Balls.
My predictions are now looking as accurate as something that's very inaccurate indeed.
Croatia in the final, you say? Not so.
They're gone. Along with them ten pounds of my hard-earned, wagered each-way on them. They held Spain for most of last night's game, and were only a goal away from qualification, but if truth be told (and, by Jove, it will) never looked as good or likely to win. Thanks Jove. And in the other game of which I only saw the goals, the Italians dispatched the Irish.
HOW THEY FINISHED: 1: SPAIN 2: ITALY 3: Croatia 4: Rep.Ireland.
Looking at that, surely most people would have predicted that's how this group would have ended. Surely I could have predicted that, not this rubbish.
Showing posts with label Group C. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Group C. Show all posts
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Thursday, 14 June 2012
They Finished 16th: REP. IRELAND
And we have our first faller.
Less than a week after the tournament started, it's over for the Irish.
There was to be no glory, no David slaying Goliath against Spain, and no doubting Croatia were the better side in their opening game.
Irish fans were undoubtedly the stars of their show, and will be out in force and good voice against Italy. But, much like England, there's a real lack of stars on the pitch. Although they do have performances from James McClean to look forward to.
He needs to start against Italy.
Less than a week after the tournament started, it's over for the Irish.
There was to be no glory, no David slaying Goliath against Spain, and no doubting Croatia were the better side in their opening game.
Irish fans were undoubtedly the stars of their show, and will be out in force and good voice against Italy. But, much like England, there's a real lack of stars on the pitch. Although they do have performances from James McClean to look forward to.
He needs to start against Italy.
Spain 4-0 Rep.Ireland
Although this blog does not condone any writing on any walls, as that's graffiti, the writing was on the wall after four minutes of this.
Ireland conceded another early goal and left themselves an uphill task so uphill it proved a mountain too high, if there is such a saying.
But in reality, it was always a big ask/task for the Irish. It's a team heavy on Championship quality players that just happen to have Premiership quality fans.
Spain, on the other hand, are undoubtedly world class. And Torres is back scoring again. Which all means I'm a bit worried for Croatia, as they meet Spain in the last game, and even a draw in that might not be enough to see them through to the knockout stages...
Although, I predict Irish eyes will be smiling after they draw with Italy...
Ireland conceded another early goal and left themselves an uphill task so uphill it proved a mountain too high, if there is such a saying.
But in reality, it was always a big ask/task for the Irish. It's a team heavy on Championship quality players that just happen to have Premiership quality fans.
Spain, on the other hand, are undoubtedly world class. And Torres is back scoring again. Which all means I'm a bit worried for Croatia, as they meet Spain in the last game, and even a draw in that might not be enough to see them through to the knockout stages...
Although, I predict Irish eyes will be smiling after they draw with Italy...
Italy 1-1 Croatia
While both teams showed an equal amount of flair, the Croatian fans showed way more flare than their Italian counterparts (who again should be ashamed by the number of empty seats in their 'end').
At least four flares landed on the pitch during the game, one so smoky it left the pitch resembling a gentlemen's club in the seventies.
The match was held up for a couple of minutes while the players and ref passively imbibed. Look out for the lawsuits in thirty years' time.
As you might know, I'm a big fan of Croatian chances in this tournament, and this has done nothing to dim my enthusiasm.
The Italians dominated the first half, the Croats strangely lacklustre. But in the second, you could tell Bilic had tucked into them at half time, and they came out and looked the better side.
I hate the saying ' a draw was a fair result'.
But, a draw was a fair result.
At least four flares landed on the pitch during the game, one so smoky it left the pitch resembling a gentlemen's club in the seventies.
The match was held up for a couple of minutes while the players and ref passively imbibed. Look out for the lawsuits in thirty years' time.
As you might know, I'm a big fan of Croatian chances in this tournament, and this has done nothing to dim my enthusiasm.
The Italians dominated the first half, the Croats strangely lacklustre. But in the second, you could tell Bilic had tucked into them at half time, and they came out and looked the better side.
I hate the saying ' a draw was a fair result'.
But, a draw was a fair result.
Sunday, 10 June 2012
Croatia 3-1 Rep.Ireland
Can't help feeling a bit Doctor Smug from Smugsville.
For my money (and I've a fiver each way on them to win Euro 2012 at 40-1) Croatia looked the best team I've seen in the tournament so far. Yes, I know, England haven't played yet.
No shame on the Irish for losing to them. On tonight's showing, they'd have beaten anyone. A bit lucky with a couple of goals and penalty decisions maybe, but they're packing a lot of creative weapons and a player called (but probably not spelt) Rakatich, who sounds awesome and who had a pretty good game.
Get some money on this lot to go far, but don't blame me if it goes tits up. I've had a Guinness.
For my money (and I've a fiver each way on them to win Euro 2012 at 40-1) Croatia looked the best team I've seen in the tournament so far. Yes, I know, England haven't played yet.
No shame on the Irish for losing to them. On tonight's showing, they'd have beaten anyone. A bit lucky with a couple of goals and penalty decisions maybe, but they're packing a lot of creative weapons and a player called (but probably not spelt) Rakatich, who sounds awesome and who had a pretty good game.
Get some money on this lot to go far, but don't blame me if it goes tits up. I've had a Guinness.
Spain 1-1 Italy
Match-ups between international heavyweights during tournaments rarely live up to their billing, and here was another so-so bout that ended in a split decision, which pleased me as I had it down to finish 0-0.
I saw most of this game except, annoyingly, the five minute period that contained both the goals. Such is family life on a Sunday in suburbia.
As I've predicted, I don't think Spain will win the tournament, and I don't think Italy will make it out of this group and nothing I saw here has made me change my mind.
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Group C Preview
The holders, favourites, housewife's choice loiter in this group, group C for Championes or anything else clever that begins with C.
Spain, World Cup Champions, European Champions, Eurovision Song Contest champions probably (for all I know). They'll have to be favourites to win this, even without David Villa (and even with Torres, or is that too cheeky?).
Now, I predicted Italy would be runners-up in World Cup 2010, and of course, they weren't. Far from it. They were shit, and I have little confidence this time around.
What about ROI? (which will mean return on investment to some of you). Everyone likes Ireland, even those, like me, who've never been. Should have been at the last World Cup but for Henry, etc. Got an Italian manager now and vocal support.
And how's about Croatia? I like the look of this lot on paper, so if they could ship out all the grass and replace it with foolscap, this lot could go far.
PREDICTED GROUP TABLE: 1: CROATIA 2: SPAIN 3: Italy 4: ROI
Spain, World Cup Champions, European Champions, Eurovision Song Contest champions probably (for all I know). They'll have to be favourites to win this, even without David Villa (and even with Torres, or is that too cheeky?).
Now, I predicted Italy would be runners-up in World Cup 2010, and of course, they weren't. Far from it. They were shit, and I have little confidence this time around.
What about ROI? (which will mean return on investment to some of you). Everyone likes Ireland, even those, like me, who've never been. Should have been at the last World Cup but for Henry, etc. Got an Italian manager now and vocal support.
And how's about Croatia? I like the look of this lot on paper, so if they could ship out all the grass and replace it with foolscap, this lot could go far.
PREDICTED GROUP TABLE: 1: CROATIA 2: SPAIN 3: Italy 4: ROI
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)