Euro 2012

[Chet]

Re: Germany-Portugal, that was probably a blessing in disguise, as that game was for the most part terribly boring. Almost singlehandedly made me lose my interest in the whole competition.

I dunno, it wasn't exciting or fast paced, but it was interesting watching Germany try to suss out Portugal, who played a very organised game where they sat deep and didn't give the Germans a chance to unleash their famous counter attacks. And even in the stifled environment, Ozil was still a joy to watch. His movement and technique is beautiful, everything good Germany did came through the weird pug looking little guy.

Anyway, Spain and Italy up next. Curiously the Spanish are starting without a recognized striker, opting for Cesc Fabregras "up front" but in reality it'll probably be the case that Busquets and Alonso sit deep, while Xavi, Cesc, Iniesta and Silva are allowed to go do whatever it is they want.

With Italy's traditional defensive approach it might end up in a frustrating damp squib with Spain passing it around the opposition 18 yard box without troubling the goal, or they could end up putting on a display of beautiful and incisive football. If Spain grab an early goal it will be interesting, if not, it will get dull real quick, I think.

[Nick Ink]

You're absolutely right, Chet, this game needs a Spain goal early on. There's also the Balotelli factor, of course.

[Chet]

Going exactly as expected. Spain tentatively probing with no threat. Although Italy have been more positive than predicted and have had the best of the chances.

[edison]

I'm liking Italy's admittedly less refined style of playing more than this dispiriting "let's play with no actual striker" bullshit, I must say, so far.

Plus, you know, Pirlo.

edit: also, I'm liking the fact that the Italians are indeed less defensive than they've been in the past - but according to the Zonal Marking country analysis that's been an ongoing development during the preparation?

[Nick Ink]

I really hate Spain and everything about this shitty tikky taco bollocks. So frustrating to watch.

edit: to say, and the same goes for Barcefuckinglona. Football for people who don't like football.

[Chet]

I really hate Spain and everything about this shitty tikky taco bollocks. So frustrating to watch.

edit: to say, and the same goes for Barcefuckinglona. Football for people who don't like football.

  i'd say this is a very english pov.

[Nick Ink]

I really hate Spain and everything about this shitty tikky taco bollocks. So frustrating to watch.

edit: to say, and the same goes for Barcefuckinglona. Football for people who don't like football.

  i'd say this is a very english pov.

Ok! Maybe that was a bit strong, but Jesus Christ, don't you just find yourself screaming "Shoot!" at them!

[Thermofusion]

Hey Chet! Have you seen the Gordon Ramsay thread? I thought you might have some thoughts on that. ;-)

All I did was echo milly's suggestion that he's our greatest living entertainer. Which he is (Lil B don't count, he transcended entertainer status around level 4 or so).

[Chet]

I really hate Spain and everything about this shitty tikky taco bollocks. So frustrating to watch.

edit: to say, and the same goes for Barcefuckinglona. Football for people who don't like football.

  i'd say this is a very english pov.

Ok! Maybe that was a bit strong, but Jesus Christ, don't you just find yourself screaming "Shoot!" at them!

Sometimes, but oftentimes the problem is with the opposition playing such negative and cynical football to try and stop them playing (see Chelsea). I think it's more an issue with Spain. As far as I'm concerned, Barcelona have been one of the best footballing teams of all time and have been an absolute joy to watch when in full flow, and they've broken all sorts of goal scoring records along the way. I mean, there's a certain player that scored 73 goals in all competitions this season for Barca.

[Chet]

What a beautiful, beautiful pass from Pirlo for that goal.

[Chet]

An almost immediate equalizer. This game by live up to the reputation of it's competitors yet.

[Nick Ink]

Quite a watchable game overall, but not exactly thrilling. Give me the drama of Greece V Poland over technically proficient 15-pass moves that go nowhere though. Maybe Ireland V Croatia will be more exciting.

[Chet]

Torres of 3-4 years ago and that would have been Spain's game.

It's usually the way with the Euros and the World Cup that the first round of games leave a lot to be desired, especially with the bigger teams, since there is such a fear or losing.

[Nick Ink]

Hey Chet! Have you seen the Gordon Ramsay thread? I thought you might have some thoughts on that. ;-)

All I did was echo milly's suggestion that he's our greatest living entertainer. Which he is (Lil B don't count, he transcended entertainer status around level 4 or so).

