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On June 21 2012 05:44 Sphaero wrote:Show nested quote +On June 21 2012 04:21 Xorphene wrote:
Semi's will be:
Greece vs England and Portugal vs France. Wouldn´t bet on it  If I´m completely honest, not a single team truly impressed me so far. - The Czech and Greece are the complete underdogs in the bracket. A Cech in a formidable state could maybe make something happen for the former, but he seems to have lost his form a little in comparison to the CL. The latter will be really hurt by the absence of their top striker Karagounis vs. Germany. I don´t see either of them advancing. - France doesn´t deserve to be in the quarters as far as I´m concerned. They looked way weaker than I expected. Won´t make it past Spain. - England performance was pretty shaky. I thought that the return of Rooney would give them a little bit of confidence and stability but I didn´t see it against Ukraine. Will probably have problems with the compact style of Italy. - Italy and Portugal looked OK in my book. Nothing too fancy, but they got the job done. Contenders for the semis. - Spain. The big favorite before the tourney started. Didn´t play like one most of the time. They played their usual style with solid defense, a lot of possession and their not ending passing. This is normally their route to success, but I think that Xavi and Iniesta don´t bring their A game right now. Their sparks of Genius are pretty rare, which makes them more mortal than ever. Nonetheless, in my eyes the eventual winner will need to beat them to take the trophy. - Lastly, Germany, the technically best performing team until now. Won every game in the hardest group. Even with that, I´m still not 100% convinced with their play. I actually find it very predictable. Two things speak for them, though. They became pretty efficient and don´t need too many chances to score. The second aspect is the surprisingly strong defense. I don´t know how much reached the nongerman viewers, but the defense was viewed as the weakest part of the German team. Especially the discussion for the second center back next to Badstuber was heated. Thank god, Löw put his trust in Hummels, who is next to Neuer IMO the strongest German player until now and also the best overall performing defender in the tourney. If they can keep this solid defense and Spain doesn´t step up their game, they have a good chance to clinch a trophy after 16 long years. This is how I see the tourney unfolding: Portugal > Czech Republic Germany > Greece Spain > France Italy > England Spain > Portugal Germany > Italy Germany ? Spain Final could go either way. Heart says Germany, though 
I fail to see how England deserves Quarters more than France...
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Well judging from performances England got 2 wins and a draw, France 1 of each. That's why, since France have really under-performed for the players they have.
I agree with Sphaero, I think England - Italy and Portugal - Czech Republic could go either way though. Depends if key players show up like Ronaldo, Ballotelli, Rooney etc
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Supporting England must be nerve-recking. You always know how strong they could be but you never know whether they decide to show up for a match or not. How do you mentally prepare for that?^^
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You just come to expect nothing anyway, and then if they actually do do well then its a nice surprise
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On June 21 2012 06:37 aqui wrote:
Supporting England must be nerve-recking. You always know how strong they could be but you never know whether they decide to show up for a match or not. How do you mentally prepare for that?^^
Yeah. And the worst thing is that the media always overhype things. I got a feeling we gonna hit 1-1/2-2 and then drop out on pens. GAHHHHH (England)
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Supporting England gets wearing if you pay any attention to the media - already they're claiming we're better than at any point under Capello despite poor performances or shaky moments cropping up.
That said, we are trying, you can see that, and the team really seems to have a 'togetherness' that seemed a bit lacking in previous tournaments. How much is down to Hodgson and how much is down to a siege mentality brought on by low expectation is impossible to say - could it be that maybe not being heralded as the greatest England team ever before the tournament even begins might have not put pressure on England and they are therefore doing better......? Please, for the love of God media, take notice.
Anyways still have to plump for Germany to win it - far and away the most convincing team out there, with Italy close behind, the only teams that have the quality to win the tournament coupled with the fact the players actually look like they want to be there. Spain and France are far from convincing, England lack the quality and Greece and the Czechs are similar. Portugal will be in with a shout if they can get Ronaldo firing, but for sheer quality all over the pitch and a solid team work ethic, has to be Germany.
