The final has been played - the winner is found, and Poland and Ukraine is slowly going back to the every day. It is time to take a look back at the EURO 2012.

Most football fans have been surprised during this year’s EURO. While some teams and players have played beyond expectations, others have been one big disappointment. Not many had seen Holland lose all three matches in the group stages, and Coach Bert van Marwijk has taken the consequent of it. It is hard to say what went wrong for the Dutch, but one of the answers could be the highly profiled squad. Already before the start of the competition there were problems with unhappy players.

One of the great surprises at the EURO was Italy and especially Mario Balotelli. Italy was not seen as favorites to a spot in the final, but with the help from a phenomenal Andrea Pirlo and an ice cold Mario Balotelli, the Mediterranean’s surprised us all. Balotelli has proved that even though, he is most known for his scandalous behavior he has a real talent. Question is now, if he can keep the steam up  in the Premier League. If he is capable of this, he will be one of the top strikers in the world within the next couple of years. Andrea Pirlo might be in the last years of his career, but the midfielder as been one of the best at this EURO. This is supported by the fact that he has been awarded the Carlsberg Man of The Match award three times. More than anyone else during the competition. This might be his last tournament for Italy, and the little playmaker will be missed – not only by Italians but  all football fans.

We have said goodbye to many high profiled footballers this EURO. Players as Shevchenko, Milan Baros and Van Bommel has already announced their retirement, and many will follow. Like Pirlo, these players are going to be missed as they have been some key figures in European football the last century. However, we have also seen that the next generation is knocking on the door. Young players as Alan Dzagoev from Russia, Rafał Wolski from Poland and Balotelli will take over the European stage the next couple of years. Neither shall we fear to miss strikers in the future EURO competitions. Mario Gomez has proved that he is ready to take over for Klose in Germany, and it is also worth keeping an eye on the East European countries the next couple of years. There are some goal scorers around those teams.

Even though, Poland was eliminated in the group stages, they have shown that they should be feared. The offensive line with Lewandowski, Błaszczykowski, Polanski and the upcoming Wolski can turn out to be terrifying for defends all over the world. Especially if, the players comes to larger leagues as Lewandowski is reported to Manchester United.

Before EURO 2012, Poland and Ukraine was criticized as host nations, because of their history of hooliganism and racism. However, it has been countries like Spain, Croatia, Germany and Russia who has been the behind the cases relating to these issues. We have actually only seen one serious fight between fans, and that was when Russia met Poland. Here, the Polish police was fast to break down the riot. Well done from the host nations and I believe that, overall, have we seen a EURO played and celebrated in a good spirit.

UEFA, on the other hand, is worth criticizing, and I have made a post about this before. No one can reject that Nicklas Bendtner shall be fined for showing his underwear sponsored by a company who is not part of the UEFA partners. However, penalizing him harder than most of the countries, which fans have been acting racist is just ridicules. UEFA really has to start penalizing racism even harder now!

Fernando Torres won the Golden Boot. Not many had seen the Spaniard winning this title, given his latest season. However, the forward paid back the faith from Del Bosque. We have also seen a EURO full of wonderfully performed goals. Some of them will be found on Great Dane Football Blog tomorrow, when I nominate the five best goals.

Spain and Italy is meeting up in the EURO 2012 final. Great Dane Football Blog takes a look on their way to the important match.

 

Italy was not seen, as a favorite to play in the final, but the team has surprised and at times played some great football. The veteran midfielder, Andrea Pirlo, has with his passings and controlling the center of the pitch been one of the best at the EURO and will be important in the final match. Another player who has been impressing for Italy is Mario Balotelli. The striker has proved that he is more than a trouble maker with his, so far, three goals.

Italy’s first match was against Spain. Both teams had their share of chances, but the match ended in a 1-1 draw. The second match in the group stages was against Croatia, where Andrea Pirlo scored his first goal in the competition. Unfortunately, for Italy they once again played a draw. Ireland was the last opponent in the last group match. Here, Ireland had nothing to play for, but they were the best team in the match even though they lost with 0-2 to Italy. However, the Italians was ready for the Quarter finals as number two in Group C.

The Quarter Final turned out to be dramatic for Italy. The match against England ended in a 0-0 draw, and so did the extra time even though Italy hit the wood work twice and had a goal cancelled for offside. This meant that the match had to be settled in a penalty shootout. Italy and Pirlo won this with the score 4-2.

Most football fans had seen Italy out of the EURO after the Semi Final against Germany. However, the Azzuri wanted it different, and was overall the best team on the day, sending Germany out with a 2-0 victory. Both goals scored by Balotelli, who is finally living up to his potential.

