Portugal 1 X Czech Republic 0
The quarter-final were opened with the meeting of two teams that had met in the quarter-finals of the European 1996. Also there was only one goal scored, but this time was the Czech Republic to score (which ended in 2nd place in the last moments of glory to the Czech selection, together with the European semi-final in 2004).
As for the game, the 1st part was one of the strangest parts of this European. What about a part where it seemed that lacked passion and emotion on both sides, it seemed that both teams were afraid to approach each other, and where almost were playing just to have a presence? Not to mention the excessive technical errors committed!
Still, the first attempt of a threat to the opponent's goal was made by Czech Republic, by the foot of Petr Jiráček, but without any luck. At 25 minutes, thanks to a pass from Joao Moutinho, Cristiano Ronaldo made the first serious threat on Czech goal well defended by Čech. Even in the 1st part, Cristiano Ronaldo had the best opportunity of this part for Portugal, when finishing off the post after receiving the ball on his chest and have bypassed Michal Kadlec.
Fortunately the 2nd part was better, the point of Portugal score at 78 minutes, thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo, who accomplished the remission who had started in the game against the Netherlands, removing completely any negative criticism that might still persist about the Portuguese player.
In fact, especially for what happened in the 2nd half, Portugal deserved to win, and we agree, by a much greater advantage.
The Czech Republic reacted only to the extent of a threat late in the game, but did not prevent ball possession was mostly Portuguese.
The Czechs went to were filled, but scoring opportunities were very few and insignificant compared with the Portuguese.
In general, it was not a game marked by confusion or large incidents in the field. It was pretty quiet up to a quarter-final.
With this victory, Portugal pushed out of the championship, the only team from Eastern Europe still in the contest. So now one thing is certain: victory will be to an western country ...
Germany 4 X Greece 2
Despite the favoritism being all on the side of Germany, this game still managed to give a serious warning to other teams: to take the title from Germany will not be easy - Germany is able to show that is here to win everything that appears to forward. Greece gave everything it had, especially in the 2nd parte, but was not sufficient to deal with the psychological game made by Germany, and even taking Mario Gomez, got a surprise and unpredictability effects that disoriented the opponents. The coach has a capacity to create tactics that quickly adapt to any circumstance. In fact, changes made to the German team, although by surprise, proved to be well thought out.
The Germans came into full production, but after several attempts, only on 38 minutes have scored the 1st goal.
The first half was completely dominated by Germany. Only in the 2nd half is that Greece can highlight and tie on 55 minutes. But soon after, and almost to the the end of the game, Germany is back to dominate the game.
Greece still managed to minimize the difference thanks to a free throw, but it quickly became apparent that the fate of the game would be there: without Karagounis, there was no Greek player on the field to rival the German team, with the exception of Katsouranis.
The German offensive football has enormous breadth, which can circumvent any opposition. Although Greece is always defensively throughout the game came a time when it seemed that defended to the despair, the game almost came down to attack from Germany and the defense of Greece.
Fernando Santos tried to reverse after the break, his tactical game, and in fact the team was stronger and more attacking, stretching more in the field, but whose limitations that remained, were seized by Germany.
The defense could have been stronger and was ill-formed, remained far removed from the advanced players, leaving open spaces that were very well used by Germany.
As for the future, Greece will have difficulty in creating a new selection, but this team is with many players at the end of his career.
Of course, this game was impossible not to associate economics and football. Angela Merkel was present in the game, and so far the only political ruler to watch a game in Ukraine: all other heads of state refused to watch a game in Ukraine. Of course it was impossible not to notice that found themselves in the same game, the country accused of causing the austerity, and the country that imposed that across Europe.
Spain 2 X France 0
For the first time in official games, Spain defeated France.
This was one of the games in which one of teams surprises a lot by the negative way. I speak of course of France, which seemed to be on the field with almost no reaction. To do this, no doubt contributed the confusion in the locker room: there was even physical attacks and exchange of insults with the coach. Three players probably holders were off this game.
As the winner, since Brazil in 1970 that the world did not know a selection so victorious as Spain, which showed once again why deserves to profile among the strongest in the world. Add 10 games without losing in the final stages on championships. Of course, this time only one game determines the fate of each selection, and here to the world's better selection can lose.
