UEFA Euro 2012

[Brickadeer]

I told my colleague yesterday that I hope that Poland will win, but that I believe that the Czech team will win. I can't exactly say that I'm happy that I was right.

I was a bit surprised that Russia couldn't score against Greek.

At least for me, this tournament is full of surprises.

[streifen]

I hate UEFA's rules for the teams that are equal on points. Russia are 2 goals the better, as far as goal difference is concerned, to Greece. If it were a World Cup Russia would have been the one to qualify. Unless FIFA are also going to change their rules. I am very disappointed, need I say so.

i think FIFA has been using the 'UEFA' rules for some time also. Goal difference or goals scored is not as important as the match-up between the 2 concerned teams. Nonetheless I think this "new" rule is better as it actually encourages teams to play well overall and score more against all teams instead of playing well in 2 games and score loads and then slack off in the third game.

[Scorpiox]

I dislike the 'Head to Head' rule. Russia deserved to go through in my opinion. The new rule may well encourage more all-round play, but losing one game can cost you the position, even if your team were exceptional in all the other games.

I was really fearing that England wouldn't be able to beat Sweden, after the apalling early stages of the game, yet Walcott showed his prowess and brought it home for us. I reckon that Ukraine are beatable, but England has a habit of being inable to defeat 'weak' teams in the past.

[Rijkvv]

For the Netherlands, the worst result on an European championship ever. In 1980, they didn't reach the knockout phase, but at least they managed to get some points and even won a match.

[prateek]

Noooo there goes my Euro predictor bracket. Netherlands really needs to promote defense at the grassroots level. You know you're in trouble when the best centre back you have is Mathijsen.

[Palathadric]

i think FIFA has been using the 'UEFA' rules for some time also. Goal difference or goals scored is not as important as the match-up between the 2 concerned teams. Nonetheless I think this "new" rule is better as it actually encourages teams to play well overall and score more against all teams instead of playing well in 2 games and score loads and then slack off in the third game.

I don't think so. In the World Cup they go by goal difference and not the "Head to Head" difference, which, in my opinion makes a whole lot more sense. I think the "Head to Head" difference discourages teams from performing well in every game rather than encouraging it.

The Dutch defense sucked so tremendously. Can they not pull van Bronk...(okay, I don't know how to spell that name) out of retirement?! The midfield and attack seemed to have some serious issues with staying open and it didn't seem like the Portugese were struggling to mark them down either.

I have mixed feelings regarding Stekelenburg's performance. Sometimes he was very good but other times he did quite poorly. He still is one of the best goalkeepers in the world though, as far as I'm concerned.

[Bilbo Baggins]

I can't believe Holland was eliminated

Edited June 17, 2012 by Bilbo Baggins

[Brickadeer]

I can't believe Holland was eliminated

I was pretty surprised as well...wait, I've said that before

With 0 points in their group, the Netherlands lost all their games. Well. They have 2 years to recover and to solve their problems. I hope, that in 2014 they'll perform better. It's a pitty for van Bommel; I think it was his last tournament.

I was under the impression that the German team was pretty lucky to win the match against the Danish team. I wasn't surprised that Danish team was comparatively difficult to defeat. However, I'm rather relieved that the German team made it. I hope that the Danish team will make further progress. What I saw was very promising (neutral view), or, more precisely, frightening (German view).

[Palathadric]

I wouldn't say the Germans were lucky to win the Danes. I would say that they dominated the game.

The Danes were pretty good in their first and last games though. Against Portugal they messed up a lot though. I had hoped that they would go through at Portugal's expense after their shocking win over Netherlands.

Bendtner has really impressed me playing for Denmark. I don't know why he didn't show that kind of form for Arsenal. In any case, though, he is a long shot better than Chamakh at present.

[gedren_y]

Sfodda! I missed the Germany/Denmark game! First, I was twenty minutes late getting back from the mall. Second, the ESPN2 digital source got garbled . . . again!

ESPN was fine, though, so I got to see most of the Netherlands team appear despondent during most of the second half. They knew they needed a win with at least a two point goal differental to go through to the next round.

I'm happy Germany made it through. Germany VS Greece . . . maybe they'll settle the ecconomic woes on the pitch.

[CaptainCRO]

I am probably the only one from Croatia here(except davor) .

I am a huge fan of soccer and really hoping for quarter finals.

Right now I am watching Croatia-Spain and hoping for almost impossible.

[Brickadeer]

I am probably the only one from Croatia here(except davor) .

I am a huge fan of soccer and really hoping for quarter finals.

Right now I am watching Croatia-Spain and hoping for almost impossible.

A pitty. I think they made a pretty good game.

[Palathadric]

I am probably the only one from Croatia here(except davor) .

I am a huge fan of soccer and really hoping for quarter finals.

Right now I am watching Croatia-Spain and hoping for almost impossible.

Hoping for the impossible? Spain are not that good. In my opinion Croatia were a whole lot more threatening throughout the game and played the better football. Spain did not deserve to win that match.

I really seem to be gung-ho for the Eastern Europeans this cup. I hope Ukraine gets through and gives a thrashing to whichever team they meet in the quarters. Ukraine for the champions. Shevchenko all the way!

