Euro 2012 - Day 2!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 9:58 AM
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Saturday, June 09, 2012
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Contributors
Previous Posts
- U.S. v. Antigua
- Euro 2012 - Day 1!
- How much are you prepared to watch?
- Euro 2012 Preview - Ukraine
- No-nonsense Polish Cops
- Euro 2012 Preview - Sweden
- Let's Be Havin' Ya!
- Euro 2012 Preview - France
- The Guardian Euro 2012 Animated Series
- Euro 2012 Preview - England!
451 Comments:
Good morning everyone. Disarray in the Dutch camp! Why such a thing would never happen. I am not sure why this is called the Group of Death as I expect the Dutch and Germans to easily advance.Mexico had just as difficult a time against Guyana as the U.S. did against Antigua, winning by the same score as Ricky Shakes of Ebbsfleet United gave the Mexican defense a torrid time and Guyana even hit the bar near the end.
I've been listening to Alan and the boys on the BBC I-player and they've got a feature that we should have added to the predictions game: Villain of the tournament. I think they should also have laugh of the tournament.
So far, hands-down villain of the week is the Spanish ref, and laugh of the tournament was Sir Chez roaring out of his 6 and missing the ball. Mind, if that had been in an Arsenal shirt, he'd be on the villain list.
Hiya MUR, I didn't think the US had as bad a time of it until Torres was replaced by Gooch. The conditions were awful and every Antiguan was packed in front of their goal.
But after Torres went off and Boca moved to left back, the lumbering Gooch was horribly exposed for the liability he is. With Cameron available, I think that Juergen made an error I hope he doesn't repeat again.
It's hard on Gooch. He was just starting to look like he'd figured out how to compensate for his complete lack of pace when he got his knee injury that took him out of the game for 18 months and he's been a journeyman and a bench sitting journeyman since. He's local to the Metro DC area and seems a very lovely guy and very generous with his time for youth soccer.
But it doesn't disguise the fact that there are many US center backs that are a more appropriate choice at this level. I can think of about 7 in the MLS alone that would have been able to sort out the Antiguan that rolled and then roasted Gooch for their goal.
The 'geezers are an enigma. So talented on one hand, and so hard to love with their cheating and assassination attempts posing as defensive tackling. And then there's Skippy who attracts and repels at the same time. They should pose real questions to the Dutch and the Germans, but not ones that are impossible to answer.
Good morning Gooner.South Africa , the 2010 World Cup hosts,are off to a horrible start, being held 1-1 at home by Ethiopia and drawing away by the same score at Botswana. The Central African Republic leads the group. With only one team qualifying,it appears that South Africa will fail to qualify for the final round from an easy group and will be watching the next World Cup at home.
Some more surprises from African World Cup qualifying As Zambia defeated Ghana 1-0 while Nigeria were held 1-1 in Malawi and Senegal by the same score in Uganda. I guess the African representatives in 2014 is a toss up.
Morning, chaps! I hope you're enjoying the action so far.
The Guardian daily podcast has been brilliant. They're the ones who broke the story that Bert van Marwyck has disputed his skipper Mark Van Bommel's account of the racist monkey chants directed toward the Dutch black players during training the other day. Bert is saying "nothing to see hear" while Mark is maintaining that there's a problem.
I continue to love the shambles that is Dutch football.
Agree with you about Gooch, Gooner. He was a liability, although to be fair he was played out of position at full-back where his lack of athleticism was always going to be exposed. I would have brought on Michael Parkhurst, who you know I rate highly from his time at the Revs. I'm still scratching my head over Dempsey stealing the ball out of Landycakes's hands at the penalty to rob him of his 50th goal.
Still, all in all, a professional display and the first win. We'll see the true mettle of this side on Tuesday night when they have to dodge bottles of piss in Guatemala.
The starting XIs for today's opener:
Netherlands: Stekelenburg, Van der Weil, Heitinga, Vlaar, Willems, Van Bommel, De Jong, Robben, Sneijder, Afellay, RVP.
