Euro 2012

Euro 2012 Analysis – Final – Spain vs Italy

–Current Events, Euro 2012–

This is the twenty-fourth piece in our Euro 2012 Analysis series, during which we’ll analyze all of the Euro 2012 matches based on our FootballrRating score. Spain (4) vs Italy (0) It’s as though Spain saved all its attacking flair for the final. After being one Iker Cassilas save away from elimination against Croatia and one inch from a potentially disastrous missed penalty against Portugal, the defending European and World champions reminded the world just why teams across the globe have spent the last four years trying to emulate their style.  The stats don’t scream one-sided.  Spain bested the Italians’ shot tally by just three, creating 14 chances to Italy’s 11, and 6 on target versus 4 for Italy.  Likewise, they took 57% of possession, solidly controlling, sure, but certainly not the most they’ve ever hogged the ball.  The scoring summary, on the other hand, tells a different story.  David Silva […]

Euro 2012 Analysis – Semifinals – Germany vs Italy

–Current Events, Euro 2012–

This is the twenty-third piece in our Euro 2012 Analysis series, during which we’ll analyze all of the Euro 2012 matches based on our FootballrRating score. Germany (1) vs Italy (2) It took a super performance from Mario Balotelli in the first half, and a solid defensive effort from the Italian back four in the second to stave off a German rally, for Italy to advance to the finals of Euro 2012. Italy will square off against Spain on July 1st to for the Euro Cup Championship. Italy, protected its net early in the first half, thanks to solid goaltending from keeper Gianluigi Buffon, who finished with 7 saves in the match, got on the scoreboard first. Balotelli headed in a cross in the 20th minute to give Italy the 1-0 lead. Sixteen minutes later, Balotelli was at it again, this time using his right foot to drive home his […]

Euro 2012 Analysis – Semifinals – Portugal vs Spain

–Current Events, Euro 2012–

This is the twenty-second piece in our Euro 2012 Analysis series, during which we’ll analyze all of the Euro 2012 matches based on our FootballrRating score. Portugal (0) vs Spain (0) – (Spain wins on penalties, 4-2) Spain officially qualified for its third straight major final at the expense of Portugal, but it’s hard to feel as blown away by the team’s performance as audiences were in 2008 and 2010. Portugal came out of the gate with more pressure and more intent than the victors in this semifinal, fashioning several chances early on. Wasted opportunities, along with Del Bosque’s substitution of Negredo for Fabregas, allowed an underwhelming Spanish side to reassert themselves, and the second half went comfortably to the Reds. Still, goal scorers were nowhere to be found and a surprisingly slow game stretched into extra time and penalty kicks, where Spain moved through by the thinnest of margins. […]

Euro 2012 Analysis – Quarterfinals – England vs Italy

–Current Events, Euro 2012–

This is the twenty-first piece in our Euro 2012 Analysis series, during which we’ll analyze all of the Euro 2012 matches based on our FootballrRating score. Italy (0) vs England (0) – (Italy wins on penalties, 4-2) The Italians, who dominated England for two hours, never were able to find the back of the net with any of their 35 shots, 20 of which were on target, until the penalty shootout. England’s defense never let the Italians break through with a goal during regulation or extra time. England had its share of opportunities, though they came less frequently than their Italian opponents chances. England finished with 9 total shots, 4 of which were on goal. Mario Balotelli, who pestered the England back line all match, put home the first of four made penalty kicks for Italy. England’s Steven Gerrard answered for England to tie the shootout at 1-1. Riccardo Montolivo […]

Euro 2012 Analysis – Quarterfinals – Spain vs France

–Euro 2012–

This is the twentieth piece in our Euro 2012 Analysis series, during which we’ll analyze all of the Euro 2012 matches based on our FootballrRating score. Spain (2) – France (0) The 2-0 score line may not bear the obvious hallmarks of a drubbing, but it doesn’t quite reflect just how little the losing French team were able to impose themselves against Spain.  A 19th minute header from Xabi Alonso, and an emphatic one at that, put the Spaniards in a comfortable position against a France side that failed to register many legitimate chances on goal in the half.  Les Bleus did manage to assert themselves as the second half began, but even the introductions of Samir Nasri and Jeremy Menez as the half wore one failed to bring life to a French attack that seemed to have no idea of how to get at the Spanish defense.  Alonso capped […]

