| Forum Index > UEFA Euro 2012 |
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socommaster123
United States578 Posts
Also you have to feel slightly bad for all of the English injuries. Well you dont have to feel bad I just feel bad for Steven Gerrard because he is my favorite player from my favorite team and it seems he is always given the task of leading this young and injury ridden English squad. Anyway tell us who you think will win and why!! | ||
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AsnSensation
Germany24009 Posts
why are you talking about torres being the sole 1man army up front? Just read today that Fabregas seems to have recovered and is villa injured? | ||
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Lyter
United Kingdom2145 Posts
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Elem
Sweden4717 Posts
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Tommylew
Wales2717 Posts
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clusen
Germany8702 Posts
So either France, Holland or Germany :p | ||
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Maenander
Germany4926 Posts
Ribery is in awesome form, Giroud and Benzema are top forwards and their defense is very experienced. | ||
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OpticalShot
Canada6330 Posts
Also, where is the poll? | ||
Shellshock
United States97276 Posts
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Mafe
Germany5966 Posts
My tier ranking is: 1.No title = failure: Germany  , Spain, Netherlands.2.Dark horses: France, Italy, Portugal. 3.Wouldn't want to face them in quarters: Russia, Czech Republic, Croatia, England. 4.Would like to face them in quarters: Poland, Denmark, Sweden. 5.Happy to be there: Ireland, Ukraine, Greece. In the end, I am quite optimistic that we will win it. | ||
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Terminal
United Kingdom2109 Posts
Jokes. Gonna go for Germany or Netherlands most likely. Obviously Spain have a good shot too. | ||
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Itachii
Poland12466 Posts
France has this, Spain vs Germany won't happen. | ||
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The Brow
3 Posts
Contenders: England, Poland, France, Croatia(if they mange to get out of their slump) | ||
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Turquoise
Turkey145 Posts
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mderg
Germany1740 Posts
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Redox
Germany24794 Posts
Spain is the favorite to me. | ||
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charcute
Canada419 Posts
Who can score vs them?? | ||
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Prof. Protoss
Germany744 Posts
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DragoonTT
3398 Posts
On June 07 2012 03:12 Redox wrote: I believe Germany is overrated. During the qualification they were really good. but tthe preparation for this tournament was quite bad. And Bayern players are probably still somewhat down becasue of the lost CL final. Spain is the favorite to me. I have to agree with this. Germany did look far from solid in their last matches, have problems with key players coming back from injuries (Mertesacker, Klose) and mental setbacks (Bayern players - actually, the only starting XI players having had a moderately successful season are the Real players and Klose) and have a key match to start off the tournament. Lose against Portugal - can easily happen if Ronaldo scores early and/or very late and German offensive doesn't have a good day - and they're basically guaranteed their tickets home. Favourite to take it would be Spain, followed by the Netherlands and France - all of them can control a game through powerful offensive, yet Spain has the most solid defense out of those three. Both France and Spain would have to choke incredibly hard to not make it out of their groups, too, while Group B is anyone's game depending on first playday results. | ||
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Retric
Germany284 Posts
On June 07 2012 03:29 charcute wrote: England for sure, at least final for them Who can score vs them?? ..... | ||
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socommaster123
United States578 Posts
On June 07 2012 02:13 AsnSensation wrote: GERMANY why are you talking about torres being the sole 1man army up front? Just read today that Fabregas seems to have recovered and is villa injured? ...Yes Villa is injured, and Fabregas doesn't play up front like a striker he is dangerous around the edge of the box but not an upfront threat. You can look up their squad at any point to see their euro team. | ||
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drag_
England425 Posts
I'm not really sure why people are writing us off, and saying we're on the level of Sweden or Russia or whatever. We still have proven world class players in Gerrard, Hart, Terry, Cole and Rooney. Welbeck, Walcott, Young, the Ox and co are somewhat unknown on an international level, but have impressed in the premiership. Furthermore our international record over the last year is impressive, with wins over Spain, Belgium, Sweden and Norway and a narrow defeat against the Dutch. Our defence has been rock solid recently - I can really see us getting somewhere this summer. | ||
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TSBspartacus
England1046 Posts
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nojok
France15845 Posts
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Steveling
Greece10806 Posts
My top picks are Spain cause spain and a surprise in russia. | ||
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adalcim
Germany166 Posts
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FreedomMurder
Canada200 Posts
On June 07 2012 04:02 DragoonTT wrote: I have to agree with this. Germany did look far from solid in their last matches, have problems with key players coming back from injuries (Mertesacker, Klose) and mental setbacks (Bayern players - actually, the only starting XI players having had a moderately successful season are the Real players and Klose) and have a key match to start off the tournament. Lose against Portugal - can easily happen if Ronaldo scores early and/or very late and German offensive doesn't have a good day - and they're basically guaranteed their tickets home. Favourite to take it would be Spain, followed by the Netherlands and France - all of them can control a game through powerful offensive, yet Spain has the most solid defense out of those three. Both France and Spain would have to choke incredibly hard to not make it out of their groups, too, while Group B is anyone's game depending on first playday results. Agreed. I think the Netherlands has to truly focus on D to win it. Arjen Robben needs to score in more ways then driving down the right wing, cutting left and shooting. I think they are my favourite to win though. | ||
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Ysellian
Netherlands9029 Posts
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Hazzyboy
Estonia555 Posts
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Kojaimea
United Kingdom277 Posts
I really feel as though a lack of expectation should help us out. In all seriousness though, I can't look past Spain. They'll miss Villa, but anyone who saw Llorente in the Europa League will understand that he is more than adequate as a replacement. | ||
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Terminal
United Kingdom2109 Posts
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tadL
Croatia679 Posts
 I think france will do it | ||
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cydereal
United States193 Posts
I must confess, though, I'd love to see Croatia make a deep run. I've enjoyed their play over the last 8 years or so. Mandzukic could have a real coming out party and their squad has a lot of depth despite the country's size. Supporting Spurs too, I'm partial to Modric, Kranjcar and Corluka. My only regret is that there are no Turks to rehash the Euro 2008 badassery that those two countries provided! | ||
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Silv.user
59 Posts
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AIOL!
France962 Posts
But we will see a France - Spain or a France - Netherlands in 1/4 so one of those 3 bigs will not pas trough. I'm worried about that because even if we have a good team and good teamplay our defense is one of the weakest we ever had, with a catastrophic and idiot patrice Evra who most of the time plays higher than Ribery and is one of the worst defender on the planet skill wise. He just does things you cannot see at a professionnal level, he's not a defender. And our central defence is slow, slow, slow and even slower, i think we will take at least two goals from england if Blanc doesn't let Koscielny play instead of Rami. | ||
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NuclearJudas
6546 Posts
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kyllinghest
Norway1607 Posts
On June 07 2012 03:11 mderg wrote: Russia, not the best squad but they will upset the netherlands in the quarterfinal and then everything will go their way. I agree, I too think they are the dark horse of this race. I do think Germany or Spain will take it, with the Netherlands as a close contender, but if those russians get that amazing football going; surely they can beat anyone on their day. | ||
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AgentChaos
United Kingdom4569 Posts
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Navi
5286 Posts
I have a feeling France will win it all - hope Germany will prove me wrong :D | ||
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Monsen
Germany2548 Posts
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FireBlast!
