Rolling Euro 2012 thread

[fat tony]

Groups

Friday 8 June
Poland v Greece (1700) Warsaw, Group A
Russia v Czech Republic (1945) Wroclaw, Group A

Saturday 9 June
Holland v Denmark (1700) Kharkiv, Group B
Germany v Portugal (1945) Lviv, Group B

Sunday 10 June
Spain v Italy (1700) Gdansk, Group C
Republic of Ireland v Croatia (1945) Poznan, Group C

Monday 11 June
France v England (1700) Donetsk, Group D
Ukraine v Sweden (1945) Kiev, Group D

Tuesday 12 June
Greece v Czech Republic (1700) Wroclaw, Group A
Poland v Russia (1945) Warsaw, Group A

Wednesday 13 June
Denmark v Portugal (1700) Lviv, Group B
Holland v Germany (1945) Kharkiv, Group B

Thursday 14 June
Italy v Croatia (1700) Poznan, Group C
Spain v Republic of Ireland (1945) Gdansk, Group C

Friday 15 June
Sweden v England (1700) Kiev, Group D
Ukraine v France (1945) Donetsk, Group D

Saturday 16 June
Czech Republic v Poland (1945) Wroclaw, Group A
Greece v Russia (1945) Warsaw, Group A

Sunday 17 June
Portugal v Holland (1945) Kharkiv, Group B
Denmark v Germany (1945) Lviv, Group B

Monday 18 June
Croatia v Spain (1945) Gdansk, Group C
Italy v Republic of Ireland (1945) Poznan, Group C

Tuesday 19 June
England v Ukraine (1945) Donetsk, Group D
Sweden v France (1945) Kiev, Group D


Quarter-finals:

Thursday 21 June
Winner A v Runner-up B (1945) Warsaw

Friday 22 June
Winner B v Runner-up A (1945) Gdansk

Saturday 23 June
Winner C v Runner-up D (1945) Donetsk

Sunday 24 June
Winner D v Runner-up C (1945) Kiev


Semi-finals:

Wednesday 27 June
Winner QF1 v Winner QF3 (1945) Donetsk

Thursday 28 June
Winner QF2 v Winner QF4 (1945) Warsaw


Final:

Sunday 1 July
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (1945) Kiev

[fat tony]

Pretty awful start in terms of quality of football during Poland v Greece. Some mad decision making. Is Samaras really a footballer? Poland looked decent but just seemed to completely lose their heads in the second half.

I've got money on Lewandowski to be top scorer, so good start from that point of view. Really needed him to get a hat-trick in the second half though! Not sure Poland will get out the group on that display.

[Big Tim]

2 poor teams really, Poland rely to much Lewandowski

[quakerray]

i had poland to win so blew that, i looked at lewandowski to score first at 10/3, wished i put that on now. not sure where to go on russia/czech thinnk im going towards russia

[Spyman]

I've got £5 on Russia, Holland, Spain and France to win their groups, so not a bad result for me if Russia can win tonight.

Good game action wise, but you're right the quality was questionable.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk 2

[fat tony]

I've got £5 on Russia, Holland, Spain and France to win their groups, so not a bad result for me if Russia can win tonight.

Good game action wise, but you're right the quality was questionable.

Is that on with Paddy Power? They've got a money back special where they'll refund if one team lets you down. Went for the same teams except for Germany over Holland. I think Germany will win the whole thing. Quite fancy Russia as dark horses as well so be interesting to see how they do tonight.

[Spyman]

I've got £5 on Russia, Holland, Spain and France to win their groups, so not a bad result for me if Russia can win tonight.

Good game action wise, but you're right the quality was questionable.

Is that on with Paddy Power? They've got a money back special where they'll refund if one team lets you down. Went for the same teams except for Germany over Holland. I think Germany will win the whole thing. Quite fancy Russia as dark horses as well so be interesting to see how they do tonight.

Yeh, with PP. Holland are my 'long shot' but still as good as anyone really so could quite perceivably win the group. I think Germany have been over-hyped.

[fozzovmurton]

I put Poland, Spain, Holland, France for the groups...

Holland to win outright and Lewandowski for top scorer, after tonight though, should have went for Russia in Group A...

I fancy the Irish to spring a surprise

[fat tony]

Thought Russia looked decent tonight albeit against a ropey Czech side. Got them e/w 20/1 last week. Couple more I went for as well as Lewandowski: Gerrard to be top England scorer at 15/2 and Benzema/RVP/Jelavic all to be top scorer for their teams treble 50/1. I'll usually do another few bets after the first round of games. Anyone else got money on?

[lo36789]

Despite it being a poor game overall I was impressed with Łukasz Piszczek at right back for Poland.

As for Arshavin, where do you even start - basically proved that he couldn't be bothered any more at Arsenal. Still has all the ability just couldn't be bothered!

So annoyed was going to stick Dzagoev in my dream team as well but went for an all star XI instead with awful substitutes!

[Vokuhila]

Just watched the MOTD highlights from last night - I always knew Samaras was a genius.

