Title says it all... Post your thoughts, comments, hopes, dreams and desires for this years UEFA European Cup right here!

Check out this thread for following the tournament on your iDevice:
http://www.ehmac.ca/all-ios-iphone-ipad-ipod-touch-apple-tv-itunes/100567-keep-track-euro-2012-official-uefa-iphone-app.html

SHOW England SHOW!

It's not the despair that kills me... it's the hope.

To be an England Fan... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRV5iv66rBE&feature=youtu.be)

Ahhh, this thread brings a tear of joy to the eye. :)

It's quite simple. Robin Van Persie shows up in his Arsenal form (EPL leader 30 goals).. Netherlands wins.

If not, Huntellar shows up in his Schalke 04 form (29 Bundesliga goals)... Netherlands wins.

If not, Arjen Robben shows up in his Bayern Munich form (12 Bundesliga goals)... Netherlands wins. (Just don't get him to take any PK's)

If not, Wesley Sneijder shows up in his Internazionale form... Netherlands wins.

They all show up in form... they win each game 8-0.

In summary, Netherlands is winning this one. Defense is in great form and their attack is on fire. This tourney will make up for 2nd place finish at World Cup.

Too many times they've been the bridesmaid, this time they will be at the top of the cake.

In all seriousness, I really think this tournament is to be won if RVP shows up. He kind of fizzled in world cup. I guarantee Holland would of beat Spain if Marwijk put on Huntelaar instead of RVP.

It's not the despair that kills me... it's the hope.

To be an England Fan... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRV5iv66rBE&feature=youtu.be)

If only they put that much effort into their player academies. :D

Foreign stars sell out stadiums and TV rights, but don't make for much of a development system like Eredivisie, Bundesliga or La Liga.

Most of my English friends have given up all false hope for this tourney. Not optimistic for Roy Hodgson's squad. Andy Carroll hasn't been lighting things up, and Mr. Rooney with his 2 game suspension might return to a situation already too late.

Oh, to be an England fan. :)

I like the Euros better than the World Cup.

Here's my ranking -

1) Germany - led by Schweinsteiger and Klose - this is a powerhaus team of young and good mix of vets.
2) Spain - they're missing Pujol and Villa - not sure if they'll get over the injuries
3) Holland - Kuyt, Sneijder, Robben, Van Persie - should go far

My dark horse - Ireland - this team might surprise.

I'm non aligned at the outset but I'll cheer for whoever plays beautiful football.

Here is my ranking -

1) Portugal
2) Portugal
3) Portugal

My dark horse - Portugal - this team might surprise

Euro 2012: Dutch players hear racist chants | Live football and soccer news | ESPNFC.com (http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1089999/dutch-players-hear-racist-chants.html)

Concerns over potential racism from fans at Euro 2012 came to the forefront Thursday when black players for the Netherlands heard monkey chants at an open training session, one day before the tournament opens.

According to a report in British newspaper The Guardian, hundreds of the 25,000 people in attendance in Krakow, Poland, targeted players Nigel de Jong and Gregory van der Wiel with monkey noises and loud jeers.

After hearing the chants, the players moved their drills to the other side of the stadium.

"It is a real disgrace especially after getting back from Auschwitz that you are confronted with this," Dutch captain Mark van Bommel told The Guardian. "We will take it up with UEFA and if it happens at a match we will talk to the referee and ask him to take us off the field."

Not a lot of tolerance for colour in Ukraine either. There is some talk that officials may call off games if things get out of hand. I hope it doesn't happen.

1-1 Poland v. Greece.

entertaining first game. i was worried Greece was going to play a tight defensive game, but Poland exploded from the start to dominate the early goings and were rewarded with a nice header. A couple of soft yellows and Greece was down a man, however they were able to rebound in the 2nd half and net the equalizer. Then Poland had their Goalie sent off and concede a penalty and it looked certain Greece would win the game, but the Polish backup keeper came in cold and saved the day.

good start to the tourney.

