of him, LNGKMD!
 
SempreSami

SempreSami

Hall of Fame
Thought Poland - Greece wasn't too bad for an opening game with two of the tournament's relatively low profile teams. Two goals, two red cards, terrible keeping for crosses and a saved penalty!
 
F

forthegame

Hall of Fame
^^
LOL indeed!

BTW, had no idea Milan Baros was still playing football. Shocked to hear his name and see him play, still a bit rubbish though.
 
norbac

norbac

Legend
I'm surprised Arshavin didn't score at least twice today. It's okay, he can make up for it next week.
 
consigliere

consigliere

Rookie
The 1st group matches are an absolute joke compared to the battlefields thats going to happen in the rest. Russia played great though, i've always liked them and hopefully they get far in this tournment.
 
chmee

chmee

Professional
The opening matches vere entertaining but for the tournament generally insignificant. Tomorrow the real showdown will begin:)
 
Breaker

Breaker

Legend
Russia will be dangerous and a match for anyone in the other groups. They tore apart Italy last week in similar fashion to this win and are strong all over the park, to say they're insignificant is a bit much - there's more than just Germany/Spain/Holland in this tournament..
 
Feña14

Feña14

G.O.A.T.
Breaker said:
Russia will be dangerous and a match for anyone in the other groups. They tore apart Italy last week in similar fashion to this win and are strong all over the park, to say they're insignificant is a bit much - there's more than just Germany/Spain/Holland in this tournament..
Click to expand...

They say the Euro's are harder to win than the World Cup, it's tough to argue with that really.

There's Germany, Holland and Portugal in one group. England, France, Sweden and the hosts Ukraine in another. Italy, Spain, Ireland and Croatia also put together, that's tough.

The groups at the World Cup usually have 1 or 2 minows that you fancy to rack up your goal difference against and ease yourself into the tournament. At the Euro's there are no such teams, you can't ease into it and big names are guarenteed to be going home before the quarter finals.
 
Breaker

Breaker

Legend
Feña14 said:
They say the Euro's are harder to win than the World Cup, it's tough to argue with that really.

There's Germany, Holland and Portugal in one group. England, France, Sweden and the hosts Ukraine in another. Italy, Spain, Ireland and Croatia also put together, that's tough.

The groups at the World Cup usually have 1 or 2 minows that you fancy to rack up your goal difference against and ease yourself into the tournament. At the Euro's there are no such teams, you can't ease into it and big names are guarenteed to be going home before the quarter finals.
Click to expand...

I'd use the phrase 'easier to lose' rather than harder to win as the top South American teams are about the same level as top European ones making a wider pool of favourites, tournaments like the Euros/Copa America/ACON can certainly be a bit more dangerous for those same favourites though I agree, much more room for a surprise team to get through as there's less of a gap between the top and bottom.

Just look at the Copa America and ACON this past year, Zambia win a major trophy - Paraguay/Peru/Venezuela made up for 3/4 semifinal spots in Copa America with Brazil and Argentina out in the quarters - combine that with the history of upsets in the Euros the past few times such as Turkey squeaking into the semis and of course the famous Greek win and it's easy to see the how top nations aren't necessarily locks to sweep through.
 
SempreSami

SempreSami

Hall of Fame
Expanding the Euros is the worst thing they could have done, since the big nations will get seeded and therefore situations like Group B in this year's tournament won't happen.
 
R

Ross K

Legend
^^^ Yes, like with the World Cup going to Qatar, on a few levels, you've got to question the desirability of the Euros in the Ukraine, etc.

Just re footballing matters, I'm looking forward to seeing the Dutch, France, and Germany - all of whom seem to have a a lot of exciting potential. I'm personally not so quickly writing off Spain as having peaked, as a few seem to be doing in the press. Re my country, England, for once, no one is expecting very much at all, and that includes me.
 
bezs

bezs

G.O.A.T.
I like the US Espn ad for the Euros.

http://youtu.be/6XOT-96o44E

Russia were fantastic, Arshavin plays well he doesn't have to defend. Germany should beat Portugal tonight.

So looking forward to watching the Oranje in action. Hup Holland Hup!!!!!
 
R

Ross K

Legend
Game on :) ...

For 30 mins the Dutch were kind of giving a leisurely master class. Afellay looks so good. Robben seemingly back in the groove. Classy, measured possession football, a few chances, etc, all in Holland's favour. For Denmark, a total rear-guard action. And then...

Well, it's not the first half score I was expecting. Let's see how it pans out.
 
F

forthegame

Hall of Fame
Why aren't the Dutch attacking in numbers?? Too few options when they do pile forward.

Van Persie disappointing so far.
 
kiki

kiki

Banned
This is probably the toughest Euro ever and close to the toughest ever world class tournament, including most of World cups ( I just can think of 1970,1982,1998 world cups being comparable)
 
soyizgood

soyizgood

G.O.A.T.
The Danes beat the Dutch 1-0. Now you see why the Dutch have never won the World Cup. They looked fatigued, sloppy, and out of rhythm.
 
Breaker

Breaker

Legend
soyizgood said:
The Danes beat the Dutch 1-0. Now you see why the Dutch have never won the World Cup. They looked fatigued, sloppy, and out of rhythm.
Click to expand...

