Euro 2012

[Loveless]

Euro 2012​

It's game time, bitches!

Group A

I've run these games in the past and as I'm now a resident of Wrestlezone I'm bringing it here. Aside from the games it's always good to have a dedicated discussion going.
For those Wrestlezone users outside of Europe, it's time for our European Football (Soccer) Championships and it all kicks off on June 8th in Poland. The 16 best international teams in Europe will battle it out to win (or if you're Spain) retain the Henri Delaunay Trophy that was last competed for 4 years ago in Austria.
Anyway, it's game time.​

Group B

Game 1 and 2
Fantasy Football

Start with the classics right?
Game 1 and 2 are Fantasy Football, we have a traditional league and a knockout competition. For anyone who isn't familiar with the concept, you have to pick a team with the budget you're given and then hope they don't perform like a donkey. Free changes and transfers can be made until the tournament starts.
Wrestlezone Fantasy Football
Wrestlezone League Code - 31996-25902
Wrestlezone Knockout Code - 31996-25907

Group C

Game 3
Tournament Winner
This is a simple one.
Who is going to win Euro 2012?
Leave your answer and it'll end up listed below
Tournament Layout​

Predictions
? says ? to win Euro 2012

Group D

Game 4
Prediction Game
Pick a top scorer, 2 teams to progress from each group and then the winner or draw of each game. There will be 39 points available eventually.​

Top Scorer/Tie-Break -
Match 01 - Poland Vs Greece
Match 02 - Russia Vs Czech Rep
Match 03 - Netherlands Vs Denmark
Match 04 - Germany Vs Portugal
Match 05 - Spain Vs Italy
Match 06 - Rep of Ireland Vs Croatia
Match 07 - France Vs England
Match 08 - Ukraine Vs Sweden
Match 09 - Greece Vs Czech Rep
Match 10 - Poland Vs Russia
Match 11 - Denmark Vs Portugal
Match 12 - Netherlands Vs Germany
Match 13 - Italy Vs Croatia
Match 14 - Spain Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 15 - Ukraine Vs France
Match 16 - Sweden Vs England
Match 17 - Czech Rep Vs Poland
Match 18 - Greece Vs Russia
Match 19 - Portugal Vs Netherlands
Match 20 - Denmark Vs Germany
Match 21 - Croatia Vs Spain
Match 22 - Italy Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 23 - England Vs Ukraine
Match 24 - Sweden Vs France
Group A Qualifier 1 -
Group A Qualifier 2 -
Group B Qualifier 1 -
Group B Qualifier 2 -
Group C Qualifier 1 -
Group C Qualifier 2 -
Group D Qualifier 1 -
Group D Qualifier 2 -

Most important in all of this is you have fun.
I'll be doing write ups for each time shortly for those who aren't overly familiar with the teams. There will also be live game threads for each matchday, assuming I don't get shut down by the powers that be.​

 

[Lee]

Sweet, I'll do this at the weekend.

 

[Loveless]

I'm going to try and add more games as I find them.

 

[Loveless]

Group A

Right off the bat we're starting with The Group of Deadly Dull

Poland
As is normal, the hosts have been given what looks like a suspicious easy group in order to allow them to progress but that's not to say that they're useless. Infact they've noticably improved in the 2 years since they failed to reach the world cup, getting recent results against Germany and Portugal. There are, as always though, questions over how much form means when you haven't played a competitive game in nearly 3 years. They may well get out of this group but winning the tournament would be the biggest shock in the tournaments history.

Greece
Speaking of tournament shocks, it's been 8 years since Greece defied everyone to win Euro 2004, beating Portugal in Portugal and making Ronaldo cry (for which I will love them forever). They're in much the same shape this time; defensive and boring as hell. There's no reason to suggest they'll get out of the group but they're quite capable of grinding out results.

Czech Republic
The glory generation of Czechs are long gone by this point but what remains are a skillful little team that are entertaining to watch, if erratic in form. They're capable of winning this group if they find a rythym, they're also capable of sinking without a trace if teams shut them down. In a defensive group, things arent in their favour.

Russia
4 years ago they were the surprise package, re-emerging as a force after nearly 20 years in the dark and with a new generation of very skillful players. Since then they've sunk back into the fringes but the players remain. The question is whether Dick Advocaat can replicate the same form they found under Guus Hiddink. I'd back them to get out of the group and once they've gained confidence, anything can happen.

