Euro 2012

[joew2005]

Latest Uefa/Fifa ranking, updated on MARCH 2012.

1. Spain (Fifa 1)
2. Germany (Fifa 2)
3. Netherlands (Fifa 3)
4. England (Fifa 6)
5. Portugal (Fifa 7)
6. Italy (Fifa 9)
7. Croatia (Fifa 10)
8. Denmark (Fifa 11)
9. Russia (Fifa 12)
10. Greece (Fifa 13)
11. France (Fifa 16)
12. Sweden (Fifa 17)
13. Switzerland (Fifa 18)
14. Republic of Ireland (Fifa 19)
15. Bosnia-Herzegovina (Fifa 21)
16. Norway (Fifa 24)
17. Serbia (Fifa 26)
18. Slovenia (Fifa 28)
19. Czech Republic (Fifa 29)
20. Turkey (Fifa 32)
21. Slovakia (Fifa 35)
22. Hungary (Fifa 37)
23. Israel (Fifa 38)
24. Belgium (Fifa 40)
25. Armenia (Fifa 44)
26. Montenegro (Fifa 44)
27. Estonia (Fifa 47)
28. Wales (Fifa 48)
29. Co-host Ukraine (Fifa 49)
30. Scotland (Fifa 51)
31. Romania (Fifa 53)
32. Belarus (Fifa 69)
33. Austria (Fifa 71)
34. Georgia (Fifa 74)
35. Co-host Poland (Fifa 75)
36. Latvia (Fifa 78)
37. Albania (Fifa 80)
38. Finland (Fifa 84)
39. Bulgaria (Fifa 85)
40. Northern Ireland (Fifa 87)
41. Lithuania (Fifa 91)
42. FYR Macedonia (Fifa 102)
43. Azerbaijan (Fifa 116)
44. Faroe Islands (Fifa 116)
45. Iceland (Fifa 121)
46. Luxembourg (Fifa 127)
47. Cyprus (Fifa 129)
48. Liechtenstein (Fifa 137)
49. Kazakhstan (Fifa 142)
50. Moldova (Fifa 143)
51. Malta (Fifa 148)
52. Andorra (Fifa 205)
53. San Marino (Fifa 205)

http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/ran...ble/index.html

[joew2005]

82 DAYS TO KICK OFF OF EURO 2012

Group Phase
8 June 2012 - Poland vs Greece / Russia vs Czech Republic (Group A)
9 June 2012 - Netherlands vs Denmark / Germany vs Portugal (Group B)
10 June 2012 - Spain vs Italy / Republic of Ireland vs Croatia (Group C)
11 June 2012 - France vs England / Ukraine vs Sweden (Group D)

12 June 2012 - Greece vs Czech Republic / Poland vs Russia (Group A)
13 June 2012 - Denmark vs Portugal / Netherlands vs Germany (Group B)
14 June 2012 - Italy vs Croatia / Spain vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)
15 June 2012 - Sweden vs England / Ukraine vs France (Group D)

16 June 2012 - Czech Republic vs Poland / Greece vs Russia (Group A)
17 June 2012 - Portugal vs Netherlands / Denmark vs Germany (Group B)
18 June 2012 - Croatia vs Spain / Italy vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)
19 June 2012 - England vs Ukraine / Sweden vs France (Group D)


Quarter-Finals
21 June 2012 - Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B
22 June 2012 - Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A
23 June 2012 - Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group D
24 June 2012 - Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group C


Semi-Finals
27 June 2012 - Winner Group A/Runner-up Group B vs Winner Group C/Runner-up Group D
28 June 2012 - Winner Group B/Runner-up Group A vs Winner Group D/Runner-up Group C


Final
1 July 2012


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012

[joew2005]

61 DAYS TO KICK OFF OF EURO 2012

Group Phase
8 June 2012 - Poland vs Greece / Russia vs Czech Republic (Group A)
9 June 2012 - Netherlands vs Denmark / Germany vs Portugal (Group B)
10 June 2012 - Spain vs Italy / Republic of Ireland vs Croatia (Group C)
11 June 2012 - France vs England / Ukraine vs Sweden (Group D)

