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

[SuperMatt18]

That goal might be good for Croatia.

0-0 is bad for them, 1-0 is bad, but 1-1 is good.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Notorious Honey Badger

Well now it is.

Ya, now it is.

Spain score their favorite way, walking one into the back of the net.

[You Need a Thneed]

That Spanish goal changes absolutely nothing for Croatia. unless Italy scores one more. Either way, a single goal would put them into the next round.

[Slacker]

^ And they just did.

[The Big Chill]

I keep getting confused, I thought one for Spain finished it. Hopefully the Croatians can grab a late one and go through.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Makes sense the 4 greasiest nations (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece...[also, somehow, the four countries most in economic peril in Europe] all got through. France just needs to make their way through to complete the poor, greasy pentafecta. Go Germany!

[GirlySports]

wow Spain are soooooo slow! They were so slow they nearly walked themselves right into 2nd place.

[SuperMatt18]

Great goal by Balotelli might be one of the goals of the tournaments so far.

Italy, Spain, and Croatia all deserved to go through but that is the trouble with the Euro's good teams get knocked out in the first round due to the difficulty of the competition.

Italy looked better playing the 3-5-2 and they probably should go back to that formation. Replace Gaicherrini with Balzaretti in the starting 11 though.

[Thunderball]

Group B and C both saw legit teams go home because of the draw... but man, talk about intense games... I thought Italy was gonna choke, but man oh man, when Mario Balotelli wants to play, there sure aren't many better strikers.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Group B and C both saw legit teams go home because of the draw... but man, talk about intense games... I thought Italy was gonna choke, but man oh man, when Mario Balotelli wants to play, there sure aren't many better strikers.

He has been good all tournament for Italy, just nervous with his finishing until that goal.

The Italians have looked much better when he is on the pitch. Need a big strong striker like him to hold up the ball in order to play the Italians style. When it is just Di Natale/Cassano/Giovinco on the pitch they have issues holding up the ball and keeping possession.

No coincidence that the tieing goals the last two games came after Balotelli was take off the field.

[Mango]

I'll throw my support in favor of Germany now.

UEFA frustrates me, but that's a story for another time.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Notorious Honey Badger

Can't even be mad, just disappointed. The Italians get thru with the identical record as Croatia, but because they scored 1 more goal (in a game they ended in a draw just as Croatia) they get thru. NM that Croatia schooled Ireland 3-1, and Italy squeaked by 1 nill.

Lame. Can't wait for Italy to get ousted.

I'm not sure what there is to complain about.

Italy and Croatia both beat Ireland by 2 goals, while Italy matched Spain and Croatia didn't.

I don't see how Croatia has anything to complain about. If they wanted to prove they were equal with Spain and Italy they had to perform against them.

Italy proved it against Spain and Croatia didn't, end of story.

Edit: and Italy qualified with 5 pts, Croatia had 4 pts. What's to complain about?

Edit2: nm you posted that when it was 0-0.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

I'm not sure what there is to complain about.

Italy and Croatia both beat Ireland by 2 goals, while Italy matched Spain and Croatia didn't.

I don't see how Croatia has anything to complain about. If they wanted to prove they were equal with Spain and Italy they had to perform against them.

Italy proved it against Spain and Croatia didn't, end of story.

He posted that while it was still 0-0 and 1-0.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

He posted that while it was still 0-0 and 1-0.

Yeah, when I kept reading I realized that was posted before Spain scored.

[GirlySports]

But in general that what happens in group play. Especially in a low scoring game like soccer. There will always be weird scenarios whether is the UEFA tiebreaker or the FIFA tiebreaker.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

On the downside because stupid Spain had to score, Italy won't get 1st in the group.

Now I'm hoping England comes out of Group D in 1st. I'd prefer them over France.

[GirlySports]

Update:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...Hc&output=html

[d_phaneuf]

for tomorrow

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...Hc&output=html

possibilities to advance based on scoreline

[Notorious Honey Badger]

Unlike the Turkey loss this one doesn't really sting. Croatia was exciting, showed a great type of game, and deserved a better fate. They had to open it up and go balls out to get a result and Spain popped a late one. Nothing to be ashamed of. If the tie breaker was different Italy would be the one going home, so, no reason to be mad over that. Onwards to World Cup qualifying and hopefully Ukraine can give me something to cheer for tomorrow

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I didn't have the clearest view at the pub. Was Spain's goal offside?