Pedro Pinto's Euro 2012 predictions
It’s official - I have Euro fever. After three days in Warsaw I am already starting to eat, breathe and sleep football.
With the 2012 UEFA European Championship kicking off on Friday, it’s time to look into my crystal ball and predict what will and won’t happen over the next month in Poland and Ukraine.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN:
Germany flies home with the cup. After losing to Spain in the last two major tournaments, it is time for Die Mannshaft to shine. They seem to have the perfect mix of experience and youth, along with a manager in Joachim Low who knows what he’s doing. Mesut Ozil is the best creative midfielder in Europe at the moment and he will probably be voted the best player of the tournament.
England underachieves. I have lived in the UK long enough to know that English players are incredibly overrated. Just because the Premier League is the most popular league in the world, the English media and fans believe their players are better than they are. Even now, with a new manager in Roy Hodgson and a series of injuries that has depleted their squad through the loss of Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and Gary Cahill, many people still expect the Three Lions to make the semi-finals. I feel they will probably finish behind France and Ukraine in Group D.
Mario Balotelli gets his marching orders. The young Italian forward is incredibly talented, but he is constantly let down by his fiery temperament and that will happen again at this tournament. Considering the tension in the Italy squad at the moment in light of the latest match-fixing scandal, I honestly see him losing it in at least one match in the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo lives up to expectations. I expect Portugal to edge out Holland for second place in Group B and CR7 will be a big reason for that. I am Portuguese and I know how much pressure there is on his shoulders, but after a phenomenal season at Real Madrid, the winger will silence his critics once and for all. I say he is a good outside bet to finish the tournament as top scorer.
WHAT WON'T HAPPEN:
A hat-trick of titles for Spain. La Roja’s magical run will come to an end this summer. They have played the best football on the planet over the last six years but I just don’t see them having the motivation required to make it three major titles in a row. The absences of David Villa and Carles Puyol will be felt and there are too many players who aren’t in good form. The likes of Pique, Xavi and Fernando Torres all struggled for consistency last season.
Mario Gomez finishing the tournament as top scorer. He may have netted 41 goals for Bayern Munich this season, but don’t expect him to light up Euro 2012. The main reason for that is that he won’t have Arjen Robben or Franck Ribery alongside him this summer. In my opinion, Gomez is only as good as the service he gets and even though he will obviously find the back of the net this summer, the center forward will not top the scoring charts.
Racist abuse of players. There is racism in Eastern Europe, as there is, unfortunately, racism in practically every region of the world. However, I see Euro 2012 as the perfect opportunity for Poland and Ukraine to demonstrate the importance of cultural and social acceptance. I think this tournament will open the minds of people who have not seen or interacted with many foreigners in the past. I will be shocked if there are any monkey chants during games at Euro 2012. I don’t expect it to happen.
France self destructs. The last World Cup saw France’s national team squad rebel against manager Raymond Domenech. Team spirit was at an all-time low and the players decided, wrongly in my opinion, to take a stand. That is in the past however, and current coach Laurent Blanc has been able to right the ship. I see France as one of the dark horses for the tournament. With a potent forward trio featuring Franck Ribery, Jeremy Menez and Karim Benzema, Les Bleus could surprise a lot of people this summer and challenge for the title.
Good analyse! It could work right like that..Im also in football fever allready, cant wait for let the games start..
Ronaldo is the Best! Also as a portuguese and given the last perfomances, I seriously doubt that our team will have the stamina to acheive anythig worth while in this tournament.
i have and always will be an english fan, and i agree mostly with the statement about the england team. However i will say thay you are misinformed about the optimism people feel for the euro's. There is currently very little hope that england will win anything let alone get past the group stages.
Great article, Germany will beat Holland in the final, because I think Germany has the best squad and motivation for the Euros. Sorry Pedro Portugal won't get out of their group, they have no proper striker, if they had a striker they would get to the final, especially when you have Ronaldo, who I think will win player of the year this year. England will struggle in their group, they may scrape through, but you won't go far when you have Downing and Henderson in your squad. I had France as dark horses, they will reach the semi finals though I think. I hope Ireland does well
I am concerned that a lot of Brits will be coming to Poland and the Ukraine. Given their propensity for rioting, looting, and binge drinking, they might prove unruly guests.
Indian Astrologer Anita Nigam who predicted world cup's and euro cup's winner correctly in the past have predicted for this euro cup also, where she says that in 1st match Poland will win.
