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

[d_phaneuf]

ya thats big, should be a win now for sure

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

ya thats big, should be a win now for sure

I dont get the huge rating for Gareth Bale. He has had several exceptional games, but I dont class him as a huge difference maker.

I dont think Gareth Bale was going to single-handedly defeat England. He could have played a major role, but its unlikely he'd be the single deciding factor.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont get the huge rating for Gareth Bale. He has had several exceptional games, but I dont class him as a huge difference maker.

I dont think Gareth Bale was going to single-handedly defeat England. He could have played a major role, but its unlikely he'd be the single deciding factor.

Gareth Bale is like Glencross. He doesn't have the best production, but doesn't need a lot of opportunities or a nice setup to score.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont get the huge rating for Gareth Bale. He has had several exceptional games, but I dont class him as a huge difference maker.

I dont think Gareth Bale was going to single-handedly defeat England. He could have played a major role, but its unlikely he'd be the single deciding factor.

he's better than any player on England, any time you have the best player (and he is going up against the other teams obvious weakness in Glen Johnson) you have a decent enough chance to win

[d_phaneuf]

the only England player who I think can match him in talent is Rooney of last year, and while he has been better lately he hasn't matched last season's form

him being out is a huge blow for Wales, they had a punchers chance before, I don't think they do now

[Locke]

Who is watching what? I'm loosely following Holland vs. Hungary.

Interesting notes, van Nistelrooy on the bench and huge injury problems for the Dutch with no Robben, Stekelenberg, van Bommel, Janssen or Huntelaar.

Granted, they shouldnt really need them against Hungary.

[d_phaneuf]

ya I have the dutch game on a stream

nice goal by Rafa

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

ya I have the dutch game on a stream

nice goal by Rafa

I'm too busy to really watch, but my stats sheet says the Dutch have 2 shots and 2 goals and Kiraly has yet to make a save.

No surprises here.

[wpgflamesfan]

Watching the Slovenia - Italy game here. Rooting for Slovenia. Italy was definitely they better team in the first but couldn't get one past Handanovic whose made a few nice save so far.

[Locke]

Love it, Spain losing 1-0 despite 80% possession.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Locke

Love it, Spain losing 1-0 despite 80% possession.

I still think they were lucky to win the World Cup, if only Robben was not useless and could have scored one of his breakaways. Plus it was a year where Italy, Brazil, and Germany all sent weaker teams then usual to the tournament.

The pundits praise them because they play "beautiful football" which personally bores the hell out of me because all they do all game is pass it to each other in the midfield.

It does look like Spain's time at the top may be closing to an end though since their "A" Squad has lost to Switzerland, Portugal, Argentina and tied Mexico within the last 10 months.

[d_phaneuf]

They don't play beautiful football at all in my opinion, they won because they didn't allow a goal at either the 08 Euro or 2010 WC in an elimination game

they are the definition of why international football doesn't match club football, all the talent in the world and they play every game like Wolverhampton on the road

[Lee of Red]

England aren't going to win this, simply because they are their own worst enemy. I can feel them now, already panicking about what's going to get written on the back page if they even just get a draw.

Time will show Speed making Ramsey captain to be a masterstroke. Wales will win 1-0 with the ugliest goal possible.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I still think they were lucky to win the World Cup, if only Robben was not useless and could have scored one of his breakaways. Plus it was a year where Italy, Brazil, and Germany all sent weaker teams then usual to the tournament.

The pundits praise them because they play "beautiful football" which personally bores the hell out of me because all they do all game is pass it to each other in the midfield.

It does look like Spain's time at the top may be closing to an end though since their "A" Squad has lost to Switzerland, Portugal, Argentina and tied Mexico within the last 10 months.

Thats the new 'greatest way to play.' Didnt you know?

I personally hate it, but I guess you have to admit that its effective.

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

They don't play beautiful football at all in my opinion, they won because they didn't allow a goal at either the 08 Euro or 2010 WC in an elimination game

they are the definition of why international football doesn't match club football, all the talent in the world and they play every game like Wolverhampton on the road

You realize that Spain are basically a club team. Spain are Barcelona with Casillas and Xabi Alonso.

Personally, I love international matches and think they're far superior to club competitions. But then I dont tend to watch crappy teams.

Crappy teams are crappy teams, whether they belong to a country or an independent owner.

[SeoulFire]

Fat Frank with a penalty to give England the lead.

[d_phaneuf]

Parker was MOTM for me, all action for the 80 something minutes he played

I thought it was a good performance by most of the team, Rooney and Bent were a little lazy at times (especially Bent on Wilshere's through ball that he could have gotten and likely scored on)

[Locke]

Hoping the Germans put in an inspired performance.

[Mango]

Worst soccer Croatia has ever played. They fall 1-0 to Georgia, who scored in the 90th on their first and only shot on goal. I think this is it for Slaven Bilic. To play with one striker the whole game and clog the midfield when Modric should be given room...I'm at a loss of what to say.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Mango

Worst soccer Croatia has ever played. They fall 1-0 to Georgia, who scored in the 90th on their first and only shot on goal. I think this is it for Slaven Bilic. To play with one striker the whole game and clog the midfield when Modric should be given room...I'm at a loss of what to say.

On the upside, Georgia finally wins a game. Go Georgia!

And Germany up 1-0 within the first 5 minutes.

[Locke]

Germany strolling along.