UEFA-EURO 2012

[solo]

So, how many here are getting excited?

How do you favor your teams chances?

Like World cup, I'm supporting Germany, too bad they are in the group of Death.

[Rich O Brien]

It's our first major championship since USA '94 so it's getting pretty much into party mood over here.

We're in a very tough group with Italy and Croatia (tipped to win). Should be an awesome tournament

[Starling75]

Well the gold is missing in our collection (not counting 1976 achievement of Czechoslovakian team in Yugoslavia) ..

But frankly, it would be small miracle. Quarterfinal would be ok ..

[pugz1983]

Hi Guys,

We're preparing as we speak. The Beamer and screen are already ordered and we're getting ready for the first match. Netherlands-Denmark. It's the first group match and one we have to win to keep a chance at a nice group result. We're in a poule with Germany, Portugal and Denmark.

@Solo: I've always had a good opinion about you but after I heard you say you are supporting Germany thats all gone

The match between Netherlands and Germany will be a very stressfull match for me and a lot of dutch people with me. There's still a lot of hostility because of WOII. Seems a bit silly because most of us were not born yet but I think we get imprinted in our youth that germany is bad and germans are bad.

I hope we will survive the poule. If we do then I think we have a good chance to win this thing.

Greetz Twan

[HvanEssen]

We the dutch will go for the victory. After the lost final for the world titel we will win this titel.

The dutch people are 1 team

oranje_legioen_951204q.jpg

And whe have a new outfit for this event

nederlandselftal.jpg

So Ukraine here we

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[leedeetee]

Just thought I'd bump this up. I CAN'T WAIT for Euro2012.

For what it's worth, my money is on the Germans to win and England will sweat their way out of the group to get beaten by Spain in the quarter finals.

Really looking forward to Friday afternoon and it all kicking off - I've booked the afternoon off especially. Can see the Poles narrowly beating the greeks in the opener. Lewandowski with the winner.

[solo]

What happened to the Netherlands yesterday? Denmark beat you, now y'all will need a win against Germany on Wednesday or else you are out, tough game it's gonna be.

Tomorrow is England vs France, should be a good game to watch, today is Ireland vs Croatia another interesting match up.

[Mike Lucey]

The bookies rarely loose! Check out the odds available. I like the look of Russia, worth a flutter BUT but have to stick a few Euro on Ireland

[TIG]

After Spain's draw today and the Netherlands poor showing yesterday, when England win on Monday our chances look surprisingly better, and then their odds will become much less favorable - so bet on England now !
[AND I'm not on commission ]

[rvdkruk]

Blehh... I'm Dutch but I'm ashamed of our attackers performance yesterday against Denmark.
I think they had about 20 opportunities but failed miserably. I only counted 2 or 3 Danish chances.. and they scored a good goal.
The only bright side was that Germany didnt play great either.. (although they won).
Anxious for wednesday

[solo]

Netherlands vs Germany on Wednesday is a must win for the Dutch, unless Portugal beat the Danes then a draw will suffice, good thing they are playing first.

[Mike Lucey]

Looks like our lads out there were playing against 12 (11 Croatians and a Dutchman). Now I know its not 'sporting' to criticize the ref but I did a Google on Mr Björn Kuipers and found this!

' Björn Kuipers (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbjʏrn ˈkœypərs]; born 28 March 1973 in Oldenzaal, Overijssel) is a Dutch football referee in the Eredivisie. He is head of the Dutch Orange Order. He is known for his lazy eye, which he refuses to receive treatment for.'

All I can do is laugh. Getting to EURO 2012 gave Ireland a bit of a badly needed buz and I am sure we will enjoy the rest of the games ....... provided the lazy eyed, head of the Dutch Orange Order referee is not lurking around the pitch

[HvanEssen]

Mike,

Your quite right, Kuipers is the fool off the referees in the Netherlands.

Solo

In 1988 the dutch won the euro 88 in Germany, after starting the tournament with a loss. So we keep hope, and we beat the Germans in the second match. And then have the Germans a problem with their last mach against neighbour Denmark.

