Euro 2012: Third and Final Set of Group Games (3/3sets)

At the end of the group stages, it managed to throw some surprise packages into the quarter finals while some favorites made it through as well.

Group A:

This group was meant to be a weakest group and one of the easiest to predict, as Russia were supposed to ease through the groups and possibly make a good run in the tournament. Add to that, their final opponents Greece were bottom of the group with one point. However Greece won the game through a solitary Karagounis goal in a game which Russia dominated but were wasteful with their chances.

This result left the Czechs in a must win situation to progress, and Poland were already needing a win, so this was a do or die game for either team. in the first half the Czechs were largely outplayed by Poland but the scores were still level. After half time the Czechs started to dominate the tempo of the game, and with Poland running out of steam the Czechs capitalised through a calm Jiracek’s finish. With that to go along with the Russia defeat, Czechs finish on top of the group and Greece sneak in second, to send Russia packing. 

I definitely couldn’t have predicted this outcome. I seriously would fancy them progressing any further than the quarter finals.

Group B:

This group was labelled “the Group of Death”, and as it stood with one game to go, all the teams still had a chance of making it. Amazingly enough the Dutch who have lost both their games can make the final eight if Germany beat Denmark (highly possible) and they beat Portugal by two goals. Also leaders with two wins Germany is still wasn’t sure if they would make it through, as if Denmark beat them and Portugal won they would be in trouble.

So with the Denmark vs Germany, Germany were dominating in the Danes half and Lukas Podolski put the Germans in front in the 19^th minute. But five minutes later Krohn-Dehli’s second goal of the tournament brought the Danes level. With the game dragging on, first the Danes had a good penalty appeal turned down after Badstuber pulled Bendtner’s shirt. But soon enough the Germans broke clear, as Ozil’s through ball intended for Klose, but it was too far for him, however the full-back Bender, got there and coolly slotted home his first international goal to give the Germany the winner.

In the other match, the winless Dutch were facing Portugal. It was looking good for the Dutch after 11 minutes, as Van Der Vaart with inch-perfect shot into the bottom left corner to give Netherlands hope. That was good as it got for the Dutch, as Portugal started to find a way back into the game with Ronaldo finally making a mark in the tournament with a composed first touch and slick finish after a defence splitting pass from Pereira. The Dutch backline was looking even more fragile now and the attack play becoming ever more wasteful, as they wasted some good opportunities. It was Portugal again with a counter attack from the wings and ended with Nani supplying Ronaldo to finish off the Dutch. Ronaldo missed out on a hat trick as he hit the woodwork. But with the Dutch not showing enough clinical finishes, they paid the heavy price, they came into the tournament as heavy favourites but exit winless and without a point in group play.

So it is the Germans who top this group and get to play Greece in the quarter finals. While Portugal sneak in second place to play the Czechs. I’m expecting both these teams to dispatch their Group A counterparts with ease and book a place in the semis.

Group C:

Italy vs Ireland, it was always going to be a tough game for either team, as the Italians needed a win to have a chance of progressing and the Irish have nothing to play but pride. As expected Italy dominated for most of the game, with Pirlo pulling most of their strings. With 10 minutes to go in the second half, Italy finally got the break with Pirlo’s near-post-delivery that Cassano met with a glancing header. The Italians could have been more goals up, if it hadn’t been the Irish bodies that kept popping up. Then nearing the end of the match, the Irish finally laid siege to the Italy goal for a while, but came up short thanks to Buffon. But it wasn’t to be for the Irish as late sub Balotelli hooked home a Pirlo corner to seal a 2-0 victory.

In the match between Spain and Croatia, Croatia put up a good fight against the reigning champions but was undone late on in the game to see them crashing out. Unsurprisingly Spain dominated possession throughout the game, made quite a number of chances only for Croatia to be defensively brilliant and Croatia counter-attacked down the flanks and produced good chances of their own to try and win it. It would have been a very tense game for either supporters, but relieve came for the Spanish as Fabregas again played a major influence on the game, as he lobbed the ball to put Iniesta clear and he squared it for Navas to tap it in.

