Euro 2012 General Discussion

[Junior]

And just to add - What was the Czech's marking like for Ronaldo's goal? Unbelieveable that the FB (well none of the defenders in fact) had a clue where Ronaldo was. It was like Fabregas' 4th goal against us all over again in terms of players being oblivious to their opponents whereabouts.

[BonnieShels]

Ronaldo's run into the box was incredible. So much so Cech didn't even know what hit him.

[the bear]

Ronaldo is a great player. He was unplayable last night. You get bored of humble superstars, I've never heard Messi say something like this:

"Fans jeer me because I'm good-looking, rich and a great player"

I hope he leads his team out for the semis wearing a red robe and crown and starts reciting Muhammed Ali poetry

[Junior]

Ronaldo's run into the box was incredible. So much so Cech didn't even no what hit him.


Yeah, Im not really disputing it was a good run in to the box with lots of energy and a great finish but its just the fact that he was in acres of space and not one Czech player had a clue where his starting position was. I mean he's the most obvious danger from the Portugese. I just cant work out why none of the Czechs were looking around going "where the fcuk is he, he must be here somewhere...." They were all just ball watching.

This link is the best I can find with the right angle to show his starting point for the run.


http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/gif-cristiano-ronaldo-goal-v-czech-republic/

[geysir]

Junior, are you angling for a spot on the RTE panel?

[Junior]

Attack the post not the poster.

[BonnieShels]

Yeah, Im not really disputing it was a good run in to the box with lots of energy and a great finish but its just the fact that he was in acres of space and not one Czech player had a clue where his starting position was. I mean he's the most obvious danger from the Portugese. I just cant work out why none of the Czechs were looking around going "where the fcuk is he, he must be here somewhere...." They were all just ball watching.

This link is the best I can find with the right angle to show his starting point for the run.

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/gif-cristiano-ronaldo-goal-v-czech-republic/

The more I watch it the more I think it was wonderful. Was that Gebresalesie making the last ditch lean into him?

Great angle. RTÉ didn't show it from that wide, or I just didn't see it.

[Junior]

Yes it was. Actually this clip shows the above angle plus a few others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPJOC0yPu6s

[Stuttgart88]

I think the reason they were slow to pick him up was because Moutinho's break into the box was so late and caught everyone by surprise. Within a second the ball was being crossed, Ronaldo read the situation well and Gebra Selassie was cuaght unaawres, but understandably. Every goal can be avoided in hindsight. Ronaldo being able to run at it gave him a huge advantage.

[BonnieShels]

Not to mention that Cech was shocking.

[Stuttgart88]

For the goal? Harsh. Heading it down at pace disorients a keeper, just like Muller's header in the CL Final.

[DannyInvincible]

Can Greece do them 1-0 again?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur5fGSBsfq8

[tricky_colour]

Ronaldo is a great player. He was unplayable last night. You get bored of humble superstars, I've never heard Messi say something like this:

"Fans jeer me because I'm good-looking, rich and a great player"

I hope he leads his team out for the semis wearing a red robe and crown and starts reciting Muhammed Ali poetry

Fans jeer him because he has a bit of a swollen head, nothing to do with the reasons he gave as other players
have those attributes are not jeered.

[backstothewall]

Has anyone else noticed that whenever goals are scored in this competition just about every country apart from ourselves and the English have been singing something to 7 Nation Army by The White Stripes?

Anyone know what it's all about?

[Stuttgart88]

The stadium PA system plays the riff, the fans sing along to it.

[Stuttgart88]

I did like Jim Beglin's quote about Greece playing a flat back 9. Awful stuff from Greece so far. Germany still looking a bit one paced for me though.

[SkStu]

I did like Jim Beglin's quote about Greece playing a flat back 9. Awful stuff from Greece so far. Germany still looking a bit one paced for me though.

Yeah that one pace is enough to destroy most teams...

we may as well start WC Qualifying giving them the 6 points and avoid injuries & red cards... ;)

[Stuttgart88]

Easy to say when they went on to score 4! This is the first team they've destroyed and the weakest team they faced. Ozil is key and if he can be contained their smart passing game often isn't at a high enough tempo for me. I don't think it's an unfair observation despite how easily they won in the end.

[geysir]

If Stan's team can lose to a deflected goal in Germany and garner a point at home, the ball is in Trap's court to do better than Stan :)

Greece were missing too many vital players, goalkeeper, CH and CM. they would have needed all of them to give Germany a game. At least they managed to get in a good kick to the balls.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Italia/Deutschland/Espana or Portugal.