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On June 21 2012 06:37 aqui wrote:
Supporting England must be nerve-recking. You always know how strong they could be but you never know whether they decide to show up for a match or not. How do you mentally prepare for that?^^
There is a tendency to expect the team to score in the first half and give up in the last 20 minutes of the second half and let in two goals. Everyone I was with were extremely surprised when we came back to beat Sweden, very much unlike us.
My attitude is to only be happy when we are 2 goals up, as then we go out to get more. It is odd, listening to the commentators, you can hear the differences when we go a goal up, half of them screaming to just hold the ball, the other half saying no, you have to go for the throat and play it.
What has been confusing me is this rage about "Chelsea" - style of winning. It doesn't make for less exciting football, but I can see how that defensive structure can make it seem boring, but it beats the smack the ball up to forwards and hope they get it policy.
Really loved how England has played the passing game, even if defensively, nice to see. I think versus Italy it really depends on who scores first, as both teams can play it safe and really hold up the ball. However, I just think the Italians are stronger and will win 1 - 0 or 2 - 1. For who will win, it totally is determined by how Germany can handle any of their games were they go down 1 - 0 against the run of play, will they hold strong or lose focus?
Spain are not looking great to me, I've put a bet on France to turn up as the giant killers and take them out.
Finals to me are going to be Germany - Portugal, with Germany winning 3 - 1.
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On June 21 2012 14:02 Sanctimonius wrote:
Supporting England gets wearing if you pay any attention to the media - already they're claiming we're better than at any point under Capello despite poor performances or shaky moments cropping up.
That said, we are trying, you can see that, and the team really seems to have a 'togetherness' that seemed a bit lacking in previous tournaments. How much is down to Hodgson and how much is down to a siege mentality brought on by low expectation is impossible to say - could it be that maybe not being heralded as the greatest England team ever before the tournament even begins might have not put pressure on England and they are therefore doing better......? Please, for the love of God media, take notice.
Anyways still have to plump for Germany to win it - far and away the most convincing team out there, with Italy close behind, the only teams that have the quality to win the tournament coupled with the fact the players actually look like they want to be there. Spain and France are far from convincing, England lack the quality and Greece and the Czechs are similar. Portugal will be in with a shout if they can get Ronaldo firing, but for sheer quality all over the pitch and a solid team work ethic, has to be Germany.
Ye I think we're playing pretty poorly we looked second best against the Ukraine but on the plus side we're getting results. Was impressed in the Swedish game because even though we didn't play that well, we upped our game when we needed to and got the win.
Not been hugely impressed with any team so far, I think Spain lack an out and out goal scorer but Torres looks pretty dangerous, wish they would give him a full game and the Germans are getting results but they don't keep the ball as well as I expected they would, seem to prefer playing on the counter but I haven't seen a lot of pace or clever movement from them to create a lot of chances. All the other teams look mediocre to me.
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On June 21 2012 21:36 CallousCarter wrote:Show nested quote +On June 21 2012 14:02 Sanctimonius wrote:
Supporting England gets wearing if you pay any attention to the media - already they're claiming we're better than at any point under Capello despite poor performances or shaky moments cropping up.
That said, we are trying, you can see that, and the team really seems to have a 'togetherness' that seemed a bit lacking in previous tournaments. How much is down to Hodgson and how much is down to a siege mentality brought on by low expectation is impossible to say - could it be that maybe not being heralded as the greatest England team ever before the tournament even begins might have not put pressure on England and they are therefore doing better......? Please, for the love of God media, take notice.
