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UEFA Euro 2012 Group of Death: Germany with Portugal & Holland. Who’ll be doomed?
Portugal, Denmark and the Netherlands have their UEFA Euro 2012 hopes in danger as they’ve been drawn against hot favorites Germany in the Group of Death.
Before the UEFA Euro 2012 final draw, analysts tipped Spain or Germany to lead the eventual “group of death”. The caliber of Italy, Croatia and the Republic of Ireland cannot match the power of Portugal, Denmark and the Netherlands. It’s thus fair to brand Group B as the most difficult table ahead of Group C. Group A and Group D, however, look more even. Poland could try their luck and succeed in reaching the knockout stages as Greece, Russia and the Czech Republic fill the other positions.
Ukraine might have a tougher task since France and England are favorites to clinch Group D’s top two spots. Like in 2008, Sweden may suffer yet another disappointing campaign.
Electrifying UEFA Euro 2012 finals draw to take place on Friday, December 2
The UEFA Euro 2012 draw is on this Friday! The groups at the 2012 European Championship will finally be revealed to world football’s anxious public.
The event will kick-off at 6:00pm CET (12:00pm EST, 5:00pm GMT and 7:00pm Ukraine local time) at the Palace of Arts in Kyiv. The 16 participants will be separated in four groups (from A to D) of four teams. Initially, the finalists will be drawn in four seeding pots. Poland and Ukraine, along with Spain and the Netherlands have been tagged as top seeds.
What is already confirmed is that co-hosts Poland will compete in the tournament as A1 contenders in Group A while Ukraine will vie as D1 contenders in Group D. Here’s a look at the pots again according to the UEFA National Team Coefficient:
Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi at their best: Big Week Recap
It has been a great week for Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. While Ronaldo ensured Portugal qualified for the Euro 2012 finals with ease, Messi netted a goal for Argentina at last.
Earlier this week…
Cristiano Ronaldo proves himself against Bosnia
Before the international session this month, Cristiano Ronaldo had netted four goals in four games for Portugal since August - eventually averaging a goal per game for his country. This was enough for the superstar to be proud of his performance at international level; but it was his achievement on November 15 that sent him to another level under his national team’s jersey.
In an UEFA Euro 2012 play-off match where a non-goalless draw would have been insufficient on aggregate, the playmaker made sure his responsibilities were totally assumed. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a thunderous free-kick after only eight minutes against Bosnia-Herzegovina, before netting an easier goal that bagged him a double.
Euro 2012 seeding done as Spain, England, Portugal & France could be in one group
The anxiety ahead of the UEFA Euro 2012 finals draw in Kyiv on December 2 has fiercely hit new levels. The prospect of having Spain, England, Portugal and France placed in one group explains this.
Ukraine and Poland have been seeded due to their status as co-hosts. Spain and the Netherlands complete Pot 1. La Roja and the Oranje are currently superior to any other team in the competition in terms of coefficients.Pot 2 sees Germany, Italy, England and Russia lined up. The Germans boast of showcasing the best football in the world since the past 12 months, the Italians claim to have found their new talisman in the form of Italy’s “problem child” Mario Balotelli, the Three Lions are looking forward to life at Euro 2012 without Wayne Rooney and the Russians want to keep progressing in the world of football.
Portugal vs Bosnia-Herzegovina Report
Portugal stormed into the Euro 2012 championships with a 6-2 thrashing of Bosnia in Lisbon last night.
It was expected to be a tight affair at the Estadio da Luz, but the hosts showed they were in no mood to miss out on next year's summer festivities from the first minute. Portugal had already threatened when captain Cristiano Ronaldo thundered in a typically brilliant free kick from nigh on 40 yards out to give the Selecção the lead.
A lead that was doubled shortly afterwards in equally spectacular style. Nani picked up the ball in the middle of the Bosnia half, took a few steps forward and unleashed an extraordinary shot that flew into the top corner of the net.
