EURO'S ROUND UP, Euro 2012

           

Favourite Games

Spain vs Italy (Group Stage)

Favourite game of the tournament.  Fifth game in put the defending champions against the Italians.  Italy struck first, a goal by Di Natale who was picked out by Andrea Pirlo.  Italy were dogged, got amongst the Spanish and were fearless.  They were the better team in the first half.  Spain came out stronger in the second and Italy's lead did not last long.  Cesc Fabregas equalised minutes after di Natale's 61st minute strike.  Italy defended well and had to really hold on as towards the end of the game two excellent chances fell to Fernando Torres.  One of these required a well timed interception from Buffon, who came sprinted off his line to nab the ball of a hesitant Torres. 

Germany vs Holland (Group Stage)

The Dutch in turmoil and not functioning as a team, it was a critical game for them.  Germany had a 100% record and the Dutch badly needed a result.  Added fire due to the rivalry between the sides.  Robin van Persie failed to live up to expectations in  the euro's missed two good early chances, the Dutch having a bright fifteen minutes at the start of the match.  Bastian Schweinsteiger struggling for fitness played his best football of the tournament, though not as good as he can be he kept the game flowing, made notable interceptions and set up both Gomez goals.  The pass for Gomez second was excellent.  Mario Gomez struck twice in the first half and these goals were enough to seal the win for Germany.  His first was a powerful shot that he took on the turn.  The Dutch through Van Persie got a goal back in the second half.  However the Germans seen it out, unflustered and calm they defended very well.  Hummel's was brilliant, looked unbeatable.  Germany could have scored more but were wasteful in front of goal.   Stekelenburg the Dutch keeper was called into action with a double save, great reactions and one of the best saves of the tournament. 

Italy vs Germany (Semi-Final)

Italy outplayed the Germans for the most part.  They looked the better team.  Up until then the Germans hadn't been properly tested.  Italy took the game to them as they had done throughout the Euro's.  The Germans clearly didn't watch the England quarter final game and suicidally allowed Pirlo all the time and space he needed to control the game.  Both teams had their chances.  Germany looking stronger when they replaced a slow Podolski in the second half and also brought on The last few minutes of the match were chaos.  The Italians were penalised for a handball and Mesut Ozil converted the penalty.  Manuel Neuer ventured forwards and the Italian defence looked very nervous and disorganised.  It was panic ridden end to the match and exciting for it, at one stage it looked like the Germans would equalise and the match go to extra time.  Disappointingly that didn't happen and the ref blew time, he blew too soon and didn't add on time to account for the penalty.  Germany in that regard could feel unfortunate.  However despite the chaos of the ending the Italian's deserved the win and progression.  It was the enigmatic Mario Balotelli who provided their two goals and despite what he had said there was no way he wasn't going to celebrate!

Denmark vs Portugal (Group Stage)

Both these teams most be familiar with one another, especially as they shared a group in qualifying- a group which the Danes topped.  It was a thrilling game with plenty of goals and drama.  Impressive fight from Denmark in the match made it very difficult for Portugal.  Ronaldo very much Portugal's main man had a poor match by his lofty standards and missed two chances put on a plate for him.  His blushes were spared when Varela came on and scored a last minute winner.  Impressed by how good the Danes were in possession in this match and they seen more of the ball than Portugal.  With the Portuguese potency on the wings the Danish defence was exposed easily.  At the other end the Portuguese defence was beaten twice, two headers by Bendtner were a great way for him to celebrate his 50th cap for his country.  Bendtner enjoys a good record against them, having scored six goals in five appearances.  Nani was Portugal's biggest threat on the night, he created countless chances and delivered some pinpoint crosses.  Unfortunately neither Postiga or Ronaldo could take advantage.  It was an exciting game that ebbed and flowed and love when teams manage to win games at the death.

Favourite Goals

	Blaszczykowski vs Russia

Alba vs Italy

Pirlo vs Croatia

Ibrahimovic vs France

Gomez vs Holland

Favourite Moments 

- Pirlo's penalty against England was undoubtedly that!  His performance in that match wasn't half bad either.

