My friend Chris, my brother Tim and I
are battling it out with the excellent UEFA Euro 2012 downloadable add-on for
FIFA 12 to see who the master match predictor is across all of the games at
Euro 2012.
And what a start to the tournament it’s been. We’ve seen
Poland paralysed by fear, the Czech’s pummelled by the Russian, the Danes stun
the Dutch, the Germans squeak past the Portuguese, Spain going 4-6-0, Ireland
going AWOL, England and France playing to a sweaty stalemate and the Swedes
swept aside by the Shevchen-show.
After the second round of matches the current scores are:
Tim: 9
FIFA: 7
Chris: 5
James: 3
So, without further ado, let’s crack on with the second
round of match predictions:
Group A
Greece v Czech Rep.
James - We’ve
only just finished the opening round of games, but the Czech’s could be the
first team eliminated if they lose here and Russia beat Poland. The Czech’s
were terrible against Russia. There was no protection from the midfield for a
defence that seemed to be on a group blind date. Greece don’t seem to be the
dour defensive side everyone had them pegged as. I think Salpingidis starts
this time and Greece win 2-1. FIFA predicts this one will be a 1-1 draw.
Chris – After a
mediocre first round of predictions I’m hoping for a little more accuracy this
time around and really don’t think the Czech republic could be quite so bad two
games running. That said Greece showed they are no pushover in their first game
and I can see this being a 1-1.
Tim – A Czech win
will blow this group wide open, 2-1, Milan Baros will turn back time with a
couple of near misses, leaving other team mates to score.
Predictions: FIFA 1-1;
Chris 1-1; Tim 1-2; James 2-1;
Poland v Russia
James – FIFA has
a 2-1 win here for Russia, who looked very impressive flat track bullies in
their opening game. I have Russia winning too but by 3 goals to 1. Poland
remind me a lot of South Africa at the last World Cup, with the weight of
expectations dragging them down out of the top two places in the group.
Chris – Poland
showed some attacking spirit in their first game but without the vital cutting
edge that you need at the top level of international football. I can see them
grabbing a goal again here but defensively they will be unpicked by a superior
Russian attack. 3-1 Russia to set themselves up as a real threat for the rest
of the tournament, especially when pre-tournament favourites have had a slower
start.
Tim – The
Russians will be brought back down to earth by a resilient Polish team who will
take an early lead. This one will finish 1-1.
Predictions: FIFA 1-2;
Chris 1-3; Tim 1-1; James 3-1;
Group B
Denmark v Portugal
James – The Group
of Death is already living up to its billing, and once again, it throws up two
fascinating matches. Demark did brilliantly without playing brilliantly to hold
off Holland in their opener and I think they’ll be just as awkward an opponent
here. While being an England fan can be a pretty wretched experience, being a
Portuguese fan is possibly even worse. Denmark topped them in the qualifying
group they shared. Here I see a draw suiting both (just about) but it won’t be
a dull one: 2-2. FIFA says 2-1 Portugal.
Chris – The Danes
pulled off the shock of the tournament so far with their first game win over
the Netherlands. Portugal have got the potential to cause them a lot of
problems in this game but may experience a similarly frustrating game as the
Dutch did. I’m calling a 1-1 to give Denmark a chance of qualification with one
game to go.
Tim – Is it wrong
to want a grown man to cry? 0-0 with Ronaldo blubbering at the end as he
realises he can’t do it all himself.
Predictions: FIFA 1-2;
Chris 1-1; Tim 0-0; James 2-2;
Netherlands v Germany
James – Big game.
BIG GAME. It’s hard to think of two nations who hate each other more in
international football. Germany would obviously be happier with a draw than the
Dutch, but, once again, I think this will finish 2-2 with the Netherlands
deserving the win for being more industrious and determined but getting picked
off cheaply at the back by their more composed and clinical opponents. On the
FIFA simulation this one finished 1-1.
Chris – From
being one of the pre-tournament favourites, the Netherlands now find themselves
in the position of being in a must not lose game already. The chances were
there in the first game but just not converted. In contrast Germany logged an
efficient 1-0 and will hope for similar here. I can see Van Persie back on song
here and making the difference with a 2-1 to the Dutch.
