UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

[Escorpiius]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

That's the spirit! I'll bring forth my Ronaldo 7 Madrid shirt as well :zonder:
I never thought it was possible, but I'm actually rooting for Portugal this time around, even though I've supported Spain for the last 8 years. Can't really blame the Madrid players because it's 5 -3 in Spain's advantage on that point. Damn it all, Ronaldo himself, like Raul before him (Spain in 2004 Euro), has made me favor a national team

Supporting England since 2002 (always will...) but always took a like in Portugal since Euro 2004. It's like my second National team. Weirdly, I thought both won't even pass Group Stages and now, Ronaldo has opportunity to take his Club to the Final.

Bitches plz.....

whatever Ronaldo does... its going to be a spanish win tonight

It's not the same old Spain than in 2008/2010 though. Sure they have the best midfield and a great teamplay but:

- They are more tired.
- They are more predictable.
- Without Villa and Puyol

Btw, Negredo is starting as sole striker for Spain.

I wonder if Portuguese fans will chant Shakira at Pique. xd

 

[Out Of Ctrl]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

Spain is going to win for sure.

 

[ReLax -]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

*Moment of Silence*

You remember asking me once if it was possible to see 2 teams defend in a match and asked me if it would be entertaining? I was skeptical then cause I couldn't visualize how to do that. Well, I got my answer with Spain v/s France. Spain attacked in 20 minutes and afterwards, it was a boring ride.

The thing is that we always view defense as a tactic where players defends in group and do lots of marking ect... Spain just did a defensive match. Only difference, they defend with possession and France defended without possession. And seriously, it's hard to view a match in the whole when a team keeps passing the ball. In case, France defence was more solid, well, this could have ended in a 0-0 and a definite boredom.

But well, anyways, as I aid, Spain are so calm about their force and technique that they didn't got crazy and calmly dictated this match's pace and result from start to finish. It had a match fixing feeling, seriously though they are superior.

I'd seriously put a bet on Portugal to eliminate Spain frankly if Ronaldo is in the same form as last 2 matches.

Coming on England v/s Italy, well I agree with you. Though I'll give a little more credit to England for not conceding a goal. It's a pretty commendable thing that they didn't concede a goal while having 35 shots against them. Give the defense some credit; though luck and poor finishing are also a factor.

You're right on Italy knowing how to counter England's defense but it's as I said. You need to vary a lot and shoot a lot from distance. Bayern didn't vary enough against Chelsea and Barca didn't shoot enough against Chelsea. The option is pretty clear-cut. When you have a wall, you try to pierce them with shot but not only that. If you vary with diverse ways, then that wall will hesitate and fumble and we got to see that in actions.

Anyways, congrats to Italy.

Well, we indeed got are answer. When two sides play offensive it's more entertaining, than two defensive side.

This is why I've had my reason being against an entirely defensive side. One side courteously attacks, while the other defends. When Spain scored they decided to defend possession wise. It's risky especially since its by only one goal, but they did it. In return you and many others found it too be boring. This is how I feel when I see one side just defending the entire game with no offensive play.

Another reason for this is the guys who were the commentaries for the BarcaVSChelsea and BayernVSChelsea, they weren't Germans, but I think English/Irish/Scottish. They praised Chelsea, but when Greece did it VS Germany they started calling it negative tactics, and cowardly play, etc.

Depends on how Portugal approach the game. They played defensively VS Spain in WC10 and did a good job ended up losing 1-0, and Ronaldo blamed the coach for this tactic (he blamed Mou for the same thing VS Barcelona and they lost, but praised him after they won *SMH*). I'm not sure if Portugal have the same coach since WC10, but will be interesting how he approaches this. Ronaldo was like Messi getting 2-3 man marked, but he couldn't make things happen as I said he needs the winger side, not ST, which he had with Portugal in WC10. Nani has had a good ran so far, so he could add a bit of support and threat.

Portugal defence is good, so it'll be hard to pierce it, I'd say their defence will be our big problem and on some kind of counter, perhaps PK/set piece will make their place in finals (Portugal that is).