Sunday night's programme could be worth a watch as a certain Steve Staunton is gonna be on, no doubt giving the sort of insights that only a manager of his calibre can give.

Russia do look dangerous to be fair, especially as they've got plenty of options going forward. Pogrebnyak would probably get into any of the other three teams in the group, but he seems to be their third-choice striker at the moment.

[Darlo_George_96]

Spanish fan murdered in Ukraine. Is football really worth innocent humans lifes? Euros should be moved to another country or stopped

[lo36789]

Spanish fan murdered in Ukraine. Is football really worth innocent humans lifes? Euros should be moved to another country or stopped

That's not a huge over reaction at all.

The bloke actually went missing a month ago apparantely, I'm sorry horrible incident but I think one person has probably gone missing in England in the past month and will end up have been murdered.

People go on holiday to Ukraine & Poland every year and have no issues.

[Darlo_George_96]

Spanish fan murdered in Ukraine. Is football really worth innocent humans lifes? Euros should be moved to another country or stopped

That's not a huge over reaction at all.

The bloke actually went missing a month ago apparantely, I'm sorry horrible incident but I think one person has probably gone missing in England in the past month and will end up have been murdered.

People go on holiday to Ukraine & Poland every year and have no issues.

What's people being murdered in England got to do with it? They aren't going to watch the football are they. People are dieing going to football matches. Football just isent worth it

[lo36789]

What's people being murdered in England got to do with it? They aren't going to watch the football are they. People are dieing going to football matches. Football just isent worth it

coz you have just claimed that a whole tournament should be stopped or moved because 1 person has been murdered in a country, a month before a football tournament has even started!

Where are you going to move it to a country where there are no murders? Which one would that be?

[Darlo_George_96]

What's people being murdered in England got to do with it? They aren't going to watch the football are they. People are dieing going to football matches. Football just isent worth it

coz you have just claimed that a whole tournament should be stopped or moved because 1 person has been murdered in a country, a month before a football tournament has even started!

Where are you going to move it to a country where there are no murders? Which one would that be?

Lets wait for more fans to be murdered then. It's not as if this guy being killed has nothing to do with the tournament

[DarloFaithful]

Really looking forward to tonight's games. Fancy the Dutch to beat Denmark but it'll be close, Danes have some decent players, Eriksen in particular. Germany ought to beat Portugal, they've looked incredibly slick whenever i've seen them but it may hinge on whether Ronaldo is in the groove, their back line is suspect.

[DarloOnTheUp]

Thought Russia looked decent tonight albeit against a ropey Czech side. Got them e/w 20/1 last week. Couple more I went for as well as Lewandowski: Gerrard to be top England scorer at 15/2 and Benzema/RVP/Jelavic all to be top scorer for their teams treble 50/1. I'll usually do another few bets after the first round of games. Anyone else got money on?

Went for Torres top scorer at 15/1. Probably won't come through but I thought it was worth an outside bet.

[Darlo4eva2012]

What's people being murdered in England got to do with it? They aren't going to watch the football are they. People are dieing going to football matches. Football just isent worth it

coz you have just claimed that a whole tournament should be stopped or moved because 1 person has been murdered in a country, a month before a football tournament has even started!

Where are you going to move it to a country where there are no murders? Which one would that be?

Lets wait for more fans to be murdered then. It's not as if this guy being killed has nothing to do with the tournament

So if somebody gets murdered in england in July (a month before the Premier League starts) should be move that to another country or cancel it all together?

[fat tony]

WTF was Jonathan Pearce on about saying the Denmark result is one of the great Euro upsets!? They're ranked 10th in the world and have some quality players. Makes that group very interesting now. Holland shouldn't be too downheartened, they created a lot of chances and were let down by poor finishing and a dodgy ref.

[quakerray]

get in germany, gets me back in front on my match by match bets, now just keep it, dont do a poland or holland

[Darlo_George_96]

WTF was Jonathan Pearce on about saying the Denmark result is one of the great Euro upsets!? They're ranked 10th in the world and have some quality players. Makes that group very interesting now. Holland shouldn't be too downheartened, they created a lot of chances and were let down by poor finishing and a dodgy ref.

If they lose to Germany then they can't go through so they should be very worried

[Norm_D_Ploom]

Thought Portugal were a bit unlucky, despite having less of the ball they probably created the better chances and certaily made Neuer work harder than Patricio.

That said Germany were the better side, the side that looked to make the play so in the end deserved the win.
The defence still doesn't seem the best though, Lahm aside who is top class,but the centre backs seemed tentative and the keeper is a dodge pot if you ask me.

Was very impressed with the way Denamrk set up and I thought 2nd half they played some decent stuff and with better judgement up front may have scored again, Bentner is a fanny.

Mind you had Hollan taken their chances it could have been 4 or 5 -1 so lets not kid ourselves that this is a match for the team of Laudrupp and co from the early / mid 80's

The Holland Germany game will be a cracker now as the Dutch have to win so that could play into the hands of the Germans who can counter against them.

