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).
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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:(.
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.
