EURO 2012

[Who]

So, if things stay the same, Denmark are out now? Portugal through?

So the Danes have to beat Germany to advance if Portugal draw or win.

[ederson]

Pepe protested over a hard foul.... that's the definition of irony!

[ACF]

o_O

[Who]

Three losses out of three games for Holland. Yuck.

Congrats to Germany and Portugal.

[Who]

Holland have been a massive disappointment.

High hopes for them after finishing runner-up in the World Cup two years ago.

[ACF]

I'm proud of this Danish team. They optimize what little chance they get. Germany is a country of around 82 million people. Roughly 5.5 million live in Denmark. We only get so many really good players to choose from. I had Germany as favorites before the tournament began and there's no reason to think they won't win it all if they just stay focussed.

[ederson]

Germany won`t go far... By saturday evening they`ll all be taking vacations

Italy today may re-live the 2004 nightmare... A suitable draw  between spain and croatia can sent them home just like sweden-denmark 2-2 8 years ago

[Celtics18]

I'm proud of this Danish team. They optimize what little chance they get. Germany is a country of around 82 million people. Roughly 5.5 million live in Denmark. We only get so many really good players to choose from. I had Germany as favorites before the tournament began and there's no reason to think they won't win it all if they just stay focussed.

I'm proud of that Danish team, as well.

The Germans were definitely stronger and more talented and the Danes were playing very cautiously (maybe even a bit fatigued) in that second half.  Still, I wish that grab and pull of Bendtner's jersey inside the box in the second half had been called a penalty.  That could have changed everything. 

No use crying over spilt milk, I guess. 

I don't know who I'm rooting for now.  Maybe I wouldn't hate it if that German squad won the whole thing. 

[KGs Knee]

Very pleasant day, Azzuri adavance (woo!).

I do feel for Croatia though, they play attractive ball and deservered a better fate.

I also must add, UEFA tie-breakers are mind-numbingly stupid.  Who comes up with this nonsense?

[ederson]

I agree about croatia .... Even the spanish newspapers admit that their team suffered as never before. At least spain qualified as first so they can nly face germany in the final

Why do you think that the tie breakers are stupid ? FIFA uses the same rules but in a different order

[KGs Knee]

Why do you think that the tie breakers are stupid ? FIFA uses the same rules but in a different order

First problem IS the order.  UEFA has it all wrong.

The next problem, and probably a bigger problem, is after goal differential comes total goals scored.  Total goals against should always have more importance.

Had Italy won 2-0, as they did, but Spain and Croatia tied 1-1, they (Spain/Croatia) would have advanced.  Spain due to goal differential (fair).  Croatia due to more goals scored (wrong).  Goal totals would have been Italy (4-2), Croatia (5-3).  4-2 is better than 5-3 every time.  In fact, I'm pretty sure that is how UEFA sees it in the Champions League, so why the change for the Euro Cup?

Basically, it boils down to the fact Italy's 2-0 win against Ireland was a better result than Croatia's 3-1 win against Ireland.  Somehow UEFA sees it opposite, that makes no sense.

Thankfully the point is moot though.

[ederson]

You ve got a valid point but uefa has also a a very reasonable ooint. They want to give advantage to the more offensive minded teams.

[Who]

You ve got a valid point but uefa has also a a very reasonable ooint. They want to give advantage to the more offensive minded teams.

Yes, I like giving the advantage to goals scored.

I think it encourages more open and attacking play.

[Who]

Both teams getting good chances here (England vs Ukraine).

[Fafnir]

Another botched call on whether or not the ball was across,  .