United Kingdom5251 Posts
Spain as a close second favourite. If only they had Villa. | ||
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InfusedTT.DaZe
Romania693 Posts
wait we are too pathetic to even qualify nvm... | ||
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schmutttt
Australia3856 Posts
On June 07 2012 04:29 drag_ wrote: I'm not really sure why people are writing us off, and saying we're on the level of Sweden or Russia or whatever. We still have proven world class players in Gerrard, Hart, Terry, Cole and Rooney. Welbeck, Walcott, Young, the Ox and co are somewhat unknown on an international level, but have impressed in the premiership. Furthermore our international record over the last year is impressive, with wins over Spain, Belgium, Sweden and Norway and a narrow defeat against the Dutch. Our defence has been rock solid recently - I can really see us getting somewhere this summer. Er, Gerrard hasn't been world class in anything for a couple years now, Hart I rate but unproven at international level. Terry has been overrated for years, Rooney doesn't deliver for England, I'll give you Cole though. If England are stupid enough to put Gerrard and Lampard in the same XI again they don't deserve to win a game (Not playing Parker at 2010 WC yet playing Green was hilariously stupid). England are a B tier team, they could upset a top side but won't get near winning it. I think if Germany can make it out of their group they'll win it, if not Holland to beat Spain with France as a dark horse. | ||
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Agnosthar
631 Posts
Germany/Holland will win this, I don't think people appreciate how important Villa is to Spain. | ||
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docvoc
United States5491 Posts
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nayumi
Australia6499 Posts
But sadly, I'm gonna say Spain. They still have a very rock solid system, and assuming that Xavi and Iniesta not under-performing, Spain making it to final is very plausible. If both Spain and Germany meet in the final stage, Spain will take it because they're fucking clutch in finals mind you. Germans on the other hand ... People saying England has a good shot at winning EURO is clearly either British or hard-core England fans. Sure statistically they can pull a Greece but it's like the most possible scenario that's ever gonna happen. If England makes it pass the group stage I would say it's already a success. | ||
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Reasonable
Ukraine1432 Posts
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MapleLeafSirup
Germany950 Posts
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Vaelone
Finland4400 Posts
Mostly due to me being a huge France fan as a child back when Zidane still played but after his generation retired and France went downhill big time I started to lose my interest to them. Todays team just isn't anywhere near the same it was during Zidanes time but I'm hoping this tournament might be a return to glory for them and their recent results look pretty promising. | ||
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Ejohrik
Sweden219 Posts
...for real: Probably Germany or Spain. | ||
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chrisolo
Germany2606 Posts
Poll: Who will win Euro? Germany (48) Spain (19) Netherlands (13) France (10) England (5) Italy (4) Russia (4) Portugal (3) other (3) Sweden (2) Croatia (1) Poland (0) 112 total votes Your vote: Who will win Euro? (Vote): Spain | ||
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Vaelone
Finland4400 Posts
Like Greece while not exactly a favourite is still a recent champion. | ||
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chrisolo
Germany2606 Posts
On June 07 2012 17:40 Vaelone wrote: Is the poll limited to 14, if not you could have as well included the couple remaining teams. Like Greece while not exactly a favourite is still a recent champion. It is limited to 12 options, so I could only include 11 nations and other. The remaining teams are: Ukraine Ireland Czech Republic Greece Denmark (oops that should have been in instead of Croatia, well sorry^^) | ||
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Vaelone
Finland4400 Posts
On June 07 2012 17:46 chrisolo wrote: It is limited to 12 options, so I could only include 11 nations and other. The remaining teams are: Ukraine Ireland Czech Republic Greece Denmark (oops that should have been in instead of Croatia, well sorry^^) Yeah I meant 12 but said 14 I guess, fair enough then. And Croatia might have a better chance than Denmark due to easier group, still feels harsh leaving some notable teams out. | ||
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ZeroSC2
Korea (South)668 Posts
Germany vs Spain Then German "tourists" on Mallorca (popular spanish isle for tourists) have a field day drowning their frustration with 3 liter Sangria or Cerveza after the team got manhandled. | ||
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hitthat
Poland2266 Posts
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AbuseYouMerc
Netherlands171 Posts
I honestly think they wont even make it out of the group stage. But if they do, they will not lose against Russia like so many people think. Russia had some advantages last meeting but they are not there anymore and the team has matured in that aspect. So my guess for Holland is either group stage exit or semi-final exit. Spain and Germany top dogs... Rooting for our German neighbours! | ||
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lefix
Germany1082 Posts
Spain 658m € Germany 459m € England 404m € France 340m € Portugal 337m € Italy 296m € Holland 277m € Russia 162m € Croatia 151m € Sweden 123m € Czech Republic 106m € Ukraine 107m € Denmark 87m € Poland 85m € Greece 84m € Ireland 71m € looking at those numbers, I feel like England is way overrated, while Holland and especially Poland seem underrated. | ||
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La1
United Kingdom659 Posts
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Itachii
Poland12466 Posts
On June 07 2012 13:12 InfusedTT.DaZe wrote: romania will win wait we are too pathetic to even qualify nvm... Host EURO like we did and voilà, you have 3 matches to play | ||
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Tarotis
Germany1931 Posts
On June 07 2012 17:59 ZeroSC2 wrote: Finals Germany vs Spain Then German "tourists" on Mallorca (popular spanish isle for tourists) have a field day drowning their frustration with 3 liter Sangria or Cerveza after the team got manhandled. Since when do we need a finals for 3l sangria on mallorca? | ||
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Monsen
Germany2548 Posts
On June 07 2012 08:20 AgentChaos wrote: italy is actually gonna win this There's only so many penalties you can get from diving- not a chance. | ||
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Azurues
Malaysia5612 Posts
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anomalopidae
Slovenia549 Posts
On June 07 2012 20:43 Monsen wrote: There's only so many penalties you can get from diving- not a chance. all they need to do is get out of the group after that you get at least 5 penalties per game granted ofc you don't concede before 120th minute | ||
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okinoki
Germany103 Posts
Germany played shit the last games i have seen, but they are unpredictable when the tourney starts. Hoping for the best but I'm not too sure about our defense. Spain seems weakened due to lost players but they still have a fearsome team. I think from what we have seen at the friendly GER-FRA shows that France definitely is a threat. Their tactics and players seem top level. Schlaaaaand! :D | ||
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RelZo
Hungary397 Posts
+ Show Spoiler + yeah, I'm joking | ||
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chrisolo
Germany2606 Posts
On June 07 2012 20:47 Azurues wrote: I'll pick one of the cold Europe country. Heard it's pretty cold in Poland and Ukraine atm, will be hard for players to get used to it completely except Russia? xD It is summer in europe, worst it can be is 15 °C or something along this temperature and I guess every nation is used to such a temperature in europe. | ||
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gulshngill
Malaysia140 Posts
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Razhil
Belgium208 Posts
(was great to see that during the last WK, gogo South Africa xD)I then hope Germany is gonna take it home this time ^^ | ||
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Sonic Death Monkey
Sweden991 Posts
On June 07 2012 02:28 Elem wrote: Brain says Germany, but the heart says SWEDEN! ;; My brain says Germany and even my heart is too rational to say Sweden :p | ||
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Noocta
France12578 Posts
On June 07 2012 21:30 okinoki wrote: France seems to be one of the underdogs, but yet so strong. Look at their team. So my favourites for winning the whole thing are France, Germany or Spain. Germany played shit the last games i have seen, but they are unpredictable when the tourney starts. Hoping for the best but I'm not too sure about our defense. Spain seems weakened due to lost players but they still have a fearsome team. I think from what we have seen at the friendly GER-FRA shows that France definitely is a threat. Their tactics and players seem top level. Schlaaaaand! :D Well, for once and only since 1998/200 victories, we have a coach who is worth something so perhaps we can make it work. :| We made the finals in 2006 with the shittiest coach ever so who knows. | ||
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nebula.
Sweden1431 Posts
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KalWarkov
Germany4126 Posts
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MyTHicaL
France1070 Posts
I want France to win, it's where I live and this would simply provide another random excuse to throw parties. However if I were to bet I'd probably bet on Germany or Spain like everyone else ;o. | ||
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DifuntO
Greece2376 Posts
England is gonna win it obviously,because they host the Olympics this year,just like Greece 2004. + Show Spoiler + Yeah,what's wrong with my logic? If Greece did it,so can England  | ||
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Tommylew
Wales2717 Posts
On June 08 2012 03:18 DifuntO wrote: Why so many people think Germany will win this? Not gonna happen. England is goona win it obviously,because they host the Olympics this year,just like Greece 2004. + Show Spoiler + Yeah,what's wrong with my logic? If Greece did it,so can England what i find ironic is that England for the first time that i rmemeber being 28... arent being hounded by the press of winning the euros.. wouldnt be suprised if with the shit they got this year they actually do well... haha Like Chelsea in the champions league haha everyone and anyone is writing them off first time ever haha | ||
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Shana
Indonesia1814 Posts
Every time there's match-fixing scandal Italy won something | ||
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Zariel
Australia1285 Posts
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don_kyuhote
3006 Posts
Destroy the group of death, get knocked out next round. | ||
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andiCR
Costa Rica2273 Posts
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lefix
Germany1082 Posts
Group A 1. Poland 2. Russia Group B 1. Germany 2. Holland Group C 1. Spain 2. Italy Group D 1. France 2. England QF1 Poland - Holland > Holland wins QF2 Spain - England > Spain wins QF3 Germany - Russia > Germany wins QF4 France - Italy > France wins SF1 Holland - Spain > Spain wins SF2 Germany - France > Germany wins FINAL Germany - Spain > Germany wins! :D | ||
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samw
England443 Posts
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Itachii
Poland12466 Posts
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/PdRFl.jpg) ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/21qu3.jpg) | ||
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Galaxy1again
United States34 Posts
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Narcotic
Italy101 Posts
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MeyerA
Sweden122 Posts
