Euro 2012 - Group Stages

[TBM]

Im amazed that we have only had 1 penalty and 2 red cards so far in the tournament and they all came in the very first game (Poland v Greece)

[cmonurz]

Im amazed that we have only had 1 penalty and 2 red cards so far in the tournament and they all came in the very first game (Poland v Greece)

Yeah saw this, it was the penalty stat that surprised me the most. Does seem to me the pace of the group games hasn’t exactly been electric – a lot of cautious football, probably contributes to that. Has anyone been booked for diving? It’s just been a tournament short on the theatrical so far. Which is a good thing.

[who are ya?]

It’s just been a tournament short on the theatrical so far. Which is a good thing.

Apart from the Croatians, Greeks and the Portuguese

[southbank1871]

Yeah saw this, it was the penalty stat that surprised me the most. Does seem to me the pace of the group games hasn’t exactly been electric – a lot of cautious football, probably contributes to that. Has anyone been booked for diving? It’s just been a tournament short on the theatrical so far. Which is a good thing.

I wouldn't say that the football has been particularly cautious so far, quite the opposite actually. I think the fact that we’ve not had a single 0-0 draw and only 5 draws out of 20 games speaks volumes.

I am surprised there’s only been one penalty though.

[Silver Fox]

Add in that the only pen was saved and it looks even odder

[Hoop Blah]

I hadn't thought of the penalties, but I did realise I'd not seen any sending offs so far, despite watching nearly all the games apart from the opening match. That really is surprising, although it has to be said I've not seen any tackles that I've thought should've brought about a red. A few players might've got two yellows at previous tournaments, but that's about it.

One thing that has struck me though, is how many teams seem to be on long unbeaten runs coming into the tournament. There was much made of France's long unbeaten run, but when you see that the Irish were 14 games undefeated as well it puts it into perspective a bit. Are there a lot more draws in International football? Or is it just freaks of the fixture list that bring about these runs (at least France's run included a couple of wins against top teams).

[who are ya?]

One thing that has struck me though, is how many teams seem to be on long unbeaten runs coming into the tournament. There was much made of France's long unbeaten run, but when you see that the Irish were 14 games undefeated as well it puts it into perspective a bit. Are there a lot more draws in International football? Or is it just freaks of the fixture list that bring about these runs (at least France's run included a couple of wins against top teams).

Exactly what I thought when I heard about the IROFLish unbeaten run.

What is impressive though, the Germans winning 10 out of 10 in qualifying and now 3 out of 3 in the group stage

[Royal Rother]

And only 1 goal direct from a free kick so far is extremely unexpected.

(I think that's still the case anyway...)

It's actually the best tournament in my recent memory. Consistently competitive games without much of the play-acting / cynicism that has become so irritating at major tournaments in the last few decades. I'm pleasantly surprised and impressed tbh.

[TBM]

Saturday night was probably the worst its been and even then it wasn't that bad

[southbank1871]

'greed RRers, I've really enjoyed the tournament to d8. I think I still just about prefer the World Cup because I like the involvement of the African and South American teams, as well as the odd wild card like Australia or NZ, but this tournament has been considerably more entertaining than the last WC.

[Silver Fox]

And only 1 goal direct from a free kick so far is extremely unexpected.

Didn't the commentator at the time actually say that was the first goal direct from a free kick in the euros since 2004? So for some reason they seem rarer than you'd expect, at least in the euros

[who are ya?]

Didn't the commentator at the time actually say that was the first goal direct from a free kick in the euros since 2004?

He did

[Archie's penalty]

http://rightbankwawaeuro2012.wordpress.com/ Finally worked out how to stick a facebook 'like' button on my page.

If you like it, like it (God that sounds corny).

End of plug.

[Schards#2]

Was thinking about when England last came from behind to win in a tournament. The only two examples I can think of are:

Cameroon (Italia 90)

Germany (1966 Final)

Both of these involved extra time, I can't think of a single occassion where we have done it in normal time before Friday's game.

[southbank1871]

We came from behind to win against Croatia in 2004, but I can't think of any others. We usually score first and go onto lose.

[Maguire]

Yeah doesn't happen that often but then we don't condede first all that often.

[just some bloke]

Yeah doesn't happen that often but then we don't condede first all that often.

We didn't concede first this time either.

[Maguire]

Yeah doesn't happen that often but then we don't condede first all that often.

We didn't concede first this time either.

I know but it seems a bit harsh including games like France 04, Romania '00 and Romania '98 when all of them scored last minute winners.

[Simon's Church]

Richard Mason ‏@MasonEcho
UEFA fines: £45,000 Spain 2004 (racism); £16,500 Serbia 2007 (racism); £10,000 Croatia 2008 (racism). €100,000 Bendtner (exposing pants).

[TBM]

I can't understand why he has been banned and fined £80k for showing his pants?!

Ok, it displayed "Paddy Power" who obviously sponsored him but is that really different to say, Nike, sponsoring a player to wear their boots?