The table finishes with Spain on top as expected and Italy sneak in to second place. From these two teams I would say that only Spain will make it past the quarter finals stage, as I don’t see Italy having enough attacking to finish off France (their likely opponents, if France tops their group).

Group D:

It may have ended a good night for England, but at from the first half they were pegged back as Ukraine relentlessly attack the England goal early on. When England finally got some chances to score they faltered as Rooney obviously showing a lack of match sharpness, missed a good chance to put England in control. But made up for it after half-time as a danger low cross delivered by the excellent captain Gerrard, which took two deflections and went through the Ukraine keeper to finally find Rooney barely a yard from goal to nod home his 29^th England goal. That put England with a bit of breathing space and as a couple minutes later Sweden got in front against France leaving England on top of the group. Later on in the game there was to be some drama as Ukraine had ‘ghost’ goal, as John Terry hacked Devic’s half-blocked shot away from the line. England would feel that its justice for them after their own Lampard ‘ghost’ goal against Germany in the last World Cup. But England managed to hang on to a 1-0 victory to amazingly stay unbeaten.

While in the other game between France and Sweden, there was to be an upset as the Swedes put on their best efforts, as they were already heading home and the French delivered their worst performance as they go to the quarter finals. This game wasn’t really dominated by either team, but the Swedes countered France’s attack well. As in the second half they broke away, with Larsson delivering a drifting ball in from the right which Ibrahimovic met with a spectacular volley to put Sweden ahead. France were wasteful with their shots and paid the prize as in injury time Sweden made it worse for them by Larsson volley home a simple chance to make it 2-0.

Luckily for the French, England managed to beat Ukraine allowing France to qualify in second behind the Three Lions. So the prize for the French is that they get to face off against World Champs while England should be relieved that they are playing Italy and not Spain. France will really need to up their game if they are to have a hope of beating Spain, but Spain haven’t looked as impressive as in the past (expect the Ireland game), so it could be close game between the two. But I would say that Spain should manage to get past France. While England will be tested by Italy I would think and hope that England should hold the Italian attackers at bay, as I feel that the English defence is a lot more solid than Italy’s attack. And with that England could snatch a goal or two and make it to the semis.

I can’t wait for the quarter final. The Three Lions are finally roaring. C’mon England!

Euro 2012 Day 8 - The Second Set of Games

Group A:

After Russia opening game win, I had expected them to also coast past Poland, but the hosts had enough support from the home crowd to escape with a draw. Poland started off strong but it was Russia who took the lead, thanks to Dzagoev’s header from Arshavin’s set-piece. These two men have definitely been the leading lights for Russia as they look to book their place in the final 8. But Poland equaliser came via a brutal finish from their captain Blaszcykowski that almost ripped the net apart. From there on, both teams had good chances to win the game but the winner never came and ended 1-1. In the other game between the Czechs and Greece, Czech Republic won 2-1. The Czechs went off to a flyer by taking a 2-0 lead early on in the first half and then Greece pulled one back thanks the Petr Cech blunder but the equaliser from them never came.

Group B:

First off, was the game between Denmark and Portugal, this game turned out to be a very entertaining game. As Portugal got off to a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Pepe and Helder Postiga. But the Danes pulled one back before half time and near the end of the game (around the 80^th min) equalised, all thanks to a brace from their most renowned striker Bendtner. But Portugal managed to come away with the much needed win after substitute Varela scored late. They could have won a lot easier, but again their Mega-Star Cristiano Ronaldo did not have his scoring boots from Real. He like Messi has not given their best performances for their country when called upon. Portugal will be hoping that Ronaldo does show his true class in their final crunch game against the Dutch to help them progress.

