UEFA EURO 2012 - Poland/Ukraine - Play-off's

[fender]

The Oranje had a tough draw in 2008 as well and came out unscathed, they should be able to at least make it out of the group.

 

[Zlatan]

Great, we're in the Group of Death of the EURO's. What else is new?

 

[Deisler]

What else is new?

You're facing Germany. Does that count?

 

[prirechnaya5165]

Why should someone from Netherlands be worried about the group of death? Your NT is the reason why the group is being called "Group of Death". I see no problems for you to qualify. Outside Germany, Portugal is a strong team but they are noticeably behind the European powerhouses - unimpressive qualifying campaign and no chances at World Cup against teams like Spain and Brazil. But I do feel very sorry for Denmark supporters, I can visualize some of them smashing their TV set and a wave of profanity stormed at it's direction

Unfortunately I don't see big chances of a possible Ukraine meeting Russia in Semi Final. Not only we face a tough situation of placing first two spots in a group, but we also HAVE to make sure it's the first place otherwise Spain is waiting for us, and I sense nothing less than a total destruction and a bad mood for me that day. And even if a miracle will happen I won't place my bets on Russia to take down Germany or Netherlands

 

[poet11]

fixed......but would still be great to see Dutch vs Germans. Two sides who swapped styles.

 

[Internazionale]

I love Group B & C.

I think Poland have a good chance to progress.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

**** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** **** ****

This.

Are you ******* kidding me with Group A? There shouldn't be joint hosts for a 4 Group Tournament. It ****s up the seedings.

 

[4ndr3i]

2008 and 2004 I agree, but surely Portugal-England-Germany-Romania trumps Netherlands-France-Czech-Denmark in 2000.

Oh.. the good old days. I miss Hagi !

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Was gonna ask if any group has ever had 4 previous Champions before, but then remembered Greece won in 2004.

Portugal

 

[Waldo1639]

Even though Group A is not attractive as others, I find it very interesting. All teams are more-less on the same level, so it'll be interesting to see how they'll perform against each other. Poland will be boosted by home advantage; unattractive, but effective Greece; Russia is a bit weaker team then few years back, but have great individuals; and Czech as very tricky opponent.

As about Group C, I was praying just not to get Spain, and we got them. There was an interview with Slaven Bilić and he said that he's pleased and very happy with draws. Well, its good to see our coach to be so optimistic. And we actually have better score against Spain and Italy then Ireland.

 

[clash]

Agreed with Waldo. I think group A will provide us with some mini-classic matches, remember Yugoslavia vs Slovenia? Very, very even and really can't tell the "favorites" from the "outsiders". Teams going through will most likely get raped in the quarters, though

 

[Waldo1639]

And looks like we can expect many goals in tournament, cause of the new Tango 12 ball. Tests showed that this one is "dancing" even more then Jabulani. It's fast and unpredictable.

 

[Coruja]

Portugal is a strong team but they are noticeably behind the European powerhouses - unimpressive qualifying campaign and no chances at World Cup against teams like Spain and Brazil.

Yup, we got raped by Brazil and Spain in South Africa. A draw and a 1-0 lose with the goal being offside.


But wtv. In the present, yeah, we are kinda underperfoming, the first matches with Paulo Bento were godly, beating the hell of Spain (3-0?, 4-0? cant remember) beating Denmark easily, but now things are kind of bad, too much ****storm inside the locker room i guess.

 

[RobbieD_PL]

This.

Are you ******* kidding me with Group A? There shouldn't be joint hosts for a 4 Group Tournament. It ****s up the seedings.

Unless one of the teams are world class anyway?

BTW, the same could have been said for Portugal joining not only Group B but C and D as well. They would have had to have faced two other top teams in either of those groups too (C - Italy, Spain D - England, France). If Portugal had have qualified directly then they probably would have been in Pot 2, avoiding England, Italy and Germany, but probably having to face one of Greece, Russia or Croatia.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Germany and Holland are (deservedly) #2 and #3 in the FIFA Rankings. England, France, and Italy, while they have great history, aren't even in the same class right now. Maybe that will be different by July.

Another reason there shouldn't be co-hosts would be the travel time between Poland and Ukraine which seems to be tough for teams and journalists, and the fact that you really only need 4 stadiums to host a Euro Championship. If you don't have 4 top stadiums, you probably shouldn't be hosting.

 

[yoyo913]

I agree with the hosts (especially co-hosts) not being top seeds. They are already in the tournament without having to qualify, that should be enough. As you said, it ruins the group balance.

 

[Xifio]

haha travel time for journalists? are you serious, Shifty? so what do you have to say about the USA hosting a World Cup based on that criterion?

and, yeah, I agree with Horatiu ... co-hosts are fine ... keeping them separated in Group A and D is fine ... but they definitely shouldn't be seeded ...

 

[Back Door Skip]

Group A is a joke. The rest of the groups are top heavy on talent, so I expect the qualifying teams from group A to get slaughtered in the quarters.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

haha travel time for journalists? are you serious, Shifty? so what do you have to say about the USA hosting a World Cup based on that criterion?

and, yeah, I agree with Horatiu ... co-hosts are fine ... keeping them separated in Group A and D is fine ... but they definitely shouldn't be seeded ...

I think commercial flights are easier and cheaper to find between New York/LA/Chicago than between Poznan and Kharkiv. It's going to be all train and car for journalists and possibly teams too.

 

[Xifio]

hah, indeed ... but you think the travel and charter agencies won't realize the need for such travel if needed?

anyway, the funny thing to me was that you actually believe the travel thing is an issue in the first place ... unless all news and sports agencies rely on the same 5 people to rush around from place to place to cover games, in which case: fair point ...

but even if we entertain the topic of travel: each Group is based in two cities in one country, and each team will play two games in a row at one stadium -- meaning only one trip per team during the Group Stage ... journalists from respective participating countries will stick to their team's camp like glue, which means they will match their team's own travel plans ... and they'll have a roving reporter sent out to spy and report on the next opposition ... nothing complex about the travel plans there ...

the knockouts are the only time international travel will happen ... but again, that will involve 3 separate trips at most; and trust me, if they have to make 3 or even 2 trips, I guarantee they will be delighted to do so, given what that travel would imply ...