Portugal were rampant. Ronaldo and Moutinho came close before Hélder Postiga was denied what looked a good shout for a penalty.
Portugal vs Bosnia-Herzegovina Preview
It’s do or die for Portugal and Bosnia-Herzegovina tonight in Lisbon.
A win for Portugal and they will make it to a 7th straight tournament. A draw with goals or a Bosnia win and Cristiano Ronaldo will be forced to watch Euro 2012 on TV rather than take part in it. The Portugal captain certainly has no intention of letting that happen. “We are favorites because we’ll be playing at home and we are the better team, but we have to show that on the pitch,” said the Real Madrid superstar.
If Portugal coach Paulo Bento had been offered a goalless draw before the first leg of the tie in Bosnia, he would have undoubtedly accepted the result.
Yet the ease with which the Selecção bossed their hosts for most of the game left the Portugal squad with a sense of frustration that they did not turn their domination into a tangible advantage. “The result is extremely unfair given the way we performed,” said Bento after the final whistle had blown in Zenica.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs mental breakdown ahead of Portugal vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
Cristiano Ronaldo may need to find his scoring boots tonight so as to avoid an upset against the Bosnians in the UEFA Euro 2012 playoffs.
The spotlight will shine brightly on Cristiano Ronaldo since Portugal vs Bosnia-Herzegovina is a do-or-die mission. The 26-year-old attracted a multitude of critics last Friday when he made the middle finger gesture to defend himself against hostile Bosnian fans. Cristiano Ronaldo was greeted by “Messi, Messi” chants at the airport and during training with the rest of the Portuguese national team. However, this didn’t seem to distract his focus.
Ronaldo reacted with the rude gesture only after he got targeted with laser lights by spectators in the Bosnian crowd. Laser attacks also happened during the match as Ronaldo prepared himself to take a free-kick at some point in the game.
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Portugal Report
Portugal and Bosnia-Herzegovina played out a goalless draw on a quagmire of a pitch to leave everything wide open for the second leg in Lisbon on Tuesday.
Portugal were expected to be put under intense pressure at the small stadium in Zenica, but it was the visitors who took control of the match in the first half. Paulo Bento's men completely dominated play, with Meireles, Postiga and Ronaldo threatening to make the breakthrough.
The pattern continued after the break, with clear-cut chances starting to appear for the Selecção.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Hélder Postiga both will feel they should have done better when presented with very scorable chances, although in the case of the Portugal captain he can point to the ball taking a bobble on the terrible playing surface at just the wrong time.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani tasked to see Portugal through against Bosnia-Herzegovina
Portugal edged past Bosnia-Herzegovina two years ago when both teams met in a two-legged playoff tie for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. Which side will claim victory this time around?
The battle will start on Friday at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica. Kickoff time for this encounter is at 2:00pm EST, 7:00pm GMT and 8:00pm local time. Paulo Bento will be hoping to have his players fully focused come Saturday following Bosingwa’s recent statements. Responding to Bento’s choice of excluding him from Portugal’s man-squad for the playoffs, the Chelsea defender announced his decision to pause his international career.
Bosingwa’s public feud with Portugal’s manager is coming at an inappropriate time according to FA president Gilberto Madail who stated that the player “could have made such comments on Wednesday [November 16, after Portugal's matches].”
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Portugal Preview
Portugal will attempt to edge closer to qualifying for a 7th successive major tournament tomorrow, but face an exacting test as they travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Preparations have been far from ideal for Portugal, with Chelsea right-back José Bosingwa responding to being discarded by coach Paulo Bento by launching a scathing attack against the former Sporting manager, accusing him of lacking the emotional stability to be "a leader of men". The Portuguese delegation is also very unhappy about the state of the playing surface at the Zenica venue, which is heavily covered with mud and sand in several zones. Head of the Portuguese Football Federation, Gilberto Madaíl, has even mooted that the Selecção may play the game under protest.