12 June 2012 - Greece vs Czech Republic / Poland vs Russia (Group A)
13 June 2012 - Denmark vs Portugal / Netherlands vs Germany (Group B)
14 June 2012 - Italy vs Croatia / Spain vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)
15 June 2012 - Sweden vs England / Ukraine vs France (Group D)

16 June 2012 - Czech Republic vs Poland / Greece vs Russia (Group A)
17 June 2012 - Portugal vs Netherlands / Denmark vs Germany (Group B)
18 June 2012 - Croatia vs Spain / Italy vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)
19 June 2012 - England vs Ukraine / Sweden vs France (Group D)


Quarter-Finals
21 June 2012 - Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B
22 June 2012 - Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A
23 June 2012 - Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group D
24 June 2012 - Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group C


Semi-Finals
27 June 2012 - Winner Group A/Runner-up Group B vs Winner Group C/Runner-up Group D
28 June 2012 - Winner Group B/Runner-up Group A vs Winner Group D/Runner-up Group C


Final
1 July 2012


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/feature...ng-out?cc=4716

Spanish stars at risk of burning out
April 29, 2012

Xavi was exasperated.

"What did people think," the midfielder asked. "That we were going to win every game 3-0? I can't believe what I am hearing sometimes. Do you not realise how hard it is? Teams aren't stupid. We're European champions, they all pressure us like wolves. There isn't a single metre, not a second on the pitch. Always 10 men behind the ball putting pressure on."

It's a quote that could well have come in the last 10 days. But it didn't. It came two years ago before the World Cup final. And it's perhaps a timely reminder of just how long Spain's Barcelona-based players have been chasing history on all fronts... not to mention how far-reaching the effects of fatigue and pressure - both physical and mental - may well be.

Take the somewhat unfair expectations on, and revisionism of, this Barcelona team's legacy because they failed to retain the Champions League. On some levels, of course, it's a pity that a side this game-changing didn't achieve European football's gold-standard feat. It's also arguably a wasted opportunity.

But that overlooks the fact they have dominated all of their competitions to a greater degree than any other team in the last three decades. Indeed, no side since Liverpool of the early '80s has got so far, so often in so many different events. Not even Arrigo Sacchi's Milan.

Over four seasons, that Italian side only (an admittedly relative term) won two European Cups and a solitary Serie A. Either side of those victories, meanwhile, they were eliminated from the 1987-88 UEFA Cup in the second round and the 1990-91 champions' competition in the quarter-finals.

By contrast, across the same number of years, Barca have won two Champions Leagues, three Spanish championships, one Copa Del Rey and reached another two finals in the domestic cup as well as two further continental semi-finals. It's an exceptionally emphatic record. But, on the brink of genuine history, there was only escalating pressure to make it the ultimate record. And it was that which eventually pushed Pep Guardiola out of Camp Nou.

For the manager, at least though, that pressure stopped at club football. That hasn't been the case for the vast majority of his players.

Indeed, for the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carlos Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and - to a lesser extent - David Villa and Pedro, it is an all too familiar feeling on all fronts. And one that is about to recur.

In 2010, for example, there was a rare opportunity for a wondrous squad to become only the third side to add the World Cup to the European Championship, while also lifting their country's first global title.

This summer, then, there's an even rarer chance to become the first ever team to win three major international trophies in a row.

The only problem is, there just mightn't be the legs. For the Barca players, after all, most of their close-seasons have been as intense as the main seasons.

And that's an important point when it comes to all of the greatest sides. Only one other club team and one other international team have crossed over in such a way: Bayern Munich 1971-76 and West Germany 1972-76.