- Lewandowski getting the opening goal of the tournament, just knew it would happen- should've had money on it!

- Varela coming on to score a late winner for Portugal.

- The last few chaotic minutes of the Italy vs Germany semi.  Exciting and Neuer rampaging up the pitch added to it.  Italy well dominated and it was a game that had everything.


- Danny Welbeck's inspired finish against Ukraine.

- Buffon's intensity and passion singing the Italian national anthem- Fratelli d'Italia is one of the best.

 - Andiry Shevchenko's brace against Sweeden, pure joy.

- Wonderful bit of football that was Alba's goal, everything about it was absolute class.  Pass from Xavi mouthwatering.

- The unpredictable Balotelli's goal against the Irish.  Brilliant finish even with John O'Shea tugging away at him.

- The real Ronaldo stands up and delivers.  A poor start and he came back with a bang versus the Czechs.

Standout Players

Where do I start?!  There were many players that had excellent tournaments and it is always a great way to spot other players that play in other leagues, up and coming ones and also to see them out of their comfort zone and familiarity of club football.  Andres Iniesta was named player of the tournament, well deserved.  He was eye catching, influential and skillful.  David Alba was excellent and scored in my opinion the best goal of the Euro's in the final.  He looks a brilliant player and a steal at the price Barcelona payed for him.  Left back has been a position that has fallen short of the rest of their team but in Alba they look like they have found their player, watch out Real Madrid! Pepe was excellent in the heart of the Portuguese defence looked absolutely unpassable at times and didn't have any mental moments neither!  Ronaldo had a mixed tournament I thought, he didn't impress in the first couple of group games.  He was brilliant against the Dutch and Czech's, when he is good he's good.



There was no team that I enjoyed more than Italy in the tournament.  I loved the freedom and intensity at which they played.  Andrea Pirlo was at the very centre of it and was masterful.  Creating chances and his passing was incredible.

Personal Best X1

Casillas

Coentrao  Pepe  Hummels  Alba

   De Rossi      Pirlo    Busquets

      Ozil     Mandzukic    Iniesta  

Honourable mentions- Alonso,  Khedira, Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic, Berzagli, Moutinho, Krohn-Dehli, Dzagoev, Debuchy, Bonucci, Motolivo 

Disappointments

- Germany, mainly for the fitness of Schweinsteiger very unfortunate with that and they'd have had a better chance with him fully fit.  Possibly, also the decisions of Low- he changed the team about a-lot and was criticised for playing Podolski over more pacy/skilled players in the semi's.  A very young team still but do hope to see the Germans go on and do it and win a top honour, have become international footballs nearly men.

- Final itself and did enjoy it very much- Spain rightfully won.  First half in particular was so good and it promised a-lot, though Spain were leading 2-0 and with an impressive defensive record stretching many matches Italy did look like they had a goal in them.  Did change in the second half.   Bit of a stickler how the match went.  Italy losing two players due to injury and then having to play with ten men for last half hour.  Match was over as a contest then.  It was ever so cruel!

- Ronaldo being Ronaldo.  Should have been one of the first players taking a pen, too selfish.   As  captain he should be the one take responsibility and give his team confidence.


- Expected more from Poland, especially as they were the host nation.  They started well, first half hour of opening game they looked promising. 

- Dutch and French, have some excellent players but inner turmoil within their teams sent the wagon off the tracks- useless lot of egotistical gits in the main.

- Though not on the pitch, sack Mark Lawrenson seemed an even more miserable git than usual.  A-few of the pundits through the course of it were poor but maybe should be thankful not Irish and having to listen to Dunphy!  Vialli was brilliant though.

- Karagounis getting second yellow for a non-existent dive and therefore missed Greece's quarter final clash against Germany.



- The fact that it was just over far, far too quickly!

Well done Spain, it is going to take a very special team to wrest the silverware back off of you- especially as they continue to produce such fine footballers.  They brought the style out in full for the final and justly rewarded for sticking to their principles.  The thing I admire most in them is that all of their players front to back are such excellent footballers, for all positions their technical ability is just outstanding. 

So, for anyone that may read this what were your moments of the Euro's?  Would be very interested to hear.