Euro 2012

[ManU918]

Starts on Friday... Anyone else excited for this? I'm weighing my options now on who to bet to win the whole thing... Here are the odds:

Croatia
+5000 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Czech Republic
+6600 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Denmark
+10000 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



England
+1100 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



France
+1000 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Germany
+300 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Greece
+10000 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Italy
+1200 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Netherlands
+650 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Poland
+4000 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Portugal
+1800 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Republic of Ireland
+10000 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Russia
+2000 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Spain
+250 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Sweden
+6600 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)



Ukraine
+4000 (https://sportsbook.gamingsystem.ag/sportsbook4/www.sportsbook.ag/getodds5.xgi?categoryId=552#)

[PhantomOnTour]

Deutscher Fussball Bund!

[PhantomOnTour]

Just took a closer look at the groups and Germany is in a tough one...

Group B:
Germany
Portugal
Netherlands
Denmark

Weakest is Group A with Greece, Poland, Russia, and the Czech Republic.
All the action begins Friday morning

[ManU918]

I think my future bet will be going on England... Thought about Portugal for awhile but decided against them.

[horses4courses]

I have my doubts about England....perennial under achievers.
My longshot for the tournament is Russia.

I'll be cheering for Ireland, though.
Their group is tough - getting past Spain will be near impossible.
Finishing second in the group isn't out of the question - Italy are vulnerable.
It comes down to whether, or not, Ireland or Croatia can get the better of the Italians.
They both have a shot for the next round at Italy's expense.

Bet of the 1st round games - Spain to beat Italy in a high scoring game.
Spain's best defender, Pujols, is injured and Italy look weak at the back.
Normally, I would say this game would be 1-0 either way.
This time, Spain could take the Italians apart, and I think they should score a bunch.

I've been wrong before, though....... :D

Best news of all is that every games is on ESPN - noon and 245pm ET starts.

[thaskalos]

My sources tell me that Greece is the hungriest team in the whole tourney...

[elysiantraveller]

The English don't offer any value and are down right now.

I'll take the Netherlands. That group is brutal but they have the style of play to grind out the Spanish team.

[cj]

My sources tell me that Greece is the hungriest team in the whole tourney...

I imagine 2004 will be remembered for a long, long time.

[thaskalos]

I imagine 2004 will be remembered for a long, long time.

One for the ages!

A national team which had never won a game in Euro cup competition before, goes and wins the whole freaking tournament?

It had to be the biggest upset in international soccer competition.

[Jay Trotter]

My sources tell me that Greece is the hungriest team in the whole tourney...I hear the team will play hard for about 60% of the game and then they will be on break! :lol:

[ManU918]

The English don't offer any value and are down right now.

I'll take the Netherlands. That group is brutal but they have the style of play to grind out the Spanish team.

England don't offer any value at (+1100) but the Netherlands do who are (+650) and in the same group as Germany, Portugal and Denmark? I have to disagree.

[horses4courses]

England don't offer any value at (+1100) but the Netherlands do who are (+650) and in the same group as Germany, Portugal and Denmark? I have to disagree.

11-1 on England is on the low side - there is up to 15-1 available.
Holland is now generally around 6-1.
Let the games begin!

http://www.oddschecker.com/football/internationals/euro-2012/winner

[Valuist]

My sources tell me that Greece is the hungriest team in the whole tourney...

Yeah, their government ran out of food stamps.

[Rookies]

Yeah, their government ran out of food stamps.

No such thing there, but I do believe a few people from the local graveyard are still eating well...;)

[DJofSD]

These matches appear to only be on ESPN. Is that correct? I don't see any on Fox Soccer.

[ManU918]

Down go the Netherlands!!!!!!

[ManU918]

These matches appear to only be on ESPN. Is that correct? I don't see any on Fox Soccer.

They have all of the group play matches... Not sure who has the rights after that.

