Euro 2012 has started and given us quite a few entertaining matches mixed in with some real bore-fests. The first game in any tournament is hard to get a gauge on how the thing will turn out, but there were some signs, I think, of what could come.
Here are my notes on each of the 16 teams after their first game and how I see them fairing if they continue to play the way they did in their first match.
Poland
– They started their match simply on fire, as was expected. The home side, on opening night, in front of their fans, it was a sight to see. However, they paid the price for not taking advantage of their numerous chances and bogus red card that Greece received. I still think they have a strong chance to advance, but will have to really tap into some magic (and possible match fixing) to get past a strong Russia side.
Czech Republic
– If this game is a real indication of what to expect, then the Czech’s wont be getting a single point in this tournament. I really thought they were a much stronger side than what they showed against Russia. Peter Cech, in particular, just wasn’t his spectacular self. Lucky for them, the other 2 teams in the group not only drew but lost key players to red cards. The door is open should they find a way to win today against the Greeks.
Russia
– Who had Russia bagging the most goals in the opening match? I know I sure didn’t. What a showing by the Ruskies, and really an indication that they are a force to be reckoned with. If they can get performances like that out of their stars (Arshavin) and youngsters (Dzagoyev, seen above) then they will coast through this group and give the second place team from the group of death a run for their money. Yeah, it was just one game, but I was blown away with their poise and finishing ability.
Greece
– The bogus red (as both yellows were terrible) really threw things off for Greece. With that said, they looked pretty weak when it was 11v11 out there. They are always a side hard to figure out, but I just don’t think they have what it takes to advance out of this group. Poland is going to fire back hard and Russia looks to be really strong. If they want a chance to advance, they have to pick up a win today, I think, against the Czech’s. If they do that, they’ll make the game between them and Russia likely a play in match for the knockout rounds.
Germany
– I wasn’t overly impressed with Germany in their win. Honestly, the just result would have been a draw as they showed a glaring weakness down the wing against Ronaldo and Nani. Though, as Germany always does, they under impress and got the full points. I still think they are favorites to win the whole thing, but they need to have a bit more life about them if they are going to get past sides like Russia and Denmark who seem fully committed from the get go of this thing. They are lucky to be sitting at 3 points, but I think they are still the best team in the group.
Portugal
– Portugal is really unlucky to be sitting at 0 points after their first game. The goal they gave up was a broken play that just happened to fall right to Gomez’s head. They should have found the net on the other end at least once, as well. The issue they have is a lack of talent in the middle of the pitch. Nani and Ronaldo, on the wings, are going to kill pretty much every single team. The issue is that they don’t have anybody in the middle to finish it off. Every time Ronaldo touched the ball for Portugal in this game, Germany was under pressure and a goal could have been scored. On a better night, maybe the Portugal forwards do finish, but it doesn’t look promising if they continue on this path.
Denmark
– I didn’t think this side would get a single point this entire tournament. Low and behold, they go and beat the tournament favorites (according to many) and are in a good position to not only advance but possibly win their group. I’m not convinced quite yet that they are good enough to get out of this group, but they really were deserving of a win against Holland. I wouldn’t mind them being the cinderella story. Would be funny to watch them play Russia, I think.
Holland
What a horrible showing from the men in orange. I expected this side to be exciting, open, and free flowing. Instead they were predictable and sluggish. I wouldn’t mind if they didn’t advance out of the group, they have a few players that simply irritate the hell out of me (paging Arjen Robbin) but they still have enough quality to advance. The thing is, though, that everyone was banking on Denmark being the team you got 3 points off of in this group. They have their work cut out for them likely needing two wins or a win and a draw to advance.
Spain
– Spain looked rather comfortable in their game, even if it did result in a draw. They have so much talent, all over the pitch, that its hard not to say they are favorites to repeat. What will hold them back, though, is the man pictured above. They simply can’t expect to win games with Torres in the form he is or having Fabregas convert to striker. Yeah, they found the net with Cesc, but that isn’t going to work for the whole tournament. They desperately need Torres to magically find form or, more likely, David Villa make an incredible recovery and get permission to join the squad. They’ll advance out of this group easy, I think, but I suspect they will get eliminated in the quarters.
