# EURO 2012 Poland/Ukraine \[OPEN SPOILERS\] **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 2, 2012, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883 "2012-06-02T18:19:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/161 "2012-06-13T15:42:45Z")
> [@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). ---
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/162 "2012-06-13T16:25:15Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/163 "2012-06-13T16:35:25Z")
> [@polar\_bear](#): > > Just over 3 hours till kick off… I feel sick. Don’t worry, we’ll win. I promise! ---
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/164 "2012-06-13T16:36:51Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/165 "2012-06-13T16:37:34Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/166 "2012-06-13T16:41:51Z")
And it’s 2-1 - Bendtners fifth goal in five games against Portugal, an enviable record! ---
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/167 "2012-06-13T16:47:44Z")
> [@Svejk\_1](#): > > 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?” ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/168 "2012-06-13T16:59:02Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/169 "2012-06-13T17:04:01Z")
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”… ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/170 "2012-06-13T17:07:13Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![polar\_bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@polar\_bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polar_bear)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/171 "2012-06-13T17:28:09Z")
> [@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:mad:. ETA last matches are Portugal-Netherlands and Germany-Denmark. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/172 "2012-06-13T17:37:44Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/173 "2012-06-13T17:38:19Z")
How did Cristiano Ronaldo miss that??? And now Denmark scores! ---
**Author:** ![polar\_bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@polar\_bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polar_bear)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/174 "2012-06-13T17:42:54Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/175 "2012-06-13T17:46:11Z")
2-3 Portugal! ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/176 "2012-06-13T17:55:56Z")
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. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![polar\_bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@polar\_bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polar_bear)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/177 "2012-06-13T18:01:45Z")
> [@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:(. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/178 "2012-06-13T18:12:09Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/179 "2012-06-13T19:08:52Z")
There goes my 0-0 prediction. 1-0 Germany. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883/180 "2012-06-13T19:11:28Z")
Utterly absurd amount of space around Schweinsteiger. Who was supposed to be marking him? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euro-2012-poland-ukraine-open-spoilers/623883.md?page=10)