Euro 2012 - Semi Final 2!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 11:26 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!
Thursday, June 28, 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
- The Iberian Semi-Final!
- The coveted LOB Shield
- Euro 2012 Predictions Game - Quarter-final Update
- Come on, England!
- Euro 2012 - Quarterfinal 3
- Bad Precursor for the Germans The Germans and ...
- Euro-2012 Quarter-final 1
- Euro 2012 Predictions Game - Group Stage Final Upd...
- Euro 2012 - Day 12 - England Expects!
- Euro 2012 - Day 11!
301 Comments:
I'm back for the beginning of the ESPN coverage of today's match. And I have a brand new LOB Tournament Cup in hand, which will be coming to the winner of predictions game. Here are the current standings before this match starts:
West Ham Rising - 40
Red Devil - 33
Thomas - 32
Simon Burke - 29
Someone Said - 25
Blue Devil - 27
Matt - 24
AZ Kicker - 23
Chelskilad - 21
Gooner71 - 21
ManUtd Rules - 20
United We Stand - 20
Team news out of Warsaw today:
Germany: 1-Manuel Neuer; 20-Jerome Boateng, 14-Holger Badstuber, 5-Mats Hummels, 16-Philipp Lahm; 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 6-Sami Khedira; 18-Toni Kroos, 8-Mesut Ozil, 10-Lukas Podolski; 23-Mario Gomez
Italy: 1-Gianluigi Buffon; 6-Federico Balzaretti, 15-Andrea Barzagli, 19-Leonardo Bonucci, 3-Giorgio Chiellini; 21-Andrea Pirlo; 8-Claudio Marchisio, 18-Riccardo Montolivo, 16-Daniele De Rossi; 9-Mario Balotelli, 10-Antonio Cassano
Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France)
Struth... I'm not Blackburn.. I'm WOLVES!
Good afternoon, BD. Statistical proof that this tournament has gone sour : Zero out of 24 matches were 0-0 in the group stages as opposed to two out of five or 40% in the knockout stages.There were 2.5 goals per game in the group stages as opposed to 1.8 per game in the knockout stages. Unless there are eight goals in the next two games then this will be the lowest scoring tourney since 1996.The only Euro where both semis went to penalties was 1996. If there are fewer than two goals this afternoon then this will be the lowest scoring semis in Euro history.
Good afternoon, UWS. You and me both. Not a good feeling.
Afternoon, MUR - I'm hoping for much better today. Very much a German bias on the ESPN panel today. I think they expect a big Teutonic win, which would be just fine by me. We already saw how tedious a Spain v. Italy game could be. The final would be much the same.
It's Adrian Healey chewing on his consonants alongside Robbie Mustoe this afternoon. Teams in the tunnel.
uh oh.. Michel and Sepp are both here!!
I agree, BD. If I had known that yesterday's match would have been that horrible then I would have kicked the Iberians and Italians out of the tourney and put an LOB Allstar team to play Germany in the final
They are here due to the consecutive 0-0 draws and lots of fan complaints. They want to know where it all went wrong.
Filly Boy in goal. Yours Truly on the right side of midfield, WHR and UWS up front , the Dahlgrens in the center of defense.That's a start.
I agree, MUR - we are the champions!
Cheers, BD. We will need to scout Germany as we play them on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.
WE'RE off from National Stadium in Warsaw.
RECTANGLES RULE, NOT TRIANGLES!
Come on, lads - let's have some early goals!
Over four and a half hours without a goal. Surely we are due one.
Let's have a goal!!
The cross from the Mannschaft was too high , even for Super Mario
Get ready, UWS. You will be running against the Germans on Sunday. I will supply some tasty crosses.
some shaky German defending, but the pass by Montolivo was straight to Neuer.
I'll be there!
It's the battle of the Marios!
My HD is acting up again!!
ooo Bafoon makes a mistake coming for that... should have been a goal
Oh - Pirlo bails out Buffoon there on the line. Nearly a calamitous start for the Italians.
OH! OFF THE LINE FROM PIRLO OFF THE CORNER. NEARLY A GERMAN GOAL
Of course... England came close to score this early and then look what happened!
Kehdeira won a corner for Germany that was horribly taken from Ozil
Two balls on the pitch at the same time. Have you noticed that that's happened more often in this tournament?
Cheers, UWS. I will provide service for you and Jonno while BD while put in some hefty challenges.
Hefty challenges - moi?
I did not see that BD. Buffoon sure looked like one on that corner.
We could sure use some vs the Germans. We sure hope so, BD.
excellent defending from Hummels on Balo after a great long ball.
update from WIMPLETON... Nadal is tied 1 set a piece but down a break in the third
Horrible Italian defending with a back pass that Buffoon definitely did not want.
Khederia takes a shot from Buffalo!
The Spaniards like draws even in tennis.
I'm ignoring your tennis updates. Just thought I'd make that clear.
BOOM BOOM, UWS!
Naughty from BD.
Oh - how did that stay out? Buffoon with more butterfingers.
oooh, what happened thee!
Another fumble from Bafoon
ANOTHER CLANGER FROM THE BUFFOON AFTER A GREAT RUN FROM KHDEIRA.