By contrast, Real Madrid dominated Europe in the late '50s without any true international distractions; Spain didn't even qualify for the 1958 World Cup. The exceptional eras of Liverpool 1975-84 and Benfica 1960-62, meanwhile, coincided with dreadful spells for their nations. Portugal, for example, only saw the benefit of Benfica's success four years later. Similarly, Netherlands' 1974 World Cup came after the great Ajax side had disbanded.

Even with the French team that won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, most of their players were scattered around Europe. But the effects of the newly expanded Champions League still exhausted them to the point of a first-round exit in the summer of 2002.

So what, then, of West Germany? Well, of course, they came closer to completing the impossible treble than anyone else as they reached the final of Euro 76 only to be beaten by Czechoslovakia on penalties.

But something had to give somewhere. And, with six Bayern players having started the 1974 World Cup final, that break came in the club's 1974-75 domestic season. Yes, unlike Barcelona, they might have retained the European Cup. But, also unlike Barcelona, they finished in the bottom half of the Bundesliga - 10th.

Brian Glanville described them at the time as a "tired, weary team... too many hard games for club and country."Midfielder Franz Roth, meanwhile, explains that "it was perhaps inevitable we would suffer the following season. It was hard to carry on after such a high."

The question now is whether the opposite will happen for the core of the Spanish side. During midweek, former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness argued that nothing energises the body and mind like victory. But Barca lost. Two competitions. And their players now have to go and play under arguably greater pressure. And with many more miles on the clock.

A further factor Bayern complained about in the 70s was that, because they were so successful, they were in demand to play a series of energy-sapping exhibition games. The same has happened to Spain.

Since 2010, the world champions have played a scarcely believable 29 games. And a fair few of them have been money-spinning friendlies in distant destinations like Costa Rica and Mexico.

The total effect of all that can, to a certain degree, be totted up.

Since the start of Euro 2008, the core squad (ie, the five to seven key players) of each of the main Euro 2012 favourites have played, on average, the following number of games per year: Spain 58 England 56 France 49 Portugal 47 Germany 46 Italy 45 Netherlands 44 Over four years, that's a lot more than just a few matches.

And, as expected, Xavi is the most extreme example. Since Spain sliced Russia apart to win 4-1 and begin their current span of success in Innsbruck in June 2008, the philosophy-defining midfielder has played an average of 66 games a year - six more than anyone else likely to be at the championship in Ukraine and Poland.

Little wonder he hasn't looked himself over the last few weeks. Little wonder, either, that Guardiola has been withdrawing him so early in games. Such a run is simply unsustainable.

A further problem is that such prolonged success doesn't just have a mental and physical effect: it conditions how opposing teams approach you. Because, while an aura has been created around Barca and Spain, it has also resulted in an exaggerated - if understandable - response. Teams defend against them in a more extreme manner than against any other opposition: with massed ranks.

It was this that Xavi was referring to when he spoke of "not a single metre on the pitch". Back then, in 2010, Inter's semi-final victory over Barcelona effectively set the template for Spain's games in the World Cup. This summer, Chelsea's might do the same in the Euros. But, while Inter's win was seen as something of a last, desperate measure against a dominant team, Chelsea's might further fortify the belief of opposition teams while eroding that of the Barcelona players. It isn't difficult to imagine both Italy and Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland withdrawing to extreme degrees when they face Spain in the group stage.

Of course, it remains true that Spain enjoy an infrastructure that makes them more of an effective 'club team' team than any other side except the Germans. But such major trends are still dependent on minor details - like fatigue, complacency, fractiousness.

This summer, Xavi may not just be exasperated. He may well be exhausted.

