106 replies to this topic

[TV Anonymous]

Group A
Poland (Co-Host)
Russia
Greece
Czech Republic

Group B
The Netherlands
Germany
Portugal
Denmark

Group C
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Ireland

Group D
Ukraine (Co-Host)
England
Sweden
France

DATE EVENT TIME ET/PT
Friday, June 8 Poland vs. Greece 11:30am/8:30am
Friday, June 8 Russia vs. Czech Republic 2:30pm/11:30am
Saturday, June 9 Netherlands vs Denmark 11:30am/8:30am
Saturday, June 9 Germany vs. Portugal 2:30pm/11:30am
Sunday, June 10 Spain vs Italy 11:30am/8:30am
Sunday, June 10 Ireland vs Croatia 2:30pm/11:30am
Monday, June 11 France vs. England 11:30am/8:30am
Monday, June 11 Ukraine vs. Sweden 2:30pm/11:30am
Tuesday, June 12 Greece vs. Czech Republic 11:30am/8:30am
Tuesday, June 12 Poland vs. Russia 2:30pm/11:30am
Wednesday, June 13 Denmark vs. Portugal 11:30am/8:30am
Wednesday, June 13 Netherlands vs. Germany 2:30pm/11:30am
Thursday, June 14 Italy vs. Croatia 11:30am/8:30am
Thursday, June 14 Spain vs. Ireland 2:30pm/11:30am
Friday, June 15 Ukraine vs. France 11:30am/8:30am
Friday, June 15 Sweden vs. England 2:30pm/11:30am
Saturday, June 16 Greece vs. Russia 2:00pm/11:00am
Saturday, June 16 Czech Republic vs Poland 2:00pm/11:00am
Sunday, June 17 Portugal vs. Netherlands 2:00pm/11:00am
Sunday, June 17 Denmark vs. Germany 2:00pm/11:00am
Monday, June 18 Croatia vs. Spain 2:00pm/11:00am
Monday, June 18 Italy vs Ireland 2:00pm/11:00am
Tuesday, June 19 Sweden vs. France 2:00pm/11:00am
Tuesday, June 19 England vs Ukraine 2:00pm/11:00am
Thursday, June 21 QF #1 - 1st Group A vs 2nd Group B 2:00pm/11:00am
Friday, June 22 QF #2 - 1st Group B vs 2nd Group A 2:00pm/11:00am
Saturday, June 23 QF #3 - 1st Group C vs 2nd Group D 2:00pm/11:00am
Sunday, June 24 QF #4 - 1st Group D vs 2nd Group C 2:00pm/11:00am
Wednesday, June 27 SF #1 - Winner QF1 vs Winner QF3 2:00pm/11:00am
Thursday, June 28 SF #2 - Winner QF2 vs Winner QF4 2:00pm/11:00am
Sunday, July 1 Final - Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 2:45pm/11:45am

[yarnover]

Thanks for starting this thread and posting all of the groups and game dates.

Group B is this tournament's Group of Death. Can Portugal spring a surprise?

[ganesh]

It seems like Spain should advance out of the group without too much of a problem. But Group B looks like it's going to be the hardest to me too. Though I think Germany will advance.

[TV Anonymous]

If Group B is the group of death, then Group A is the cakewalk group, at least for Russia and Greece.

This is the flaw of FIFA's system of putting the host(s) in the first-seeded pot. I think that Germany and England deserve more to be in the first pot than Ukraine and Poland, based on their performance in Euro 2008 and WC 2010. In my opinion, host country(ies) do get the right to be in the tournament, but their seeding should follow their performance.

As for Group B, I think Netherlands and Germany will advance. Portugal, unfortunately, will not. While CR7 arguably is the best European player today, the supporting cast of that squad is not strong enough to beat Germany and Netherlands.

Edited by TV Anonymous, Jun 4, 2012 @ 3:16 PM.

[yarnover]

Hmm...Russia beating Italy 3-0 the other night was an interesting result. Wonder if it's foreshadowing for either team. ESPN's Tommy Symth called Group A the Group of Life (ha!) meaning every team has an equal chance of going through. Thoughts?

Group D is also interesting to me, because of the first match - France vs. England. Plus, I'm intrigued by Sweden, if only because observers don't seem to expect much of them.

Agree w/ganesh that Spain should advance easily from Group C, which leaves me wondering who will finish second there.

[yarnover]

It's the eve of the tournament and I find myself rooting for Poland. The romantic in me wants to see the host countries do well.

Plus...Lewandowski!

[ganesh]

I don't have much of a rooting interest in any particular country since I'm from the USA, so I'm rooting for the host countries too. Poland is looking good right now against Greece.

ETA: So much for that!

Edited by ganesh, Jun 8, 2012 @ 12:29 PM.

[yarnover]

Whoa! So much for opening day being boring.

Poland vs Greece had a little of everything - goals, red cards, a penalty kick save. Whew!

And Russia had a fun time putting 4 past the Czech Republic - especially Alan Dzagoev with two.

How I wish I could have seen these matches!

Michael Ballack is kind of adorable on ESPN, but Alexi Lalas still annoys me.

Edited by yarnover, Jun 8, 2012 @ 8:06 PM.

[Amelie06]

Never mind. Turns out I shouldn't trust the fios search, which falsely lead me to believe all the games were being aired in Spanish!


I hope Spain or Holland really does well in this competition. I'm not really rooting for England. I think they usually act like entitled jerks around these competitions. And now they are kind of acting like sad sacks. They are making me feel a little guilty for not entirely rooting for them.

I would like to see France get their act together. They can't afford another implosion at a major competition.

Edited by Amelie06, Jun 9, 2012 @ 7:45 AM.

[yarnover]

I would like to see France get their act together. They can't afford another implosion at a major competition.

Oh me, too. I think they have too much talent not to go far in this tournament.

About to watch Denmark vs. The Netherlands. I want to see this Christian Eriksen in action.

[ganesh]

Wow, what an upset! Those back four on the Danes really played some great one on one defense. I try hard to follow the international teams, and I watched a lot of qualifying matches, but it seems to be whenever the Dutch get some hype they fall flat all the time when the games really count.

I'm rooting for the Danes to advance. I don't like Portugal, and I want Lalas to be wrong. He's talking out his ass half the time. I could do a better job than him. I do like that Lalas is trying to put Ballack at ease though.

Michael Ballack is hilariously good. It's pretty clear he's nervous and he wants to make sure he is speaking well. I love that he's got his notes right in front of him. Ley will ask him something, and then there's a huge pause as he's looking at his notes and trying to say the right words.

I was dying this morning when MB was like, "I made some calls" [to Germany] about who is starting. He was so pleased that he could provide some insider info!

I'm not a Ronaldo fan and I think he fades in big games, but he laid the ball out there about 3 times on a silver platter for his teammates today and they just can't finish.

Edited by ganesh, Jun 9, 2012 @ 3:48 PM.

[yarnover]

Michael Ballack is hilariously good. It's pretty clear he's nervous and he wants to make sure he is speaking well.

I know! It's kind of adorable.

I was one who thought it was a mistake to start Gomez instead of Klose. Shows what I know-lol.

Surprised Denmark beat The Netherlands today. They're one of my picks to win it all.

And hey, Mourinho was there in the stands supporting Portugal. That was nice to see.

[ganesh]

I thought it was pretty funny that Lalas was going on about Ballack singing the national anthems in the bar, and Ley was like, too bad I missed that! These guys are going to be doing pre/post game shows for nearly a month. Ballack needs to loosen up a little. Blowhardness aside, I like the studio show. They've put together some nice graphics to set up interest in the matches so far.

I thought the highlights of Ballack in the 3-2 Germany/Portugal match was a great way to set the tone for the upcoming match, and then I was dying when Ballack was like, "oh I think we'll win. zomg! I mean Germany should win this game." And then Ley doesn't miss a beat: "You've got 98 CAPS for the German national team. You can say 'we'. It's cool."

I always thought Rossi was a dbag for going to Italy and not playing for the USA. Glad to know that he's opened his stupid mouth to prove me right. They can have him. Get off the tv.

