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Euro 2012 (64 posts)

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Kingshark said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

I haven’t watched a lot of football since South Africa 2010. Tell me, have France improved a lot since then? What about Italy? I’m asking for both of these countries as both were awful in the World Cup last time around.

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Slr said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

@kingshark France are currently unbeaten in something like 21 games, although they recently had a hard time beating Iceland. If France are at there best, they have a very real chance of winning the tournament.

Italy recently lost 3-0 to Russia, and there are currently problems in Italy over match-fixing. The team recently lost one of their players (Domenico Criscito – left back) after he was linked with the match-fixing. Having said that however, Italy went into the 2006 World Cup with match-fixing problems in their country, and they still won the tournament. So Italy can still perform when surrounded in major controversy. Italy usually play at their best in the later stages of each tournament, if they get that far.

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Kingshark said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

Interesting, thanks Slr.

It is obvious that Group B is really the group of doom, or whatever you’d like to call it. I actually think that Germany and Portugal will advance, and Holland will be knocked out. I’m expecting people to disagree, but Portugal has a very good record against Holland. They beat them at Euro 2004 and again at the World Cup 2006. I believe Germany will certainly make it through, and most people probably share this opinion. But Holland – Portugal should be a treat to watch.

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Bradley Downton said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

I think group B will be very interesting. Holland, Germany and Portugal are all very strong, but I expect Germany and Holland to progress to be honest. Past games count for nothing, generally.

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ShaneB457 said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

@kingshark They both have improved.. France have got their act together under Laurent Blanc and they are a way better side than what they were under Domenech..

Italy have changed to a more attacking style.. I dont think they no longer score a goal and then put everyone behind the ball to try and hang on..

They both have some solid players so I wouldnt be surprised if they both did well..

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Kingshark said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

Considering that Holland has been recently struggling in their friendly matches – losing to Germany, Bayern Munich, and Bulgaria (!). If Bulgaria can beat their A-squad, Portugal certainly can. And I mean no disrespect to Bulgaria.

Portugal on the other hand, has been rolling. Portugal beat Spain 4-0 in a friendly, and yes, both teams had their A-squad on the pitch. I know it was only a friendly, but still; beating Spain 4-0 is one hell of an achievement!

Portugal usually plays well when facing a strong opponent. But for some reason the air in their tires deflate against weaker opponents. But Portugal can beat the Dutch, they have a good record against them.

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ShaneB457 said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

That was a late reply to your post @kingshark .. Slr said it perfectly :)

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JPedroCQF1 said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

@kingshark I really don’t believe Portugal will make it through. We lost 3-1 last Saturday against Turkey.

And when Portugal won against Holland in 2004 and 2006, we had a much better team. Figo was still in the squad, basically half of the gold generation was there. Now none of them is left: the best player we have is Cristiano Ronaldo, and he doesn’t perform very well while playing for Portugal.

And when Portugal beat Spain 4-0… well, it is hard to explain. Spain seemed to be playing like kids, and all the goals were crappy ones. Like the ones against Korea in the World Cup. For me, those two games were a complete joke.

I’m expecting Portugal to lose against Germany and Holland, and tie with Denmark, hence being eliminated. All of my friends and family willl be disappointed, but well, I’ve warned them.

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ShaneB457 said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

Wow what a great first game of the tournament.. Greece were hopeless in the first half and deserved to be a goal down..their defence was really shaky when Poland went on the counter attack..
I do feel however that the sending off was way too harsh..neither of the two tackles deserved to be a yellow card..
It was a tale of two halfs though..Greece equalised out of nothing really but after that they really improved..
Poland got a bit complacent and sat back and they were punished..if they kept up the pressure in the second half they would have easily won I feel.. I think they got a bit tired which was strange as its only the first game of the tournament..

Fair play to greece though..they hung on in there and in the end I think a draw was a fair result even if Greece did miss that penalty..

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Ciaran said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

I’m rooting for Ireland obviously. I’d say we have a good chance of getting to the knockout stage. Croatia aren’t out of this world and Italy have the match-fixing scandal hanging over their heads. If we get a good result against the Croatians I think we will go far.

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James_mc said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

I think France basically wasted 8 years under Dominech.

I usually can’t stand the hubris surrounding Eng-ur-larnd, but I actually find myself rooting for them, mainly due to the fact that everyone wanted the crook ‘Arry and they got Woy instead who got a raw deal at Liverpool and is clearly not as popular as The Crook.

Interestingly, most teams are not seeming particularly confident, I think that it could well be a year for Germany, although Netherlands seem to be peaking as team and most of the Eastern European (from my perspective in the globe!) teams look strong. Russia were very impressive tonight! And Poland will go far too I think!

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Kingshark said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

I think France basically wasted 8 years under Dominech.

I strongly disagree. They very nearly won the 2006 World Cup, losing out to Italy in penalties. Domenech deserved more credit for what he’s done for France.

Anyway, back on topic. I’m very surprised that Russia steamrolled Czech 4-1. I was expecting Czech to be much stronger than they were. They are certainly the weakest team in the group, and maybe the weakest team in the tournament. Props to the Russians though, they played a fantastic game.

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Slr said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

I was expecting Czech to be much stronger than they were. They are certainly the weakest team in the group, and maybe the weakest team in the tournament.

I disagree, the Czech Republic on paper should beat Greece and Poland and finish second in the group. They do have a good team, but Russia are just simply better.

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James_mc said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

Czech Rep were pretty close to getting beaten twice by a poor Scotland team so I am not surprised they lost, just not quite in the manner in which they did….

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Kingshark said 11 months, 2 weeks ago:

Good job by Germany and Holland today. I still firmly believe that Portugal will be the one advancing to the next round, not the Dutch. We’ll have to wait and see.

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