Anyways still have to plump for Germany to win it - far and away the most convincing team out there, with Italy close behind, the only teams that have the quality to win the tournament coupled with the fact the players actually look like they want to be there. Spain and France are far from convincing, England lack the quality and Greece and the Czechs are similar. Portugal will be in with a shout if they can get Ronaldo firing, but for sheer quality all over the pitch and a solid team work ethic, has to be Germany. Ye I think we're playing pretty poorly we looked second best against the Ukraine but on the plus side we're getting results. Was impressed in the Swedish game because even though we didn't play that well, we upped our game when we needed to and got the win. Not been hugely impressed with any team so far, I think Spain lack an out and out goal scorer but Torres looks pretty dangerous, wish they would give him a full game and the Germans are getting results but they don't keep the ball as well as I expected they would, seem to prefer playing on the counter but I haven't seen a lot of pace or clever movement from them to create a lot of chances. All the other teams look mediocre to me.
Portugal vs Holland was a real eye opener into Portugal when they play well, the speed of the counters was ridiculous.
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On June 21 2012 22:47 coko wrote:Show nested quote +On June 21 2012 21:36 CallousCarter wrote:On June 21 2012 14:02 Sanctimonius wrote:
Supporting England gets wearing if you pay any attention to the media - already they're claiming we're better than at any point under Capello despite poor performances or shaky moments cropping up.
That said, we are trying, you can see that, and the team really seems to have a 'togetherness' that seemed a bit lacking in previous tournaments. How much is down to Hodgson and how much is down to a siege mentality brought on by low expectation is impossible to say - could it be that maybe not being heralded as the greatest England team ever before the tournament even begins might have not put pressure on England and they are therefore doing better......? Please, for the love of God media, take notice.
Anyways still have to plump for Germany to win it - far and away the most convincing team out there, with Italy close behind, the only teams that have the quality to win the tournament coupled with the fact the players actually look like they want to be there. Spain and France are far from convincing, England lack the quality and Greece and the Czechs are similar. Portugal will be in with a shout if they can get Ronaldo firing, but for sheer quality all over the pitch and a solid team work ethic, has to be Germany. Ye I think we're playing pretty poorly we looked second best against the Ukraine but on the plus side we're getting results. Was impressed in the Swedish game because even though we didn't play that well, we upped our game when we needed to and got the win. Not been hugely impressed with any team so far, I think Spain lack an out and out goal scorer but Torres looks pretty dangerous, wish they would give him a full game and the Germans are getting results but they don't keep the ball as well as I expected they would, seem to prefer playing on the counter but I haven't seen a lot of pace or clever movement from them to create a lot of chances. All the other teams look mediocre to me. Portugal vs Holland was a real eye opener into Portugal when they play well, the speed of the counters was ridiculous.
Yea, Netherland really paid the price for not taking out Ronaldo in the first 5 minute like they did in 2006
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I'm going for Germany on this one. They have a young team with a lot of talent and experience in some of the biggest European teams. If they keep playing like this, they have the biggest chance to win it all.
They have been playing very good this past year (even before the Euro 2012 started).
And they are very hungry to win a big competition so that's pushing them even further.
Would be nice to have Germany - Portugal in the finals, but Portugal team hasn't really shown very impressive soccer since the beginning of the Euro 2012.
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On June 21 2012 22:52 don_kyuhote wrote:Show nested quote +On June 21 2012 22:47 coko wrote:On June 21 2012 21:36 CallousCarter wrote:On June 21 2012 14:02 Sanctimonius wrote:
Supporting England gets wearing if you pay any attention to the media - already they're claiming we're better than at any point under Capello despite poor performances or shaky moments cropping up.
That said, we are trying, you can see that, and the team really seems to have a 'togetherness' that seemed a bit lacking in previous tournaments. How much is down to Hodgson and how much is down to a siege mentality brought on by low expectation is impossible to say - could it be that maybe not being heralded as the greatest England team ever before the tournament even begins might have not put pressure on England and they are therefore doing better......? Please, for the love of God media, take notice.