I just thought you might be less well-disposed, what with his Rangers connections.

[Chet]

Hey Chet! Have you seen the Gordon Ramsay thread? I thought you might have some thoughts on that. ;-)

All I did was echo milly's suggestion that he's our greatest living entertainer. Which he is (Lil B don't count, he transcended entertainer status around level 4 or so).

I just thought you might be less well-disposed, what with his Rangers connections.

He's a horrible prick. Also, he lied about playing for Rangers.

God bless Teddy Sheringham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttRJTH5yP5o

[Chet]

oh dear, not the best state for Ireland.

[Nick Ink]

Hey Chet! Have you seen the Gordon Ramsay thread? I thought you might have some thoughts on that. ;-)

All I did was echo milly's suggestion that he's our greatest living entertainer. Which he is (Lil B don't count, he transcended entertainer status around level 4 or so).

I just thought you might be less well-disposed, what with his Rangers connections.

He's a horrible prick. Also, he lied about playing for Rangers.

God bless Teddy Sheringham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttRJTH5yP5o

Ha! That's excellent. Almost as good as this tackle. I have been known to watch that looped on repeat for up to 10 minutes, mesmerised by its beauty.

[Chet]

Hey Chet! Have you seen the Gordon Ramsay thread? I thought you might have some thoughts on that. ;-)

All I did was echo milly's suggestion that he's our greatest living entertainer. Which he is (Lil B don't count, he transcended entertainer status around level 4 or so).

I just thought you might be less well-disposed, what with his Rangers connections.

He's a horrible prick. Also, he lied about playing for Rangers.

God bless Teddy Sheringham http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttRJTH5yP5o

Ha! That's excellent. Almost as good as this tackle. I have been known to watch that looped on repeat for up to 10 minutes, mesmerised by its beauty.

i have a similar relationship with this. I cheered that like a goal at the time. It was especially satisfying because the previous few games against them we had been kicked and bullied all over the park. Barry Robson fair put down a marker then.

[Chet]

on topic, Ireland have done an excellent job of shooting themselves in the foot.

[Nick Ink]

To be honest, I thought Ireland looked out of their depth tonight, though I appreciate their record in qualification was quite impressive. I can see them getting stuffed by Italy and in particular Spain.

[Chet]

and at the same time it was two horrendous defensive mistakes and some bad luck for given that did them in. and they should have had a penalty.

they do have some very poor players though. stephen ward played like he had good money on a croatia win.
they were poor and did deserve to lose though. the very least you would expect from ireland is to be organised and hassle the opposition all over the park, but they stood off and admired the croatians for the whole game and suffered for it.

they also failed to get the ball to their few creative players too. mcgeady in particular can cause any defence in the world problems on his day, but he barely saw the ball at all.

i expect at least on typically heroic performance from them against italy or spain though. they always do it in major tournaments.

[Babar]

If there were any decent Simpsons clips on youtube I would link to the one where the family gets really excited about a soccer game and when they get to the game it's really boring and Kent Brockman's going "He passes it.... back to the center... holds it.... holds it..... holds it....." because that's how I felt about the France vs. England game. Granted, I did miss the first half which was apparently more exciting.

[edison]

The French were decidedly not terrible yesterday (except defensively at times), which is a marked improvement over their last major international showing, but I found how content they were to just aim for a draw maddening - they could have been so much more ambitious, and they could have won this, definitely. The entire thing, though there were a couple of good moments, had the feel of a mid-summer friendly game more than, you know, of an actual important competition; even Ukraine-Sweden, though it started out unbelievably mediocre, seemed like a breath of fresh air after these 90 minutes of boredom.

[Good Intentions]

Nasri and Debuchy looked good for you lot.

[edison]

Yeah, and that was a nice surprise about Nasri who's been otherwise pretty much shit recently. But mostly I was frustrated that so few of the offensive players ever ventured in the penalty area - even Benzema was constantly hovering around or dropping back to get balls, but never in a position where he could do much damage. England defending with eight players at nearly all times was never going to help much with that, true, but in the second half of the second game last night it felt very much like a relief to get to watch some fairly straightforward and efficient offensive football.