As in 1982 and 2006, when Italian football scaled the heights, nobody predicted a win for the so-called Azzuri at Euro 2012. But amid perhaps unfair criticism that Spain have become “boring”, Italy may become the popular choice to win the competition in Kiev. Spain are not disliked, but their obsession with possession – training […]
Tag: Euro 2012
The best four are there…..but where’s the shocks?
There’s a sense of the inevitable about the last four in Euro 2012, and while this should ensure that quality will prevail, the competition has a slight tinge of the predictable about it. A couple of early surprises deprived the competition’s latter stages of Russia and the Netherlands, but the knockout part of Euro 2012 […]
England out….and now Hodgson’s work really begins
Justice was done, although losing on penalties is a bitter pill to swallow. After all this time, you would think England just might be able to handle these occasions. One win in eight penalty shoot-outs. Considering the amount of penalties in the English game, it’s strange that the national team just can’t get its head […]
England v Italy: The cunning plan is about to be tested
There’s a growing feeling – or hope – that England can beat Italy and march on to the semi-finals. This sudden optimism that England can break the habit of a lifetime and beat a “blue chip” nation is perhaps a little over-zealous, especially as their record against Italy is far from convincing. Only six times […]
England can “ugly” their way through….until they reach the Germans
Cometh the man, cometh the hour, as they say, and Wayne Rooney proved to be “johnny on the spot” just at the right time. England have, against the odds, “ponced” their way through to the quarter finals of 2012 and they could even go a stage further. If the three England games proved anything, it […]
Spare the tears for careless Dutch, but hats-off to Greece
So far, Euro 2012 has been entertaining and has kept the spectator on the edge of his seat. There has scarcely been a dull game and we have yet to see the scourge of the modern game – the sterile 0-0 draw. But then, we have not reached the “business end” of the tournament. It […]
UEFA hope for Ukraine after Poland polka out
One-down, one to go. Poland really blew their host nation status, turning in a poor performance against an average Czech Republic team to tumble out of Euro 2012. They failed to win a single game and as a result the two underdogs from Group A – the Czechs and Greeks – go into the quarter-finals. […]
Europe needs its “bread and circus” tournament
If ever the continent of Europe needed a distraction it has to be this year. With the continent’s economy in turmoil and uncertainty hanging over the Eurozone in particular, Euro 2012 can fill the role of the old Roman trick of “bread and circuses”. Ironically, the country that is seen as keeper of the solution, […]
The problem with England: Euro 2012 Group D
Alan Shearer, the former England striker, has predicted a semi-final place for Roy Hodgson’s side, because he is patriotic and wants them to do well. That doesn’t sound like an “expert” opinion but more a case of wishful thinking. He also knows that the reason expectations are low is because people realize that England have […]