As one of Europe’s best football nations, Spain has been favorites for the title from the first day. The half Barcelona – half Real Madrid team has lived up to the expectations. The Spaniards has almost played every match without attackers, but the strong midfield has scored the goals needed and with players as Cesc Fabregas, and Iniesta is not a surprise.

As mentioned before, Spain and Italy met in the first match. The second match for the Spanish team was against Ireland, who was left, with no chance in the 4-0 victory. In the third match, Spain did not play their best against Croatia but still managed to pull a 1-0 victory, making them the winner of Group C.

 

In the Quarter final, the clash between Spain and France ended in a 2-0 win by goals from Xabi Alonso. Overall Spain was way better than France in the match and showed why they are so highly rated.  The Semi Final the neighbors from Portugal waited. Portugal was best in the first 90 minutes, but did not manage to score a goal and the match went on to extra time. Here, Spain was the best, but they did not score as well and the match went on the penalty shootout. Here, Spain was best and won 4-2 sending them to the final.

The two best national teams in Europe will meet in Kiev tomorrow night, and we can expect a great match!

Spain was entered the match as favorites. However, it was Portugal who was the most dominant team. Spain started best with Arbeloa shooting over the goal, from the edge of the box. Portugal was soon able to handle the pressure from Spain, and prevent the Spaniards from playing their short passes. The high pressure from Portugal gave Ronaldo some chances, but the superstar was unable to score. The score at the break was 0-0 in an even match.

The second half started as even as the first ended. Both teams had their chances, but Portugal seemed to be most interested in winning the match, while Spain looked as a team hoping for extra time. In the 90th minute, Ronaldo was close to ruin Spain’s plan when he suddenly was free in front of goal. However, the captain missed once again. This meant that the match went on to extra time.

While Portugal had been the best team in the first ninety minutes, Spain was suddenly the superior team. After 103 minutes of play, Rui Patricio saved Portugal, after a chance to Iniesta. Portugal managed to avoid the pressure from Spain, and the penalty shootout was up next.

Both Xabi Alonso and Joao Moutinho had their shots saved before Iniesta, Pepe, Pique and Nani scored. Sergio Ramos sent Spain in front before Bruno Alves hit the crossbar giving Fabregas the chance of sending his nation in the final. The midfielder did not miss, and while Ronaldo was annoyed of missing the final, Spain celebrated.

Germany was seen as one of the favorites for the EURO 2012 titel, before the competition started. Italy wanted it different. Mats Hummels was close to bring Germany in front with after a corner. Buffon did not look well in the situation, and the ball was saved on the line by Pirlo. However, after twenty minutes play it was Italy and Barlotelli that scored the first goal. Cassano left three German defenders look very poor before sending a perfect cross into the head of Mario Barlotelli. The Germans had problems after the scoring and looked much shaken. Ten minutes before the break, Barlotelli struck again. The striker was alone with Neuer and with an amazing kick he sent Italy in front by two. This was also the result at the break.

In the break, Joachim Löw substituted both Gomez and Podolski for Marco Reus and Klose. Reus was close to reduce for Germany, but his excellent performance free kick was saved by Buffon. Germany put morer and more pressure on Italy, who began to play more and more defensive. However, the Germans had problems breaking through the defends, while the Italian had one counter attack after the other. Than, two minutes into the overtime Germany were awarded a penalty which Özil scored on. However, it was not enough to bring them back in the match, and Italy will meet Spain in the EURO 2012 final!

Carlsberg Man of the Match Award: Andrea Pirlo, Italy

Top scorer list

  

Portugal - Spain

EURO 2012 Semi Final

Arena Donbass, Donetsk

27-06-2012 at 19.45 BST

Head-to-head (last 5 matches):

Portugal: 2 victories / 5 goals

   Draws: 1

   Spain: 2 victories / 6 goals

The meeting between the two neighbours is worth watching. Last time the two teams met, Portugal won 4-0. That was in 2010, and the times have changed. Spain is favorites for this match, and should be able to win this. Portugal's on-man-army Ronaldo is facing Barcelona's starting line in this match. However, you should keep an eye on the Portuguese. Spain are favorites, but Ronaldo has shown that he can win a match by himself.

Boca Juniors - Corinthians

Copa Libertadores Final First Leg

Alberto J. Armando

28-06-2012 at 01.50 BST

Head-to-head (last 2 matches):

Boca Juniors: 1 vicory / 4 goals

       Draws: 1

 Corinthians: 1 victory / 2 goals

Boca Juniors and Corinthians are meeting in this year's Copa Libertadores Final. Boca Juniors are favorites against a surprising Corinthians. The team has never qualified for the final. We can expect a match with a high level of technique and some great goals. Keep an eye on Corinthians Danilo. The brazilian left winger has so far scored four goals for his club and will be an important player in the final.