@EhMac... I'm guessing the Danes weren't informed that they were supposed to lose to the Netherlands ... Ouch.


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@EhMac... I'm guessing the Danes weren't informed that they were supposed to lose to the Netherlands ... Ouch.


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Too many old players.

Go Portugal Go!!!!

@EhMac... I'm guessing the Danes weren't informed that they were supposed to lose to the Netherlands ... Ouch.


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Holland played extremely bright in the first 75 and dominated the entire game. I thought they played really well, just a little loose on defence and Van Persie again not able to find his touch on the national team. I'd really like to see Huntelaar start.

Holland looked much brighter and in control than either Portugal or Germany are in the first half.

It's a tough group, and Denmark are a very strong team.

I'll remind everyone that in 1988, Holland lost the first game to Russia, and went on to win the Euro.

If they start the next two games like they started that one, the ball will only stay out of the net so long. I want to see Huntelaar in there and RVP get his form.

Too many old players.

Go Portugal Go!!!!

Huh? Out of 16 teams, Holland is right in the middle with average age of 27.13. Portugal is only one position ahead with average age of 27.08.

Either way, Holland has #1 scorer in EPL and #1 Scorer in Bundesliga.

Van Marwijk went with RVP in game one, and he could of scored 4 or 5, but couldn't find form. Van Marwijk is one of the best coaches, and will hopefully make proper adjustments for Germany.

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PS, that is an easy Red Card for me for Postiga with that studs up tackle on the keeper. He had no chance of winning that ball.

Not impressed with Germany's performance.

PS, that is an easy Red Card for me for Postiga with that studs up tackle on the keeper. He had no chance of winning that ball.

lol. no chance. barely a yellow TBH since he didn't even make contact.

the group of death is wide open. it will probably come down to the final match day for all teams, all though i think Germany is in the pole position.

Not impressed with Germany's performance.

They were fortunate to hold I for the win. Portugal had a number of nice chances they weren't able to convert on in the layer part of the game.


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lol. no chance. barely a yellow TBH since he didn't even make contact.

the group of death is wide open. it will probably come down to the final match day for all teams, all though i think Germany is in the pole position.

Portugal should fire the coach for making them play defensively the whole game.

lol. no chance. barely a yellow TBH since he didn't even make contact.

the group of death is wide open. it will probably come down to the final match day for all teams, all though i think Germany is in the pole position.

I think you need to re-watch the replay. It could of easily been a red, but I don't think there is a single ref on the planet who wouldn't call that a yellow.

Ooh the Germans played a poor game and still beat Portugal. They will get stronger.
Shocked that the Danes beat Holland but it's not over for Holland yet.

Russians looked mighty fine yesterday.

I'm still not picking sides but this is a lot of fun.

Portugal should fire the coach for making them play defensively the whole game.

Bento should have been fired when he decided to ostracize the country's best defender (Ricardo Carvalho), but i won't blame him for today's tactics. it was an even game, and Portugal probably deserved a draw, but luck wasn't on their side.

If Pepe's first half chance goes in the net instead of off the bar maybe they even come out with a win.

thats football.

I think you need to re-watch the replay. It could of easily been a red, but I don't think there is a single ref on the planet who wouldn't call that a yellow.

i was watching the game on ESPN and Kasey Keller (the colour commentator & former goaltender) was sympathetic to Postiga and felt the yellow was harsh.

[QUOTE=i-rui;

If Pepe's first half chance goes in the net instead of off the bar maybe they even come out with a win.

thats football.[/QUOTE]

IF the ref had allowed advantage the Germans would have had another goal.

doubt it. the entire portuguese team stopped when they heard the whistle.

Bento should have been fired when he decided to ostracize the country's best defender (Ricardo Carvalho), but i won't blame him for today's tactics. it was an even game, and Portugal probably deserved a draw, but luck wasn't on their side.

If Pepe's first half chance goes in the net instead of off the bar maybe they even come out with a win.

thats football.

