Euro 2012 Poland/Ukraine PREDICTIONS!!

[derrick76]

Sorry gents have to disagree with you, Pirlo was definitely the Man of the Match IMO. If you understand the complexities of soccer and watched closely he was technically perfect from all aspects, he never lost control of the ball when several German players were all over him, he controls the tempo of the game, unbelievable passer and controlled the mid-field throughout the game. I zoomed in on him throughout the whole game and couldn't believe how brilliant he was, he seemed to be on the ball or within a few yards of the ball the entire game, he was always in the right position all the time.

Balotelli gets the accolades because he scored both goals, outside of those goals he wasn't much of a factor. His shot on the second goal was incredible, one of the best shots I've seen considering the circumstances, but you need to play a complete 90 min, not 10 or 20 min of great soccer. JMO, but obviously shared by the those that voted for him.

The only complexities you need to understand is why Balotelli will forever be an outsider EVEN in Italy. It's not only his sometimes outrageous behaviour sometimes, but also what one coach called an 'agitated' look. I'm sorry, but players like him(see: the way he looks), within certain systems, has to toe the line. Here is the main complexity you need to pay attention regarding Balotelli's situation. Until Italian society and quite a bit of Europe and the World changes.

Balotelli was the man of the match to me. Good for Pirlo that he worked tirelessly, but that alone doesn't help. The ball needs to be expertly buried in the back on the net. Scoring those two goals was way harder than it looked. Ask the Germans who could have buried Italy with the amount of chances they got and squandered. I'm sure Pirlo will work, again, tirelessly against Spain, but if someone doesn't do a Balotelli on Spain then it's lights out Italy.

 

[Insidious Von]

The English Press at it again...tisk...tisk...

They owe an apology to Fabio Capello for accusing him of spying for Cesare Prandelli. Such gratitude, all he did was turn around their National program.

 

[derrick76]

If Spain can win this Euro they will IMO go down as the best team ever to play the game of soccer

My apologies, but are you serious?? Better than Brasilia 70??? Surely not!! Not even close I'm afraid. Not even in the same stratosphere. Wow Wow. Not even close to the Brazil teams of 1958 and 1962 that won (back to back World Cups). Brazil that mainly lost 1966 because of the way opposing defenders butchered Pele, using him as a football instead of playing the ball. Brazil and Pele that came back with a vengeance and made fools of most especial the Azzuri as they destroyed them 4-1 in that 1970 final, which could have ended 9-1. That's 3 World Cup winning teams that Pele (1958 as a 17 year old, 1962, 1970) where Pele was a standout along with Garrincha, Jairzinho, Rivelino, Zagallo(as player 58,62 & then coach 70) etc cetc...although in 1962 Pele was cut short again with nasty fouls and thus injury mid-way through the tourney.

I'm sorry, no team has come close to Brasilia 1970 (coming way back from 1958) in terms of excellence. Brasilia 82 to 86 were making a strong case but Zico, Socrates and the rest were too busy trying to look pretty when having teams like Italy (who eventually won in 82) on the ropes. They forgot that goals win matches.

Brazil was beating all and sundry with style from 1958 to 1970 with a little interruption due to nasty play in 1966. Even came 3rd in 1974 after Pele retired in 1970 at age 29 from international football. But hey, they don't play Euro Cups since they are located in South America.

 

[Twister]

LOL



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

My apologies, but are you serious?? Better than Brasilia 70??? Surely not!! Not even close I'm afraid. Not even in the same stratosphere. Wow Wow. Not even close to the Brazil teams of 1958 and 1962 that won (back to back World Cups). Brazil that mainly lost 1966 because of the way opposing defenders butchered Pele, using him as a football instead of playing the ball. Brazil and Pele that came back with a vengeance and made fools of most especial the Azzuri as they destroyed them 4-1 in that 1970 final, which could have ended 9-1. That's 3 World Cup winning teams that Pele (1958 as a 17 year old, 1962, 1970) where Pele was a standout along with Garrincha, Jairzinho, Rivelino, Zagallo(as player 58,62 & then coach 70) etc cetc...although in 1962 Pele was cut short again with nasty fouls and thus injury mid-way through the tourney.

I'm sorry, no team has come close to Brasilia 1970 (coming way back from 1958) in terms of excellence. Brasilia 82 to 86 were making a strong case but Zico, Socrates and the rest were too busy trying to look pretty when having teams like Italy (who eventually won in 82) on the ropes. They forgot that goals win matches.

Brazil was beating all and sundry with style from 1958 to 1970 with a little interruption due to nasty play in 1966. Even came 3rd in 1974 after Pele retired in 1970 at age 29 from international football. But hey, they don't play Euro Cups since they are located in South America.