[DJofSD]

Down go the Netherlands!!!!!!
Oh no! Damn, that's one for later viewing -- I guess we'll just be skipping to watch the goals.

I guess WC champs had a different team make up?

[PhantomOnTour]

Germany gained a sorta ho-hum win over Portugal on Saturday.
Not too exciting, but 1st round games tend to be close to the vest and boring.

Nice game going on now btw England and France

[DJofSD]

Plz, say no more -- the DVR is recording these matches for viewing later -- don't ruin the enjoyment/surprise!

[cj]

Plz, say no more -- the DVR is recording these matches for viewing later -- don't ruin the enjoyment/surprise!

Dude, don't read the thread. That is a whole bunch easier than the rest of us waiting for you to watch your DVR.

[DJofSD]

I'll just unsubscribe since results are expected to be posted.

[cj]

I'll just unsubscribe since results are expected to be posted.

Wasn't trying to be a jerk about it, hope it didn't come across that way. I came on to post about the England / France match but I refrained. I forgot about the subscribe / unsubscribe option.

[PhantomOnTour]

Sheva !

[cj]

Sheva !

Unbelievable. There has to be some home adrenalin flowing!

[Jay Trotter]

The Homeland prevails over Sweden 2-1! Shevchenko scores both Ukrainian goals on headers.

Solid, entertaining game with great tactical ball movement. Very entertaining. :ThmbUp:

[Zippy Chippy]

I was in curacao which is owned by the Netherlands for the Denmark game. It was crazy. We went to a beach called Beach Papagayo. They have about 5 bars within the place. All 5 places there were like 100-200 people crowded around 1 average sized tv. Everyone was dressed in orange, faces painted, etc. Also girls from Holland are absolutley stunning. They are mostly blonde.

[horses4courses]

I was in curacao which is owned by the Netherlands for the Denmark game. It was crazy. We went to a beach called Beach Papagayo. They have about 5 bars within the place. All 5 places there were like 100-200 people crowded around 1 average sized tv. Everyone was dressed in orange, faces painted, etc. Also girls from Holland are absolutley stunning. They are mostly blonde.

The thing that has always amazed me about Holland....since the 60/70s the kids coming out of their schools speak better english than most kids from english speaking countries. Insane..... :ThmbUp:

Oh, yeah...the matches have been great at Euro 2012.
That Holland/Germany game tomorrow should be great!


http://www.irishtimes.com/homepage/images/1224317812443.jpg

[cj]

The thing that has always amazed me about Holland....since the 60/70s the kids coming out of their schools speak better english than most kids from english speaking countries. Insane..... :ThmbUp:



There is a very good reason for that. Well, not the part about speaking better than kids from English speaking countries, but about how well they speak English.

Television in Holland is largely in English with subtitles in Dutch. The same goes for the Flanders section of Belgium. So, they grow up hearing English and also learn it in school. The French do the opposite. They dub over the movies and television shows in French.

[horses4courses]

There is a very good reason for that. Well, not the part about speaking better than kids from English speaking countries, but about how well they speak English.

Television in Holland is largely in English with subtitles in Dutch. The same goes for the Flanders section of Belgium. So, they grow up hearing English and also learn it in school. The French do the opposite. They dub over the movies and television shows in French.

Makes sense....they started to excel just around the time that TV was taking off in Europe.

[horses4courses]

Portugal just went 2 up on Denmark (who look very ordinary).

The strange thing watching this game is the TV commentary.
Very subdued, and sounds as if the play by play is being done in a studio in the US.....no atmosphere at all.
That's the first time I noticed something like this.
I enjoy the commentaries of Darke and McManaman...hope they do NED/GER.

[cj]

Portugal just went 2 up on Denmark (who look very ordinary).


It has certainly picked up now! Ronaldo with a golden chance to go up 3-1, then minutes later the Danes tie it!

You know in Copenhagen they sell danishes on the street corners, but of course they don't call them danishes!