Denmark: S. Andersen, S. Poulsen, Agger, Kjaer, Jacobsen, Zimling, Kvist, Krohn-Dehli, Eriksen, Rommedahl, Bendtner.
A Dutch journo on the Guardian podcast was commenting that Bert was nervous about having to play 18 year old Willems today. Rommedahl (to say nothing of Ronaldo) might get some joy out that.
Good morning BD. I saw the tail end of Mexico vs Guyana. They were not any better and won by the same margin so perhaps we need to give the U.S. another chance.A shocker was in Group 3 where Honduras lost 0-2 at home to Panama and will play up in Canada on Tuesday. I still expect Honduras and Panama to advance from that group while Costa Rica vs El Salvador finished Desmond and Mexico will make the short journey to El Salvador on Tuesday.
No Spanish ref today, sadly. Damir Skomina from Slovenia will be the scapegoat in the middle this evening.
Morning, MUR!
Lots of firepower on the Dutch bench if Bert so chooses: Kuyt, Huntelaar, Van der Vaart.
Way hay, the ESPN coverage has started.
Knowing defensive minded Bert, he will wait till late in the match for that. Also skipper , Mark Van Bommel, is his son-in-law. Those in-laws! Not that I would know anything about that.
Red and Boring Bolocks in the studio. A recipe for disaster!
Roberto alludes to the fact that the inexperienced Willems is playing at left back. Will that hurt the favored Dutch?
ESPN should hire me - I made that point half an hour ago.
I would hire you.Could you be any worse than Red or Bollocks?
Thank you, MUR. I'd have you along for the ride. ESPN could do worse than hire the whole LOB crew of soccer brainiacs.
These teams faced each other on their opening group match in South Africa too. The Dutch labored to a 2-0 victory if my memory serves me. Probably more of the same today.Lindy will be the reserve keeper for the Danes and the third choice keeper will be Leeds old Boy , Kasper.
Sitting on the couch with two of my boys and my good friend watching footer....life is good
Away we go
The Dutch get us underway in Ukraine.
Ta , BD. And we're off from Metallist Stadium in Kharkhiv.
Life is good, UWS - great to be sharing this with you and yours after a bang up brekkies.
Good morning UWS. How are you?
Skomina is a muppet. The architect of Arsenal's departure from the Champions League.
Agger heads straight to Stecklenburg off a free kick
Great tackle by Agger, who is involved early on.
I'm good MUR
Looking forward to two good matches
First chance falls to the 18 year old Willems. Blasts it well over but that shows his early confidence.
Young Willems blasts over from long range. I Applaud the effort
Same here, UWS.
Test match update
first two days of the TM were a wash out. England have the Windies 190-5
Morning, Gooner - the gang's all here. Magic!
Van Bommel is Bert's son-in-law and perhaps that might explain some of the friction.
UWS is doing the sports updates just to irritate me - I'm ignoring him.
I did not know that, MUR - interesting.
Bob is annoyed with my test match update..... I'm going to update the South Africa v England rugby if he doesn't zip it!!!!
Questionable Danish defending after a cross from RVP was deflected and Afellay was allowed to come in unchallenged and hook a shot over
This is my first real chance to watch Ajax youngster Christian Eriksen who the pundits have been big-upping.
I updated African and CONCACAF World Cup qualifying so I cannot complain.
What a miss from RVP! Shocker.
RVP should have scored there!
SO DID BOB!!!
Wide by RVP after the Danes failed to clear a cross bu Huntelaar and he should have at least put that on target.
Huntelaar on the bench is saying, "I'd have had that one."
Vlaar with a bit of patented Dutch thuggishness on Big Nik. Should have got an early yellow.
The Danes have a free kick just outside the box.
Free kick chance fore the Danes.... I HATE THE DUTCH NUMBERS... into the wall.. pathetic
Disappointing effort by Eriksen into the wall.
I agree, BD.Straight into the wall by Young Eriksen. A poor free kick.
Text book Landon Donovan free kick technique from the Danes. Nice to see that US football is being imitated at this level.
Willems has started well and looks to be the Dutch left back this tournament and for future ones too.
Affelay with an effort over the bar. Very bright start from both sides.
Just over by Affellay, who has had a bright start.
Dutch impress me so far. They are creating the chances and maintaining position against a Danish team that is swarming and feisty in the tackles.
Great ball in but Sneijder was just too wee to get over it.
Great pass by RVP.. but WS couldn't do much
Oh, if that had been Snejder to RVP, 1-0
Superb cross from RVP, and Schneider should have done better, but it was just too high.
Welcome, Red Devil - hope Italy is treating you well this summer. Glad to have you on board today.
Your brother just said exactly the same this Gooner
But why isn't RVP on the end of those chances?
There are going to be a lot of Danish fouls. The ref will have his hands full on this one.
Dutch free kick chance.. will # 1b take it???
RVP is tripped by Kvist just outside the box.
Great Dahlgren minds think alike, of course.
RVP does a JT on the free kick
Another rubbish free kick - as UWS likes to say, "Where's the quality?"
Useless free kick from RVP , but it breaks to Scheijder and RVP wins a corner.
I just want to tell everyone... Bob is being abusive to me in person!!
Van Bommel threatens the hot dog salesman in Row Z with that effort.
Kjar heads away the corner and Van Bommel shoots miles over.
Well deserved abuse, UWS.
I'm bugger off then!!!
Thanks, BD. I am actually going out to a village festival in a few minutes. Like I said, food comes first in Italy. Mother-in-law got a DVR, so I WILL NOT miss Germany later on.
Good morning Red Devil. I am sure you are eagerly anticipating Germany vs Portugal in the next match from Lviv.
Stop Robben going left!!!
Childish behavior from UWS and BD,whom we would expect to focus on this match.
If I were in Italy, the food would certainly come first. Enjoy!
Andersen saves easily from Robben. Now the Danes have a free kick.
Useless cross by the Danes
I agree, UWS - it would be the easiest thing in the world to channel Arjen out wide right.
Me too. I love Italian food. Rommedahl broke free down the right, but crossed straight to Stecklenburg.
Stick it in your left ear MUR!!!!!
it's not surprising that Skomina has not chosen to issue cards to the deserving UWS and BDB. He's a fellow muppet after all.
Indeed I am MRU, but frankly I am so nervous about it I have started going to pee every 15 minutes or so. It might be good to go to this fest to keep my mind off the game.
Great move by Robben and the Dutch... SHOOT ARJEN!!!
Why can't Robben finish off breakaways?
Great interplay by the Dutch and Robben ruined a golden opportunity as his poor pass was cut out.
Danish keeper had nerves of steel to pick that up rather than welly it.
Oh - Robben had a chance to pick out a good ball there but Kjaer was able to nick it back to the keeper Andersen.
Too late, UWS. , it's in my right ear.
I think your German team will win today and that your team will keep Skippy quiet today.
Agger with a bit of a high boot there that gave RVP an extra close shave.
The Russians impressed last night, but the Czechs gave them acres of space. The Dutch are making things happen despite Danish efforts to squeeze things.
Agger heads out a Dutch cross for a corner that is easily caught by Andersen.
Thanks MRU. I agree, but if Portugal maintains possession, they may tire out the Germans like the Spanish can do.
Wicket at Edgbaston
207 for 6
I agree, Red Devil. I wonder if we were too quick to write off the Greeks and perhaps the Poles vs the Czechs will be a playoff for the wooden spoon.
Yeah, I agree, Red Devil. But I'm not sure how much of that was Russian quality and how much was Czech incompetence. It strikes me that Poland, Russia and Greece are reasonably well balanced. The Czechs are clearly the wooden spoon team in Group A.
I don't see that happening Red Devil. They are not in the same class as the Spanish.
What was Snejder complaining about? Is there a new rule that you can't trap the ball with your bollocks?
great move... great goal!!!
GOOOOOOOOAL. Who says this ain't the group of death?
Was that Heitinga who got schooled?
GOAL !!! 1-0 DANES AGAINST THE RUN OF PLAY AS KROHN-DEHLI SCORES GOING THROUGH THE DUTCH DEFENSE AND BEATING STECKLENBURG AT THE NEAR POST.
NUT MEG!!
NUTS O HAZELNUTS.
Cadbury's takes them and covers them with chocolate!!
Great singing here in Scotia by BD
What a finish for that Dane. Drops a shoulder to fool Heitinga and nutmegs the keeper. Krohl-Deli!
GOAL! Rommedahl, The wily veteran puts the Danes 1-0. Would you Adam and Eve it!
Wow, wasted situation where the Dutch onslaught appeared to outnumber the defense.
News update-Alan Pardew opens negotiations to sign Khron-Deli.
My apologies - it was Krohn-Dehli with a delightful finish there.
That is exactly what this game needed - how will the Dutch respond now?
It all started harmlessly as Van Der Wieel blocked an effort from Olsen, but why were the Dutch static as Krohn-Dehli dribbled unchallenged and Stecklenburg is a better keeper than that
Exactly so, Gooner.
Classics indeed, UWS. Sounds like a great party atmosphere in Scotia.
Robben wins a Dutch corner.
Oh - free header for Afellay - and he's been mullered in the effort.
No... BD is still being abusive
Affellay glances a header wide from the corner and clashes heads with a Dane.
Naughty BD!Perhaps he has been taking lessons from some of the Dutch footballers.
Is the scorer Indian???
Nice one MUR
Is it me or did Krohn-Dehli do more in ten seconds than Robben in thirty minutes combined?
I am always available for consultations - give us a call, Bertie!
He did not look Indian, but I can do a Wikki.
Ta very much, UWS.
No mention of why he's representing that sub-Continental suffix on his wiki page.
Maybe he's partial to a post-match vindaloo? I know I am!
Oh - that cross just wouldn't come down for Big Nik.
His last name!!!
The Dutch crowd have gone really quiet here.
Is it me or does the Dutch formation look off to anyone else. Wings and Center forward as you would imagine, but it's a lot to expect from Snejder to be the only creative playing in the mid. Marwijk has surrounded Wesley with brute power but he's been easily handled by the Danes.
I didn't see anything about his national origin. He did play four seasons in the Dutch Eredivisie and may be familiar with the Dutch style. He has played in Denmark the past four seasons.
Robben GOES LEFT and hits the Sunday Roast!
Oh - off the post by Robben after another patented jink inside onto his left peg. Will the Danes never learn?
Off the post from Robben from long range . Prior to that I would say the Dutch looked out of sync.
I would not count out the Dutch as it will come down to which team makes the better adjustments.
Great defending show by BD here on how to defend Robben
Poor by Robben , who was easily tackled by Poulsen.
Well said Robbie Mustoe. Playing Robben on the right is too predictable
Just over by Affellay , who went on a great run.
I agree, MUR. The Dutch certainly have enough fire power on the bench.
Great comment from the commentator there that Robben's right foot is "made of chocolate."
I would probably sub Robben at halftime.
Afelay's Spanish is coming along as all lip readers will attest.
Oh - Rommedahl roasted Willems there and found Zimler. His teammate got in his way. Shame.
Another chance for the Danes, but the player scuffed that effort.
I'd have one of the defensive middies off and Huntelaar on. The Dutch need a six yard boxer up front.
Decent effort from the Danes again
Stecklenburg saves easily from Krohn-Dehli.
Now it's Eriksen with a shot at goal. The Dutch defense is more Gruyere than Gouda here.
Terrible first touch by RVP ruins his chance
Oh - RVP should have hit that one first time!
CONTROLLED WITH HIS WRONG FOOT... CONTROL WITH THE RIGHT SHOOT WITH THE LEFT!!
That should have been a Dutch equalizer after a superb pass , but RVP failed to control the pass and Andersen saved from a more difficult angle.Then Schneijder shot straiaght to Andersen.
Danes are growing in confidence.
RVP's touch lets him down. I hope Citeh's Sheihks are watching that and coughing up their lamb and rice.
