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

[d_phaneuf]

Ronaldo's teammates need to step up more than he does

he should have had at least 2 assists vs Germany if players had finished, including one from Nani the one player you expect who should

[d_phaneuf]

Here is why the English media, outside of the Guardian, Beeb, and maybe the Independent are just terrible

headline in a paper today

'I have to play on - who else have we got?': Parker vows to defy gammy Achilles

actual quote

Parker said: “Myself and Steven (Gerrard) just have to keep going. We have to, don’t we? If selected, I’m sure we can keep going.

“There’s not a lot of cover in midfield, but I’m sure we’ll be fine, and we have got other boys who can come in.”

[GirlySports]

There hasn't been a 0-0 game yet in the tournament.

This one has 0-0 written all over it.

Denmark, with 3 points in the bank, will defend with 10 men behind the ball.
Portugal will have 65% of the ball but won't be able to break the Danish defense down.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Ronaldo's teammates need to step up more than he does

he should have had at least 2 assists vs Germany if players had finished, including one from Nani the one player you expect who should

Ronaldo needs the ball at his feet more. He only had 38 touches against Germany. That isn't enough for the best player in the squad.

Portugal will attack, Denmark will defend. Can Denmark pull off another win?

The result of this match greatly influences the Netherlands- Germany match. I'm kind of hoping for a Denmark win just so the Nethetlands will be forced to all out attack and that vulnerable back 4 will be left even more vulnerable on the counter attack

[Locke]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Bento is starting Postiga tomorrow at striker again despite him being pretty awful versus Germany. So he told reporters at least.

Not a fan of this choice, I would like to see Almeida get a chance for 60 minutes to use his big lumbering body to advantage as I believe will be in Denmark's final third a lot tomorrow. Well, more than versus Germany's before the goal.

Ronaldo has to step up tomorrow. He just flat out has to and he needs players like Mountinho and Meireles to feed him the ball in stride and use that speed. He needs to win free kicks and he needs to take a few as well. Portugal didn't win one free kick in a dangerous area versus Germany.

9 hours away....the nerves are kicking in again.

Huge game, honestly though I liked that kid Varela that came on at the end of the Germany game, he needs more playing time.

That said, all of Portugal has to step up, Ronaldo looks like his strategy is to do nothing, hope the defenders leave him alone and then attack.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

There hasn't been a 0-0 game yet in the tournament.

This one has 0-0 written all over it.

Denmark, with 3 points in the bank, will defend with 10 men behind the ball.
Portugal will have 65% of the ball but won't be able to break the Danish defense down.

I dont think you're giving the Danes enough credit and giving Portugal far too much. The Danes can play with Portugal, these two teams have considerable experience with one another, the Danes can win this and so can the Portuguese but I dont think the Danes are going to all out defend like they did against Holland.

The Portuguese are not the Dutch, they dont have the same level of talent and so defending against the Dutch and playing the counter was a wise decision on the part of the Danes, but they dont have to do that here.

Granted the 3 points in the bank and the need for only a draw changes things as well, but these teams know that they can beat one another, it depends on their confidence levels and I think the Danes' confidence to win should be quite high.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the outcome of this game and how it affects the Dutch. A Portuguese win and a Dutch win and the whole group on 3 points would suit the group of death, but a Dutch win over Germany is a big ask.

The group could also be over today, a Danish win and a German win and you're going to see some interesting lineups on the third game day.

Definitely going to be fun.

[You Need a Thneed]

Go Portugal (blech!) for a 1-0 win.

Go Netherlands for a 4-1 win!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Go Portugal (blech!) for a 1-0 win.

Go Netherlands for a 4-1 win!

Not this. Never this.

[Howie_16]

A couple of pictures sent to me from Germany this morning:





I'll predict a 2-0 Germany win today. Herr Gomez with both goals.

[GirlySports]

Locke: I think even if Denmark and Germany win today they will want to win the last game.

A) The first place team stays in Poland and doesn't have to switch countries.
B) The 2nd place team might have to play 1st place Ukraine in Kiev! (not fun)

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Locke: I think even if Denmark and Germany win today they will want to win the last game.

A) The first place team stays in Poland and doesn't have to switch countries.
B) The 2nd place team might have to play 1st place Ukraine in Kiev! (not fun)

You're right, theres lots of motivation to not have to go to the Ukraine.

[Locke]

John Helm! #### yeah!

[North East Goon]

Who needs doctors when you have spray!!!

[NBC]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

Who needs doctors when you have spray!!!

Years ago it used to be the magic sponge.

---------

In preparation for tonight's match...

Euro 2012: History of the Dutch-German rivalry

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18424908

[The Big Chill]

Thats got to be close to a red card for Miereles. He stuck an arm up and handled the ball on purpose to prevent a clean breakaway. Oh well. Come on Denmark, get one back!

[Locke]

Hey, theres a surprise, a Ronaldo dive for a free kick.

[Locke]

2 goals for Portugal? That must be some kind of record for them, they didnt score 2 goals in their last 4 games.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

This is great. Three nice goals!

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

Who needs doctors when you have spray!!!

Haven't seen the stretcher teams yet this tournament, at least not when I've been watching.

I miss stretchers being brought out for player who broke a nail.

[GirlySports]

I couldn't watch the first half, needless to say, the scoreline shocks me.

[flamingreen]

Postiga with the dive of the tournament so far.