"... but don’t expect him to light up Euro 2012. The main reason for that is that he won’t have Arjen Robben or Franck Ribery alongside him this summer. In my opinion, Gomez is only as good as the service he gets and even though he will obviously find the back of the net this summer, the centre forward will not top the scoring charts." – and yet according to you, Özil is likely to become player of the tournament. Mind you, Robben particularly has been an obstacle to Gomez scoring rather than a help, and quite a few of Gomez's goals came from Lahm's crosses. I'm not saying he will become top scorer, though, seeing as Löw will probably play Klose up front.
When CR7 finally does something meaningul for Portugal.....India would have probaby broken into the top 100 FIFA rankings by then! you get the point.
Yes Pedro you are right, English players overrated......talk about jumping on the bandwagon. Why don't you think for yourself rather than use every stereotype under the sun. It's actually quite embarrassing the propaganda that passes as 'journalism'. England's problem isn't their players. If your comment is right you are basically saying it is biological. So English people and players are predisposed to be bad at football??!?!? It makes no sense.
One thing I will say is that we have dinosaurs in charge that make decisions based on what the media say and based on 50's style tactics, but either way we have some top drawer players.
Saying that I'll let you off because you're no different to any other idiotic football fan that can't think for their self. People are inherently stupid and you sir, fit into that category.
Tell me Pedro, is Welbeck overrated? (hint...no)
Is Ashley Cole overrated? (hint...no)
Is Lescott overrated? (hint..very underrated but trolls will come out saying he is rubbish, yet has helped M.City to most clean sheets in Premier League)
Are Wilshere, Cahill, Gerrard, Young overrated? No.
The only players who are overrated are Lampard, Terry and Glen Johnson.
My god I'd bet you everything I have that you'd say Caillas is better than Hart. Now CASILLAS is overrated yet you'd have everyone think because he's Spanish and plies his trade for R.Madrid that he is the best (not in anyway denying Spain's outfield is the best in the world at the moment).
I'm not for one second saying England will win the tournament, because some of R.Hodgson's decisions have been ridiculous, but either way it doesn't mean we have poor players.
Amen to that! – Good summary...
everyone in the US who thinks they know about football (or soccer as they insist to call it in the US )
consistently shows to have no clue about who are the power houses in this game
Where is the mention of Holland (other than a sidenote as a given defeat by portugal , in this article, (have you looked at the statistics Por-Hol ever ?)
has the writer any clue about the sheer STAR POWER in the dutch team ?
Who was the opposing finalist to World champion Spain in last world cup?
HOLLAND !!!!
Get informed and give a balanced review PLEASE !!!
Or write a piece about quilting or whatever fits better !!!
I think France will the title of UR 2012.Because they are good and homology team. I also love becjum with many start: Kompany, vamelen... but this team are not there. What a pirty.
this is crap pinto.. i see this euro as the one Greece took last two euro cup.. Germany will be knock out if not in the group stage then in quarter final. i know u are from Portugal and i dont have any thing against that and i love christiana ronaldo so much but they will not get out from the group. sorry about that. and watch out for the Netherlands.
the problem with the english is simple to analyze:
of course they have star players
and on paper they should content for the title
so why the poor showings in international tournaments for countries
the last ohhhh let's say 50 years ??
whenever these english starplayers play in club teams
either they have star coaches ( mostly non-british ) who force these blokes
to play MODERN !!!! soccer ( they call it sometimes the dutch school, but other terms are Total Football , or chess football (less common term , yes i know )
Or.....
they Top Brit's play for international ( mostly in mainland europe ) teams
where they are automatically submerged in MODERN FOOTBALL
BUT .......
When you put them together as a national team
with A British native national coach
WHAT do you get ?? old fashioned English counter football
the game everybody else abandoned after the 60ties because
everybody else grew up WITH !!! the evolution of the game
As long as the Brits refuse to go that same route in international tournaments
they are destined
to be second tier when it comes to international country rankings
Love their players though !!
My all time British favorite based on pure Character .....Paul Casgoine !!!!
beautiful colorful player !!!
Of course nobody takes free kicks like Beckham does !!!
( it's a shame he comes across as such a numbhead in the press )
Spoken like a true Portuguese. First, you build up your team, then you bring down your Iberian rivals, and finally dump the team every mainlander loves to hate. The odds of Denmark finishing higher than Portugal are much more than Ukraine finishing above England.
I agree with your comments about england, they are all over paid morons who dont care how much it means to fans back home, now more than ever england have NO expectation and thats because woy hodgson and got half the liverpool team in it, Joke!