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Drake
Germany6146 Posts
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ParkwayDrive
United States328 Posts
Group A: Russia, Greece Group B: Netherlands, Portugal Group C: Spain, Croatia Group D: Sweden, England Winner: Netherlands | ||
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Weson
Iceland1032 Posts
EDIT: Wrong thread. Germany wins. | ||
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MotherOfRunes
Germany2862 Posts
losing to france? so NOT gonna happen ! :D if we would lose to france i'd jump off a bridge :D My prediction is of course Germany and I'm glad I can finally make this prediction not only with optimism but also with being realistic! Dem boys gonna bring it home !!!!!!! GO GET EM BOYS !!!! Oh and if you look at the german history you that they dont need a good preparation to rock the tournament ! Altough a Schweinsteiger out of shape is big hit, but he is so friggin good that even out of shape he can do a rock solid performance! But Spain of course is a serious threat everytime. When the "Furia Roja" is released there is not much in the world who can resist! And Germanys defence sometimes gives us sloppy performances. The Netherlands are without a doubt strong as hell. BUT i dont think they can aim for the title. they could very well reach the final but their defence is too weak for the big thing. Like an old wise football dude said:"A good offence wins you games. A good defence though, wins you tournaments!" My dark horse is France since their last performances over the years were maybe shitty, but the pure quality of players is always on a solid level. And it seems that they gained their team spirit back, what is the most important factor in tournaments .But still I would hang myself if we lose to em. Also dont underestimate Poland. Home advantage is best advantag, as I always say. :D They have a solid team especially with the guys from my beloved Borussia Dortmund, the german champion the second time in a row. Lewandowski is one of THE upcoming forwards in Europe. And people who watch the german Bundesliga closely, know, that Lukasz Piszczek is a world class defender on the right side. And we all know how rare these good right-backs are :D | ||
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TSBspartacus
England1046 Posts
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Mufaa
219 Posts
A- Russia, Czech B- Holland, Germany C- Spain, Italy D- France, England QF1- Russia < Germany 1-3 QF2- Spain > England 2-0 QF3- Holland > Czech 2-1 QF4- France > Italy 3-2 SF1- Spain >Germany 2-1 SF2- France>Holland 3-2 France > Spain 1-1(5-4) Obviously this depends on if France shows up ready, but they have the talent and after WC2010 they seem to be ready to rise back to prominence. | ||
ZeromuS
Canada13389 Posts
Spain is still very strong and so is Germany so one of those two are probably going to win. | ||
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Latham
9560 Posts
B: Germany, Holland C: Spain, Italy D: France, England overall: GERMANY =D | ||
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TigerKarl
1757 Posts
Germany has players with sick potential, i think the time is good for them to shine. We'll have to see how stable the defense turns out to be and they really need Klose as a striker. Gomez scores a lot in the league and CL, but he's horrible when it comes to passing and his technical skills are poor. He's not a modern striker, but that's what the team needs. Klose, Müller and Reus would be far better in the agile 4-2-3-1 system. France seems like a really solid team this year. They can beat everyone, they can lose to everyone when the team atmosphere is low, but after finally kicking Domenech i think they've got a fair chance to come far in that tournament. Strong defense, creative midfield and Benzema is a cold blooded son of a Tricolore. Holland has really good offensive potential, but their defense is sort of meh. De Jong and Van Bommel will have to stabilize the team a lot, but i don't think they're up to the job anymore. Pretty hard to balance this team. Sweden is my personal favourite and i believe that they've got a good team this year. They are very experienced and Ibrahimovic finally started to play as well for the national team as for his clubs. If the coach manages to give this team a good balance they can beat any opponent. I hope this is the year for them to shine. Portugal, Italy, England all have their chances, but it's hard to say if they manage to show their individual class as a team. | ||
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OzVelas
Bulgaria516 Posts
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Wrath 2.1
Germany880 Posts
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Sethronu
United Kingdom450 Posts
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Pika Chu
Romania2510 Posts
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Manit0u
Poland17238 Posts
You heard it here first. | ||
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sunnata
Russian Federation228 Posts
+ Show Spoiler + do it for him ![[image loading]](http://images5.fanpop.com/image/photos/25800000/Young-Becks-david-beckham-25884319-500-562.jpg) | ||
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Flashspam
Portugal4 Posts
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TheBrow
Germany47 Posts
On June 09 2012 18:58 Flashspam wrote: Everyone knows Portugal will win! And lol at the guy that said Portugal 1-4 Spain Sry but Portugal won't even make it out of their Group, sorry | ||
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emis
Estonia409 Posts
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eriksonis6
Latvia35 Posts
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BreakeR.
Austria220 Posts
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Leach
United States536 Posts
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Drake
Germany6146 Posts
if they make the games only 50 minutes nah i really doubt spain make it since vila isnt there and if they win even without him god ... damn xD germany is to bad in shape lately i wil lnever bet on holland so i say denmark or russia | ||
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RvB
Netherlands6204 Posts
On June 09 2012 22:58 CoR wrote: russia if they make the games only 50 minutes nah i really doubt spain make it since vila isnt there and if they win even without him god ... damn xD germany is to bad in shape lately i wil lnever bet on holland so i say denmark or russia No need to bet on us we play pretty poorly too except against N. Ireland. I still put my money on NL to win it though can't put myself to bet on anyone else. | ||
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BlitzerSC
Italy8800 Posts
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nimdil
Poland3748 Posts
After that Netherlands and Italy. All other teams would have to surprise us. Obviously Poland would be as big surprise as Greece was few years ago. | ||
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Retric
Germany284 Posts
On June 09 2012 22:48 Leach wrote: I hope Germany will win. Spain looks so terrifyingly strong though, I think whoever wants to beat them needs luck + a really good daily shape wow an englishman rooting for germany wtf ^^ | ||
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Joker XL
United States33 Posts
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smr
Germany4808 Posts
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Schnullerbacke13
Germany1199 Posts
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Yaotzin
South Africa4280 Posts
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Imbattable
Germany85 Posts
Gary Lineker, 4 July 1990 | ||
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Yaotzin
South Africa4280 Posts
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Mallidon
Scotland557 Posts
I'm going with Spain as my first pick. They just have everything required to win and such a settled squad. Dark horses being France and Italy (France either do really crap or get to a final and Italy usually pull off good results when they are least expected). I can see teams like Portugal and England going out in the QF, Germany probably most likely to be SF. I suppose a lot depends on the draw after the group stages and who wins groups and who is RU though. Edit - Edited out Holland for the QF, don't really see it happening now xD | ||
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samw
England443 Posts
On June 10 2012 20:39 Imbattable wrote: "Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win." Gary Lineker, 4 July 1990 This is such a brilliant and true quote, pretty much sums up all our pundits talk about. | ||
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don_kyuhote
3006 Posts
On June 10 2012 20:39 Imbattable wrote: "Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win." Gary Lineker, 4 July 1990 But when they play Italy in tournaments, it's the other way around. | ||
Pandemona
Charlie Sheens House51479 Posts
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Stimp
South Africa780 Posts
On June 10 2012 20:33 Yaotzin wrote: Spain have easily the best team, but as Chelsea illustrated - if you have a ton of luck even a bad team can win it all. Yeah it was just pure luck. Zero tactics, playing to strengths or countering your opposition. Just 100% luck. Ps. Chelsea aren't a 'bad team'. | ||
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Kleinmuuhg
Vanuatu4091 Posts
On June 15 2012 17:33 Stimp wrote: Yeah it was just pure luck. Zero tactics, playing to strengths or countering your opposition. Just 100% luck. Ps. Chelsea aren't a 'bad team'. Yes they are a bad team. Fuck Chelsea. Germany and Spain will probably fight for the trophy. Maybe France or Russia can do it as well. | ||
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Acrofales
Spain17961 Posts
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MadNeSs
Denmark1507 Posts
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bikefrog
Norway451 Posts
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ForgottenOne
Romania236 Posts
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Embir
Poland567 Posts
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Technique
Netherlands1542 Posts
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arbiter_md
Moldova1219 Posts
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TSBspartacus
England1046 Posts
On June 15 2012 17:41 Kleinmuuhg wrote: Yes they are a bad team. Fuck Chelsea. Germany and Spain will probably fight for the trophy. Maybe France or Russia can do it as well. My bad sorry | ||
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elagrion
Ukraine422 Posts
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Jinsho
United Kingdom3101 Posts
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CarlMikael
Sweden1043 Posts
On June 15 2012 17:41 Kleinmuuhg wrote: Yes they are a bad team. Fuck Chelsea. Germany and Spain will probably fight for the trophy. Maybe France or Russia can do it as well. Yes Chelsea is the worst team for winning CL, Get over it. | ||
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Pads
England3228 Posts
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andReslic
216 Posts
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Mallidon
Scotland557 Posts
Spain didn't look amazing going forward against Croatia but it was a Croatian team that set out to have as many bodies inbetween the goal and the Spaniards as possible and just counter when they had a chance. I'd still have Spain as favs. Portugal should beat Czech Rep, Spain should beat either France, England or Ukraine so SF 1 would be Portugal v Spain. Germany to beat Greece, Italy could be vs England, Ukraine or France and that one is a coin toss imo if it is France. I'll take a punt and say France to win through from this side. So Predicted SF's: Portugal v Spain Germany v France Not sure out of Germany v France tbh. France either go out in the group stages or get to the final, so they could upset the odds and book another runners up spot at least. This is assuming they don't implode today and actually just go out in the group stages ofc lol! | ||
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kvn_
Germany22 Posts
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Kahlgar
411 Posts
Portugal and Italy, on the other hand, should have a decent shot against Spain. | ||
