Monthly Archives: June 2012
Michel Platini upsets Sepp Blatter in moronic idea championships
Uefa president Michel Platini has caused a shock by coming up with the daftest idea so far during Euro 2012.
The French moron suggested Euro 2020 be spread out across 24 to 32 cities throughout Europe for reasons which are obviously idiotic and wrong.
It has increased speculation that the dipstick might have suffered a heavy fall recently which impairs his thinking, or whether he headed one too many balls when he was playing.
A journalist who wished to remain anonymous for fear of losing his VIP privileges at matches mused, “Everyone knows Platini wants to succeed Blatter as Fifa president and he’s going the right way about it.
“At the moment he’s spouting nonsense on such a consistent basis that it’s hard to see anyone being able to get near him.”
Bendtner fine and suspension shows the hypocrisy of football
Arsenal and Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner was fined €100,000 (~$125,797) and suspended for one World Cup Qualification match for improper conduct. This improper conduct in this case was revealing a pair of bookmaker-sponsored underwear (Paddy Power) after scoring his second goal against Portugal in their EURO 2012 match.
Bendtner was also reprimanded by the Danish Football Association (DBU) and ordered to wear those the bookmaker-sponsored underwear in Denmark’s final group stage match against Germany.
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Via UEFA.com
Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings concerning the improper conduct of Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner at the UEFA EURO 2012 Group B match against Portugal in Lviv on Wednesday 13 June, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to suspend the player for one competitive fixture.
This suspension applies to the next 2014 FIFA World Cup match, including the qualifying competition, for which Bendtner is eligible. The player has also been fined €100,000. An appeal can be lodged against this decision within three days of the dispatch of the full written decision.
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During this same tournament, the Croatian Football Federation (HNS) was fined €25,000 ($31,449) for throwing fireworks and missiles and invading the pitch during their group stage match against Ireland. In addition, the Russian Football Union was fined €125,000 ($150,054) for stadium violence after their group stage match against the Czech Republic.
FC Porto was fined £16,700 in February after their fans were cited for racial abuse of Mario Balotelli– in this case being monkey chants.
UEFA has shown yet again that the most important thing to them is money. Bendtner’s hefty fine and suspension was because he advertised an unapproved sponsor when he showed his bookmaker sponsored underwear.
Although UEFA claims differently, for them it’s all about the money.
Matchpack: Sweden v France
Reposted from Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland
Team news
Midfielder Emir Bajrami has been included in Sweden’s starting line-up against France in place of the ill Rasmus Elm. Coach Erik Hamren made two changes from the team who lost 3-2 against England and are already eliminated from the tournament, with Ola Toivonen replacing the injured Johan Elmander up front. Hamren said on Monday that Elm was ill and a decision on his participation would be made on Tuesday, while he had already announced that Elmander would be rested so he could continue his recovery from a broken foot.
Sweden team: Andreas Isaksson; Andreas Granqvist, Olof Mellberg, Jonas Olsson, Martin Olsson; Anders Svensson, Kim Kallstrom; Sebastian Larsson, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Emir Bajrami; Ola Toivonen.
With Yohan Cabaye training separately from the rest of the France squad as he carries a knock sustained in the 2-0 win over Ukraine, Yann M’Vila may come into the midfield for his first start of the tournament. Striker Karim Benzema faces competition from Olivier Giroud for the role of lone striker after failing to score in his previous two games. Arsenal defender Laurent Kocielny could also be in line for a first competitive start ahead of Adil Rami.
Qualifying chances
France and England both need a draw to be sure to go through, Ukraine need to win and Sweden are out. Of course, it is never quite that easy.
France can afford to lose and still advance if Ukraine do not beat England. Even then a single goal defeat by Sweden would still see the French through on goal difference.
In exceptional circumstances, England could also lose and still qualify.
If Sweden beat France, it would come down to goal difference between England and the French as they drew their direct encounter.
As it stands France hold a one-goal advantage but if Sweden win by two goals or more and England fare less badly against Ukraine, they could still make it.
Manager quotes
Erik Hamren: “We feel sad to be leaving Kyiv and Ukraine. We have had a fantastic time here – we could happily have stayed in our hotel a lot longer. When we lost against England, the squad were very down, and if we had been in a bad place they would have really felt that, but we had a great day on Sunday. We trained earlier so they could have a relaxed afternoon and evening. We’re sad to be going.”
Laurent Blanc: “There’s always the danger that you may take your eye off the ball. So it is up to us to prepare seriously. We also need to be very aware of what we want to achieve. We were very happy following the Ukraine game, rightly so, but as I said to the players, we now need to prepare for the next game, as a game like this against Sweden demands it.”
Match facts
England have won three and lost one of their four previous meetings with Ukraine, though Ukraine did win the last game 1-0 in World Cup 2010 qualifying.