Anyways still have to plump for Germany to win it - far and away the most convincing team out there, with Italy close behind, the only teams that have the quality to win the tournament coupled with the fact the players actually look like they want to be there. Spain and France are far from convincing, England lack the quality and Greece and the Czechs are similar. Portugal will be in with a shout if they can get Ronaldo firing, but for sheer quality all over the pitch and a solid team work ethic, has to be Germany. Ye I think we're playing pretty poorly we looked second best against the Ukraine but on the plus side we're getting results. Was impressed in the Swedish game because even though we didn't play that well, we upped our game when we needed to and got the win. Not been hugely impressed with any team so far, I think Spain lack an out and out goal scorer but Torres looks pretty dangerous, wish they would give him a full game and the Germans are getting results but they don't keep the ball as well as I expected they would, seem to prefer playing on the counter but I haven't seen a lot of pace or clever movement from them to create a lot of chances. All the other teams look mediocre to me. Portugal vs Holland was a real eye opener into Portugal when they play well, the speed of the counters was ridiculous. Yea, Netherland really paid the price for not taking out Ronaldo in the first 5 minute like they did in 2006
We paid the price for being terrible ;s. Well atleast we gave Ronaldo back his confidence -.-
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On June 22 2012 02:29 RvB wrote:Show nested quote +On June 21 2012 22:52 don_kyuhote wrote:On June 21 2012 22:47 coko wrote:On June 21 2012 21:36 CallousCarter wrote:On June 21 2012 14:02 Sanctimonius wrote:
Supporting England gets wearing if you pay any attention to the media - already they're claiming we're better than at any point under Capello despite poor performances or shaky moments cropping up.
That said, we are trying, you can see that, and the team really seems to have a 'togetherness' that seemed a bit lacking in previous tournaments. How much is down to Hodgson and how much is down to a siege mentality brought on by low expectation is impossible to say - could it be that maybe not being heralded as the greatest England team ever before the tournament even begins might have not put pressure on England and they are therefore doing better......? Please, for the love of God media, take notice.
Anyways still have to plump for Germany to win it - far and away the most convincing team out there, with Italy close behind, the only teams that have the quality to win the tournament coupled with the fact the players actually look like they want to be there. Spain and France are far from convincing, England lack the quality and Greece and the Czechs are similar. Portugal will be in with a shout if they can get Ronaldo firing, but for sheer quality all over the pitch and a solid team work ethic, has to be Germany. Ye I think we're playing pretty poorly we looked second best against the Ukraine but on the plus side we're getting results. Was impressed in the Swedish game because even though we didn't play that well, we upped our game when we needed to and got the win. Not been hugely impressed with any team so far, I think Spain lack an out and out goal scorer but Torres looks pretty dangerous, wish they would give him a full game and the Germans are getting results but they don't keep the ball as well as I expected they would, seem to prefer playing on the counter but I haven't seen a lot of pace or clever movement from them to create a lot of chances. All the other teams look mediocre to me. Portugal vs Holland was a real eye opener into Portugal when they play well, the speed of the counters was ridiculous. Yea, Netherland really paid the price for not taking out Ronaldo in the first 5 minute like they did in 2006 We paid the price for being terrible ;s. Well atleast we gave Ronaldo back his confidence -.-
Yep, it's what a guy who has only scored 60 goals for Real Madrid this season needed... Confidence xD
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On June 22 2012 03:02 Mallidon wrote:Show nested quote +On June 22 2012 02:29 RvB wrote:On June 21 2012 22:52 don_kyuhote wrote:On June 21 2012 22:47 coko wrote:On June 21 2012 21:36 CallousCarter wrote:On June 21 2012 14:02 Sanctimonius wrote:
Supporting England gets wearing if you pay any attention to the media - already they're claiming we're better than at any point under Capello despite poor performances or shaky moments cropping up.
That said, we are trying, you can see that, and the team really seems to have a 'togetherness' that seemed a bit lacking in previous tournaments. How much is down to Hodgson and how much is down to a siege mentality brought on by low expectation is impossible to say - could it be that maybe not being heralded as the greatest England team ever before the tournament even begins might have not put pressure on England and they are therefore doing better......? Please, for the love of God media, take notice.
Anyways still have to plump for Germany to win it - far and away the most convincing team out there, with Italy close behind, the only teams that have the quality to win the tournament coupled with the fact the players actually look like they want to be there. Spain and France are far from convincing, England lack the quality and Greece and the Czechs are similar. Portugal will be in with a shout if they can get Ronaldo firing, but for sheer quality all over the pitch and a solid team work ethic, has to be Germany. Ye I think we're playing pretty poorly we looked second best against the Ukraine but on the plus side we're getting results. Was impressed in the Swedish game because even though we didn't play that well, we upped our game when we needed to and got the win. Not been hugely impressed with any team so far, I think Spain lack an out and out goal scorer but Torres looks pretty dangerous, wish they would give him a full game and the Germans are getting results but they don't keep the ball as well as I expected they would, seem to prefer playing on the counter but I haven't seen a lot of pace or clever movement from them to create a lot of chances. All the other teams look mediocre to me. Portugal vs Holland was a real eye opener into Portugal when they play well, the speed of the counters was ridiculous. Yea, Netherland really paid the price for not taking out Ronaldo in the first 5 minute like they did in 2006 We paid the price for being terrible ;s. Well atleast we gave Ronaldo back his confidence -.- Yep, it's what a guy who has only scored 60 goals for Real Madrid this season needed... Confidence xD
He was nearly in tears after the Denmark game
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On June 22 2012 03:02 Mallidon wrote:Show nested quote +On June 22 2012 02:29 RvB wrote:On June 21 2012 22:52 don_kyuhote wrote:On June 21 2012 22:47 coko wrote:On June 21 2012 21:36 CallousCarter wrote:On June 21 2012 14:02 Sanctimonius wrote:
Supporting England gets wearing if you pay any attention to the media - already they're claiming we're better than at any point under Capello despite poor performances or shaky moments cropping up.
That said, we are trying, you can see that, and the team really seems to have a 'togetherness' that seemed a bit lacking in previous tournaments. How much is down to Hodgson and how much is down to a siege mentality brought on by low expectation is impossible to say - could it be that maybe not being heralded as the greatest England team ever before the tournament even begins might have not put pressure on England and they are therefore doing better......? Please, for the love of God media, take notice.
Anyways still have to plump for Germany to win it - far and away the most convincing team out there, with Italy close behind, the only teams that have the quality to win the tournament coupled with the fact the players actually look like they want to be there. Spain and France are far from convincing, England lack the quality and Greece and the Czechs are similar. Portugal will be in with a shout if they can get Ronaldo firing, but for sheer quality all over the pitch and a solid team work ethic, has to be Germany. Ye I think we're playing pretty poorly we looked second best against the Ukraine but on the plus side we're getting results. Was impressed in the Swedish game because even though we didn't play that well, we upped our game when we needed to and got the win. Not been hugely impressed with any team so far, I think Spain lack an out and out goal scorer but Torres looks pretty dangerous, wish they would give him a full game and the Germans are getting results but they don't keep the ball as well as I expected they would, seem to prefer playing on the counter but I haven't seen a lot of pace or clever movement from them to create a lot of chances. All the other teams look mediocre to me. Portugal vs Holland was a real eye opener into Portugal when they play well, the speed of the counters was ridiculous. Yea, Netherland really paid the price for not taking out Ronaldo in the first 5 minute like they did in 2006 We paid the price for being terrible ;s. Well atleast we gave Ronaldo back his confidence -.- Yep, it's what a guy who has only scored 60 goals for Real Madrid this season needed... Confidence xD
Judging from his performance against Denmark he certainly did.
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SPAAAAAAIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNN
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On June 22 2012 02:00 krayzy wrote:
Would be nice to have Germany - Portugal in the finals, but Portugal team hasn't really shown very impressive soccer since the beginning of the Euro 2012.
I'm a little Biased but Portugal was far superior than any team that they played in the 4 games so far...
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You must have not seen the Germany game. Or the Denmark game.
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I've seen all games... Portugal played better than Germany, especially in the second half... And the denmark game we suffered 2 goals against the tides of the game, and we also played better.
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EPT