We still don't have a striker I mean 5 of 8 of out goals came from mid fielders and Torres scoring 2 for the striker against one of the weaker sides (Ireland). This is also reason behind a defensive possession game we played VS France as well as out defence being a bit shaky. We need a clinical finisher, I have a feeling Inesita will do something and be the main cause of out victory if we win.

Well, this is how I look at it.

1. Hart
2. Italy offense
3. England defence

Hart saved 20 shots, he kept England hopes up, Italy had a 57% shot (shot on target) rate, which was poor finishing from their strikers. England defence let a 57% shot on target, which isn't the best, but as I said they made some key saves, but Hart deserve the big credit. Italy offence had poor finishing, but were amazing, and than England defence. My personal view.

Anyways time for Spain VS Portugal.

Last year? Think it had been more than a year since Barca and Milan faced of in penalty kicks, yet along since Ronaldinho played there o__O

What I meant was the 2010/2011 season, which was last season. It's been close to two years now. The game was played August 25 2010 for the Joan Gamper Cup.

 

[Michael92]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

10...9...8...
The countdown begins:zonder:
Here we go!!!!!!!!

 

[Pesh]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

SpAin playing with 12 men x.x
Really enjoyable game; Portugal playing really well IMO

 

[Escorpiius]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

The Escorp's HT Analysis

Spain v/s Portugal 0-0

- I'm gonna revise my theories if Portugal eliminates Spain in the way they are playing.

- They are daringly playing with 7 players in attack, all 11 players doing an enormous pressure and defending in zones well. This is no defense packing (like Chelsea, Inter) or rough playing (like Madrid). This is serious hard-work to press, generous will to play their usual game in attack and a collective effort to defend with concentration. Brilliant Portuguese!

- Portugal may have not created much chance but they have well annihilated Spain's flow. The proof: Spain have less than 60% of possession which in their language means that they are heavily underplaying.

- Spain got 2 chances which went off-target (By Iniesta and Arbeloa) while Portugal got their best one with...CR7. No surprise that Iniesta is involved in the 2 chances of Spain and that CR7 had the best one for his team.

- Both Negredo and Almeida are simply booking one defender but are barely touching a ball. It's a hard match if your are a central striker.

- Spain said that they'll "disactivate" CR7 but they are just making a lot of fouls on him. Sure, that prevents him to be a goal danger mostly but beware of his freekicks too.

- Since Portugal is not playing counters, we aren't seeing Ronaldo's speed counters but he really is key to the motivation of his team. And seeing him defending makes me realize how crucial he is to inspire the whole Portugal squad. CR7 has the merit to do lots of effort despite the pressure - I'll hand him that.

- The fatigue factor was in disadvantage of Spain before the match. Portugal give lots of efforts in this 1st half. Let's see how this second half will swing.

 

[ReLax -]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

- Spain said that they'll "disactivate" CR7 but they are just making a lot of fouls on him. Sure, that prevents him to be a goal danger mostly but beware of his freekicks too.

Correction diving more, fouls less Or we can say he goes down to easily with slight touches. I mean considering people say he's a complete player with strength/height shouldn't be on the ground with touches.

The game still has time, but seeing we have no central attacker, it seems harder for us and Pepe roams around everywhere creating problems and giving their midfield more life. He's also done good defensively all tho that foul on Alonso was harsh. Poor Alonso VS Netherlands in WC10 final he got karate kicked and now this.

I rather lose in PKU_U That way at least anyone can win and losing there I'd prefer if not winning.

 

[PandaMan.]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

I was disappointed when England lost. For some reason I dont want Germany nor Portugal to win. I think it's cuz they got England out of the world cup. Go Spain? :shrug:

 

[ReLax -]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

I was disappointed when England lost. For some reason I dont want Germany nor Portugal to win. I think it's cuz they got England out of the world cup. Go Spain? :shrug:

Nor Germany, or Portugal played England this Euros.U_U

 

[PandaMan.]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

Nor Germany, or Portugal played England this Euros.U_U

I said world cup..

 

[ReLax -]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

I said world cup..

My mistake.

My god Pedro screwed up on a solid chance.

