Euro's soccer

[JT9 104]

Anyone watching this year? Good start last night with Poland and Greece drawing and Russia smashing the Czechs 4-1

Great games tonight with Holland Denmark and Germany Portgual - group of death

Tips for the tournament is still Germany though

[45HG 1,539]

I'm tipping Germany also - but it's certainly a tough group and they haven't had fantastic form leading in.

[Macca 16,740]

Spain to win . Holland and Germany are always dangerous and Italy can never be counted out .

[45HG 1,539]

Germany get up over Portugal and Denmark produce the first upset of the tournament, downing a wasteful Dutch side.

Spain-Italy tonight.

[JT9 104]

Van Persie and Robben were disappointing! Good win for Germany, money on them and Gomez so good start!

[Macca 16,740]

Van Persie and Robben were disappointing! Good win for Germany, money on them and Gomez so good start!

Yep , the Dutch have now lost their opening 2 games , however if Germany beat Denmark (as expected) then Holland have a chance if they can defeat Portugal by 3 goals or so . Wouldn't put it past them but they're not playing their 'total football' brand in this tournament (so far)

Spain (1pt) are up against The Republic of Ireland (0pts) tonight as well as Croatia(3pts) against Italy (1pt) . Croatia will wrap up a quarter finals berth if they win . I reckon Spain should win but maybe a draw in the Italy/Croatia game .

There was talk of changing the group matches for this tournament and the next , but why would they want to change a tried and true method of teams advancing ?

Edited June 14, 2012 by Macca

[JT9 104]

i think what they want is 32 teams and 8 groups like the world cup, purely for money purposes. But I think it was honestly kill the tournament all together, in this format every game is all to play for

[Macca 16,740]

i think what they want is 32 teams and 8 groups like the world cup, purely for money purposes. But I think it was honestly kill the tournament all together, in this format every game is all to play for

Yeah , I agree 'JT9'. As an example , every game in the last round of the group games has something riding on it . Sweden and Ireland are out , but both teams can shape their groups .

England came from behind 1-2 to beat Sweden 3-2 in the end . France defeated the Ukraine 2-0 , but the last round of games will be very interesting . Ukraine at home against England will be no pushovers . A draw be will enough for England but you never know in this sport .

Tomorrows games see Greece (1pt) vs Russia (4pts) and the Czech Republic (3pts) vs Poland (2pts) . Poland win and they're through to the quarter finals .

Edited June 16, 2012 by Macca

[JT9 104]

Amazing turn around by the Czechs and Greece!! Who wouldve thought they would be the 2 to go through!!!!

Tonight looks very tasty! all 4 teams can through or go home.

Holland need a germany win and to beat portgual by 2 goals..very achievable! but portgual basically need a point to go through

[Macca 16,740]

Amazing turn around by the Czechs and Greece!! Who wouldve thought they would be the 2 to go through!!!!

Tonight looks very tasty! all 4 teams can through or go home.

Holland need a germany win and to beat portgual by 2 goals..very achievable! but portgual basically need a point to go through

Yeah , the Russians are out - well done to Greece . They won the whole thing in 2004 so who knows ? The Czechs are no total surprise and they can be dangerous . Not sure this was that strong a group - the Russians should achieve more but they often don't .

Tomorrow's games are fascinating . Anything could happen really but you'd expect Germany to win or draw to keep top spot - they will play Greece in the QF's if they finish top . Holland are nowhere near their best but if they click they could win by the 2 goals required . Of course , they will need Denmark to lose as well to go through to the QF's .

Portugal will need to win to get through if Denmark upset Germany . The games are played at the same time so there will be at least 3 teams trying to win . Should make for some entertaining games . The runner-up in this group will play the Czech Republic in the QF's .

Edited June 17, 2012 by Macca

[Macca 16,740]

Well that's it for Holland - out with zero points . Portugal were good though , Ronaldo stepped up . Portugal now play the Czech Republic in one QF whilst Germany (who topped the group) get to play Greece in another QF .

Tomorrow's games are Spain (4pts) vs Croatia (4pts) and Italy (2pts) vs The Republic of Ireland (0pts) . If Spain and Croatia draw 2 all , 3 all or 4 all etc , they will both go through to the QF'S regardless of the Italy/Croatia result .

If teams are level on points at the end of the group stages then placings are decided on how these teams went against each other . It can extend to the most goals scored and finally on how each team fared in the group (overall)

A more likely scenario is both Spain and Italy win thus ensuring both go through to the QF's .

SBS 2 offer a highlights package at 5.30pm daily .

Edited June 18, 2012 by Macca

[Macca 16,740]

Well this thread isn't exactly 'HOT' ! Anyways ...........

England and France go through after this mornings games . Sweden defeated France 2-0 but all a bit late .