[joew2005]

40 DAYS TO KICK OFF OF EURO 2012

Group Phase
8 June 2012 - Poland vs Greece / Russia vs Czech Republic (Group A)
9 June 2012 - Netherlands vs Denmark / Germany vs Portugal (Group B)
10 June 2012 - Spain vs Italy / Republic of Ireland vs Croatia (Group C)
11 June 2012 - France vs England / Ukraine vs Sweden (Group D)

12 June 2012 - Greece vs Czech Republic / Poland vs Russia (Group A)
13 June 2012 - Denmark vs Portugal / Netherlands vs Germany (Group B)
14 June 2012 - Italy vs Croatia / Spain vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)
15 June 2012 - Sweden vs England / Ukraine vs France (Group D)

16 June 2012 - Czech Republic vs Poland / Greece vs Russia (Group A)
17 June 2012 - Portugal vs Netherlands / Denmark vs Germany (Group B)
18 June 2012 - Croatia vs Spain / Italy vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)
19 June 2012 - England vs Ukraine / Sweden vs France (Group D)


Quarter-Finals
21 June 2012 - Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B
22 June 2012 - Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A
23 June 2012 - Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group D
24 June 2012 - Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group C


Semi-Finals
27 June 2012 - Winner Group A/Runner-up Group B vs Winner Group C/Runner-up Group D
28 June 2012 - Winner Group B/Runner-up Group A vs Winner Group D/Runner-up Group C


Final
1 July 2012


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...sugery?cc=4716

Puyol facing fitness fight
May 8, 2012

Spain's Carles Puyol is set 2 miss Euro 2012 as he is 2 undergo knee surgery tat will rule him out 4 up to 6 weeks.

Puyol, 34, suffered the injury 2 his right knee in Barcelona's 4-0 win over Espanyol @ the weekend, & reports on Tuesday suggested he would likely hv 2 go under the knife 2 cure the issue.

Barca hv now confirmed Puyol is poised 4 surgery, & the defender will certainly miss the club's forthcoming Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao on May 25.

The centre-back also faces a race against time 2 be fit 4 Spain's defence of their European crown as they line up against Italy, Ireland & Croatia in Group C @ Euro 2012, with their 1st match versus the Azzurri on June 10.

Puyol has won 99 caps since making his international debut in 2000 & was part of the Spain squad tat won Euro 2008 & the 2010 World Cup.

Coach Vicente Del Bosque has admitted the loss of Puyol is a major blow 4 the defending champions.

Del Bosque told AS: "It's a serious setback, he's a considerable loss not only 4 wat he gives on the pitch, but 4 wat he contributes 2 the team (off it).

"It's also a shame tat tis happened when he was on the verge of playing 100 caps, but hopefully he can get there. He was having a great end 2 the season.''

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...rement?cc=4716

Puyol has no plans to retire
May 9, 2012

Carles Puyol has no plans 2 retire fr international football despite admitting he is almost certain 2 miss tis summer's European Championships due 2 a knee problem.

Barcelona announced on Tuesday tat Puyol, 34, will be sidelined 4 around 6 weeks as he is set 4 surgery aft injuring his knee in Saturday's 4-0 win over Espanyol.

The defender will therefore miss coach Pep Guardiola's last game in charge - the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao on May 25.

His participation @ Euro 2012 is also extremely doubtful with Spain opening their campaign against Italy on June 10 b4 going on 2 play the Republic of Ireland & Croatia in Group C.

However, while he admits it is highly unlikely he will be going 2 the Euros, Puyol, who has earned 99 caps 4 Spain & helped his country win Euro 2008 & the 2010 World Cup, is not ready 2 hang up his international boots just yet.

He said: "My plan right now is only 2 undergo the operation & recover asap. I'm sure tat things r going 2 turn out well & very soon I will be back playing again.

"I don't know if it was my last European Championship but I do know tat I 1 2 retire on the pitch & not on the operating table.

"I'm only thinking abt recovering & returning to 100%. If then I can return 2 play with the national team I would love 2 reach tat number (100 caps).''

Asked abt the possibility of him going 2 Ukraine & Poland as part of Vicente Del Bosque's squad tis summer, Puyol added: "I would love 2 but it looks very difficult. I hv 2 wait & see wat the doctors find, but I think that it's impossible.

"There will be players in better condition than me 2 play. Those who r best r the 1s who hv 2 go. It would be unfair on the other players. In Spain there r good centre-backs & we don't hv 2 worry abt anything.''