You know what you have to do?
Thanks, hopefully.

[Stuttgart88]

England don't play great football but they can create chances and at this stage they're as likely to take them as Italy (0-0 ht). Italy a bit too careless for me. I think England might get lucky here.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Very much agreed, but even we had more possession v.Italy?

[Stuttgart88]

0-0 FT. England as bankrupt in ideas and cophesion as we were. Still all to play for though. Chelsea were outclassed for large periods of every game from last 16 of CL onwards.

[ArdeeBhoy]

I know! The parallels are all over Facebook.

:(

[BonnieShels]

Can I just say it has been a joy to watch Pirlo tonight. Incredible.

[SkStu]

Can I just say it has been a joy to watch Pirlo tonight. Incredible.

Agreed wholeheartedly.

Their very own Andy Reid.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Hmm, a 'joy' is stretching it.

But one of their more skilful players.

Italy can't finish and England can only score from set pieces or via a shoot-out. Hmm.
Even Steve Staunton football was more interesting?

[BonnieShels]

Pirlo's vision is something on another plane.
The calmness with which he plays the game is nothing short of magic.

What is it with Italy whereby they always have one spectacular veteran at most tournaments.

[SkStu]

Pilot's vision is something on another plane.

fixed... ;)

[SkStu]

He has been a joy, only his set pieces have been below par.

[geysir]

Alls well that ends well.
:D

[Stuttgart88]

Yep. God, Eng were awful. They can't have any complaint.

[SkStu]

His last set piece was a bit special! :)

[geysir]

Yeah, Pirlo
:D

[DannyInvincible]

I'm not the biggest fan of penalties down the centre but I have to concede that was sublime.

[The Fly]

https://twitpic.com/show/iphone/a06bjn

[tricky_colour]

It's has it's merits, it is similar to sending the keeper the wrong way, basically you line up
to shoot to the corner then effectively badly slice your shot so it is only a very subtly change in approach.

You would look very silly if you got it wrong and the keeper stood his ground (especially when you side is a penalty down!!).

I don't think I have ever seen a chipped penalty missed but no doubt you tube will show they have been............

...indeed they have!! I bet this guy felt a like a right idiot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p3oTEEpSdA

[DannyInvincible]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bupfj-MK_eg&feature=related

[DannyInvincible]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCMtLOb6Jjw

[tricky_colour]

Proper chipped miss, not sure if already posted


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1Swl8wQa4g

[tricky_colour]

Don't know if there was one in a penalty shoot out in a major competition.

[osarusan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton%C3%ADn_Panenka#Panenka_Penalty

Yann Kermogant missed one in a playoff a few years ago, inspiring this song.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iad3gV-9C1U

[Stuttgart88]

Hodgson generally avoiding any bullets from the media though Graham Taylor has criticised his tactics. Had Capello gone out the same way the press would be livid.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Who cares? The main thing is those untalented bluffers are out.

[tetsujin1979]

Jermaine Jenas missed one for Newcastle a few years ago in a penalty shoot out for the Inter-Toto Cup, I remember Bobby Robson lambasting him afterwards because it would have been a trophy for the Toon for the first time since the 50's

[geysir]

Hodgson will regard the failure in that game as not being able to convert those 2 penalties.
Just as he regarded the Fulham team's failure to bring Atletico Madrid to penalties in the Europa final.

[Closed Account]

I remember this one vividly
u3uAurHNHDg

Quick pub question for anyone. Does anyone remember the exact name of the Network 2 Football Italia show that was on Monday nights?

[ArdeeBhoy]

https://twitter.com/Ouitone/status/217017164207636480/photo/1/large

[Stuttgart88]

Can people stop posting links without some accompanying narrative? Please!

--------------------------

I really enjoyed this article by Sid Lowe in the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/jun/26/euro-2012-spain-cristiano-ronaldo-portugal) describing how Spain plays and how other teams react to it. Though wasn't Spian's tournament high no. of passes 850-something against us - not the 600-odd he mentions?

I didn't realise that they have now gone 8 consecutive knockout games, across 3 tournaments, without conceding a goal.

[EAFC_rdfl]

I remember this one vividly
u3uAurHNHDg

Quick pub question for anyone. Does anyone remember the exact name of the Network 2 Football Italia show that was on Monday nights?

Throws up questions about joe harts studying before hand so, his iPad didnt show him that one!!