Euro 2012 - Day 9!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 12:05 PM
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 16, 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
- Euro 2012 Predictions Game - Group Stage Update
- Euro 2012 - Day 8!
- Euro 2012 - Day 7!
- It Was Thirty Years Ago Today...!
- SPURS AXE 'ARRY!!!
- Euro 2012 - Day 6!
- CONCACAF WORLD CUP QUALIFYING
- Euro 2012 - Day 5!
- Euro 2012 Predictions Game - Group Stage Update
- Panini goes to the dogs...
226 Comments:
I remember that match. Perhaps the worst ever as Germany took an early 1-0 lead vs Austria , then both teams passed the ball around for 80 minutes so that Germany and Austria could advance at the expense of Algeria. All three teams were level on points , but Germany and Austria had a superior goal difference. A second German goal would have put Algeria through ahead of Austria on goals scored.
So here are the ramifications for this afternoon:
Russia need a point against Greece to go through, though they have to win to make sure of top spot in the group. If Russia draw, then Czech Republic will finish top if they beat Poland. The co-hosts can still top the group themselves if they win and Russia lose, though if Russia draw it will come down to group goal difference between them and the Poles. Greece can only top the group if they beat Russia by three goals and Czech Republic draw.
A winner in the game between Czech Republic and Poland will definitely make it through to the quarter-finals. The Czechs are only likely to go through with a draw if Russia pick up a positive result, Poland have to win to progress.
If Greece beat Russia and Czech Republic draw with Poland that will leave three teams on four points, with Poland bottom. The group would then be decided by a mini-league involving only the results of those three nations. As each will have three points it then goes to mini-league goal difference.
News out of Poland today that UEFA have initiated disciplinary action against Croatia on the basis of alleged racist monkey chants directed at Mario Balotelli during Thursday's match. So that's the second side penalized for the actions of their fans during this tournament.
I reckon that I'll watch the Poland v. Czech Republic match on the telly and have the Greece v. Russia match on the laptop this afternoon. How about the rest of you?
Good afternoon, BD. I was thinking the same . Great minds think alike.
Deduct points from Croatia in the next European qualifying. That should put a stop to this horrible conduct.
Poland v Czechs for me with a co-host win hopefully.
Good afternoon, Gooner. Another local derby for the Poles as this match is being played in Wroclaw; sixty miles from the Czech border.
Afternoon, lads - yeah, I'm hoping for a Poland win today. I'd love to see at least one co-host go through to the quarters, and we don't want Ukraine doing that, now do we!
I would like to see the Czechs win so people will realize that being a co-host will not be enough if you have a crap side.
Coverage has started on both channels now - Poland v. Czechs on ESPN and Russia v. Greece on the Deuce.
Team news out of Wroclaw:
Czech Republic: Cech; Gebre Selassie, Sivok, Kadlec, Limbersky; Pilar, Hubschman, Jiracek, Kolar, Plasil; Baros. Subs: Lastuvka, Suchy, Hubnik, Necid, Rezek, Rosicky, Petrzela, Rajtoral, Pekhart, Lafata, Darida, Drobny.
Poland: Tyton; Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch;, Dudka, Polanski; Blaszczykowski, Murawski, Obrania; Lewandowski.Subs: Szczesny, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski, Matuszczyk, Rybus, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki, Brozek, Sandomierski.
Referee: Craig Thomson (Scotland)
Not sure about the yellow card situation. In previous tournaments, UEFA has wiped the yellows clean as the sides advanced to the knock-out rounds but I'm not sure about this year.
I am watching Poland vs the Czechs on the telly, Russia vs Greece on the lappy, and typing on the desktop all thanks to Germany and Austria.
That was my understanding, but I'm not sure this year.
We've had a tremendous 46 goals in 16 matches - that is two goals shy of a 3 goals per game ratio. Let's hope today continues that strike rate.
This is the part of the tournament where my next and eyes work overtime
Looks like more rain in Poland.
And your math ability works overtime, right MUR?
I agree, BD and as I type it is a downpour in Wroclaw.
That is correct, BD, but you and UWS have done an excellent job explaining the all the possibilities. They are different since head to head is the first tie breaker instead of goal difference. Well done!
we're off from Wroclaw
A few seconds later from Warsaw.
Greece lost to Russia in the third group game in 2004, but still won the tournament. It should be different this time.Still a Russia win.
Interesting - both matches have red and white teams.
Oh - spectacular overhead bike effort from Lewandowski - hit the side netting.
Nearly 1-0 to Poland as a bicycle kick lands in the side netting.
Back and forth between the telly and the lappy.
Oh - Selassie did so well to get through the Polish backline and Pilar needed to do better there. Big chance.