 

[Loveless]

Group B

It's The Group of Death...mark​

Netherlands
The World Cup runners up are heavily fancied to do well but have a habit of blowing up. Case in point the World Cup Final where after looking impressive, they decided the only way to win was to kick Spain off the pitch. Defensively they look more fragile than 2 years ago and again will need to outscore other teams, something they're quite capable of.

Denmark
Poor Denmark, they're a good team and they did well to qualify ahead of Portugal in the group stage. Their reward is a group in which they're going to get a routine kicking. They stand little chance of getting out alive unless they win against Portugal and steal a result elsewhere.

Germany
The Germans are a good team, when it comes to tournaments they're a great team. It's been 16 years since they last won an international tournament and have been inching ever closer over the last decade. Finalists in 2002, 3rd in 2006, finalists in 2008, 3rd in 2010 means they've reached 4 semi-finals out of a possible 5 and explains why many feel it's their time. However, recent form hasn't been quite so good and they lost at home to France.

Portugal
How do you judge a team with such obvious talent that loses so easily? There is a suspicion they have become a one-man team, reliant on douchebag captain Cristiano Ronaldo and that if he is marked out of the game, they lose their heads. They're quite capable of winning this tournament but you suspect they don't stand a chance unless they can play as a team, something they haven't done in at least 4 years.

 

[Chess]

Cool. Nice on Loveless. Good to see some real football on the site.

Will start at Game 3:

Holland to beat Germany in the Final and win the whole tournament!

Will get on with the games 1 and 2 on weekend.

 

[Loveless]

I'll add you to the main post and post my predictions. I've got some updating to do

 

[Loveless]

Obviously any editing is fine until June 8th

Spoiler

Game 1 and 2
Fantasy Football

The Turks - Tseng (Loveless)

Game 3
Tournament Winner
Loveless says France to win Euro 2012

Game 4
Prediction Game

Top Scorer/Tie-Break - Huntelaar
Match 01 Poland Vs Greece
Match 02 Russia Vs Czech Rep
Match 03 Netherlands Vs Denmark
Match 04 Germany Vs Portugal
Match 05 Spain Vs Italy
Match 06 Rep of Ireland Vs Croatia
Match 07 France Vs England
Match 08 Ukraine Vs Sweden Draw
Match 09 Greece Vs Czech Rep
Match 10 Poland Vs Russia Draw
Match 11 Denmark Vs Portugal Draw
Match 12 Netherlands Vs Germany
Match 13 Italy Vs Croatia
Match 14 Spain Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 15 Ukraine Vs France
Match 16 Sweden Vs England Draw
Match 17 Czech Rep Vs Poland
Match 18 Greece Vs Russia
Match 19 Portugal Vs Netherlands
Match 20 Denmark Vs Germany
Match 21 Croatia Vs Spain
Match 22 Italy Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 23 England Vs Ukraine Draw
Match 24 Sweden Vs France
Group A Qualifier 1 - Poland
Group A Qualifier 2 - Russia
Group B Qualifier 1 - Germany
Group B Qualifier 2 - Netherlands
Group C Qualifier 1 - Spain
Group C Qualifier 2 - Ireland
Group D Qualifier 1 - France
Group D Qualifier 2 - Ukraine

 

[Loveless]

Due to the pain in the arse editing restrictions I'm going to need a mod to help me update the main post every couple of days. I'll do all the work, it'll just be a case of copying a private message.

Oh and my sig, I have all 16 flags available if you want to copy.

 

[MCMG]

Spoiler

England will win the Euros

Top Scorer/Tie-Break - Robin Van Persie
Match 01 - Poland Vs Greece - Poland
Match 02 - Russia Vs Czech Rep - Russia
Match 03 - Netherlands Vs Denmark - Netherlands
Match 04 - Germany Vs Portugal - Germany
Match 05 - Spain Vs Italy - Spain
Match 06 - Rep of Ireland Vs Croatia - Draw
Match 07 - France Vs England - Draw
Match 08 - Ukraine Vs Sweden - Sweeden
Match 09 - Greece Vs Czech Rep - Czech Rep
Match 10 - Poland Vs Russia - Draw
Match 11 - Denmark Vs Portugal - Portugal
Match 12 - Netherlands Vs Germany - Germany
Match 13 - Italy Vs Croatia - Italy
Match 14 - Spain Vs Rep of Ireland - Spain
Match 15 - Ukraine Vs France - France
Match 16 - Sweden Vs England - England
Match 17 - Czech Rep Vs Poland - Poland
Match 18 - Greece Vs Russia - Russia
Match 19 - Portugal Vs Netherlands - Netherlands
Match 20 - Denmark Vs Germany - Germany
Match 21 - Croatia Vs Spain - Spain
Match 22 - Italy Vs Rep of Ireland - Italy
Match 23 - England Vs Ukraine - England
Match 24 - Sweden Vs France - France

