Euro 2012 quarter finals

[T_i_B]

Czech Republic v Portugal - Thursday 21st June
Germany v Greece - Friday 22nd June (bailout grudge match?)
Spain v France - Saturday 23rd June
England v Italy - Sunday 24th June

Any thoughts and predictions will be most welcome.

[oldironside]

1. Predictions are less fun that wishes.

If my fairy godmother is listening...

Czech Republic 4-0 Portugal. Ronaldo sent off for leaving the field for an emergency waxing of the bikini line.

Germany 0-1 Greece. If any nation needs a reason to cheer it's Greece.

Spain 0-0 France. Spain keep possession for 89 minutes but don't get out of their own six yard box. France eventually go through after the longest penalty shootout in history.

England 4-0 Italy, with enough style and panache to finally silence James Lawton's whispering campaign in the Independent to undermine Hodgson and get his mate 'Arry the job.

The reality?
Czech Republic 0-2 Portugal.
Germany 1-0 Greece.
Spain 3-1 France.
England 1-1 Italy. England lose the penalty shootout.

[Marooned]

3. My guesses

Czech Republic 1-2 Portugal
Germany 1-0 Greece
Spain 2-1 France
England 2-1 Italy

[VWolf]

4. Impressive predictions!

As a fan of the Azzurri, it was nice to see Italy play some good ball rather than resorting to cynicism and negativity. I also thought it was a remarkably clean game, given what was at stake. Rooney was invisible, with the exception of that bicycle kick at the end.

[oldironside]

6. Actually, I wasn't far off.

Only really wrong with the Germany Greece game, but I thought it would be a lot tighter. I didn't realise how awful Greece would be.

[VWolf]

7. I know. I wasn't being sarcastic.

Italy may surprise on Thursday, but I have my doubts, given their injury woes.

Portugal could also pull through, depending on whether or not Ronaldo shows up.

I think at least one semi will go to PK's.

[oldironside]

8. The "actually" had more to do...

... with me being surprised myself.

Penalties, penalties, penalties. At least one, if not both.

The Spain Portugal game is a local derby, so all bets are off. Spain look better on paper, but it will be hard pounding and we will have to see who pounds hardest.

As for the other one, I would love to see Italy win it, if only to shut up various Germans I know who (a) are convinced they have already won the final and (b) have a sense of entitlement that would make a penniless Spanish Duke blush.

Actual predictions:

Spain 1-1 Portugal, Spain win on penalties. Ronaldo cries but no one feels sorry for him.

Germany1-0 Italy. Italy won't give away an early goal (see England and Argentina in South Africa) and then go and chase the game, hence a tight result. Could be wrong though, since the one team to attack the Germans so far, the Danes, had a good half hour against them and made their defence look average, and with Balotelli...

[VWolf]

9. "Ronaldo cries but no one feels sorry for him"

It's funny 'cause it's true.

[OswegoAtheist]

2. my guesses

Czech Republic 0-2 Portugal
Germany 2-1 Greece
Spain 1-0 France
England 1-2 Italy

Oswego "just guessing" Atheist

[T_i_B]

5. The Quarter Final results

Czech Republic 0 Portugal 1 - Christiano Ronaldo looking in ominous form

Germany 4 Greece 2 - Much as I did get my hopes up when the Greeks equalized, the Germans just took that as a cue to start sticking the ball in the back of the net.

Spain 2 France 0 - I didn't watch this, but I presume Spain kept the ball all match as per usual.

England 0 Italy 0 (Italy win 4-2 on penalties) Italy were all over us but squandered their chances.

Semi's next.