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

[Jagger]

The Scots tie it up.......to the relief of Scots everywhere. Flippin Liechtenstein!

[d_phaneuf]

Croatia/Greece ends 0-0

Croatia can't be happy with that

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

first result of the day.

Russia 0 - 1 Slovakia.

That's quite an upset!

[d_phaneuf]

why is SWP on the team, that was horrible

[d_phaneuf]

Bent!

nice to see him get his 1st for England

[chris_yk]

Yessssssssss darren bent

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Portugal are so frustrating to support. At times, they can look world class, but lately, they are playing like a team that believes they don't have to earn a spot in these tournaments. Another boring, frustrating sad performance by this squad.

This was a match where there was no better team. Norway were bad, Portugal was pretty bad. Norway's goal was a gift given to them by keeper Eduardo. He mis played a back pass and Carew blocked his clearance, leaving an open net for the Norwegian player to put it in.

After the goal, Norway sat back, like plenty of teams do, hoping to not lose. Portugal tried, but didn't really create much. Didn;t test the keeper enough. In fact, they barely tested him. Portugal did score, but it was called back on the offside. Almeida was offside for sure.

Portugal is putting themselves into a tight spot to qualify. With only 6 games remaining, they probably have to win 5 if not all 6 to get a top 2 spot. Next up, at home to Denmark. It's going to be a tough one. Ronaldo should be back so we won't have to see the enigma that is Quaresma in the lineup. So good against Cyprus, next to useless versus Norway.

[SuperMatt18]

4-0 to Italy now but there might be some bad news for CP as it looks like Tranmere keeper Gunnar Nielson may have hurt his shoulder making an unreal save on Antonio Cassano.

[d_phaneuf]

England look good on qualifying again, definitely well on their way to another quarter final defeat

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Portugal are so frustrating to support. At times, they can look world class, but lately, they are playing like a team that believes they don't have to earn a spot in these tournaments. Another boring, frustrating sad performance by this squad.

This was a match where there was no better team. Norway were bad, Portugal was pretty bad. Norway's goal was a gift given to them by keeper Eduardo. He mis played a back pass and Carew blocked his clearance, leaving an open net for the Norwegian player to put it in.

After the goal, Norway sat back, like plenty of teams do, hoping to not lose. Portugal tried, but didn't really create much. Didn;t test the keeper enough. In fact, they barely tested him. Portugal did score, but it was called back on the offside. Almeida was offside for sure.

Portugal is putting themselves into a tight spot to qualify. With only 6 games remaining, they probably have to win 5 if not all 6 to get a top 2 spot. Next up, at home to Denmark. It's going to be a tough one. Ronaldo should be back so we won't have to see the enigma that is Quaresma in the lineup. So good against Cyprus, next to useless versus Norway.

To be fair Portugal aren't play better or worse than anyone else.

You have Spain and then the rest and even Spain is pretty boring.

This may be drastic but you may be seeing the death of international football. The entire match is 6 or 7 guys attacking against 9 guys, back and forth and back and forth.

Another big upset.

Czech Rep. 0 - 1 Lithuania

Austria scored in the final minute to beat the mighty Kazakhstan 1-0.
Scotland and Liechtenstien are deadlocked in a 1-1 battle with 10 minutes to go.

I watched most of the Croatia-Greece match and kind of regret it now, I can hardly recall a real scoring chance. It's just bad football all around.

[d_phaneuf]

Spain are losing 3-0 right now to Argentina, both fielding pretty much full strength squads

[SuperMatt18]

That is because this is the Argentina we should have seen in the World Cup, with Cambiasso, Mascherano, and Banega together in the midfield and Zanetti back at full back they are much tougher to play against and stronger defensively.

Still though no Puyol, Xavi, Torres, or Castillas for Spain.

[GirlySports]

Scotland scored in the 7th minute of injury time!

That's a conspriacy! I would complain if I were Liechtenstienian!

[Sune76]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Scotland scored in the 7th minute of injury time!

That's a conspriacy! I would complain if I were Liechtenstienian!

that sounds like horse to me. I have never heard of 7 extra minutes


btw Sweden - SM 6-0 ibra 2 goals

[SebC]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

England look good on qualifying again, definitely well on their way to another quarter final defeat

That would still beat last time.

[KTown]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

To be fair Portugal aren't play better or worse than anyone else.

You have Spain and then the rest and even Spain is pretty boring.

This may be drastic but you may be seeing the death of international football. The entire match is 6 or 7 guys attacking against 9 guys, back and forth and back and forth.

Another big upset.

Czech Rep. 0 - 1 Lithuania

Austria scored in the final minute to beat the mighty Kazakhstan 1-0.
Scotland and Liechtenstien are deadlocked in a 1-1 battle with 10 minutes to go.

I watched most of the Croatia-Greece match and kind of regret it now, I can hardly recall a real scoring chance. It's just bad football all around.

I wouldn't consider it a huge upset, the Czechs looked terrible in the world cup qualifiers as well, we are clearly on the decline. Time to let the young guys take over. Other than Rosicky and Cech, no oter vets should be playing.

The Czechs dominated the game but they have no finish. When you rely on Baros to be your best player it is quite sad. They need to sit him. Time to let Fenin develop into hopefully a powerful striker. He was amazing for the Czechs in U20 here in Canada a few years back.

With a start like this and a tough group allready with Scotland and Spain, I fully expect the Czechs to finish 4th now and would not be shocked one bit.

I feel for Cech and Rosicky they are head and shoulders above the rest of this pitiful roster.

[David Ginola]

Anyone see Kevin Doyle's goal against Andorra today? Goal of the year candidate.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by David Ginola

Anyone see Kevin Doyle's goal against Andorra today? Goal of the year candidate.

Definitely a sick strike, but goal of the year?? Not with you on that one. Those goals happen on a weekly basis in Europe.

[Locke]

Portugal sack Queiroz

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz has been dismissed following the country's poor start to Euro 2012 qualifying and the coach's own lengthy suspension for disciplinary reaons.

Queiroz said he would appeal the six-month sanction but in his absence, Portugal could only draw 4-4 at home to Cyprus and lose 1-0 to Norway on Tuesday to start their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign in unimpressive fashion.

Portugal were also eliminated in the second round of the World Cup when losing 1-0 to Spain and failed to score in three of their four games in South Africa.

Queiroz, who has a spell as Real Madrid coach on his CV, was previously Portugal boss between the years of 1991 and 1994.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ro2012&cc=5901

Well. They couldnt get any worse. Letting in 4 against mighty Cyprus is pretty bottom-of-the-barrell.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Im surprised it took this long to be honest. After a brutal WC qualifying campaign, I thought they might get rid of him before the final started. When they didn't, I thought nothing short of an appearance in the Final would keep his job. When they went out in the second round, I was expecting it to happen. Glad he's gone, but they are in such a big hole to qualify for 2012, it may be too late already.

Queiroz really did nothing with these players. With the talent he had at his disposal, I never really saw a good performance from a Queiroz team. Honestly, outside of a pre WC friendly with Cameroon, I never Portugal play a good game. They barely made it in to the WC, and were less than impressive doing so.

I believe Paulo Bento will become the new manager. I'm not thrilled with this, but any change for this team is a good one. But like I said, given their position in Euro qualifying, it may be too late. 6 games left, they will probably need 5 wins. Gonna be tough.