Group A Qualifier 1 -Poland
Group A Qualifier 2 -Russia
Group B Qualifier 1 - Germany
Group B Qualifier 2 - Netherlands
Group C Qualifier 1 - Spain
Group C Qualifier 2 - Italy
Group D Qualifier 1 -England
Group D Qualifier 2 - France

 

[Uncle Sam]

I'm useless at football analysis - maybe I'll create a fantasy squad later and fluke my way through.

As is:

Spoiler

Great White Sam says Germany to win Euro 2012

Top Scorer/Tie-Break - Thomas Müller
Match 01 Poland Vs Greece
Match 02 Russia Vs Czech Rep
Match 03 Netherlands Vs Denmark
Match 04 Germany Vs Portugal
Match 05 Spain Vs Italy
Match 06 Rep of Ireland Vs Croatia
Match 07 France Vs England
Match 08 Ukraine Vs Sweden
Match 09 Greece Vs Czech Rep
Match 10 Poland Vs Russia
Match 11 Denmark Vs Portugal
Match 12 Netherlands Vs Germany Draw
Match 13 Italy Vs Croatia
Match 14 Spain Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 15 Ukraine Vs France
Match 16 Sweden Vs England Draw
Match 17 Czech Rep Vs Poland
Match 18 Greece Vs Russia
Match 19 Portugal Vs Netherlands
Match 20 Denmark Vs Germany
Match 21 Croatia Vs Spain
Match 22 Italy Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 23 England Vs Ukraine Draw
Match 24 Sweden Vs France

Group A Qualifier 1 - Russia
Group A Qualifier 2 - Poland
Group B Qualifier 1 - Germany
Group B Qualifier 2 - Netherlands
Group C Qualifier 1 - Spain
Group C Qualifier 2 - Italy
Group D Qualifier 1 - France
Group D Qualifier 2 - England

Take my predictions as seriously as you would those of a small child or someone with learning difficulties.

 

[Unsold Bacon]

As a casual soccer fan I only watch the Gold Cup, Eurocup and of course the World Cup. I would probably watch the African Cup but it doesn't air here. But when these Tournaments get around I get excited.

I really can't see Italy winning this since we are kind of going through rebuilding and transition years as star's grow older. But I'm sure we will soon recover. But I'm cheering for them. (I have an Italian background).

I'm going to take Portugal to win but I know nothing about soccer so take this as if a crack addict is teaching a rehab class.

 

[Loveless]

I really can't see Italy winning this since we are kind of going through rebuilding and transition years as star's grow older. But I'm sure we will soon recover. But I'm cheering for them. (I have an Italian background)

I don't think anyone saw them winning in 2006 either. They tend to pull it off when no-one expects it.

Italian flag is here if you want it

http://i46.tinypic.com/352g96a.gif

 

[KettleFace]

I'll do these at the weekend.

Also, Loveless may I just say that your signature gave me a much needed laugh.

 

[Tastycles]

Traktor Forest Gate - Gareth Wright

Predictions
Tastycles says Spain to win Euro 2012 (I think Germany really, but Sam took it already, and most of the good countries are gone and what is life without variety)

Top Scorer/Tie-Break - Roman Pavluychenko
Match 01 - Poland DrawGreece
Match 02 - Russia Vs Czech Rep
Match 03 - Netherlands Vs Denmark
Match 04 - Germany Vs Portugal
Match 05 - Spain DrawItaly
Match 06 - Rep of Ireland Vs Croatia
Match 07 - France DrawEngland
Match 08 - Ukraine Vs Sweden
Match 09 - Greece Vs Czech Rep
Match 10 - Poland Vs Russia
Match 11 - Denmark Vs Portugal
Match 12 - Netherlands Draw Germany
Match 13 - Italy Vs Croatia
Match 14 - Spain Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 15 - Ukraine Vs France
Match 16 - Sweden Vs England
Match 17 - Czech Rep Vs Poland
Match 18 - Greece Vs Russia
Match 19 - Portugal Vs Netherlands
Match 20 - Denmark Vs Germany
Match 21 - Croatia Vs Spain
Match 22 - Italy Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 23 - England Vs Ukraine
Match 24 - Sweden DrawFrance
Group A Qualifier 1 - Russia
Group A Qualifier 2 - Czech Republic
Group B Qualifier 1 - Germany
Group B Qualifier 2 - Netherlands
Group C Qualifier 1 - Spain
Group C Qualifier 2 - Italy
Group D Qualifier 1 - England
Group D Qualifier 2 - France

 

[Loveless]

Also, Loveless may I just say that your signature gave me a much needed laugh.