dThe most anticipated game of the whole group stages of this competition, between Germany and Netherlands turne out to be a nervy game in the end. There doubts at the start of the game whether Gomez will be picked to start ahead of the veteran Klose as Klose has always his credentials in a German shirt. But Mario Gomez on the back of his winner against Portugal, he was eventually picked and he repaid the manager’s faith in style. He had confidence flowing out of him as he struck a brilliant first half brace, thanks to the genius passing of Schweinsteiger and Ozil was brilliant in the game as he was influential in most of his side’s attacks. The Dutch also had a hard decision to make on which striker to start, Van Versie or Klaus-Jan Huntelaar, but they opted to stick with Van Persie. It was Van Persie who clawed a goal back for the Dutch with 17 minutes to go, but that was after wasting a few more chances. The Germans hung on to a 2-1 victory as the Dutch dominated the final period in search of an equaliser.

It looks like Germany will undeniably top this group as expected, but the race for second place in on in the final day for the rest of the teams.

Group C:

Italy vs Croatia, I thought at the start of this game it would turn out to be a close fought victory for Italy. It was definitely looking that way at half time with Italy taking the lead through the curling free kick by the rejuvenated Pirlo. Pirlo has really stepped it up this tournament in controlling the games for Italy, as he did against Spain in their opener. Croatia didn’t realy look like they would score in the first half, but when they came out for the second half, Croatia looked a different team with Modric being a lot more influential. This pressure resulted in them equalising on the counter, and to no surprise it ended a draw, as the game didn’t really producing enough clear-cut chances.

Ireland vs Spain is the David vs Goliath battle of this group, with the powerhouse of Spain expected to completely dominate the game, especially in midfield where they were expected to play with the ‘false nine’ again. But the Spaniards, opted to play Fernando Torres instead of Fabregas. They were rewarded instantly with a powerful finish into the top of the net three minutes into the game by the misfiring striker.  Then after the break David Silva showed some mesmerising skills to make it 2-0 and then Torres again found the back of the net. Torres was later substituted for Fabregas and again Fabregas showed his attacking threat by blasting home a fourth goal to add to Ireland’s misery.

Spain should finish on top of this group and depending on the Croatia vs Spain game, either Croatia or Italy will be the second team to qualify, assuming Italy dismantle Ireland.

Group D:

Ukraine and France’s game was delayed an hour due to fierce thunderstorms but when they came back out, France controlled the game completely. It was only until in the 53^rd minute that France took the lead thanks to Menez, who had earlier missed some good opportunities to score. Less than four minutes France were in again through Cabaye from a Benzema pass. The star of this game had to be Benzema for leading the line well and contributing to two assists. France are starting to click with all their attacking threats and it will spell danger for the rest of the competition.

In the other game it was a do or die game for Sweden, while England didn’t necessarily have to win but would be in trouble if they didn’t. The first half was quite drab, but the opportunity that ENgalnd had craved for so long finally arrived and again it was provided by captain fantastic Steven Gerrard. From literally the same position he created Lescott’s goal, the skipper put in another inviting cross and this time it was his Liverpool teammate who took advantage. Andy Carroll got between the defenders and rose majestically to power his header into the bottom comer. What way to reward Roy for putting faith in him and starting him, after a lot criticism from the English fans and media on the inclusion of Carroll in the squad. But soon after the second half the Lions lost their lead through some bad defensive if work and worse was to come as more poor defending cost them dearly as Sweden took the lead. As soon as England were losing Hodgson threw Walcott for Milner and it turned out to be a master-stroke. Because three minutes later, Walcott fired home from the edge of the box after a poor clearance from a Gerrard corner. And soon enough England took the lead again as they countered with Walcott going by the by-line, he pulled a cross back to the near post where amazingly enough Welbeck back-heeled it in.

With that, Sweden crash out of the tournament, and England and France on top of their group. England look like they may answer their critics wrong for the first time in a major trophy, but they will have to get both aspects of their game(attack and defence) correct to do that. But they are surely heading down the right track.

