Holland losing... stunner. And don't give me that "but Denmark is ranked #9 by FIFA" crap. Holland has to win the next two to get thru I would imagine. That'll make things interesting.
I dont think its that much of a stunner.....I think Denmark is being overlooked. Dutch do have their hands full now, but Denmark's victory just didnt surprise me.
That was an entertaining last 10-15 minutes. Portugal had some good looks to tie it. Clutch save by Neuer, and an even more clutch block by Badstuber. Ronaldo used and abused by yet another Bayern fullback. Big props to Mats Hummels. Made some huge defensive plays.
The "Group of Death" definitely living up to it's name. Some would call Denmark's win over the Netherlands the case of "anti football." I call it smart football. They were composed and defended very well throughout the match. Unlike BigDog, I do consider this game an upset. The Dutch disappointed me. They had so many chances, wasteful ones at that too and not very accurate. Sneijder was the only one that came to play. (In training a few days ago) They were very frustrating to watch collectively. __________________________________________________________________ Those last 15 minutes of the Portugal - Germany were indeed entertaining. Both teams are capable of scoring at will, don't know why it took them so long to get going. Hummels was my man of the match and Podolski was chit (I'm an Arsenal fan). Our Arsenal players haven't represented us very well so far in this tourney. __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ Spain vs Italy should be a good one tomorrow.
Goals Scored So Far: Russia - 4. Czech Republic, Poland, Greece, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany and Portugal combined - 4. Who saw this coming?
I should have been more clear, it's clearly labeled an upset.....I just think Denmark was being overlooked and not a stunner. I thought Denmark had a chance, and they executed and proved me right. Yes, very smart tactics.
I love how the camera guy always finds the hottest girls in the crowd. I mean that's all he does the entire game? Rather than watching the game, he scans the crowd for the hotness. Who knew Poland/Ukraine would supply such hotness? Oh yeah, back to soccer... Not surprised to see German weasel their way to a 1-0 victory. Seems like they do that every game. I love to see Germany fail. Just one time could they not make it out of their group?
That's simply not true. We always lose 1-0 against Spain, but when we win, we win big! (Remember our games against England, Australia or Argentina in 2010?) btw. pretty exciting match between Italy and Spain right now. I like Spain more but I hope they don't make it out of their group. Don't want to play them again. The only team I'm really afraid of!
Great game. This had 0-0 written all over it in my eyes. I wanted the Italians to come out victorious. Both goals were brilliant, the assists included. So many great players. The subs were effective on both ends. Spain looked a bit better. Balotelli... On to Croatia (I love that word) vs Ireland.
and Torres! ENG vs FRA solid thru the opening 25min mark... EDIT: Gorgeous set piece from Garrard to Lescott for ENG goal...then Nasri replies with answer from FRA, wow, terrific strike (1-1 @ half)!
Wait for Balotelli. The beast has risen. Really, his indecision was on display on that breakaway, but his efforts created the chance from nothing. His overall behavior was kind of concerning, but he will be fine. The 1-1 was a good result against Spain, but what a roller coaster. I was just starting to get my composure back after Italy take the lead and Silva goes and threads a needle to Cesc. I hate Fabregas, so I was hoping anyone but him would score. To my surprise, not too much diving considering two of the best nations at the craft were playing each other. England-France: Good result for the English. They had their moments, with good counters, but came away with a tie against a very good looking French team that had them on their heels most of the game. Have to be disappointed if you are rooting for France though.
[video=youtube;5Sbq5cWYe9Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5Sbq5cWYe9Y#![/video]
Not impressed with England at all, unfortunately. Sure the result is okay. But to be outshot 150 to 3 is not good. Typical Hodgson conservatism. Going to be interesting to see what happens in that group with Ukraine beating Sweden. England plays Sweden next but France plays Ukraine first. That will give England an advantage as they'll know what they need to advance. If Ukraine somehow pulls off the upset over France, and it could happen, and England then draws with Sweden, Ukraine automatically qualify and could rest some players against England. You never want to go in thinking to draw but it matches Hodgson's mantra. Of course if France wins, England will have to win one game at least. And that would change everything.
The Russians have a national holiday today, and decided to parade in Poland. You wanna parade, go do it in Russia. Also, the Russian federation is being fined (they should have been stripped their win actually) because the Russian fans after their victory against the Czechs they went all hooligan. They injured stadium ushers, began flipping tables, and running rampant across town. [video=youtube;346qYr01V38]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=346qYr01V38[/video] F Them. Kick them out of the tournament. Unfortunately, they are Russians, can't mess with them. Any other nation and I am almost certain that the win would've been stripped.
Going to be an interesting game with Poland hosting Russia. F em up Polish soccer team and hooligans (lol)
These events are the worst part of sports...and especially this hooliganism when it comes to a otherwise great sport such as Soccer/Football for these nations. Sad!
I hope the people in that video that decided to attack innocent ushers, and police got shot..... I literally am going to pray for it tonight...
GRE losing to CZE 2-1 not good for GRE. Especially after RUS took CZE to the woodshed in opening match. Solid 1-1 draw POL vs RUS. After russia scored, having the pols equalize with a cracking shot was fun. Didnt really think that play was setting up (lots of tired legs on both sides with that push) but what a shot; a pretty bender.
Goal of the tournament by far. Cracker of a shot. Brilliant. Damn I sound like a British announcer. Anyway, when I saw the three Poles standing around on that counter attack I was screaming inside (watching at work on a live stream) but then....BAM! I am rooting for Poland second. My best friend is Polish and I have numerous other Polish friends.
