Speed and creativity kills – Germany and Spain (more with off the ball movement), have both in abundance and it showed with their results. Both sides seem destined to meet for the European Championship on July 1, but six other countries are hoping otherwise.
Speaking of creativity, where was the Dutch Total Football? Was it a case of too many egos and not enough soccer balls? Would have liked to have been on that flight back to Amsterdam.
Did UEFA just fine Nicklas Bendtner 100,000 euros for showing the name of a gambling company on his boxers, but only 80,000 euros to the Croatian football federations for fans using racist chants and banners? Prior to EURO 2012 kicking off, UEFA President, Michel Platini, stated they are working hard to protect players from racist abuse, and that referees must stop matches if there are any problems during the games. Platini had an opportunity to make a much larger statement with harsher sanctions against Croatia, but maybe he has lost too much money at Paddy Power over the years.
Why didn't Republic of Ireland Manager, Givoanni Trapattoni use players in case Plan A didn't work? Ireland under Trap have had success hanging around games, drawing games 0-0 or winning against poorer competition. It was clear that the team lacked creativity in final 1/3, yet he never played Darron Gibson or Stephen Hunt, while James McClean received token minutes against Spain, and Wes Hoolahan wasn't chosen. Besides McClean’s 14-minute cameo, the one other substitution in the midfield was to bring on Paul Green, PAUL GREEN! Plan A along with some luck might have been good to get through qualification, but to win at a major tournament, Trapattoni will need to work on a Plan B.
Speaking of creativity, where was the Dutch Total Football? Was it a case of too many egos and not enough soccer balls? Would have liked to have been on that flight back to Amsterdam.
Did UEFA just fine Nicklas Bendtner 100,000 euros for showing the name of a gambling company on his boxers, but only 80,000 euros to the Croatian football federations for fans using racist chants and banners? Prior to EURO 2012 kicking off, UEFA President, Michel Platini, stated they are working hard to protect players from racist abuse, and that referees must stop matches if there are any problems during the games. Platini had an opportunity to make a much larger statement with harsher sanctions against Croatia, but maybe he has lost too much money at Paddy Power over the years.
Why didn't Republic of Ireland Manager, Givoanni Trapattoni use players in case Plan A didn't work? Ireland under Trap have had success hanging around games, drawing games 0-0 or winning against poorer competition. It was clear that the team lacked creativity in final 1/3, yet he never played Darron Gibson or Stephen Hunt, while James McClean received token minutes against Spain, and Wes Hoolahan wasn't chosen. Besides McClean’s 14-minute cameo, the one other substitution in the midfield was to bring on Paul Green, PAUL GREEN! Plan A along with some luck might have been good to get through qualification, but to win at a major tournament, Trapattoni will need to work on a Plan B.
Poland were great hosts, and it was very easy to cheer for Polska against Czech Republic in hopes they would advance to the knockout stages. Polish citizens packed the bars and fan zones to sing "Polska bialo-czerwoni", but afterwards they took the loss in stride. In speaking to a few, they were happier about the amount of tourists in their homeland, in hopes that it helps improve the image of their country more than any result on the field could provide.
England under Roy Hodgson have played at a much higher level tactically on the defensive side of the ball than in past major tournaments, and it led them to winning the group. Will it be enough to make a serious run at the Euros? Steven Gerrard has been the best English player, but will crosses and restarts be good enough to beat Italy, Germany, and Spain?
Sports are alive and well with the past eleven days proving that: Russia defeats Czech Republic 4-1, only to crash out of Euros; Manny Pacquiao loses a controversial decision to Tim Bradley; Miami Heat go from the brink of elimination in Eastern Conference Finals to leading NBA Finals three games to one; Dale Earnhardt Jr ends a 4-year winless streak by winning at Michigan International Speedway; I’ll Have Another’s bid for the first Triple Crown in 34 years came to a peculiar end by dropping out of the Belmont with an injury; Rafael Nadal won a record seventh French Open; As the eighth seed, the Los Angeles Kings win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Those are just some of the highlights of the past eleven days in sports, which definitely beats steroids, bounties, and sex scandals.
Have you been watching EURO 2012? If so, let's hear some of your thoughts on the first round, comment below.
England under Roy Hodgson have played at a much higher level tactically on the defensive side of the ball than in past major tournaments, and it led them to winning the group. Will it be enough to make a serious run at the Euros? Steven Gerrard has been the best English player, but will crosses and restarts be good enough to beat Italy, Germany, and Spain?
Sports are alive and well with the past eleven days proving that: Russia defeats Czech Republic 4-1, only to crash out of Euros; Manny Pacquiao loses a controversial decision to Tim Bradley; Miami Heat go from the brink of elimination in Eastern Conference Finals to leading NBA Finals three games to one; Dale Earnhardt Jr ends a 4-year winless streak by winning at Michigan International Speedway; I’ll Have Another’s bid for the first Triple Crown in 34 years came to a peculiar end by dropping out of the Belmont with an injury; Rafael Nadal won a record seventh French Open; As the eighth seed, the Los Angeles Kings win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Those are just some of the highlights of the past eleven days in sports, which definitely beats steroids, bounties, and sex scandals.
Have you been watching EURO 2012? If so, let's hear some of your thoughts on the first round, comment below.
RSS Feed