Now Czech pressure and a let off for Poland as the Pilar missed the ball and that could have been an early Czech lead.
Bit of an elbow thrown by Baros there.
Kadlec fouls the Polish skipper just outside the box.
Bit of a low percentage effort there near post from the free kick. Side netting.
Nearly the lead for the Greeks as Katsouranis forces a great save from Malafeev off a corner from Karagounis and the Polish free kick lands in the side netting.
Great save by Cech as a Polish player was through.
Oh - Obraniak did really well to find Blaszczykowsk sneaking into the box. Smothered well by Cech.
Anuykov is down for the Russians after a nasty clash of heads
Odd dropped ball in the other match after a clash of heads.
Great run by Pilar, but Wasilewski clears
Curled wide by Samaras as the Greeks are unusually lively. Do they have a choice?
A horrible miss by Lewandowski as he shot over with just Cech to beat.
Oh - Lewandowski should have scored there. Gary Lineker has been giving striker lessons for free on the BBC and Lewandowski could have used them there. He says in those situations to aim beyond the far post and a slice of some sort is always likely.
Great save by the keeper from Arshavin.
Good chance there for Arshavin in the other match. Saved by the Greek keeper.
well sated BD and Uws could have given him some lessons too.
Craig Johnson's got the card out early for Limbersky for a foul on Blaszczykowski.
Limbersky is booked for a foul just outside the box. Free kick Poland.
Oh - Obraniak served the free kick well into the six yard box and Cech did well to punch it out.
The free kick from Obraniak is headed out and Boenisch shoots just wide. Inches wide by Kherzakhov for Russia
Dzagoev goes close with a volley in the other match. Poland and Russia on the ascendancy in both matches.
Oh - Polanski needed to do better there from a similar area to which Fernando Torres scored brilliantly against the Irish the other day.
OH! Hart in mouth moment as Malafeev was nearly caught out by the bounce, but a Greek player was offside.Shot over by Polanski with just Cech to beat.
Nearly 1-0 to the Russians as Jerkoff baoke from a Greek corner and Katsouranis cleared for a corner.Great run.
The corner from Arshavin is headed away by Samaras.
Great pass by Smaras to Gekas, but a shame that the return pass was off and easily cleared.
Malafeev struggles to punch away a cross from Torosidis then the keeper saves easily from a weak long range effort from Jackoff.
Useless pass from Kolar after a great run by Sleassie.
Arshavin shoots wide after Kherzakhov was tackled.
0-0 in both matches half-way through this first half. As it stands, Russia and the Czechs would progress.
Great save from Cech there from German-born Boenisch.
Great save by Cech from a dipping effort from Boenisch from long range.
The Poles are definitely forcing the issue and look more likely.
The corner from French born Obraniak was eventually cleared.
Baros draws a foul and yellow card for a pull back.
Murawski was booked for a foul on Barros. That seemed kind of harsh.
I watched the recording of Ukraine vs France and the Fake Scot stated that the weather delay was the first since W. Germany vs Poland in 1974 in a match played in Frankfurt.
Sirakhov has a long range effort deflected for a corner.
Wow - that is a long time ago. I couldn't remember a time.
Poland break after the Czechs failed to get a shot off.
Here's a question: since these matches are meant to be played simultaneously, what would happen if there was a weather delay in one match but not another? Would both matches have to be suspended?
I didn't see any matches as my first finals was in 1978, but I lived just outside Frankfurt at that time and don't remember that. UWS might.
That is an excellent question and I am sure UEFA would have its own unique solution.I am not sure to be honest.
'74 was the first Finals tournament that I remember watching. I was ten. I have some vague recollection of watching bits and pieces of the '70 final when living in Germany.
Headed well over by the Czechs off the corner.
The weather has become appalling in Wroclaw - no problem in the other match. We may have that scenario that I was mentioning a moment ago.
Arshavin was through, but stopped by a great tackle from Pappadopoulis.
Perhaps. The one advantage is that there is not thunder and lightning.
Half hour mark and still no goals. This group has been full of goals up to this moment. Maybe it's nerves.
where is UWS? I thought he would be around for the action.
We have not had a 0-0 draw. Every team has scored and every team has conceded in this tournament.
There have been chances. Nothing like W. Germany vs Austria.
No word from UWS today - I reckon he's got a full slate of kids' soccer games to watch this weekend.
Looks like Sweden vs Ireland in the Russia vs Greece match.
No - I didn't mean to suggest that a fix was in. Russia are the only side who are in the comfortable situation of only needing a draw. The Poles in particular are going for it but they've seemed nervous in front of goal when the chances have come.