The Three Lions have only conceded two goals in four previous games against Ukraine.
England are winless against EURO hosts in the history of the finals with two defeats (against Italy in 1980 and Sweden in 1992) and a draw (against Portugal in 2004).
England only need a draw to ensure progress to the quarter finals whilst Ukraine need to win to make it past the group stages.
Roy Hodgson and Oleh Blokhin are the two most recently appointed managers at EURO 2012: Hodgson took charge of England in May 2012 whilst Blokhin was named as Ukraine boss in April 2011.
England are unbeaten under Roy Hodgson, winning three games and drawing one.
After England (23 out of 23), Ukraine have the most players currently plying their trade in their domestic league (21 out 23) among teams taking part in EURO 2012.
England have converted 4 of their 21 shots (including blocked shots) at EURO 2012 (19%), the best ratio of the tournament after two rounds.
Ukraine’s shooting accuracy is the lowest at EURO 2012: they’ve tested the opposition goalkeeper with 21% of shots.
Three of England’s four goals at EURO 2012 have come from a cross.
Ukraine have made the most tackles at EURO 2012 after the first two rounds of matches (50).
England’s outfield players have blocked the most shots at EURO 2012 after two rounds of games (14).
England have conceded the fewest fouls after two rounds of matches at EURO 2012: 17.
Only Greece had fewer shots on target (3) than Ukraine (4) after two rounds of games at EURO 2012. Three of the four shots were by Andriy Shevchenko.
Wayne Rooney will take part in his first EURO 2012 game. He scored four goals in four games in his only previous participation at the European Championships, back in 2004.
Theo Walcott has scored a goal, delivered an assist and completed all his passes (eight out of eight) in only 30 minutes of action at EURO 2012.
Andriy Shevchenko has scored four of Ukraine’s seven goals at major international tournaments.
Match odds
Sweden 9/2, France 4/6, Draw 11/4
Article link:
Matchpack: England v Ukraine
Reposted from Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland
Team news
Theo Walcott has been passed fit for England’s final Euro 2012 group game against Ukraine. The Arsenal winger had been nursing a hamstring injury after making a match-winning substitute appearance in the 3-2 win over Sweden. He is in contention to replace James Milner, who has been largely disappointing in England’s opening two matches. Hodgson confirmed that Wayne Rooney would start after serving his two-match suspension, and must decide whether the Manchester United starts alongside Danny Welbeck or Andy Carroll.
Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko has been given only a 50-50 chance of being fit for Tuesday’s Euro 2012 Group D clash with England by his coach Oleh Blokhin. The 35-year-old striker is continuing to have treatment for the knee injury suffered initially against Sweden which he then aggravated against France, though he did take part in training on Monday night.
Qualifying chances
France and England both need a draw to be sure to go through, Ukraine need to win and Sweden are out. Of course, it is never quite that easy.
France can afford to lose and still advance if Ukraine do not beat England. Even then a single goal defeat by Sweden would still see the French through on goal difference.
In exceptional circumstances, England could also lose and still qualify.
If Sweden beat France, it would come down to goal difference between England and the French as they drew their direct encounter.
As it stands France hold a one-goal advantage but if Sweden win by two goals or more and England fare less badly against Ukraine, they could still make it.
Manager quotes
Roy Hodgson: “It’s not just England who haven’t always performed when the expectations were heightened. There’s quite a few teams that have failed. It’s a fact of life. We’ve come here with the England national team. We believe in ourselves and we want to do well. In some ways it’s rather nice that people back home are hoping and even believing we can do well, and we’re giving them something to dream about and cling onto.”
Oleg Blokhin: “We should consider England as leaders in the European Championships. They also have problems because if they lose it will be unexpected. There will be big problems for them, but it’s not the same for us. The England team will be more nervous. We have nothing to lose. They are one of the favourites and are expected to play in the final. Nobody expects that we will fly to the moon. It would be fantastic, but that’s another thing. The fans should expect good play, but we shouldn’t say to our nation ‘we’ll win the Euros’. They shouldn’t shoot at us if we lose.”
Match facts
England have won three and lost one of their four previous meetings with Ukraine, though Ukraine did win the last game 1-0 in World Cup 2010 qualifying.
The Three Lions have only conceded two goals in four previous games against Ukraine.
England are winless against EURO hosts in the history of the finals with two defeats (against Italy in 1980 and Sweden in 1992) and a draw (against Portugal in 2004).
England only need a draw to ensure progress to the quarter finals whilst Ukraine need to win to make it past the group stages.
Roy Hodgson and Oleh Blokhin are the two most recently appointed managers at EURO 2012: Hodgson took charge of England in May 2012 whilst Blokhin was named as Ukraine boss in April 2011.
England are unbeaten under Roy Hodgson, winning three games and drawing one.
