| Re: Euro 2012 Soccer |
Sat, 23 June 2012 07:00   |
 TarHeel
Messages: 1908
Registered: February 2012 |
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TOTAL o2-112 (SPAIN vrs FRANCE)
France conceded a goal to England in a game where the Three Lions only had a single shot on goal and three shots in total and are now coming off an 0-2 loss to a Swedish team that was only motivated by pride. They looked lethargic and slow, despite managing 24 shots. Talk of internal conflict among the French side has dominated the media the past 24 hours, and who knows how this French side will respond? Will we see that same France squad who laid down vs. Sweden in a game where a positive result was crucial to avoid Spain, OR the highly motivated, pacey attack-minded French side that outclassed England and impressed vs. Ukraine? I couldn't tell you, so I'm avoiding the side here, even though I lean towards France. But I do know that Nasri, Benzema and Ribery should be good for a goal today. The French have been creating chances in high numbers, so much so that they are second in Euro 2012 in shots on target to....you guessed it, Spain. Let's cash this over early. If you are interested in a prop, Benzema to score at +269 is very tempting.
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| Re: Euro 2012 Soccer |
Sun, 24 June 2012 08:45 |
TarHeel
Messages: 1908
Registered: February 2012 |
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| TarHeel wrote on Sat, 23 June 2012 04:58 |
ITALY +197 [Pinnacle]
Am I the only one who likes this Italian team? I actually played this at +206 last night, but I will list the current available odds. Italy outplayed Spain in their first match in almost every facet of the game except the scoreline, which ended a 1-1 draw. This game is going to be very difficult for both sides to break open, since each squad can tend to turn very defensive when under a lot of pressure, but the value here is on Italy ML. The difference here will be Italy having three in form strikers to choose from who are all 'competing' for the limelight. Watch for solid performances from Mario Balotelli, Antonio Cassano and Antonio Di Natale, with one of those three finding the net. My guess is Super Mario, who will have a bit of extra motivation going against his Man City compatriots Joleon Lescott and keeper Joe Hart.
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Very tempted on OVER 2 at +105 or better in this match but I have not played it yet. We have two excellent keepers playing today in GiGi Buffon and Joe Hart, along with very solid defenses, at least on paper. But whenever you get two squads that have such rich rivalry history, the intensity of the game may result in a goals explosion if one of these ignitable strikers can net an early goal. Will post closer to kickoff once lineups are released by UEFA.
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| Re: Euro 2012 Soccer |
Mon, 25 June 2012 13:15 |
TarHeel
Messages: 1908
Registered: February 2012 |
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| collect-on-tuesday wrote on Sun, 24 June 2012 14:35 |
Black dude for Italy was a beast.
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Roger Bennett, ESPN the Magazine, describes Balotelli in this game well:
Mario Balotelli was focused and loaded with intent, blocking out the constant goading of the English fans and using his speed to exploit the space behind England’s cumbersome back line. First he was gifted a pass by Andrea Pirlo, who scooped the ball through to him in space behind the English line. Balotelli pulled back his foot to shoot only for John Terry to smother the shot with a trademark covering block. Claudio Marchisio was the next to play Balotelli in, but the ball hopped up, causing the striker to athletically snap it toward Hart, who made the stop. Then, after Terry used his physicality to deny Balotelli on the line, the Italian striker vented his frustration by kicking the post. He knew that on another day, he would have had a first-half hat trick.
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| Re: Euro 2012 Soccer |
Sun, 01 July 2012 09:21 |
TarHeel
Messages: 1908
Registered: February 2012 |
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In today's final we get a rematch of the group clash between Italy and Spain which ended in a 1-1 draw. La Furia Roja has looked impenetrable through their tiki-taka passing, as they haven't conceded a goal in almost 420 minutes. Spain have been masters at possessing the ball in their opponents third of the field, slowly eating away the clock and taking their time to perfect each attempt. Italy has been the surprise of the tournament, looking very cohesive and attacking much more so than the classic Italian defensive mentality of old. This final may very well come down to who scores first, and I will be backing the team that has been incredibly opportunistic of late with their chances.
I was very impressed with Italy's ability to score early against Germany and still maintain a shutout for the majority of the game even when faced with wave after wave of German attack. Mario Balotelli has been a true striker of class up top, and Cassano has been causing trouble for the defensive backs all tournament- With this duo clicking, Italy has been converting it's chances at a high rate. I expect for the Italians to use the Spain-Portugal game as a telling protocol on how to force the Spanish side into longer passes, allowing Pirlo and friends to seize even a slight bit of control of the midfield. Italy has already beaten my pick as the best team in this tournament, Germany, who failed to realize that leaving defender Boateng on an island would destroy their defensive integrity, (but allowed me to cash a play on OVER 2 in that game, sorry the posting forum was down!). I won't be surprised to see Italy snag the win here (And I may have a later play on ITALY +328 or thereabouts), but let's be safe and still cash a winner in case we see the draw in regular time. Additional plays are a possibility.
ITALY +½ -119
[Updated on: Sun, 01 July 2012 09:22]
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