[Burkhard]

Good luck to Netherlands, they really need it on Wednesday

Netherland has a great pool of individuell players and I like what they were playing.
But with competitions....not sure.
A Dutch friend of mine bet this way 2:1 Netherland-Germany ; Germany - Netherland. It is always 2:1 he said.

[Mike Lucey]

Mike,
Your quite right, Kuipers is the fool off the referees in the Netherlands.

You would know better than me. Its a pity he did not have the courage to award what looked to be a most definite penalty as it could have changed the total match onwards, not that Ireland were playing well but when a team sees / feels, 'luck is not with them', they can get a little disheartened.

The pundits on TV were saying that the ref must have been afraid of the the Croatians swarming him. I would have understood his action if he started out allowing hard barely legal tackles but this was not the case either.

The trouble with soccer these days is that the TV technology often allows the living room viewers to be in a better position than the refs and linesmen when it comes to reaching fair decisions. Of late International rugby most definitely uses TV replays when decisions are required and the end result is a game that very few argue with the ref BUT I am afraid that International level soccer is ...... and I hate saying it .... possibly a little on the corrupt side? One does not have far to look for speculation and more on this!

[solo]

Where are all the England supporters?

[TIG]

Unlike me...
...by now the England fans are either in the pub or still hard at work, or probably both at the same time...
After all kick-off is in just under three hours...

Incidentally, the only funny 'German' joke I know - needs to be told by a German...
Forgive 'ze' mock-accent...
"Ve Germans, ve like a laugh too.
But ve vait until after ze verk is done.
Unlike ze Englisch - who laugh instead of doing ze verk!"

Which is something like the mock-rascist joke about the influx of Polish immigrants to the UK...
This one needs a mock-ney accent...
"These bleedin' Poles, they come over here with there 'work-ethic'... doin' jobs, ruinin' it for the rest of us !"

[solo]

lol.

TIG, fancy yer chances today?

[Rich O Brien]

...by now the England fans are either in the pub or still hard at work, or probably both at the same time...
After all kick-off is in just under three hours...

What odds are there for 1966 being mentioned in the first half?

[Mike Lucey]

Unlike me...
...by now the England fans are either in the pub or still hard at work, or probably both at the same time...
After all kick-off is in just under three hours...

Incidentally, the only funny 'German' joke I know - needs to be told by a German...
Forgive 'ze' mock-accent...
"Ve Germans, ve like a laugh too.
But ve vait until after ze verk is done.
Unlike ze Englisch - who laugh instead of doing ze verk!"

Which is something like the mock-rascist joke about the influx of Polish immigrants to the UK...
This one needs a mock-ney accent...
"These bleedin' Poles, they come over here with there 'work-ethic'... doin' jobs, ruinin' it for the rest of us !"

That must be why the Irish that went to the UK got on well with the English ..... much the same work ethic

[Mike Lucey]

Thought this picture was amusing! 'Here Fido, good little boy!' The dogs look quite confused, note the tail position, always an good indicator of what a dog is thinking!

The scene is Irish Soccer fans stand in front of Polish policemen as they wait for a tram in Poznan before the Croatia and Ireland game.

[TIG]

England have as much chance of anyone else of winning.... until they kick-off...
That said, a number of teams don't seem to be on their usual from - so if France are crap and we are surprisingly brilliant... who knows...

[leedeetee]

Good start for England.

Impressive first 30 minutes. Better than anyone dared imagine.

[solo]

Ten minutes later France equalized

[leedeetee]

Knew it was too good to be true. I think England will do well to get out of the group tbh.

[leedeetee]

England have got to be happy with that.

[solo]

I'd say a fair result for both teams, seemed very balanced, nice to see new young blood for England playing well.

[TIG]

Could have been worse
England played no worse that many of the other teams, and better than some others [so far]...

[Mike Lucey]

The French looked more 'stylish' the the English were more 'solid' looking. Fair result though

[solo]

What about the Ukraine? dang!! they had lots to cheer about, looks like the homefield advantage might work in their favor, especially coming from behind to force a win.

Best wishes to Greece tomorrow, if any team/country in Europe needs some positive news it's them.