Euro 2012 :Match Fixing

It’s another summer of Futbol (soccer) fun with the European Championship 2012 right around the corner starting June 8th on ESPN.  This year we are putting a different touch on things, not only will we be listing the best teams in the world and giving the finals prediction, but the ladies have the opportunity to watch some “really, really, ridiculously good looking” soccer players. 

                        There are some attractive teams that you should be on the lookout for and there are some teams who play the “beautiful game” but don’t have the beautiful face.  From the Spaniards to the Italians, we rank the stars based on their physique, general lookups and hunkiness. Let the count down begin.

                        #1 Spain- Spain is not only the best-looking team in the world, but they have the best players from top to bottom.  They won Euro cup four years ago in 2008 and most recently won the World Cup in 2010.  There starting 11 is one of the best lineups ever in Futbol history.  The Midfield is led by the Barcelona men, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta who are known as one of the best midfield combos in the game.  Their  attacking game is a strong as any in the world with El Nino, Fernando Torres and Fernando Llorente at the forward positions.  Their defense is just as strong as there attacking game with Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol holding down the fort.  The Spaniards are the best all-around team in the tourney. 

                                                                                       *Gerard Pique

>  For the ladies: Son muy hermosos! Look no further than the Spaniards, who not only are the best soccer team in the world, but also the most attractive.  Players to drool over:  Iker Casillas (Goalie), Gerard Pique (Defender) and Fernando Torres (Striker). 

                         #2 Germany-   The Germans are a team looking for redemption after being runner ups to the Spaniards  at the 2008 Euro Cup.  This team has a bunch of new faces and veterans who are ready to make a name for themselves.    The Germans come back with a stellar midfield game with Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger and Real Madrid’s Mesut Ozil.  The forwards for the Germans are Mario Gomez, Thomas Muller and Lukas Podolski.  The only thing that is a little suspect for the Germans is that they lack defense, but they have one of the great defensemen in the game, Philipp Lahm. Look for this team to make a run to the finals.

                                                                                     *Mario Gomez

> For the Ladies: Schönheit und talent! The Germans are second to the Spaniards, but not by much! Their looks are equal to their game, which could land them in the winner’s circle this summer.  Players to salivate over; Lukas Podolski (Midfielder), Mario Gomez (Striker) Mario Götze (Midfielder). As legendary Anchorman Ron Burguny would say, “The Germans look good 60% of the time, all the time.”

                           #3 Netherlands- The Dutchmen are about as good as anyone in the world, when they want to be.  Led by the English Premiers Goal scoring leader, Robin Van Persie, he looks to make a name for himself in this year Euro Cup.  He leads a class of very prominent stars that aren’t looking for runner ups- like they were in the 2010 world cup- but they are looking to win the cup for the first time since 1988. 

                                                                         *Gregory Van Der Wiel

>For the Ladies: De Nederlandse zijn mooi op het voetbalveld bent! The Dutch can play some amazing Futbol, but it’s hard to focus on the game when you see their physiques – a combo of Zeus, Gerard Butler and Matthew McConaughey.   Players you dream to date:   Robin Van Persie (Striker), Ibrahim Afellay (Midfielder/ Winger), Gregory Van Der Wiel (Defender). 

                            #4 France- The French have enormous potential, but little ambition to match it.  They were a huge disappointment at the 2010 World Cup, where the team essentially broke down at the core and didn’t even advance through group stage.  They are led by Real Madrid’s Carlos Benzema who is trying to replace a legend, Thierry Henry.  The defense is stout with Manchester United captain Partice Evra and Manchester Citys’ Gael Clichy manning the defense.  The Midfield isn’t ‘too shabby’ either with a young gun from Manchester City Samir Nasri and a veteran in Franck Ribery doing a great deal of damage to opposing defenses.  

                                                                                 *Florent Malouda        

>For the Ladies: Les Français sont magnifiques!! The French are prepared to make a stand, with or without their shirts on. (Without shirts, please!)  Players to fantasize about:  Adil Rami (Defender) Yohan Cabaye (Midfielder), Florent Malouda (Striker). 

                               #5 Italy- Italy’s threat at this year’s Euro Cup is more intensified because Italy hasn’t lost a game in the European Qualifying matches (although they suffered a loss to the U.S.A.  in late 2011 when they didn’t have some of their players).  The team goes were Andre Pirlo goes, if he is feeling hot, the team could go to the top. Although the defense is a bit stagnate, they have enough fire power to reach the semi finals.   

                                                                                        *Fabio Cannavaro

>For the Ladies: Italia Una nazione sotto bellezza. The Italians have a shot to win the cup, but win or lose l’amore is in the air.    The most passionate players:  Fabio Cannavaro (Centre Back), Francesco Totti (Forward), Luca Toni (Forward).

Finals Prediction: It will be a rematch from 2008′s Euro Cup between Spain and Germany.  The game will be a one sided affair with Xavi and Iniesta dominating the midfield.  The Spaniards will raise the cup once more.  Final Score: Spain 3- Germany 1.   Party in Madrid, Viva España!

The Ladies Predictions: Who cares who wins or loses? No matter what the outcome, the ladies are the real winners for watching.

I encourage you to rank your top 5 teams.  Who is the best-looking Futbol player? Who has the most attractive team? What teams will be in the finals? Who will win the Euro Cup?  You decide! Games begin June 8th on ESPN, be there or sqaured.

Euro Cup 2012 Recap: Germany Hangs On Against Portugal

The Germans never disappoint in putting forth a good game, and the same is true for a Portuguese side which is still trying to prove itself to the world.

Neither team wasted any time after kick-off to make a name for itself in this year's European Championship, with both teams going on the offensive pretty quickly. Germany threw Muller, Podolski, Özil and Mario Gomez together and from those four men emerged a relatively fluid attacking style that failed mostly in the final execution, including Muller's relatively poor crosses.

The Bayern Munich player kept over-shooting his target, making his passes slightly off center. Despite that, he still shows signs of being a key part of Germany's future and he continues to improve from one game to the next.

Portugal did not sit back and watch. Combining Nani's wingplay with some good counter-attacking football, Portugal did manage to put some scares into Germany in the first half, despite some German domination. The only downside for Portugal was that (big shocker here) Cristiano Ronaldo simply did not perform well. He looked lost and never did so much as risk a pinky against the German defenders, including Mat Hummels, who did a good job of silencing the Real Madrid striker.

The second half kicked off, and the pattern remained the same with both sides testing each other. In the 72nd minute, Germany finally broke through and Gomez put Germany ahead 1-0.

And here's where Germany finally disappointed everyone. Most people watching were ready for Germany to then go on its usual pattern: The first goal is the hardest, now that the opponent is forced to go and acquire the next goal, Germany  will use the counter-attack to score a second, and a third, and a fourth, and so on.

But something went wrong.

Portugal pushed forward and the Germans did everything they could to hold on. Sure, Miroslav Klose brought some danger to Portugal, and so did some others, but it was really down to Portugal's forwards. Even Cristiano Ronaldo looked dangerous at one point. Pepe wound up hitting the crossbar after the Gomez goal, and Varela missed a chance against German keeper Neuer that was harder to miss than it was to make.

The Germans took the win but they still need to improve in order to make a serious play for the Cup. Given everything they showed tonight against Portugal, however, it's obvious that growth and improvement is in their future.

As for Portugal,  most of the match looked like more of the same so they may be in for a rough time against both Holland and Denmark if Ronaldo doesn't do anything to improve.

World Cup Runners-Up Shocked

NETHERLANDS suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Denmark at Metalist Stadium on

Despite fashioning a slew of chances almost straight from kick-off, the Netherlands were extremely poor in front of goal, and their profligacy was punished by a fine finish from Michael Krohn Dehli after 24 minutes.

The Dutch were similarly wasteful during the second half, their performance summed up by the labouring efforts of Robin van Persie, who showed none of the killer instinct from his stellar 37-goal season with Arsenal.

The race for qualification from Group B is now wide open, after a stunning smash and grab result from Denmark, who defied their long-shot odds and now have a priceless three points to give their hopes of making the quarter-finals an undeniable boost.

With first choice left-back Erik Pieters unavailable, Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk began with Jetro Willems.

At 18 years and 71 days old, he became the youngest player ever to feature in the tournament.

It was the PSV Eindhoven youngster who had the first real chance of the match, sending a crashing drive from long range over the bar with only three minutes gone.

Moments later, Van Persie spurned a more obvious opportunity when he belted a deflected cross off target from close range.

The Dutch appeared to be in control of proceedings, Ibrahim Afellay sending another effort off target, before Arjen Robben's dangerous centre was toe-poked into the grateful arms of Stephan Andersen.

However, for all their dominance, the Netherlands lacked a cutting edge in front of goal and with 24 minutes gone, Denmark showed them how it should be done.

Krohn-Dehli still had work to do after picking up possession just outside the area, but the Brondby winger did not hesitate, nipping past his marker and drilling between the legs of Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

Denmark almost conceded an equaliser on 36 minutes though, after a poor clearance from Andersen was pounced upon by Robben, who strode forward and bent an effort onto the base of the post.

Afellay skied another attempt following a marauding run into the box, but it was Van Persie's miss a few minutes before half-time that left Van Marwijk really shaking his head.

The Arsenal striker's heavy first-touch wasted a glorious set up by Wesley Sneijder, but he still should have hit the target, instead of firing wide via a deflection off Andersen.

The interval did little to improve Van Persie's fortunes, as he wasted two further set-ups from Sneijder, with a trip over his own feet a particular cause of frustration, not least to the watching Klass Jan-Huntelaar on the bench.

Mark Van Bommel called Andersen into action with a long range pile-driver, before Afellay squeezed an attempt from the edge of the box inches wide of the post, as the Netherlands seemed capable of everything but putting the ball into the back of the net.

Robben planted a header the wrong side of the post, and the Netherlands could have been further behind on 70 minutes had Stekelenburg not gotten a touch onto a stinging drive from Krohn-Dehli.

The chances continued to arrive for the desperate Dutch, with substitute Huntelaar wasting the pick of them when he failed to round Andersen after yet another incisive through ball from Sneijder.

But Denmark were holding firm at the back, and survived a late flicked header from Van Persie that inched over the bar. 

When a late penalty appeal for handball against Jacobsen went unanswered, the Dutch knew that their time was up.

Netherlands will have a difficult task getting their campaign back on track when they face fellow favourites Germany in their next group match, while Denmark square off with Portugal. 

Both fixtures take place on Wednesday.