[cj]

And the Portugese come right back late, what a game this is in the 2nd half.

[PhantomOnTour]

Das Boot !

[gm10]

likely game on June 22

Greece VS Germany

Not sure how closely you are following the euro crisis, but these are the two protagonists in it!

Great game by Greece tonight. Showed class, maturity and stamina. Very happy for them and my friend Thaskalos!

[thaskalos]

Terrible ref decision deprives Greece of an obvious penalty kick, and the services of their team captain for the next game...but they still hold on against the Russians.

How is that for a little poor country?

Soccer is played with the HEART!

[PhantomOnTour]

Greece is the word !

Thaskalos, you must be proud :ThmbUp:

[DeltaLover]

zxt6BYQz6NI

[DeltaLover]

WE WON THE GRANDSTAND BATTLE TOO!

http://content-aka.sentragoal.gr/filesystem/images/20120616/engine/pegasus_LARGE_t_1041_105720964_type12450.jpg

[thaskalos]

*

[DeltaLover]

Without a doubt your BEST POSTING EVER DASKALE

[DeltaLover]

Santos said: "Everyone has to respect Greece. Everything started in Greece. It is very difficult for anyone to give us lessons."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/euro-2012/top-stories/Greece-neutralised-Russian-threats-says-Santos/articleshow/14195513.cms

[PhantomOnTour]

Germany and Portugal are into the quarters...Netherlands and Denmark are out.
Spain and Germany are the most impresive squads so far. They met in the 2008 Euro final...won by Spain.
Would not be surprised to see a rematch, if it's possible.

[ManU918]

England future still alive... I feel confident going into Sunday... I think they take care of business.

[PhantomOnTour]

England future still alive... I feel confident going into Sunday... I think they take care of business.
England was shaky at best today vs Ukraine.
You are very optimistic, but i think the next game is 1-0 to Italy.

[PhantomOnTour]

Germans will surely move on to the semis now...

Deutscher Fussball Bund !

[PhantomOnTour]

Spain is just ridiculous...who's gonna beat them?

They play keepaway all night long.
It is so tiring just chasing them around the field, and the few chances you get may find you too gassed to finish them.

[PhantomOnTour]

WTF was that Portugal?
Ronaldo not among their top 4 PK takers?
What were they waiting for !?

[PhantomOnTour]

Aww crud...Germany is down 2-0 to Italy at the half.

Their manager chose to go with a more passing and possession lineup (leaving out Reus and Mueller who attack and have quickness)...
in other words, he is playing Italy's game :bang:

Germany is an attacking team and the Italians play for the 1-0 win with defense and counterattacks. Give them a 2-0 lead and you're basically done.
Bad lineup choice by Loew for the Germans.

Am i the only one still interested in this tournament?

[PhantomOnTour]

The Pope is German...talk about a conflict of interest :D

[horses4courses]

I'm still interested in the tournament....and surprised that Italy made the final.
I would like to see them win it all, too......... :ThmbUp:

[NJ Stinks]

I'm still interested too, Phantom. The other night I got 8-5 that Italy would beat England in 90 minutes.

Could have bet 11 to win 10 that Italy moves on (includes extra time and possible shootout) vs. England. But I guess I was greedy.

At any rate, Italy was anywhere between 7-2 and 4-1 to beat Germany in 90 minutes tonight. I should work on being more consistent with my wagers. :)

[Striker]

Although Fernando Torres couldn't convert some of his chances against Italy last time, Spain dominated Italy when he was in the game. He didn't play at all against Portugal. It will be interesting to see if he plays in the final.

[PhantomOnTour]

Spain v Italy final today around 145 central time.
Pulling for the Azzurri, but Spain is so solid.
Italy likely to go defensive and look for that one counterattacking goal.
Don't see them shutting out Spain so i am predicting a 1-1 tie and it gets settled on PK's....Gigi Buffon (he wears barettes in his hair) makes the crucial stops for Italy and they win it.

