Results for tag: EURO 2012
Posted by:
LeeDixon
on Jun 27, 2012 at 11:02:30 AM
As the tournament draws to a close, it's worth taking a moment to reflect on what we've experienced and seen over the past three weeks or so in what has been a thoroughly entertaining tournament.
[u]The highs[/u]
In terms of the organisation of the tournament, Poland and Ukraine had a huge task on their hands but I think they coped pretty well. Neither has had much experience of putting on a show like this but they did as well as they could. All the talk of widespread hooliganism and racism never materialised and while there were odd instances of violence amongst some rival fans they were just isolated incidents rather symptomatic of a widespread problem. As for the football itself, it's been excellent. Few could argue with the fact that the four best teams in the competition are ...
Posted by:
LeeDixon
on Jun 22, 2012 at 07:55:17 AM
England are safely through to the quarter-finals after topping their group against the odds. Here are the main talking points ahead of their quarter-final with Italy.
[b]The draw[/b]
There's always a tendency to get ahead of yourself and try to work out who you will be playing at each stage. Apparently Roy Hodgson was watching the Spain match on Monday night live on TV and now has to watch videos of Italy's game.
The consensus is that England have done well to avoid Spain but personally I don't think there's a huge amount in it. Italy have been better than many would have expected, Spain not quite as good as many expected. They've kept a lot of possession as ever but don't always make the best use of it. Italy are a bit more of an unknown quantity in terms of how they'll play...
Posted by:
LeeDixon
on Jun 15, 2012 at 07:57:51 AM
The general consensus after the draw with France is that England were a little better than we expected but have a lot of improving to do if they're to be serious contenders to win this.
I don't think many people would be backing us to beat Germany in a knock-out match the way Jogi Low's team are playing. Russia have looked impressive going forward even though they haven't been tested that much at the back and Italy could be pretty tough to beat, too. And you can say what you like about Spain not playing a striker but the way they pass the ball and move, the system they go with may become pretty immaterial. I still think Germany are the team to beat though and that England's price of 14.5 looks about right.
[u]Team selection[/u]
I don't think England can beat one of the big guns...
Posted by:
LeeDixon
on Jun 11, 2012 at 09:24:24 AM
Organisation is key in international tournaments and England have a manager who specialises in it. Roy Hodgson has had little time to prepare for Euro 2012 but the fact that he's the first England boss to have managed at international level before bodes well. One of the reasons Hodgson was unpopular as a Liverpool manager was that he emphasises focus and discipline ahead of flair but, if England string together a few more 1-0 wins over the next few weeks, fans won't be complaining.
We may have lower expectations than at recent tournaments but I think that's a good thing. France are favourites to win Monday night's Group D opener but England might relish underdog status. Laurent Blanc has done a good job since taking over after the 2010 World Cup where Les Bleus failed spectacularly. ...
Posted by:
LeeDixon
on May 30, 2012 at 10:32:30 AM
[u]England expects ... or does it?[/u]
It's almost unprecedented in the modern era for England to go into a major tournament with the public expecting so little from them. The reasons for that are obvious: there's a new manager at the helm, they will be without their first-choice striker for the first two games and this is a competition where, 1996 aside, they have traditionally struggled. It's no surprise really and perhaps, after the hysteria of previous tournaments, it's encouraging that people are taking this adult stance on our chances.
[u]And maybe it's a good thing.[/u]
In the past the Three Lions have struggled to match the expectations of fans and pundits, yet with the pressure off and hopes at a low ebb perhaps the team can relax and put in a good, solid tournament performance....