And admit that as the game unfolded, the victory of Spain was more than assured: the French were without central reference points and appeared disoriented before the Spanish attack. France was no motivation to play. However, France has shown that it is possible to contain the scoring opportunities of Spain, but failed to demonstrate response capabilities offensive: block the offensive ability of Spain and prevent the creation of opportunities to score is the advantage to defeat Spain.
Laurent Blanc made four changes, but it was far from being successful: the team attacked almost exclusively with two players. It was very attached, and provided almost all the game for the Spanish. The excessive fear of Spain and need to replace players on grounds of quarrel, eventually severely limit the game of France, which remained almost defensively, almost apathy and watch the game of the Spanish team.
Of ourse, the excessive replacement eventually affect the identity and way of playing of the French team, which was very detrimental to the performance of the selection.
France has promised much in this competition, but the team is very fragmented in the middle of the championship: the French defenses seemed surprising by the tactics of the Spanish players, because they were apathetic towards the spanish diagonal - is not normal the French team, which is already experienced in these wanderings , being so astonished with the game made by the opponent.
It seems that the motivation that France obtained after the defeat to Sweden, evaporated quickly.
Italy 0 (4) X England 0 (2)
This was so far the only game in this championship which we suffered much beyond 90 minutes. It was so far the only game of Euro 2012 in which the teams finished tied for 90 minutes at zero, and had to solve the game with penalties.
Although these were one of the more balanced games in the quarter-finals, Italy was undoubtedly much more dominant, earning the right to win without the need for overtime and penalties. Italy had far more scoring opportunities than England.
In 1st part, Mario Balotelli was very close to the goal twice, but were caught thanks to the enormous tactical discipline of the English. In fact, throughout the game Italy has made numerous attempts, but were not always well realized: Italy has had serious problems in finalizing the attempts on goal.
In the 2nd part, the first time truly dangerous was on 51 minutes by Italy: it seemed a goal very likely, but it was not thanks to the english goalkeeper, which proved to be a key part to prevent the Italian victory in the 90 minutes . Italy continued to dominate the game, but after the 65/70 minutes Italy was not so forward, the game was becoming predictable, which was seized by England, to change the way they play, but Italy still made several attempts have been hampered by the expertise of John Terry and once again defended by John Hart, who showed why he is known as one of the best English goalkeepers.
It was a game without major incidents, only in the 81 minutes is that the portuguese referee gave the 1st yellow card to Barzagli, and in the 93 minutes another yellow card to Maggio. The shot that followed was one of the most dangerous moments provided by England. This was probably the game of quarter-finals that the favoritism was more balanced between the two teams, but who nonetheless Italy managed to excel in ball possession and goal attempts, which were only caught because of difficulties in finalizing .
In fact, with the game of Sunday Italy was more than deserving of being in the semis and surprised those who had not it as a favorite: the favoritism continues to lean toward the German side, but Italy can continue to surprise.
Italy is generally regarded as a defensive selection, but the replacements showed how much weight can have as a striker. As I said Italy deserved to win in just 90 minutes, did everything for this, as evidenced by the 36 shots it made (which ended without success ...). However, England was very compact in defensive point of view, preventing the superiority of play in Italy came to fruition in goals. England made a game with nothing exceptional, and only became more dynamic with the entry of Carroll. The whole game was focused on Rooney, which resulted in a more depleted team.
The English team had trouble in qualifing, making the team arrived with serious physical problems and lot of wear to the finals of this championship. The defense was far from advanced - lacked energy and was very predictable in their play. A countermeasure often work well. The tactic was organized and accurate, but it was there: failed to create chances. As for the future, also the England team will undergo a renovation of its players, many of whom are reaching the age limit to participate in these competitions.
As for the Italian team, the right side had the potential to win, but the problem of Italy was the central axis. Against Germany, Italy will have to protect more defensively and certainly will not have much ball possession. Italy will continue to bet the same technique that kept the game against England, and that proved to be a good bet.
Spain and Germany follow as favorites, but for what Portugal and Italy have shown, there may be many surprises on Wednesday as much on Thursday. One thing is certain: no one will favor the game to the opponent, and has the capacity to overturn or confirm favoritism.
Sem comentários:
Enviar um comentário