Euro 2012

[notredomer23]

I actually think the Netherlands will win tomorrow. It will depend on whether Germany tries

True, but the Dutch would have to beat Portugal by 2 or more in order to advance. As much as I dislike Cristiano Ronaldo, he can score a goal from anywhere within 30 yards at any given time. Plus Pepe has been an absolute beast holding down the fort on defense.

 

[irishrecruiting]

2 for 2

Kudos for getting Group A right, and it looks like you might get Group C, too. A tournament as competitive as this makes it tricky to make good predictions. You'll probably get England in Group D and definitely Germany in Group B. Overall, well done!

 

[Cackalacky]

I am stunned by Greece making it through. I did not watch the Greece Russia match but, holy cow.....

 

[Cackalacky]

I only got one group right. Thats the Euros for you.

Italy fighting back, Ronaldo taking control, Germany and Spain looking a little weak in the back line..... Cant wait for the knockout rounds.

 

[DomeX2 eNVy]

Anyone else enjoying the irony of Greece vs Germany?

I think the countries should use the match to settle the largest factor in the worlds financial uncertain. Greece wins and Germany completely bails them out and pays off their debts. Germany wins and Greece follows through on their austerity measures, actually collects taxes, increases the retirement age, and is banned from World and Euro Cup matches for 20 years.

 

[notredomer23]

Anyone else enjoying the irony of Greece vs Germany?

I think the countries should use the match to settle the largest factor in the worlds financial uncertain. Greece wins and Germany completely bails them out and pays off their debts. Germany wins and Greece follows through on their austerity measures, actually collects taxes, increases the retirement age, and is banned from World and Euro Cup matches for 20 years.

Increase the retirement age to what? 39 to 45? haha just kidding(I have no clue what the age is obviously, I just know its young).

Really looking forward to France and Spain. I hope the French pull off the upset because I can't stand Fernando Torres(Sorry NDinLA)

 

[Irish YJ]

Yes, love the irony. Hope the Germans pummel the Greeks. I'm a German/Italian/Irish so looking forward to both games. Hoping the Italians send the English home wimpering. And regarding France, hope to see them get pounded too, but I hear they already surrendered.

 

[ACamp1900]

I am stunned by Greece making it through. I did not watch the Greece Russia match but, holy cow.....

Part of me has been pulling for them just because of Samaras and the Celtic connection... they have looked bad at times though

 

[STLDomer]

Is Spain v Germany a possible final? Haven't seen a bracket

 

[ACamp1900]

Is Spain v Germany a possible final? Haven't seen a bracket

yes

 

[STLDomer]

Just found this.

My prediction:

Portugal > Czech Republic
Spain > France
Italy > England
Germany > Greece

Spain > Portugal
Germany > Italy

Germany > Spain

The favorites in each game looks like

 

[NDinL.A.]

Really looking forward to France and Spain. I hope the French pull off the upset because I can't stand Fernando Torres(Sorry NDinLA)

A. As an American, I could NEVER root for France unless they were playing the Al Queda All-Stars or something. It's just not in my DNA. The fact that they are playing my dad's country and they bounced us during Zidane's reign (on a BS foul call that led to their goal) makes this game even more intriguing. Can't wait.

B. Why you gotta hate on Torres??? (LOL) He was my favorite player for sooooo many years, and I'll always love him for scoring the game-winner (and changing Spain's soccer fortunes forever) vs. Germany in the Euro final in 2008. What a goal and what a moment for Spanish soccer fans. And man, El Nino was such a friggin stud pre-injury and pre-lack-of-confidence. If I wasn't a fan of his, I wouldn't hate him as much as I would feel sorry for him. To go from greatness to having a bad case of the yips (golf reference) is just sad. Without Villa, he is VITAL for Spain, but he runs too hot and cold right now, unfortunately.

 

[aubeirish]

How the Greek find themselves in knockout stages is a puzzle to me. Then again, the conservative style proves to be efficient when you have an opportunist squad.

 

[Cackalacky]

A. As an American, I could NEVER root for France unless they were playing the Al Queda All-Stars or something. It's just not in my DNA. The fact that they are playing my dad's country and they bounced us during Zidane's reign (on a BS foul call that led to their goal) makes this game even more intriguing. Can't wait.

B. Why you gotta hate on Torres??? (LOL) He was my favorite player for sooooo many years, and I'll always love him for scoring the game-winner (and changing Spain's soccer fortunes forever) vs. Germany in the Euro final in 2008. What a goal and what a moment for Spanish soccer fans. And man, El Nino was such a friggin stud pre-injury and pre-lack-of-confidence. If I wasn't a fan of his, I wouldn't hate him as much as I would feel sorry for him. To go from greatness to having a bad case of the yips (golf reference) is just sad. Without Villa, he is VITAL for Spain, but he runs too hot and cold right now, unfortunately.