[CaptainCRO]

A pitty. I think they made a pretty good game.

Thank you, I am also very pleased with how well they played.

The referee was definitly on their side.

But, considering Spain is the strongest team in the world I am proud of

Croatia.

Hoping for the impossible? Spain are not that good. In my opinion Croatia were a whole lot more threatening throughout the game and played the better football. Spain did not deserve to win that match.

I really seem to be gung-ho for the Eastern Europeans this cup. I hope Ukraine gets through and gives a thrashing to whichever team they meet in the quarters. Ukraine for the champions. Shevchenko all the way!

Thank you, It's great to hear that from someone out of my country.

[Bilbo Baggins]

Yay Spain won!!! I'm really happy they won even though I must admit that Croatia played way better. I think Spain was never comfortable in the field.

Edited June 18, 2012 by Bilbo Baggins

[streifen]

I was pretty surprised as well...wait, I've said that before

With 0 points in their group, the Netherlands lost all their games. Well. They have 2 years to recover and to solve their problems. I hope, that in 2014 they'll perform better. It's a pitty for van Bommel; I think it was his last tournament.

I was under the impression that the German team was pretty lucky to win the match against the Danish team. I wasn't surprised that Danish team was comparatively difficult to defeat. However, I'm rather relieved that the German team made it. I hope that the Danish team will make further progress. What I saw was very promising (neutral view), or, more precisely, frightening (German view).

in the Group of Death, 1 of the the powerhouses was always going to go home early. if it had been the Germans or Portuguese, someone else will be moaning.

I thought the Germans played to their strength this tournament. Hope they win!

[Rijkvv]

I thought it would be difficult, but to go home without even getting one point was something I never saw happen. Well, this tournament is already full of surprises. I never expected Russia to be defeated as well.

[CaptainCRO]

I thought it would be difficult, but to go home without even getting one point was something I never saw happen. Well, this tournament is already full of surprises. I never expected Russia to be defeated as well.

I was very surprised with this outcome. I really wanted The Netherlands to win against Spain in 2010. and they were very close.

I thought they will be even better on this tournament. Although, they didn't play as well as they could, I think they deserved to go to quarter finals.

I really admire some of your players like Sneijder Van der Vaart, Van Persie, Robben, Van Der Wiel and Van Bommel.

Edited June 19, 2012 by CaptainCRO

[streifen]

I was very surprised with this outcome. I really wanted The Netherlands to win against Spain in 2010. and they were very close.

I thought they will be even better on this tournament. Although, they didn't play as well as they could, I think they deserved to go to quarter finals.

I really admire some of your players like Sneijder Van der Vaart, Van Persie, Robben, Van Der Wiel and Van Bommel.

individually the players you mentioned are great players but they were undone by internal quarrels/disagreements. The same thing happened to the Dutch back in 1996.

[Rijkvv]

The same thing happened to the Dutch back in 1996.

In 1990 as well.

After a tournament in which the Netherlands was knocked out, I always felt sad. This year this isn't really the case, maybe because it was inevitable after the first two matches lost. And if I watched the matches before the tournament (i.e. the 3-0 defeat against Germany) I could have guessed this wasn't going to be a succesfull tournament for Orange.

Edited June 19, 2012 by Richie

[Canada_7]

Arjen Robben going down the right, then trying to cut in the middle is ridiculously overdone. That's the only thing he does. He's a good player and all but he's selfish, and everyone knows what he's trying to do with his lack of ability on his right foot.

Not necessarily "cheering" for Germany but they were my pick to win this tournament. Good to see them go through. Hummels and Ozil are playing real well. The organized fashion the Germans play with is really a thing to watch.

Spain CAN beat Germany, but I think that depends all on Fernando Torres. They may be reigning champions, but if they're expecting they can play 6 midfielders with no striker to beat the Germans, that ain't happening. They need an actual striker to finish all the chances they create. If Torres plays like this then Spain isn't winning against Germany (if they meet). If he's playing well and in form, then there's a decent enough chance.

[Sisco]

Spectacular game for the Swedes against France! They dominated the entire game, and really deserved the 2-0 win. Too bad they biffed their first two games.

The England-Ukraine game was alright. A bit of bad officiating with that goal Ukraine should've had. I grew bored after Rooney's goal.

[Bilbo Baggins]

I can't believe they robbed quarter finals to Ukraine. Terry saved it after the line, with this goal Ukraine would have achieved the next round.

What does the referees behind the line do, if they don't point out goals in difficult situations. I'm really disappointed

Spain is definetaly kicking France out. Go Spain!!!!

Edited June 19, 2012 by Bilbo Baggins

[Internets]

I can't believe they robbed quarter finals to Ukraine. Terry saved it after the line, with this goal Ukraine would have achieved the next round.

That goal alone would not have seen them through. They needed to win, not draw.

[Sisco]

That goal alone would not have seen them through. They needed to win, not draw.

True, but you have to think about momentum. If Ukraine's goal had counted, who's to say that the momentum wouldn't have pushed them to score again and beat England?