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My EURO 2012 semifinal predictions
Who will get through these mouth-watering semis? (MenMedia.co.uk)
It’s time for my EURO 2012 semifinal predictions. Going 4 for 4 with my quarterfinal picks after my miserable group stage showing made me feel a lot better about myself.
Let’s keep this streak going!
The Battle of the Iberian Peninsula. Spain is trying to be the first to win three consecutive major titles while Portugal is trying to win their first major football title.
Both teams came through in 1-0 victories against opposition who weren’t up to the challenge. I don’t see that being the case in this match.
Portugal is playing like people have expected them to for years, one of the best teams in the world. Like every other team in the world against Spain, Portugal will be playing counterattacking football in this match. A key point to watch throughout this match is how deep are the Portuguese going to defend (the deeper the line the more difficult it’ll be for them to advance).
Unlike any other team during this era of Spanish dominance, Portugal actually defeated Spain handily in their last meeting (4-0 win in Lisbon in 2011 which was Spain’s worst loss in over 40 years).
Of course this was a friendly, so it should be taken with a grain of salt.
Portugal sports another edge that very few teams have against Spain, they have the best player on the pitch in Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo and the Spanish team are well acquainted with one another with Ronaldo being a dominant force for Real Madrid in La Liga.
It has been reported that Spain will man mark Ronaldo throughout the match, something that is quite common for Ronaldo to face; however, Spain is a different animal.
If Spain is allowed to dominate possession in their attacking third as they almost always do, I just don’t see Portugal beating them. There is just too much experience for the Portuguese to overcome here. Ronaldo needs to score for Portugal to win, there are just more options at Spain’s disposal.
Spain 1 Portugal 0 (The typical Spanish scoreline)
Match Odds
Spain 19/20, Draw 23/10, Portugal 7/2
A match between two sides who make a living in this stage of international competitions.
This time is somewhat different though which Germany being a dominant side who was widely tabbed at being on of the favorites of this competition while due to the match fixing scandal in Italy there was talk before the tournament that Italy might withdraw from the competition.
Germany has been very good so far in this tournament, but they still haven’t reached their peak. If Italy was more efficient in front of goal in this tournament they very well might be favorites in this match.
Both of these sides are much more free-flowing than they’ve been in the past. Germany has more overall talent in their squad, but Italy is more dependable in the back. For a team that has won a nation’s record 15 straight competitive internationals, Germany does allow an awful lot of goals (somehow they allowed two to Greece in the quarterfinals).
If these Germans are misfiring in front of goal this will give Italy the opportunity they need to defeat them. The Germans will not keep a clean sheet in this match.
I don’t see the Italians scoring more than once, but the Germans are very capable of scoring 3 or 4 if they are efficient in front of goal.
I am very interested to see what the German starting XI will look like tomorrow (whether Ruus or Klose will get the start tomorrow after their solid quarterfinal showings)
I think these Germans are on a mission and will get to another major final.
Germany 2 Italy 1
Match Odds
Germany 10/11, Draw 12/5, Italy 7/2
My EURO 2012 quarterfinal predictions
Will this finally be Ronaldo and Portugal’s time? (Ronaldo7.net)
It’s time for my EURO 2012 quarterfinal predictions. After looking at my pre-tournament predictions, I don’t know what to think after the group stage. Going 3 for 8 picking teams to advance to the quarterfinals is simply awful.
Time to make amends!
Portugal v. Czech Republic
This is a matchup between a Group of Death survivor against a Group of Life survivor. I think death has the advantage here.
Portugal was the second best team in their immensely difficult group while the Czechs won their much weaker group. Portugal is getting stronger as the tournament is progressing while the Czechs have been labeled as one of the weaker teams in the tournament and their captain is injured. However, the Czechs have also made significant progress in this tournament after their 4-1 loss in their opener.
The team which the Czechs faced in this tournament which is most like the Portuguese is Russia. The Czechs were thoroughly destroyed by Russia, this could be an ominous sign for the Czechs.
Ronaldo finally scored which could be a start of good things to come for Portugal. Portugal will dominate the proceedings in this match.
If Portugal puts away their chances they will advance. I believe that they will and will advance to their third semifinal in their last four EURO appearances.
Portugal 2 Czech Republic 0
Match Odds
Portugal 4/5, Czech Republic 4/1, Draw 5/2
Germany vs. Greece
This is a matchup between the weakest team left in the tournament, Greece, against a pre-tournament favorite, Germany.
The Group of Life survivor, Greece, is fortunate to be in the knockout stage. However, they escaped with a victory against Russia so all power to them.
The winner of the Group of Death, Germany, won all of their group stage matches but haven’t reached their top stride yet.
The Germans are by far the better side here and will dominate proceedings throughout this match. I see the Greeks having 10 people behind the ball for long periods of time in this match.
This match will come down to whether the Germans will be able to put away their chances. The Germans will of course put away enough of their chances, they are German which synonymous in football with ruthless and efficient.