That could be . I hope the weather is better than in Wroclaw.
That really would be a "Wooden Spoon" match.
It has been poor finishing in both matches.
They will be fighting for the runner up playoff spot in World Cup qualifying as Germany should win the group
I really like this Obraniak fellow who is French-born. I'm not sure where he's playing now but I'd love to see him at Elland Road.
I think there is a swirling wind to add to the mix.
I think he's playing in France.
Oh - Baros broke the offside trap but couldn't control it.
Surely he'd enjoy life in West Yorkshire better than in France.
I think he is playing for Lille in League 1.
I am not sure. It would be an adjustment for sure.
Oh - what was that? Kerzhakov had a golden opportunity and he made a complete balls-up of the chance in the area.
Great run by Pilar and Plasil has a shot deflected harmlessly to Tyton
I'm almost sure that you can't get a decent pie and mash in Lille. Come on, Obraniak!
Glushakhov had a shot deflected , but a goal kick was awarded.
The weather seems to have improved slightly in Wroclaw. They'll get through to half time and then the men with the pitchforks will come on for a bit of poking action.
OH! inches over from Jerkoff.
Pilar shot right at Tyton
Oh - Polanski with another chance, but it's deflected out.
Great point , BD. How could you pass up pie and mash . Better than champagne , wine and French Cuisine.Very persuasive, BD!He's on his way to ER!
Obraniak is considered an EU player as he is technically French.
The Czechs seem to be finishing the stronger team while Russia is the better team in the other match
Both matches are in a lull and both desperately need a goal.
A scramble and a couple of blocks before the Greeks clear.
Halftime and 0-0 in wroclaw. No stoppage time was played. Two minutes of stoppage time in Warsaw.
Arsahvin wins a corner off of Sokratis,
well wide by Sirakov off the next corner
GOAL! The Greeks score right at the death of the first half!!!!!
1-0!
GOAL !!! 1-0 GREECE AS KARAGOUNIS GIVES GREECE THE LEAD.
And it's the wily veteran Karagounis who broke the deadlock one on one. The Greeks can dream now.
It looked like a poor back header from the Russians and that was the last kick of the half as Greece leads 1-0.
The Czechs and Poles must have spat out their half-time tea in the dressing rooms as that goal went in. It puts both of them out!
It is rather complicated as we go to the three team mini league where each team has a win and a loss. The goal differences are currently:
Russia + 2
Greece 0
Czechs -2
The goal was the best thing that could happen as both the Czechs and Poles are forced to attack. If Poland and the Czechs do not score then Russia and Greece could " help each other " as this result would send both teams through.
I agree - as it was, the Czechs were just as happy to hang back and try to launch balls at Baros to chase and the Poles seemed overawed by the occasion. The Greeks have done us a favor.
Agreed. The Poles and Czechs will have to attack Or be eliminated . A win by either team an no change in Russia vs Greece; then the winner of the Czechs vs Poland wins the group.
The Greek goal came from an uncharacteristic Greek long ball and a Russian defender , thinking of the halftime break heads to Karagounis, who punished the Russians. All he had to do was head clear and it would have been 0-0 at the half. That is why you play to the final whistle.
Poland and the Czechs head out of the locker room. As things stand , a draw helps neither team.
Polanski picks up a yellow card and the fake Scot indicates that suspensions will carry on to the knock-out stages. Must be a new ruling by UEFA.
I am back from the lucky chair and ready for the second half.If goal difference was the first tie breaker then it would be the same scenarios.
Great run by Pilar earns a corner that is easily cleared,
Barros has a shot deflected off of wailewski for a corner.
The corner is easily cleared.
The defensive error at the end of the half was from Denisov.
Well wide from Samaras
It's all Russia pressure now in the other match.
Bad pull by Blasiczewski on Barros and Sirakov shoots well over with a great opportunity
Russia has out shot Greece 14-3 and on target by 5-2, but are behind with the only stat that really matters.
A minor push by Barros on Perquis, who has words for the fifth official.
Perquis is indicating that Baros has lumped him in the ear on numerous occasions this afternoon.
Gorsicki is on for Polanski as Poland make their first change,
Polanski has missed several chances today and has been booked, so he's off for an early rest. Mierzejewski on in his place.
Perquis would have a tough time facing any side managed by Evil Warnock.
Jackoff was double teamed by a well organized Greek defense as he failed to get a shot off.
Great defending by Boenisch on Jirasek
wide by denisov from long range as he attempts to atone for the defensive error that led to the Greek goal.
A 1-0 lead is a situation that Greece relishes.If the Czechs or Poles score then that goes out the shop window,
Oh - the Greeks were nearly in for a second. The Russians need to pull their fingers out. Far too complacent.