How does this one result have any bearing on the previous world cups, especially considering largely this same team just made the world cup final and needed a dive from Iniesta to beat them in extra time. They dominated this game and lost because of poor finishing from normally lethal forwards, no other reason.
 
soyizgood

soyizgood

G.O.A.T.
Breaker said:
How does this one result have any bearing on the previous world cups, especially considering largely this same team just made the world cup final and needed a dive from Iniesta to beat them in extra time. They dominated this game and lost because of poor finishing from normally lethal forwards, no other reason.
Click to expand...

The Dutch are known for offensive prowess, but their defense has always been suspect. Out of the European sides I usually root for the Dutch, so I'm not hating. Robben will give it his all every time, Van Persie at times looks like his mind is in another galaxy, but the Dutch don't really fight for possession much. If they don't jump out early, they're almost pedestrian.
 
Last edited:
chmee

chmee

Professional
Breaker said:
Russia will be dangerous and a match for anyone in the other groups. They tore apart Italy last week in similar fashion to this win and are strong all over the park, to say they're insignificant is a bit much - there's more than just Germany/Spain/Holland in this tournament..
Click to expand...

I didn't want to be disrespective on any parttaking nation. Just that no one of yesterday's four teams can be considered as a top contender for the title.

After the first major upset Germany is now taking on the Peacocks...
 
soyizgood

soyizgood

G.O.A.T.
Almost a goal by Portugal. If only the ball bounced 1/2 ball length more. 0-0 at half. Both sides looking sloppy, but this is at Portugal's ugly, drawn out pace.
 
soyizgood

soyizgood

G.O.A.T.
Germany scores! Gomez scores just before he was supposed to be taken out for Klose. LOL

Ronaldo is a choker at the big events. Only 1 goal from him in big events for Portugal.

And it ends Germany 1 - Portugal 0.
 
Last edited:
chmee

chmee

Professional
< Indeed, the upcoming Klose on the side line was the decisive move from team Germany:)

All in all, I was surprised how destructive the Portugese played till the goal. The last two encounters 2006 & 2008 were very different. But this delicate group has it's own rules with every match being a kind of final.

Lucky win for my team & it can only get better quality-wise...
 
soyizgood

soyizgood

G.O.A.T.
Messi scores!! Argentina 4, Brazil 3. :)

I know, it's not part of the thread, but it's been epic fun. Not my fault South American football >>> entertaining than European football. Or that Messi > Ronaldo.
 
Last edited:
R

Ross K

Legend
forthegame said:
Why aren't the Dutch attacking in numbers?? Too few options when they do pile forward.

Van Persie disappointing so far.
Click to expand...

Interesting to hear fellow-Dutch team mate Clarence Seedorf saying on TV how RvP never seems to rise to the occasion on the very biggest of stages and how he tenses up and needs to play more relaxed.
 
consigliere

consigliere

Rookie
soyizgood said:
I know, it's not part of the thread, but it's been epic fun. Not my fault South American football >>> entertaining than European football. Or that Messi > Ronaldo.
Click to expand...

While I agree on the latter part, there's no way SA football is better than European. In SA there are only 2 competing teams ( Uruguay does damage when they're in the mood too ) but that's it. In Europe, there are many competitive strong teams, which is the reason the Euro Cup is the most watched event after the world cup, with copa america coming third.

Also, that Argentina/Brazil match is thrilling cause its a friendly, if it was official, they would've been more reserved.
 
bezs

bezs

G.O.A.T.
Italy's defence is in shambles, De Rossi in defence in a 3-5-2 which they usually don't play doesn't look good for them.

Sneijder played well against the Danes, RvP was really off i mean an air shot with his usual lethal left foot. Robben was a bit off as well passing when he should have shot and shooting when he should pass. I just hope they can somehow salvage the situation and make the quarters.
 
D

Deleted member 21996

Guest
chmee said:
< Indeed, the upcoming Klose on the side line was the decisive move from team Germany:)

All in all, I was surprised how destructive the Portugese played till the goal. The last two encounters 2006 & 2008 were very different. But this delicate group has it's own rules with every match being a kind of final.

Lucky win for my team & it can only get better quality-wise...
Click to expand...

actually as someone who was on the opposite side, i think it's fully deserved!
 
SempreSami

SempreSami

Hall of Fame
soyizgood said:
Messi scores!! Argentina 4, Brazil 3. :)

I know, it's not part of the thread, but it's been epic fun. Not my fault South American football >>> entertaining than European football. Or that Messi > Ronaldo.
Click to expand...

If bad defending and Neymar's hilarious diving is your idea of entertainment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
  • Poll
UEFA Euro 2020(1)
35 36 37
Replies
2K
Views
21K
Poisoned Slice
Poisoned Slice
kishnabe
2012 ATP Sudden Death League: Davis Cup...eheheh
2
Replies
81
Views
6K
CDNguy87
C
3fees
Djokovic clinches 2012 Emirates Airline US Open Series men's title
Replies
2
Views
849
oy vey
oy vey
Rhino
Biggest choke from a winning position
2
Replies
61
Views
12K
The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight
rfprse
Open 13 Marseille *spoilers*
2 3
Replies
127
Views
7K
Marius_Hancu
Marius_Hancu
Top