Balotelli Busts Germany

Finally, a goal scored in regulation, thanks to Mario Balotelli.  The last two matches were scoreless.  Finally, a goal scored in the run of play.  Last time was ESP's Xabi Alonso's goal in the 19' three matches ago.  Finally, a classic matchup, which thanks to Italy's two first-half goals, provided an entertaining second half which we have missed since Germany last played, four matches ago.  But it was Balotelli all over the pitch and his two first-half goals barely stood up as Germany peppered the goal area with many missed chances and some great saves by ITA's Gianluigi Buffon.  It was his opponent's counterpart, Manual Neuer, which provided a great show acting as the 12th attacker in the last five minutes, kicking and heading balls away while leaving his net empty.  Germany did pull one back in one of the frantic moments as ITA was called for a hand ball and Mesut Ozil, boy we haven't heard that name as much as we thought, put away the PK in the 90'+2 leaving a couple of minutes for a tying goal.  But it never came and Italy stunned Germany, 2-1, ending the German's record 15-match competitive win streak and remain unbeaten against them in tournament matches (4-0-4).

So now we get a rematch

Ronaldo Doesn't Miss PK- That's Bad

As the stakes get raised, the matches turn defensive and this was reminiscent of the World Cup 2010 final where Spain and Holland should've been a great match turned chippy with 13 yellow cards.  This was was just as chippy, with brief moments of flair, and 9 yellow cards and ended 0-0.  How bad?  Spain had just 2 shots on goal after 90 minutes.  Portugal none (like CZE in the quarters).  Spain did turn it up in the last 20 minutes of overtime and as things opened up and POR tired, Spain got 3 more shots on goal while Portugal managed two.  In the PSO, once again, the team who misses the first PK wins.  A great save on ESP's Xabi Alonso's attempt gave POR the advantage but ESP GK Iker Casillas came up big.  In fact, both GKs guessed correctly on five straight kicks (though the last three snuck by for goals).  It was a crossbar that doomed POR and Cesc Fábregas won it for ESP, 4-2, with Cristiano Ronaldo on the sidelines having not taken a kick (he would've been next).  It was a risky tactic that failed as taking it 1st (give team momentum and confidence) or 4th (almost always taken and likely a decider) seems like the sweet spot and as we saw here, you may not get to 5th.  Of course this didn't work for the LA Galaxy in the 2009 MLS Cup when goal scorers Landon Donovan (5th) and Edson Buddle (6th) both missed their kicks.  But I digress.  ESP will have a chance to be the first team to win 3 straight major titles.

Three were eliminated

Foster's Futbol Brew # 5: Tournament All-Stars

June 27, 2012

Foster’s Football Brew:  Tournament All-Stars

I got the idea for this short segment after watching Alexi Lalas and Michael Ballack select their tournament Top 11.  I have to disagree with many of Lalas’ picks, and a couple of Ballack’s.  I decided to wait until the quarter finals were over to give top players a chance to shine.  Here’s my take:

Goalie:  Joe Hart had an historically atypical tournament for English goalkeepers…he didn’t F&@# up!!!  He went into the quarters

Back in Action, Both on the Field and in the Pool

Currently overseeing the stat team work the Charlotte Eagles - Chivas USA match here at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, CA.  Not much to report in this U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal.  But there will be lots to report tomorrow when the EURO 2012 resumes with Portugal-Spain.  In talking with Ilmigliore (Warner L), Blue Panther (Eduard C), and SalsaKing (Ricardo A), no one seems to give Portugal (or Italy for that matter) a chance.  But that's why they play the game.  Hopefully, it won't be snoozers like the France-Spain or England-Italy matches.  But watching with interest regardless will be Charles D (Sisyphus) and Ricardo A (SalsaKing) as one will be eliminated from winning the pool after the match.  Good luck!

Issue # 6.2.1 "Best Four Teams In..."

It'll be nice to have a 2-day break.  Of course, why Portugal and Spain each get an extra two days rest seems illogical for UEFA.  We'll see how it plays out.  Very nice that 13 are still alive and 4 each have an equal chance of winning the pool.


EACH QUARTERFINAL FEATURED ONE DOMINANT TEAM
Flying Elvi leads by a point, but four can win title

Final Four Teams, 8 Final Scenarios

Well, I was wondering if we'd have an interesting final week in the pool since everyone seemed to pick ESP or GER but with POR and ITA in the mix, no one is guaranteed money.  In fact, no one will win the pool until the winner of the Final is determined.  There aren't as many "tied" scenarios as I hoped but there are a few.  Remember, for the tiebreaker, it's only goals scored in regulation or overtime (the "official" score) and does not include penalty kick shootout (PSO) goals.  So today's match would be "0" goals as the official score is 0-0 (not 6 with PSOs).  

So there are four people who will win the first HWCI EURO Pool.  All will have to root for their team depending if Portugal (Charles D's Sisyphus), Germany (Brian S's Flying Elvi), Spain (Ricardo A's SalsaKing), or Italy (Bernice P's Adivinanza) wins the 2012 EURO.  Below are the final 8 scenarios and how the 13 entries can win money:

Italy Means Four Best Teams in Semis

England, like against France, played a defensive game but had its counter attack chances.  Luckily for England, Italy started Mario Balotelli, who reverted back to his bumbling ways of his first match, keeping the English in the match.  So we had our 11th scoreless first half, our 1st scoreless regulation match, and it was still scoreless heading into the Penalty Kick Shootout.  But Balotelli redeemed himself, making ITA's first shot and ITA beat probably the only other major team who is worse in the PSO than they are, 4-2.

The standings tightened up as Flying Elvi was one of 5 to pick ENG incorrectly (11 correctly got ITA), but still leads by a point over Walleye, who is trying to get into the money despite losing his champ NED (he can't finish higher than 3rd).  13 got 3 of 4 Semifinalists.  Three more (Tuan, FC Spermicidals, and Kona Coast Sliders) were eliminated leaving 13 vying for the four money spots.  There are now just 4 who can win the first ever HWCI Euro Pool