Euro 2012 Analysis – Quarterfinals – Germany vs Greece

–Euro 2012–

This is the nineteenth piece in our Euro 2012 Analysis series, during which we’ll analyze all of the Euro 2012 matches based on our FootballrRating score. Germany (4) vs Greece (2) To say the Germans completely dominated this contest would be an understatement. The most surprising aspect of this matchup is the fact that it took the Germans until the 39th minute to get on the scoreboard, and the fact that the Greeks netted two goals. The Germans could have easily shut-out their opponent and scored 6 or 7 goals. Philipp Lahm netted the first goal for Germany. He struck the ball from outside the 18-yard box and whizzed it past the Greek’s keeper. Greece somehow managed to equalize the game at 1 in the 55th minute minutes, despite being virtually dominated by the Germans in every phase of the game, except the scoreboard. Georgios Samaras would give Greece a […]

Euro 2012 Analysis – Quarterfinals – Czech Republic vs Portugal

–Euro 2012–

This is the eighteenth piece in our Euro 2012 Analysis series, during which we’ll analyze all of the Euro 2012 matches based on our FootballrRating score. Czech Republic (0) vs Portugal (1) It took some patience from Portugal, but they finally got the goal that seemed an inevitability throughout the second half.  Cristiano Ronaldo hit the woodwork twice in the first half, once from the run of play and once from a free kick, but nothing could stop him in the 79th minute when he dove onto a cross from Joao Moutinho, heading the ball past Petr Cech with finality.  The Czechs started the match brightly enough, but after the first half hour Portugal tore the control from their hands and never gave it back.  Clear cut chances were few in the first half, but Portugal began to up the pressure in the second, taking 15 shots total to the […]

Euro 2012 Analysis – Day 3, Group D – Sweden vs France

–Euro 2012–

This is the seventeenth piece in our Euro 2012 Analysis series, during which we’ll analyze all of the Euro 2012 matches based on our FootballrRating score. Sweden (2) vs France (0) While Sweden had little to play for, already knowing it did not have a chance at moving on past the Group stage, the Swedes came out and scored two second half goals to top France 2-0 on the final day of the Group stage of play. The French advanced to the quarterfinals despite the loss, receiving help from England which defeated Ukraine. France finished the Group stage with a 1-1-1 record and 4 points. Zlatan Ibrahimovic put home the first goal of the match in the 54th minute of play. Sweden would add another in stoppage time from Sebastian Larsson to put a finishing touch on Sweden’s lone Euro 2012 victory. Sweden finished with a 1-2-0 record, notching 3 […]

Euro 2012 Analysis – Day 3, Group D – England vs Ukraine

–Euro 2012–

This is the sixteenth piece in our Euro 2012 Analysis series, during which we’ll analyze all of the Euro 2012 matches based on our FootballrRating score. affordable dissertation writing help & services England (1) vs Ukraine (0) With the chaos surrounding this England squad entering the tournament, plotting a successful course through Euro 2012’s group stage may well be mission accomplished for Roy Hodgson.  In a largely dull match against Ukraine, England looked to be heading towards a suitable 0-0 draw against remaining host Ukraine.  Wayne Rooney had other plans, though, heading home the winner off a Gerrard cross three minutes into the second half.  The goal loudly announced the English star’s return after a two-match ban and reminded anyone who forgot just what he brings to the side, aside from red cards.  Ukraine will be disappointed not to have taken something from the game, putting the English on the […]

Euro 2012 Analysis – Day 3, Group C – Italy vs Ireland

–Euro 2012–

This is the fifteenth piece in our Euro 2012 Analysis series, during which we’ll analyze all of the Euro 2012 matches based on our FootballrRating score. Italy (2) vs Ireland (0) The Italians' 2-0 win over Ireland paired with Spain’s victory over Croatia on day 3 of Group C matches propelled the Azzurri’s into the quarterfinals of Euro 2012. Italy finished second in Group C earning 5 points with a 1-0-2 records. Spain earned the top spot with a 2-0-1 record and 7 points. The Italians netted their first goal in the 35th minute. Antonio Cassano scored for Italy by heading in a cross delivered by Andrea Pirlo. Italy would add another late, in the 90th minute, courtesy of Mario Balotelli, who didn’t start but checked into the match during the 74th minute, replacing Antonio Di Natale. Balotelli’s goal was also created by Pirlo. Ireland put forth a valiant effort […]