Why didn't he do this against England
Seriously - he had a blinder against England.
The Italians look bloody clueless.
I'll keep them coming then
I agree. England would have been here today
Feel free; and I'll keep ignoring them. Wimbledon starts on Monday for me.
Naughty by Hummels om Balo.
Now Bonucci rockets a ball off his own player. Have Italy forgotten how to play in the past three days?
3-2 now... still up a break for Rosol
It looks like the match with Nadal will have to continue tomorrow.
Italy didn't create much against England either
The girls told me that you were correct to give Elizabeth a red card
Germany completely controlling this match.
Nor against Croatia. Anyone can create against the Irish
It's on Centre Court. They might close the roof and play under the lights
This must be bugging BD
Decent hit and save
Decent strike by Montolivo there. Neuer saved well down low.
Good save by Neuer from Montolivo. Better from the Azzurri.
I guess they will finish by midnight GDT
Neuer save from Cassano
Another decent hit by the Italians
GOAL! Balo breaks the deadlock!
GOAL !!!! 1-0 ITALY AS BALO HEADS IN A CROSS FROM CASSANO
GOAL...GREAT TURN...GREAT CROSS...GREAT HEADER BY BALO
A GOAL GENTLEMEN!!
Two FRONT men make that goal
I guess this had been coming the past few minutes.
That was coming after a purple patch for the Italians in the last five minutes. Great turn and cross by Cassano and Balo did well to beat Badstuber to the ball.
1-0 Italy!
I like the idea of wiping out the yellows after the semi so no one is in danger of missing the Final with two yellows
That's what we wanted. The Germans so far have been able to recover from set backs and score more goals than their opponents. We'll see their mettle now.
ARE YOU WATCHING SPAIN?DID YOU SEE THAT GOAL?
I agree UWS. No need to have a weakened team in the final. That's why we have seen so many poor finals.
I hope the Spanish were watching.
Agreed BD. Also we need one more goal to ensure that these tow semis are not the lowest scoring in Euro history
Rosol serving for the third set
First time Germany have been trailing in the two years of this competition!!!
Headed well wide by Gomez off a great cross from Boateng.
Balo now has two goals from this tournament. Gomez is still on three - the last of the three goal scorers left in the tournament now.
One more goal and Balo will be tied for the lead. Did anyone pick him?
Why can't Germany beat Italy!!!
This Germany's bogy team
No one picked Balo.
I am not sure. They have drawn, but not beaten them.
Ozil has a pop at goal but didn't quite get the shot right.
Nice lay off by Ozil and a nice save from Butter Fingers
Two set points for Rosol....drops the first one.... second one....wins set number 3
Jonno will be hoping that Gomez does not score.
My TV is really bugging me... I keep losing my HD channel!
An upset in the making in strawberry and sour cream land?
OH!!! GOMEZ HAD A CHANCE AND WHIFFED AT THAT.
I still think there is a long way to go in this one. I'd be shocked if it ended up 1-0.
sour cream.. yuck
Oh - Kroos wound up a shot but it was well wide of the mark as he slipped.
If Germany lose then that will throw the PPP race wide open and resign me to the wooden spoon.
High and wide by Kroos.
I will have won the wooden fork then
Me too, UWS. I always order a loaded baked potato without sour cream.
I don't mind sour cream but not on strawberries!
I hope so, BD. It should be a much better semi. Otherwise we are resigned to a tedious cattenaccio final
I heard that about Wimbledon, but am not sure about that.
Great cross but well defended!
Balzaretti clears for a corner off a tasty cross from Boateng.
Oh - that was better. Boateng got to the by-line and put the ball in the right area. Balzaretti just beat the Pig Climber to it.
regular cream on strawberries at Wimpleton
The corner was easily cleared.
Another chance for the Italians... he should have shot right away
I like that, UWS.
Great goal saving tackle by Badstuber
Great effort from Kehdeira
Oh - great volley from Khedira - and Buffon clawed it away.
TWO NIL
BALOTELI WITH A CORKER!!!!
Crikey!!!!!!
Balo's got his second!
2-0 Italy!
Superbly tipped around the post by Bufffoon off a half volley from khedeira.
GOAL !!! 2-0 ITALY AS BALO SCORES WITH A SUPERB ROCKET OF A FINISH ON THE BREAK.
Wow - it was all Germany there for a moment and then a simple outlet ball, Balo beat the offside trap and then whack!
Is he going to be booked for taking his shirt off or is that a Prem rule
Definitely on-side
The Germans are crying as Balo strikes a voguing pose with his shirt off.
Balo is booked for the celebration - silly rule.
Italy broke off the German corner that Buffoon dropped and Balo timed his run perfectly and finished superbly. Joint top scorer in the tournament.
He did get a booking... could he get another by the end of the day!
A hat-trick and Balo will be the leading scorer in the tournament. All Super Mario predicters will lose ten points.
Podolski should have done better
I've just checked the predictions again. No one predicted Italy to be in the final. Only two - Simon and Someone Said predicted that Spain would win it.
Italy vs Spain would be a battle of teams that have eliminated Germany from the past four tournaments.
