Euro 2012....

WTF is with these long balls from Russia?

Build it up.....

THATS GOOD!!!!

Well this is going pretty much as planned.

Kerzakov should have 5 goals all by himself - but he hasnt even hit the net.

Super.  I hope you will excuse me while I celebrate Russia going up 3-1.

Quote Originally Posted by Colts03:

hi vanny!!!!  sorry I haven't been in here to wish you luck, but GOOD LUCK!!!  

Thanks - you too Colts03.

Quote Originally Posted by QBUN:

sir van...great work a always..when do u think u will have d next plays up

All first round plays are up - look around page 4.

This goal differential is only helping my Russia group bet.

Results:
2-0
+4.96 units

3. Netherlands / Denmark - Not much has changed since 2010 when these teams met in the first round of the world cup. The Dutch won that game 2-0, and pretty much dominated. The Dutch side looks a lot like it did in 2010 - with their weakness at the back - but tons of midfield talent and scoring punch to spare. Denmarks weakness continues to be their defense - with a very average and slow back 4 - especially in the middle. I know Eriksen is getting a lot of love - and it is deserved - but I dont see him making enough of an impact to counterbalance the defense.

The Dutch have Germany and Portugal on deck - this is not a typical "not to lose" first round game - this is a must win for them. I see them coming out with guns blazing. Im on the Dutch -170 for 2 units. Most likely score 2-0 (again).

4. Germany / Portugal - I have Germany winning the tournament. They tick all of the boxes for me - no real weaknesses, strong in midfiels, defense, and scoring - team cohesion (Bayern connection), and adaptable style of play. Unfortunately for Portugal - they havent proven to have the team unity that they need to do well in intl tournaments lately - they are loaded with talent once again - but I fear that unfortunately for them the story after the tournament will once again be disappointment. A lot of that has to do with the group - it is a huge task to get past the Dutch and Germany - but some of it must have to do with having players like Ronaldo and Nani that dont play well together. And despite Ronaldos success scoring in spain - it hasnt translated to the intl level - in WC 2010 Portugal scored 0 goals in 3 of their 4 games - scoring only in the N Korea game.

Im going to have a small wager on Germany -.5 -105 for 1 unit, and the under 2.5 -107 for 1 unit. Most likely result 1-0 Germany.

5. Spain / Italy - Spain is the tournament favorite - but I do see some cracks in the armour of the team that has dominated intl soccer for 4 years. Some key injuries (Puyol, Villa) in key positions might play a large role in this tournament. I also buy in to the theory that these guys have been going at this for 4 years straight - long club seasons packed with high level games and summers filled with intl duy - there has to be an issue of runnign out of gas - just ask Pep Guardiola. Im not downplaying that Spain - when on - plays the most attractive midfield football available - but even in WC2010 their lack of scoring punch (with Villa) was evident. They played in 7 game - won their last 4 by 1-0 scores - and lost 1-0 in their opening game, and scored 2 in the other two games. So they won the tournament by scoring 8 goals in 7 games.

I love that Spain is made up primarily of players that know each other very well - but despite this they stil lost in their opener of WC10 to Switzerland. Italy come in with no expectations - a fresher group of younger players - and a manager that plays a slightly less defensive posture than previous Italians. But if Spain is the current kings of the 1-0 win - Italy was the original - the masters. Given this group - and that it is an opening game - I just see a very non-open midfield dominated game with a lack of scoring chances. I will be on Italy +.5 and +1 -105 for 2.5 units. Most likely final 0-0.

6. Croatia / Rep of Ireland - Croatia are somewhat hard to figure for me. They have some really good players in key spots - and some weaknesses too. They often sit back and defend and counter - and sometimes play an open style. Much of this depends on Modric - maybe more than anyone else in this tournament - he is the absolute key to this team and any chance they have. There are rumors about his fitness not being up to snuff - but who knows for sure - I do know that if he is not 100% this team is not going to do well. Olic got hurt in the last week - so Jelavik will start up front - and I do see that as a significant loss. The defense is older and slower - but solid. They could go on a run, or they could bomb out - just hard for me to predict.

Ireland might be the most anti-football defensive side in the tournament. Their goal is not to be scored on - period. Trapatoni (Italian Mgr) has all but said this - and it is probably their best chance of doing well here. The Greeks in 2004 proved it can be done - as Chelsea did in the CL this year. My issue is the lack of quality - even on defense - for the Irish. Dunne (aston Villa) and St Ledger (leicester City) anchor the defense - and both are ordinary in my opinion. In fact, most fo the squad is pretty ordinary - made up of midtable Pemier league players - there reaally isnt a single player on this squad that you would consider world class in their prime.

Im going to be on Croatia -.5 +120 for 1.5 units. I also would favor the under. Most likely result croatia 1-0.

7. France PK -120 (I started betting it back at +110 all the way to -110, but I think this is good all the way to -150) for 5 units. Big one off the bat. Most likely result France 3 England 1.

8. Ukraine / Sweden - This is the first game in the tournament that I think should be wide open with a lot of chances on goal. I will be on the over 2 -126 for 3 units. Most likely result Ukraine 3 Sweden 1.