After the utter disgrace they were at the World Cup they've rebuilt and look a very good side.
And Tasty, you can pick whoever you want. It's just bragging rights.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Predictions
Tastycles says England to win Euro 2012 (I think Germany really, but Sam took it already, and most of the good countries are gone and what is life without variety)

Actually, MCMG already said England.

Did consider replacing my Christian sig with a Hitler one. Then I decided that would have been in monumentally bad taste and I would probably be banned.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

Did consider replacing my Christian sig with a Hitler one. Then I decided that would have been in monumentally bad taste and I would probably be banned.

Don't the forums still have an avatar that has Hitler in it? As long as it's not a photoshop of him kicking the be-jesus out of Benayoun, you might be alright.

 

[Daniel]

I'm officially backing Russia to be that team that does better than what most people expect. And I'm officially backing Portugal to be that team that does worse than what most people expect.

Spoiler

Sanka/laylafan268 says Germany to win Euro 2012 (but refuses to support them 'cause of y'know, wars and that).

Top Scorer/Tie-Break - Robin van Persie

Match 01 - Poland Vs Greece Draw
Match 02 - Russia Vs Czech Rep Draw
Match 03 - Netherlands Vs Denmark
Match 04 - Germany Vs Portugal
Match 05 - Spain Vs Italy
Match 06 - Rep of Ireland Vs Croatia Draw
Match 07 - France Vs England Draw
Match 08 - Ukraine Vs Sweden
Match 09 - Greece Vs Czech Rep
Match 10 - Poland Vs Russia
Match 11 - Denmark Vs Portugal Draw
Match 12 - Netherlands Vs Germany Draw
Match 13 - Italy Vs Croatia
Match 14 - Spain Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 15 - Ukraine Vs France
Match 16 - Sweden Vs England Draw
Match 17 - Czech Rep Vs Poland
Match 18 - Greece Vs Russia
Match 19 - Portugal Vs Netherlands
Match 20 - Denmark Vs Germany
Match 21 - Croatia Vs Spain
Match 22 - Italy Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 23 - England Vs Ukraine
Match 24 - Sweden Vs France
Group A Qualifier 1 - Russia
Group A Qualifier 2 - Czech Republic
Group B Qualifier 1 - Germany
Group B Qualifier 2 - Netherlands
Group C Qualifier 1 - Spain
Group C Qualifier 2 - Italy
Group D Qualifier 1 - France
Group D Qualifier 2 - England

 

[Loveless]

I'm officially backing Russia to be that team that does better than what most people expect.

The problem they face is Germany/Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
It's Ireland I'm backing to surprise people. Not only are they hard to beat but the prospect of them playing France or England in the quarters is delicious.

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

Spoiler

FunKay says Croatia to win Euro 2012

Top Scorer/Tie-Break - Mario Gomez
Match 01 - Poland Vs Greece - Draw
Match 02 - Russia Vs Czech Rep - Russia Win
Match 03 - Netherlands Vs Denmark - Netherlands Win
Match 04 - Germany Vs Portugal - Germany Win
Match 05 - Spain Vs Italy - Spain Win
Match 06 - Rep of Ireland Vs Croatia - Draw
Match 07 - France Vs England - France Win
Match 08 - Ukraine Vs Sweden - Draw
Match 09 - Greece Vs Czech Rep - Draw
Match 10 - Poland Vs Russia - Draw
Match 11 - Denmark Vs Portugal - Denamrk Win
Match 12 - Netherlands Vs Germany - Netherlands Win
Match 13 - Italy Vs Croatia - Croatia Win
Match 14 - Spain Vs Rep of Ireland - Spain Win
Match 15 - Ukraine Vs France - France Win
Match 16 - Sweden Vs England - Draw
Match 17 - Czech Rep Vs Poland - Poland Win
Match 18 - Greece Vs Russia - Draw
Match 19 - Portugal Vs Netherlands - Draw
Match 20 - Denmark Vs Germany - Germany Win
Match 21 - Croatia Vs Spain - Draw
Match 22 - Italy Vs Rep of Ireland - Draw
Match 23 - England Vs Ukraine - England Win
Match 24 - Sweden Vs France - Draw
Group A Qualifier 1 - Russia
Group A Qualifier 2 - Poland
Group B Qualifier 1 - Netherlands
Group B Qualifier 2 - Germany
Group C Qualifier 1 - Spain
Group C Qualifier 2 - Croatia
Group D Qualifier 1 - France
Group D Qualifier 2 - England

Gone a bit mad with some of these picks, but might as well put in a punt. Oh and Germany are my "proper" picks to win, but Croatia's my dark horse.

