EPT
Quarterfinal Review
Czech Republic 0 vs 1 Portugal
This game didn't go to plan as what many thought it would. As the Czech's decided to play a very solid defensive formation, a 4-5-1 at times with just the one outlet upfront. He was very isolated throughout the 90 minutes of football, not really having a sniff of the football. Portugal however played some great football using their pace out wide to most effect. Ronaldo however was the man of the match, was the Ronaldo you are used to seeing for Real Madrid that turned up for this game, and well you could say at one stage it was Petr Cech vs Ronaldo. The first half alone of this quarterfinal could of seen Ronaldo with a hat trick, he had hit the post, and Cech made two amazing saves from the forward to deny him that feat. However, considering all of Portugal's dominance it was 0-0 at half time, and with everyone being reminded of Greece at every moment of the game, people were questioning if it was going to just be, one of "those" games.
Portugal came out after the break and immediately started from where they left off with more Ronaldo dominances and more chances. Czech's did start to push up and where in on the right hand side one or two times as the second half went on. Nothing would come from these chances though, but Pilar did look impressive taking on Joao Pereira a few times during the second half. However the inevitable happened. From some swift and clinical passing from Nani to Moutinho, he was released down the right hand side to send a perfect cross to the diving Ronadlo's head to see it bounce onto the ground and up into the roof of the net, Cech no chance, Portugal lead 1-0. Ronaldo and co then seemed to gently ease the rest of the 10 minutes as Czech's did try to force a win, but without their playmaker Rosicky they looked a bit clueless with the final ball. They had a set piece in the 90th minute, Petr Cech went up for the corner, but it was to no avail, the corner was poor and if it wasn't for Joao Pereira getting his feet muddled up they might of seen a goal from inside of their half go in. Game finished, 1-0 Portugal, Ronaldo and co go marching into the semi finals. Czech's did well to get out of their group but they were lacklustre without Rosicky and well beaten.
Germany 4 vs 2 Greece
Well, this game was always going to be a goal fest (so we thought) and we were treated to one! But maybe not as how many would of thought? It started off in Poland, with a very wet pitch, and to be honest a very poor one. German's and Greek's struggling to keep their feet at many times during the first half and the goal mouths clearly struggling and the ball sticking and not bouncing properly, making the keepers job even harder. It started off as many expect, Germany with the majority of possession hammering down on the Greek's goal. Silfakis the Greek goalkeeper was having a bit of a nightmare start making a few errors and not dealing with shots properly causing all kind of mayhem in his penalty area. He was getting away with it for most of first half, and you could excuse him for some of the awkward saves he was making due to the goal mouth wreaking havoc with the ball. Greece were looking shaky at the back and the German's somehow weren't scoring, the game the previous night with Czech Republic and Portugal was coming back into everyone's head as it continued to stay 0-0. However, the German's had one thing on their side, their captain Phillip Lahm! And what a time to come up with a captain's goal, he picked up the ball 40 yards out, cut inside and the Greek's let him come to the goal with the ball, and not close him down. With one flash of his right boot, the ball would sail into the bottom corner in a second. 1-0 Germany, and what a goal to give them the lead. That was 5 minutes before half time, so into the second half we went 1-0.
The second half started much as the first half left off, Greek's with their backs up against the wall and the Germans with the ball gunning for goal. But what would happen next would shock probably most of Europe watching. Greece, having not pressed forward much all game and not looked that threatening would produce a piece of magical counter attacking football. Salpingidis and Samaras combining to run the length of the pitch almost together, to score and wonderfully worked equaliser. German's and Europe stunned! Greek's went into pandemonium. How would the German's cope with this? Would they be shaken up and freeze in their moment? No, that was crushed within 5 minutes of the Greek's equalising as it seemed to make the Greek's implode not the Germans. Germany would continue to march forward and they scored, just like that. A ball crossed in from the right knocked on by the Greek defender to fall kindly to an on running Khedira, to volley home from 7 yards, 2-1 Germany, could Greece do it again? No, that was crushed too in another crazy 15 minutes from the goal. From a set piece 5 minutes later Klose would head home his 17th goal in international tournaments a fine achievement for him and Germany's 3rd of the night. 7 minutes later, it would be 4-1 as Reus would score quite arguably a more impressive goal than Lahm's cracker, with a volley inch perfect after a Greek defender blocked a previous German shot. It would fly past the keeper clip the underside of the bar and nestle perfectly into the bottom corner. 4-1, game over....Or was it? Greece continuing to try and please their fans broke again and this time they won a Penalty! From a cross this time it appears to hit Boateng's hand which were in a unnatural position, and up stepped Salpingidis to try and salvage some respect for his nation. He would score it sending Neuer the wrong way, 4-2, 90 minutes came up on the clock. Surely no more goals in this goal fest? And that would be right, the game ended, Germany through, maybe not as convincingly as many thought? But still a thoroughly deserved victory. Greece can hold their heads high though they did hurt the Germans when they eventually countered, but the result was inevitable.