Quarter final match-ups

QF1 - Czech Republic vs Portugal - 4.45am Friday EST

QF2 - Germany vs Greece - 4.45am Saturday EST

QF3 - Spain vs France - 4.45am Sunday EST

QF4 - England vs Italy - 4.45am Monday EST

Semi Finals are the winners of QF1 vs winners of QF3 and the winners of QF2 vs the winners of QF4 .

[JT9 104]

England could not have been luckier yesterday morning! disallowed goal, penalty, outplayed and score a woeful tap in. And then France lose so they avoid spain, however germany in the semis is not exactly a holiday and they still have italy.

My bets are all looking good so far,

Portugal to make semis

italy to be knocked out in either quarters or semis

germany to make final

spain to win

Gomez top scorer

Heres hoping for a Spain Germany final! At least for the excitement

[Macca 16,740]

England could not have been luckier yesterday morning! disallowed goal, penalty, outplayed and score a woeful tap in. And then France lose so they avoid spain, however germany in the semis is not exactly a holiday and they still have italy.

My bets are all looking good so far,

Portugal to make semis

italy to be knocked out in either quarters or semis

germany to make final

spain to win

Gomez top scorer

Heres hoping for a Spain Germany final! At least for the excitement

Portugal are through after another Ronaldo goal . They'll face either Spain or France in the Semi's . They could defeat France but not so sure about Spain . Not sure if any team can get enough possession against the Spaniards !

Germany should win through to the semis tomorrow , but I reckon Greece will take it right up to them .

[Macca 16,740]

Portugal are through after another Ronaldo goal . They'll face either Spain or France in the Semi's . They could defeat France but not so sure about Spain . Not sure if any team can get enough possession against the Spaniards !

Germany should win through to the semis tomorrow , but I reckon Greece will take it right up to them .

Well that didn't happen ! (though it was 1-1 after an hour) Germany were far too accomplished , dominated possession and ended up winning 4-2 . Germany play the winner of the England/Italy game .

Tomorrow's game sees Spain up against France . Spain will probably dominate possession and this should convert to a win (how's that for a conservative prediction !?)

Edited June 23, 2012 by Macca

[45HG 1,539]

I enjoyed the report from the Spanish paper following their final group win - "we suffered more than usual, but we won just like always."

[JT9 104]

haha, Yeah germany were just toooo good this morning, reckon Spain will be the same tomorrow

[Macca 16,740]

Spain won easily , France never threatened . It's looking like a Germany/Spain final unless something strange happens . Spain dominate possession so much that it's hard to see Portugal being able to compete . Germany have real goal scoring ability and should take care of England or Italy .

England have a definite chance tomorrow against a not so great Italy . It's a toss of the coin though . Maybe England to go through .

Edited June 24, 2012 by Macca

[45HG 1,539]

Italy through on penalties after seemingly dominating.

[Macca 16,740]

Italy through on penalties after seemingly dominating.

Yes , they dominated . Over 800 passes against just over 300 . Despite this domination it was still 0-0 after extra time . Italy had 20 shots on target vs 4 shots . 35 to 9 (overall) . England's defensive structure worked but it was their inability to counter attack and retain possession which was the issue .

If Spain and Germany win through (as expected) it will be a fascinating contrast in style between these 2 teams . The 1st semi final is on Thursday morning between Portugal and Spain .

Edited June 25, 2012 by Macca

[JT9 104]

utter utter domination and once again england go home on penalties. poor menatlity, poor tactics and just not good enough to match bigger sides

Italy had 500 more passes which says it all. The thing about England is that after 60 minutes the game was in the balance, they had 2 footballers upfront that could play football and play to feet and they take Welbeck off and just resort to a lump the ball forward to the massive oaf with the pony tail

Not sure what Roy was trying to prove taking so many liverpool players to this tournament but so many good quality players were at home in england (carrick richards ) while milner glen J etc just proved theyre not good enough

and pirlo really was the godfather out there. absolute master. all this cry of england not having a pirlo but theyve had one of the best players in manchester uniteds history winning title after cl after title in paul scholes never being fully utilised by england. a shame really, their own loss

[Macca 16,740]

Portugal out on penalties 2-4 . They had their chances to win in regulation and extra time . Ronaldo was the 5th penalty kicker and not used . Here is the Coach's explanation ......

"If it had been 4-4 and he had taken the last penalty, we'd be talking in a different way. It's about strategy and we'd defined that before," Portugal's coach Paulo Bento said

Germany up against Italy tomorrow morning . What are the chances of another penalty shoot-out ?

Edited June 28, 2012 by Macca

[45HG 1,539]

Italy 2-1 in regulation.

[Macca 16,740]

Italy 2-1 in regulation.

Yeah , Italy have struck form at the right time (again) . They probably could have won by more . Germany just can't seem to be able to beat the Italians . Balotelli starred again - big occasion player .

Italy have all the momentum now , going into the final . Could be a classic .

[JT9 104]

WOW Italy. Balotelli is a loose cannon to put it nicely but what a finish

Germany were bad but Italy were just too good