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Retric
Germany284 Posts
And also what I don't understand: England has so much offensive quality! Why are they playing so defensively. You saw it against Sweden: They can play so good offensively. | ||
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TSBspartacus
England1046 Posts
On June 20 2012 05:45 Retric wrote: Ok! I'm calling it now: England will make it all the way and win it just like Chelsea did. So much luck isn't luck anymore, it's fate! It doesn't matter if you outplay or dominate England, even if you score a goal it will be called off or offside, if you get a penalty you will miss it. And the ONE goal England needs results from a set piece or a cross which is deflected 3 times until it magically appears in front of a player who just needs to net it into the empty goal and that is the only attempt on target by England. England will win against Italy then Germany and then somehow against Spain. Congrats on the European Double. Wow you must be a huge Munich fan. England played a good game tonight and we have a solid play-style that fits the players we have available. Yes we were lucky with the wrong call from the ref (LOL) but even if that went in we would still have won the group. Can see Greece easily beating Germany though, so it will be Italy-Greece-Spain on our way to the trophy. | ||
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KissBlade
United States5718 Posts
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AzureHath
Bulgaria154 Posts
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sinii
England989 Posts
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Mallidon
Scotland557 Posts
On June 20 2012 07:18 sinii wrote: In b4 England wins and everyone calls out how much they hate England every step of the way. I'd love to know what we did to the world one of these days. :p It's not you, its your sodding media. Shut them up and I'd actually be happy for you lot doing well (ish, there would still be jealousy and rivalry but yeah). | ||
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Psychobabas
2531 Posts
On June 20 2012 06:05 TSBspartacus wrote: Wow you must be a huge Munich fan. England played a good game tonight and we have a solid play-style that fits the players we have available. Yes we were lucky with the wrong call from the ref (LOL) but even if that went in we would still have won the group. Can see Greece easily beating Germany though, so it will be Italy-Greece-Spain on our way to the trophy. If you put money on that, you would be a very wealthy man. | ||
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Ysellian
Netherlands9029 Posts
On June 20 2012 06:05 TSBspartacus wrote: Wow you must be a huge Munich fan. England played a good game tonight and we have a solid play-style that fits the players we have available. Yes we were lucky with the wrong call from the ref (LOL) but even if that went in we would still have won the group. Can see Greece easily beating Germany though, so it will be Italy-Greece-Spain on our way to the trophy. Portugal are more than capable of beating Spain. | ||
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TSBspartacus
England1046 Posts
And I agree, the English media is awful, one of the worst things about this country. Constantly over-hyping and sensationalizing everything (not just sport). | ||
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Vanimar
220 Posts
After the first 2 group games (yes I watched them ALL) Iniesta was my favorite followed by Ibrahimovic. Hummels and the Danish super defender ace (the captain, forgot his name) were also brilliant at times, but it's less pretty then smart offensive play. I was so disappointed when Sweden failed to qualify for quarter finals I almost cried, I was sincerely sad. But being the beast he is, he at least gave me the goal of the tournament thus far, what a stud. So now all I want is to see as many games as possible with Iniesta in it. That guy is the true Wizzard of Oz, Keeper of the one ring and inventer of the Invention itself. I never cared much for any teams, just for the entertainment value. And watching him play is like Art to me, I never got the painting stuff anyway. So however the tourney turns out, I hope Iniesta wins, don't care which nationality he choses. | ||
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sharkie
Austria18385 Posts
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lefix
Germany1082 Posts
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PaleRider09
United States70 Posts
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Vanimar
220 Posts
On June 20 2012 17:34 sharkie wrote: David Silva > Iniesta so far I like different oppinions, and because there obviously is no objective way to compare. But seriously? My take on this is so extremely different. Funny how different we see this :D | ||
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Mallidon
Scotland557 Posts
On June 20 2012 18:24 Vanimar wrote: I like different oppinions, and because there obviously is no objective way to compare. But seriously? My take on this is so extremely different. Funny how different we see this :D I agree with you tbh. Iniesta has shown some pretty good play imo against teams setting out to defend mainly, he was always creating chances whereas Silva has sort of flashed in and out of games a bit. | ||
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BlitzerSC
Italy8800 Posts
On June 10 2012 01:44 BlitzerSC wrote: Probably Russia I called it lmao | ||
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DoubleB
Germany870 Posts
On June 07 2012 02:28 Elem wrote: Brain says Germany, but the heart says SWEDEN! ;; I feel sorry for you mate | ||
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Xorphene
United Kingdom492 Posts
Greece vs England and Portugal vs France. | ||
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Rebs
Pakistan10726 Posts
On June 20 2012 17:34 sharkie wrote: David Silva > Iniesta so far Because scoring goals is what matters. Amirite ? | ||
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Sphaero
Germany1697 Posts
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 | ||
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sharkie
Austria18385 Posts
On June 21 2012 05:44 Sphaero wrote: 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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TSBspartacus
England1046 Posts
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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aqui
Germany1023 Posts
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TSBspartacus
England1046 Posts
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EchoZ
Japan5041 Posts
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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Sanctimonius
United Kingdom861 Posts
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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coko
United Kingdom570 Posts
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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CallousCarter
United Kingdom81 Posts
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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coko
United Kingdom570 Posts
On June 21 2012 21:36 CallousCarter wrote: 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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don_kyuhote
3006 Posts
On June 21 2012 22:47 coko wrote: 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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krayzy
Belgium66 Posts
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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RvB
Netherlands6204 Posts
On June 21 2012 22:52 don_kyuhote wrote: 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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Mallidon
Scotland557 Posts
On June 22 2012 02:29 RvB wrote: 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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Ysellian
Netherlands9029 Posts
On June 22 2012 03:02 Mallidon wrote: 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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Maenander
Germany4926 Posts
On June 22 2012 03:02 Mallidon wrote: 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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hyperknight
294 Posts
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DeadBull
421 Posts
who the fuck else ? | ||
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bObaZ
Portugal862 Posts
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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Mikau
Netherlands1446 Posts
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bObaZ
Portugal862 Posts
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warding
Portugal2394 Posts
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bObaZ
Portugal862 Posts
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Brow23
Germany105 Posts
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Maenander
Germany4926 Posts
On June 22 2012 23:07 Brow23 wrote: Portugal HAHAHA! You gonna get owned in the Semis like 6-0 ...Portugal is sooooooooooooooooo bad! One can get the feeling you want to be flamed looking at your post history ^_^ | ||
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La1
United Kingdom659 Posts
On June 22 2012 20:54 DeadBull wrote: SPAIN who the fuck else ? o_O Spain have looked awful in my eyes.. worse than barca.. they just knock the ball back and forth.. they in my eyes are actually the most boring team to watch.. I hope france knock them out, Germany to win it. | ||
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warding
Portugal2394 Posts
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bObaZ
Portugal862 Posts
On June 23 2012 00:09 warding wrote: Portugal beat Spain 4-0 in the last friendly in 2010 btw. | ||
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ZeromuS
Canada13389 Posts
On June 22 2012 21:44 bObaZ wrote: 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. The germany game was quite close. Though I really hope we lose the propensity to hit the post 3 times a game. Better than missing the net i guess psychologically but Ronaldo alone has hit the posts something like 8 times this tournament so far >.< Nani something like 3 times now? | ||
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Redox
Germany24794 Posts
On June 22 2012 23:30 La1 wrote: o_O Spain have looked awful in my eyes.. worse than barca.. they just knock the ball back and forth.. they in my eyes are actually the most boring team to watch.. I hope france knock them out, Germany to win it. Wow, even worse than Barca? They must be really awful then. | ||
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yosisoy
Israel202 Posts
Could have been 7 :O What an outclassing that was. | ||
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gruff
Sweden2276 Posts
On June 22 2012 23:30 La1 wrote: o_O Spain have looked awful in my eyes.. worse than barca.. they just knock the ball back and forth.. they in my eyes are actually the most boring team to watch.. I hope france knock them out, Germany to win it. Oh noes, they look worse than the best club in the world! You sure like making big statements... | ||
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Jockmcplop
United Kingdom9606 Posts
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Rebs
Pakistan10726 Posts
On June 23 2012 19:52 gruff wrote: Oh noes, they look worse than the best club in the world! You sure like making big statements... Dont worry this is pretty standard rhetoric. People have this idea that playing like Spain is the same as passing the ball around in your own half in a FIFA game. like totally yawnnnn .... Its difficult for people to appreciate technical ability when they actually havent either played the game and tried it or the only game they know is low percentage "lob it forward and cross your fingers every chance you get." which in itself is exciting enough especially for the neutral, when both teams are equally bad at actually playing the game and it becomes more end to end. | ||
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ambit!ous1
United States3662 Posts
<3 | ||
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Pika Chu
Romania2510 Posts
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Weson
Iceland1032 Posts
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fatguyallen
Romania75 Posts
