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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
Sepp Blatter now sees goal-line technology is ‘a necessity,’ I say it’s about time!
After years of tip-toeing around the issue, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has finally admitted that goal-line technology is a necessity in modern football. Ironically or not, what caused Blatter to say this was an overlooked goal that went in favor of England.
This overlooked goal that went in favor of England was part of a 1-0 win for England against Ukraine in their final group stage match. This match has been overshadowed by Ukraine shot which crossed the line and would’ve tied the match 1-1. (Note: prior to the shot going over the line Ukraine should have been called for offside.)
Now it’s time for Goal Line Technology! (Getty)
Maybe it took two years for goal-line technology to truly be reassessed so England could benefit from the lack of goal-line technology in a major tournament. (Note: A Frank Lampard clearly crossed over the line in 2010 World Cup quarterfinal match against Germany.)
A final decision is already set to be made at International Football Association Board‘s meeting on July 2, let’s hope they make the right decision!
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
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.
________________________________________________________________
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.
________________________________________________________________
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
Matchpack: Croatia v Spain
Reposted from Yahoo! Sport UK & Ireland
Team news
Striker Nikica Jelavic missed training for Croatia on Saturday with a fever, but is expected to recover in time for the crucial clash against the defending champions. It remains to be seen if coach Slaven Bilic sticks with his favoured midfield diamond or goes with the 4-2-3-1 that he switched to during the match against Italy four days ago, from which they scored to earn 1-1 draw.
Although Spain’s progress into the quarter-finals is by no means confirmed, coach Vicente del Bosque‘s thoughts may turn to his three players – Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres – who are already on yellow cards and will be suspended for their next game if they pick up another booking against Croatia. Despite scoring in both of Spain’s matches thus far, Cesc Fabregas may find himself on the bench once more.
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
Slaven Bilic: “A [high-scoring] draw doesn’t enter into our minds, that would be stupid. My players know what they must do and their levels of determination are sufficiently high. This is the most important game of their generation. It won’t be easy as they have been the best team in the world over the past four or five years but we will look to hold possession for as long as possible while running as much as we can. We play our best when we play against the top teams.”
Vicente del Bosque: “We are a very strong team but football can always spring surprises. You saw that in the semi-finals of the Champions League this season while at these finals I thought Poland and Russia would go through but that didn’t come to pass. Anything can happen, we must be aware of that and of the fact that being overconfident in this sport can make things very tricky. If we are not alert we will be punished, I have no doubt about that.”
Match facts
Spain are unbeaten in three games against Croatia, last tasting defeat to them in 1994.
This will be the first competitive meeting between these two sides.
If Croatia and Spain share a draw in this match, scoring two or more goals each, they will both reach the quarter-finals.
Croatia are unbeaten in their last six fixtures at the European Championship Finals (four wins), and have scored in each of the last eight.
Spain are unbeaten in each of their last eight games at Euro Finals.
Last Thursday’s 4-0 win over the Republic of Ireland ended a run of five consecutive games between Euros and World Cup in which La Roja had always scored exactly one goal.
Antonio Di Natale’s goal in the opening game of this tournament was the only one Spain have conceded over their last six games in major international tournaments.
Over their last 24 fixtures at Euros and World Cup, the only side able to score more than a single goal against Spain were France (3-1 in the 2006 World Cup).
Mario Mandzukic has had only four shots at Euro 2012 but has scored with three of them.
The brace netted against Ireland has allowed Fernando Torres to join David Villa as the Spanish best-scorer at European Championships on four goals.
In their last game against Ireland, Spain set a new record for most passes in a match at the Euros: 860 (previous most was 778).
Match odds
Croatia 9/1, Spain 1/2, Draw 13/5
Article link: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/match-facts-croatia-v-spain-230443457.html
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
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