You say that people in the UK believe that England can/should reach the semi finals – I'm not quite sure who you've been listening to but the general concensus in the media and footballing world in general seems to be that England will be lucky to get to the Quater Finals – for the first time in 30 years there is no expectation on England at all.
absolute rubbish as usual. portugal had their chance in 2004 and bottled it against a very poor side on their own patch. ronaldo will do nothing this tournament as portugal will be going home in the 1st round.
england may surprise a few. a lot of people, especially the english-based hacks, are looking forward to getting their claws into them and slating them. hopefully this time they won't get a chance.
england and poland to reach the semis, holland to scoop the prize.
If anyone not having any chance of winning any major tournament it will be England, can anyone remember when England won anything. Oh yeah 1966 world cup held in England, maybe it might take another century before they win anything like that. England fans go and enjoy but dont expect to for the 3 lions to get close to anything big. Maybe lot of hot air from the English comentators
Pedro's best analysis ever.
As an Englishman I would just like to point out that no one in England expects anything out of our team, let alone the semi-finals. I am not sure where you got 'we expect the semi finals' from Pedro, but that certainly is not the case. At the moment we have an average team at best. Our best player (Rooney) banned for our first two games should ensure we get no further than the group stages.
Poland !!!!the best team ever !! Lewandowski Big hope for Us
How can England underachieve when they are incredibly overrated? Jokes aside, England will get to QF which is exactly what they are, top 8 teams in Europe. Anything less, they underachieves and anything more, they overachieves. They could get to SF if they are lucky!
The English literrally expect nothing this tournament. The nation will be pleasantly surprised if we make it out of the group stages.
Hi, you say England will underachieve....yes, thats right but will be behind SWEDEN and France, not Ukraina and France! Remember that england only win something like 1 of 10 against Sweden.
See you in Kiev!
Gus
@Rory
Wilshere – Yes, he's good enough to play in the Euros, but not amongst the special players.
Cahill- Has a broken jaw.
Gerrard – Never been able to play the defensive side of centre mid. Will be the reason England go out, as he constantly loses players.
Young- Dosen't look 100% fit, had a couple of chances to break against the Belgians and looked slow.
Great analysis ! I would like to finally see Portugal get over the hump and win one ... GO PORTUGAL !!!
I don't understand why media always make a big noise about England every World Cup or Euro? It is not BBC. They should be talking more about Germany, Spain and The Netherlands who are the favorites for Euro2012. England is just like remaining other 13 teams. Granted, any team could play well for 6 games and win the tournament ala Greece or Denmark. But respect should be given to teams who have earned it and where it is due!
Birthplace of the beautiful game: England!
Number 7 in Fifa Rankings. Watch out for the dark horse of the tournament! Holland most likely to lift the trophy.
There is a remarkable pattern when it comes to the European championships. The pattern is this: The runner up of the World Cup wins max. of 1 game in the next Euro champs 2 years later. Here is the data –>
In 1974 Holland lost the WC final and in 1976 they won 0 games.
In 1978 Holland lost the WC final and in 1980 they won 1 games.
In 1982 West-Germany lost the WC final and in 1984 they won 1 game.
In 1986 West-Germany lost the WC final and in 1988 they won 2 games but suffered a historic defeat against Holland.
In 1994 Italy lost the WC final and in 1996 they won 1 game.
In 2002 Germany lost the WC final and in 2004 they won 0 games.
In 2006 France lost the WC final and in 2008 they won 0 games.
In 2010 Holland lost the WC final and in 2012 .......
Funny some of you should attack Pedro's opinion based on the fact he is American and Americans know nothing about soccer. Well, surprise: Pedro Pinto is portuguese and has lived both in the UK and the US for quite some time. So he might, just might have a slightly less biased opinion about the English team than say the all you English folks. Hey, no one loves to hear how overrated someone thinks their national team is. I for the matter don't like hearing (or not hearing) that my national team is not a contender. Truth be told, we will have a hard time making it past the group stage.Talk about bottling chances in 2004, Mark, at least Portugal made it to the finals that year after defeating your team on their way to the final game. But I suppose you actually enjoyed watching how Greece decided to play that game. True only the winner will be remembered, but I like watching good football else I'll go watch a chess game instead. Rahul: you honestly think Spain will take home a third title in a row? Bet you thought Barcelona would win it all this season as well. Rory: it has nothing to do with genetics. It has to do with a team being overrated by the media and the fans. Just that. It's good you support your team and have high expectations, what is not good is that when your team doesn't meet those expectations, your locus of control is always external. You live by moral victories and those get you no titles. At least you have titles to show for, some other teams like mine have none. Our expectations are low. Our potential is great. The materialization of that potential is dubious.
Portugal will not do as well as you expect, best thing to happen for England was all these injuries. Oxlade-chambelain will be young player of the tournament, and England will make it to the semi's. I think Spain has the best shot at winning. The team will be built around Torres, with supply from Alonso, hey wait this sounds familiar, didn't this happen at liverpool when torres scored for fun. Torres will be top goal scorer. Also you can never count England out because you never know what team will show up. Remember Istanbul 1 man(gerrard) can win it all. This will be the first time every that the team is built around gerrard. My only wish is that it was terry instead of Cahil. Hart-Johnson-Kelly-Terry-Cole/Ox-Parker-Gerrard-young-Rooney-Welbeck.
Mezut Ozil best creative midfielder in Europe? I guess I'm looking at the wrong television set. But I like the guy so I will wait for the tournament to be proved completely wrong! Somehow I still believe we may see a surprise team getting the trophy.....maybe one that hasn't been in the tournament for last 24 years!!!!
The dutch are for once persimistic which is good, they have a shaky defence and a lethal attack van persie, arjen robben , huntelaar, snijeder, and mean defensive midfielders in de jong, van bommel, Give their forwards room and you re finished, the defence however is weak and can buckle under pressure especially with a very jong and talented 17 year old left back, but the team is extremely dangerous when underrated.
May it all come true...
I thinking a lot of surprises will happen in this champion , one of teme Italy will lose erllay .
I hope Sweden well done
After disappointing performances in the past i can assure you no englishman expects them to get to the semis.
Croatia will win.
Sissy sport for sissy euros
Gomez will not become top goalscorer because Klose will be the nr. 1 central striker! So, unless Klose becomes injured or really sucks, there will not be any Gomez starts.
I also believe that it is the year of "Die Mannschaft". Their losses to Spain in 2008 and 2010 along with their exceptional performance record and young talent could be the inspiration to see them lift the trophy. Their defense is incredible, so is their attacking and counters.
portugal will flater in the competition hoping that germany and nerthalands will shine
No racism ???????
My friend got beaten up yesterday in Kiev. he was from Cameroon.
I hope you are right. but the ground reality is so different.
Ronaldo will choke on a big tournament, again. I agree that Holland and Portugal will battle for 2nd place behind Germany in the group stage, but not because Portugal is a better team. It is because Portugal simply has Holland's number.......I predict a tie between Holland and Portugal. Holland will beat the Danes and tie with Germany. Portugal will tie with Germany, but upset by the Danes....with Ronaldo maybe missing another penalty!
La furia roja will create history and will surely defend the title..i spain i trust
because when you have the best midfield in the world then you are invincible..n france in s/f for sure
I couldn't agree with you more on Mesut Ozil, CR7 and Mario Ballotelli. Ozil has been my player of the season in europe with his magical display for Real Madrid and I can't wait to see him in the Euros, CR7 is a phenomenal player and has proved that by standing tall for Jose Mourinho's side all season and I think now more than ever he has the mettle plus the nerves to carry Portugal on his shoulders. Ballotelli can't deal with the pressure on the 'Azzurris' shoulders and am afraid he may not last his opening match against Spain and if he does against the Croats he may not deal with any possible frustrations on the pitch – he already gave flashes of that immaturity by declaring 'I'd go to jail because anyone who will racially abuse me iI will kill them, this is 2012.'
England are overrated yes but they may have a good shout on account of the experience and ability to withstand pressure, though that is a very slim chance. Who will lift the trophy? Holland have the credentials but the French are my best outsiders to go for it Pedro.
This is ridiculous holland will beat portugal. Portugal rely on cristiano ronaldo and he can be stopped. Pinto is just another portuguese hoping for the best but it wont happen. And you said that there will be no racism. You must be crazy. Even though its not on the stands, it will surely be outside the stadiums. For me Holland will win euro 2012. They are good. Portugal losing to turkey sums up all there chances. Pinto says that ronaldo will have a good tournament as if ronaldo does not have a burnout. I have high hopes for France compared to your hate for France. Your analysis is WRONG and I am sure you will be embarrassed with your sorry portugal
Wow. We're most of you ever wrong
And no, I'm sure Pinto wasn't embarrassed by Portugal
I agree, Germany is going to win Euro; Spain will be a big disappointment but I'm sure all the German fans won't feel sorry for them. Top Goalscorer probably Klose, Gomez is good but not that good and he doesn't have Robben or Ribery to help him. And for those who disagree that Mesut Ozil
isn't the best creative midfielder just wait and see.
Excelent analysis Pedro.
Anyway... i believe Spain will take home a third title in a row. Best squad, more experience, top players and the quality to win against any other team (even without Villa and Puyol).