After Spain - France i can honestly say that Spain is the favorite, their play is just too solid, if they score it seems like game over. | ||
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Tommylew
Wales2717 Posts
What a difference the game was spain vs france and greece vs germany one was really entertaining other was shit. | ||
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Matkap
Spain627 Posts
i would rather loose 10 0 in a friendly match, and win when it actually matters you know | ||
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don_kyuhote
3006 Posts
And red card for Ricardo Costa was bs. | ||
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Maenander
Germany4926 Posts
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Psychobabas
2531 Posts
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Usagi
Spain1647 Posts
If the other teams didnt do that, the games would be much more entertaining, but they would lose 4-2 or things like that xD | ||
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Cele
Germany4016 Posts
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ZeromuS
Canada13389 Posts
On June 25 2012 12:45 Cele wrote: spain will get it. I know our german team is quite good, but i see Spain like 2-0 or 2-1 Portugal in the semis as well as Germany advancing over Italy. Portugal isnt that strong a team besides for Ronaldo the quality of the players if more mediocre and Italy underperformed versus England a lot by not making a goal of so many chances and dominance for over 50 minutes in the game. For the finals its a very very close call, but i see spain ahead. the overall dominance in the middlefield and short pass play is incredible and they are startegically and technically slightly ahead of the german team. Though everything is possible. On a last note germany kinda strongly relies on Gomez as a goalgetter, who will proobably not perform well versus spain, because he very dependent on strong passes and flanks and doesnt accuire the ball midfield or dribble. He is known to be a bit weaker in technics. so my prediction for the finals would be spain:Ger 2-1 To say Portugal only has Ronaldo, is pretty shortsighted. Its like saying Germany only has Gomez, and Spain only has iniesta. Keeping in mind that when Spain loses possession, they are slow to get back, and they like to push slowly Portugal's speed on the counter will really make it hard for Spain. They won't be able to completely push up the midfield the same way they have against some of the other teams. They need to play just a little bit more defensively, and keep some defense back to defend against counter attacks. If they don't, the counters will tire out the spanish come the 70th minute and portugal will have a major advantage if the score is even at that time. In a friendly from 2010 Portugal beat Spain 4-0 and historically the two teams have fairly close games that are quite back and forth so to write Portugal off is a little much. Even if they shut down Ronaldo, they need to devote a lot of resources and Portugal is not limited to one scorer. Though I think we can agree that of the 4 teams left, Italy is probably the weakest. | ||
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Tazza
Korea (South)1678 Posts
On June 25 2012 13:35 ZeromuS wrote: To say Portugal only has Ronaldo, is pretty shortsighted. Its like saying Germany only has Gomez, and Spain only has iniesta. Keeping in mind that when Spain loses possession, they are slow to get back, and they like to push slowly Portugal's speed on the counter will really make it hard for Spain. They won't be able to completely push up the midfield the same way they have against some of the other teams. They need to play just a little bit more defensively, and keep some defense back to defend against counter attacks. If they don't, the counters will tire out the spanish come the 70th minute and portugal will have a major advantage if the score is even at that time. In a friendly from 2010 Portugal beat Spain 4-0 and historically the two teams have fairly close games that are quite back and forth so to write Portugal off is a little much. Even if they shut down Ronaldo, they need to devote a lot of resources and Portugal is not limited to one scorer. Though I think we can agree that of the 4 teams left, Italy is probably the weakest. No, its really not that shortsighted. Come on, germany and spain have so many more recognizable and overall better players. gomez was even seen as sort of a weak-link on the german team because of his failures in big matches. I can name the entire german and spanish line-up, but in portugal, you have ronaldo, nani-who is only a decent player, and el loco pepe. the rest are pretty much unknown, or just average. I mean, postiga? to lead the line? Just about every player on the spanish and german line-up are world class. | ||
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sharkie
Austria18385 Posts
On June 25 2012 12:45 Cele wrote: spain will get it. I know our german team is quite good, but i see Spain like 2-0 or 2-1 Portugal in the semis as well as Germany advancing over Italy. Portugal isnt that strong a team besides for Ronaldo the quality of the players if more mediocre and Italy underperformed versus England a lot by not making a goal of so many chances and dominance for over 50 minutes in the game. For the finals its a very very close call, but i see spain ahead. the overall dominance in the middlefield and short pass play is incredible and they are startegically and technically slightly ahead of the german team. Though everything is possible. On a last note germany kinda strongly relies on Gomez as a goalgetter, who will proobably not perform well versus spain, because he very dependent on strong passes and flanks and doesnt accuire the ball midfield or dribble. He is known to be a bit weaker in technics. so my prediction for the finals would be spain:Ger 2-1 How is Spain able to score two goals? lol | ||
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bObaZ
Portugal862 Posts
On June 25 2012 15:47 Tazza wrote: No, its really not that shortsighted. Come on, germany and spain have so many more recognizable and overall better players. gomez was even seen as sort of a weak-link on the german team because of his failures in big matches. I can name the entire german and spanish line-up, but in portugal, you have ronaldo, nani-who is only a decent player, and el loco pepe. the rest are pretty much unknown, or just average. I mean, postiga? to lead the line? Just about every player on the spanish and german line-up are world class. Ronaldo, Coentrão and Pepe plays in Real Madrid Nani plays for Man Utd Meireles plays for Chelsea. So we kinda have 5 word class players that everyone should know about. And João Moutinho is a beast and he's also a word class midfielder, he plays for Porto. João Pereira is really underrated and will play for valencia in the next season. Miguel Veloso is not that great but he delivers... Bruno Alves is really good when he's not kicking and elbowing people, portuguese style. We might say that the only weak spot of the team is really Postiga... He kinda sux... But Hugo Almeida also sux, and Nelson Oliveira don't have the experience necessary for this level of footbal, but he'll be a beast! I hope that Nelson starts in the next game so you can see that we also have good strikers Spain is the favorite but the game can go either way... | ||
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Tazza
Korea (South)1678 Posts
On June 25 2012 16:31 bObaZ wrote: Ronaldo, Coentrão and Pepe plays in Real Madrid Nani plays for Man Utd Meireles plays for Chelsea. So we kinda have 5 word class players that everyone should know about. And João Moutinho is a beast and he's also a word class midfielder, he plays for Porto. João Pereira is really underrated and will play for valencia in the next season. Miguel Veloso is not that great but he delivers... Bruno Alves is really good when he's not kicking and elbowing people, portuguese style. We might say that the only weak spot of the team is really Postiga... He kinda sux... But Hugo Almeida also sux, and Nelson Oliveira don't have the experience necessary for this level of footbal, but he'll be a beast! I hope that Nelson starts in the next game so you can see that we also have good strikers Spain is the favorite but the game can go either way... Just because you play for a "big club" does not make you a world class player. I'd say coentrao, pepe, nani, and meireless are decent players, but definitely not world class. I would not put them on the same level as xavi, iniesta, fabregas, alonso or ozil, khedira, lahm, etc Either way, portugal can win. Im not doubting that, but my point was that portugal are a more one-man team than spain or germany | ||
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Pika Chu
Romania2510 Posts
I predict Spain easily marching over Portugal unless Ronaldo gets another good day and spain's defenders cannot contain him. Italy vs Germany can go either way. Germany's plain solid everywhere while Italy lacks strikers (as seen vs england).. maybe they should change Balloteli for Di Natale so they can get at least one in the net. Germany needs extra care with Pirlo, if they let him free they're gonna have a bad time, that guy is a world class game coordinator which reminds me of Del Piero or Totti. Chiellini will be back in for Italy which is good news, it will take some effort to keep Gomez out. | ||
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bObaZ
Portugal862 Posts
We're always overconfident because people put too much confidence on our team. This year we're kinda the underdogs and i'm happy for it | ||
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BlitzerSC
Italy8800 Posts
On June 25 2012 16:40 Tazza wrote: Just because you play for a "big club" does not make you a world class player. I'd say coentrao, pepe, nani, and meireless are decent players, but definitely not world class. I would not put them on the same level as xavi, iniesta, fabregas, alonso or ozil, khedira, lahm, etc Either way, portugal can win. Im not doubting that, but my point was that portugal are a more one-man team than spain or germany Netherland got eliminated in the group stages and people still try to "rank" teams by the number of famous players they have ? Didnt you realize that the number of famous player DOESNT matter ? Football is a team sport and the better TEAM wins. Your team can have all the best player in the world BUT if they don't work together they will lose. Period. ... | ||
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lefix
Germany1082 Posts
however, i also tink any of these teams can win it now. and certainly no results can be considered an upset anymore at this point | ||
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howLiN
Portugal1676 Posts
On June 25 2012 16:40 Tazza wrote: Just because you play for a "big club" does not make you a world class player. I'd say coentrao, pepe, nani, and meireless are decent players, but definitely not world class. I would not put them on the same level as xavi, iniesta, fabregas, alonso or ozil, khedira, lahm, etc Either way, portugal can win. Im not doubting that, but my point was that portugal are a more one-man team than spain or germany How exactly is Nani not world-class? Disregarding goals scored, Nani has arguably been as important as Ronaldo in Portugal's style of game. | ||
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mcimba42
192 Posts
On June 25 2012 16:48 Pika Chu wrote: So right now we have 3 top notch teams, Italy, Germany and Spain who have similar chances of winning (sorry portugal but you're nowhere close to that) I predict Spain easily marching over Portugal Italy vs Germany can go either way the worst thing about the euro/world cups is definitely the amount of clueless people who suddenly become interested in football for one month and say stuff like this have you watched portugal and italy playing in this euro? portugal is playing much better than italy right now, i have no idea what the hell you're talking about. | ||
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XenOsky
Chile2258 Posts
Germany is my candidate. | ||
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askTeivospy
1525 Posts
imo portugal has a chance, but they'll have to get the other team red carded to have that chance | ||
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mcimba42
192 Posts