On the other hand, Portugal could hold a vital psychological advantage over their opponents. Almost exactly two years ago the two sides met in a playoff for the 2010 South Africa World Cup. On that occasion Portugal won both legs 1-0 for a comfortable 2-0 aggregate win.
Cristiano Ronaldo is more complete than Lionel Messi - Brazil's Kaka
Since Cristiano Ronaldo clinched a century of goals at Real Madrid while Lionel Messi hit the 200-goal mark, the rivalry between both players has gone to a new level.
Messi and Ronaldo keep insisting that no individual battle exists between them. However, their claims apparently have no effect on the numerous football fans that constantly get involved in heated debates. As the two stars grow their numbers on the pitch, their rivalry intensifies. Kaka is the latest football personality to share his opinion on the Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi issue. Speaking during Kajuru Pregunta, the Real Madrid and Brazil ace explained his position:
“Messi is like an off road vehicle, but saying who is the best is not relevant as it all depends on what the team does collectively.
UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers play-off draw: Portugal, Turkey in tough ties
Looking at Thursday’s play-off draw results, one will only understand better why genuine contenders were racing for an automatic berth during the group stage phase.
Pot 1 had the likes of Croatia (coefficient 32.723), Portugal (31.202), the Republic of Ireland (28.203) and the Czech Republic (27.982) as seeded teams. Pot 2 had Turkey (27.601), Bosnia and Herzegovina (27.199), Montenegro (21.876) and Estonia (20.355) the unseeded teams. On Thursday afternoon, the draw which took place in Krakow produced exciting matchups.Turkey vs Croatia will represent a repeat of the dramatic Euro 2008 quarter-final where the Turks produced a stunning comeback to beat their opponents through a penalty shoot-out. The Croatians will be out to redeem themselves this time.
Denmark vs Portugal Report
Denmark swept aside Portugal in Copenhagen last night to stride confidently into the Euro 2012 finals next summer as Group H winners.
Portugal can have no complaints about the 2-1 defeat. Indeed, but for a kind refereeing decision and some brilliant saves from goalkeeper Rui Patrício, the Selecção could have been on the wrong end of a thrashing.Denmark served notice of their intentions by mounting furious early pressure. Silberbauer had the ball in the net in the 4th minute, but the referee mysteriously ruled out what looked a clean goal.
The hosts shrugged off the disappointment and took the lead shortly afterwards, as Krohn-Dehli's shot flew into the corner off the net, with the aid of a deflection off Rolando.
The lead was doubled in the second half as Bendtner scored from close range after a well-worked counter-attack.
Denmark vs Portugal Preview
Portugal and Denmark go head to head in the final Euro 2012 Group H qualification match tomorrow to decide who will top the group and qualify automatically for the tournament next summer.
It’s all set up for a tense night in Copenhagen. After both nations began the campaign with some disappointing results, Portugal go into the match on the back of five straight wins in the section, while Denmark have an almost as impressive record of four victories and one draw in their last five Group H games. Other significant statistics show that Portugal have the most productive attack in group, scoring 20 times, while the Danes have the meanest defence, conceding just five goals in seven games.
By coincidence, the two countries were also fierce rivals in World Cup 2010 qualification, with Denmark getting the better of Portugal on that occasion, winning in Lisbon and drawing at home to finish top of the section and force the Selecção to qualify via the playoffs.
Portugal vs Iceland Report
Portugal took another step towards Euro 2012 with an entertaining victory against Iceland in a goalfest at the Estadio do Dragao, Porto
Paulo Bento became the first manager in the history of the Selecção to win his first five competitive matches after a 5-3 victory over Iceland kept Portugal top of Group H. The hosts looked to be cruising as two Nani goals and a Hélder Postiga strike put Portugal 3-0 up at half time, much to the delight of a good crowd enjoying themselves in Porto.
However, Iceland caused Portugal's defence problems all night, and got their rewards. Jonasson's two goals by midway through the second half raised the spectre of Portugal's chaotic 4-4 home draw against Cyprus earlier in the campaign.
