| Welcome to Soccer Futbol Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Euro 2012-Group B; GER,POR,NED,DEN | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 5 2012, 06:23 PM (676 Views) | |
| Merengue | Jun 5 2012, 06:23 PM Post #1 |
|
Administrator
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
The thread to discuss Group B with Germany, Denmark, Netherlands and Portugal, the "Group of Death" of this tournament. 3 former winners and a one time beaten finalist (Portugal.) Germany Preview and Squad Biographies Portugal Preview and Squad Biographies Netherlands Preview and Squad Biographies 1 and 2 Denmark Preview and Squad Biographies |
| http://twitter.com/#!/SocrFutbolForum | |
![]() |
|
| Nkono | Jun 6 2012, 12:10 PM Post #2 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
What a group! You feel for Portugal and Denmark getting drawn against Germany and the Netherlands, only the beaten finalists at the last Euro and World Cups. I guess the question is whether the defenses of German and the Netherlands will hold up? The Dutch defense in particular is their weakness but it got them through to the final at South Africa and could do so here again. Few teams however can match Holland from midfield through attack but the infamous Dutch nerve, or lack thereof, is often a concern in international competitions and already I have read about Klaas Jan Huntelaar being upset that he did not make the starting team. As for Germany, well they look solid with so much ability, what most impresses me about Germany is their quick one and two touch passing which can open up almost any defense. If there is a weakness it is defense but Mat Hummels has I think helped strengthen the backline as he is an improvement from Mertesacker. And Neuer in goal is about as good as it gets at his position. Portugal almost always advances out of it's group but has trouble going farther because of a lack of offensive punch. We are all wondering if this will be the time Cristiano Ronaldo transfers club form to the national team? Portugal will need to score some goals if they are to get out of this group. In any other group I would rate Denmark as having a chance to qualify but not in this one, especially after losing starting goalie Sorensen for the competition. They will need to keep it close and hope Rommedahl, Bendtner and one of Europe's best young players, Christian Poulsen can score some goals when the opportunities present themselves. I see Germany and the Netherlands advancing. |
![]() |
|
| Sammy Maudlin | Jun 6 2012, 01:07 PM Post #3 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I hope the Portugal-Netherlands game does not turn into a repeat of their 2006 World Cup quarterfinal match which was one of the most brutal World Cup games I have seen in years. It was not just the 2010 Final vs Spain where the Dutch played viciously! I agree with nkono that goalscoring will be key for Portugal's hopes of advancing but I think Ronaldo, always one to look for individual glory, is going to have an impact on this tourney and score some goals for Portugal. It will be close but I can see the Portuguese edging the Dutch out for 2nd place. |
![]() |
|
| vince stravino | Jun 9 2012, 04:05 PM Post #4 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I knew Portugal had to be worried when Ronaldo did away with his new comb-over in favor of his usual mousse spike for the second half. Is it possible to blame Portugal's loss on Ronaldo's hair insecurities? |
![]() |
|
| Merengue | Jun 9 2012, 04:45 PM Post #5 |
|
Administrator
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
haha, perhaps Vince, either that or Pepe's shot going off the bar. He really should have finished that first half shot. Portugal made life difficult for Germany but their typical lack of scoring punch did them in again. Gomez with the headed goal for Germany to decide a pretty even game. Portugal were not easy to break down and despite the loss I think they still have a decent chance of getting out of this group provided they can score some goals. In the day' first match Denmark with the first shock of the tournament, defeating Netherlands 1-0. Michael Krohn Delhi with the goal. Denmark were under pressure from the Dutch but their defense bent but did not break and they caused troubles for the Dutch when they moved forward. Plenty of possession for Holland but inaccurate finishing from v.Persie, Robben and Huntelaar. And the questions over the Dutch defense seem well placed now. |
| http://twitter.com/#!/SocrFutbolForum | |
![]() |
|
| valenciano | Jun 9 2012, 05:29 PM Post #6 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Two very tactical games on Saturday but I also think both Denmark & Germany were each deserving winners. Denmark because they kept Holland off the scoreboard and were dangerous when going forward, Germany because they wore Portugal down with their play and had a defense and keeper who came up with big plays when needed. But this group still has a lot more stories to give and don't rule either the Portuguese or Dutch out. |
![]() |
|
| Winslow | Jun 9 2012, 07:12 PM Post #7 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Holland just wasn't very good today, and on the winning goal Krohn-Dehli made Heitinga look like Onyewu against A&B. Germany didn't play that well either, but luckily Portugal missed that one glittering chance and didn't get many others. Leave it to the Danes to make this group even more interesting. |
![]() |
|