Cristiano Ronaldo best player of the tournament.
I dont believe your predictions will come true. I do see Özil as a big player, one of the best players of this moment. However, I dont see the Germans take home the cup. They have a good team but there's something missing.
I think the Netherlands will have a good chance of winning euro 2012, and maybe Denmark will be a big surprise this tournament.
And no racism? I dont think the media will tell us anything about it, but I am sure there will be lots of it!
Pedro, you talk a lot of sense about England. The trouble is England did come out of the dark ages when Venables and Hoddle were managing England. We had players that were technically good and, most importantly, kept the ball. We should have won Euro 96 and were unlucky in France 98.
England have never recovered from Hoddle's forced resignation in 1998. England reverted to the 4-4-2 system that most of our clubs side play.
The so-called 'Golden' English generation was a joke. Rio Ferdinand was always wasted as a central defender when he had the talent to be the sweeper that Hoddle craved. Paul Scholes was totally wasted as was Michael Carrick, two players who knew how to keep the ball.
Iinstead, we had the Gerrard-Lampard axis which could never perform together. Gerrard who always plays the 'fantasy' ball rather than keeping it, yet still superior to Lampard.
Then you had Beckham who could give you a good free kick and not much else.
The only player who would get into the 1996 side would be Ashley Cole.
If Roy Hodgson is rebuilding for the 2014 WC then why isn't he building a side starting from now. That means tactically changing from the bog standard 4-4-2 to what seems the norm in international football now, the 4-2-3-1.
Hey Vippo... you obviously didn't take the time to realize that the writer of this article said he's from Portugal and has lived in the UK. I agree that not many people in the US are very knowledgeable about soccer, but lets be honest...everyone in the world knows that.
Really brilliant analysis...you claim that Ozil is the best creative midfielder in Europe, then later claim that Gomez will not light it up because he won't get the sort of service he gets from Robben and Ribery...makes a lot of sense.
You clearly don't understand football and are just spouting conventional bs. Germany is over-rated. Sneijder and Xavi are the best creative midfielders in Europe right now. Robben and Ronaldo are the best wingers, and RVP and Huntelaar are the best finishers in the game. Add to that the fact that Von Bommel and De Jong are the best holding midfielders along with Sweinsteiger and Xabi Alonso and everything points to Holland lifting the cup.
Monkey chants? I wouldn't put it past these "racists"
Concerning the Euro 2012 at Poland/Ukraine, Portugal can beat Germany, why not? Remember Bayern v Oporto at Wien 1987. In that time everybody (except me) thought germans were stronger and in the end the portuguese beat Bayern Muenchen without discuss! Believe Portugal! No other National team beats the "Selecção". See the Portuguese in the Kiev's final, why not?
Yeah...I always love listening to Pedro on CNN and reading his articles, but i'm surprised he didn't have much to say about the Azzurris. Despite the problems they are having now...I still believe the Azzurris will surprise everybody. Viva Italia!!!!
Well i guess u didn't notice the racist chanting when Holland practised yesterday. They had to move the training to the other side of the stadium.
See Pedro, 85% of these bloggers think you are biased towards other nationalities other than Spanish or Portuguese....!! Come on dude! wake up and smell the espresso!.......From the looks of things, it seems you are a REAL MADRID Supporter, A Portuguese Supporter and a Rafael Nadal idol.......You do have the best job in the entire planet ...........But there is no room for patriotism when it comes to reporting the true heroes and stars out there..!!
Love your reports and interviews though....!! Just don't sound to bias though....!!
Vippo, check the stats...
Portugal 2-1 Netherlands (Euro 2004)
Portugal 1-0 Netherlands (World Cup 2006)
Wishing the footballers, fans, media, organizers and Senhor Pedro a joy-filled Euro 2012.
the cup is coming to Holland.......go for this bet and win some money , simple as a,b,c .
I would dispute the comments about England, I would say a very small percentage of fans think England can achive semi finals, the rest are realists and know that getting out the group would be an achievement in itself.
This is the tournament where for the first time in a long time there is no great expectation for England, your comment is based on history no doubt.
As for English players being overrated, in an England shirt I would agree. Sadly the price of having the Premiership is that a lot of English players se the priorities with thier clubs, not country.
completely disagreewith this article...
Like Pedro, but stopped reading article after making claim that Ozil is most creative midfielder in Europe...WHAT???!!!
I know Pedro is Portugese and therefore may like to overlook Iniesta and Xavi for personal reasons, but even leaving out these two Spanish giants doesn't leave Ozil with that prestigious title.
Ever hear of Pirlo? What about Modric? Sneijder anyone?