Germany 3 Greece 1
Match Odds
Germany 4/11, Greece 9/1, Draw 15/4
Spain vs. France
This is the first heavyweight fight of the knockout stage with the defending EURO and World Cup champions facing off against the last side to knock them out of a major international tournament (2006 World Cup).
France looked to be the favorite in Group D until they collapsed in the second half against Sweden in their final match. Spain definitely hasn’t played their best up to this point in the tournament, but still finished at the top of a pretty difficult group which included Italy and Croatia.
If France isn’t at their best, Spain will win simple as that. France’s back four looked shaky in their first true test against Sweden plus Philippe Mexes will be missing out due to picking up his second yellow card against Sweden.
Spain in this match, as always, will dominate possession. If Spain is able to finish their chances, they will go through. However, they are missing their best finisher in David Villa and Fernando Torres is not in the best form at the moment, so it isn’t a given that Spain will go through
Karim Benzema needs to play like a number 9 in this match and stay up front. If he continuously drops into the midfield, something he does regularly, France will struggle to keep possession against the Spain.
France will perform better against Spain than they did against Sweden, but it won’t be enough. Spain as they’ve done the past two major tournaments will do enough to reach their third consecutive major semifinal.
Spain 1 France 0
Match Odds
Spain 17/20, France 15/4, Draw 12/5
England vs. Italy
This is the most intriguing of all the quarterfinals for me. The English performed admirably without Wayne Rooney in their first two matches, but then were disappointing in their 1-0 win against Ukraine. The Italians performed very well in their opening two matches against Spain and Croatia and finished with a very Italian performance in their final match to progress to the knockout stages.
Both teams are quite capable of scoring a goal and sitting on a 1-0 lead. This is why the first goal, if there is one, is key in this match. Whoever scores first in this match will advance.
I really don’t know which way to go here, I see these sides as being evenly matched. Since I have to pick though, I think Italy deserve the nod due to their past successes.
Italy 2 England 1 (a.e.t)
Match Odds
Italy 17/10, England 15/8, Draw 21/10
Matchpack: Portugal v Netherlands
Reposted from Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland
TEAM NEWS
Portugal coach Paulo Bento will almost certainly keep faith with the same starting line-up with none of his squad injured. That would mean an unchanged team for the fifth straight competitive match after their two play-off games with Bosnia and first two matches in this tournament.
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk is keeping his starting line-up to himself but the temptation will surely be to start with a formation similar to the one that finished against Germany. Trailing 2-0 at half-time Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was introduced at centre forward with Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben playing in the wide roles and midfielder Wesley Sneijder given a more advanced position. Rafael van der Vaart is another option for the left flank while skipper and defensive midfielder Mark Van Bommel could be sacrificed.
MANAGER QUOTES
Paulo Bento: “Our aim is not only to go through but to win the game. We know what their tactics will be. Dutch teams like to have the ball and dictate the game. They have always had a great technical quality but this cannot let us rely just on our counter-attacks – we need to possess the ball too. And I don’t think the Netherlands have an advantage just because they’ve played here (Kharkiv) twice. We have already shown great defensive quality. We will try to counter-attack better and will fight until the end. Although the Netherlands haven’t won yet, they deserve a lot of respect. They are very organised and have great quality. They have great pedigree and also can reach the quarter-finals. I’m a great optimist. I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
Bert van Marwijk: “The biggest change for us is that it is about one game, it’s like a final – a one off-game and so we have to go for it. We need Germany to win but we know from the start we have to win by two goals and I will keep that in mind. We have to go for it, that’s what the tactics are based on… the tactics will reflect that situation. It’s going to be a frantic game and there were lots of yellow and red cards in the past. So we need lots of discipline for this game. I told the players that but they know that themselves.”
QUALIFYING CHANCES
All four teams can still go through or be eliminated.
Germany hold the best cards and would qualify with a win or draw against Denmark. Even if they lose, they would still reach the quarter-finals if Portugal do not beat Netherlands.
Portugal and Denmark have identical records – and there it gets complicated. If both win their last group games, they would finish with Germany on six points and the three would have to be separated on the basis of head-to-heads. In that situation, Denmark would be sure to go through, whatever the scores, and Portugal would probably join them.
Germany could oust Portugal only if they lose by a single goal margin and score two or more goals, for example 2-3, 3-4 etc. Any other defeat would send them home.
If both matches are drawn, Portugal would go through and Denmark would be out by virtue of losing to the Portuguese in the direct encounter. In other circumstances, whichever of Portugal or Denmark gets the best result will qualify – unless both lose.
In that case the two countries would finish with the Dutch on three points and head-to-heads would again come into play. Netherlands would go through only if they beat Portugal by two goals or more. Denmark would definitely be out, whatever the scores, and Portugal would be through if they lose by one goal.