Edited by ganesh, Jun 10, 2012 @ 1:12 PM.

[yarnover]

Great game between Spain & Italy today. Rock solid defending by the Italians, though I think they did tire a bit toward the end. The equalizer from Spain was a beauty. It's nice when big matches live up to the hype.

[ganesh]

I hate the Italians because they are such dicks, but that was a very entertaining game once it opened up. Di Natale's goal was just world class.

What's with Lalas being so dismissive of Ireland? Really professional. And then insulting the Irish guy who was clearly thrilled that Ireland is in the tourney for the first time in a generation. What an asshole. They qualified just like everyone else and have just as much right to be there.

Plus, with the group favorites playing to a draw, a win here puts them in the driver's seat. That really put me off. What a smug fuck, I wanted to smack him.

[yarnover]

I missed that from Lalas, but then again, I used the time between matches to get my shower-lol. I'd forgotten how much Lalas just grates on my nerves as an analyst.

I feel so bad because I fell asleep halfway through Ireland-Croatia. I did see the Irish equalize in the 19th minute, which was nice. I have to catch the highlights to see Croatia's other 2 goals.

I know Croatia's topping the Group C table right now, but I'm sticking with Spain & Italy to go through. I was pleasantly surprised by their game today: I fully expected a cagey, play-not-to-lose encounter, but we got a game where both teams actually went for the win.

Am disappointed that I will miss England-France and Sweden-Ukraine tomorrow. Feels like I've been waiting forever to see this England game.

[Wee S]

Oh Ireland.... it was nice while it lasted. All 3 minutes of it. The fans were immense though - even my football-hating mum sang along with the anthem at the start of the game!

I have a soft spot for the Dutch so I hope they pull themselves together and go far.

[ganesh]

I didn't like the studio show today. Ballack brings something to the show that I just like. Though I always like Keller and he's had such a long career that I want to hear what he's got to say. I don't see what Lalas is saying that is so authentic. I can do a better job at analysis.

He keeps hammering the point that people have figured out Spain. So what? I could tell you how they play too. That doesn't mean you can beat them even if you know how they play. It's not like you're going to out think Xavi.

I hate Italy, but I was surprised they actually played a more open game. Torres probably should have had a goal at the end. I do hope he can get some more minutes. Credit Buffon for playing an A+ game in the net. That's the problem with a team like Spain that can possess the ball so well, you would so hard to win possession back and then you have to haul ass downfield and try to do something and then have to work to get the ball back. It takes a lot out of you.

I don't see how Italy and Spain don't advance. *Maybe* Croatia might steal a point if they get an early goal and make Italy play up and down and wear them out.

I have to say, I am having a thoroughly enjoyable time watching these matches. This is the first year I've followed the pro-leagues in Europe and I watched a lot of Euro qualifiers too. I think maybe because I know some of the players now it's more fun.

[yarnover]

RE: the Portugal-Germany match yesterday, I missed it, but caught highlights. Sounds like Germany didn't play that well, but still found a way to win - courtesy of Gomez.

I like Ballack, too - much better than Lalas. He's always got that know-it-all tone that I just annoys.

I think maybe because I know some of the players now it's more fun.

This is it for me as well. And I'm curious to see which player breaks out in this tournament and sparks offers from a bunch of clubs.

[ganesh]

It is Lalas' tone that grates. When he did his solo piece about the German attack, he was ok.

Germany played better than Portugal and should haver won. But they lacked a crispness. They need to bring an A+ quality against the Dutch, since that will be a must win game.

I didn't even think that this is a showcase for the players, professionally.

[AnitaMC86]

I like Ballack, too - much better than Lalas. He's always got that know-it-all tone that I just annoys.

This! Every time after Michael finishes talking, he goes all patronizing with his comment that makes me, at least, feel like he's trying to up MB. It's annoying. I enjoy MB's insight with a more full career but am thankful when Lalas shuts up.