On June 26 2012 02:29 askTeivospy wrote: people that make fun of others for not understanding football and big up portugal don't understand football imo portugal has a chance, but they'll have to get the other team red carded to have that chance of course meanwhile, italy is demolishing and has great chances vs germany, who has been playing the best football in this cup so far try to actually look at the games, don't just pay attention to the countries | ||
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Kluey
Canada1197 Posts
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Pika Chu
Romania2510 Posts
On June 26 2012 02:14 mcimba42 wrote: the worst thing about the euro/world cups is definitely the amount of clueless people who suddenly become interested in football for one month and say stuff like this have you watched portugal and italy playing in this euro? portugal is playing much better than italy right now, i have no idea what the hell you're talking about. Are you kidding me? Who did Portugal play? The netherlands who're not playing a thing? The big bad denmark? The czech republic who didn't even put up a fight? Or you remember how "good" they did against Germany, a good opponent? Portugal's good but not even close to Italy imo. And if you're portuguese please don't be offended, it's just what i believe and i don't mix any emotion in it, if portugal wins i won't mind at all. | ||
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Ponkio
Italy52 Posts
We have one of the best midfields in the tournament, with Marchisio and De Rossi who are acting as the lungs of the team, providing enormous help both in offense and defense, and with Pirlo and Montolivo who are playing the best football I've seen so far from them. Our defense is pretty tight, with Bonucci who finally played flawlessly against England, Chiellini who is a beast, and Abate and Balzaretti who are playing at their best. We lack strickers, but I really liked, as most Italians did, the last match from Balotelli, who finally played for the team and not for himself. I'm a bit concerned about Cassano, he's a champion but lacks speed and stamina, which against Germany are gonna be pretty much fundamental. I'd like to see Giovinco/Di Natale coupled with Mario. Don't count us out just yet, we may not be the strongest team here, but we don't lack motivition and willpower | ||
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Aeroplaneoverthesea
United Kingdom1977 Posts
On June 25 2012 16:31 bObaZ wrote: Ronaldo, Coentrão and Pepe plays in Real Madrid Nani plays for Man Utd Meireles plays for Chelsea. So we kinda have 5 word class players that everyone should know about. And João Moutinho is a beast and he's also a word class midfielder, he plays for Porto. João Pereira is really underrated and will play for valencia in the next season. Miguel Veloso is not that great but he delivers... Bruno Alves is really good when he's not kicking and elbowing people, portuguese style. We might say that the only weak spot of the team is really Postiga... He kinda sux... But Hugo Almeida also sux, and Nelson Oliveira don't have the experience necessary for this level of footbal, but he'll be a beast! I hope that Nelson starts in the next game so you can see that we also have good strikers Spain is the favorite but the game can go either way... World class is if you're making a 23 man team to represent earth to take on mars who would you take. Portugal have one world class player -- Ronaldo. Spain have Alonso, Xavi, Iniestea, Busquets, Silva, Fabregas, Pique, Casillas and Ramos who would all make my 23 man squad. | ||
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sharkie
Austria18385 Posts
On June 26 2012 04:47 Aeroplaneoverthesea wrote: World class is if you're making a 23 man team to represent earth to take on mars who would you take. Portugal have one world class player -- Ronaldo. Spain have Alonso, Xavi, Iniestea, Busquets, Silva, Fabregas, Pique, Casillas and Ramos who would all make my 23 man squad. Pique would make your 23 man squad? I pity your ignorance. And S.Ramos = Pepe, their play style is like exactly the same. | ||
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mcimba42
192 Posts
On June 26 2012 04:16 Pika Chu wrote: Are you kidding me? Who did Portugal play? The netherlands who're not playing a thing? The big bad denmark? The czech republic who didn't even put up a fight? Or you remember how "good" they did against Germany, a good opponent? Portugal's good but not even close to Italy imo. And if you're portuguese please don't be offended, it's just what i believe and i don't mix any emotion in it, if portugal wins i won't mind at all. yes im sorry if only portugal had played vs strong teams such as ireland and whatever the other filler team was, its not like they were in the group of death or anything also, italy's victory over england (penalties, after a whole game of nothing from both sides) was a much better showing than portugal's domination of czech republic italy's doing great just wait till they win the whole thing bro | ||
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Aeroplaneoverthesea
United Kingdom1977 Posts
On June 26 2012 04:57 sharkie wrote: Pique would make your 23 man squad? I pity your ignorance. And S.Ramos = Pepe, their play style is like exactly the same. Ramos would play at backup right back because there's almost no good right backs around anymore. Pique is better than Pepe. Pepe is a complete loose cannon. My four centre backs would be Vidic, Kompany, Thiago Silva and Pique with Chielini unlucky to miss out. | ||
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gasmeter
United Kingdom249 Posts
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Copymizer
Denmark2084 Posts
On June 26 2012 05:24 gasmeter wrote: At this stage, I can't see how you can look past Germany, even with Spain still in the competition. Spain looked pretty ordinary in their last game, whereas Germany looked dominant and solid. Agreed, spain hasn't impressed me much with their matches. i'm all over germany these days lol | ||
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Boblion
France8043 Posts
Go Germany. | ||
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Lysteria
France2279 Posts
And yeah Italy probably has one of the best football for viewers. Like Netherlands, but with real tactics, both in offense and defense. It's just nearly all of the teams during this Euro think they're playing rugby and try to score as many drops as they can. :p | ||
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Ysellian
Netherlands9029 Posts
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TheWarbler
United States1659 Posts
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XenOsky
Chile2258 Posts
On June 26 2012 04:47 Aeroplaneoverthesea wrote: World class is if you're making a 23 man team to represent earth to take on mars who would you take. Portugal have one world class player -- Ronaldo. Spain have Alonso, Xavi, Iniestea, Busquets, Silva, Fabregas, Pique, Casillas and Ramos who would all make my 23 man squad. lol... Alonso, Busquests, Silva, Fabregas and Pique... are just a bunch of overrated players just because they are teammates of Xavi, Iniesta and Casillas. i can name like 3 or 4 players equal or even better at their respective positions. | ||
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Tazza
Korea (South)1678 Posts
On June 25 2012 16:52 BlitzerSC wrote: Netherland got eliminated in the group stages and people still try to "rank" teams by the number of famous players they have ? Didnt you realize that the number of famous player DOESNT matter ? Football is a team sport and the better TEAM wins. Your team can have all the best player in the world BUT if they don't work together they will lose. Period. ... Look at what I've been posting on this page. I never said that teams with famous players win. I simply said that Portugal is more of a one man team than either Spain or germany because they have more world class players | ||
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Tazza
Korea (South)1678 Posts
On June 26 2012 01:01 howLiN wrote: How exactly is Nani not world-class? Disregarding goals scored, Nani has arguably been as important as Ronaldo in Portugal's style of game. Just because your an important player on Portugal does not make u world class. He's been losing his spot on Man u to Valencia, young, and might be on his way out. I guarantee u there are at least 6 better wingers than him. | ||
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Rebs
Pakistan10726 Posts
They are sound defensively though but not being able to keep the ball well we may well see alot of chucking the ball up and hoping Ronaldo or Nani makes something of it. Its hard enough that its Spain, that having been said unlike the Czech game Spain presses alot higher up so they will leave more room for their wingers and forwards to run in. Its wether the quality comes in from behind thats the question. Spain will play like Spain plays theres nothing around that. | ||
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kyllinghest
Norway1607 Posts
On June 26 2012 04:57 sharkie wrote: Pique would make your 23 man squad? I pity your ignorance. And S.Ramos = Pepe, their play style is like exactly the same. Are you talking about Pique the best central defender in the world the last few years, or are we discussing somebody else? Who wouldn't have Pique in their team? | ||
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Telcontar
United Kingdom16710 Posts
On June 26 2012 08:32 kyllinghest wrote: Are you talking about Pique the best central defender in the world the last few years, or are we discussing somebody else? Who wouldn't have Pique in their team? Perhaps his disappointing form last season has something to do with it. | ||
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fabiano
Brazil4644 Posts
Spain only plays well vs other good teams, so expect a good Spain vs Portugal game from them, and hopefully from Ronaldo aswell. But yea, Germany is coming really strong. | ||
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Oxyoxygen
United States68 Posts
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Stratos_speAr
United States6959 Posts
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amazingxkcd
GRAND OLD AMERICA16375 Posts
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Aeroplaneoverthesea
United Kingdom1977 Posts
On June 26 2012 07:50 XenOsky- wrote: lol... Alonso, Busquests, Silva, Fabregas and Pique... are just a bunch of overrated players just because they are teammates of Xavi, Iniesta and Casillas. i can name like 3 or 4 players equal or even better at their respective positions. ahahaha jesus christ. | ||
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kyllinghest
Norway1607 Posts
On June 26 2012 08:39 Telcontar wrote: Perhaps his disappointing form last season has something to do with it. Yeah he has had a poor season by his standards, but the last few years he has hands down been the best. Form is temporary, class is permanent. | ||
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0kz
Italy1118 Posts
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alderamin
80 Posts
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Hazzyboy
Estonia555 Posts
On June 26 2012 22:52 alderamin wrote: Pique is playing very bad right now. He had a poor season and was injured often. But he ought to be able to becoem no.1 central defender once again. How can Pepe get even close when Pique plays his top game? I think Pepe and Portugal are better on d-line while Spain has the offensive edge. Agree. Pique was a pylon against Ribery and only reason Ribery was stopped all the time is S. Ramos and Alonso who helped Pique all game long. If Puyol wasn't injured I don't see Pique playing at all but it is what it is. C. Ronaldo can accelerate as good as Ribery so S.Ramos is the man who will play against him. Spain are favorites sure but I don't like the fact that they play without pure forward and let Fabregas, who's a center to be the forward with Villa being injured while Torres isn't a 90 min player now. | ||
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kyllinghest
Norway1607 Posts
