EURO 2012: The Finals

Italy

                The Italians showed their resiliency, versatility and mental toughness, shocking the world, defeating the Germans, co-favorites to raise the European trophy, 2-0 in the semi-finals of the Euro 2012 tournament.  It was not just a lucky win; it was a game where the Italians dominated in possession as well as preventing the Germans from entering Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon’s box.   Chances were seized by players on offense like Mario Balotelli, scoring two outstanding goals in the first half of play.  The Italian defense, led by Federico Balzaretti and Giorgio Chiellini, headed and cleared rapid crosses, also making several disruptive challenges to keep the ball out of danger.  Heading into their final game against Spain, the Italians are labeled as the underdogs, however, their chemistry has clicked at the right time, and tying against the Spaniards in group stages doesn’t hurt their chances of becoming champions of Europe. 

Spain             

Another team that has experience in the penalty-kick shootout, along with Italy, is the reigning champions of Europe, Spain.  Spain outscored Portugal in the dreaded penalty-kick shootout in the semi-finals of the Euro 2012 tournament.  Cesc Fabregas’ premonition was correct, knowing that he would score the game-winner Wednesday, mirroring his performance in 2008, sending his team to the finals and a chance to accomplish a three-peat that no team has ever done in the history of soccer.   Although the Spaniards haven’t looked like themselves lately, they still show their will and fight to get a positive result.  The Spanish are chasing history, and the only team in their way is Italy.        

       My prediction: 2-1, Italy

EURO 2012: One win from the finals

After 28 games played in the Euro 2012 tournament, three remain on the schedule.  The semi-finals have arrived, and four teams linger, relieved to still be alive in the tournament.  Wednesday, June 27 and Thursday, June 28 are the dates to look forward to.

Spain's road to the "Final Four" has not been a walk in the park.  Being in a group with competitive teams such as Italy and Croatia, the Spaniards squeaked in as the one seed, then handily defeated a talented French side in the quarterfinals.  Portugal survived the "Group of Death," eliminating hopes of the Netherlands and Denmark's chances of advancing.  Italy slipped into the second seed after falling to third in Group C going into the last game of group stages; they are the only team to get a result in the tournament against Spain, the defending Euro champions.  Last but not least, Germany.  The Germans controlled their group as well as the quarterfinals, winning every game coming into the semi-finals.

Wednesday, June 27

Spain vs. Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo's confidence has since been revived when he proved the naysayers wrong in his rebound game against the Netherlands, scoring two goals, and helping the Portuguese claim a quarterfinals spot against the Czech Republic, where he netted the game's only goal.  Now, Ronaldo has a huge wall to climb in the semi-finals, playing a Spainish side that's dominant in all facets of the game.  Many of the players he will go up against will look particularly familiar, many of whom play on the same team as Ronaldo at Real Madrid or in the same league.  Spain will search to find a way to contain Ronaldo, preventing him from dangerous attacks in the final third against a Carlos Puyol-less Spanish defensive line, while Portugal look to stop Spain from possessing the ball for an extended period of time, knowing that if not successful, devastating consequences are likely. 

My prediction: 1-0, Spain

Thursday, June 28 

Italy vs. Germany

These two teams are used to facing against each other in meaningful games or shall I say semi-final games.  From the 1970 World Cup semi-finals, also known as the "Game of the Century," to the 2006 World Cup semi-finals, Germany and Italy have the history to show their rivalry, however, Italy tends to be the victor.  In the "Game of the Century," the Italians won 4-3 in a back-and-forth rally that needed extra time;  fast forward to 2006, where once again, both teams needed extra time, resulting in two late goals by the Italians, making matters worse for Germany as Italy went on to win the World Cup.  Although, 2012 is a different year for the Germans; they seek revenge against the Italians, hoping to capture the dominance in possession, which the Italians have excelled in throughout the tournament.  On the other side, the Italians have an eye on the surging German offense, who have scored nine goals in four games.  

My prediction: 2-1, Italy

EURO 2012: The Final Eight

Eight teams down, seven to go in the Euro 2012.  That is exactly what Michel Platini, UEFA President, as well as many fans around the world are thinking as group stages end and the quarterfinals begin.  Let's see how the quarterfinals will play out...

Portugal vs. Czech Republic

Cristiano Ronaldo is coming off a two-goal performance against the Netherlands, overshadowing his failures of not being able to finish the game off against the Danes.  Ronaldo and Nani have become a dangerous tandem; Nani taking the role as the play-maker with two assists in the tournament, while Ronaldo, only if he is consistent, as the finisher.  

Speaking of scoring, Petr Jiracek and Vaclav Pilar have been the scoring threats for the Czechs, each having two goals under their belt in the tournament.  Petr Cech has been solid in net and has experience in big games.  

My prediction: 2-1, Portugal

Germany vs. Greece

The Germans have showed their dominance in the group stages, racking up all nine points in the Group of Death.  Tied for first with three goals in the tournament,  Mario Gomez has been a significant contributor.  Gomez has given the German general manager Joachim Loewa a reason to start him over Miroslav Klose, the second all-time leader in goals in World Cup history.  Bastian Schweinsteiger, like Nani, has been Gomez's facilitator, recording two assists so far in the tournament.  

