June 10, 201213 yr Good match, draw a fair result. Two beautiful passes for assists. I found it really exciting. Just shows you how to play against teams that play possession football. The only problem is to have those energy levels across the team for 90 minutes to press the defense is so hard. Good game. Italy really impressed me. Ireland really going to struggle if they don't get anything out of the game against Croatia.
June 10, 201213 yr Italy were a lot better than I expected and Ireland already 1-0 down. Oops.. well that's their game plan gone
June 10, 201213 yr Croatia have been FANTASTIC. They have been good, but Ireland have been (predictably) awful. The way Peter Dury commentates about them is terrible, you would think they are European heavyweights and their fans are the best fans in the world. Ever. This game is like watching Aston Villa play an international team. Massive gulf in quality. Says a lot when your best player is Robbie Keane.
June 10, 201213 yr The way Peter Dury commentates about them is terrible,. The 'about them' in that sentence really isn't needed. I'd hoped Ireland would be better than that, a bit more solid. But they're awful, though given their team it's hardly that surprising.
June 10, 201213 yr The 'about them' in that sentence really isn't needed. I'd hoped Ireland would be better than that, a bit more solid. But they're awful, though given their team it's hardly that surprising. Well perhaps. But his use of superlatives is not necessary. It's just his commentary style in general - for British teams. Only so many times you can use superlatives before they lose their effect. Absolutely dreading the commentary for England tomorrow.
June 10, 201213 yr The commentators in general have been poor. From Mark Bright to Craig Burley and how is Adrian Chiles still working for ITV? Awful
June 10, 201213 yr Ireland were pretty poor tonight. It definitely looks like nul points for them I'm afraid. Peter Drury's only purpose seems to be to make Clive Tyldesley sound good.
June 10, 201213 yr Well perhaps. But his use of superlatives is not necessary. It's just his commentary style in general - for British teams. Only so many times you can use superlatives before they lose their effect. Absolutely dreading the commentary for England tomorrow. I'm not sure our Irish members will want to be called British even if they do live in the British Isles.
June 10, 201213 yr I'm not sure our Irish members will want to be called British even if they do live in the British Isles. Well either way by the media collectively they're seen as British and people want them to do well (expect the Northern Irish). They can play much better than that, but their manager went for a similar approach to Capello in 2010. Backfired massively. They went too deep too early and if you do that you have not got to make any mistakes - whereas the Irish made plenty. They had a few decent chances which they didn't make the most out of either. I actually think they may get a point against Spain because they're likely to park the bus completely. It's the same problem England have got too - no plan B.
June 10, 201213 yr Ireland won't overcome the big guns of Spain and Italy, they can start packing their bags, I suppose if Croatia draws against Spain or Italy they are through, leaving one of the big guns out of the comp.
June 11, 201213 yr My predictions really haven't been great so far.. But based on results so far: I'd say: Group A: 1. Russia 2. Poland Group B: 1. Germany 2. Denmark Group C: 1. Italy 2. Spain Group D: 1. France 2. England Russia vs. Denmark, Italy vs. England, Germany vs. Poland, France vs. Spain Russia vs. Germany, Italy vs. France France vs. Germany
June 11, 201213 yr The commentators in general have been poor. From Mark Bright to Craig Burley I actually enjoyed Craig Burley - would much rather listen to him than professionally depressed Lawro on the BBC.
June 11, 201213 yr I actually enjoyed Craig Burley - would much rather listen to him than professionally depressed Lawro on the BBC. Ahh yep how could I forget Lawrenson. Permanently miserable
June 11, 201213 yr Paddy Power: To win: Germany 11/4 Spain 3/1 France 8/1 Russia 11/1 Italy 12/1 Holland 12/1 England 14/1 Portugal 25/1 Croatia 30/1 Denmark 35/1 Sweden 50/1 Ukraine 50/1 Poland 50/1 Greece 100/1 Czech Republic 125/1 Ireland 150/1 Top Goalscorer Mario Gomez 6/1 Karim Benzema 9/1 Alan Dzagoev 9/1 Mario Mandzukic 14/1 Robin Van Persie 16/1 Antonio Di Natale 16/1 Robert Lewandowski 18/1 Fernando Torres 18/1 Cristiano Ronaldo 20/1 Nikica Jelavic 20/1
June 11, 201213 yr Ahh yep how could I forget Lawrenson. Permanently miserable The worst bit about Lawro (born in Preston, 39 caps for Republic of Ireland) was his dig at Podolski for playing for Germany and not the country he was born in, aside from his usual terrible jokes and puns. Co-commentary is generally dire full stop. My ranking would be 1) Beglin (who's crap) 2) Keown 3) Burley 4) Townsend 5) Lawro 6) Bright
June 11, 201213 yr hi i'm going to take a shot at predicting the winner too :D A: Russia, Greece B: Germany, Denmark C: Spain, Croatia D: Ukraine, France Russia vs Denmark, Greece vs Germany, Spain vs France, Croatia vs Ukraine Russia vs Germany, Spain vs Ukraine Russia vs Ukraine Germany vs Ukraine Germany would probably win in that case.
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