Italy
– Italy looked to be back to form in this one. A tremendous showing against Spain saw them get a very deserved point. It is weird to call them this, but they are my early on favorite for dark horse of the tournament. Pundits were saying they would be lucky to get out of the group with all the scandal and such surrounding their domestic league. I think they’ll not only get out of the group, but make a run to win the whole thing. And while many would stereotypically say that’s a bad thing (ugly soccer) they look to have changed their style a bit (at least in the Spain match) to be much more attractive and flowing. This was, to me, the best match of the first round because of Italy, not Spain.
Ireland
– I selected a picture of the Irish fans for a reason, they are the only fun thing to watch about Ireland football in this tournament. Ireland is going to get thoroughly destroyed in their next, and last, two matches. They were outclassed against Croatia, now they have to play Spain and Italy? Good night nurse. At least the fans are making the tournament fun to listen to. I hope some of them stick around and adopt a team that advances. As for the Irish team? You can only punch above your weight so much. Well done on getting here, you won’t be taking anything home in terms of points.
Croatia
– It’s hard to get a gauge on Croatia for the next 2 games as their first game was against such a bad opponent. Italy and Spain are miles above Ireland in quality, but Croatia looked to be miles above them as well. I think Croatia has a legitimate shot at playing upset in this group so long as they stay composed defensively. If there was one thing they weren’t against Ireland for long stretched, it was just that. pointless fouls in their defensive third were the only thing Ireland had going for them. Against a team like Italy and Spain, though, you can’t give that many set piece chances. I don’t think they advance, but wouldn’t be overly surprised if they managed a way to pull it off.
Ukraine
– The second best match of the opening round was the Ukraine v Sweden game, and that is because of the response that Ukraine showed to going down a goal. Shevchenko showed his finishing touch of old (Milan days…) and led the home team to a wonderful comeback. Watching Ukraine play reminds me of Blackpool in the EPL 2 seasons ago. They know they aren’t as talented as their top opponents, but they say screw that and fly at their opponent regardless. This makes them both fun to watch, and a likely candidate to go through given they are a host nation.
England
– England treated us to the most boring game in the first round. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, though, given the players they have available. They simply lack anything really creative and capable of connecting the middle and defensive third to the attacking third. Because of this, England matches are going to be slow and painful to watch. Once they get Rooney back, this should improve a little, but the injury of Lampard will be the doom of this squad. They’ll be lucky to advance out of the group given the way Ukraine is playing.
France
– The French look to be a really good side that lacks the final pass to make them lethal. Lots of talent on the pitch, but still boring to watch. They’ll be competing with England for that advancing position, and I think they have the edge simply because they don’t have as many key injuries. This side could be really fun to watch if they were willing to open up a little bit. Can’t blame them, though, for taking the cautious route and getting points. Had they really wanted to, they could have rolled the dice and gone for the 3 points they deserved off of England.
Sweden
– Sweden is the forgotten side in this group and it’s not hard to understand why. Outside of Zlatan, they offer simply nothing in terms of excitement or quality. I think they’ll give England and France a good game, but will ultimately fall victim to the same fate as Ireland: going home without any points.
Best player of the first round of games: Andres Iniesta – Spain
– The Barca man was wonderful to watch in the Italy v Spain match. The guy really does some amazing things with the ball and makes it all look so incredibly simple. There were times when he would have nearly 4 or 5 Italian defenders in the same 5 yard area as him because he demands that much attention. I don’t like the Spanish side, Barcelona, or Iniesta, but man was it fun to watch.
Match of the First Round: Italy v Spain
– With so many top players, so much pressure, and so high expectations I thought this match was certain to be boring like the England v France match was. Instead, Italy decided that they could play at the same level as Spain (and showed it for long stretches) and treated us all to a wonderful match. My only complaint was that, given it was a first group stage game, it lacked a strong push to finish the match. Neither team wanted to open themselves up too much, which makes sense, so the end didn’t have the end to end stuff that it was very capable of having. Regardless, the 80 minutes that preceded the last 10 were amazing stuff.
Off to round 2, which is already under way, and hoping for more exciting games and more open play.
Cheers,
15 to 32
One Touch Soccer 