120 Minutes: Portugal v. Spain UEFA Euro 2012

DONETS'K, Ukraine-

First of all, apologies for not covering the quarter-finals, as I spent the weekend with my lovely fiancee. Of course, we played lots of soccer; Even though it wasn't the same quality as the Euros, it meant more to me.

Summary

The semi-finals of the 2012 UEFA Euro Cup began today with a match between current World and European Champions Spain, and their neighbor, nicknamed the best team never to win a championship.

The game was played in Ukraine's Donbass Arena, in the city of 

Portugal and Spain both started in the 4-3-3 formation.

Spain started the game with the first touch, but the Portuguese had the first real possession. Their first set-piece came in the form of a corner, tipped-over by Spanish keeper and captain Iker Casillas for a second, which he caught solidly.

In the 7th minute, the Spanish began the first of their characteristic long possessions, with a major attack coming along the left wing in the 9th. The attack ended with a shot from defender Alvero Arbeloa from near the edge of the eighteen yard box.

Christiano Ronaldo's first action came in the 13th minute with a strong cross off the counter-attack, intended for Nani, but snatched boldly out of the air by Casillas. He was fouled in the 16th minute just outside the box, and the resulting free-kick was blocked by the Spanish wall. Controversy flared in the 20th minute, when Spanish defender Sergio Ramos seemed to pull-down on Nani, but the jury is still out as far a criticizing the referee for not awarding a foul.

A Portuguese attack in the 26th minute ended with a cross being caught be Casillas, but they were looking good with it. Portuguese crosses continued to slip around the Spanish line. That all ended with a good shot from Andres Iniesta, as the Spanish forward almost scored at 29'.

Ronaldo answered with a near miss in the 31st minute, the ball just skimming wide right along the ground. On a personal note, I am not a fan of Ronaldo, but even his critics must admit that he is a very skilled footballer.

If this had not been the semi-finals of the Euro Cup, the game would have been extremely boring. Limited scoring between the two power-houses failed to provide the entertainment normally expected from either nation.

A Spanish attack in the 38th minute created a slight break in the monotony with a characteristically light shot from David Silva from within the Portuguese box.

Spanish defender Sergio Ramos earned a yellow-card in the 41st minute after fouling Ronaldo, giving a little bit of meat to an otherwise tasteless first-half. The first half ended with very few real shots on goal, and very few real chances-taken. It was more like watching a chess-match than a football game, with all of the attempts to find clever or precise passes.

The Portuguese opened the second-half, hoping to step-up their play for a brief moment and come out on top of the Spanish. There wasn't much to report, however, as neither side seemed to be able to force their way ahead. The air seemed crisp with the anticipation of a possible penalty shoot-out, which would follow a scoreless regular-time and a scoreless extra-time.

Shots and chances began to flow after the 55th minute, with plenty of long-balls from the Spanish and counter-attacks from the Portuguese. In addition, the yellow-cards began to pile-up, and the animosity between these two teams was anything but hiding. Xavi had a shot on in the 68th minute, but it was right at the Portuguese keeper.

A Ronaldo free-kick in the 73rd minute could have ended it all, but if anything has been learned in reading this article, it is that this game would go down to the wire.

Blocked-shots stopped a Portuguese attack at 76', which ended with an uneventful corner.

Arbeloa received a yellow-card in the 84th minute for encroachment on Ronaldo, who was taking a free kick. Ronaldo was awarded another, but missed just over the crossbar. After the pathetic Portuguese attack at 90', Christiano Ronaldo fullly proved the he was not on top of his game, and was at best a shadow of his superstar ego. The last real chance of the match came from a Spanish corner which found it's way all the way back to Iker Casillas.


Regular time ended scoreless, and the drama began to overtake the inaction as these two teams geared-up for a half-hour of play, followed by a possible penalty shoot-out. 


The Spanish opened extra-time, with the Portuguese fear being that one of their four already-booked defenders would be sent-off. Blocked-shots and fouls kept the game interesting as tension mounted. 


A Spanish free-kick from Xavi Alonso was headed away by the Portuguese, but the Spaniards maintained possession for a shot from Iniesta, and a moment where the Portuguese defense looked very shaky. Ronaldo made an excellent attack in the 98th, which resulted in the ball going out-of-bounds. The Portuguese quickly regained possession, and held it until Iniesta intercepted on the edge of the box, and the Spanish countered. The Spanish attack ended with an identical interception, as well as an injury to Pedro. 


Spain looked very-much on top at 102', when Cesc Fabrregas took a corner which ended in a blocked shot from Jesus Navas. Another corner started out slowly with a short pass, and ended with a Portuguese counter-attack. Navas had another shot from a tough angle at 104', but it went out wide across the pitch. Iniesta very nearly had a goal from a short distance, with the resulting corner ending up wasted. The Spanish were pulling-out the stops in extra-time, seemingly knowing that if ever the Portuguese could beat them, it would be in a penalty-shootout. 


Ramos very-nearly scored off the top-left corner with a well-struck free-kick at the end of the first half in extra-time.

The second-half of extra-time started with the Spanish settling-down and maintaining possession in their own half, while the Portuguese settled-back into a defensive mindset. They did counter strongly in the 107th, but the attack was stopped by a block  and a slowly-progressing Spanish possession.

The Portuguese surprised me when their defensive-stance moved forward with pressing forwards who moved-in dangerously close to Casillas.

Jesus Navas nearly ended it in the 111th, but a magnificent save from Rui Patricio kept Portugal just one goal away from a Euro Cup Final. A Spanish attack from Pedro at 114' almost ended it as well, but the Portuguese defenders got it away for a corner. The attacks continued in the 117th with a beautiful passing display that ended in an offsides, but was almost a goal-scoring opportunity. Had the Spanish played with such vigor during regular time, perhaps they might have put the game away in 90 minutes. They pressed-on into the dying moments of on-field play, but it was all for naught as the two teams entered into a penalty shootout, an event filled with drama on any stage, but especially in a competition of this magnitude.

The Shootout

Iker Casillas

Rui Patrico

1.) The first team to take a penalty was Spain, when Xabi Alonso fired away, but Rui Patrico made the save. It was a mid-height shot to the shooter's right. 

Juao Moutinho took the shot for Portugal, but it too was saved, by Iker Casillas for Spain.

2.) Andres Iniesta took the second shot for Spain, scoring in the same area aimed-at by Xabi Alonso, mid-height to his right side.

Pepe took the second shot for Portugal, firing low along the ground to his left, in the lower-left corner.

3.) The third shooter was Gerard Picque for Spain, scoring low-left, just above the ground. 

Portugal seemed to answer with Bruno Alves, but was switched out for Nani at the last minute. Nani scored high, just underneath the crossbar as the ball went up through the net.

4.) Sergio Ramos tried to put it away for Spain with kick number four, shooting the ball very lightly after Patrico dove out to the left and scoring.

Bruno Alves came back on for the fourth shot, but the ball came out off the bottom of the ball near the upper-right corner. 

Cesc Fabregas scored the game-winner in
the penalty shootout.

5.) All pressure was on Cesc Fabregas as he lined-up the shot that sent the Spanish to the Euro Cup final with a shot of the inside of the left-side bar, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo speechless and without taking a penalty. There was immediate speculation as to whether or not Ronaldo was scheduled last due to personal pride in his desire to take the final shot. 

The game ended with a dramatic Spanish win and nine total yellow cards, although no reds and no penalties outside of the shootout.

Hero-of-the-Match

There's no doubt about it, someone had to be the hero in this close match, and the award could only go to one man: Cesc Fabregas. Though I was unimpressed by this Spanish side during regular time, their attacks in extra time and their execution in the shootout provided high drama and excitement. Somebody had to be the game-winner, and Fabregas stepped-up and took his shot, giving Spain the chance for back-to-back-to-back wins in major tournaments. 

Special mentions to the referee, whose name escapes me at the moment. He did his best to call a fair game in a high-pressure situation, and walked-away without any lasting controversy. No penalties, no sending-offs, just a lot of yellow-cards and free-kicks. Good job, ref. 

As a writer, and as a fan, I can only hope that tomorrow's game between Germany and Italy shows more chances, as well as a more disciplined and exciting playing-style. Penalties are exciting, but not for writers who have to comment on the other two-hours of play. It was my first experience writing-up a shootout, and I would like to know what I could do better in future penalty-situations. Please feel-free to leave a comment down below if you as readers have any preference concerning the way I write-up shootouts. I hope that my disinterest and boredom during regular time did not ruin the reading experience, but let's all get excited about the prospect of a better game of football tomorrow.

Group D Finale: England vs. Ukraine

DONETS'K, Ukraine-

Summary

     The Ukrainian national anthem "Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished", was an entirely ironic start to their match against England on the final day of the Group Stage at the 2012 UEFA Euro Cup.

     The two teams met in Donbass Arena, for Ukraine's second match of the tournament played there. The Ukrainians fought the French, and lost, earlier this week.

Andriy Shevchenko, who scored two
goals against Sweden, came on as a
substitute at 70'.

