Euro 2012 - A.K.A - FOOTBALLS!

[Stu35]

So, carrying on from the Poland v Greece thread, I figured I'd set up a full Euro thread so we can discuss the Football / Soccer / Fussball / Whatever you want to call it.

So, who will win? Anybody got any thoughts on the whole 'racism' controversy?

I think that choosing Poland and Ukraine as hosts (two countries with known problems with the Neo-Nazi racist football fan element) was always going to see minor incidents here and there, but all the media coverage may be exacerbating the problem.

Finally, and more important than all that: C'MON ING-ER-LAND!.


For those interested, here are the fixtures (and scores as at 1100 BST, 09 Jun)

All times in BST.

Spoiler

GROUP STAGES

Group A
Russia
Poland
Czech Republic
Greece

Friday 8th June
Poland 1 - 1 Greece
Russia 4 - 1 Czech Rep.

Tuesday 12th June
Greece 1-2 Czech Rep.
Poland 1-1 Russia

Saturday 16th June
Czech Rep. v Poland - 19:45
Greece v Russia - 19:45

Group B
Denmark
Germany
Netherlands
Portugal

Saturday 9th June
Netherlands 0 - 1 Denmark
Germany 1 - 0 Portugal

Wednesday 13th June
Denmark 2-3 Portugal
Netherlands 1-2 Germany

Sunday 17th June
Denmark v Germany - 19:45
Portugal v Netherlands - 19:45

Group C
Croatia
Italy
Republic of Ireland
Spain

Sunday 10th June
Spain 1 - 1 Italy
R. of Ireland 1 - 3 Croatia

Thursday 14th June
Italy 1-1 Croatia
Spain 4-0 R. of Ireland

Monday 18th June
Croatia v Spain - 19:45
Italy v R. of Ireland - 19:45

Group D
England
France
Sweden
Ukraine

Monday 11th June
France 1-1 England
Ukraine 2-1 Sweden

Friday 15th June
Ukraine v France - 17:00
Sweden v England - 19:45

Tuesday 19th June
England v Ukraine - 19:45
Sweden v France - 19:45


QUARTER FINALS

Thursday 21st June - QF 1
Winner Gp A v Runner-up Gp B

Friday 22nd June - QF 2
Winner Gp B v Runner-up Gp A

Saturday 23rd June - QF 3
Winner Gp C v Runner-up Gp D

Sunday 22nd June - QF 4
Winner Gp D v Runner-up Gp C


SEMI FINALS
Wednesday 27th June
Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 3

Thursday 28th June
Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 4

FINAL
Sunday 1st July
... Well, quite clearly it'll be the winners of the Semi finals. Duh.

So, let the debate about what country is better at kicking balls than the other begin!

Once again: C'mon England (However, let's be honest, we're gonna lose, I reckon it'll be Spain to claim yet another trophy).

 

[bobmus]

I'm rooting on Croatia knocking Italy out in the group stage!

Group A is so massively underwhelming though, I reckon they'll all be out by the Semi Finals.

 

[ZehMadScientist]

I think either France or, do I dare say it, Germany will win. (As a Dutchman, saying Germany will win is like heresy).

Of course I hope them Netherlands are going to win it, but we just don't have much luck in tournaments. (And a shaky defense)Though we certainly do have a shot.

And I thought group A was just cannon fodder, but after seeing Russia play I wouldn't put them down just yet. Though I really want Russia to lose, because Advocaat.

Spain has a dominating midfield, but screw Spain. (Yeah, the World cup still kind of stings)

Italy's morale must down the gutter, I imagine. I don't like the Italian team anyway.

That leaves France and Germany for a final showdown of the titans.

 

[Colour Scientist]

I wrote a pretty long post here but I accidentally closed the tab when I was almost finished >.>

So in short, I think France are gonna win it.

Spain = Not looking good this year, massive injury problems

Germany = Big time chokers

Holland = See above, bad defense

Italy = Betting scandal, need I say more?

England = Massively overrated

Poland = Have no real chance but I'm rooting for them.

Ireland could win i... HAHAHAHAHA... Oh, funny. That was a bit harsh but if we do win I will actually eat a hat and post a video of it.

 

[OmniscientOstrich]

I wrote a pretty long post here but I accidentally closed the tab when I was almost finished >.>

So in short, I think France are gonna win it.