On the prospect of missing both the Copa del Rey final & Euro 2012, Puyol said: "It's frustrating 2 miss these 2 competitions. The cup final is the nicest game of the year becos of the atmosphere.

"If tis had happened when I was younger it would've been worse but I see things in a different way now I'm 34. I hope 2 help fr off the pitch & enjoy this final.''

Del Bosque will announce his provisional squad 4 Euro 2012 on May 15 which will then be whittled down when the final 23-man party is confirmed on May 27.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...may-16?cc=4716

Hodgson to name squad on May 16
May 9, 2012

England manager Roy Hodgson will declare his provisional squad 4 Euro 2012 next Wednesday.

The finalised, 23-strong list of players bidding 4 glory @ Poland & Ukraine must then be sent 2 UEFA by May 29.

England play away 2 Norway on May 26 in Hodgson's 1st game in charge, then face Belgium @ Wembley on June 2, b4 the opening fixture of the Euros against France on June 11.

Hodgson's announcement will arrive aft the end of the Premier League season - but comes 3 days b4 the Champions League final betw Bayern Munich & Chelsea, which will feature several potential England players.

Reports in Wednesday's newspapers suggest tat Hodgson will opt 2 omit Chelsea captain John Terry fr his squad.

Several nations, including Germany & the Republic of Ireland, hv already laid out their provisional squads.

[joew2005]

30 DAYS TO KICK OFF OF EURO 2012

Group Phase
8 June 2012 - Poland vs Greece / Russia vs Czech Republic (Group A)
9 June 2012 - Netherlands vs Denmark / Germany vs Portugal (Group B)
10 June 2012 - Spain vs Italy / Republic of Ireland vs Croatia (Group C)
11 June 2012 - France vs England / Ukraine vs Sweden (Group D)

12 June 2012 - Greece vs Czech Republic / Poland vs Russia (Group A)
13 June 2012 - Denmark vs Portugal / Netherlands vs Germany (Group B)
14 June 2012 - Italy vs Croatia / Spain vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)
15 June 2012 - Sweden vs England / Ukraine vs France (Group D)

16 June 2012 - Czech Republic vs Poland / Greece vs Russia (Group A)
17 June 2012 - Portugal vs Netherlands / Denmark vs Germany (Group B)
18 June 2012 - Croatia vs Spain / Italy vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)
19 June 2012 - England vs Ukraine / Sweden vs France (Group D)


Quarter-Finals
21 June 2012 - Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B
22 June 2012 - Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A
23 June 2012 - Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group D
24 June 2012 - Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group C


Semi-Finals
27 June 2012 - Winner Group A/Runner-up Group B vs Winner Group C/Runner-up Group D
28 June 2012 - Winner Group B/Runner-up Group A vs Winner Group D/Runner-up Group C


Final
1 July 2012


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...-euros?cc=4716

Parker in fitness race for Euros
May 12, 2012

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has suggested Scott Parker's inclusion in the England squad 4 the upcoming Euro 2012 tournament may be in doubt due 2 an Achilles injury.

Parker has been left out of Spurs' starting XI 4 the past 3 matches & is expected 2 play no part in Sunday's final game of the season against Fulham. Redknapp says Parker will also miss England's pre-tournament training camp, which begins on May 21 in Spain, casting doubt over whether the midfielder will be fit in time 4 the 3 Lions' opener against France on June 11.

"He's had a problem with his Achilles, I hope it's not going 2 get worse," said Redknapp. "It isn't getting any better. It's a long-term concern.

"The way he is @ the moment, he is struggling 4 fitness. It's not a rupture but it is sore. It is bothering him. Aft Sunday he will hv some injection in it & we'll see if tat can clear it up.

"He's been carrying it a few weeks. Maybe the only cure is a bit of rest but maybe the injections might clear it up. The specialist thinks it will clear up but it will need 10 days rest afterwards."

