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

[Locke]

Why was Nani allowed to take that penalty? I thought he was subbed off.

[troutman]

Casillas was ice cold.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Those were some perfect penalties. goalie went the right way and yet they still scored a couple times.

Spain to the finals. Who will join them?

[Table 5]

It's always a pleasure watching Ronaldo fail. It would be extra fun if it came out that he demanded to shoot last.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Table 5

It's always a pleasure watching Ronaldo fail. It would be extra fun if it came out that he demanded to shoot last.

I'm sure he was on the list as the 5th shooter.

Which is shody strategy... if you're shooting 2nd in the shootout, you shouldn't have your best player shoot last.

[Locke]

No surprises here.

[SuperMatt18]

I would like a Spain-Italy final.

The last two World Champions and Italy has provided Spain some tough match ups throughout their dominance from 2008-2012.

[Red John]

Hopefully Germany takes care of business tomorrow.

Would be nice to see a final with the two best teams in the tournament.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I'm sure he was on the list as the 5th shooter.

Which is shody strategy... if you're shooting 2nd in the shootout, you shouldn't have your best player shoot last.

Oh he definitely was the 5th shooter....I was implying that perhaps he wanted to be 5th in case there was some glory to be had by being the one who seals the deal.

[PIMking]

I don't know if anyone here knows that Mercedes has a rather large plant here in Tuscaloosa. All of their SUV's are made here and we have a rather large German community. The fiance and I have a good friend who attends the university that is German and her parents are here for Mercedes. Well the Buffalo Wild Wings is packed during the German matches with nothing but German fans, it's a great atmosphere and I will try to get pictures for you guys tomorrow. Hopefully we have a good match tomorrow, it looks like Schweinsteiger will play tomorrow too.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Red John

Hopefully Germany takes care of business tomorrow.

Would be nice to see a final with the two best teams in the tournament.

Define best 2 teams.

Italy has scored half as many as Germany but they've conceded half as many as Germany.

Comparing records is meaningless because they've played different competition.

Furthermore if you think Spain is top 2 how do you explain the fact that Italy out chanced them in their head to head match up?

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Define best 2 teams.

Italy has scored half as many as Germany but they've conceded half as many as Germany.

Comparing records is meaningless because they've played different competition.

Furthermore if you think Spain is top 2 how do you explain the fact that Italy out chanced them in their head to head match up?

they were co-favorites, they have the most talent

[Table 5]

Definitely hoping for an Italy-Spain final, but would settle for Spain-Germany. Either way, I'm cheering again the Germans.

[sadora]

I'm pretty sure that Germany will go through to the final. Spain vs Germany is really what this tournament deserves, and as much as I would love nothing more than Spain winning a third consecutive title, I think the Germans are the strongest team in this tournament.

Still......Vamos con La Roja!

[moon]

Not a lot to choose from considering the last 3 (well 4 actually) teams left. Unlikeable teams and unlikable fans.

I guess the Germans are the least unlikeable out of the 3 in both categories so hopefully they win.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Well that was my third hardest sports loss to swallow as a fan. Portugal vs Greece in 04 is the top, followed by Flames and Lightning Game 7.

This one was tough for a number of reasons

1. It was Spain
2. Portugal deserved to be there and played Spain really well. Didn't like how Spain took over in ET. I think if ET was 10 minutes longer, Spain would have scored.
3. First ever Portugal shootout loss that I've experienced, it hurts.
4. Ronaldo's window is closing and this might have been Portugal's best chance with him in his prime.
5. I shudder when I think of this team minus Ronaldo 5-6 years from now. I don't see much in terms of youth. I know they were runner up at last year's world youth championship, but there wasn't a ton of standouts. Nelson Oliveira is a Ronaldo like whiner with way less skill. He'll amount to nothing.


In regards to Ronaldo being the 5th kick taker, I've never been a fan of that philosophy, but Bruno Alves missed by half an inch. It's not like he had a horrid shot, so pinning the loss on that decision doesn't seem fair to me. Not to mention, Ronaldo has missed his last two PK's(CL semi, friendly versus Turkey), he was not guaranteed to score. I did find it strange that the two centre backs were part of the 5 takers, but I think Bento wanted the more veteran guys to test their nerves. I understand his thinking.


This one stings, but now my focus is on watching Italy and their "Italian every two years" fans that dominate the streets in my city lose.

[GirlySports]

I think what hurts the most VANFLAMESFAN is Ronaldo had multiple chances to kill Spain in the 2nd half and didn't do it. He had a couple of free kicks.. the best one was just outside the box after the handball. He shot them all over the bar. And that chance right on the stroke of 90 tearing down the left on a counter-attack... he should have buried that.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I think what hurts the most VANFLAMESFAN is Ronaldo had multiple chances to kill Spain in the 2nd half and didn't do it. He had a couple of free kicks.. the best one was just outside the box after the handball. He shot them all over the bar. And that chance right on the stroke of 90 tearing down the left on a counter-attack... he should have buried that.

The rush at the end of the game was the best chance, but Meireles gave Ronaldo a bad pass. In saying that, he should have done better.

Very frustrating.

[GirlySports]

Do you think he could have cut back to his right like his goal against Holland or was he too far out?

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Do you think he could have cut back to his right like his goal against Holland or was he too far out?

That's what I was thinking as well, but he was farther out and I think he might have been close down by a trailing Spainard. Will have to watch again to be sure.