I would blame him. It was his choice to make the team play defensive the entire game. If they played a more attacking role I think they would have easily won that game. And why not play Oliveira from the start? Why is Postiga playing? He couldn't make any top team and all of sudden he is good enough for the national team? They have some of the the most talented attacking players in the world and the coach decides to sit back. If only they allowed club managers to manage the their national team like Mourinho.

I would blame him. It was his choice to make the team play defensive the entire game. If they played a more attacking role I think they would have easily won that game.

If Portugal played attacking football from the opening they would be vulnerable to the counter attack (especially with Bruno Alves in the middle who is very slow) and Germany can cut any team apart if you don't respect their offence.

I've heard a lot of people say Germany played poor, but i think that's really unfair to Portugal's defence who put in a real effort to shutdown their attack. Portugal didn't let Germany attack how they wanted and shut down their passing lanes, opting to try and hit on the counter.

Once Germany got their goal, the situation reversed and they decided to fall back and hit on the counter. THAT'S why Portugal looked better to finish off the game because Germany allowed them that extra space.

And why not play Oliveira from the start? Why is Postiga playing? He couldn't make any top team and all of sudden he is good enough for the national team?

I'm not a Postiga fan, and my preference would be to start Oliveira, but only because I see him having potential and Portugal's options at Striker are limited. But looking at the stats the truth is Postiga is the more prolific of all the Portuguese strikers. Nelson Olivera doesn't even start for Benfica yet, and his goal production has been poor at the senior level.

If only they allowed club managers to manage the their national team like Mourinho.

UEFA doesn't have any rule against this. Portugal actually approached Mourinho about taking over the National Team after they fired Carlos Queiroz, but he decided against it (or Real Madrid forbid it) as he didn't think he could do both at the same time.

Anyone care to speculate on Spain vs. Italy today?

I'll go for Spain 2-1. Ramos has to have a great game.

Spain 3-0

I don't think Spain will win it all, but I think the Italian team is a bit of a mess with all the match fixing allegations going on against many of their players in the Italian domestic league.

Italy plays a great game. Spain missing their finishing via Villa big time.

Spain missing their finishing via Villa big time.

so true.

it didn't help that they played most of the game without a striker, but even when Torres came on he missed several great chances to score. Its shocking to see how poor he's become since his big money move to Chelsea. a few years ago he would've finished those chances with ease.

so true.

it didn't help that they played most of the game without a striker, but even when Torres came on he missed several great chances to score. Its shocking to see how poor he's become since his big money move to Chelsea. a few years ago he would've finished those chances with ease.

I have to agree It looks like he's out of shape and missing a few steps. What's with the all blonde look?

Ireland vs. Croatia?

Ireland 3 Croatia 2

my brain says Croatia, but my heart wants ireland.

Well so much for the Irish darkhorse. Still it's not over until the fat man sings.:D

Germans 2 - Holland 0 at the half.

How could Schweinsteiger be left alone not once but twice?

No lack of drama yesterday. And today is no different. There are too many combinations and permutations to keep track of for the pool of death. To think that a team at 2-0-1 might not even make it out of the pool is insane (Portugal and Dennmark victories leave 3 teams tied at the top at 2-0-1).


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great day for Portugal!! :)

I'm picking them and Germany to beat their Group A opponents (Czech Republic & Greece respectively), and it will be interesting to see how things play out on the other side of the bracket.

I think Spain & Italy will move on from Group C, and France will win Group D, but Ukraine will upset England for the final spot, and keep 1 host country alive for the quarter finals.

great day for Portugal!! :)
I think Spain & Italy will move on from Group C, and France will win Group D

France will win the whole thing, dammit! Oops, sorry, was I writing here?

As an England man I'm pretty happy to be facing Italy and I'm sure Italy is happy to be facing us, rather than Spain or Germany at this stage of the competition. I think either team could win it or blow it...

Germany/Greece will be interesting... no political undertones there surely? As I live on the Danforth I know where my loyalties lie.

Woohoo !!!!!!!!! :clap::clap::clap:

Go Portugal Go!