Daily OT: Euro 2012, Group D, Game 3: France v Sweden, England v Ukraine
Race to see who avoids Spain in the quarterfinals, although the consolation prize of playing a newly-confident Italy isn't all that desirable either.
France has the tougher of the two matches, Sweden being a side that has underperformed in the tournament, and will be PISSED, given how they let Walcott get the tying goal, and set up Welbeck's sick back-heel winner.
England will be formidable for the co-hosts, given you will see Rooney come back after his two-game ban. Expect him & Welbeck to play as United have them lined up; Welbeck up front, Rooney behind, Young off a wing.
I don't know how you have France as facing the tougher match. It's entirely up in the air as to how Sweden regard this game, as they're already eliminated. They may be pissed, they may be on holiday already. Ukraine, on the other hand, while a weaker team, has everything to play for, and in front of their home crowd, as they go through with a win.
From a talent perspective, Sweden is a better team.
Home-field edge can definitely motivate teams in international competitions (WC 2002 in Korea/Japan is the perfect example of less talented teams riding the home-field edge into the knockout stages).
Howeva, I don't think Shevchenko playing as a lone counterattacking striker will be enough to outscore England. I think England has as good a possession game as France has (especially with Rooney playing behind Welbeck) with Young, Ox, a possibly in-form Walcott to put a lot of pressure on the Ukraine back line.
*shrug* We'll see!
Ugh. Walcott not in the lineup, hopefully not the hamstring he hurt at the end of the game.
Guess Ox will reprise the role has has played for Arsenal early last year, coming off the bench.
Think it makes sense to leave Walcott on the bench to come on as a change of pace against tired legs, particularly in a game that England only need to draw. Two banks of four ahoy.
No Sheva.
Hoping the Ukraine and England advance. So I am hoping the French get shellacked and the Ukraine is able win by one.
The France/Sweden commentator keeps pronouncing Hugo Lloris's name as "YOR-iss". That might be correct if he were Spanish, but he's not. It should be "Lor-EES."
EDIT: Someone seems to have corrected him at halftime.
two 0-0 games at the half.
what the hell do I know, ukraine taking it to the three lions apparently.
hopefully will catch the second half at home!
Great goal.
Holy cow that goal by Ibrahimovic was nuts.
That was a Goal!!! I hate when this happens
The Ukraine was robbed. Honeslty, they have far outplayed the English IMO
I don't understand why FIFA won't use replay to review goals. This isn't a judgment call like a foul. Either the ball is in or it isn't. They've got to get that right.
I really think France should give Olivier Giroud more time. They could use another big, physical guy up front.
Feel for Ukraine. Deserved more than a loss. Did their fans proud with their effor though.
Harte and McManaman will go on about the goal England had taken away from them two years ago, in a game where they were completely overrun and all it changed was the final goal difference, but they aren't going to mention 1966.
...sucked. Merde!
between an Italian side that's going to play direct football with lots of high pressure against an England willing to pack their own penalty area and hope for a goal off a counterattack or a set piece...wait a minute.....
historical ironies for the win?
Ukraine got jobbed...
More Jekyll/Hyde from France. Now watch - somehow they'll turn around and beat Spain in the quarters, only to lose to the Czech Republic in the semis.
(Maybe this isn't that farfetched, actually, since Laurent Blanc is now finally forced to change his central defense for the Spain match because of Mexes's suspension - but then Mexes will probably return to the starting lineup if France manages to advance.)