UEFA Euro 2012 Group A (POL/GRE/RUS/CZE)

[J-Mezzy]

Why did Greece advance ahead of Russia if Russia had the better goal differential?

[5DOM]

Why did Greece advance ahead of Russia if Russia had the better goal differential?

Head-to-head is the first tie-breaker.

[J-Mezzy]

Oh is that a new tie breaker? I always remember goal differential being the first tie breaker. Maybe my memory fails me.

[5DOM]

I think that's the case for the World Cup but not for Euro and CL.

[Foye]

So, I guess Poland is a victim of the misery of Borussia Dortmund players playing in European competitions?

[J-Mezzy]

How many Dortmund players in Poland?

[Foye]

How many Dortmund players in Poland?

Their 3 best players are from Dortmund if you exclude goalie Szczesny.

[5DOM]

Yeah Piszczek was underwhelming to say the least today

[Rasheeed!!!]

can't believe Greece made it through with their ugly style of play...... hopefully they get bounced by Germany in style

[AdamTheGreek]

THE GREEK SPIRIT LIVES ON!!!

I'm still staggered and recovering from celebrations.

Watched this with my two closest Greek buddies at an Irish pub. Sitting next to these English fellas who were making fun of Samaras (City move, etc.) to start. But man, they couldn't have praised the man afterwards. Guy did everything and was easily Man of the Match (I'll let the two missed scoring/passing opportunities slide for a change). I was feeling pretty good once we didn't concede those first 20 minutes. Hell, we even had a few goal chances (Katsouranis one-timer). We about tore the roof off when we scored. It came as such as a shock that Russia would commit that bad of an error. Once Karagounis was in the box I knew he'd redeem himself and bury it into the back of the net. He may be old, but he still has one of the best legs in the tourney. The entire 2nd half though I felt like my insides were about to erode and I was going to spontaneously combust from the stress, nerves, excitements, and close calls we were to see for over 45 minutes (Probably the longest of my life). I was never THAT nervous and tense during the '04 run because in the knockouts we never would score until the 57th minute or later. The ref screwed us by not giving Karagounis a penalty. Cards/fouls again biased against us for a 3rd straight match. But the soccer gods blessed us with that Dzagoev header miss. That ball was going in. Thankfully, he put enough curve on it where it just barely skipped to the outside side of the post. Match ends, we go nuts. We earn respect from the English and Irish in there. We'll be back next week.

I still don't know if we benefited from such a slick pitch or not because it looked liked we fell more times than the Russians did. Russia may have had more 'shots', but we actually had the better scoring opportunities. Numbers were deceiving in this case. Our vintage defend and counter style came through again. Bravo. Santos now will surely keep his job even if we get drubbed 5-0 in the next match. Especially since he's relatively cheap and the EPO will not break the bank for a 'big name' coach.

The Avraam jersey tribute was a superb touch. So happy for our fans. I'm sure more Greeks will be traveling up north next week.



Sifakis: Legend and showed again why his athleticism and communication with the team led to us qualifying for this tournament in the first place. He was perfect. I imagine we'll hear Chalkias' 10-day 'absence' will be extended.

Torosidis: Starting to play the way we know he can. Basically kept his right side shut down while still contributing attack support on the wings. Showed his clever dribbling skill that he usually displays at Olympiakos.

Papastathopoulos: Other than that one run by Zhirkov at the start, he was flawless.

Papadopoulos: This isn't your average 20-year-old. The big European football teams will be throwing some sizable offers at him and Schalke now. Santos won't allow it, but I'd have no problem giving Kyriakos the captain's armband. He's that composed and exudes confidence and support that all captains should have.

Tzavellas: Leaps and bounds more stable than Holebas. He looked in fine shape to me. Made our CBs' lives a lot easier. Had that absolutely phenomenal free kick that smacked right on the gamma. Goodness what a curl. He needs more crossing opportunities though because we all know he has outstanding touch.

Maniatis: Warrior as usual. A week off will do him some good to heal up. He had to do double duty again with Katsouranis right next to him.

Katsouranis: I swear, Kosta must have been playing for Russia in the first half because he kept passing the ball to red jerseys. Had that nifty corner kick flick that almost snuck in. Showed the usual good 1 or 2 superb passes. Other than that though, fairly rubbish. He did bust his ass on defense in the 2nd half so it's good that he's not in a coma. No Kara next match will mean Katsouranis probably gets the captain's armband and needs to help anchor our midfield.

