EURO 2012

I love the received wisdom that you can "do" or mark* the best footballers in the world out of games. Like no-one's tried that while they were becoming the best in the world.

*I do know this can be done, I just think it's passed off as too simple by pundits

Ramos doesn't even play on the same side of defence as Arbeloa, Pique does.

Arbeloa's a fine defender but I bet Del Bosque wishes he had a Jordi Alba attacking style right-back, to get in behind Ronaldo who likely will not track back much.

Most teams managed it with Messi at the last World Cup, but that was by putting two defenders on him most of the time and leaving space open elsewhere.

i wish he would play ramos at rb and martinez or someone as cb
xp

Portugal haven't been all that good in the tourney so far. Thought they looked at their best going frwd vs Denmark and only just squeaked that one. Czech Rep were similar to France vs Spain in that they had zero ambition to cause the other side defensive problems. They did quite well vs Holland but that dutch MF was disastrous.

I think Portugal are pretty good and could win tonight. Good defence and they gave Germany a tough time when they abandoned their negativity.

Okay what was with the speeches.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I would be all down with Aretha in midfield.

Ronaldo as much of a diva etc etc

can't be any worse than Diana Ross

Portugal caused a bit of panic vs Germany with their corners.

Otis Redding did have a try-out for Sporting Lisbon.

I am excited for this match but Real haven't done well in most recent clasicos and Barca look a lot better on paper tonight.

iniesta you magnificent bastard.

oof arbeloa, should have kept that down.

Excellent from Ronaldo, I'm right up for a bit of that tonight

Bullshit FK

otm

ref having a nightmare both ways imo

This is much better than I expected it to be.

rather see cesc as a false 9 than negredo doing nothing.

Portugal look good

Terrible crossing, but everything else A+

pique with 3 miscues in a row.

Best passage of the tournament, this. Could do with some proper crowd noise overdubs.

Nani is having an incredible game but he apparently slept with the ref's wife or something because he's had two opportunities scuppered now.

Pique ... hasn't looked right for nine months now.

this has been the best performance v. spain or barca i've seen in years. xavi and iniesta have been nullified with such ease. sure inter and chelsea made it past them and real won the last clasico and portugal may still lose but this has been so well planned and executed so far.

wtf did nani do to this ref to be treated like this?

He's been fine in the tourney up to tonight imo
xp

nani never fouled there FFS

gonna be heartbreaking when portugal lose this

Pique ... hasn't looked right for nine months now.

― boxall, Wednesday, 27 June 2012 20:20 (27 seconds ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Word is he was getting back to form at the end of the season, no? And he's been fine up until tonight. Maybe Shakira is in attendance. Either way off-form Pique is still better than most centre-halves.

not for me! I'm firmly with Spain
xp

Ramos is getting dicked on tonight. He could easily get sent off.

I thought he was awful in the CL semifinals, though I didn't particularly notice him against Italy or France in this tournament.

perriera is an "angry man" apparently. In general not just on occasion.

Klinnsman's English is so American, now.

Is Almeida a ringer for ilx's Lord Soto or am I imagining it?

Ref shite. Game good.

Why are the beeb studio guys constantly all talking at once tonight? so weird.

ignorance/ego

Ronaldo whets their fancy?

Negredo was a terrible choice.

Fabulous touches in that break. This deserves a better audience.

No reds please ref

This is getting kinda weird.

this ref is ruining what is a fine match.

He reads and stuff and has a nice beard and plays a v. ilx friendly way and all but the one thing I really do love about Xabi Alonso is his one attempt per game to lob a keeper from the half way line.

Portugal getting squeezed in the middle now