EURO 2012 Poland/Ukraine [OPEN SPOILERS] - Page 4

MJinks · #**151** 06-12-2012, 11:59 AM

It's only a minor thing but I really hate it when a ball hits the post/crossbar and the commentators keep saying the player was unlucky. He wasn't unlucky, he was inaccurate...

Dead Cat · #**152** 06-12-2012, 12:08 PM

I think that's why I used to like Jonathan Pearce so much as a commentator - when he first came on the scene, for Channel 5, he wasn't any more perceptive than any other commentator, but he made the game exciting with his style. Since then he has toned it down into more of a "Motson-lite" - unfortunately Motson seems to be the one they all want to emulate, and IMHO Motson is pretty bad - useless and inane stats, sometimes not quite keeping up with play. I would still rather hear him over Clive Tyldesley, though. Unfortunately I don't have Sky so I rarely get to hear the best and worst they have to offer.

polar bear · #**153** 06-12-2012, 12:57 PM

I always liked how Motty pronounced Nedved's name right (and made a point of doing so), but made a hash out of all the other Czech players. I watch the BBC MOTD and halftimes sometimes - no commercials - and haven't been able to figure out why they keep paying Alan Shearer to say the most obvious things... or maybe he just shows up everyday and nobody has the heart to tell him he's not needed *let's just pull up an extra chair*.

Colophon · #**154** 06-12-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polar bear

and haven't been able to figure out why they keep paying Alan Shearer to say the most obvious things... or maybe he just shows up everyday and nobody has the heart to tell him he's not needed *let's just pull up an extra chair*.

That's not fair. Without Alan Shearer's input, how would we know that Alan Shearer would have easily scored all those chances that the strikers missed?

RetroVertigo · #**155** 06-12-2012, 01:50 PM

I love watching Russia play any team (in any sport) from the Eastern Bloc. Very hard played games with a lot of emotion.

Novelty Bobble · #**156** 06-12-2012, 02:18 PM

Oh, and every time Chris Waddle says "pelanty" I'm going to kill a kitten. The dozy mackem twat can't even pronounce the word so no wonder he blazed one over in 1990.

Švejk · #**157** 06-12-2012, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alka Seltzer

I'm not expecting the opener to be the most exciting game, both Poland and Greece have good defensive records and poor offensive ones.

The current game again shows that this is wrong with regards to Poland. The Poles have a very nice offensive record and their best players (like Lewandowski) are attackers or attacking midfielders. Save for the goalies, though, their defense is rather poor.

Alka Seltzer · #**158** 06-12-2012, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Švejk

The current game again shows that this is wrong with regards to Poland. The Poles have a very nice offensive record and their best players (like Lewandowski) are attackers or attacking midfielders. Save for the goalies, though, their defense is rather poor.

I was happy to be proven wrong, watching as a neutral I like to see good attacking play, and dodgy defending. It's harder to appreciate good defensive play when it's not your team.

(Btw, Poland came into this tournament having conceded 1 goal in 6 matches, and Greece scored fewer goals than any team that qualified. It wasn't much of a prediction on my part, I hadn't seen either team actually play for some time.)

MaxTheVool · #**159** 06-12-2012, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJinks

It's only a minor thing but I really hate it when a ball hits the post/crossbar and the commentators keep saying the player was unlucky. He wasn't unlucky, he was inaccurate...

Eh, I think that's an arguable point. Even absolute world class athletes who have more skill than anyone else don't have (and never could have) truly pinpoint control. It's probably a bit easier to think about it in basketball. Michael Jordan is going to make some percentage of shots from 3-point range. It's a lot more than you or I (or most professional basketball players) will make, but it's not 100%. And Michael Jordan more than most people has the ability to get himself into a position where he can take an open shot, and has the nerve to be able to make that shot with 0.1 seconds left on the clock. And yet he's STILL going to miss it some percent of the time. Now, it's obviously a bit weird feeling to say he "got unlucky" when he misses, as it's basically 100% pure skill, but if, at the absolute limit of human skill, one can only make that shot 80% of the time, and this happens to be one of the 20% when he misses...

polar bear · #**160** 06-13-2012, 10:38 AM

Just over 3 hours till kick off... I feel sick.

Cumbrian · #**161** 06-13-2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxTheVool

Eh, I think that's an arguable point. Even absolute world class athletes who have more skill than anyone else don't have (and never could have) truly pinpoint control. It's probably a bit easier to think about it in basketball. Michael Jordan is going to make some percentage of shots from 3-point range. It's a lot more than you or I (or most professional basketball players) will make, but it's not 100%. And Michael Jordan more than most people has the ability to get himself into a position where he can take an open shot, and has the nerve to be able to make that shot with 0.1 seconds left on the clock. And yet he's STILL going to miss it some percent of the time. Now, it's obviously a bit weird feeling to say he "got unlucky" when he misses, as it's basically 100% pure skill, but if, at the absolute limit of human skill, one can only make that shot 80% of the time, and this happens to be one of the 20% when he misses...