Spain 2 vs 0 France
Arguably the most anticipated semi final, between two great teams. The World and current European champions Spain, taking on a well drilled, good passing and technical French team, a good attacking football match would await surely? How wrong we all were. With the Sweden result causing rifts in the French camp, and interesting team selection was made by Laurent Blanc. Opting for a defensive 5-4-1 set up it seemed on paper, playing two right backs and three defensive minded central midfielders the team looked like any other who turns up to play Spain, DEFENSIVE! And that's what it would turn out to be. Spain however, opted for their no striker 4-6-0 formation (4-3-3 on realistically, but no strikers so people often label it the 4-6-0, due to Barcelona playing like it last season).
First half started with France closing down the Spanish players as much as possible, getting in their faces making them rush and miss place passes as most teams try to do. However after 10 minutes this would be nonexistent and Spain would comfortably have possession for the rest of the half. France looking not like a team at all, and not working very hard for each other were under threat from the Spanish passing game. Within 18 minutes it was 1-0, with the magical ball being played by Iniesta on the left hand side, releasing Jordi Alba, to take on Réveillère the deputising right back to cross a pin point accurately to a on running Alonso, who would powerful head home, 1-0 Spain. France behind, but with no sign of changing their approach, as they were only one goal behind, continued to defend. Spain with all the possession as they are accustomed to just played the ball around for fun and France defended. That would be about it for the first half and a really poor and disheartened France team headed into the break, 1-0 down. Spain, job done as far as they are concerned, bossin' the possession and having a one goal lead.
The second half began, no changes by France surprisingly, nor Spain for that matter. France started much brighter in the second half pressing much like in the first half but more consistently and with more bite about their play. They caused Spain problems, with them having less time on the ball and less potency going forward, France were coming back into the game. Benzema looking good coming deep for the ball, and bringing his midfielders into play, France began to come out of the shackles it seemed. It was from a Benzema pickup of the ball which lead to a great chance for France, their first real chance of the game from open play, cross from the left to Debuchy the right back from the previous games, leaping high above the Spanish defenders to head just over Casilas' goal. France making a chance and growing in confidence it seemed. Spain, however never panic playing football these days, and with a flash of brilliance from Xavi, who would cut out about 4 France players with a pass that sent Fabregas one on one. Lloris was out like a flash, and he was closing in on Fabregas, who would get to the ball quicker than Lloris, but was unable to get his touch of the ball to take it past Lloris, who stayed big and blocked the ball to then have it cleared by his defender. Great ball by Xavi, great save by Lloris, 1-0 still best chance of the second half. France continued to press though, and had the next chance of the half with just under 19minutes to go. Ribery with some fine work down the left hand side of the box managed to hold off 2-3 Spanish defenders to dig out a cross to Benzema, but Casilas read it and claimed the ball off Benzema's feet. Thats how it would stay with France not looking as threatening as they needed to be in the final third. They through on more attacking players, but it was too little too late, Spain just hold on and get the ball at the right times. Then with a flash of brilliance from the substtitute Pedro, who would pick up a lobbed through ball from Jordi Alba (just like the first goal), Pedro would cut into the box and draw a penalty from the right back on his debut. Up steps Alonso, to mark his 100th cap with a brace. 2-0, thats how it finished. Spain 2, France 0.
France tried to deny Spain more than they tried to hurt Spain, which in my opinion in why they lost. In the second half when they tried to play themselves, they looked a threat and if with some more grit and less in houses fighting, they might have pulled off a shock here, but it was not to be and Spain march on, on their quest to make it 3 major championships in a row!