Germany -  Italy

EURO 2012 Semi Final

National Stadium, Warsaw

28-06-2012 at 19.45 BST

Head-to-head (last 4 matches):

Viking - Rosenborg

Tippeligaen Round 13

Viking Stadion, Stavanger

30-06-2012 at 19.00 BST

Head-to-head (last 10 matches):

   Viking: 2 victories / 12 goals

    Draws: 3

Rosenborg: 5 victories / 15 goals

Both Viking and Rosenborg has so far been disappointing in the Tippeligaen. Both teams will go into the match with the hope for a win, and especially Rosenborg has something to prove. The two teams met in a friendly in the pre-season. Here, Viking won 4-0. Keep an eye on Steffen Iversen. The veteran striker has so far scored four goals in the league and is the top scorer for Rosenborg.

Semi final #1 - Semi Final #2

EURO 2012 Final

Olympic Stadium, Kiev

01-07-2012 at 19.45 BST

At this time, we don’t know who will be in the EURO 2012 final. However, with the four teams left in the competition we can expect an amazing match. The favorites for this match are Spain and Germany, but with an international tournament, you never know who will win or lose. No matter what, we will see a match with some of Europe’s finest players. Well worth watching!

The first Quarter Final stood between the Czech Republic and Portugal. The Czech's started best and kept Ronaldo out of the match in the first ten minutes. Portugal began to get more and more possesion, but a couple of yellow cards were what we saw from the Portuguese in the first half.

After the break, Portugal took over the match. Early in the second half Ronaldo sent a free kick on the post and shortly after Almeida scored but was offside. The Czech's could thank Petr Cech for still being a part of the match, as he made one incredible save after the other. However, with ten minutes left when Ronaldo headed Portugal in front after a beautiful cross. The Czech's never came back in the match, and Portugal can celebrate a spot in the Semi Finals.

Germany was favorites before the match, and they proved why. Right from the first whistle, the Germans took possesion and had their first big chance after two minutes. A minute after, Klose scored, but was found offside. While Germany had most of the chances, Greece could only defend and hope for some counter attacks. However, they were never close on coming in front in the first half. Instead, Germany scored the first goal after thirty-eight minutes: Lahm recieved the ball just outside the box and smashed the ball into the far corner.

The second half started as the first. Germany was in possesion, but after ten minutes, Greece suddenly equalized. Salpingidis sent a cross into the box where Samaras came first and scored to 1-1. This startet a German offensive. First Khedira first timed the ball into the net. Three minutes later Klose headed the Germans further in front, before Marco Reus scored to 4-1. In the last minutes of the match, Greece could save some honour when they were awarded a penalty. Here, Dimitris Salpingidis reduced to 4-2, which was also the final result. 

Donetsk was ready for the match between two of Europes best football nations. France started defensive and kept Spain away from chances in the first quarter of the match. However, after twenty minutes Jordi Alba sent a cross into the box where Xabi Alonso scored a brilliant goal. France did not seem to be able to answer back, and a free kick from Yohan Cabaye was the only real chance.

After the break, France was more attacking than they were in the first half. First Debuchy headed over the goal and later Menez missed a chance. However, the French was not able to equalize. Instead, Xabi Alonso scored his second goal in his match number 100. Pedro was pushed down in the box and awarded a penalty, which Alonso scored on. The final result is, therefore, 2-0 to Spain.

England and Italy delivered quite a drama in the last quarter final. After just four minutes, De Rossi sent a shot towards the English goal. Unfortunately for Italian midfielder he hit the post. England answered right back, and within the first fifteen minutes, they were close on scoring twice. The match kept a high flow with Italy in most possession of the ball. However, the first half ended in a draw.

Italy started the second half with high pressure on the English goal. Even so, they were not able to score the needed goal. Both England and Italy had their share of chances, but after ninety minutes, the score was still 0-0. That meant extra time for the two teams. The two legs of extra time were equal but still with Italy as the dominating team. Once again, Italy hit the post when Diamanti sent a cross into the box but hit the wood work instead of a player. After 115 minutes, Italy finally scored, but unluckily it was cancelled for offside. After the extra time, the match was still without goals.

Barlotelli started the penalty shootout with a goal, followed by a goal from Gerrard. The second shooter for Italy was Montolivio who totally missed the target, while Rooney smashed England in front. Pirlo scored with a tricky shot before Young sent the ball on the crossbar, making the score equal 2-2. Antonio Nocerino was safe from the spot and scored to 3-2 for Italy.  Ashley Cole was the next kicker for England. The defender’s shot was saved by Buffon, and when Diamanti scored on the next kick, England was sent out of the EURO 2012.