Also when he hits the woodwork it may well be because he's also having to avoid having his shot saved, which means he is more likely to be aiming at the corners of the net where, lo and behold, he is more likely to hit the woodwork, as it is in close proximity. In simplistic terms, he's not just trying to put the ball into a big net - he's actually having to fit into a small part of that big net which generally will be close to the frame of goal.

ETA: Big game on now. Denmark v Portugal. Denmark could go through with a win. They could also knock out Portugal (if the Netherlands-Germany game ends in a draw or a German win).

Cumbrian · #**162** 06-13-2012, 11:25 AM

And Portugal go 1-0 up. Pepe from a corner, flicking one in with his head at the near post. Nothing more than Portugal deserve - they've been the better side thus far.

Švejk · #**163** 06-13-2012, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polar bear

Just over 3 hours till kick off... I feel sick.

Don't worry, we'll win. I promise!

Cumbrian · #**164** 06-13-2012, 11:36 AM

And now 2-0. Postiga scores. Can't see them losing this at the minute.

And within the edit window, Denmark make it 2-1. Good goal but against the run of play really.

Alka Seltzer · #**165** 06-13-2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cumbrian

Also when he hits the woodwork it may well be because he's also having to avoid having his shot saved, which means he is more likely to be aiming at the corners of the net where, lo and behold, he is more likely to hit the woodwork, as it is in close proximity.

Yes, and in addition to that the ball doesn't travel in a straight line. No matter how good a player's technique, they can't perfectly control how much spin they impart on the ball.

Švejk · #**166** 06-13-2012, 11:41 AM

And it's 2-1 - Bendtners fifth goal in five games against Portugal, an enviable record!

Cumbrian · #**167** 06-13-2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Švejk

And it's 2-1 - Bendtners fifth goal in five games against Portugal, an enviable record!

I believe the relevant chant is "Can we play you, Can we play you, Can we play you every week? Can we play you every week?"

Really Not All That Bright · #**168** 06-13-2012, 11:59 AM

Watched the Poland-Russia match on DVR last night. I was really impressed by Arshavin and Lewandowski in the first half, and completely underwhelmed by both in the second half. It seemed like neither was match fit; both were obviously exhausted by about the 65th minute. It was particularly true of Lewandowski, and I couldn't believe he didn't get subbed out. Do the Poles just not have any other good strikers?

Jas09 · #**169** 06-13-2012, 12:04 PM

Arshavin hasn't been match-fit in years. That was the big problem at Arsenal, he'd look great and then completely wear out.

As for Bentnder, he's well on his way to reaching his goal of becoming "the greatest striker of all time"...

Lochdale · #**170** 06-13-2012, 12:07 PM

Another problem was that Wegner played him as a winger.

Good match, a Portugal win means that Holland have to get something from tonight's match. Otherwise Portugal will play a Germany with little to play for.

Ronaldo should have scored.

polar bear · #**171** 06-13-2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lochdale

Another problem was that Wegner played him as a winger.

Good match, a Portugal win means that Holland have to get something from tonight's match. Otherwise Portugal will play a Germany with little to play for.

Ronaldo should have scored.

The opposite is true. A Portugal win is the only way the Dutch can lose and still go through. If Germany beat Denmark; a Portugal win today will mean that a Dutch win on Sunday leaves 3 teams with 3 points... goal difference will decide. If this is the same, the team with the highest fifa ranking advances...really. I hate that I know this

.

ETA last matches are Portugal-Netherlands and Germany-Denmark.

Colophon · #**172** 06-13-2012, 12:37 PM

I have a feeling that Germany - Netherlands will provide the first 0-0 of the tournament tonight. Neither side appear to have packed their shooting boots, based on their first matches. That said, the Dutch will have to go for the win as they're sitting rock bottom of the group.

Edit: and just as I say that Denmark make it 2-2... shortly after a horrendous miss from Ronaldo when he should have had it in the bag for Portugal.

chizzuk · #**173** 06-13-2012, 12:38 PM

How did Cristiano Ronaldo miss that???

And now Denmark scores!

polar bear · #**174** 06-13-2012, 12:42 PM

Worst thing possible!! If is stays like this Holland will have to win both remaining matches (or rely on Denmark to beat Germany). I feel dirty wanting Portugal to nick it.

ITE thank god for that, I'm off to take a shower.

Colophon · #**175** 06-13-2012, 12:46 PM

2-3 Portugal!

Colophon · #**176** 06-13-2012, 12:55 PM

So, if Holland beat Germany tonight (big if!) then each team will have one win and one loss, making them all level on points. For extra symmetry it'll need to be a 3-2 win.

polar bear · #**177** 06-13-2012, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colophon

So, if Holland beat Germany tonight (big if!) then each team will have one win and one loss, making them all level on points. For extra symmetry it'll need to be a 3-2 win.