Well Spain had it going for them in ET, we had a few good chances and some solid play compared to Portugal. I have a feeling Portugal tried to get to PK as it will be a 50/50 chances, here doesn't matter if your the best or worst team its anyones game.

Alba played well, Pedro had a impact on this game. Inesita/Ramos one of them they do deserve man of the match, as Ramos played well defensively and Inesita was a force still on offence. Spain picked up their game in the second half and only got better.

Ronaldo first half was good, but he wasn't that big of a problem in second and ET. He had a few chances with set pieces, and one solid one, only to put it on the side of the net. Pepe/Alves had defence well tight for Portugal. As I said it was Portugal defence that kept them in. Portugal offence only was fierce in the first half, they had a few chances second half, but weren't that good as first.

PK time if Ramos takes a PK I hope he doesn't send this to the moon again

This is anyones game now.

 

[Michael92]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

OMG!!!!!! Penalties, here we come!!!

Ronaldo to beat the penalty competition ghost?
Missed against Chelsea and Bayern, always scored on "normal" occasions.

 

[ReLax -]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

Here we go.

Spain Xabi Alonso --- Saved
Portugal Moutinho --- Saved
Spain Inesita --- Goal
Portugal Pepe --- Goal
Spain Pique (WTF) --- GOOOAL! (Yes Shakira!!)
Portugal Nani --- Goal
Spain Ramos (Not the moon) --- GOOOAL (Guys it went in the net not the moon this time)
Portugal Alves --- Miss
Spain Fabregas --- Goal

Spain...We heading to finals.

 

[Kerrah]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

Fabregas wins it for Spain.

Poor Ronaldo never got to take his penalty. xD

 

[Michael92]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

Though I'm a bit surprised, I do understand why Ronaldo didn't take it. Not because he didn't have the confident to take it, but because he and Casillas knows each other too well.
Same thing happened in the semi-final of this year's CL where Robben didn't take one during the penalty competition against Casillas.

All in all, a very entertaining match, and in my opinion, both teams deserved to go through.

 

[Escorpiius]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

Here we go.

Spain Xabi Alonso --- Saved
Portugal Moutinho --- Saved
Spain Inesita --- Goal
Portugal Pepe --- Goal
Spain Pique (WTF) --- GOOOAL! (Yes Shakira!!)
Portugal Nani --- Goal
Spain Ramos (Not the moon) --- GOOOAL (Guys it went in the net not the moon this time)
Portugal Alves --- Miss
Spain Fabregas --- Goal

Spain...We heading to finals.

So, let me get it straight.

Alonso - the best PK taker in Spain missed
Pique who was Shakira'd the whole season scored.
Ramos did a panenka
Fabregas hit the post and like fate/luck, he scored while the post denied Alves minute ago.
Oh yeah, Ronaldo kept waiting for his chance.

Sorry, I resign to analyse this penalty shoot-outs. There's no theory how this happen - it just happen.

 

[Prince of Persia TTT]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

Spain won
feeling not well today
*cough* Portugal *cough*

 

[ReLax -]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

So, let me get it straight.

Alonso - the best PK taker in Spain missed
Pique who was Shakira'd the whole season scored.
Ramos did a panenka
Fabregas hit the post and like fate/luck, he scored while the post denied Alves minute ago.
Oh yeah, Ronaldo kept waiting for his chance.

Sorry, I resign to analyse this penalty shoot-outs. There's no theory how this happen - it just happen.

Football is the theory, it's were anything is possible. Ronaldo decided to go last I'm guess better chance, especially as Michael said him and Casillas know one another.

 

[UchihaBrat]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

Even though he scored, Fabregas sure likes to play dangerous! O-O
P.S. Iniesta rules!

 

[Michael92]

Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Official Thread - Discussion, Analysis, Predictions & All News!

So, let me get it straight.

Alonso - the best PK taker in Spain missed
Pique who was Shakira'd the whole season scored.
Ramos did a panenka
Fabregas hit the post and like fate/luck, he scored while the post denied Alves minute ago.
Oh yeah, Ronaldo kept waiting for his chance.

Sorry, I resign to analyse this penalty shoot-outs. There's no theory how this happen - it just happen.

Defender's night this time. Ramos, Pepe and Pique scored O__O