Portugal vs Iceland Preview
A weakened Portugal will be looking to clock up a fifth consecutive Euro 2012 qualifying group H victory, at the Estádio do Dragão against Iceland on Friday.
For almost a year after Paulo Bento took over from Carlos Queiroz as the head coach of the Selecção things went swimmingly. The exciting and fast-passing football that has come to be associated with Portugal returned, positive results were immediate, and the players showed they were 100% behind the new man in the hot seat – in stark contrast to his predecessor, Queiroz, but that’s another story. So it came as a huge surprise when one month ago Ricardo Carvalho, erstwhile considered the archetypal model profession, reacted to being dropped from the team by storming out of the training camp and promptly announcing his international retirement.
Mutual recriminations between Carvalho and Bento of ‘lack of respect’, ‘a deserter’ and ‘a mercenary’ brought an unedifying end to a brilliant international career. Bento has said Carvalho, holder of 75 caps for Portugal, during which time you could count the number of mistakes he made on one hand, will never play for the Selecção again while he is in charge.
Ronaldo cleared from injury scare ahead of Portugal’s Euro 2012 qualifiers
Cristiano Ronaldo will have the opportunity to offer a real show to his fans on Friday as Portugal will host Iceland in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier.
The Real Madrid number 7 player didn’t join his team mates for Wednesday’s training session. But before rumors related to Cristiano Ronaldo’s fitness could emerge, doctor Henrique Jones explained the matter. On Wednesday morning, Spanish news source Marca quoted the Portugal national team doctor as saying:“Cristiano has a minor problem with his right hip, but we have everything under control. We have decided to let him miss today's training and he'll have an individual session tomorrow.
“There's no need to be worried though. He will definitely play on Friday.”
Why Rooney is on track to beating Messi, Ronaldo and Xavi as the world’s best
Wayne Rooney is on fire for Manchester United at the moment and England recently benefited from that against Bulgaria.
When football fans discuss about their opinion concerning the world’s best player, it is most likely for the names of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi Hernandez to come out from their mouth. Since the past 3 or 4 years, awards have been mainly contested by Messi and Ronaldo.
The pair—composed of Argentine talent and Portuguese trickery—has taken world football’s stage by storm. Midfielder Xavi has also strengthened into a maestro.
Where Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi have ranked in recent FIFA Awards:
2007 Ballon d’Or: Cristiano Ronaldo 2nd, Lionel Messi 3rd
2008 Ballon d’Or: Cristiano Ronaldo 1st, Lionel Messi 2nd
Portugal unfazed by Carvalho’s quitting ahead of Cyprus Euro 2012 qualifier
The Ricardo Carvalho case has not affected Portugal’s team spirit ahead of tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifier away to Cyprus.
The Real Madrid defender reportedly left the Portuguese training camp earlier this week and subsequently announced his retirement from international football later the same day. Hitting back at Ricardo Carvalho’s attitude, Paulo Bento revealed that the player got angry after noticing that he wouldn’t start the match against Cyprus.The Portugal coach then explained his unwillingness to ever recall Ricardo Carvalho to the team. In a statement at a press conference on Friday, Paulo Bento confirmed:
“As long as I am in charge, Ricardo Carvalho will never play again. It does not make any sense. The door is closed for him.”
Cyprus vs Portugal: Carvalho quits training, retires from international football
Ricardo Carvalho has hanged up his boots for the Portuguese national team just ahead of Friday’s UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against Cyprus.
According to Portuguese magazine Record, Ricardo Carvalho got involved in a dispute at the end of a training session. He eventually walked off using Fabio Coentrao’s car to leave the camp. The Portuguese Football Federation released the following statement on Wednesday afternoon:“The player left the training camp on Wednesday, by his own initiative and without communicating that absence to the FPF or to the national coach.”
On Wednesday evening, Ricardo Carvalho announced his decision to retire from international football. The Real Madrid defender explained what it was due to by declaring: