EURO 2012, First Quarter Final, conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 22, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Czech Republic 0-1 Portugal, Ronaldo again

 

As we expected, a resolute Czech Republic defended stubbornly and almost pushed the game into extra-time. With zero attempts on target, they couldn’t pretend more. Portugal, although dominant throughout the game, especially the second half, waited patiently and eventually broke the deadlock, close to the end of the game. And, again, it had to be Ronaldo.

 

They need to win two more games to become champions.

 

One worrying sign remains: Portugal is wasting way too many opportunities. That could prove very costly in a game against Spain or Germany.

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EURO 2012, Day 12 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 20, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Last day of the group stage, but what a day!

Sweden 2-0 France, Lucky us for England

Sweden, oh Sweden! They were finally able to hold on to their lead. With a little more focus they could have won the group. If you play inconsistently throughout a game, you will have to pay a high price, eventually. And that is what happened to Sweden.

France, like usually, proved very good, but sterile. Lucky us for England! They will have to improve to beat Spain. That’s a game !

England 1-0 Ukraine, A cry for technology

What a controversy? If you were wondering about the effectiveness of the additional referees, this was your answer. Ukraine scored a valid goal, but it was not validated, as the goal line refs did not see it like that. So much for additional referees! England was already leading 1-0 but Ukraine outplayed them for most of the time. Ukraine was pressing and missed a lot of opportunities. It felt like the goal was in the air. And then they scored, but the action was so fast that the additional referees missed it. No goal – and so Ukraine fell apart. In the end England probably deserved to go on to the next round, as their warrior spirit prevailed. But it was ugly, and it felt somewhat unfair. However, it’s not the first time, and probably not the last, soccer is unfair sometimes. Ask Bayern Munich!

England will face Spain on Saturday in a much tougher game. Don’t miss it! It will have lots of fireworks!

And so, the group stage is over.

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Jersey Kits Manufacturers at EURO 2012

Posted on June 19, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Have you paid any attention to Jersey Kits Manufacturers at this year’s EURO in Poland & Ukraine?

There are four companies present: Adidas, Nike, Umbro and Puma. Here is how they are split between the 16 countries present at EURO 2012:

EURO 2012 Jersey Kits Manufacturers by # of countries

EURO 2012 Jersey Kits Manufacturers by # of countries

Disclaimer: Brand names, logos and trademarks used herein belong to their respective owners.

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EURO 2012, Day 11 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 19, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Italy 2-0 Republic of Ireland, Too little, too late

Ireland was surprisingly good! A much different style from their previous games – but too little, too late…Italy, put all their passion in it and squeezed through. They showed potential but they precipitate in the last moments of delivery. The really hard games are only to start. We need to watch them; they can improve and can do better.

 

Croatia 0-1 Spain, Brave, but not enough

A very courageous Croatia kept Spain at bay for almost the entire game. Spain just looked average – not anymore the team we expected. Struggling to create in front of a well-organized adversary, they showed fragility in defense too. It will take a great effort to really win it all. The usual checkerboard shirts Croatia, always a rather unique appearance on the field, will go home with their heads held high. Again, it’s the most efficient (clinical) teams that go through…take your chances, don’t let them go bye.

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Posted on June 18, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

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EURo 2012 Lviv city guide – “The Little Paris”

Posted on June 18, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

If you couldn’t make it to the EURO 2012, here is what you may have missed

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EURO 2012 guide to Ukraine

Posted on June 18, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

If you couldn’t make it to the EURO 2012, here is what you may have missed

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EURO 2012 Warsaw City guide

Posted on June 18, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

If you couldn’t make it to the EURO 2012, here is what you may have missed

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EURO 2012, Day 10 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 18, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Another group where all teams were still alive and hopeful for advancement.

Denmark 1-2 Germany, A well oiled machine

Germany took no risks and won the match. But, it was a tricky game though. Denmark, with a style somewhat similar to Germany, based on physical strength and hard work, could have posed a real threat. They were not afraid of Germany and played for their chance the entire game.

Portugal 2-1 Netherlands, Plenty of resources…not enough results…

Portugal - Netherlands highlights @ uefa.com

Watch EURO 2012 Portugal – Netherlands highlights @ uefa.com

Netherlands – what a disappointment! After failing to perform in the first two games, they went into the last game with paper thin chances of qualification. Starting brilliantly and scoring a beautiful goal was all that was to be. For a short period we did think that Netherlands woke up and decided to live up to its potential. Germany was also leading in the other game of the group. Everything was going their way. However, they suddenly stopped functioning, probably on the news that Denmark equalized. From that moment on, they looked like they gave up.

What happened? Who knows? A bunch of stars doesn’t necessarily form a team. Did they lack commitment or ability? A far cry from the team that reached the World Cup final two years ago, Netherlands will finish their group at the wrong end of the standings and will go home pointless.

And when you think…they came in declaring loud and clear they can win it all…

The general feeling is that most Netherlands players were not in the best form. They seemed rather tired, exhausted. There was no fire in the entire team. On top of that, they got easily demoralized, and could not recover when falling behind.

Portugal reconfirmed they are in great shape and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go all the way.

And, with this, the Group B, the “group of death”, is completed. Germany is heading into a titanic clash with Greece and Portugal is going to meet Czech Republic. Both of these games promise to be some really interesting encounters. Be prepared, don’t miss them!

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EURO 2012, Day 9 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 17, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

We watched two really tight games, with all four teams keeping chances to go through ahead of the first whistle.

Greece - Russia Highlights @ uefa.com

Watch EURO 2012 Greece – Russia Highlights @ uefa.com

Greece 1-0 Russia, The spirit of Marathon

Greece – what a fighting spirit! Like at the Battle of Marathon, only 25 centuries later, against all odds, they defied the “new Persians”, aka the Russians, and went through.

Be fair – you ruled Greece out!, ahead of this last game. So did I! Although I saw them through before the tournament began, here, I stopped beveling they would go out of the group after their first two games. Greece proved all of us again that it’s not about being the best…it’s about scoring! Outplayed, but not beaten. With all the domination from Russia, I would say that the biggest chances still came from Greece, not Russia, hitting the post and having a penalty not given. A stark reminder of recent games played by Inter Milan or Chelsea – you have to score when you have an opportunity.

Could they sneak to the title again? Never say never! I don’t think it will happen, but what an upset would it be if they did it again!

Russia – what a sad story! – a team that showed us a beautiful free flowing play, will go home. A brilliant start – that great win against Czech Republic – could not save the horrifying finish. They failed to create in front of very crowded and disciplined Greece, and when they did indeed create, they wasted their chances way too easily. Once more, in this competition you pay for misfiring!

Czech Republic 1-0 Poland, Relentless work pays off

Poland started the game on fire but died out way too quickly. After the first 25 minutes they looked like they run out of gas and let the Czechs take the initiative. I did see them from the beginning finishing bottom of the group, here: EURO 2012, Group A Forecast by the Soccer Crusader

The Czech Republic have not been my favorites to go out of the group, let alone winning it, especially after the trashing at the hands of the Russians. But they did it, working relentlessly, with a style reminding us of the German machine. Speaking of it, they may have the chance to meet the real “German Machine”, if they go one better.

And, with this, the Group A is completed.

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