The other day i heard an announcer say there's no strong Italy without a strong Juventus, and Juve was good this year.

[thaskalos]

Spain v Italy final today around 145 central time.
Pulling for the Azzurri, but Spain is so solid.
Italy likely to go defensive and look for that one counterattacking goal.
Don't see them shutting out Spain so i am predicting a 1-1 tie and it gets settled on PK's....Gigi Buffon (he wears barettes in his hair) makes the crucial stops for Italy and they win it.

The other day i heard an announcer say there's no strong Italy without a strong Juventus, and Juve was good this year.

With both of us pulling for Italy...I think Spain is in trouble. :)

[horses4courses]

Spain are deserving favorites - Xavi Hernandez is so clinical.
They have little left to prove.
Italy, with the rain or shine brilliance of Ballotelli, are more exciting to watch than their opponents.
I hope Italy win! :ThmbUp:

[Striker]

Gigi Buffon (he wears barettes in his hair) makes the crucial stops for Italy and they win it.


Buffon didn't have an exceptional game against Germany IMO with some very poor rebounds/saves. He cannot let that happen today in order for Italy to win. I think today's game will be decided on Spain's formation. If they chose to go with a striker the entire game I think they win. If they chose to go with the formation last time they faced Italy with no striker up front, then I think the game will be played out like last time and it will tough for Spain to score.

[DJofSD]

Spain in a historic win and Torres with the Golden Boot. Fantastic contest.

Terrible luck that Italy had to play with only 10 the last ~30 minutes.

Can't wait for 2014!

[cj's dad]

This is the best team I have ever seen.

[PhantomOnTour]

This is the best team I have ever seen.
Me too...they would have destroyed Germany.
Didn't matter who showed up.

[Striker]

This is the best team I have ever seen.
I think this can be a pretty good argument right now especially with the 1970 Brazil squad, but if they win the World Cup again in 2014, I would say that the argument comes to an end.

[horses4courses]

Hard to compare a team from 1970 to one over 40 years later.
I have seen them both play - Brazil '70 were much more exciting to watch.
If the two faced off against each other, it would be hard to pick a winner.
Both excellent teams..... :ThmbUp:

[horses4courses]

Team captain Casillas presenting the trophy to King Juan Carlos today.
Hopefully, they won't melt it down to keep the lights on....... ;)



http://www.irishtimes.com/homepage/images/1224319261845.jpg

[PhantomOnTour]

Looking forward to the World Cup in 2014 i see only one challenger to Spain, and that's the hosts, Brazil.
If Germany had beaten Italy and made the finals they would have been dismantled as well....and Germany is a very good team.
Brazil has brilliance, pace and a stout defense with guys like Maicon, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, and Lucio...Alves is a terror at RB.
Their only problem is the lack of a solid CDM (like Xavi or Khedira or Yaya Toure).
They're tough anywhere, but on their home turf they should be a more than formidable challenge to Spain.
Hopefully they will meet in what could be an all time great game.

[DJofSD]

In the meantime, we get to see Ryan Giggs on a world stage. And poor Beckham gets denied.

[cj's dad]

Here's the thing Imo. The spanish team passes the ball like a group of well skilled athletes playing catch in the back yard.

These guys pass and control the game like nothing I have ever seen,

Give credit where it is due.

[horses4courses]

Here's the thing Imo. The spanish team passes the ball like a group of well skilled athletes playing catch in the back yard.

These guys pass and control the game like nothing I have ever seen,

Give credit where it is due.

They definitely are the best at the possession game. No doubt.
For individual flair and talent, Brazil '70 is second to none.

Modern day Spain may well be the technically superior team.
That comes from basic skills being so deeply rooted, that the team blends together like a machine. Impossible to find fault with them, really.
But, to watch as a spectacle?
My mind drifts back to Pele and his teammates......