Euro 2012

[horst1]

Who do you think will win tonight? I think Germany probably has the greatest chance of winning, but you never know. Greece may have a chance?

germany tonight obviously (80:20 imo)
spain tomorrow (60:40)
italy on sunday (70:30)

just judging from the last couple games (in the cup and the last few months)

[SammiValentine]

germany 90/10
spain 90/10
england 50/50 (pens)

[robertlouis]

germany 90/10
spain 90/10
england 50/50 (pens)

lmao. Brilliant, Ms V.

[up_for_it]

Wow. Germany through, what a great game. They scored some fantastic goals and created some incredible chances, but looked so shaky at the same time- caught out by the Greeks on more than once occasion. In the center, Schweinsteiger in particular looked lost at times and even Oezil gave away a few passes. As far as defense- Boateng and the penalty!

The next round should be very interesting- Schuerrle and Reus were good on goal but missed at least half a dozen opportunities to score. A lack of finishing has haunted them all tournament no matter who is up front.

Such a good game, and all credit to the Greeks for the counter attack, the goal was well deserved. Still, whoever Germany plays next will be of much better quality and they'll need to tighten things up massively.

Anyone else noticed how much the tourney has been a paradox in terms of style of play? Nowadays in club football most chances are created from within the midfield, but most of the Euro goals have come in from the wings.

Watching Spain V. France now. Can't wait to see England take on Italy...

[robertlouis]

Wow. Germany through, what a great game. They scored some fantastic goals and created some incredible chances, but looked so shaky at the same time- caught out by the Greeks on more than once occasion. In the center, Schweinsteiger in particular looked lost at times and even Oezil gave away a few passes. As far as defense- Boateng and the penalty!

The next round should be very interesting- Schuerrle and Reus were good on goal but missed at least half a dozen opportunities to score. A lack of finishing has haunted them all tournament no matter who is up front.

Such a good game, and all credit to the Greeks for the counter attack, the goal was well deserved. Still, whoever Germany plays next will be of much better quality and they'll need to tighten things up massively.

Anyone else noticed how much the tourney has been a paradox in terms of style of play? Nowadays in club football most chances are created from within the midfield, but most of the Euro goals have come in from the wings.

Watching Spain V. France now. Can't wait to see England take on Italy...

I agree. Germany were inconsistent at best, but still good enough to beat a spirited Greece by two goals. A game against either Italy or England in the semi would be interesting to watch. I reckon England would represent more of a challenge (this is a Scotsman speaking!) because of the intensity with which they play.

Spain have just beaten France 2-0, both goals from Xabi Alonso. Tiki taka at its very best. The semi between Spain and Portugal could be a classic.

[up_for_it]

I agree. Germany were inconsistent at best, but still good enough to beat a spirited Greece by two goals. A game against either Italy or England in the semi would be interesting to watch. I reckon England would represent more of a challenge (this is a Scotsman speaking!) because of the intensity with which they play.

Spain have just beaten France 2-0, both goals from Xabi Alonso. Tiki taka at its very best. The semi between Spain and Portugal could be a classic.

Agreed Spain v. Portugal will be one to watch. I wasn't too impressed with today's game though- Spain played well as always but despite Xabi's goals (glad to see him finally score in the competition!) However, to me it was very much the same old Spain. Fun to watch (espec. with Fabregas on the pitch) but pretty much the same old same old and what we expect by now. Again I find it ironic the first goal came from outside, in contrast to Spain's careful efforts to control midfield- par for the course in this tournament regardless of the country.

France was woeful, particuarly in light of Benzema's season with Madrid and the presence of Ribery on the flank. They just never seemed to pull it together enough to look threatening. I just expected more and I'm not sure they would have played any better if they weren't hindered by the alleged disunity. They just never looked very inspired. Much like the Dutch, who also played very much like a team of misfit individuals.

At any rate, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's match and it really seems anything could happed (of course- this is football). England are warming up a bit with the return of the Roon and are very well disciplined and organzied overall. I think it will come down to shutting down Pirlo, then again, as a fan of Serie A I will say with confiedence DiNatale never fails to surprise, he's quick witted and can pop up anywhere. The one fear I have is that both sides will play conservatively given what's at stake and I'd personally hate to see a game that matches England's defensive play with an Italian reversion to the same sort of tactics.

To return to Germany for a moment- I found it ironic Loew's changes both delivered in the attack and undermined in defense. It really was sort of a 50-50 situation in reterospect. I'm not sure what is going on with "Schweini" but I suspect he is feeling the burden of responsibility- the German press pretty much hung everything on him in the build up to the match. Oezil featured less heavily and played much better.

That being said, the passing was off, which to me is one of the most beautiful aspects of the German style of play.

Still very much divided on the outcome tomorrow though.

[naresuan]

it will be a Germany v Spain final.....am I the only one who thinks the football has been pretty mediocre? the UK media has been saying its been a brilliant tournament

[Prospero]

Good luck to England tonight. Doubt if they'll win and I won't be watching but power to them.....

[SammiValentine]

it will be a Germany v Spain final.....am I the only one who thinks the football has been pretty mediocre? the UK media has been saying its been a brilliant tournament

it is better than the last 3 from memory. I was a bit young for euro 96 but that was prolly the best I remember

[SammiValentine]

I agree. Germany were inconsistent at best, but still good enough to beat a spirited Greece by two goals. A game against either Italy or England in the semi would be interesting to watch. I reckon England would represent more of a challenge (this is a Scotsman speaking!) because of the intensity with which they play.

Spain have just beaten France 2-0, both goals from Xabi Alonso. Tiki taka at its very best. The semi between Spain and Portugal could be a classic.

Spain v portugal... if portugal setup and play like they did against germany then it could be anything but a classoc

Opening games are usually cagey, and it was the group of death.. so interesting to see which portgual turns up

Does Roy Hodgsons sides really play with a high intensity... I dont really think so.