Regarding B. As a Liverpool fan, i absolutely loved Torres and his studliness was in no doubt pre-Hodgson. I had been following him since his Athletic Madrid days and when Liverpool signed him I lost it. He is a terror when on form, but thanks to the two douchebag owners, Torres basically quit on Liverpool under Hodgson and for that I can not forgive. You could see him be like "ahhh, not going to get that ball so f' it..." and he got manhandled by all the defenses because he was up front by himself and did not care. No touch, no finishing, and it be came clearer he was waiting to be sold and get out as quickly as possible as the season went on... Sad to say, but Torres can suck it, I dont like quitters, especially when your team motto is "You'll Never Walk Alone."

My man-crush has been crushed and for that, I cannot forgive.....

 

[Cackalacky]

Portugal > Czech Republic (yes. This has the makings of a great game)
Spain > France (Yes. France will fold)
England>Italy (IDK- this is a toss up for me but I go England in PKs)
Germany > Greece (Yes)

Spain>Portugal
Germany>England

Germany>Spain

 

[notredomer23]

A. As an American, I could NEVER root for France unless they were playing the Al Queda All-Stars or something. It's just not in my DNA. The fact that they are playing my dad's country and they bounced us during Zidane's reign (on a BS foul call that led to their goal) makes this game even more intriguing. Can't wait.

B. Why you gotta hate on Torres??? (LOL) He was my favorite player for sooooo many years, and I'll always love him for scoring the game-winner (and changing Spain's soccer fortunes forever) vs. Germany in the Euro final in 2008. What a goal and what a moment for Spanish soccer fans. And man, El Nino was such a friggin stud pre-injury and pre-lack-of-confidence. If I wasn't a fan of his, I wouldn't hate him as much as I would feel sorry for him. To go from greatness to having a bad case of the yips (golf reference) is just sad. Without Villa, he is VITAL for Spain, but he runs too hot and cold right now, unfortunately.

I really do have trouble rooting for France, I am not gonna lie. Anyone else see the irony that in their emblem there is a chicken? haha. But Samir Nasri is probably my favorite non-American footballer right now, and France I am pretty sure also has Clichy, and being a Manchester City fan I gotta support my boys haha. I really don't dislike Spain too much, its just the fact they are soooooo good right now, I want to see them get dethroned.

In regards to Torres, its more of a hate out of respect. I know he has been sucking for Chelsea but I think now that Drogba signed with a Chinese squad, I think Torres's playing style compliments Eden Hazard really well and he will have a breakout year with Chelsea in 2012-2013. He is just a little to feminine of a man for my liking! LOL. He has a few more good years in him.

In regards to your hot and cold comment, the USMNT has the same problem with Donovan. For instance against Scotland he was en fuego and had a hattrick and you heard his name called around the ball the whole game. And then against Guatemala the other day I maybe heard his name called just once. I know Donovan is considered the face of US Soccer, but it really should be Dempsey.

And FWIW
Portugal > Czech Republic
France> Spain
Italy> England( Ballotelli scores the game winner)
Germany > Greece (6-0)

Portugal> France
Germany>Italy

Germany>Portugal

Group of death final

 

[NDinMich]

I really do have trouble rooting for France, I am not gonna lie. Anyone else see the irony that in their emblem there is a chicken? haha. But Samir Nasri is probably my favorite non-American footballer right now, and France I am pretty sure also has Clichy, and being a Manchester City fan I gotta support my boys haha. I really don't dislike Spain too much, its just the fact they are soooooo good right now, I want to see them get dethroned.

In regards to Torres, its more of a hate out of respect. I know he has been sucking for Chelsea but I think now that Drogba signed with a Chinese squad, I think Torres's playing style compliments Eden Hazard really well and he will have a breakout year with Chelsea in 2012-2013. He is just a little to feminine of a man for my liking! LOL. He has a few more good years in him.

In regards to your hot and cold comment, the USMNT has the same problem with Donovan. For instance against Scotland he was en fuego and had a hattrick and you heard his name called around the ball the whole game. And then against Guatemala the other day I maybe heard his name called just once. I know Donovan is considered the face of US Soccer, but it really should be Dempsey.

And FWIW
Portugal > Czech Republic
France> Spain
Italy> England( Ballotelli scores the game winner)
Germany > Greece (6-0)

Portugal> France
Germany>Italy

Germany>Portugal

Group of death final

The only good thing about French football

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[STLDomer]

Ballsy: the only way to describe Pirlo

 

[yankeeND]

Ballsy: the only way to describe Pirlo

Yeah that was unreal! Love shoot outs!