After England (23 out of 23), Ukraine have the most players currently plying their trade in their domestic league (21 out 23) among teams taking part in EURO 2012.
England have converted 4 of their 21 shots (including blocked shots) at EURO 2012 (19%), the best ratio of the tournament after two rounds.
Ukraine’s shooting accuracy is the lowest at EURO 2012: they’ve tested the opposition goalkeeper with 21% of shots.
Three of England’s four goals at EURO 2012 have come from a cross.
Ukraine have made the most tackles at EURO 2012 after the first two rounds of matches (50).
England’s outfield players have blocked the most shots at EURO 2012 after two rounds of games (14).
England have conceded the fewest fouls after two rounds of matches at EURO 2012: 17.
Only Greece had fewer shots on target (3) than Ukraine (4) after two rounds of games at EURO 2012. Three of the four shots were by Andriy Shevchenko.
Wayne Rooney will take part in his first EURO 2012 game. He scored four goals in four games in his only previous participation at the European Championships, back in 2004.
Theo Walcott has scored a goal, delivered an assist and completed all his passes (eight out of eight) in only 30 minutes of action at EURO 2012.
Andriy Shevchenko has scored four of Ukraine’s seven goals at major international tournaments.
Match odds
England 11/10, Ukraine 11/4, Draw 23/10
Article link: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/match-facts-england-v-ukraine-093735397.html
Matchpack: Italy v Republic of Ireland
Reposted from Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland
Team news
Italy are hopeful of welcoming Andrea Barzagli back into the fold having missed the first two games of the tournament through injury. If the Juventus defender passes a fitness test then Cesare Prandelli is likely to revert to a back four, allowing Daniele De Rossi to return to midfield. Antonio Di Natale is pushing to start up front alongsideAntonio Cassano in place of Mario Balotelli.
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said he will field the same starting XI which lost 3-1 to Croatia in their opening match, reverting back to their regular 4-4-2 rather than the 4-5-1 they deployed against Spain. That means Kevin Doyle comes back in at the expense of Simon Cox.
Qualifying chances
Spain and Croatia will both go through if Italy fail to beat Ireland, themselves already eliminated, in the final match.
If Italy do take all three points, they would go through with the winner of the Croatia v Spain clash.
If that game is drawn it would leave all three on five points with head-to-heads coming into play. That situation would favour Spain, who go through whatever the scores, but whether Croatia or Italy would join them is complicated.
A goalless draw would favour Italy but a 1-1 draw would make the score of the Italy v Ireland match vital. Italy would then have to do better than Croatia’s 3-1 win over Ireland to reach the last eight.
A 2-2 or higher draw between Croatia and Spain is Italy’s nightmare as that would take both Croatia and Spain through and eliminate the Italians.
Manager quotes
Cesare Prandelli: “Quite honestly, I am (surprised at Ireland’s performance). They are a strong team and we need to be wary of them. They have got a lot of national pride and they have got a great ability to fight in games. As [Trapattoni’s assistant] Marco Tardelli has said, they always go out for the win, and they want to give this gift to their many fans. There are a lot of different components here and that will make it a difficult game, of course.”
Giovanni Trapattoni: “I think that we deserve to stay on. The reason is we have achieved qualification [for the European Championship] for the first time in 24 years. I think it is our right to stay on. I have enthusiasm to remain. But I ask you, how much value do you give this team for reaching the Euros? I know how much. I am proud to come here with this team and these players.”
Match facts
Italy will be eliminated if they fail to win this match.
These sides have met twice before in major tournaments, picking up one victory apiece; Italy had the better at home soil in the World Cup 1990, Ireland got their revenge by the same scoreline in 1994 in the USA.
That win in USA ‘94 remains Ireland’s only competitive victory over Italy, with the ‘Boys in Green’ losing three and drawing two of their other five meetings against the Azzurri.
However, the Italians have won just one of their last five meetings against Ireland (L2 D2).
Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, was in charge of Italy in the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.
Italy are winless in six consecutive games in major tournaments for the first time in their history (five draws, one defeat).
This is the second time the Azzurri have drawn their first two games in the group stage at a Euro Finals tournament: on the other occasion (2004) they were eliminated despite winning the third game.
Republic of Ireland have lost each of their last three Euro games, conceding eight goals in the process.
Italy have won just one of their last five Euro games in which they scored the first goal of the match.
Four of Italy’s last five goals at the Euros have come from set-pieces.
Antonio Cassano is the only outfield player to have featured in all nine of Italy’s EURO matches since the 2004 edition.
The Azzurri remain unbeaten in competitive games under Cesare Prandelli when Antonio Cassano has played: 12 games, eight wins and four draws.
Match odds
Italy 1/3, Republic of Ireland 9/1, Draw 17/4
Article link: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/match-facts-italy-v-republic-231005284.html