MATCH FACTS
Netherlands have only won one of their previous 10 internationals against Portugal; 1-0 in Rotterdam in a Euro 1992 qualification game.
Portugal have won both clashes with the Oranje in major tournaments, winning 1-0 in the 2006 World Cup and 2-1 in Euro 2004.
The Dutch have failed to score in six of their 10 meetings with Portugal.
The meeting between the sides at the 2006 World Cup holds the record for most red cards (four) shown in any game at World Cups or European Championships.
Portugal haven’t drawn a group stage game at the European Championships since a 1-1 against Denmark in 1996, (W10 L3).
The Netherlands have lost their last three games in Euros and World Cups combined, scoring only one goal in the process.
In 2008, the Dutch won all three games in the Euro group stages – now they fear losing all three.
The Netherlands are the team with the most shots (46) but the fewest goals (one) in Group B.
Portugal’s last five goals conceded at Euros were all headers.
None of the Netherlands’ last seven goals at Euros has been scored before the 54th minute.
In both games at Euro 2012 the Dutch have conceded the opening goal in the 24th minute.
The Netherlands’ only way to reach the quarter-finals is to beat Portugal by at least two goals and hope Denmark lose against Germany.
MATCH ODDS
Portugal 17/10 Draw 5/2 Netherlands 6/4
Article link: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/match-facts-portugal-v-netherlands-013057635.html
Matchpack: Denmark v Germany
Reposted from Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland
TEAM NEWS
The Danes will be without experienced winger Dennis Rommedahl, injured against Portugal, and he will likely be replaced by Tobias Mikkelsen. Midfielder Niki Zimling faces a race to recover from a muscle injury suffered in the early part of the 3-2 loss to Portugal on Wednesday.
The Germans will be without suspended right back Jerome Boateng with Lars Bender the most likely candidate to replace him, leaving captain Philipp Lahm on the left. Schalke’s Benedikt Hoewedes is an alternative. Assistant coach Hansi Flick said Lukas Podolski needed to improve in attack but the rest of the team that beat Portugal and the Dutch is set to be retained.
MANAGER QUOTES
Morten Olsen: “I am absolutely sure that Germany will not underestimate us. They know that we have a team that on the day can play against any opponent so we don’t have this advantage as we did 20 years ago. As sports people we have experienced two dressing rooms, one which was euphoric and one that was filled with grave emotions and darkness. We, of course, prefer the feeling we had after the Dutch game.”
Joachim Loew: “We will not underestimate them. We have not qualified yet and need at least one point. It will be a tight match. Denmark also have hopes of reaching the last eight, we always knew they would be a threat as they’re compact and very dangerous on the counterattack.”
QUALIFYING CHANCES
All four teams can still go through or be eliminated.
Germany hold the best cards and would qualify with a win or draw against Denmark. Even if they lose, they would still reach the quarter-finals if Portugal do not beat Netherlands.
Portugal and Denmark have identical records – and there it gets complicated. If both win their last group games, they would finish with Germany on six points and the three would have to be separated on the basis of head-to-heads. In that situation, Denmark would be sure to go through, whatever the scores, and Portugal would probably join them.
Germany could oust Portugal only if they lose by a single goal margin and score two or more goals, for example 2-3, 3-4 etc. Any other defeat would send them home.
If both matches are drawn, Portugal would go through and Denmark would be out by virtue of losing to the Portuguese in the direct encounter. In other circumstances, whichever of Portugal or Denmark gets the best result will qualify – unless both lose.
In that case the two countries would finish with the Dutch on three points and head-to-heads would again come into play. Netherlands would go through only if they beat Portugal by two goals or more. Denmark would definitely be out, whatever the scores, and Portugal would be through if they lose by one goal.
MATCH FACTS
All three clashes between Denmark and Germany in major tournaments have ended 2-0, with Denmark winning in the 1986 World Cup and Euro 1992 and Germany in Euro 1988.
Denmark are unbeaten in three clashes with Germany, winning two (all friendlies).
Dennis Rommedahl netted three goals in those matches.
The Danes have netted just one first half goal in their last 10 meetings with Germany combined.
Any Danish win guarantees them a place in the quarter-finals. Germany need just a draw to reach the last eight.
Germany have won all of their last 13 competitive games – an all-time record in DFB history.
Furthermore Germany are the only team to win all of their qualifying and tournament matches in EURO 2012 and have scored the first goal in each of these games.
The German team have won their first two matches at EURO finals for their fourth time. On the previous three occasions they managed this, they went on to lift the trophy.
Nicklas Bendtner became the fifth Danish player to score a brace at European Championship finals in his side’s last game against Portugal (after Arnesen, Larsen, B. Laudrup, Tomasson).
Mario Gomez netted three goals with his first five shots at EURO 2012 after failing to score with any of his five at Euro 2008.
MATCH ODDS
Denmark 9/2 Draw 14/5 Germany 8/13
Article link: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/match-facts-denmark-v-germany-013623297.html
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