 

[NDPhilly]

I leave for Italy tommorow. Gonna be fun Thursday.

 

[notredomer23]

Italy thoroughly deserved that W... complete domination throughout the game.

On a side note, how about the commentators for this game. They were good but so biased towards England IMO... They were pretty much pimping Joe Hart the whole game and rarely gave mention of Buffon who is arguably the best keeper in the world.

 

[MPClinton22]

That game was awesome, so glad Italy was able to win in the shootout as they were clearly the better team in regulation. That chip shot by Pirlo was ridiculous, definitely takes some serious guts to take that shot. I'm also going to be heading to Rome on Thursday afternoon, so it's going to be a fun night watching the game with the locals!

 

[NDinL.A.]

Italy thoroughly deserved that W... complete domination throughout the game.

On a side note, how about the commentators for this game. They were good but so biased towards England IMO... They were pretty much pimping Joe Hart the whole game and rarely gave mention of Buffon who is arguably the best keeper in the world.

No way dude! I thought they did an amazing job of being neutral. Hell, they went out of their way the entire game to make sure we knew that Italy was dominating the game and deserved to win. And hart is a beast and deserves love. Buffon only had to make one save, so he wasnt the focal pt, but in other games they did give him props.

 

[IrishLax]

Spain vs. Portugal is going to be ridiculous.

 

[johnnykillz]

Spain vs. Portugal is going to be ridiculous.

When and how do I tune in?

 

[STLDomer]

When and how do I tune in?

Wednesday 2:30 ET on ESPN

 

[BestBIrish47]

As much as Italy dominated the pitch for most of the game, Rooney barely missed a "bicycle kick" to win it in the closing seconds. The English keeper didn't even come close to any of the penalty kicks. He should spend more time working on reading the offensive player, rather than talking trash.

 

[Cackalacky]

No way dude! I thought they did an amazing job of being neutral. Hell, they went out of their way the entire game to make sure we knew that Italy was dominating the game and deserved to win. And hart is a beast and deserves love. Buffon only had to make one save, so he wasnt the focal pt, but in other games they did give him props.

+1. England had no attempts on goal 1st half Maybe 2 in 2nd. Both commentators did nothing but comment on Italy (Pirlo's ball control). Hart is going to be a good one no doubt but penalty kicks favor the prepared and Buffon is about as prepared as anyone. But Buffon is well.....the best and in a tie with Iker Cassillas as the best.

Its like Ice Man And Maverick.....

 

[irishrecruiting]

+1. England had no attempts on goal 1st half Maybe 2 in 2nd. Both commentators did nothing but comment on Italy (Pirlo's ball control). Hart is going to be a good one no doubt but penalty kicks favor the prepared and Buffon is about as prepared as anyone. But Buffon is well.....the best and in a tie with Iker Cassillas as the best.

Its like Ice Man And Maverick.....

I think we can all agree, England were pitiful and Pirlo was excellent. Commentators were good, because they're the best pair for soccer ESPN has. (At least the most knowledgable/objective.)

Hart didn't do any trash talking that I saw, so I'm not sure what that comment stems from. You can't really prepare for a penalty kick as confident as Pirlo's. That's the sign of a player who is ice cold in a tense, heated situation. Hart was near the first PK, but other than that, nope. Ashley Cole was always going to the right and it was poor. Young struck the crossbar and will have nightmares for a long time.

I don't think Milner should start another game. I understand he does the back-tracking work to help out Glen Johnson, because Johnson is an attacking right back, but Johnson shouldn't have been playing. If Hodgson looks toward Brazil 2014, he'll start Kyle Walker or Micah Richards there next time.

Wilshere will start in midfield at 2014 WC, and speed on the wings. Players who actually cross the ball. It was a pity how Ashley Young wasted so much time cutting back and forth with players in the box. Just put in a cross, at the very least! That's why he was on the left!

Ok...I'll keep dreaming. England won't come close to winning for at least 20 more years. If the team is healthy and it involves Wilshere, Ox, Walker/Richards and a 4-5-1, I'll be happy. The older generation needs to retire and not hold up the young players. Clearly Terry/Gerrard's group can't get through the QF stage. Let the younger ones at least play and try. Nothing to lose anymore.

 

[Irish YJ]

My 2 favorite teams playing each other (Germany/Italy). Wishing they were on different sides of the bracket....
Going to cheer on Germany though as they have the best chance to win it all. Hoping Portugal destroys Spain.