Euro 2012 predictions thread | 81 comments (81 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Compliments to the Danes (4.00 / 2)

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Plenty of drama in the first 2 days of play. Compliments to the Danes and master tacticus Morten Olson, former Ajax coach. The Dutch and Danes know their team quality, however the Orange machine lacked cohesion and brilliance. Robben played poorly as he did in the latter part at Bayern Munich. As a right winger or a left winger he never provides that dangerous cross into the box. Affellay is a better teamplayer. Robin van Persie has not been successful as a striker for the national team, very similar to Messi and Argentina. Two players on the bench (Huntelaar and v.d. Vaart) are frustrated because Bert van Marwijk chose a different starting eleven. Both players got their chance in the match but also failed. Pinch hitting is a quality of its own, mentality is key.

The only goal by the Danes (Krohn-Dehli) was a major fault in the Dutch defense by Heitinga. Krohn-Dehli played in the youth by Ajax and the Dutch defenders should be thoroughly briefed he has only one passing move.

I won't put blame on the referee, however he twice missed a handsbal by the Danes in the penalty box. Especially the second one was very clear. For no reason he blew the whistle when the Dutch attacked the goalkeeper who was outside his box and the Dutch were about to score as the ball was loose. Nevertheless, the Dutch lost the game through their own poor performance in finishing.

Prediction final standing in this poule: 1. Germany (7) 2. Holland (4) 3. Portugal (3) 4. Denmark (3).

"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."

by Oui on Sun Jun 10th, 2012 at 03:21:22 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Compliments to the Danes (none / 0)

he twice missed a handsbal by the Danes in the penalty box

Do you have a link for an analysis/video? I remember both, but the first one appeared to be completely unintentional, while the second (which was judged a clear handball by my TV commentator) wasn't all that clear to me in the replay I saw.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sun Jun 10th, 2012 at 08:40:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

YouTube Video (none / 0)

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Netherlands vs Denmark [ 0 - 1 ] Clear Hand Ball in penalty area EURO 2012

"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."

by Oui on Sun Jun 10th, 2012 at 01:09:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: YouTube Video (none / 0)

This is the one which IMHO is clearly unintentional.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sun Jun 10th, 2012 at 02:46:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Rules of the Game (none / 0)

Fifa Soccer Rules for Handball
A handball should not be awarded if a player is ruled to have handled the ball accidentally. This refers to a player either attempting to protect himself from injury, for example by placing the hands in front of the face and then being hit by the ball, or a player being hit on the arm by the ball without moving towards the ball and without being able to move out of the way. An example might be a snap shot hitting the arm of a defender at point-blank range. However, if a player's arm is in an unnatural position, for example outstretched or above their head, then a foul should be awarded whether accidental or not.

Definitely a penalty. I'll grant the bye on the first handball.

"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."

by Oui on Sun Jun 10th, 2012 at 03:57:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Rules of the Game (none / 0)

Methinks this was a shot hitting the arm of a defender at point-blank range. The arm is neither unnatural nor outstreched, just moving with the momentum, and no way the defender foresaw that the attacker will shoot the ball backwards.

_{*Lunatic*, n.

One whose delusions are out of fashion.}

by DoDo on Sun Jun 10th, 2012 at 05:09:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Not His Cup of Tea (none / 0)

Referee Damir Skomina and ~~two~~ three earlier gaffes on a handball in 2012
(Goal) - There was also some criticism levelled at Skomina after the Europa League semi-final second leg between Valencia and Atletico Madrid. The referee awarded a penalty for Valencia in 79th minute for a handball by Tiago, only to quickly reverse his decision.
Replays confirmed the validity of his decision as it turned out that Los Che defender Ricardo Costa committed the offence rather than the Atletico Madrid midfielder. Tiago's relief was short-lived, however, as he was then sent off in the mass confrontation following the spot-kick confusion for slapping Roberto Soldado.
Perhaps Skomina's biggest gaffe to date is his failure to award a clear penalty for a handball in Slovenia's derby between Maribor and Olimpija earlier in 2012. The incident proved to be the only black spot in what has been a good year for the referee, who will be keen to impress at Euro 2012.
Marseille vs Arsenal 0-1
The French side did feel they were denied a penalty when a cross appeared to hit Carl Jenkinson on the arm in the box, but their appeals were waved away by referee Damir Skomina.

"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."

by Oui on Mon Jun 11th, 2012 at 08:47:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Euro 2012 predictions thread | 81 comments (81 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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