Euro 2012 Thread

[MC KAos]

The announcers were saying Germany has already clinched a spot. The way I see it they are in a great position to move on to the next round and probably will, but technically they still haven't clinched a qualifying spot in their group if I am reading the rules right.

If Denmark beats Germany and Portugal beats Netherlands, then Denmark, Portugal and Germany will all be tied with 6 points(2 wins, 1 loss) each. It would then come down to goal differential and then points scored and then so on and so forth as far as tie breakers.

Say the Danes win 1-0 against Germany and Portugal wins 1-0 in their final matches, then all three countries will be at a +1 goal differential, but both Denmark and Portugal would move on because they have 4 goals scored compared to the Germans 3 goals. I think it is a long shot, but it is a possibility. Unless I am missing something.

you are absolutely right, its still possible for them to miss the second round, unlikely, but the mathematical possibility exists.

 

[MC KAos]

Definitely was. Nice free kick though for El Salvador.

ya it was awesome! we were so happy at that moment! the problem is that el salvador employs the "offside trap" like crazy! like you see in that highlight, the first goal was one of the times they failed to execute it, the second time they kind of did too, but the mexican touches it in the box when 3 guys are already well in offside position. i wish we would go away from the offside trap, it seems liek 90% of the times we get scored on is because we dont execute it properly and they get a 1 on 1 with our goalie.

 

[RastaRocket]

ya it was awesome! we were so happy at that moment! the problem is that el salvador employs the "offside trap" like crazy! like you see in that highlight, the first goal was one of the times they failed to execute it, the second time they kind of did too, but the mexican touches it in the box when 3 guys are already well in offside position. i wish we would go away from the offside trap, it seems liek 90% of the times we get scored on is because we dont execute it properly and they get a 1 on 1 with our goalie.

Ya the offside trap is dangerous. Usually good teams will always execute against it eventually.

 

[jterrell]

Germany is superior in defense to all of those teams. No way Argentina or anybody is dropping 3 goals on Germany. Argentina has not been very good lately as well.

i agree with both of you.

if you read his statement as "can beat them" i absolutely agree.
those countries have the talent to control the tempo and pick scoring chances with brilliance. mario gomez is a good striker but he's been inconsistent until this week. still not sure he is a michael ballack level striker... but he is certainly making me re-consider that.

if you mean would be favored to beat them i'd agree with you that those sides arent disciplined enough to limit scoring for germany and once ahead germany can be extremely stingy on defense. a la chelsea versus barca.

 

[jterrell]

Also, if you haven't heard of Eden Hazard yet he is another great young player.

Unfortunately, he just signed with Chelski.

[youtube]yAlgxvRYAow[/youtube]

21 years old, from Belgium. Every video has Euro trance it's kind of hard to find one without. :laugh1:

yup!!!
hazard and hulk for the chels.
we'll see what us in the next few weeks but it looks like another exciting season at stam bridge!

upchels

keep the blue flag flying high

 

[joseephuss]

i agree with both of you.

if you read his statement as "can beat them" i absolutely agree.
those countries have the talent to control the tempo and pick scoring chances with brilliance. mario gomez is a good striker but he's been inconsistent until this week. still not sure he is a michael ballack level striker... but he is certainly making me re-consider that.

Ballack is a mid-fielder, not a striker.

 

[jterrell]

Ballack is a mid-fielder, not a striker.

technically....

he was a central attacking midfielder who always played up as a striker and was the leading goal scorer. he scored over 40 goals for the national team.

he was a player much like clint dempsey of the us. attacking midfielder who can both set pace and finish. dempsey gets played as both midfielder and forward depending upon the coach and system.

ballack's height gave teams fits on set plays.

gomez really has his role now even tho he is replacing klose on the field.

 

[Ren]

Boring game Italy will always be Italy sloppy when they have the lead and not even trying to increase it

And just as i said that it's 1-1, lets see if they can turn it on again

 

[RastaRocket]

Ya Croatia! I picked them to win or draw in my ESPN streak.

Plus, I love watching Italy not win. Keep it up!

 

[Ren]

The one year Italy didn't do this stuff they became world champs you'd think they would learn from that. Every time they zoom out just count the blue players either standing still or just walking :laugh1:

 

[RastaRocket]

yup!!!
hazard and hulk for the chels.
we'll see what us in the next few weeks but it looks like another exciting season at stam bridge!

upchels

keep the blue flag flying high

I have always really enjoyed watching Hulk as well whenever possible. I am not a Chelsea fan but I definitely have some players I'm pulling for on their team now. They will be fun to watch.

 

[joseephuss]

The one year Italy didn't do this stuff they became world champs you'd think they would learn from that. Every time they zoom out just count the blue players either standing still or just walking :laugh1:

Probably getting paid to fix the game. :laugh1:

 

[nyc-cowboy]

Boring game Italy will always be Italy sloppy when they have the lead and not even trying to increase it

And just as i said that it's 1-1, lets see if they can turn it on again

Its the main reason I don't like watching italy play - they play defensive looking for the quick counter attack.

 

[nyc-cowboy]

España up on the Irish - Spain just out classing them at this point.

 

[RastaRocket]

Its the main reason I don't like watching italy play - they play defensive looking for the quick counter attack.

Yep, and they are awful floppers. When Materazzi was playing for them, I couldn't stand them one bit; he deserved to get head butted.

 

[RastaRocket]

Spain is putting on a clinic right now.

 

[joseephuss]

Spain may have shown they are the best team in the tournament. Still debatable. What is not debatable in my opinion is that Ireland is the worst team of the 16.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

If Spain and Croatia tie 2-2, they advance no matter what Italy does.

 

[CATCH17]

Even though Torres couldn't finish I thought Spain looked a lot better with him in strike.

.....

 

[RastaRocket]

.....

It's about time!

Lets see if he keeps it up now.