| Dorian gray | Jun 10 2012, 02:48 AM Post #8 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Netherlands could aim for a draw against Germany and go-for-broke against Portugal, provided Portugal do not get a win against the Danes. |
![]() |
|
| Yogi | Jun 10 2012, 03:32 PM Post #9 |
![]()
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
That is risky Dorian because if neither Germany nor Denmark lose in game 2 they could have a "non aggression pact" and both qualify for the quarterfinals when they play each other in the 3rd and final game where a draw between them would send both through. I am thinking to have a realistic chance of qualifying, both game 1 losers, Portugal and Netherlands need to win their 2nd game. We all knew defense was Holland's weak point but their backline looked especially vulnerable against the Danes. It was not just Pepe but Varela also had a golden opportunity for Portugal to score but he hit his shot right at Neuer. |
![]() |
|
| Mr. Pither | Jun 11 2012, 12:18 AM Post #10 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
van Persie had a game to forget but Heitinga and really all the backline were shaky. van Marwijk has some work to do and one has to wonder, in light of stories about past Dutch squad disintegrations, whether this team, if they fall behind early to Germany, will crumble. Not many apparent weaknesses on Germany. I read some here criticising their defence but it looked pretty good vs Portugal. German persistance paid off. |
|
P-I-T-H-E-R ...as in Brotherhood, but with PI instead of the BRO and no HOOD | |
![]() |
|
| Mr. Pither | Jun 13 2012, 04:14 AM Post #11 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
This was as predictable as the sun rising in the east, The Dutch are fighting amongst themselves again Sneijder is trying to call out his teammates for their squabbles and egocentric behaviour,
Tonight they have a must win match, few things motivate Dutch footballers as much as facing Germany. |
|
P-I-T-H-E-R ...as in Brotherhood, but with PI instead of the BRO and no HOOD | |
![]() |
|
| Sporting | Jun 13 2012, 04:36 AM Post #12 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Very weird, and sad. Spain is one country where you might expect regional and club (mainly Madrid-Barça) differences to potentially upset team harmony, but in this case it doesn't seem to have happened. But Holland has been a fractured country, footballing-wise at least, for some years now. I'm not sure I know of another national team where such in-fighting is so prevalent. |
![]() |
|
| Mr. Pither | Jun 13 2012, 04:42 AM Post #13 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I agree Sporting, perhaps only Belgium, a nation with a far more serious social and linguistic divide than the Netherlands has so many internal issues as do Dutch national sides. In the Netherlands it is generally encouraged to speak your mind and I think it is this mentality, which so often clashes with the traditional notions of team unity, which leads to these internal issues. But as I wrote before, nothing gets the Dutch up as much as playing Germany. Adds to the intrigue of tonight's match. |
|
P-I-T-H-E-R ...as in Brotherhood, but with PI instead of the BRO and no HOOD | |
![]() |
|
| Merlin | Jun 13 2012, 01:14 PM Post #14 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I really enjoyed both matches today. This is the best day since the first day for my taste. The Portugal-Denmark match was first rate, by far the most entertaining of the tournament thus far. The Germany-Netherlands match demonstrated two things: the Germans can look very good at times, and the Dutch are capable of looking really awful. Did this side really make it to the WC final?? The shakedown for the last day in the group of death is that even Germany could be the odd team out with the wrong result, and all teams can still get through. It is certainly better when all teams have a carrot, but it will be interesting to see if Germany play a lot of that deep bench in the third match. |
|
Equinus Halitosis and Hoop MLS Cups: 0 Dynamo MLS Cups: 2 | |
![]() |
|
| gaviota | Jun 13 2012, 02:02 PM Post #15 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Two very nice goals by Mario Gomez for Germany, each very well set up by Bastian Schweinsteiger. Germany looked very good for about 2/3 of the game but for a little while after the Dutch scored they were putting some pressure on the germans, that was until Germany regained their composure, putting Kroos on to help maintain the ball also helped them. The Dutch are prone to self destruct as many have discussed here but to me their principal problem here is their defence. It simply is not good and is worse than what they had two years ago in South Africa. Philip Lahm sure knew how to defend his Bayern teammate Arjen Robben. As ineffective as I have ever seen Robben in a game. Portugal looked good for most of the match versus Denmark but Bendtner has the best of them, he always scores when he plays Portugal. Despite Ronaldo's misses, and they were bad, Portugal rebounded from losing a 2 goal lead and won the match through Varela's nice turn and shot. he nearly tied the game versus Germany last week, now he won it for Portugal. An impact substitute. So far both Groups A and B have all 4 teams still alive heading into the final group matches. |
| CHAMP13NS | |
![]() |
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · UEFA · Next Topic » |





![]](http://z1.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)




5:03 PM Jul 10