Bert told his players to Gouda and Edam.
Boom boom, Gooner!
The corner from Krohn-Dehli deflected unexpectedly off of Big Nik and Stecklenburg fell on it. One minute of stoppage time.
Disagree with Mustoe - don't think the Dutch have dominated. It's been a really open back and forth match. I've thoroughly enjoyed it - the first half has zipped by.
1-0 at the interval.
Halftime and 1-0 to the Danes.
Half time... Tina will be pleased!
A cheesy performance from the Dutch .
If the Danes win then this will be a group of death and I will have to eat my words, but please not any cheese.Feed that to the Great Danes!
Peep-peep, the Danes's game has gone exactly to plan. Marwyck has to really think about the formation which to me is not taking the attacking talent of the Dutch far enough. The platform for Sneijder is not giving him enough to express himself. Likewise, Robbin on the right is too predictable; you know he's going to cut in and if you have someone alongside and someone who'll step up to meet him, it's going to negate most of his threat. Afelay is a bit lightweight for my tastes, and despite his injury woes, Pep Guardiola's tastes too.
The Dutch have had a lot of chances though. Robben off the post, RVP's uncharacteristic lack of touch, Afelay's rifled over the bar effortss. It's fixable, but I'd throw a creative midfielder on in place of Bert's son-in-law or De Jong.
The ice cream van seems to be going by in the background to wherever Roberto Martinez is. UWS wants a "99" with a Flake.
Agreed about Afellay - I don't really rate him. I'd have him off and Kuyt on. Dirk always knows his way to goal.
I agree Dahlgrens. I don't see Bert changing the formation because he will claim that's what got him to the World Cup Final.Do the Dutch make three substitutions and risk going down to ten if someone goes off injured . I would take off Robben and either Nigel or Mark. I would keep Affellay on because he has had the majority of the chances. I would put on Kuyyt and VDV in place of De Jong and Robben. I would take off the son in law later in the half.
Now Robbie Mustoe says the Dutch were flat after praising them in the first half.
MAKE UP YOUR MIND!
Lovely - a bit of the Europe classic "The Final Countdown" as we get ready for the second half kick-off. Good to hear that cheesy 80s rock is still alive and kicking in Ukraine.
The second half is underway from Mettallist Stadium.
Bert is sticking to Plan A so far. Expect some changes by the hour mark if things stay the same.
I agree, BD. Perhaps we can have some of that at the reunion.
Poor first touches from Schneijder and RVP.
Too much tippy-tappy footer by the Dutch... BE MORE DIRECT
The changes should be made now , not later.
Robben goes left.... shocker... over the top
Absolutely, MUR - I do hope we can have an 80s karaoke night later in the month in DC.
Robben cut in and shot over with his left foot.
Matt wants to see Huntleaar and VDV
Brilliant ,BD!I am not so sure you want to hear yours truly singing!
The Citeh men must have been watching that... A WHIFF
I think Huntelaar is a great choice , but he would probably come on for Affellay , which means Robben would play the full 90 or the deefnsive middies would.
Oh - RVP had another chance but scuffed his right foot shot.
A terrible slip from RVP, then a comfortable save from Andersen.
Another wicket for England
A decent long range effort from Van Bommel. The Danes clear the corner.
OH! Inches wide from Affellay , whom I feel has had a decent match.
Van Bommel feeds Affellay, who wins a corner.Then Van Bommel wins a corner off of Poulsen.Then Heitinga heads well over from the corner. The Toffee should have done better with a free header.
Well done by Poulsen with some trickery,. but his pass is cut out for a corner
Must be time for some changes from Bertie now.
I would think so. Why is he procrastinating. Is he waiting for the ice cream man?
Schneijder wins a free kick off of Kvist.
Sneijder is lining up another free kick here. They need a top drawer shot.
Not this time.
Subs warming up finally for Holland.
Useless free kick from Schneijder and an equally poor cross from Van Bommel
Huntelaar is warming up as Matt had suggested.
RVP has been pathetic
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