England 0 vs 0 ItalyAET
Italy 4-2 Penalties
Italy 4-2 Penalties
This game on paper was going to be a dull game, due to both England and Italy keen to make themselves hard to beat in their set ups. However it didn’t start that way. Italy would come out of the blocks punching and nearly scored the goal of the tournament through DeRossi, a 35 yard half volley cutting across the ball. It sent Hart diving to the top left corner of his goal, but he was well beaten, however it hit the woodwork and bounced out to safety, let off their less than 10 minutes into the game. England however then picked up the ball and had a very convincing 10 minute spell of football. Keeping the ball well in the Italian half for this period they battled away to try and find an early goal. They nearly did through Johnson, who had a scooped shot from 5 yards saved point blankly by the fantastic Buffon in the Italian goal. That would be the only time England would look really comfortable on the ball however as the next 10 minutes it would be all Italy. Italy would continue their dominance of the football passing and moving their way through the midfield trying to find the final pass to set up their strikers but to little effect it would seem. England defended well denying the Italians any territory near England’s goal and keeping them fair enough back to only have 25 yard + shots to deal with. Italy would be playing all their good stuff through their talisman and by far their best outfield player in Pirlo. He would be the reason for their next chance as he would loft a perfectly waited pass over the back line of England, who were trying to play the offside trap and Balotelli was in. However, Balotelli couldn’t get the ball out of his feet quick enough and Terry would be back at him and blocking his shot before he could quite set himself. There would be one more chance for England before the break with Rooney and Welbeck combining well but for Welbeck not to hit the ball well enough as the ball sailed past both Buffon and the top corner. 0-0 half time. The game even and full of chances, great game for the neutral I would say.
The second half started with the Italians nowhere to be seen. England broke and played down the wings and could not find and end product and wasted more chances. But, that would be the end of the England’s attacking flair it would seem as for the next 40 minutes it would be all Italy. Italy would carve out many chances and failed to take any of them, England would defend for their lives as Italy continually bombarded their goal mouth. Balotelli would have a shot from literally on the goal mouth and DeRossi would have an unbelievable chance from 4 yards out which he would miss hit wide. England hanging on, Italy wondering how they have not scored. The 90 minutes drew closer and closer, with the Italians still pressing England deeper and deeper, who looked tired and had no attacking threat it would seem. Somehow the last chance of the 90 would land to England and Rooney, who tried to bicycle kick home from 7 yards out, but there would be no spectacular winner and the game was entering extra time.
1st half of extra time would see the same as the rest of the second half. Italy have the ball and gunning down the England goal. England trying to defend for their lives with players who were clearly exhausted looked to be all out of ideas. Italy tried to find some new ways of breaking through England but it wasn’t to be with no goals in the 15 minute spell either.
2nd half of extra time began the way the rest of the hour went before it, all Italy. This time however they managed to get the ball in the back of the net! However it was given offside which would be the correct decision, and England would breathe again as they looked to stay in the game. They managed to hold on and it would go to dreaded penalties.
Penalties would begin with the Italy going first. Up stepped Mario Balotelli and Joe Hart would be meeting him outside the box staring him down. The both are club mates so this would be a good sporting moment, with Hart trying his best to get an eye to eye with Balotelli to try and put him off. It was not to be as Balotelli would coolly step up and despatch his penalty past the diving Hart into the bottom corner. Gerrard the England captain would be first for England, who would calmly step up and despatch his penalty the same corner as Balotelli’s beating the diving Buffon. 1-1 after the first.
The second penalty take for Italy would be Montolivo who would step up and fire his penalty a good yard wide, Italy miss first, England with the chance to take the lead. England would send forward Rooney, the main penalty taker for Man Utd, he would step up and fire his penalty top left corner sending Buffon the wrong way! England fans believing now after so many penalty failures in the past (4/5 lost to be precise) 2-1 England after 2 penalties each.
The third penalties is where the game was won in my opinion, with Mr cool Pirlo stepping up for Italy. The best player on the pitch by a million miles would calmly, and delicately chip the ball past the diving Hart who had long dived by the ball reached the back of the net. The coolest penalty you might ever see in an international tournament, put Italy back in it with England’s Ashley Young to take the next. Young would walk up and take the ball, a good pacey run up would follow, as he blasted the ball down the middle of the goal, however he hit it to hard and it cannoned back off the bar, England’s lead now lost and back on level terms. 2-2 after 3 penalties each.
The fourth penalty take for Italy would be Nocerino. He would calmly step up and stutter step his penalty into the left hand corner sending Hart the wrong way, England in trouble now as we all know they don’t do penalties. Ashley Cole’s turn now, and after the last few penalty shoot outs for club and country he has despatched his penalty cool and calmly no trouble. However this is England and this is a major tournament. Cole steps up, seemed to second guess himself when he tried a stutter step to send Buffon the wrong way. It failed miserably and Buffon would make a comfortable save diving to his right. Just like that, England have lost the lead and now are behind and on the brink of elimination. 3-2 after 4 penalties.