True, some further points. A two goal win for the Dutch means they only need a daw in the last match.

A draw will mean they need to beat Portugal and have Germany beat Denmark.

A loss means the same, except that they'll have to beat Portugal with enough margin to stay ahead of both Portugal and Denmark (which would depend on the Holland-Germany and Germany-Denmark results).

Now I'm off to the pub to get as drunk as I can before kick off

.

MaxTheVool · #**178** 06-13-2012, 01:12 PM

I root for Holland, and really really hate Christiano Ronaldo, meaning I usually root against Portugal. But I guess this was the best possible result for me... Portugal wins, so Holland controls their own fate, but Ronaldo scores no goals and generally sucks.

Colophon · #**179** 06-13-2012, 02:08 PM

There goes my 0-0 prediction. 1-0 Germany.

chizzuk · #**180** 06-13-2012, 02:11 PM

Utterly absurd amount of space around Schweinsteiger. Who was supposed to be marking him?

Colophon · #**181** 06-13-2012, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chizzuk

Utterly absurd amount of space around Schweinsteiger. Who was supposed to be marking him?

Holland were playing the "wave arm vigorously in the air vaguely in the direction of the linesman" trap.

Isosleepy · #**182** 06-13-2012, 02:23 PM

This Holland can't beat Germany, nevermind winning the tournament.
I know that even with a loss there's some mathematical way they can move on if Germany beat Denmark, and Holland beat Portugal big enough, but that is bs. At that pointy, just go home...

chizzuk · #**183** 06-13-2012, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chizzuk

Utterly absurd amount of space around Schweinsteiger. Who was supposed to be marking him?

And again.

Isosleepy · #**184** 06-13-2012, 02:30 PM

"auf widersehn" indeed

Colophon · #**185** 06-13-2012, 02:37 PM

Holland to go out without scoring a goal, anyone? And plenty of people were tipping van Persie for the Golden Boot... (though the drop-cap on this page looks oddly prescient!)

Isosleepy · #**186** 06-13-2012, 03:30 PM

Sneijder is half the Dutch team.

polar bear · #**187** 06-13-2012, 05:11 PM

Well, that sucked. At least we scored a goal

. I can still see us go through, hopefully Germany will play the hungry reserves (Klose, Gotze, Kroos) and beat the Zimling-less Danes (his injury looked severe). Only thing needed is a two goal win over Portugal...

Ximenean · #**188** 06-13-2012, 05:21 PM

I really thought that was going to be 0-0. Fans of tedious stalemate are now heavily dependent on Group D to deliver the goods, but hang in there guys, the nil-nils will come.

RedFury · #**189** 06-14-2012, 03:11 PM

The Red Fury putting on a display of their vaunted "tiqui-taca," Ireland hardly getting a whiff of the ball. The current score, 2-0 flatters the Irish.

With the tie in the Italy-Croatia match, Spain looks good to go through.

RedFury · #**190** 06-14-2012, 03:18 PM

PS--Good news for us -- not sure they are good for the other teams. Torre's finally appears to have gotten out of his funk. Just scored his second goal of the match...for a much more realistic 3-0 scoreline.

Vamos!

chizzuk · #**191** 06-14-2012, 03:23 PM

Iker Casillas should just go sit down on the bench. It's not like his presence is even needed back there.

Maserschmidt · #**192** 06-14-2012, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFury

PS--Good news for us -- not sure they are good for the other teams. Torre's finally appears to have gotten out of his funk. Just scored his second goal of the match...for a much more realistic 3-0 scoreline.

Vamos!

A game against the junior varsity always helps one's confidence.

RedFury · #**193** 06-14-2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maserschmidt

A game against the junior varsity always helps one's confidence.

Don't think we've won both, the last Euro & the World Cup playing against JV squads -- but I could be wrong & both Holland and Germany belong in that group.

bucketybuck · #**194** 06-14-2012, 05:54 PM

Quote from the commentators; "The Spanish are playing football, the Irish are singing".

A lot of my friends thought that was brilliant, "sure aren't our fans the greatest...". Maybe its my Northern Irish slant, but fuck that, I hate losing.

Maserschmidt · #**195** 06-14-2012, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFury

Don't think we've won both, the last Euro & the World Cup playing against JV squads -- but I could be wrong & both Holland and Germany belong in that group.

I was really talking about Torres, not the team. That's the first time he hasn't looked completely at sea in a while.

mkecane · #**196** 06-15-2012, 08:00 AM

For a giggle, go to Zonal Marking and check out the passing arrows for Spain vs. Ireland. I'm a bit disappointed my prediction of 900 passes to 100 passes didn't happen.