Must be a generation gap because I've only seen short clips of Pele and those Brazilian teams. I didnt start watching footie until 1974.

Also its now the modern game, many more countries enter world cups and Euro's then they did in 1950's. You cant compare the two era's IMO

 

[Twister]

here's a gif of the above

http://i.imgur.com/tubzb.gif

super mario for the win!

lolol

 

[fun-guy]

And if you understand the complexities of soccer, you will realize Balotelli plays high up the pitch with the job of scoring goals. His job is not to be in possession of the ball. That job belongs to Pirlo and he performed expertly. But to gain separation to head the ball? Classic. To time his run not to be offside and then control the ball and deliver a thumping unstoppable shot? Priceless. By the way, those goals knocked out Germany. I suspect Balotteli was denied MOTM honors for taking off shirt and making an ass of himself.

lol, I'm totally aware of the position and responsibility of Mario vs Pirlo, that's funny, thanks for the reminder. I feel Pirlo still deserves Man of the Match, his job is to not to put the ball in the back of the net but to control the ball and the tempo of the game and keep the ball off the feet of the opposition and he did that against an excellent German team who were frustrated to no end........ oh let's not forget the goal he saved when the ball went by Buffon and Pirlo stopped it at the goal line with his hip, oh yea, you'll probably say that's his job, lol. If that would have gone in, Italy would have lost IMO, momentum changer for sure.

 

[Insidious Von]

Wondering what all those Italian fans who used to chant "There are no black Italians" at Super Mario are saying today.

Anyone making such a comment is a cluster fuck and a degenerate loser, unworthy to be Italian.

 

[danmand]

lol, I'm totally aware of the position and responsibility of Mario vs Pirlo, that's funny, thanks for the reminder. I feel Pirlo still deserves Man of the Match, his job is to not to put the ball in the back of the net but to control the ball and the tempo of the game and keep the ball off the feet of the opposition and he did that against an excellent German team who were frustrated to no end........ oh let's not forget the goal he saved when the ball went by Buffon and Pirlo stopped it at the goal line with his hip, oh yea, you'll probably say that's his job, lol. If that would have gone in, Italy would have lost IMO, momentum changer for sure.

ya ya, all good arguments, but soccer matches are won by goals, not passes, and anybody making two great goals, one in particular exceptionally pretty, deserves the title.

Buffon had a brilliant game also, by the way.

 

[Perry Mason]

I think this argument is really quite simple.

Look at the score because that, bottom line, is what determines games: Super Mario 2: Germany 1.

All the rest is commentary.

Perry

 

[JonSlid]

Final: Italy over Spain.

Based on:
- 2012 tie during first game of GS
- previous EURO stats predicts Spain will NOT win

 

[danmand]

Final: Italy over Spain.

Based on:
- 2012 tie during first game of GS
- previous EURO stats predicts Spain will NOT win

I would agree, Spain without Villa seems unable to make goals in spite of great numbers for possession. Italy is on a roll.

 

[Insidious Von]

I would agree, Spain without Villa seems unable to make goals in spite of great numbers for possession. Italy is on a roll.

It's too close to call.

Spain are using a two trequartista system (Iniesta and Fabregas) which will make it much tougher for The Azzurri to pressure their defense into making mistake. The most compelling factor of this match will be the personal rivalry between Pirlo and Xavi. Whomever dictates the match will win. The announcers have been getting Pirlo's age wrong he doesn't turn 33 until September. He's actually less than 6 months older than Xavi.

May the best team win and please...PLEASE..don't let it get to a shootout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSMKfzIGzmo&feature=g-vrec

 

[Insidious Von]

Another bit of per-match trivia.

Rock steady Andrea Barzagli has been the best German defender of this tournament. He has a German mother. With Chiellini only at 65%, Italy prospects didn't improve until he returned for the Ireland match. A common mix in Italy since Italian men love German women - myself included.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HVkcnOX2ZI

 

[blackrock13]

If Italy pulls this off, there will be a major brain fade of the corruption in the Italian League.

 

[jazzpig]

If Italy pulls this off, there will be a major brain fade of the corruption in the Italian League.

Not with you apperantly.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

Italy head-to-head holds a narrow 1 match edge in win/loss department. Italy vs. Spain has a 6-5--5 record. But that includes some games in the 1920's which really dont count IMO:

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg811/scaled.php?server=811&filename=eurods.jpg&res=landing

 

[scurochiaro]

Anyone making such a comment is a cluster fuck and a degenerate loser, unworthy to be Italian.

...well said IV. Any half educated Italian knows that we have Black blood in us (southerners anyway).

 

[Mr. Lucky]

I'll say Spain 2-1 !

 

[danmand]

I'll say Spain 2-1 !

3-0 .