Karagounis: If his legend was in doubt, it's not anymore. Ultimate redemption with the goal as he more than made up for the botched penalty kick v. Poland. Then of course the ref **** him over on a CLEAR penalty. There's zero doubt that was a penalty. Giorgos screaming "theouli mou" and crossing himself was typical Kara but he was in the right this time. His reputation bit him in the ass this time. You knew the card was coming. Well, if we get into the semis somehow by the grace of God, our captain will have a chance to earn the all time caps record. He was even funnier on the bench. Go nuts, get subbed off then try and calm the bench down. He actually played way up front than normal (see the goal and penalty). He was almost a winger at times. It worked out well for him.

Salpiggidis: It's not a national team match if Dimitri doesn't get caught offside. Still, much better match than the one he started against the Czechs. Very active. He's 6 inches shorter than his defenders but is still pushing them around to get his foot on the ball. He'll be starting again I'd imagine.

Gekas: His best match of the tourney to date. But that's not saying too much. Still gets **** service, but he actually worked to try and pressure and steal the ball on his own. Santos has to think about whether or not to keep starting Fani. That I guess depends on if he adds some passing in the lineup.

Samaras: MOTM. The stuff Sammy was pulling was world class at times. Imagine if he had healthy legs. On countless occasions took on 2-3 Russians on his own and prevailed the majority of the time. He held the ball when was necessary and made brutally tiring runs when there was daylight. It may be his best game ever in his career. He did miss Gekas on that long run that resulted in a tiresome long shot, but there's not much else you can gripe about. Played phenomenal support defense for Tzavellas. Headed out several corners with ease. This is what he's capable of. He needs the week off more than anyone. I doubt Sammy can even walk today he got hacked so much.



Makos: Great sub by Santos. We were at that point in the match where we could sit on our lead. We couldn't risk Karagounis getting another bull yellow. Makos deserves to start at DM. He played the way I know he can. Didn't get much of a chance to show any passing ability (he will have to in the quarters).

Holebas: Funny that he was in to put 5 at the back and 'stabilize' us, but he made things worse. He's been ****. Showed a few decent runs up the left though. But he was placed in there to defend and he failed. Let's pray Tzavellas' legs will be ok in a week.

Ninis: I would've rather had Fetfa or Fortounis come in, but Ninis was told to run his ass off for 10 or so minutes and he did. Can't really ask much more. Connected fairly well with Samaras on a few occasions.

[cgf]

The Greeks didn't defend and counter. They defended and hoped the other team would **** up at the back, that's still the only way they've scored in this tournament and it's reflective of the lack of creativity in the side.

[El Turco]

nvm

[G R E Y]

^LOL at that picture. Well, too bad Poland is out.
"Next time"...

Still, at least Russia's out of it. Petty, but oh well...

I hope one of England or France take it.

[Point forward]

Papastathopoulos: Other than that one run by Zhirkov at the start, he was flawless.

Papadopoulos: This isn't your average 20-year-old. The big European football teams will be throwing some sizable offers at him and Schalke now. Santos won't allow it, but I'd have no problem giving Kyriakos the captain's armband. He's that composed and exudes confidence and support that all captains should have.

Holebas: Funny that he was in to put 5 at the back and 'stabilize' us, but he made things worse. He's been ****. Showed a few decent runs up the left though. But he was placed in there to defend and he failed. Let's pray Tzavellas' legs will be ok in a week.

Sokratis had a very strong season in Bremen, I am happy to see him perform so well in the EC. Papadopoulos in Schalke was prone to to rookie mistakes, but when he presented his A game, he was unstoppable. Holebas at 1860 finally was a funny dude. He is a striker who was transformed into a wingback, so the last thing you can expect from his is defense. In 1860, he was notorious for his atrocious tackling "skills" and nonexistant defensive instinct - which almost nullified his (tangible, but not great) offensive skills. He should be backing up Samaras, if anything...

[Andre3822]

Disappointed, but that's how football is. I feel Russia would of had a stronger chance against the likes of Germany.

[theTROOF]

Greece will now play the next 70 minutes for Shoot-Out

[theTROOF]

[theTROOF]

Germany says: Enuff. Now pay off your debts