     The English started in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with the Ukrainians going out in what appeared to be a 4-3-3 formation. Ukrainian star and hero of their game against Sweden Andriy Shevchenko, who is suffering from a knee injury, did not start. 

     The Ukrainians started with the ball, making a quick attack that was easily defended by the English. They continued attacking with a missed shot from Denis Garmash and a good run by Andriy Yarmolenko. This Ukrainain team looked very good early-on, while the Three Lions looked sloppy at best.

     English control began to show itself around the tenth minute, followed by an Ashley Cole shot in the eleventh. Ukraine answered at 13' with a good chance from Marko Devic, following a good cross along the ground. They had another strong counterattack after an English corner, but it ended with the ball rolling harmlessly out over the line. Another good cross at 16' very nearly ended with the ball in the back of the net.

     Despite the chances, there was a loud rendition of 'God Save the Queen' shaking the arena in the 17th minute. It was hushed after another Ukrainian shot, which was blocked by the English defense.

     Excellent Ukrainian passing kept up the attack as the game neared the half-hour mark. Oleg Gusev's shot in the 22nd minute was nearly a goal, but the luck of the English held out. Stephen Gerrard's free-kick at 24' provided England with their first real chance of the game. Wayne Rooney's triumphant return to action began in the 26th minute with a header that was struck just wide of the Ukrainian goal.

     Joe Hart made a nice save at 29' after a Yarmolenko shot from inside the box. The game was then largely uneventful until an English attack in the 41st minute which ended with a poorly-taken shot by Scott Parker.  Yarmolenko then advanced into the English box, stumbling through the English defense on the way to a Ukrainian corner. The half ended: 0-0.

     The English took the ball at the start of the second-half, with 'God Save the Queen' ringing out once again. After a short possession, the Ukrainians took over.

     The scoring opened with Wyane Rooney's 48th minute goal after a Stephen Gerrard cross was missed by Ukrainian keeper Andriy Pyatov. The headed goal was from right in front of the goal and couldn't be missed. Ukraine's potential answer to the goal was a pair of corners following soon after. A third corner at 53' was also turned away by the English. An English counter-attack following a fourth corner looked dangerous, but was broken up by the Ukrainian defense.

     A 61st minute chance for Ukraine could have tied the game, but the goal was not counted by the referee. It was indeed a goal, but the referee's call was final. Anatoliy Tymoschuk goal, kicked out of the net by John Terry.

     Two saves by Pyatov in the 68th minute kept the English from widening the gap. The first was stopping a cross intended for Rooney, the second was against a good shot from Cole.

     Ukraine star Shevchenko came on as a substitute in the 70th minute, hoping to save his team from elimination.  An amazing shot from long-distance by Yevhen Konoplyanka provided some excitement, with Joe Hart making the save by his palm. Pyatov made a save as well against another Wayne Rooney header in the 75th minute.

     Ashley Cole received a yellow-card for time-wasting in at 78'.

     The Ukrainians kept fighting until the last minute, when they could actually get their hands on the ball.They only break-ups of English play came from Ukrainian fouls, including a booking at 86 minutes by Shevchenko.

     Yarmolenko almost brought it all back for Ukraine in stoppage, which would have brought them level. The game ended after three minutes of stoppage, with both teams seemingly on cordial relations.

Wayne Rooney is today's Man of the Match.

Man-of-the-Match 

     Wayne Rooney. As much as I personally dislike Rooney, he is a very good footballer. He scored the only goal of the game in the 48th minute with a header from only a yard or two out. His return to this England squad could not have come at a better time. 

Notable Mentions

 Andriy Pyatov, Joe Hart, and Ashley Cole al

     A shout-out to my Swedes, who were eliminated from Group D after a loss to England this week. They fought hard against France today, much unlike the Republic of Ireland in Group C, who just rolled-over and died against the Italians in a 2-0 loss yesterday. The Swedes won their first game in the Euros, a 2-0 win over the French.

     There will be a lot of talk over that uncredited goal, but it's too late now, and England advance. 

     The French and English both advance to the knockouts, with England winning Group D. They play Italy next week, while France plays world-champion and Euro Cup holder Spain. 

And the Croats Are Gone... Euro 2012 Group C

GDANSK, Poland-

Summary

Spain and Croatia met in the final day of Group C matches at the 2012 UEFA Euro Cup, with the Spanish winning the match 1-0 and advancing to the knockout stage, winning the group. 

A win for either team could cause them would advance to the next round, whereas a draw would have allowed both teams to advance, providing that Group C opponents Italy lost or drew to the Republic of Ireland in the other match in the Group.

