June 23, 201214 yr Nice rivalry for the Semis, if England get though it would be 2 grudge matches. Yup. It won't be easy for England, but it should make for some great football if they advance.
June 23, 201214 yr Could be. There aren't a lot of stats that would favour one team or the other, at least nine I've found/heard. It really could go either way.
June 23, 201214 yr Portugal v England Final :wink3: There are so many reasons why this would be awesome! Not the least of which is the chance to redeem England after that '06 World Cup defeat involving a massive Olympic-level dive from Mr. Ronoldo. Karma on a stick! Come and get it!:D
June 23, 201214 yr Portugal v England Final :wink3: Germanv v Spain is final game :charming: I guess I'm sticking with Germany now, then. :nod: me too :nod:
June 23, 201214 yr At this point, I'm really looking forward/ not looking forward to a Spain vs. England final... nothing's predictable at this point, but with this matchup... it's definitely one to see...
June 23, 201214 yr Nor do I. But they've already done the impossible, so I'll hold out a little hope.
June 23, 201214 yr Lets get past Italy first folks.. one game at a time! :) Good call. I haven't really dared to dream of England in the final yet...but it's fun!:D
June 23, 201214 yr The French looked very good this year, a lot better than the disastrous World Cup, but against Spain they fell together completely :\
June 24, 201214 yr For me Germany have been comfortably the best team in the tournament so far. They have all bases covered. From Neuer right through to Gomez they are so strong. I really struggle to see how they can be beat. They've got to be big favourites surely? Spain appear to have all bases covered as well, but the attacking options are limited. I really don't think Del Bosque can persevere with the tactic of starting with no strikers on the field any longer in this tournament. They didn't create that much against France which has to be a concern for any Spaniards out there. Losing Villa through injury a few months back really was a blow. If Portugal play their A game it really would test this Spanish side to the max. They will have to play much better against Ronaldo and co. If they don't then it could be curtains for them.
June 24, 201214 yr Spain 2 - 0 France - full review and stats Spain 2 - 0 France Spain waltzed past a feeble France side in Donetsk to set up a Euro 2012 semi-final meeting with Portugal. Xabi Alonso, on his 100th appearance for his country, headed in a Jordi Alba cross after 20 minutes. France struggled to make a mark and only conjured a rare threat when right-back Mathieu Debuchy headed a Franck Ribery cross over. Spain comfortably saw out a one-sided game and sealed the win with a 91st-minute Alonso penalty. Much had been expected of a game between two of Europe's heavyweights, but it proved a mismatch as Spain easily dispatched a France side lacking intensity and invention. Victory gave Spain their first win over France in a competitive game and kept them on course for a third successive tournament triumph to follow Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup. Les Bleus had looked distinctly unconvincing in their final group match against Sweden in a defeat that had caused unrest in their camp, but this was supposed to be a new chapter. Instead, it was the same old story as they fielded a defensive line-up and conceded ground and possession to their opponents. For their part, Spain had chosen not to play a recognised striker, replacing forward Fernando Torres with midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who had a strong early claim for a penalty. The Barcelona man, running on to a lofted Alonso pass, looked set to run through on goal before he was brought down by a clumsy Gael Clichy challenge but referee Nicola Rizzoli waved away the appeals. Spain, though, quickly went up a gear, Iniesta guiding a pass wide to overlapping left-back Jordi Alba who left Debuchy trailing before crossing to the far post where Alonso headed back across the keeper and into the net. The forward forays of Alba and right-back Alvaro Arbeloa were causing France problems, while Andres Iniesta and Xavi's pressing and probing did likewise from the the centre of midfield. For the French, midfielder Yohan Cabaye had a well struck free-kick tipped over by Iker Casillas but a side clearly set up to catch Spain on the counter-attack mustered precious few opportunities to do so. Laurent Blanc's men improved marginally in the second half and Debuchy headed over a rare chance, but Spain's ability to hold possession with their metronomic passing style repeatedly drew the sting from France's attacks. France did not look like they had either the belief or ability to equalise, a malaise epitomised by disappointing striker Karim Benzema, whose Euro 2012 campaign ended without his managing a goal. As the game went into injury time, Anthony Reveillere brought down Spain substitute Pedro to concede a penalty that Alonso drove in to complete France's miserable evening. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18355234
June 24, 201214 yr Euro 2012: Spain are drained - Vicente del Bosque Spain coach Vicente del Bosque admits his "drained" side face a disadvantage in their Euro 2012 semi-final with Portugal on Wednesday. Xabi Alonso's double earned Spain a comfortable 2-0 win over France on Saturday to set up a last-four meeting with their neighbours in Donetsk. Portugal booked their place by beating Czech Republic 1-0 two days earlier. Del Bosque said: "We have two fewer days to rest than them. It is a small handicap." Spain were comfortable in beating France, but Del Bosque revealed afterwards that his side are feeling the strain after reaching the semi-finals of a third consecutive tournament. "I am thinking about this problem," he said. "We have arrived very drained because the heat we suffered tonight was cruel on the players." After a lively opening which was capped by Alonso's excellent header, Spain slowed and were not at their best, but France only managed a single shot on target. Del Bosque - who again lined up without a recognised striker - praised his defence as they kept an 11th clean sheet in their last 14 games at a major tournament. "The truth is we did well and controlled the game," said Del Bosque. "[Goalkeeper] Iker Casillas hardly had anything to do and that speaks of the good defensive performance of the team. If our defenders are good then we will be closer to winning the tournament because we will always create a chance." Alonso - who was making his 100th appearance for his country - believes his side will have to be at their best to see off Portugal. His Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to pose the biggest threat to Spain reaching another final, with the Portugal forward scoring three times in his last two appearances. "At this stage all the games are difficult and we know Cristiano perfectly," said Alonso. "We have to concentrate on ourselves and try to play a game like today or even better." http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18567549
June 24, 201214 yr The French looked very good this year, a lot better than the disastrous World Cup, but against Spain they fell together completely :\ they were terrible against Sweden...
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