Germany may well be the best, most complete team and clearly a favorite. But they've come together preciously because they don't have a single person who can be called the best at his position. They will always rank a step above at all positions, but not since the days of Klinsmann & Matheus did they have anyone who was the best at his position's craft.
Bias report as usual. Thousands anxiously reads ur report, so please be sensible. Not always Portugal, or real Madrid, or Ronaldo. U r one of my favorite, and I am sure there millions like me, so please do not let us down by posting such a bias article. Thanks
Pinto,just like the old Ford,is all wet.I think that Holland will be in the final.
Pinto,
Reconsider those those predictions!
Look at clockwork orange and pick Holland.
Germany wins it, England fails to make it out of the group period!!
Holland to win the trophy. Ozil is not the best creative player in the world. NEVER. Ronaldo can't revive Portugal.
this analysis is bias to a certain extension and personal. I look at it as an opinion and with that view i respect it but only as opinion. in the what would happen category, Germany has evolved as an attacking team and their young players emerging as the next big thing. so i agree with that and Balotelli's probable marching orders given his temper especially when the team is playing bad and Italy is just that right now. England will progress but not win it, while Ronaldo has flop marked all over him..Gomez has a much better chance than him since Portugal are an individualistic team and Germany the opposite. This tournament is for teams with playmakers of the highest quality, so spain is in the bag too. As much as we wish not to face a racist situation, its odor is strong and as long as you can smell it, you will see it.. France will be as brilliant as they were at EURO2000 but the best team will win
OK.... but............hmmmm....E12 will win Poland..."Polacy nic sie nie stalo...".:)
Germany flies home with the cup and Mario Gomez as the top goal scorer.
Dark horses Russia 2nd best and Germans the winners.
Being portuguese, I don't believe that Portugal will get past the group stage, as many of my fellow citizens. The results in friendly matches have been disappointing. I do agree that England is usually overrated and I would bet that Germany takes it as well. As for dark horses, I'd look for France or Russia.
Pedro..pedrito Pinto...
Hot Flash News...
....AND THE WInner is
H o l l a n d
Ozil the best midfielder right now? But Lucas Modrick is far better one.
No mention of Robin Van Parsie!? He might end up a top scorer overshadowing Ronaldo!
No mention at all of wizard that is Zlatan Ibrahimovic! It might be that this is the tournament that he will at last come out rise up to the super class that he potentially really belongs. Could up being best player of the tournament even if Sweden don’t get the cup, Diego Forlan-like in south Afrika!
Nsajigwa sisi kwa sisi
Dar es salaam Tanzania
In my opinion Germany is indeed the favourites in Euro 2012.
Russians represent the tournaments dark horse.
Sayan.
Euro 2012 Krakow stadium Dutch training monkey chants racism accusal
This is well known fact that Dutch soccer team has a great number of fans in Poland. Dutch team is not focusing on them (30 000 fans on Krakow arena during their training but on few monkeys there). The very last accusal of racism hearing monkey chants is not only unfair but targeting to wide understood human intelligence understanding of the things happened and even despite the word definition -chant- http://www.wordnet-online.com/chant.shtml – so before somebody will walk too far please realize what you can hear when men downhill takes place during winter sports....forgetting the facts what Dutch do to Poles in Holland. This message is from Pland. Good luck to everybody.
CNN / Mr. Pedro Pinto – please find out more positive sides of Euro 2012 tournament – this is a bit unfair to talk about few hooligans so long in your TV – this some kind of inadequacy...
Mr Ruud Gullit please find out what racism to Poles from Dutch means in your country – Holland, it is a shame, a disgrace...and you are right – this is your social problem there...
Euro 2012 Krakow stadium Dutch training monkey chants racism accusal
This is well known fact that Dutch soccer team has a great number of fans in Poland. Dutch team is not focusing on them (30 000 fans on Krakow arena during their training but on few monkeys there). The very last accusal of racism hearing monkey chants is not only unfair but targeting to the abstract of human intelligence understanding of the things happened and even let us despite the word definition -chant- http://www.wordnet-online.com/chant.shtml – so before somebody will walk too far please realize what you can hear when men downhill takes place during winter sports....and forgetting the real facts what Dutch do to Poles in Holland. This message is from Poland. Good luck to everybody.
CNN / Mr. Pedro Pinto – please find out more positive sides of Euro 2012 tournament – this is a bit unfair to talk about few hooligans so long in your TV – this some kind of inadequacy...
