The 2012 UEFA European Championship - Poland/Ukraine - The Thread!

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by valo403

The only reason James replaced Green was that Green was never the clear choice. If Hart gives up a weak goal he's still the clear choice, he's head and shoulders ahead. If there's an injury then yes, the pickings are slim, the same could be said of most teams.

It's just an incredibly odd point to latch onto. Your backup goalies are weak? Who cares?

It hurt Italy as well. Buffon was injured in the first half of the first match and their backups were terrible. Let in weak goals against Slovakia. Those guys were so bad, two years later they're not Buffon's backups anymore.

[Locke]

Manchester United winger Nani believes Portugal's opponents at Euro 2012 will be aware of the threat posed by Paulo Bento's side, and insists Germany will be nervous when the two nations meet in their opening game.

However, Nani feels that Portugal - losing finalists at Euro 2004 - are equally well-equipped and should be considered serious contenders for a first major international title this summer.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...o-2012?cc=5901

I dont see how they should be considered 'equally well equipped' compared to Germany and Holland, not to mention they dont have a glowing record against Denmark either.

[Barnet Flame]

[NBC]

Now England's backup 'keeper is a Premier League player. They're going all the way now!

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Locke

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...o-2012?cc=5901

I dont see how they should be considered 'equally well equipped' compared to Germany and Holland, not to mention they dont have a glowing record against Denmark either.

He's just confident. Nothing wrong with that. I think a lot of people are assuming Portugal are going to be 3 and done this year and I understand the sentiment, they're in a tough group. But things don't always go the way they should.

Portugal play Germany in the first game which I think is great. Weird things can happen on the first game, and they get their toughest test out of the way. If Portugal can get a draw, that puts them in a real good spot as they play Denmark, probably their easiest game next.

Portugal's lack of depth in the middle could haunt them this tourney. Whoever plays striker, it doesn't matter, that's been a huge hole for them for a long time. When Deco left, it opened up another hole in the middle which they haven't filled. Carlos Martins(same last name as me, no relation) is not the answer.

They're going to rely heavily on Ronaldo and Nani on the wings and if they don't show up, they have no chance.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Is it June 8th yet?

Can't wait!

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Is it June 8th yet?

Can't wait!

Yup! That barnburner Poland vs Greece to start it off!

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Yup! That barnburner Poland vs Greece to start it off!

Some solid matchups on the first weekend. Portugal/Germany and Italy/Spain. Croatia/Ireland and Holland/Denmark could be great theatre as well.

[Notorious Honey Badger]

Every day that passes I get so pumped. I talked with my family back in Croatia and no one back home really has high hopes for the team this year, but, I'm sure no one gave Greece a shot at winning the Euro either. No one gave Croatia a chance in the French World Cup either and they made it to the semis and beat the Dutch for 3rd. Anything can happen in a tourney!

[KTown]

Yup I can't wait only two weeks till I fly out on June 7th to Poland!

[Mango]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Some solid matchups on the first weekend. Portugal/Germany and Italy/Spain. Croatia/Ireland and Holland/Denmark could be great theatre as well.

Time for me to be bias already.

I actually think this will be Croatia's make it or break it match. Everyone's got Italy and Spain to get out of that group and rightfully so.

I can't wait for next week; hard to believe it's almost time!

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Mango

Time for me to be bias already.

I actually think this will be Croatia's make it or break it match. Everyone's got Italy and Spain to get out of that group and rightfully so.

I can't wait for next week; hard to believe it's almost time!

I'm as much Croatian as I am Portuguese, so Hrvatska always holds a special place in my heart. I follow Portuguese players more so if Portugal/Croatia play in a major tourney, I would cheer for Ronaldo and co.

Would love Croatia to go thru, but they're in tough, but if they can get a result versus Italy, I'll be ecstatic. Lots of Italians in my circle and I'd love to rub it in.

[d_phaneuf]

I think Croatia has a good chance to get through if Modric can play like he did in the 1st half of the league season and not in the 2nd half, he needs to be the best player for them to have a chance to go through

Spain's main players have basically played for the 3 straight years with minimal break and looked very tired the last few months

Italy are bringing a very inexperienced team, only 6 players with more than 20 caps, and missing Rossi up front really hurts. Cassano is a great player but who knows how healthy he is, and Balotelli is a head case

Going to be interesting who starts up front for them, with the way Jelavic has played the last 6 months I don't know how you can't have him up top

[d_phaneuf]

So with Ruddy breaking his finger England have called up their Butland to be their 3rd goalie

that makes it 2 England keepers who played in the football league last season

meanwhile in Spain, the goalie for Manchester United can't even make their team

[Mango]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

I think Croatia has a good chance to get through if Modric can play like he did in the 1st half of the league season and not in the 2nd half, he needs to be the best player for them to have a chance to go through

Agreed. Modric has to control the midfield the way everyone knows he can. You had also mentioned Jelavic...I think this Euro is the passing of the torch to him. It will probably be Olic's swan song.

Croatia's goaltending is rough to say the least. The backline will have to be commited to get the shots on goal down because I wouldn't trust Pletikosa against my women's team, let alone the likes of Spain and Italy.

This will be a fun group to watch.

I'm really curious how Spain reacts to the loss of Villa. Obviously they have a lot of fire power, but he's a big part of that roster.

[Locke]

Friendly day!

Notable games the Swiss beat Germany 5-3 and a full strength looking England are about to play Norway with Robert Green in for Joe Hart.

Spain beat Serbia 2-0 no surprises there, and Portugal drew mighty Macedonia 0-0.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Portugal looked disinterested for 80 minutes assuming a goal was an when not an if. They pressed in the final ten but couldn't find net. Pretty poor effort.

Their lineup wasn't their strongest but still no excuse.

[Locke]

Friendlies dont tend to mean a whole lot. I dont normally draw many conclusions from them, for example I'd have expected even a makeshift German team to beat Switzerland but a lot of teams are saving themselves for the tournament.

The Dutch lost to Bulgaria. Thats not a result I was expecting.

[Notorious Honey Badger]

I wore my Croatia soccer jersey today with a blue long sleeve shirt under it. I can't wait!!!! Holy crap.

I wish I could love soccer as much as my Dad on a day to day month to month basis but I find MLS horrible. I try to watch Serie A and EPL but I find it boring and I don't have any emotional investment. But when these tourneys come around I bleed checkerboard! It's a very strange phenomena. I think international soccer is the most exiting sport spectacle there is on the planet.

Anyways counting down to the tourney...

My 1st introduction to Croatia soccer in the 90's revolved around this man:

Davor Suker! Gold boot winner in the French World Cup.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Locke

Friendlies dont tend to mean a whole lot. I dont normally draw many conclusions from them, for example I'd have expected even a makeshift German team to beat Switzerland but a lot of teams are saving themselves for the tournament.

The Dutch lost to Bulgaria. Thats not a result I was expecting.

For sure. If Portugal go onad destroy Turkey next Saturday, I won't be any more excited about the team going into the tourney, just like I'm not discouraged about today's pretty poor showing.

like I said, Portugal seemed disinterested for much of the game, showing zero urgency. They very well may be 3 and done at EURO, but it won't be for a lack of effort like today.