Poland coach Franciszek Smuda has left his post after the co-host's Euro 2012 elimination

 

Euro 2012: Poland coach Franciszek Smuda leaves post

 

Poland coach Franciszek Smuda has announced he is to leave his post following the co-host's elimination from Euro 2012.

 

"This is 100% the end of the road. My contract runs out at the end of Euro 2012," a visibly upset Smuda told Poland's public TVP broadcaster. Poland failed to advance from Group A following Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Czech Republic in Wroclaw.

 

"We did what we could do. It is the end of this great adventure," added Smuda. The 63-year-old, who took over in 2009, revealed he had already agreed with the Polish Football Association that his contract would not be renewed after the tournament.

 

"I don't have to resign because I had a contract until the end of Euro 2012 and I do not see any reason to quit," he said. "The contract is finishing because I had come to terms with the head of the FA. I know what will now happen."

 

Smuda's reign would have been extended had the Poles, who are still to taste victory in a European Championship finals match, beaten the Czechs and qualified for the knockout phase. And the ex-Lech Poznan boss rued the inability of his side to reproduce their plucky display in Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Russia, which gave them an opportunity to progress.

 

"We have to swallow this bitter pill. We were too sure about the possibility of winning against the Czechs," said Smuda. "We wanted to counter attack but the Czechs were very solid in defence. They were pressing and they were better. I don't know how to explain the fact that in one game the boys played like they were fired up while in the second game they didn't. "We did our best. Unfortunately, we had a lot of missed passes. In the second period, we had to fight non-stop to get the ball back."

 

Poland captain Jakub Blaszczykowski, who provided one of the highlights of the co-host's campaign with a thunderous equaliser against the Russians, believes the tournament has been an important learning curve for his nation. "All in all, we had great moments during this tournament and all we can say is 'thanks'," said the Borussia Dortmund midfielder.

 

"This is the kind of moment when one needs to say we need to move on, rethink everything, but such experience is essential."

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18474421

Its a bit more convoluted because of Denmark. If Denmark beat Germany they go above them on goals head-head. Portugal are already above Denmark on head-head. So if Portugal win & Germany lose they will top the group... maybe!

 

BBC website...Germany

 

Win - Secures qualification and top spot.

Draw - Secures qualification and top spot.

Lose - Through with a 3-2 defeat, or a higher-scoring one-goal loss. Otherwise, out if Portugal beat Netherlands, but through if the Portuguese do not claim three points.

 

Then again that could all be bollocks!! :)

 

They should just do it on goal difference. Would make for better games. More incentive...

 

Yeah, I knew it wouldn't be that easy in this group.

Germany would already be above Portugal though. :dizzy: So it would all come back to goal difference anyway.

UEFA continue their power trip

 

Sky Sports‏ @SkySports

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the FA over the behaviour of England fans during the win over Sweden. More on site soon

 

Proceedings opened against English FA

 

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Football Association of England for the inappropriate conduct of their fans at the Group D match with Sweden.

 

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Football Association of England (FA) for the inappropriate behaviour of their supporters – attempted invasion of the field of play – at the UEFA EURO 2012 Group D match against Sweden in Kyiv on Friday.

 

The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body will deal with the case on Wednesday 20 June.

 

http://www.uefa.com/uefa/footballfirst/matchorganisation/disciplinary/news/newsid=1824355.html?rss=1824355+Proceedings+opened+against+English+FA&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

So far I make that:

 

German Football Association (DFB)

Portuguese Football Federation (FPF)

Football Union of Russia (RFS)

Croatian Football Federation (HNS)

Polish Football Association (PZPN)

Nicklas Bendtner

Football Association of England (FA)

 

any advances? John Terry for being slower than a snail?

Pretty certain to be the last hoorah for terry. That was embarassing against Ibrahmovich. As the commentator said... 'looked like he was running through treacle'. Maybe the wrong colour as far as JT & colour goes! Golden syrup, maybe. :)

Oh JT, super slow. In more ways then one. He will score against the Ukraine though, take that to the bank

 

Euro 2012: FA to challenge Uefa's disciplinary proceedings

 

The Football Association will challenge Uefa over the disciplinary proceedings relating to England fans' behaviour during the win against Sweden.

 

The investigation surrounds an attempted invasion of the pitch, according to a statement on the European governing body's website.

 

Uefa's Control and Disciplinary Body will discuss the matter on 20 June.

 

It is understood the FA will submit written evidence to UEFA ahead of the hearing on Wednesday.

 

The FA will cite the report from the Uefa match delegate, which described the behaviour of England fans as satisfactory.

 

Although they may accept there was some encroachment by fans following the second and third goals during England's 3-2 victory against Sweden in Kiev, they will argue it was exuberance.

 

They will also be critical of the stewarding at the match and the lack of seat management.

 

The governing body has issued a number of punishments since play at the tournament in Poland and Ukraine began more than two weeks ago.

 

The Football Union of Russia received a suspended six-point deduction for the Uefa Euro 2016 qualifiers after supporters set off fireworks and displayed illicit banners during the group A clash with the Czech Republic on the opening day.

 

The Croatian Football Federation were fined €25,000 (£20,100) following similar incidents during the Group C match against the Republic of Ireland.

 

Further fines have been imposed on the German Football Association and Portuguese Football Federation after their supporters were found to have thrown paper missiles onto the pitch during their meeting.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18476818

AKA two fingers to UEFA, we invented football therefore our fans can do as they please

:lol:

 

Didn't mind seeing Russia go, or their fans for that matter. Today should be exciting.

