Match mash-up - Euro 3rd round reviewlets

[flywoman]

At least we're finally out of the group stage...



Group A

Greece vs. Russia, 1-0

Poland vs. Czech Republic, 0-1

Poland was the first host country to be eliminated from the tournament. This wasn't a huge surprise, but Greece making it to the quarterfinals was. Their next game against Germany should be a goalfest.



Group B

Germany vs. Denmark, 2-1

Officially the top team in the tournament with 9 points coming out of the group stage, Germany seems virtually unstoppable. Unfortunately I didn't watch this game because I was tuned to

Portugal vs. Holland, 2-1

Rafael Van der Vaart (cue snickers from my Spanish commentators) scored the goal of the day, but it wasn't enough to keep the Dutch in the tournament - like Ireland, Holland is leaving the Euros after three straight losses. All because Cristiano Ronaldo finally found his mojo and scored a brace for Portugal, ending the mockery and earning himself Man of the Match.



Group C

Ireland vs. Italy, 0-2

I didn't catch this game either, but hopefully damigella_314 and/or jezziejay will tell me all about it. I was busy biting my nails down to the nubs over

Spain vs. Croatia, 1-0

You are killing me, Spain. Seriously, my blood pressure may never completely recover. Our defense was disorganized, Torres' head was... somewhere else, and if it hadn't been for San Iker and his miraculous saves, we could have been out of the tournament. Granted, all of those fouls from Croatia didn't help our momentum any. At least Iniesta was his usual amazing self and then generously gifted the goal to pretty little Navas off that able assist from Cesc in the last five minutes of play... my heart.




Group D

Sweden vs. France, 2-0

Oh, France. You're passing into the quarterfinals by the skin of your teeth. You have the same strengths and weaknesses as Spain, and your star striker hasn't done squat. Something tells me that 99% of your next game will take place in the midfield.

Ukraine vs. England, 0-1

Wayne Rooney returned from suspension to score a much-needed goal three minutes into the second half, thus eliminating the other host country from the Euros. Anyone want to predict the outcome of Italy vs. England?



Again, those of you who have been watching, please chime in to agree, contradict, and/or add your own impressions from any of these matches!

Comments

[damigella-314.livejournal.com]

I was way too nervous to watch, and am glad I didn't. I knew Italy would be on the brink until the very end.
I'm not surprised Spain found it hard against Croatia, they have a really good team. With how Italy is doing, I feel it would have been fairer if the Croatian would have gotten a well deserved 1-1 tie and thus kicked Italy out honestly, with no need for a 2-2 agreement.

I'm now wondering what will happen in the quarterfinals, especially Germany-Greece; on paper there's no comoetition, but they carry so much baggage right now...

[flywoman.livejournal.com]

Really, you thought that Italy should have been knocked out?

Croatia was more effective than I'd expected... but I felt like they were playing the way the Dutch did in the WC final, so I was glad they didn't win. By the way, the refs were really lenient. Ramos made a tackle that could easily have been a penalty, while the yellow cards didn't start coming out against Croatia until they were way past due.

[damigella-314.livejournal.com]

Italy didn't deserve to go on, much as I like Prandelli personally. And the refereeing I've seen so far has been very defective, so what you tell me about Spain-Croatia isn't surprising at all.

[readingrat.livejournal.com]

Did you watch England vs. Ukraine? The not-goal that was one after all, but wasn't counted because the assistant referee at the goal didn't see it? For the life of me I don't understand why they don't handle these situations the way they do in icehockey: in case of doubt, stop the game and have the referees examine the video footage. Putting an increasing number of referees onto or next to the pitch isn't going to help matters. (I hope that assistant referee gets police protection until he leaves the Ukraine.)
The English team didn't convince me; I predict a win for Italy by a margin of two goals.

Germany-Greece; on paper there's no comoetition, but they carry so much baggage right now...
At this stage there aren't many countries left in the tournament that Germany could win against without causing resentment ... Looking at their 9 points one would think they'd had an easy time with their opponents so far, but the game against Denmark was a pretty close shave considering that Denmark isn't really considered a strong team.

It hasn't been all that convincing so far, has it?

[flywoman.livejournal.com]

I did not see the England vs. Ukraine game, but I know what you mean about the video replays. I believe that UEFA are meeting in Switzerland soon to consider a change in policy.

In my experience, these top level international competitions are not very convincing. Players that only meet up a few times a year just aren't able to play together as well as with their club teammates. But I think that Germany is the best of the lot this year, and I won't hold a grudge if they unseat Spain. (Remind me later that I said that.)

[jezziejay.livejournal.com]

Hee - I would tell you about the Ireland/Italy game, but I watched the Spain/Croatia one instead...:D I flicked between them, thought Ireland were again way out of their depth and that Andrews fully deserved his sending off. He says 'passion', I say 'temper tantrum'.

The Spanish match was exciting - and I'm glad Italy went through. Enjoyed the English match - and both of last night's games were down to the wire - so glad that they played the last group games at the same time - added an edge to watching - which is great for the nuetral viewer.

No football tonight for the first time - I miss it!

[flywoman.livejournal.com]

Hee - I would tell you about the Ireland/Italy game, but I watched the Spain/Croatia one instead...:D

Shameless hussy, lol. I feel bad for Ireland, but they were seriously outclassed in this tournament.

so glad that they played the last group games at the same time - added an edge to watching - which is great for the nuetral viewer

While I'm far from neutral, I found that I didn't care so much what the standings were for the other game even though I knew that they would also affect the eventual outcome. I was just anxious to see "my" team play well.

No football tonight for the first time - I miss it!

I know, right? Although maybe I'll finally get some sh*t done around here.