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

[NBC]

Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko rated a doubt for key England clash

England will arrive back in the Ukraine on Monday afternoon to an entire nation holding its breath. Andrei Shevchenko, the captain, talisman and greatest-ever player, is facing a race against time to be fit for a match against England tomorrow that is being regarded as the most important in Ukraine’s history.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...and-clash.html

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

The Dutch werent good enough in any of their games, but I thought their biggest problem was at the back end.
They were pretty unlucky not to score against Denmark, and they started off well against Germany. The back 4 just gave up too many quality chances.

I just look at Ronaldo's second goal. The Dutch were attacking and lost the ball.

6 Portuguese players took the ball and countered against the Dutch and not one single midfielder tracked back to help the back 4. Not one of them. The only guy tracking back to help? Klas-Jan Huntelaar and he wound up picking the ball up out of his own net.

Holland's problem was that there was no team play. RvP, Sneijder and Robben always tried doing it on their own.

Germany doesnt even look like they're trying yet, but had better give their heads a shake if they think the Greeks are going to be easy.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sp...-16170791.html

WAGS of Euro 2012. Need to click on the more pictures link. Yes it's a slideshow and they have about 4 photos of each woman but it is an easy way to kill time before the games this afternoon.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

And for good measure he's an article about a 20 year old Irish fan who was caught sucking on the nipples of a female Croatian fan DURING THE GAME! (well maybe it was halftime, either way good for him)

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-16171788.html

NSFW!

Eamon told of his shock when he realised he was trending on Twitter. "One of the lads rang and said I was all over the internet. I had no idea it had been taken. I had had a few drinks and was just having the craic.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Red John

-This is a better tournament than the World Cup

So true.

When you compare the level of competition and skill in the group stages at Euro to that of the World Cup, it's night and day. I find myself watching every single match right now. With the WC, I have a glance at the scores and really only watch the notable games, the matches I have personal interest in or until things get into to the knockout round.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

And for good measure he's an article about a 20 year old Irish fan who was caught sucking on the nipples of a female Croatian fan DURING THE GAME! (well maybe it was halftime, either way good for him)

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-16171788.html

NSFW!

Well, I suppose the Irish have to have some fun. Its no good just being a punching bag.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Mango

So true.

When you compare the level of competition and skill in the group stages at Euro to that of the World Cup, it's night and day. I find myself watching every single match right now. With the WC, I have a glance at the scores and really only watch the notable games, the matches I have personal interest in or until things get into to the knockout round.

I still like the variety of the World Cup though. Perhaps 32 teams is too much but I like seeing Asian teams and African teams and of course Brazil and Argentina.

US and Mexico have been making strides too. Hopefully Canada is there in 2014, that'll make it much more interesting than the Euros

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Locke

Well, I suppose the Irish have to have some fun. Its no good just being a punching bag.

Why are the Croatian girls topless!?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Why are the Croatian girls topless!?

I dunno...maybe thats just how they roll in Croatia?

[Flamenspiel]

I agree, I like the variety and the different styles of the world cup, the various cultures at play. This years Euros have been exceptional though, we have not even had a zerozero yet, very competitive games with a lot of goals.

This will be the last euros with 16 teams though, 24 for the next one will change things considerably.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

I agree, I like the variety and the different styles of the world cup, the various cultures at play. This years Euros have been exceptional though, we have not even had a zerozero yet, very competitive games with a lot of goals.

This will be the last euros with 16 teams though, 24 for the next one will change things considerably.

Of course, it'll have the exact same problem as the World Cup, there will be a whole ton of weak-sister teams that will make it.

If this had been a 24 team tournament teams like Bosnia, Montenegro and Estonia would have qualified.

[GirlySports]

So do I have the scenario for today right?

If Italy wins:
..........If Spain-Croatia draw 0-0, Italy win the Group and Spain is 2nd.
..........If Spain-Croatia draw 1-1, Spain wins the group;
........................Italy finishes 2nd by beating Ireland by 3 goals, or by 2 goals (at least 3-1)
..........If Spain-Croatia draw 2-2 or higher, Spain wins the group and Croatia is 2nd.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

So do I have the scenario for today right?

If Italy wins:
..........If Spain-Croatia draw 0-0, Italy win the Group and Spain is 2nd.
..........If Spain-Croatia draw 1-1, Spain wins the group;
........................Italy finishes 2nd by beating Ireland by 3 goals, or by 2 goals (at least 3-1)
..........If Spain-Croatia draw 2-2 or higher, Spain wins the group and Croatia is 2nd.

I believe that is correct. In a 1-1 Sp vs Cr scenario Italy needs to win at least 3-1 to match Croatia's GF and then Italy would get through based on UEFA ranking.

Also, in the Sp v Cr 1-1 scenario, if Italy win 5-0 or better then Italy win the group based on GF. I think. Because then Italy would have the tiebreaker on GD in the entire group stage. They'd be tied on points, GD between tied teams, GF between tied teams and the 4th tiebreaker is GD in all group games.

That one is pretty unlikely though.

[Locke]

Spain scoring more than one goal against a good team? Highly unlikely.

[GirlySports]

I forgot one...

If Spain-Croatia tie 1-1 and Italy win at least 5-1, Italy win the group

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I forgot one...

If Spain-Croatia tie 1-1 and Italy win at least 5-1, Italy win the group

As you'll see in my late edit reply above, I don't think 5-1 will do it. GF in the entire group stage never comes into play and that would leave Italy with the same GD as Spain and Spain would then get 1st based on UEFA ranking.

It would have to be 5-0.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

As you'll see in my late edit reply above, I don't think 5-1 will do it. GF in the entire group stage never comes into play and that would leave Italy with the same GD as Spain and Spain would then get 1st based on UEFA ranking.

It would have to be 5-0.

or 6-2

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

or 6-2

No I don't think that works either.

Italy need to better Spain's GD in the entire group stage.

5-0, 6-1, 7-2 would be required to top Spain's +4 that they would have after a 1-1 tie with Croatia. Italy can't just tie Spain's GD they have to beat it. In that unlikely 1-1 scenario.

Either way Italy isn't going to score more than 3.

Spain has been so adamant that they won't allow a 2-2 game that if they do now it'll be a complete and utter embarassment.

I see it as 2-1 Italy and 2-1 Spain.

Spain and Italy advance.

[Locke]

I want to see Italy and Croatia go through. No more boring Spanish strolls.

And here I expected Italy to be boring, you can actually watch the grass grow when Spain plays. The groundskeepers must love them, they hardly even use the pitch.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Locke

I want to see Italy and Croatia go through. No more boring Spanish strolls.

And here I expected Italy to be boring, you can actually watch the grass grow when Spain plays. The groundskeepers must love them, they hardly even use the pitch.

I hope Italy scores about 6 goals. I'm not an Italy fan but the historical accusations of them being boring have always been overblown. The Italian attacking style has always been pleasing to the eye.