Meanwhile, Redknapp, who was overlooked 4 the England job with the FA instead appointing Roy Hodgson, is considering withdrawing his offer 2 be a BBC pundit @ Euro 2012. 8 days ago the BBC announced tat Redknapp would be part of their team in Poland & Ukraine 4 the European Championship.

"I'm still trying 2 make up my mind [abt the position]," said Redknapp. "I will look @ it in the summer. It could be tricky. I wouldn't be criticising [Hodgson] in any way so I suppose there's not much point having me on!

"I just feel like I need a holiday. I need 2 get a break fr it all. Maybe I'll go 2 Canvey Island or the Isle of Dogs or something."

[joew2005]

20 DAYS TO KICK OFF OF EURO 2012

Group Phase
8 June 2012 - Poland vs Greece / Russia vs Czech Republic (Group A)
9 June 2012 - Netherlands vs Denmark / Germany vs Portugal (Group B)
10 June 2012 - Spain vs Italy / Republic of Ireland vs Croatia (Group C)
11 June 2012 - France vs England / Ukraine vs Sweden (Group D)

12 June 2012 - Greece vs Czech Republic / Poland vs Russia (Group A)
13 June 2012 - Denmark vs Portugal / Netherlands vs Germany (Group B)
14 June 2012 - Italy vs Croatia / Spain vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)
15 June 2012 - Sweden vs England / Ukraine vs France (Group D)

16 June 2012 - Czech Republic vs Poland / Greece vs Russia (Group A)
17 June 2012 - Portugal vs Netherlands / Denmark vs Germany (Group B)
18 June 2012 - Croatia vs Spain / Italy vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)
19 June 2012 - England vs Ukraine / Sweden vs France (Group D)


Quarter-Finals
21 June 2012 - Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B
22 June 2012 - Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A
23 June 2012 - Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group D
24 June 2012 - Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group C


Semi-Finals
27 June 2012 - Winner Group A/Runner-up Group B vs Winner Group C/Runner-up Group D
28 June 2012 - Winner Group B/Runner-up Group A vs Winner Group D/Runner-up Group C


Final
1 July 2012


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012

[Armoney]

I am putting my money on England to win it. Hope they do well.

[joew2005]

13 DAYS TO KICK OFF OF EURO 2012

Group Phase
8 June 2012 - Poland vs Greece / Russia vs Czech Republic (Group A)
9 June 2012 - Netherlands vs Denmark / Germany vs Portugal (Group B)
10 June 2012 - Spain vs Italy / Republic of Ireland vs Croatia (Group C)
11 June 2012 - France vs England / Ukraine vs Sweden (Group D)

12 June 2012 - Greece vs Czech Republic / Poland vs Russia (Group A)
13 June 2012 - Denmark vs Portugal / Netherlands vs Germany (Group B)
14 June 2012 - Italy vs Croatia / Spain vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)
15 June 2012 - Sweden vs England / Ukraine vs France (Group D)

16 June 2012 - Czech Republic vs Poland / Greece vs Russia (Group A)
17 June 2012 - Portugal vs Netherlands / Denmark vs Germany (Group B)
18 June 2012 - Croatia vs Spain / Italy vs Republic of Ireland (Group C)
19 June 2012 - England vs Ukraine / Sweden vs France (Group D)


Quarter-Finals
21 June 2012 - Winner Group A vs Runner-up Group B
22 June 2012 - Winner Group B vs Runner-up Group A
23 June 2012 - Winner Group C vs Runner-up Group D
24 June 2012 - Winner Group D vs Runner-up Group C


Semi-Finals
27 June 2012 - Winner Group A/Runner-up Group B vs Winner Group C/Runner-up Group D
28 June 2012 - Winner Group B/Runner-up Group A vs Winner Group D/Runner-up Group C


Final
1 July 2012


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012

[chochochang2]

Euro 2012 squads in full

The final 23-man squads from all 16 teams

http://espnfc.com/uk/en/news/1081409...RO/season/2012

[Blast88]

Can any bros advice which website to log in & print out the euro2012 wall chart