Euro 2012

[ERCougar]

havfe you seen how well the Germans are playing? We're lucky it's not 2-2 now.

No, I'm at work. Just took a quick break and turned it on for a few minutes. But I did catch the announcer mention that Germany was dominating to that point and now suddenly down 1-0. See Fixing soccer thread--a team can dominate but lose the game on a single mistake (or great play). Sure, that happens in all sports, but it seems too common in soccer.

[pellegrino]

No, I'm at work. Just took a quick break and turned it on for a few minutes. But I did catch the announcer mention that Germany was dominating to that point and now suddenly down 1-0. See Fixing soccer thread--a team can dominate but lose the game on a single mistake (or great play). Sure, that happens in all sports, but it seems too common in soccer.

the announcer was very mistaken, even at that point the Germans hadn't dominated anything. They had several excellent chances in the first half and Italy was lucky to avoid a goal, but the game had the normal ebb and flow of two great teams playing hard and playing well. In the end, I think Italy should have won 3-1 and even in the second half when we were bunkered down trying to weather the storm the Germans didn't dominate the game, we had many many counter attacks and should have scored at least one goal. This is no question which was the better team tonight. Both teams had their chances and Italy made the most of theirs (probably had a few more chances too).

[BoylenOver]

300+ minutes without conceding a goal for Italy.

Should be a decent final, but I am concerned it will look more like Spain/Portugal than Sweden/England.

[Portland Ute]

300+ minutes without conceding a goal for Italy.

Should be a decent final, but I am concerned it will look more like Spain/Portugal than Sweden/England.

Isn't Spain nearly to 400?

I see this one going to a shoot out, too.

*I just read that Casillas hasn't been scored on in a knockout game in nearly 900 minutes of play.

Thats...pretty impressive. Italy got one against him in the opener but was a group game.

I think Italy is going to come out very physical. They can afford a few yellow cards in the game as there is nothing after this. They will try to knock Spain out of their passing/touch game. That thug Chiellini will be an aggressor.

[BoylenOver]

Isn't Spain nearly to 400?

I see this one going to a shoot out, too.

*I just read that Casillas hasn't been scored on in a knockout game in nearly 900 minutes of play.

Thats...pretty impressive. Italy got one against him in the opener but was a group game.

I think Italy is going to come out very physical. They can afford a few yellow cards in the game as there is nothing after this. They will try to knock Spain out of their passing/touch game. That thug Chiellini will be an aggressor.

I'm pulling for Spain. I was wrong about Germany. That said, I think their chances are much better with a striker up top. IMO in this tournament Spain have been their typical brilliant selves navigating the defensive third and the middle third of the field, but they don't seem to have enough ideas in the attacking third.

Seeing Xavi and Pirlo on the same field will be excellent.

[Portland Ute]

Spain up 1-0.

Beautiful set up down the right side, crossed back in for a picture perfect header into the upper left corner.

OLE!

[Portland Ute]

2-0.

La furia roja parece ser una machina.

ESPANA!

[EuropeanFootballMale]

I love watching Italy get pole-axed.

[BoylenOver]

Three major tournaments in a row. One goal conceded in this tournament. Not to mention, their U-21 and U-19 teams just won international tournaments as well.

They're one of the all-time greats.

[MarkGrace]

How did the kits look on the pitch today?

[Omaha 680]

Now that Copa America is winding down, I'll shift and spend much of my free time on Euro 2016 (I was afraid to start a new thread). Group play ended today and some upsets in the 3rd group game really skewed the knockout stage bracket. One side of the bracket has England, Italy, Spain, Germany, and France. On the other side, one of the pre-tournament favorites Belgium have a relatively easy path to the semis, facing Hungary in the round of 16 and a potential matchup against the Wales/N.Ireland winner in the quarters. Should be a lot of fun.

[Omaha 680]

Poland over Switzerland in a shootout. Switzerland's equalizer in the 2nd half is the goal of the tournament so far. Bicycle kick from the 18.

[wuapinmon]

Poland over Switzerland in a shootout. Switzerland's equalizer in the 2nd half is the goal of the tournament so far. Bicycle kick from the 18.

Dude, you ain't kiddin'.

[Topper]

Wales to the semi-Finals over favorite Belgium.

Iceland to face France.

England, Russia and Spain are sitting home drinking beer and watching the tv.

[jay santos]

Wales has two super stars and the rest a team of decently solid Premier League players. They have a shot. Or had a shot, until Aaron Ramsey picked up a fluke call yellow card on a hand ball in the middle of the field. Two yellow cards accumulated in 450 minutes of soccer, and he'll miss the biggest game in his country's history. I have such a love hate relationship with soccer. Some of the rules and officiating and circumstances just drive me crazy.