Tim – Blockbuster. 3-2 to the Netherlands who will
come from 2-1 down
Predictions: FIFA ;
Chris 1-2; Tim 3-2; James 2-2;
Group C
Italy v Croatia
James – Yet
another fascinating game on the cards here. A draw doesn’t do either too much
harm and I think that’s what we’ll get in a game where fear of defeat stifles
what could have been more of a spectacle. I’m going 1-1. FIFA’s plumped for 2-1
Italy.
Chris – Croatia
showed their potential in their game against Ireland but they will find a much
sterner test here. For their part Italy held their own in a draw with the
reigning world and European champions. I think Croatia may well show more
attacking spirit but will leave themselves open to the counter attack which the
Italians will execute with great efficiency. 1-0 to Italy.
Tim - I’m also going for 1-1, bad boy Bollotelli
will either score or get sent off, or both.
Predictions: FIFA 2-1;
Chris 1-0; Tim 1-1; James 1-1;
Spain v Rep. of
Ireland
James – Spain
started their first game without a recognised striker on the pitch, and when
they finally brought on Fernando Torres, they still didn’t have a recognised
striker on the pitch. In an embarrassingly one sided game on FIFA, Ireland
finished with 9 men and 4 goals against. I’m not sure Spain have that much of a
cutting edge, even if they do play with at least one forward this time. (How is
Llorente not playing? Has he done a John Terry with Del Bosque’s wife?) 2-0.
Chris – Ireland’s
best chance of a point from the tournament has unfortunately been and gone with
their loss to Croatia. Spain will be looking to improve on their opening draw
and recognised striker or not their movement will prove too much for the Irish
to cope with. 3-1 Spain.
Tim – 4-0. Viva
Espana. Rep of Ireland won’t be able to cope with Spain’s flowing football, and
gaps between defenders will be easier to come by than in the Italy game. After
this game most people will be back to predicting Spain as tournament winners.
Rep of Ireland won’t have a shot on target.
Predictions: FIFA 4-0;
Chris 3-1; Tim 4-0; James 2-0;
Ukraine v France
James – This is a
tough one to call. FIFA has it as a 2-0 win for France, but I think it’s going
to be tighter than that. Ukraine have some serious momentum after their
comeback win against Sweden, but France need it that bit more. 2-1 to the
French.
Chris – Based on
their overall performance France will have been happy with their first game
result, but not as happy as the co-hosts with their comeback against Sweden. France
showed signs of weakness against England and a team with a greater cutting edge
may have taken a win from them. Shevchenko has the opportunity to make this
tournament his international swansong and I can see his goalscoring form
continue as Ukraine march on and France suffer a major slip up. 2-1 Ukraine.
Tim - Buoyed by
their opening win Ukraine will hold France to a 1-1 draw in a re-run of the
England game.
Predictions: FIFA:
0-2; Chris 2-1; Tim 1-1; James 1-2;
James – After a
hard fought point against France, the signs look slightly ominous for England
here against a nation who’ve historically caused us headaches and who need at
least a draw to keep them alive for the third round of group matches. Hodgson
won’t risk playing two out-and-out strikers (although I think he should), but,
I’m going for an England win 2-1 with Welbeck and Young getting the goals. In
the FIFA game for this one, Gerrard put England in front, Ibrahimovic levelled
for the Swedes and then, in the 88th minute, Scott Parker brought
down the big AC Milan striker inside the area when he was clean through on
goal. Parker saw red for his troubles, Ibrahimovic thwacked his penalty against
the bar and the match finished 1-1. Eventful!
Chris – Sweden
will not have been happy with the way they allowed Ukraine back into their
first game and will look to put in a more solid showing this time around.
England, looking to build on their draw with France will still miss the
goalscoring potential that Rooney would have given them. 1-1 again for England
to create a tense final group game against Ukraine to qualify.
Tim – The late
introduction of Big AC won’t even be enough to break the deadlock in a
frustrating 0-0 characterised by missed chances. After 25 minutes the ‘we miss
Wayne Rooney’ love-in will begin.
Predictions: FIFA 1-1;
Chris 1-1; Tim 0-0; James 1-2;
So, there you have it. We’ll be back again on 16th
June with our predictions for the third and final round of group games. Hope
you continue to enjoy the Euros.
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