 

[Daniel]

The problem they face is Germany/Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

...oh. I have them pegged as the finalists. I still stand by Portugal, though. They're going to choke like France in 2002. Or France in 2008. Or France in 2010.

It's Ireland I'm backing to surprise people. Not only are they hard to beat but the prospect of them playing France or England in the quarters is delicious.

I was thinking of picking Ireland as that team, but I thought it'd be pretty much impossible for them to take out Italy at the group stage. But I guess that's what makes surprising teams surprising. Fuck it, they're becoming my new surprise team. To the final they go!

 

[Daniel]

Edited because I want to see Ireland go far.

Spoiler

Sanka/laylafan268 says Germany to win Euro 2012 (but refuses to support them 'cause of y'know, wars and that).

Top Scorer/Tie-Break - Robin van Persie

Match 01 - Poland Vs Greece Draw
Match 02 - Russia Vs Czech Rep Draw
Match 03 - Netherlands Vs Denmark
Match 04 - Germany Vs Portugal
Match 05 - Spain Vs Italy
Match 06 - Rep of Ireland Vs Croatia
Match 07 - France Vs England Draw
Match 08 - Ukraine Vs Sweden
Match 09 - Greece Vs Czech Rep
Match 10 - Poland Vs Russia
Match 11 - Denmark Vs Portugal Draw
Match 12 - Netherlands Vs Germany Draw
Match 13 - Italy Vs Croatia
Match 14 - Spain Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 15 - Ukraine Vs France
Match 16 - Sweden Vs England Draw
Match 17 - Czech Rep Vs Poland
Match 18 - Greece Vs Russia
Match 19 - Portugal Vs Netherlands
Match 20 - Denmark Vs Germany
Match 21 - Croatia Vs Spain
Match 22 - Italy Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 23 - England Vs Ukraine
Match 24 - Sweden Vs France
Group A Qualifier 1 - Russia
Group A Qualifier 2 - Czech Republic
Group B Qualifier 1 - Germany
Group B Qualifier 2 - Netherlands
Group C Qualifier 1 - Spain
Group C Qualifier 2 - Italy
Group D Qualifier 1 - France
Group D Qualifier 2 - England

 

[Daniel]

Edited again because I am not that smart and didn't edit it properly. I blame Sully.

Spoiler

Sanka/laylafan268 says Germany to win Euro 2012 (but refuses to support them 'cause of y'know, wars and that).

Top Scorer/Tie-Break - Robin van Persie

Match 01 - Poland Vs Greece Draw
Match 02 - Russia Vs Czech Rep Draw
Match 03 - Netherlands Vs Denmark
Match 04 - Germany Vs Portugal
Match 05 - Spain Vs Italy
Match 06 - Rep of Ireland Vs Croatia
Match 07 - France Vs England Draw
Match 08 - Ukraine Vs Sweden
Match 09 - Greece Vs Czech Rep
Match 10 - Poland Vs Russia
Match 11 - Denmark Vs Portugal Draw
Match 12 - Netherlands Vs Germany Draw
Match 13 - Italy Vs Croatia
Match 14 - Spain Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 15 - Ukraine Vs France
Match 16 - Sweden Vs England Draw
Match 17 - Czech Rep Vs Poland
Match 18 - Greece Vs Russia
Match 19 - Portugal Vs Netherlands
Match 20 - Denmark Vs Germany
Match 21 - Croatia Vs Spain
Match 22 - Italy Vs Rep of Ireland
Match 23 - England Vs Ukraine
Match 24 - Sweden Vs France
Group A Qualifier 1 - Russia
Group A Qualifier 2 - Czech Republic
Group B Qualifier 1 - Germany
Group B Qualifier 2 - Netherlands
Group C Qualifier 1 - Spain
Group C Qualifier 2 - Ireland
Group D Qualifier 1 - France
Group D Qualifier 2 - England

 

[One Punch Doug Crashin]

I'm officially backing Spain. Sorry but I"m not a fruntrunner.