I was slightly disappointed in today's Spain match but it was a tough one to beat. I have no idea what possessed Del Bosque to introduce strikers until very late in the game but ok, Fabregas did his job. The midfield was excellent. One point each, I'm assuming both teams will beat Croatia and Ireland and will go through.

Casillas and Buffon were magnificent.

I'm hoping for an upset in the Group of Death and have Germany and Denmark go through.

[ganesh]

This! Every time after Michael finishes talking, he goes all patronizing with his comment that makes me, at least, feel like he's trying to up MB.

Yes, exactly. He's always got some crack he has to get in. He reminds me of the guy who always has to make a sarcastic comment about everything on anything. You know that guy. Everyone knows one person like that.

Not to detract from Lalas' actual playing career; I mean, really, you can argue that Bradley is a starter on a Serie A team because of Lalas in a way. But MB actually played in the Euros. Back off. Give MB time to compose himself and talk. I don't know if he thinks he's putting MB at ease or trying to be friendly or whatever, but it's not coming across that way.

[yarnover]

Casillas and Buffon were magnificent.

Yes, they were! I was having a little nerdgasm at the fact that they were both playing so well.

England vs. France today. I am very intrigued by both teams, for very different reasons. France just has so much talent, I want to see if it'll come to fruition on the big stage. And, of course, England - can they overcome all the usual pre-tournament drama to actually play a good game of football?

Edited by yarnover, Jun 11, 2012 @ 9:27 AM.

[ganesh]

Lalas needs to STFU now and stop interrupting everyone. England is a shitty team who got a lucky point against a flat French side. They were clearly hanging on by their fingernails and they will continue to do so while Rooney is out. What's going to happen if one of the sides in the other match gets 3 points? The next game is basically must win. MB was right: this wasn't winning soccer. It was boring and uninspired.

[yarnover]

Ha! I missed the studio analysis for the England-France game, but in the halftime show for Ukraine-Sweden, Rebecca Lowe (sort of) joked that Michael Ballack is liking this match much more than the previous one. And she's right - he's smiling and happy that both teams are going for a win. Alexi was notably silent-lol.

[ganesh]

All the goals in that Sweden/Ukraine were top of the class. What a hell of a game. I don't see that England could beat either of these teams if they can maintain that level of intensity.

How about that? You play for your country in your home city and score 2 goals? You can't write a script that good!

[Lathund]

All the goals in that Sweden/Ukraine were top of the class. What a hell of a game. I don't see that England could beat either of these teams if they can maintain that level of intensity.

Really?!? I get that my opinion is partially influenced by the fact that my country (Sweden) are already more or less elmiminated from the tournament already, but even so I don't see how you come to that conclusion. England and France weren't all that impressive, but it's not like either us or Ukraine were particularly good. An entertaining game for the neutral perhaps, but that says nothing about the quality of either side.

We didn't defend well, we looked toothless in attack. Heading into the England game one can argue whether the morale effects will be negative (Very small chance of advancing, lost to the on paper worst team in the group etc) or positive (Small chance of advancing could mean less pressure, the loss and the resulting backlash could see the team galvanized etc) but I believe in the former. I don't think we have much of a chance at all.

[ganesh]

I think Sweden played with more pace than England, and if they can keep that up, I think they can beat them. England will just tire out. Even if they just sit back in the box and defend all game, they have to deal with Ibra pushing them all over the place. France didn't have nearly the same threat, imo. Also, I hate England. If they can get down the field, I think Sweden would be able to counter attack effectively.

It sucks for Sweden because you only play three games, but that game could have easily been 3-2, 3-3 for either side. Ukraine was playing a home game too. You can coach and work on changes to defend, counter, set pieces, etc. You can't coach pace or speed. It will be a must win game for Sweden for sure, but I think they can beat England.

[yarnover]

How about that? You play for your country in your home city and score 2 goals? You can't write a script that good!

I'm pleased for Shevchenko, especially because a lot of the pre-game talk in the media had been about how he was past it and might not even start. Take that, prognosticators! Plus, i felt the performance from Ukraine was really inspired.

Deciding whether I should watch the replay of England-France.

[ganesh]

It's not really worth your time.