On the other hand, the Greeks have not been exactly following the manual of how to play the beautiful game.  They have gritted out games by the skin of their teeth such as the upset over Russia, scoring in the last two minutes of stoppage time during the first half, while hoping for a Poland loss against the Czechs, which the Soccer Gods graciously granted.  The Greeks will have to deal with a huge blow to their team, losing Girogos Karagounis, the captain and goal scorer against Russia, for the quarterfinal match-up due to multiple yellow cards.  However, don't forget that the Greeks won the Euros in 2004, so they have the experience.  

My prediction: 2-1, Germany

Spain vs. France

Coming out of Group C as first place winners were the Spaniards.  Known for their lethal ticky-tack passing system, the Spaniards, led by Andres Iniesta and David Silva in the midfield, seek to continue their championship streak and make history.  No team has won three championships in a row, giving Spain the opportunity to change that.  Silva leads his team with two assists, while Fernando Torres, looking like the Torres from the 2008 Euros, and Cesc Fabregas have two goals each.

At times, the French resemble a championship caliber team, although their inconsistency has plagued them, losing their last game 2-0 against an already eliminated Sweden, finishing second in Group D.  French striker Karim Benzema has yet to have scored his first goal in the tournament, but does have numbers in the assist column, with two.  Also, the French have received production from midfielders Jeremy Menez and Yohan Cabaye, both scoring against Ukraine in the group stages.    

My prediction: 3-2, Spain

Italy vs. England

Sneaking out of Group C as second place winners over Croatia were the new-look Italians.  The Italians have  evenly chipped into the goal sheet, receiving goals from Andrea Pirlo, Mario Balotelli, Antonio Cassano and Antonio DiNatale, all of whom have a goal each.  Balotelli scored his first goal, which just may be the goal of the tournament, off a Pirlo corner, side-volleying it past the Ireland keeper; after scoring, he tried to keep his emotions under control, angry that he didn't get to start.  Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has some tough decisions to make going into their quarterfinals game with his starting lineup as well as the loss of Giorgio Chiellini with a thigh injury. 

Roy Hodgson, replacing Fabio Capello less than just two months ago, has become the savior of England. The English have defeated Ukraine and Sweden, and tied the French during group stages.  Having English striker Wayne Rooney, who scored in his debut against Ukraine, back in the lineup has given the English squad another threat going forward.  Tied with two others for the most assists with three at the Euros is midfielder Steven Gerrard, who has threaded the needle with his crosses into the box.  Theo Walcott also gives the English depth and instant quickness off the bench.  If Hodgson keeps this up and wins the Euros, he may be eligible to become knighted by the Queen.  

My prediction: 2-1, Italy

Euro 2012: 'Let the games begin!'

Soccer is back, and boy is it kicking.  In less than 24 hours, the Euro 2012 will kick-off in Poland-Ukraine, and once again, ESPN is covering the matches, surely to do a fine job as usual.  See for yourself...

If that didn't give you goosebumps, I don't know what will.

Group A match-ups begin tomorrow, being one of the lesser groups of the tournament.  In this group you have Greece, Poland, Czech Republic and Russia.  Russia and the Czech Republic deem to be the two to advance out of the group stages, however, I feel differently about one of the teams.  With Greece's experience winning the Euros in 2004, along with their stout defense, the advantage shifts their way to obtain the second seed, while the Czech's, led by Petr Cech's exceptional goalkeeping and Thomas Rosicky's experience, earn the first seed.

Group B follows, also known as the "Group of Death."  Why you ask?  Well, let's just take a look at the teams.  You have Portugal, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.  Excellent talent is found throughout this group from Mesut Ozil, Miroslav Klose, Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben to Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Nicklas Bendtner.  Overpowering their opponents in depth are Germany and Netherlands who will take their talents--not to South Beach, LeBron--but to the quarterfinals of the Euros.

Group C holds the winner of the last Euro in 2008, Spain.  They look to repeat, while other teams in the group such as Italy, Ireland and Croatia are giving Spain the serious look (-___-).  Spain and Italy look to be the favorites, yet Ireland and Croatia could give them a run for their money.  Croatia still dawns on the cold memories of falling to Turkey in the last Euros where they allowed a last-minute goal in extra-time to send the match into penalty kicks.  That vengeance could be unleashed onto either Italy or Spain, who I still see as the two to advance.

Last but not least, Group D.  England, France, Sweden and Ukraine look to clash for the top two spots.  England and France, ironically in the same group, are known for choking on the world stage.  Being failures in the past few tournaments, both teams look to end their shortcomings, hoping to compete to be the best team in Europe.  I may be a little harsh on them, but they have no excuse to at least make a run for it and not get eliminated early in the tournament with the talents they possess.  Although Ukraine and Sweden have class strikers like Andry Shevchenko and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, it will not be enough to beat out England and France's desires.

As Suzanne Collins, the author of The Hunger Games, would say, "Let the games begin!"