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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EURO 2012, Day 8 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 16, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Ukraine 0-2 France, A storm indeed

France was finally the team we expected. The storm that interrupted the game, threatening a complete postponement, didn’t stop the storm that was to be France. More confident, with a smooth flowing of play, France took the game to Ukraine, and it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken. Ukraine showed their limitations, with only two attempts on target, and all their hopes are now hanging on the last game.

Sweden 2-3 England, Heart and Passion

What a crazy game! A roller coaster for the fans, going from agony to ecstasy, and the way back, this was the ultimate game to watch. Both teams were pretty equal, reminding us so much of an EPL game. There was desire, there was commitment, falling behind and amazing comebacks.

Sweden - England highlights @ uefa.com

Watch EURO 2012 Sweden – England highlights @ uefa.com

England was a different story from the first match against France, much improved, still not convincing in the first half. The second half showed us a more determined Sweden, that was not happy only with equalizing, but went on with the momentum and took the lead. Not many of us believed that England would have the strength to come back. Shortly after, it was like watching Chelsea this season, with England fueling from an unshakable belief in victory, playing with a lot of heart and passion.

Best game so far, beating the other “thriller” Denmark 2-3 Portugal, for the top spot.

This group will be very interesting to watch. Be prepared, it will go to the last minute.

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Is it harder to win the EURO than the World CUP? PART 2

Posted on June 15, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

What if we only looked at the last 13 editions of FIFA World Cup to be on level playing field with EURO? Would it still be harder to win the EURO?

EURO vs. FIFA World Cup, the last 13 editions each

EURO vs. FIFA World Cup, the last 13 editions each

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EURO 2012, Day 7 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 15, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Italy 1-1 Croatia, The unpredictable Italy

Pirlo proved he still has the magic and pulled a work of art, with the first goal from a free kick at this tournament. Beautiful! It was an entertaining first half, with Italy at the lead. But, they pulled back too early, though. They invited Croatia to come out and got a great response. Again, don’t take anything for granted! And play to the last minute.

Italy - Croatia highlights

Watch EURO 2012 Italy – Croatia highlights @ uefa.com

Spain 4-1 Republic of Ireland, One sided game

Spain offered us an impressive performance against Ireland.  It was a game without a real history, Ireland was never a threat. Torres got his first start up and confirmed the confidence he received. One note – hats off to the Irish fans.  Too bad for them – Ireland, the darlings of ESPN’s commentators, could not put up a fight and will go home.

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Is it harder to win the EURO than the World CUP?

Posted on June 15, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Which one is more difficult to win – the EURO or the World Cup?

In 19 World Cup editions so far we’ve had 8 winning teams. By comparison, in only 13 editions of EURO we’ve already had 9 different winning teams. Both competitions have final tournaments held every 4 years.

EURO vs. FIFA World Cup

EURO vs. FIFA World Cup
© The Soccer Crusader

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EURO 2012, Day 6 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 14, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Denmark 2-3 Portugal, Playing to the last minute

What a match! Two up, then tied again, and a late winner, breaking Dane’s hearts. This was the best game to watch, so far. Portugal did it the hard way, and is back in business in group B. Denmark – too bad they were too early to think they completed the job.

Denmark - Portugal highlights EURO 2012

Watch EURO 2012 Denmark – Portugal highlights @ uefa.com

Netherlands 1-2 Germany, Free-scoring & simplicity vs too much thinking

Germany proved again that it can score goals out of the blue. Netherlands is persistent in showing us that a handful of stars don’t equal a TEAM. They are dangerously close to going home.

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EURO 2012, Day 5 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 13, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Greece 1-2 Czech Republic, , Unfulfilled Promises

Czech Republic knew it needs points to stay in contention. And they outplayed Greece for the first half, but found themselves under pressure for most of the second half. They showed potential, changing things from the previous game with Russia, but also showed a lot of weaknesses. On the other side, Greece let everyone with the feeling that they could do more, and, although were the better side in the second half, they never came through.

Poland 1- 1 Russia, A pact with the Devil

For all the rivalry between them it’s amazing that their game ended in a draw. The game itself could have gone both ways. With one point each, everyone may be happy. Russia still commends the group, Poland still keeps chances.

Both games were entertaining – they get better and better as we get closer to the end of the groups stage.

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EURO 2012, Day 4 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 12, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

France 1-1 England, A brotherly peace

Predictable game, predictable result.  Both teams, playing first to avoid defeat, rather than winning. Yes, France did have an edge over England, but that was not enough.

Ukraine 2-1 Sweden, “Soccer Gratia Soccer”

We finally got our first real soccer game, the most entertaining one so far. Ukraine was a nice surprise indeed. And seeing Shevchenko scoring two goals at 35 it’s a delight. His second goal really takes skill & experience. Sweden, somewhat unlucky, should have done better.

This group has the potential to become the craziest of them all.

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EURO 2012, Matchday 3 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 11, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

Spain 1-1 Italy, One point each

It is a draw! Italy played better than most of us expected and got a well-deserved point. They did give Spain a real test. Don’t write them off too early – they might not be so much fallen idols. Teeth less Spain, a bit frustrated, failed to create, and when created – failed to finish.

Ireland 1-3 Croatia, An outrageous offside not called

Croatia was convincingly the better team, firmly in control, but…we don’t like to see obvious penalties not given, or off-sides not called.  An offsite should have been called at Croatia’s second goal – when the ball was shot…the play should have not even continued…after the blocking…poor referees…That’s why we need technology. We are only humans, and can (and usually do) make mistakes…FIFA and UEFA need to wake up.

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EURO 2012, Matchday 2 conclusions by the Soccer Crusader

Posted on June 10, 2012 by thesoccercrusader

After the fireworks of day 1, we got our first shocker, in Netherlands losing 0-1 to Denmark. This is the so called “Group of Death”. Whose death is it going to be?  They just made the group even more interesting to watch! Will we a see a different Netherlands in the next game?

Germany was not Germany, it was a little bit shaky, but still managed to win. They beat Portugal 1-0 , leaving their opponents regreting not shifting into a higher gear earlier.

All teams keep chances to advance. And now it’s not so hard to believe Denmark can be that “Dark Horse”.

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