Mr Ruud Gullit please find out what racism to Poles from Dutch means in your country – Holland, it is a shame, a disgrace...and you are right – this is dutch social problem there...
well,so far so good...the danes have demolished holland and germans have managed to get their first win.I somehow agree with pedro the ozil may be voted the euro2012 best player.But I also have a hunch that a new team will emerge as the winners of euro 2012.I'm banking on russia or holland....
So Danes are underestimated again?
This will be interesting, hehe
the trophy will come back to Denmark again. We did it once and we can do it again!!!
Go Denmark.
I feel Ronaldo is no big game player and will fail to shine again, the English are far from becoming a major force they were in the golden days. For instance, look at their performance at the world cup in France or in the far east fours years later. I don't see them going beyond group stage. They are still building a team that will be a reckon for the future. Its time for Ozil and the Germans......watch out for the Russian Team. Robin will emerge Top scorer!
Pedro Pinto STOPPPP!!!! Enough of this pious belony.. U think u can talk donw english players and Gomez.. Thats y Gomez dealt d final blow 2 Portugal in the opening match. Wat Ronaldo?? Wat top scorer?? We r no critics, but realists... U cant rewrite history Pinto...Stop dreaming and enough of this deception. These exxagerations r now becoming embarrassing.. Its a crime 4 u 2 b using this CNN medium 2 promoting Ronaldo. This is an IRONY.. He is not even amonsgt the best 3 on the tournament so???
dannes have no chance against Portugal. Easy game for Ronaldo. Hattrick for sure
I have been a big soccer fan since i understand my name; I've seen lot of surprises and this tournament will have a surprise winner. This is soccer; is so unpredictable. Spain, England, Italy, Holland, Portugal, France and Germany are the favorites but that does not guarantee anything. They will have to prove it.
We do not think that England will make the semi finals, every cup match we have play most people you speak to to not share those views.
On BBC they are saying Germany and Spain to win. Remember that newspapers and pundits do not mean will all think like that.
Pinto's prediction may come true, but it shouldn't be relied on until the last whistle blows.
Holland will beat Germany tonite. Next will be Portugal. Then the Dutch dream team will steam on to the finals. Shame Pedro Pinto forgot about Oranje??
The will rule tonite!
wishfull thinking by Pedro Pinto abt CR7 as usual! U are wrong abt CR7 and Gomez sir, but your writings are tasty anyway.
PP i love to hate you – your analysis' are always safe, and you're usually wrong because you never think Spain has it in them until they've won it all, fair enough.
I do think Spain will take it again. They have the hunger- Torres has much to prove, Real and Barca players left the Champions league dissatisfied, this is likely the last major international tournament for a fully fit Xavi and Iniesta, lastly the entire Spanish bench is reliable and hungry for playing time.
The German side are strong, skilled, and know how to capitalize on chances. If they do come up against Spain however, you couldn't pick a team more familiar with Ozil than one made up of Real and Barca players. He will be shut down by Spain but prove a major player in the tournament.
Mentally, I don't think the Netherlands have it.
As much as I think CR7 is a[n incredibly skilled and talented] Dbag, I hate seeing him cry and I'd like to see Portugal move through.
England is terrible, I agree they get more press than they deserve... Because this is in English?
..GANA ESPAÑA..ole.
Mr. Pinto, with all due respect, Ozil is nowhere near Iniesta or Silva, just to mention a couple of names in the Spanish squad. Not saying he is not a great player, which he is undoubtedly. And not saying of course Germany cannot beat Spain, something that could perfectly happen in 90 minutes. Having said this, Spain still boasts more talent than Germany does. On paper Germany and Spain should play the final though France and maybe Italy could surprise us all.
Sorry guys, two games up and Ronaldo is yet to start his accession to top scorer. The best we can say right now is he is at his class, the leading flop.
wow ... I just read this... Pedro... your way off... don't quite your day job
Pedro Pinto,you got bull's eye on cr7...his great performance against Denmark ,real world class stuff..(he can thank nike for not being subsituted)..
As for England,i think you got it wrong there too...they not championship material,but they will be no push-overs neither.
Mr.Pedro Pinto,once again i strongly suggest you keep your comments to yourself,especially seing you have no idea what you are talking about..
Kind Regards.
Every prediction so far is wrong... lmao. some expert you are
Although this does not satisfy the squad nor its trainer, Spain is favorite for the history-record-of-all-time and has the best team overall (talent, experience, experience and....yes..they are title-hungry). In addition, the back-players in Spain are exceptional (Cazorla, Fabregas, Javier Martinez, Juanfran and many etc). Nonetheless, Germany is a top, top favorite, as always. The have an exceptional team, but I believe they are very vulnerable. Another favorite is Russia. So , take a pick: SPAIN, GERMANY or RUSSIA. Any of these three?