A Spanish free kick was the first action of the match after they received the first touch. , but was held-off by the Croatian defense. A Spanish attack in the fourth minute was stopped by a Croatian header for a corner, and a miss from a Spanish shot.

The Spanish struck again in the twelfth minute with a short shot from Andres Iniesta from within the Croatian penalty area. Spanish passing once again set the tempo of their play, as they held on to the ball in multi-minute possessions. Iniesta continued his presence in the game when he fouled Darijo Srna in the fifteenth minute. Subsequent fouls in the sixteenth minute continued to break-up an otherwise passing-dominated first half.

The fouls continued with a grimace-drawing tackle on David Silva, who was clearly in pain. A long shot from Sergio Ramos in the 23^rd minute provided a good chance, but Croatian keeper Stipe Pletikosa. A shot by Gerard Pique in the next minute went high and over the Croatian goal. Croatia counter-attacked, with a shot from Danijel Pranjic. Spanish keeper Iker Casillas made the save. 

An injury to Mario Mandzukic in the 27^th minute came from a clean tackle by Ramos within the Spanish penalty area. There was a card on the play, however, as Croat defender Vedran Corluka mouthed-off to the referee concerning the tackle, and received a yellow for his trouble.  Silva continued his dangerous play, with two more shots coming from close range at 30’, on two different attacks. A quick free-kick in the thirty-fourth minute gave Silva another opportunity to attack down the right flank.

Spain star Fernando Torres was not a major presence during the first-half. Torres had scored a brace against Ireland as a part of Spain’s 4-0 win last Thursday. Torres was brought-off in the 61^st minute, after failing to perform to his usual standard. Jesus Navas came on to replace him.

 Just before the half, the Croats attacked strongly, maintaining possession long enough to get a few chances on goal, and to see Iniesta intercept and lead a good attack against them. 

An attack led by Silva resulted in an uneventful Spanish corner by Xavi. 

Darijo Srna earned a yellow card in the 45^th minute after multiple unbooked fouls.

The first-half ended 0-0 after a grueling physical game, with two yellow cards and a multitude of other fouls from both sides. Croatia featured strong wing play and counter-attacks, while the Spanish continued their possession strategy, coupled with a few scrappy in-the-box attacks.

A Croat corner began the action in the second-half, with the Spanish using their short-passing scheme to continue with possession. It was apparent, however, that the Spanish were beginning to pull out the stops, attacking with real pressure. The clock was in the 52^nd minute when Iniesta provided a good ball for Torres on a breakaway, but it was calmly scooped-up by Pletikosa. The Croats capitalized on a good tackle in the 57^th minute with a drive downfield, ending in a foul. The free-kick was defended well by the Spanish, but the next Croat attack proved to be the nearly-fatal blow against the Spanish, with attack after attack. The Spanish defense finally began to look disorganized, and the Croats took advantage of it.

A Croat attack in the 70^th minute continued their wing-to-wing play, but fell apart with an uncontrolled header. David Silva was brought out for Cesc Fabregas at forward, after three attempts, two shots on-goal, and plenty of chances created.

Spanish play in the second half was at best uninspired. A chance for Fabregas in the 78^th minute was blocked for a corner.  On the other hand, the Croat attacks were creative and precise, but they couldn’t find the back of the net . Perisic made a good attempt in the 79^th minute.  Iniesta shot at 84’, but Pletikosa made the save for a corner. Navas made another shot at 85’; Pletikosa kept it out again.

Jesus Navas came on as
a substitute for Fernando
Torres, and scored the game-winner.

Navas scored off a 2-on-1 chip in a goal which was judged by the Croatian fans (and Pletikosa) to be offsides, putting-away both the game and Group C.

Overall, the second-half cleaned up in terms of fouls, and showed a superior game from both teams. Excellent ending for the game between these two teams, despite my personal disappointment that the Croats did not advance, even after a good showing against Italy and Ireland.

The Italians won their final group match against the Irish, advancing to the knockouts  after finishing second in Group C. Spain advances as well and wins the group after this win. They face the second-place team from Group D on Sunday.

Andres Iniesta's one-two pass to Jesus Navas
 resulted in Spain's win over Croatia.

Man-of-the-Match

Today's Man-of-the-Match award goes to Spain's Andres Iniesta. Iniesta played well off the ball all game, with excellent passing in possession, as well as his chance-creation and shooting. His crowning-moment, however, came from his one-two pass to Jesus Navas at 88', resulting in the only goal of the game, and the Spanish winning Group C. 

Navas came on as a substitute and did not contribute much overall, despite scoring the only goal. Iniesta played a far-better game from whistle to whistle.