Spain = Not looking good this year, massive injury problems

Germany = Big time chokers

Holland = See above, bad defense

Italy = Betting scandal, need I say more?

England = Massively overrated

Poland = Have no real chance but I'm rooting for them.

By who exactly? We're the most jaded supporters you can get. XD Honestly, I'd still pick a Spain team beleaguered by injury over France, as for England I've seen how the draw is panning out and looks most likely we'll be crashing out to the Spaniards in the quarter-finals who I think will then go on to retain the championship. If not them, I'd think the Dutch or the Germans would be next in line as favourites, though after yesterdays game I'm begin to wonder if Russia might turn out to be the tournament's dark horse, I mean hell, just look what went down in 2004, stranger things have happened. Should be a good couple of games tonight as well, will be interesting to see how you guys fair against the Portuguese. :3

 

[Stu35]

Russia are definitely looking like dark horses, but the Czechs did not defend well, I think it'll be interesting to see how Russia play in the Quarter Finals (which I would expect them to make it to now they've overcome arguably the biggest team in their group).

England = Massively overrated

I'm not so sure.

I think ever since Euro 96, every tournament England have failed miserably in has slowly caused even the most biased and committed of England fans to wake up and admit that we're just not very good.

I reckon Germany and the Netherlands are in with a shout, but I still think Spain have got the confidence, and even with injuries, pedigree, to go all the way.

Ireland could win i... HAHAHAHAHA... Oh, funny. That was a bit harsh but if we do win I will actually eat a hat and post a video of it.

Well you could, at the very least, make the Quarters... Nobody is sure what's going on with Italy right now, Croatia are beatable, and an injury hit Spain could be within grasp.

I especially want you to beat Croatia, because if Ireland can beat them, I believe that Scotland can beat them in the World Cup qualifiers.

 

[Giftfromme]

No Serbia? Don't care about the outcome

 

[Guffe]

I'll wtach it, no country I really cheer for since Finland has never been good at football but due to that I root for Denmark since they have Agger (Liverpool) and are the only Scandinavian country with any slight chances.
My dream final for this year would be England - Denmark (odds aren't on ym side on this one are they?)

 

[razer17]

I am rooting for England, but we will do well to qualify for the quarter finals, and even if we do I reckon we'll lose to Spain anyway. I think the final will be Germany - Netherlands. I think Germany will win it.

I want England to win it, but being that I am half German and used to live there, I want them to win if England can't

 

[Albino Boo]

...
So in short, I think France are gonna win it.
...
Germany = Big time chokers
...

Huh? Wait what?

Dunno what else to say really.

Yeah and how many Chelsea players are even playing in the Euro 2012? The Germans don't have worry about Didier Drogba this time. If you go by Champions league only England, Spain and Italy should win. Spain have won twice, Italy once and England never

 

[Albino Boo]

Yeah and how many Chelsea players are even playing in the Euro 2012? The Germans don't have to worry about Didier Drogba this time.

No, but they have an entire starting 11 filled with players who choked 3 times in one season; in the Bundesliga, in the CL and in the local cup (DFB pokal). Besides, Drogba isn't the only ice cold striker out there.

Then again, Robben isn't around to miss penalties this time, so who knows...

Trying being an England fan watching yet another failure in a plenty shoot out and Germany wins. Germany always field a good team because the players actually know how to play as team. Spanish, Italian and English league teams are made to look good by buying in imports from the rest of the world. Germany has few out and out superstars but they play well as team and don't have to high opinion of themselves, well apart from Lehmann.

 

[Aris Khandr]

After our complete implosion at the 2010 World Cup, I'd love to see France come back and win this. I'll be supporting them fully.

 

[SckizoBoy]

As ever, I will back Germany... though I'm sure as hell not going to watch any of their matches!

And biggest upset thus far (only three matches in, but still): Netherlands 0 - 1 Denmark! I'm one step towards winning the sweepstakes at work, heh... ¬_¬

 

[GundamSentinel]

So Denmark undeservedly beats the Netherlands (and I'm not saying that because I'm Dutch...), SHAMEFURR DISPRAY!

My money (literally) is on Spain or Germany, though Germany seems a bit sloppy now against Portugal.