Marcin Wasilewski picks up a yellow.
OH! superb RUN BY TOROSIDIS and anuyakov clears off the line on a Greek break.
A cheap free kick here for the Czechs.
The free kick from Plasil was headed away as Gekas headed on a corner and nobody was there to connect.
Oh - that's a stone cold penalty for Karagounis but he's booked for simulation instead and he is going potty over it. Livid!
Karagounis is booked for a dive , but appeared to be tripped and should have had a penalty. Now has words for the officials and will be suspended if Greece plays in the quarters
And yet another dangerous free kick for the Czechs - this time on the left side.
I don't blame him.Harsh on the Greeks. Lucky Russians.
Oh - almost an own goal there by Perquiz but Tyton did so well!
The free kick from Plasil was headed straight to Tyton by Sivok as the keeper made it more difficult than it was.
Holebas is on for Gekas. I am not sure about that one as Holebas has been the weak link in this tournament.
As things stand , Russia wins the group and Greece go through as runners up, probably to face Germany.
Baros hits one but straight at Tyton.
Good save by Tyton from Barros off a superb run by Jirasek after Poland poorly conceded possession
Makos is coming on for Karagounis who was likely to talk himself into a second yellow before long.
Makos is on for Karagounis , who is on a yellow.
Twenty minutes left in these two matches and still only that Karagounis goal, which would put Russia and Greece through.
Arshavin us tackled for a corner,
A Dutch manager against a Portugese manager as it will be tomorrow when those two nations are in opposition.
This result would really benefit Someone Said, the only LOBer who predicted Russia and Greece progressing from this group. He needs the help as he's currently in the relegation zone.
Jerkoff is booked for a foul just outside the box.
GOAL !!! 1-0 CZEC HS AS JIRASEK SCORES A SUPERB GOAL FROM A SUPERB SOLO RUN.
GOAL! Jiracek with a great run and finish into the bottom right corner.
1-0 Czechs!
OH! OFF THE CORNER OFF THE BAR AND POST OFF THE GREEK FREE KICK.
Jackoff has been booked.
Headed just wide by the Greeks off the next free kick.
Pav Pogs is on for Glushakov
Now then - that's totally changed the calculus again. The Czechs could now win the group with Greece facing a clash with the Germans in the quarters. Time for Russia to pull their fingers out!
The Czech fans are loving it now.
Mirewski is on for Murawski,.
Baros has it in the net but he's ruled offside.
Barros was offside as he attempted to round the keeper.
A long way back for the Poles now, who are bottom of the group. Sad.
It now appears that that first half header by Robert Lewandowski was the highlight of this tournament for Poland. It's been downhill since then.
Going back to the goal, Hubschmann put though Barros, who went on a superb run and his sublime pass went to Jirasek who turned a defender and scored with a great finish.
Correct BD. The Czechs would win the group and Greece would finish ahead of Russia on head to head
Dudka slices a free kick from Plasil out for a corner
Desperation stuff from the Russians now.
Greece, the masters of defending a 1-0 lead will make it tough for the Russians
I would not be the least bit upset seeing Russia and Poland eliminated.
It's been downhill for Russia too. Proof that it's not how you start the tournament, but how you finish it.
The Poles can really only help Russia now. Two goals has got to be beyond them but they might just nick an equalizer, which would see Russia through on goal difference.
Malafeev was forced to push out a cross by Torosidis.
That is true. I don't see Poland scoring two, but Russia should do their part if they want to advance.
Izmailov is on for Anuykov.
Pajtoral is on for Jiracek and Balscozewski needs to shut it as Jiracek came off in a timely manner.
Ninis is on for Salpingidis.
The Greek fans are going potty now in the stands at Warsaw.
Oh - that was a whisker away by Dgaoev!!
None of us picked the Greeks to advance or the Russians to be eliminated as that will neither help nor hinder anyone.
Oh - now Wasilewski just wide with the header! Wow!
Actually Someone said picked Greece to advance in the second slot. Most picked Russia and Poland, it's true.
Headed just wide by Jackoff from a cross by Arshavin and Wojtkowiak headed inches over for Poland.
A bit of a ruck in both matches; the fake Scot gets to use his favorite word - "Stramash."
A fight between Poland and the Czechs as there is no love lost between these rivals . Plasil is booked while Katsouranis is being stretchered off.
Rezek, who plays his football in Cyprus, is on for the Czechs.
I guess Someone and Yours Truly benefit most from these results.
Oh - great ball over but Lewandowski couldn't get it on goal.
The corner from Bl;asicyzewski is cleared.and Rezek is tripped by Perquis, who is deservedly booked.
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