Euro 2012: After the 1st set of games

12^th June

Euros 2012:    

     

So now that the first batch of group games have finished, some teams have come out on top and shown their class and others have not yet lived up to their billing. I will just give you a overview of what happened and what I think about it.

Group A:

Consisting of Russia, Poland, Greece and the Czech Republic, this group is really the weakest of all the groups in this year’s competition. As expected Russia came out firing against the Czech and thrashed them 4-1,while co-hosts Poland drew 1-1 with Greece in controversial game (with both teams  down to 10 men, Greece had their defender off and Poland had their goalie off).  Russia is anticipated to carry on their winning ways against the rest of the groups while smashing home a lot of goals. So the second spot very much up for grabs between the three other teams. 

Group B:

This group has been labelled the “Group of Death”, and rightly so with Germany, Denmark, Portugal and the Netherlands pitted in one group. All of these teams are in the top 10 in the world. It was very much anticipated at the start of the comp, that this group would be a three horse race for this group. But after the first set of games, Denmark having pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament by beating Netherland 1-0, it would very much appear that Denmark have made their own plans to shake up this group even more. Germany were always expected to top this group, and they delivered a 1-0 victory over Portugal, thanks to a Mario Gomez header, which puts them top of group with some breathing room. But Holland will have to win the remainder of their games in order for them to have a chance of progressing.  It is now even harder to predict who will make it from this group, so the rest of the fixtures in this group will be crucial for all the teams and their definitely won’t be any easy games.

Group C:

This is not as harder to predict as Group B, but it is probably going to be that Spain top this group, with Italy and Croatia fighting for second spot, while Ireland will put up a good fight but will not have enough fire power to get past their European counterparts. Surprisingly it was Italy who struck first against reigning champions but it only lasted three minutes as Fabregas struck to level the game and it stayed that way with Torres coming on as a late sub and missing couple of good opportunities to take the lead. But it is Italy who would most likely happy with taking a point away from this game, while in the other Croatia beat Ireland 3-1 to put them top of this group.

Group D:

This group consisted of the co-host Ukraine, Sweden, the resurgent France and the underachievers England. The opener for this group was between England and France, with the game being billed as the attack (France) vs defence (England) game. As France possess the trio of Benzema, Nasri and Ribery, while this England team lack the creative flair however they do have Hodgeson well organised defence. The game turned to be just that with France holding about 60% of the procession to England 40%, and France registering 19 shots to England 3. But it was England who took a shock lead thanks to a well-executed free kick by captain fantastic (Steven Gerrard) finding Lescott in the box to head home. But nine minutes later, Nasri equalised with well stroke goal from the edge of the box to beat Joe Hart on the near post.  After that the game remained sllow paced and settled on a draw. While in the other the hosts pulled of another upset by downing Sweden 2-1 thanks to their captian Schevencko’s brace. So in this group it should be almost straight forward for England and France to progress through.

EUROS 2012 - POINTS TABLE
Group A:	W	L	D	GF	GA	P
Russia	1	0	0	4	1	3
Greece	0	0	1	1	1	1
Poland	0	0	1	1	1	1
Czech	0	1	0	1	4	0
Group B:	W	L	D	GF	GA	P
Denmark	1	0	0	1	0	3
Germany	1	0	0	1	0	3
Netherlands	0	1	0	0	1	0
Portugal	0	1	0	0	1	0
Group C:	W	L	D	GF	GA	P
Crotia	1	0	0	3	1	3
Italy	0	0	1	1	1	1
Spain	0	0	1	1	1	1
Ireland	0	1	0	1	3	0
Group D:	W	L	D	GF	GA	P
Ukraine	1	0	0	2	1	3
England	0	0	1	1	1	1
France	0	0	1	1	1	1
Sweden	0	1	0	1	2	0