The fifth penalties now. And up steps Diamanti the “west ham reject” as quoted by the English commentator, how that would come to kick us the nuts! He would step up and coolly send Hart the wrong way. 4-2 Italy and ectasy for the Italians, who came into the tournament on the back of more corruption in their domestic game but a unity as always between themselves which proves enough, Italy deservedly winners and head on to the Semi Finals vs Germany. England, go home after penalties, same old same old.
Semi Finals Preview
Portugal vs Spain
Portugal vs Spain
Well, what a game we have here (we hope)! With no love lost between these countries it is sure to be a feisty, fiery game of flair in Donnesk. With Spain looking ever so comfortable on the ball and with a fantastic defensive record in the tournament, it will be a tough ask for Ronadlo and co to spoil the Spanish party, but if anyone can, it is Ronaldo's Portugal. Going back to after the world cup, it would be Portugal who would beat the world champions first with a 4-0 drubbing in a friendly, so they should know how to beat Spain. It will all come down to how much pressing and denying of the ball Portugal can do against Spain, and some swift counter attacks from Ronaldo and Nani. Spain however will just need to turn up and play football like they always do, most likely another 4-6-0 line up, they will try and boss the play and squeeze out the passion from Portugal.
Key Players
Ronaldo
Ronaldo
He has finally turned up in the last two games, vs Netherlands and vs Czech Republic, and we all know how much a confident Ronaldo can do. He can simply win games on his own and change games within an instance, this must be the threat Spain try to neutralize. What Ronaldo will want to do is pick the ball up in space and run at defenders, like he has been doing. Winning freekicks could be key for him scoring them or for the crosses to cause Spain aerial problems.
Iniesta
Quite simply, the best passing footballer on the planet bar none. He can change a game with a turn of pace, a brilliant pass or by simply taking on 3 players at once. He is the best player Spain have and will be looking to help them reach their 3rd consecutive final of an international tournament. If he has the time and gets on the ball enough, Portugal will be in a lot of trouble and be on the back foot in which they don't want to be. His pace alone will trouble the slow defence of Portugal so to keep him quiet is quite simply a must.
Prediction 1-1 (1-2 AET)
Spain to win after extra time. Just have a feeling Portugal will score and Spain will only muster one in the regular 90 mnutes.
Germany vs Italy
Spain to win after extra time. Just have a feeling Portugal will score and Spain will only muster one in the regular 90 mnutes.
Germany vs Italy
Germany vs Italy a nice rich footballing affair here is set up. Germany has always struggle vs the Italians in the past. This should be a feisty affair between the two nations and will be a good battle to watch. The Italians great at keeping the ball and defending well vs the flair and strength the Germans possess. The last time these two teams met in an international tournament was in Germany in the 2006 world cup. Well, to say the Germans will be out for revenge is an understatement, the Italians would win in the German backyard 2-0 after extra time and send them through and Germans out. Germans will be looking to Ozil for inspiration in this semi final as well as Italians looking to Pirlo, it is all set up to be a fascinating tie, with the Italians who many wrote off before the tournament due to their poor form going into it (not winning in 3 games and losing without scoring to USA/Uruguay/Russia)
Key Players
Pirlo
Pirlo
By far the best player in the Quarterfinal, Pirlo is a magical magician with his passing. Sitting in front of the back four and everything Italy make going through him, he is the key to them playing well. His array of passing stretches from simple passes along the floor or huge sweeps of his foot to send a ball out 40 yards in the air to feet. His ability to handle the pressure of players around him and still get his passing spot on and accurate is the sign of a classy player. Italy will need Pirlo to be as good as he was vs England to stand chance vs the Germans.
Ozil
He took a while to get into the game vs Greece, but when he did he was at the heart of most of the German attacks. His change of pace is exceptional and is the reason he is able to swing games in his teams favour. He will need to be on top form if Germany are to continue their quest to de throne the Spanish. His passing will be quick and sharp as they have been, but he will need to add just a bit more to his shooting, as that has let him down this tournament. If he finds that, he could win the game on his own and put Germany into the final.
Prediction 1-1 (2-1) Germany after extra time.
Can see Germany getting their payback JUST here, as I think they will be a bit stronger physically than the Italians just. Hard one to call now though.
Can see Germany getting their payback JUST here, as I think they will be a bit stronger physically than the Italians just. Hard one to call now though.
(NINJA)
Spain will concede one goal this game i am sure of it. 