Yes - if Mario gets his hat-trick today. Or scores in the final for that matter - then Red Devil, Thomas and West Ham would all lose ten points.
I know it is a stupid rule for booking for taking off the shirt but it is stupid taking off your shirt!!!
Wouldn't Simon be the front runner in the PPP predictions?
Probably - if you imagine Spain winning it.
Looking good for Simon.
Not sure what Cassano is on about here. He made no contact with Badstuber.
Now Cassano is down. Did he suffer a knock?
Did you see Beckham wasn't picked for the GB Olympic team?
Croatia were so close and must be thinking this could have been them
Italy were on the attack... was he too embarrassed to get up
Yeah - I thought that was funny as hell.
Good to hear , UWS. He had no business being on that team as he is nothing, but a Big Time Charlie.
Germany win a corner as there is one minute of stoppage time.
German fans looking pretty sad now.
Sorry it was a throw and a useless cross.
Half time... what a half for Brother Tony's men
So if Germany lose this match, does it mean that German media will wring their hands about the poor quality of their team the way that 606 did?
Half time.
Halftime and a surprising 2-0 lead to Italy as Balo is easily winning the battle of the Marios.
I would expect that, BD. Alan Green needs to realize that England did better than Germany against the Italians and that they would have defeated Greece too.
Elizabeth is pleased that Italy is winning, but doesn't seem concerned about the red card
Nadal breaks to go 4-2 up in the fourth
MUR - get on Skype so I can show you the new LOB Tournament Cup.
It's very impressive
Nadal is now up 5-2
Still plenty of light in Southeast London. They could go until 9:30
Former Germany manager Jurgen Klinsmann on MOTD:
"There is no tempo. Bringing in Kroos and Podolski has not worked, there is no movement and Gomez is just static up front. There is no interaction and Italy have done what other teams have not, they have gone at the German defence. Germany have to re-think the whole strategy and make some changes. Marco Reus and Andre Schurrle are warming up and putting Kroos on Pirlo has not worked. He is still dictating the game. We now need to see the real Germany, to score as soon as possible and they have to step it up if they want to win the championship."
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty in Warsaw:
"Just seen one or two High Fives from members of the Italian media. In a great position but not sure we are in High Five territory just yet."
Nadal wins the fourth set
Final set on Centre Court gentlemen
I expect some immediate changes for the Germans at half time.
Looks like Reus is coming on; probably Kroos coming off.
Looks like there are changes a foot
Reus coming on... replacing Podolski
Germany make a change as Reus is on for the New Gunner.
Away we go
No - it's Podolski getting the hook. Klose is also sticking on Klose. Wow - Gomez is off! That could be curtains for Red Devil and Thomas!
Thomas will be cursing at Buffalo Wild Wings!
Te second half is underway
I think it is Schurrle for Gomez.
2047:
Only one team has ever won a Euro finals match when they were 2-0 down at half-time. And yeah, obviously it was Germany, they beat Yugoslavia 4-2 in 1976.
Curtains for Thomas only if Balo scores.
Almost an immediate impact by the sub
Reus shot straight at Buffoon.
Great stat, UWS. Did they come form two down to take it to penalties vs the Czechs in the final?
Lam should have scored there!
Oh - Lahm had a golden opportunity to sneak a goal back. Blew his shot over the top.
Nice attack by the Germans, but shot over by Lahm
Good start for the Huns in this second half though. I expect a comeback. It is the Germans, after all.
They did against England in WC 70
Bloody Bonetti!!
Balo only needs a left footed shot for a perfect hat-trick now.
Bloody Jeff Astle as well!
I didn't see that match , but read about and saw the highlights. I agree with both of you.
Klose lost his footing just at the key moment there.
Spare a thought for Red Devil. A horrible time to be a German in Italy. He must be catching plenty of stick.
Germany definitely knocking on the door now.
A scramble in the box... but it won't go in for the Germans
Great run by Boateng, but the Germans can't break down this Italian defense.
I was thinking the same thing. I'd never watch something like this with a crowd. Definitely time to watch in a darkened, sound proofed room free of any sharp implements.
Great tackle by Bonucci there on Klose.
Take a pop Klose!
Nice tackle
Great tackle by Bonnucci on Klose. Corner Germans.
The West Ham reject Diamante is coming on again after his heroics against England.
The corner is cleared as the Hammer flop is warming up.
Looks like Webby is the fourth official today.
And he is on for Cassano.
Cassano to come off for Diamante.
I don't like watching it in a crowd. Family or a mate or two will be good for me
Jon came home from BWW already. He said it wasn't ver crowded but a big roar came up when the first one went in
Fourth official.... board holder upper
He is and it looked like he was arsing the Hammer reject, who wasn't up for any arsing.
News from Wimpelton.... the are going to put the roof on for the final set on Centre Court so the players have gone off for half an hour for it to shut
Decent hit again by Balo
I can't see Germany getting two against a team that hasn't conceded in ages
Oh - Balo goes for it from a tight angle. Not too far away either.
Balo hooked it wide.
Promising free kick now earned by Kroos.
Bonnucci is booked for a foul on Reus just outside the box.
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