In group A Russia look head and shoulders the best team.

Looking forward to Spain today.

[Jazz Maverick]

Only 27 hours until England stink the tournament out, eh norm?

What's your prediction for that shower?

[Norm_D_Ploom]

Only 27 hours until England stink the tournament out, eh norm?

What's your prediction for that shower?

Were gonna win it mate !

IF we can get through the 1st 15 or 20 mins without letting a goal in then I think we can keep it tight deny them space in front of our centre backs, force them wide and make them cross it which should be meat & drink for Terry & Lescott shouldn't it ?

The plan is obvioulsy to frustrate them and catch them on the break.

Did you see any of the French warm up games ?

I saw the 1st two but missed the last one, they have some good players and in Benzema a guy who could well be top scorer, BUT in both the games I saw the defence was exposed (Iceland & Serbia btw).
Mexes is an utter turkey, how that guy has made a living as a centre half is beyond me he cant defend, Evra is a busted flush I think we can get at him in particular if we can give Walcott or the Ox 25 at him in late the 2nd halfwith the game still there.

Do you honestly think we can be any worse than in the group games in South Africa ?

The Cahill injury is a shame as that back 5 looked very good, I think Lescott has had a decent season but his past games for England have been much better with Jagielka alongside him.

[lo36789]

Lahm aside who is top class,but the centre backs seemed tentative and the keeper is a dodge pot if you ask me.

Think you watch a different German team to me.

Hummels was man of the match and I thought was fantastic and has been all season at Dortmund, Boateng was dodgy but then had the envied task of facing Cristiano Ronaldo whilst playing out of position.

Don't know when you have seen Neuer as a dodge pot he was great at the last world cup, earnt himself the move to bayern from shalke in between and has kept that number 1 spot and I think he did well during the champions league (exception being Drogbas goal) and also was very imposing yesterday!

[Darlo_George_96]

Nice to see the FA have booked plane tickets back home for the team the day after England's last group game. Showing good faith in Roy and the squad.

[DarloOnTheUp]

Lahm aside who is top class,but the centre backs seemed tentative and the keeper is a dodge pot if you ask me.

Think you watch a different German team to me.

Hummels was man of the match and I thought was fantastic and has been all season at Dortmund, Boateng was dodgy but then had the envied task of facing Cristiano Ronaldo whilst playing out of position.

Don't know when you have seen Neuer as a dodge pot he was great at the last world cup, earnt himself the move to bayern from shalke in between and has kept that number 1 spot and I think he did well during the champions league (exception being Drogbas goal) and also was very imposing yesterday!

Agreed. Hummels and Badstuber were immense last night; as they are for their club teams. Neuer is prone to the odd error but at his best he is world class.

Also Jazz: I agree with a lot of what you say normally but your constant England bashing has just become tedious now. I reckon we're being underrated this year by most people as it seems it has become "fashionable" to be negative about England. Man for man, we are still one of the best teams in the tournament.

[Jazz Maverick]

Only 27 hours until England stink the tournament out, eh norm?

What's your prediction for that shower?

Were gonna win it mate !

IF we can get through the 1st 15 or 20 mins without letting a goal in then I think we can keep it tight deny them space in front of our centre backs, force them wide and make them cross it which should be meat & drink for Terry & Lescott shouldn't it ?

The plan is obvioulsy to frustrate them and catch them on the break.

Did you see any of the French warm up games ?

I saw the 1st two but missed the last one, they have some good players and in Benzema a guy who could well be top scorer, BUT in both the games I saw the defence was exposed (Iceland & Serbia btw).
Mexes is an utter turkey, how that guy has made a living as a centre half is beyond me he cant defend, Evra is a busted flush I think we can get at him in particular if we can give Walcott or the Ox 25 at him in late the 2nd halfwith the game still there.

Do you honestly think we can be any worse than in the group games in South Africa ?

The Cahill injury is a shame as that back 5 looked very good, I think Lescott has had a decent season but his past games for England have been much better with Jagielka alongside him.

No I didn't watch any of the warm up games except the England ones.

From the highlights I've seen France look to be in a similar situation as us - nowhere near as bad as the south Africa disgrace but still far from competitive. There's no reason on paper we can't beat them, although I can't say I have the unwavering faith in terry or lescott (or any of our centre halfs tbh) that you do.

I think your optimism re. Walcott is misplaced too. He will do his run fast/fall over routine all day long and make all the right noises, but his final ball and finishing will be as horrific as ever. As for chamberlain - im not convinced yet. He strikes me as another one of the Walcott/wright Phillips/ lennon esque players that we get all excited about in this country but who never go on to do anything.

Think a draw is most likely, but if someone wins it's more likely to be England.

[Jazz Maverick]

DOTU - my post was a tongue in cheek joke with norm, him being notoriously optimistic and me equally pessimistic regarding the national team. I don't know whether it's fashionable to dislike them or not, but I personally dislike the England team because they are astoundingly s*** given this country's footballing resources.

We're probably in the top 6 teams player for player, but one of the best? Not a chance.