The Official UEFA Euro 2012 Pre-Tournament Thread (Capello has resigned)

[Live in the Now]

A lull. The result this week was somewhat flukish, two guys in Giovinco and Matri who who made a very bad habit out of being offside. Dempsey stole a goal out of nothing and the US never looked back, but ordinarily Italy would win that match.

[Evilo]

Originally Posted by Savi

2- true, they haven't been that impressive, not even at the WC but even then high scoring teams like Germany and Holland just couldn't get the ball.. so it really doesn't matter if they are impressive/spectacular or whatever, they will keep passing the ball until someone really finds a way to beat them at the big stage
3- well people keep saying that, but it doesn't show once they're with the NT.. and even if it would, the only one who could cause problems is Ramos imo.. Xabi and Casillas are pretty relaxed guys, as is Arbeloa.. and apart from Casillas (if it really would become a major problem) they can do without any of the Real players..

Oh no question Spain is among the favourites, heavy favourites I'd say. But there's something that tells me they're not going to win this year.
And remember how they had trouble scoring.
In the EC, they relied on Torres, I think we can fairly say it's risky to rely on him right now.
In the WC, they relied on Villa and he isn't having the best season.

[Slopo]

Originally Posted by Live in the Now

A lull. The result this week was somewhat flukish, two guys in Giovinco and Matri who who made a very bad habit out of being offside. Dempsey stole a goal out of nothing and the US never looked back, but ordinarily Italy would win that match.

The US dodged bullets and used a risky defensive strategy, particularly in the last 35 mins after the goal. Prior to the goal, Italy was getting good chance, but so was the US, just not as frequently. After the goal, the US dropped into a massive shell and usually allowed the Italians to advance the ball as far as the final 1/4 of the field before engaging them defensively.

But, it worked. And that's what matters.

[GirouxGiroux]

Apparently Ireland is looking to pick up unsold Italian tickets. They've got quite a waiting list despite 3,000 extras added to their allotment. What I wouldn't give to be with that lot...

Hoping for the next best thing, watching the matches from the Republic! Which reminds me, I need a passport.

[gary69]

Dejan Lovren's injury troubles continue and he may now miss the tournament.

I don't know well enough some of their younger home-based central defenders, but at least on paper this looks like a very big loss for Croatia.

[HajdukSplit]

The Croatian national team doctor says its a 10-14 day injury, while I read on some other sources it could be months, who knows, more tests will be done tomorrow.

Unfortunately he has had a lot of injury problems and only played 5 matches in qualifying, but he would be a huge loss. Croatia have absolutely no depth at defense, we played Corluka at left back at times ffs! Speaking of him, if Lovren's injury is severe one option is to move Corluka at CB. Only other options are a 2.Bundesliga defender (Schildenfeld) or an over-the-hill Simunic who has only played 3-4 matches since January due to injury. Maybe Bilic gets creative and calls-up a youngster, but I doubt that.

I pray Lovren is ok though, the Cro NT doctor is pretty optimistic that he will be fine but the fact Lovren was crying, stretchered off and today gave an interview saying he can't walk.....I don't see it I think they are optimistic because the earliest diagnosis thought he was going to be out 6 months but the injury is not that bad. And knowing our luck, he will get injured in training anyway.

Pretty much every tournament we miss one key player: 1998 (Boksic), 2002 (Tudor), 2004 (Pletikosa), 2008 (Eduardo)