On June 26 2012 23:11 Hazzyboy wrote: I think Pepe and Portugal are better on d-line while Spain has the offensive edge. Agree. Pique was a pylon against Ribery and only reason Ribery was stopped all the time is S. Ramos and Alonso who helped Pique all game long. If Puyol wasn't injured I don't see Pique playing at all but it is what it is. C. Ronaldo can accelerate as good as Ribery so S.Ramos is the man who will play against him. Spain are favorites sure but I don't like the fact that they play without pure forward and let Fabregas, who's a center to be the forward with Villa being injured while Torres isn't a 90 min player now. I think Spain is better in all parts of the game really. I don't trust their central defence 100%, but neither do I trust the portuguese one. The spanish fullbacks are simply class. Alba is so good at overlapping down the wing, and Arbeloa is not only excellent in 1v1 situations (has made both Ronaldo and Messi look average in the past) he is also the defender in the entire Euros that spend most time in the oppositions penalty box. | ||
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Kring
Portugal70 Posts
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mathemagician1986
Germany549 Posts
Italy will be tired from the long quarter final, and is generally a much older team than Germany, I think Germany will take it 2:1 in a very exciting match. Spain I think simply hasn't met an equal in this tournament so far, and still their wins seemed shaky at times. Contrary to a lot of people here, my opinion is that the key to winning against Spain isn't counter attacks, but using their own style against them, i.e. holding the ball in your own ranks, and constantly applying pressure. Spain is remarkably patient in only trying for a goal if the chances are very good, they will rather keep passing the ball around and wait for an excellent chance, than losing it on a long shot for example. Being defensive and counter attacking just leads to Spain being able to play the game they want to play, whereas putting them under pressure is something they haven't had to deal with in a long time. I think Germany has the class to be able to do just that. edit: having said that, the only weak link in the German team is Jerome Boateng IMO. I'm always scared whenever the ball is near him. I wish we had another Lahm on that position. | ||
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Rebs
Pakistan10726 Posts
On June 27 2012 00:26 mathemagician1986 wrote: I'm pretty sure Germany is going to take it this time. They have stopped playing the total aggression football (although it was beautiful to watch) and switched to a more moderate result oriented style. Italy will be tired from the long quarter final, and is generally a much older team than Germany, I think Germany will take it 2:1 in a very exciting match. Spain I think simply hasn't met an equal in this tournament so far, and still their wins seemed shaky at times. Contrary to a lot of people here, my opinion is that the key to winning against Spain isn't counter attacks, but using their own style against them, i.e. holding the ball in your own ranks, and constantly applying pressure. Spain is remarkably patient in only trying for a goal if the chances are very good, they will rather keep passing the ball around and wait for an excellent chance, than losing it on a long shot for example. Being defensive and counter attacking just leads to Spain being able to play the game they want to play, whereas putting them under pressure is something they haven't had to deal with in a long time. I think Germany has the class to be able to do just that. edit: having said that, the only weak link in the German team is Jerome Boateng IMO. I'm always scared whenever the ball is near him. I wish we had another Lahm on that position. Ive been harping about this for a while now. Nothing pisses Spain more of then a team that can keep the ball. Italy did it well enough, and Germany is more than capable. You can win playing the counter sure but its a low percentage way to play and really an option you take when you dont believe your good enough to actually take them on. Problem is people have seen so many teams get stung doing it in the past its very easy to fall into the trap of dropping back. Im not saying you need to attack all gung ho, but just the willingness to get forward and keep it and play some football when you get it goes a long way. That having been said Portugal hasnt shown the technical ability to manage that. Their midfield struggled for the majority of the game against the Czechs and even the group stages didnt really show anything special. They were decent earlier but against a flooded midfield they struggled and really it was Ronaldo trying to win the game by himself, and thats what he pretty much did with a little help. Veloso, Moutinho and Mereiles havent cut it for me this tournament. Moutinho's been good but he isnt going to win or even challenge for a midfield battle by himself. So I can see them dropping a fair bit and we may well get a game similar to the ones Spain has been playing the last couple. | ||
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Tyree
1508 Posts
Countries like Spain, Italy, Brazil, Argentina have no had to adapt because they were always developing technique over anything else. Scandinavian countries, eastern european and the entire of U.K needs do what Germany has done. | ||
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Stimp
South Africa780 Posts
On June 27 2012 05:07 Tyree wrote: The thing to admire about German football is how they managed to adapt to the game and develop more technical players because the game today demands it more than big, oafs who can head it in. Countries like Spain, Italy, Brazil, Argentina have no had to adapt because they were always developing technique over anything else. Scandinavian countries, eastern european and the entire of U.K needs do what Germany has done. That and any little touch being called a foul helps the little technical players a lot, as any meaty challenge that was acceptable a decade ago isn't allowed now. | ||
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Aeroplaneoverthesea
United Kingdom1977 Posts
On June 27 2012 14:59 Stimp wrote: That and any little touch being called a foul helps the little technical players a lot, as any meaty challenge that was acceptable a decade ago isn't allowed now. Perhaps you mean 25 years ago. | ||
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Stimp
South Africa780 Posts
Not even. Imagine if Roy Keane was playing today. | ||
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graan
Germany589 Posts
On June 27 2012 00:40 Rebs wrote: Ive been harping about this for a while now. Nothing pisses Spain more of then a team that can keep the ball. Italy did it well enough, and Germany is more than capable. You can win playing the counter sure but its a low percentage way to play and really an option you take when you dont believe your good enough to actually take them on. Problem is people have seen so many teams get stung doing it in the past its very easy to fall into the trap of dropping back. Im not saying you need to attack all gung ho, but just the willingness to get forward and keep it and play some football when you get it goes a long way. That having been said Portugal hasnt shown the technical ability to manage that. Their midfield struggled for the majority of the game against the Czechs and even the group stages didnt really show anything special. They were decent earlier but against a flooded midfield they struggled and really it was Ronaldo trying to win the game by himself, and thats what he pretty much did with a little help. Veloso, Moutinho and Mereiles havent cut it for me this tournament. Moutinho's been good but he isnt going to win or even challenge for a midfield battle by himself. So I can see them dropping a fair bit and we may well get a game similar to the ones Spain has been playing the last couple. It could have worked out quite well for the netherlands two years ago, with the help of a blind ref they could have beaten spain with destructiv, brutal anti football.. if robben scored that one. I think there are two ways to beat spain - foul them in their side, long away from the box, dont let them even start passing, defend with 10 players and hope for the best when spain takes risks. It worked against barca twice in the cl the last 3 years, almost in the wc but as mentioned you have to be lucky.. this should be the option everyone tried but didnt have the class to succed. Then what italy and croatia showed us this ec, make the center as small as possible in the defense, try to focus them in the center. When you have the ball, hold it for as long as you can, dont rush your attack, try to make the field as wide as possible and try to strike over the sides. France tried parts of that in the defense, left the left wing completly open to stuck the center and the stronger iniesta wing. In the offense they failed miserably imho. They alway tried to score as fast as possible, made risky choices, sent ribery/nasri 1vs1, didnt play with patience at all. Then spain scored after 15 minutes over the side they wanted to block after individual errors.. Germany should have the best chance with that tactic on paper if they dont choke once again, but how the hole season went i bet my money on final portugal vs italy. | ||
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Stimp
South Africa780 Posts
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Markwerf
Netherlands3728 Posts
On June 26 2012 23:25 kyllinghest wrote: I think Spain is better in all parts of the game really. I don't trust their central defence 100%, but neither do I trust the portuguese one. The spanish fullbacks are simply class. Alba is so good at overlapping down the wing, and Arbeloa is not only excellent in 1v1 situations (has made both Ronaldo and Messi look average in the past) he is also the defender in the entire Euros that spend most time in the oppositions penalty box. Spain simply outclass on midfield but then again they play with 1-2 more midfielders then any other team. Their offense is fairly lacking. Defense of spain hasn't been great either, alba is fantastic but so is coentrao. Pepe + alves has done much better then ramos and pique so far. Pique has simply been bad this entire year including this EC and Ramos is ok but quite reckless. Pepe has been doing fantastic this EC, probably best defender overall with Hummels. He hasn't been making any fouls basically which is his typical flaw. Both rightbacks suck though. Arbeloa is by far the weakest player for Spain, he is alright defensively but on offense he is virtually useless. His teammates ignore him most of the time as they know this as well, he is alone on the right side most of the time and when he gets the ball he can't do anything with it anyway. Portugal's rightback suffers a bit of the same problem though. Still I expect a win for Spain simply because of their dominance on the midfield. Except for moutinho Portugal's midfield is a bit lacking (Meireles is bad imo). I just don't see them reaching Nani or Ronaldo often today but the danger of fast counters is still there which is Spain's achilles heel since they play so far forward with their defense and their defenders aren't the quickest. | ||
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Aeroplaneoverthesea
United Kingdom1977 Posts
On June 27 2012 21:42 Markwerf wrote: Spain simply outclass on midfield but then again they play with 1-2 more midfielders then any other team. Their offense is fairly lacking. Defense of spain hasn't been great either, alba is fantastic but so is coentrao. Pepe + alves has done much better then ramos and pique so far. Pique has simply been bad this entire year including this EC and Ramos is ok but quite reckless. Pepe has been doing fantastic this EC, probably best defender overall with Hummels. He hasn't been making any fouls basically which is his typical flaw. Both rightbacks suck though. Arbeloa is by far the weakest player for Spain, he is alright defensively but on offense he is virtually useless. His teammates ignore him most of the time as they know this as well, he is alone on the right side most of the time and when he gets the ball he can't do anything with it anyway. Portugal's rightback suffers a bit of the same problem though. Still I expect a win for Spain simply because of their dominance on the midfield. Except for moutinho Portugal's midfield is a bit lacking (Meireles is bad imo). I just don't see them reaching Nani or Ronaldo often today but the danger of fast counters is still there which is Spain's achilles heel since they play so far forward with their defense and their defenders aren't the quickest. There is nothing more ridiculous than saying the defence of Spain is lacking. Spain are defensively the best team in the tournament by miles. They've conceded 1 goal, yes just 1 goal in the four games they've played this tournament. They conceded 2 goals in 7 games at the last world cup. They've conceded exactly 0 goals in the knockout stages of Euro 2012, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2008. That is 7 games in a row without conceding in knock out football. That includes shutting out Germany (x2), Russia, Italy, France, Holland and Portugal in knock out games. Spain are defensively the best side to play international football since the days when Italy could send out Baresi, Costacurta, Maldini and Bennarivo. Perhaps when people who know nothing about football look at their back four on paper they think stupid things like "Ramos is unreliable, Pique is slow, Alba is too attacking and Arbeloa is shit," but in real life football, played on a football pitch and not a computer screen, Spain's defensive record is arguably the best the game of football has ever seen on the international stage and easily in the top five of all time. | ||
