Euro 2012

[Alcatraz]

It was very nice to see England play in an exciting game, and actually win it

[kaosmark2]

Czech-Poland game is disappointingly scrappy so far. Poland look a bit panicked, too desperate to get a goal and not just relaxing and playing their game, but certainly better than Czechs so far.

Anyone watching Greece-Russia? How's that game going?

Edit: Since posting, Czechs have got a lot better, played some half-decent football, but they're not trying to stretch themselves to win it.

Edit 2: Poor goal from Russia's point of view. Really bad defending. Should open the Czechs up, and hopefully mean we get an exciting 2nd half. Russia will be under more pressure to attack, and hopefully show their best, but I imagine Greece will get more defensive.

Edited June 16, 2012 by kaosmark2

[pink_triangle]

Bloody hell, would be a huge turnaround if Russia went out. The group b teams would be licking their lips in prospect of their quarter finals.

[kaosmark2]

I know. Gotta say the Czechs have impressed 2nd half though. Sivok's been effective in midfield and Pilar looks really good. Baros doesn't look anywhere near as good as he did when slotting in between Koller and Nedved.

[pink_triangle]

The trouble with this tournament having 2 relatively weak hosts is that the groups have been a little skewed and we ended up with a group with Greece and Czech republic going through. Germany are going to be the happiest team in the tournament and shold be able to get to the semis without expending too much physical or mental energy. Assuming Germany go through, I think who joins them is fascinating as they will be favourties for a semi final place. Nobody is talking about portugal but they are in a good postion, personally I hope holland turn it around and find some form. The results today also should be a warning for England not to let complatency sink in or they could head te same way as russia.

[kaosmark2]

I really hope it's not Portugal. For a team with their attacking quality they've been disgustingly defensive whenever against a vaguely half-good team, like they were in the WC.

Still trying to work out which game to watch. Probably Germany-Denmark based on that Portugal will probably trust the Germans and go for a draw.

[pink_triangle]

I really hope it's not Portugal. For a team with their attacking quality they've been disgustingly defensive whenever against a vaguely half-good team, like they were in the WC.

Still trying to work out which game to watch. Probably Germany-Denmark based on that Portugal will probably trust the Germans and go for a draw.

[kaosmark2]

I think it may suit holland knowing exactly what they need to do and I hope they win. My intital thought was that Germany would fancy denmark going through but is it really to their advantage sticking czechs v denmark to the other side of the draw and giving their potential final opposition an easy semi. Im surprised to hear Germany will play their first team today, I think if you have the backup that they do it makes sense to use them in a game like this.

[pink_triangle]

I really hope it's not Portugal. For a team with their attacking quality they've been disgustingly defensive whenever against a vaguely half-good team, like they were in the WC.

Still trying to work out which game to watch. Probably Germany-Denmark based on that Portugal will probably trust the Germans and go for a draw.

[kaosmark2]

Portugal defintely not disgustingly defensive today, completely outclassed the dutch . As I said previously nobdy is taking about portugal but I think they are definte contenders. They have by far the best player in the tournament (probably one of the best european players of all time) and if he carries on like he has today and they get a bit of luck then who knows.

I was defintely wrong that Germany should play a second string side, it could have put them out.

[strummer77]

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/18440947

this is an option, which presumably some people actually chose, to watch the matches

"who scored?" ...

mind, they can shout goooooooaaaaal for a very long time, with all the enthusiasm of a royal at a jubilee concert

[The Nal]

Never does it in the big games of course.

This was lovely.

[A-Rob]

Ronaldo yesterday showed that he is still one of the best footballers in the world.

Today fixtures are intresting, I expect Ireland to go all out against Italy maybe they get at least a point from thisn Tournatment. While Italy will try to win at all costs.

The other encounter is tricky, they know that a draw (especially 2-2) will be enough for both teams to qualify, however I still expect Spain to go for the win tonight.

My predications to qualify

Spain

Crotia

[pink_triangle]

Ronaldo yesterday showed that he is still one of the best footballers in the world.

Today fixtures are intresting, I expect Ireland to go all out against Italy maybe they get at least a point from thisn Tournatment. While Italy will try to win at all costs.

The other encounter is tricky, they know that a draw (especially 2-2) will be enough for both teams to qualify, however I still expect Spain to go for the win tonight.

My predications to qualify

Spain

Crotia

[The Nal]

Ronaldo yesterday showed that he is still one of the best footballers in the world.

[eFestivals]

Good first half, I'd have the ox and walcott on to provide the crosses for Carroll, Milner looks too slow to get to the byline though I supsect he's on partly to protect Glen Johnston.

Walcott isn't a high-ball crosser, he crosses to feet. I suspect that's why Milner got the nod before him, and nowt to do with the terrific-on-Friday Johnson.

I've been laughing all weekend that the three most-criticised players in the squad (except perhaps Downing) are the three players who put in the winning performances for England on Friday.

[the_hedge]

Milner will start as managers like his defensive qualities. He is very disciplined and helps keep the shape, and we all know Roy likes his shape. He wil probably strart with Walcott being used as impact or to give him a rest later in the game.

[The Nal]

indeed, like him or not, he was pretty impressive last night. His second goal was class.. the way he just sort of waited for the dutch guy to fall over

[pink_triangle]

Incredible footballer. Love watching him play. So exciting, always looking for the ball.

[eFestivals]

Have to say though, Holland were atrocious in all their games.

I have to laugh at people thinking that Portugal would exit the group with zero points, when in fact it was Holland.

I reckon the odds on that would have been excellent - does anyone know what they were?

[The Nal]

As someone mentioned ont he radio yesterday he has been unlucky that he has spent the last few years constantly being compared to one of the greatest players of all time. I would say apart from Zidane he is the best european player I have seen.

Edited June 18, 2012 by The Nal

[Jaybles]

I've been laughing all weekend that the three most-criticised players in the squad (except perhaps Downing) are the three players who put in the winning performances for England on Friday.

[eFestivals]

Which three are you on about?

Carroll, Walcott, and Johnson.

I don't think any of them was 'world class' or anything on Friday, but as far as I'm concerned they stood out as the three best players by quite a margin - which really only gets to show how shite the others were.

Welbeck had a decent game too, tho really that's only getting said because of the superb quality of his goal. Without that goal there wouldn't have been too much to say about him.

I saw some posts earlier were someone was saying that Cashley had a decent game, but I thought he was awful - he was caught out time and again being right up the field when Sweden attacked down that side. But to be fair to him I don't think too much of that was his fault, but more caused by what Young was doing in front of him. Because Young kept wandering inside Cashley kept feeling he had run on in front of him - which would have been OK, if Young had ever had a lesson in defending.

[kaosmark2]

Young was absolutely godawful though. He was so bad it's stupid.

[Donkey]

My predictions for tonight : Italy to pump a rubbish Ireland side and Spain to beat ten man Croatia.