 

Didn't mind seeing Russia go, or their fans for that matter. Today should be exciting.

 

 

Much too exciting and sad too as today's 4 teams in action are all good, but 2 of the teams have to go. :cry:

 

Denmark was lucky against Netherlands that was the best team when considering the entire match, but Denmark was much more effective than the Netherlands (1 goal out of 8 shots at the goal vs. 0 goals out of 8 shots at the goal, so 3 points to Denmark (where 0-1 point had been more fair, but this is football - quite unpredictable at times, isn't it? :charmed:

 

Germany beat Portugal 1:0 and was very lucky as Portugal put an enormous pressure on Germany towards the end and had deserved to get at least 1 goal. I did not know the Portuguese team but after that match I knew the names of Nani and Pepe. And after the match Ronaldo's name was mentioned!! Oh yeah, he was on the Portuguese team, but had been quite anonymous (isn't he the world's second-best football player just after Lionel Messi?!? I only ask as I could not see that from his play). Portugal deserved to win that match or at least to get a draw/tie, but was inefficient, and Germany had GOmez and got all 3 points.

 

Then Portugal beat Denmark 3:2 after having been so inefficient against Germany. My country Denmark managed to get back into the match after having been down 0:2 when Nicklas Bendtner scored twice (he always does so against Portugal). He showed his green underpants after one of the goals (against the rules) and will most likely be punished for this (to be decided Monday - if Denmark advances to the quarter finals he might get quaranteen in that match).

 

Germany with GOmez managed to beat Netherlands 2:1. There was a period where Netherlands was very good and impressive, but one goal was not enough to win that match.

 

So it is really exciting what happens tonight: Germany has got GOMEZ - Denmark has got Bendtner. Who is the better striker? Who is the better team tonight?

 

And Netherlands against Portugal is also interesting as - in principle - all of the 4 teams have a chance of advancement to the quarterfinals.

Permutations:

 

Germany - will qualify with a win or a draw. They will also go through with a 3-2 defeat, or a higher-scoring one-goal loss. They're out if Portugal beat the Netherlands, but through if the Portuguese do not claim three points.

 

Denmark - a win sees them qualify. A draw will only be enough if Netherlands beat Portugal. Lose, and they're out.

 

Netherlands - only a win will do, and even that might not be enough. They have to win by more than one goal and hope Germany beat Denmark.

 

Portugal (ie. the complicated one) - a win secures qualification unless Denmark beat Germany 3-2, or by a higher-scoring one-goal margin. They'll go through with a draw if Denmark do not beat Germany. A one-goal defeat would still see them through if Germany beat Denmark, but if it is by any more they are out.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17875642

One thing that does not bode well for the Dutch tonight is that they have only registered one win over Portugal from their last 10 meetings. This was a 1-0 victory in a European Championship qualifier in October 1991. Portugal have won six with the other three matches drawn. In addition, Portugal have kept a clean sheet against the Netherlands in six of their 10 encounters.

 

You may also remember that one of the recent meetings between these two was in the 2006 World Cup, when it kicked off big style and included a record-equaling 16 yellow cards, leading to four red cards (two for each country).

 

Nothing gets your big tournament juices flowing like a bit of bad blood.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17875642

Fingers crossed for a draw between Denmark and Germany.

So who's gonna die in the group of death??

 

I'll go for Denmark & Holland. Though I'm rooting for one or both to go through...

 

Got my 2 browser panes at the ready! :(

One thing that does not bode well for the Dutch tonight is that they have only registered one win over Portugal from their last 10 meetings. This was a 1-0 victory in a European Championship qualifier in October 1991. Portugal have won six with the other three matches drawn. In addition, Portugal have kept a clean sheet against the Netherlands in six of their 10 encounters.

 

You may also remember that one of the recent meetings between these two was in the 2006 World Cup, when it kicked off big style and included a record-equaling 16 yellow cards, leading to four red cards (two for each country).

 

Nothing gets your big tournament juices flowing like a bit of bad blood.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17875642

 

That was some shocking refereeing... totally lost it!

The Dutch hashtag for tonight's game is ehm, let's call it interesting.

One thing that does not bode well for the Dutch tonight is that they have only registered one win over Portugal from their last 10 meetings. This was a 1-0 victory in a European Championship qualifier in October 1991. Portugal have won six with the other three matches drawn. In addition, Portugal have kept a clean sheet against the Netherlands in six of their 10 encounters.

 

You may also remember that one of the recent meetings between these two was in the 2006 World Cup, when it kicked off big style and included a record-equaling 16 yellow cards, leading to four red cards (two for each country).

 

Nothing gets your big tournament juices flowing like a bit of bad blood.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17875642

 

 

 

On the other hand: Look at the match Sweden : England that England won. Normally, Sweden gets point(s) in matches against England, but this time got none.

 

So who knows? Maybe Netherlands is winning the match.

 

Very exciting and interesting.

Go!

I'll go for Germany and Portugal to go through. No surprises tonight (..........................)

 

ITV4 on the laptop, ITV1 on the big telly :D

Portugal 0-1 Holland (Van Der Vaart, 11)

 

one more goal required for the Dutch, game on! :o

 

Germany + Denmark going through at the moment

And that is goal #1!

Portugal knocking on the door, that's 3 missed chances in 3 mins

 

EDIT: Germany 1-0 Denmark (Podolski 19)

 

Germany + Portugal now through

And 0-1 for Germany! Thank you Podolski!