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Goetzinho ftw
Germany115 Posts
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Markwerf
Netherlands3728 Posts
On June 28 2012 01:15 Aeroplaneoverthesea wrote: There is nothing more ridiculous than saying the defence of Spain is lacking. Spain are defensively the best team in the tournament by miles. They've conceded 1 goal, yes just 1 goal in the four games they've played this tournament. They conceded 2 goals in 7 games at the last world cup. They've conceded exactly 0 goals in the knockout stages of Euro 2012, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2008. That is 7 games in a row without conceding in knock out football. That includes shutting out Germany (x2), Russia, Italy, France, Holland and Portugal in knock out games. Spain are defensively the best side to play international football since the days when Italy could send out Baresi, Costacurta, Maldini and Bennarivo. Perhaps when people who know nothing about football look at their back four on paper they think stupid things like "Ramos is unreliable, Pique is slow, Alba is too attacking and Arbeloa is shit," but in real life football, played on a football pitch and not a computer screen, Spain's defensive record is arguably the best the game of football has ever seen on the international stage and easily in the top five of all time. Incredibly simplistic view you use... First of all goals conceded depends on the entire team, not just the defenders. Spain have the best goalie and midfield which make up a lot for a lack in defense. Spain has been having almost complete dominance of the midfield so far so they defenders don't get challenged in the first place. 2010 was also with Puyol, a better defense overall then. Their defense is not bad, I just wouldn't call it as good as Portugal's or Germany's. Pique is good but not in form and Ramos has always been reckless. Besides that you are cherry picking your results, anecdotal evidence that is worth shit. If you just looked at the games so far they were shaky in defense against Italy, Ramos should have gotten red against Croatia and Ireland was pathetic. France dug in so hard to gauge from that game though they looked alright. I simply wouldn't be surprised if the defense would show to be as shaky tonight as it was against Italy. Anyway the team overall is one of the best ever for sure, can't deny that and they are quite a favorite to win. They just don't impress me as much as 4 years ago when they were at their best imo. Now it's just a lot less solid. | ||
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WHyTePoWeR
Korea (South)132 Posts
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Rebs
Pakistan10726 Posts
On June 28 2012 02:40 Markwerf wrote: Incredibly simplistic view you use... First of all goals conceded depends on the entire team, not just the defenders. Spain have the best goalie and midfield which make up a lot for a lack in defense. Spain has been having almost complete dominance of the midfield so far so they defenders don't get challenged in the first place. 2010 was also with Puyol, a better defense overall then. Their defense is not bad, I just wouldn't call it as good as Portugal's or Germany's. Pique is good but not in form and Ramos has always been reckless. Besides that you are cherry picking your results, anecdotal evidence that is worth shit. If you just looked at the games so far they were shaky in defense against Italy, Ramos should have gotten red against Croatia and Ireland was pathetic. France dug in so hard to gauge from that game though they looked alright. I simply wouldn't be surprised if the defense would show to be as shaky tonight as it was against Italy. Anyway the team overall is one of the best ever for sure, can't deny that and they are quite a favorite to win. They just don't impress me as much as 4 years ago when they were at their best imo. Now it's just a lot less solid. Well yeah while your absolutely right on the part that there lives are made easier by the whole team being better. I disagree the defense is weak or bad. I think the game tonight showed a pretty good example of that. Fact is because of the way they swarm and press they get the ball back quickly and alot of the time theres little pressure on them. If anything this makes their job harder. Concentration levels have to be just as stellar because your not actually defending large parts of the game. Opposing teams that are good enough to get out of the pressing get alot of room and every team has quality players that can use it well so defending so much of the pitch and so much space for a defense is ridiculously hard should the game open up against them. That considered their defenders are world class. Ramos is a boss and Pique has had a poor season but I think he was excellent today. They shut down Ronaldo pretty hard, which takes some doing. Teams have had ample time to analyze and figure out Spain. Its hard when the crosshairs are on your back and your play style all the time. Theyre style is alot influx at the moment because they have to struggle between maintaining theyre identity and avoid losing games the way they have been. Thats part of the reason the games get so dull aswell. Better teams will give them a sterner test for sure, Germany in particular because they can move the ball just aswell if not better than Spain and they are exceptionally fit. You only need to look at how teams like Chelsea struggled hardcore when they played high up under AVB to realise how hard it is to pull of. They eventually resorted to their comfort zone because it simply wasnt something they could do . And their defenders are hailed as the best or some of the best. And they are, just not playing the way the Spaniards do which is alot harder to do when they get exposed. Everyone keeps saying Spain is bad at defending counter attacks. Which is true but not necessarily because theyre defenders are weaker. Any good team when offered space can torment even the best of defenders. Also please (at the cost of sounding preachy) and this is to whoever. Not this post.Just because someone disagrees with you doesnt warrant comments like "you know nothing about football." That is reserved for absolutely retarded idiotic comments that frankly dont even deserve responses most of the time, and its fairly obvious when they pop up. | ||
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Aeroplaneoverthesea
United Kingdom1977 Posts
On June 28 2012 02:40 Markwerf wrote: Incredibly simplistic view you use... First of all goals conceded depends on the entire team, not just the defenders. Spain have the best goalie and midfield which make up a lot for a lack in defense. Spain has been having almost complete dominance of the midfield so far so they defenders don't get challenged in the first place. 2010 was also with Puyol, a better defense overall then. Their defense is not bad, I just wouldn't call it as good as Portugal's or Germany's. Pique is good but not in form and Ramos has always been reckless. Besides that you are cherry picking your results, anecdotal evidence that is worth shit. If you just looked at the games so far they were shaky in defense against Italy, Ramos should have gotten red against Croatia and Ireland was pathetic. France dug in so hard to gauge from that game though they looked alright. I simply wouldn't be surprised if the defense would show to be as shaky tonight as it was against Italy. Anyway the team overall is one of the best ever for sure, can't deny that and they are quite a favorite to win. They just don't impress me as much as 4 years ago when they were at their best imo. Now it's just a lot less solid. Another shut out for Spain, this time they reduced the best player in the tournament to not having a shot on target along with the rest of his team. Yet apparently this is a team who aren't that great defensively? Another poster proven wrong. | ||
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FloKi
1490 Posts
I say Spain has this,if they bring their A game. Italy still has a good chance,good thing Mario Balotelli didint get a second yellow card. | ||
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good5321
20 Posts
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TSBspartacus
England1046 Posts
I think italy can actually take this now, they've grown as a team so much since the start of the tournament, and then they drew with spain 1-1. Unless Torres starts I see Italy 2 - 1 Spain | ||
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kemoryan
Spain1506 Posts
On June 29 2012 18:14 TSBspartacus wrote: lol thats not even about Euro 2012, let alone english. I think italy can actually take this now, they've grown as a team so much since the start of the tournament, and then they drew with spain 1-1. Unless Torres starts I see Italy 2 - 1 Spain If Torres starts it will be 2-0? | ||
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TSBspartacus
England1046 Posts
Lol, no I think Spain need Torres to start or they lose tbh. If he starts then Spain wins 3-1 | ||
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haitike
Spain2711 Posts
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Aeroplaneoverthesea
United Kingdom1977 Posts
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W2
United States1177 Posts
On July 02 2012 05:51 Aeroplaneoverthesea wrote: Perhaps if you guys had listened to me the last few weeks instead of buying into FOTM teams like Germany, Portugal and Italy you'd have made some nice cash on the side and learnt a thing or two. Spain was my pick before the tournament even started (80% of people I talked to agreed). It's not a surprise really. | ||
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Aeroplaneoverthesea
United Kingdom1977 Posts
On July 02 2012 06:01 W2 wrote: Spain was my pick before the tournament even started (80% of people I talked to agreed). It's not a surprise really. Countless people on TL were saying Spain were overrated and Germany/Portugal or Italy would win. | ||
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Steveling
Greece10806 Posts
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TSBspartacus
England1046 Posts
On July 01 2012 07:17 haitike wrote: Torres cant score to something better than Ireland. Golden boot.... | ||
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sharkie
Austria18385 Posts
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TheConquereer
Spain183 Posts
On July 02 2012 06:04 Aeroplaneoverthesea wrote: Countless people on TL were saying Spain were overrated and Germany/Portugal or Italy would win. Reading the last pages of germany vs italy is hilarious :D | ||
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thoradycus
Malaysia3262 Posts
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Rebs
Pakistan10726 Posts
On July 02 2012 06:04 Aeroplaneoverthesea wrote: Countless people on TL were saying Spain were overrated and Germany/Portugal or Italy would win. People think Spain is boring, part of it has to do with them recently not gambling with the final pass etc because they dont want to get caught on counters and yet trying to maintain their identity and their philosophy. The rest of it is just people enjoying bad football with more action. | ||
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