The host nations are playing very well... as always that seems to happen. As for the hooligans... Hey glad to see another country getting named for it besides England. Speaking of England, they (Ukr stadium authorities) didn't let their band into the Eng v Fra match. No wonder a lot of English fans decided to stay home for this one (or perhaps weren't let into the country). I suppose history between Russia and Poland is too fresh in everyone's minds for the Poles to allow Russians to hold a Russia Day on their turf. Perhaps if the Russians face Ukraine, we might see more trouble...
Holland really look like a completely different team from the side that finished 2nd at the last world cup. They just don't have anyone to go to on the bench that inspires the team. Last WC they had that young phenom Elia who I guess wasn't called up this time due to his lack of playing time at Juventus. Of course, defensively they look absolutely aweful. The first quarter of the Germany game, it seemed like Ger were just sitting back, defending... waiting for Ned to tire themselves out. The central defense coupled with De Jong and Van Bommel are just non existant. Germany look to be favorites at this point. Denmark v Portugal was a great great match. Best of the tournament so far. I would expect Portugal to win vs Holland and Denmark is going to have to beat Germany to advance, not likely.
Not looking good for the Dutch, that's for sure. As A German fan I'm liking what I see for the most part. Podolski has absolutely sucked though. Both games. Definitely more of a striker than a winger. Can say the same for Muller as well, but he's made a few nice crosses. Boateng has been a big surprise at fullback though, especially against Ronaldo.
Well, England survived against Sweden. When they went down 2-1 I thought for sure it was curtains. Instead, Hodgson looks brilliant for subbing in Walcott at the right time and "we" get the next two goals. Somebody pinch me.. England scored three goals in a major tournament. I really hope they play forward thinking vs Ukraine. The home side are really going to be pumped up for a win to go thru. England just needs a tie. Regardless, today's win was huge for our young team. Welbeck, Carroll and Walcott with moments that can only help them in the future. Feels nice to finally beat the Swedes!
Well, obviously he'd start alongside... likely Welbeck. Familiarity amongst the starting lineup is huge. They know each other from Man U and then you have Young at LW as well. I think Ashley has been a bit of a disappointment though. I'm sure they'd leave him in the starting XI. For me the question is RW. Milner again or now Walcott? Since a draw is good enough, I'd suspect Hodgson starts with Milner at RW and if they go down then they can turn to Walcott again. To me Milner is more of a two way player. His work rate has been great. Although his foul yesterday in setting up one of Sweden's set piece goals was a big negative. I thought Andy Carroll's ability to hold up the ball to allow his teammates to get forward out of their 8 man shell was huge yesterday. He really got better and better at that throughout the game. As a defender you just pop the ball up in his general direction and he can come down with it and link up on the attack. Welbeck's goal was exceptional and given that you don't take him out of the XI. But I'd be tempted to keep Carroll in with Rooney. Rooney though can give you some of what Carroll gives you in his link up play. He's going to drop into midfield behind Welbeck (picture a 4-4-1-1 formation) in front of Parker and Gerrard and hold the ball up that way. IMO, they need to come out with the same intensity vs Sweden. The same forward thinking play. At least for the first half. If they can get the first goal (as they have the first two games), it will be huge. Even though they haven't held the lead either time after scoring first, it's done wonders for their confidence... going down 2-1 vs Sweden notwithstanding. Take the lead and then play a counter attack style. Of course, they will likely start the game playing on the counter attack as they know Ukraine needs to score and win the game. A tie is not good enough for the home side. I really hope I'm not terribly frustrated at the end of it all.
Well, I hadn't realized the Euro tiebreaker rules were different (than the WC). I thought Russia were going thru no matter what (well, they'd have to lose by a bunch) but the tiebreaker between them and Greece is head to head. Doesn't matter that Russia is +2 in goal differential. Greece is even. And also doesn't matter that Russia has scored more goals than Greece. I suppose this rewards going for the win eh?
I expect Germany to beat Denmark and advance. No idea what to expect for Portugal-Netherlands, but expect Portugal to advance.
On another note, ridiculous that both games are played at the same time. Definitely wanted to watch both games.
Yea, I don't understand why they are playing at the same time either... Maybe to keep the drama up because teams wouldn't know exactly what they need to do in order to advance before the game. I think I am going to bet Germany straight up, the lesser payout but I don't know if they cover the -1.5 Vegas has them at. Also I will probably bet the OVER in the Portugal and Netherlands game. I expect that to be a high scoring affair. These good bets?
Germany straight up should be pretty money. Not sure what Vegas has the over/under set at for Portugal v Netherlands, but should be a high scoring game.
Normally they set the game odds at 2.5, although I have seen them set at 3. If its set at 2.5 I put a good chunk of money on it (especially because both teams pretty much need to win, they will be pressing, etc). If its 3, I don't know if I will bet on it.
If it's 2.5, betting the over should be pretty money. I expect 3 goals to be scored at least. Both teams have tons of offense, not so much defense.
I reckon that Germany straight up line is not going to be very profitable. For ex, you probably have to put up $100 to win $20 or something crazy. I do expect Germany to win though. Portugal will probably win as well. But I'll be rooting for upsets
My bets for today: 1.) Germany -1/2 ($10) 2.) Portugal and Netherlands over 2.5 ($20) 3.) UCLA over Arizona ($10) 4.) Florida State over Stony Brook ($10) 5.) Heat in the 1st Quarter ($10) 6.) Durant OVER 28.5 points ($10)