I will agree with Pedro and take it one step further and give the cup to France. They are the Team of Destiny this year. You can take it to the bank.
Pedro, what's wrong with the CNN world Sports News? The biggest soccer competition in the world after the world cup and you guys only have a couple of photos to show from the games?
Come on, show us a bit more of professional work and broadcast the videos of the goals at least in the news.
Thanks
bother not yourselves with all these forecasts coz one thing is certain... Spain is going to lift the trophy they have all the necessary arms to win this war ok
I am a french Canadien and my team is Portugal, not only a team as to play well to win, A FAIR REFREE IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT not many of them are, so lets see a fair team with a good refree be the winner. I cant stand see a game with no fair play.
FORCA PORTUGAL I AM ALL FOR YOU..
And Portugal continues... ahahahahahhaha
Mr. Pinto, with all due respect and event taking into account the Spanish phobia typical of Portuguese, saying that Özil is the best offensive midfielder is surprising. Both Iniesta and Silva, just to mention two, are in a different, and superior, league than Özil. Nothing against Özil, who is a fantastic and key player for Germany and Real Madrid. Hence, Spain still boasts far more talent than Germany and, although anything can happen in 90 minutes, Spain is still the team to beat. Pique and Torres may have not shown consistent form but Spain still have an amazing array of players to rely on (Iniesta, Silva, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, LLorente, Ramos, etc, etc.).
the Final is spain and Germany again. What went wrong with the Dutch is a question I have to deal with. Played 3 Lost 3 and bags packed. What a shame!!
Pedro is perhaps unabashedly Portuguese and i can't help reading through the bents in his comments/write up when they are subject of discussion. Granted, Spain had issues with goals against Croatia, but that's not because they did not attempt to shoot several times, it was because Croatia packed the bus and were very efficient at it. On a day like yesterday, even the best 'parkers' would be envious of the discipline that Croatia showed yesterday. In Pedro's critique of Bosque, he had exceptions with a midfielder replacement for Torres(same strategy that worked in their first two games). Pray, what would he have him do? bring in another attacker for Torres? a strategy that failed for more than 80mins? It's a good thing Bosque' wasn't getting advices from Pedro, or Spain might not have won that match. Yes, i don't particularly agree with all of Bosque's decisions, e.g. why he would play Llorente instead of Torres? He brings a different kind of threat or why he would not play a centre forward for that matter. However, it has worked for him thus far and Spain is awash with a lot of talents. Pedro was not being fair to Croatia when he referred to them as a weaker team in his CNN's comment this morning because yesterday they were better than the best with their 'park the bus' and counter attack strategy. The difference is that, yesterday was not a day of victory for that strategy. I don't have a crystal ball like Pedro but you can never write off this Spanish team. I put victory between Spain, Italy and Germany.
brilliant RONALDO ahhhahahaha just starting...
Netherlands ?? I don t know who their are?? lol
Spain has no chance against Portugal
final: Portugal x Germany
For those who doubted about Porugal credentials, check the result Holland 1 – 2 Portugal.
The main conclusions about this football chat is that across Europe there are serverals football ignorant.
If Portugal defeat Check Republic than will play against Spain. I guess Nani will score against Check Republic and Meireles and Nelson Oliveira will score against Spain.
Than wellcome final.
my preddiction is that Italia and Spain makes it to the semis then they will b in the finals.
Reasons
-Italia r a well balanced team with less ego amongst players, the more they survive in the tonament the better they grow as a team.
-Spain is still exceptional, this Euro championship, teams that have played really well have been knocked out e.g Ukraine,Russia,Croatia just because their finishing wasn't good but over all play these teams to me have show a new trend of play and now the only team left is Spain which by now has kept its playing strategy with little changes in the starting line up.
For those who think that your defense wins the game ! Your wrong that is basketball though right now basketball has changed to defending the ball rather than the past days of man to man or zonal defense, so for any team that can defend the ball and not man to man or marking space(zonal) play has greater chances to proceed and that makes Spain have more chances than the rest and not because its defender are on form or not, its plays flow with who ever is in position to pass or defend the the ball, for Italia its just a little exception due to a proper balance in the midfield and up front but their defense is just help man defense.
With all that my teams are Spain vs Italia finals for the scores please relax I tell that next time
I've got it down as a Portugal – Germany final , any takers?
"England underachieves. I have lived in the UK long enough to know that English players are incredibly overrated. Just because the Premier League is the most popular league in the world, the English media and fans believe their players are better than they are. Even now, with a new manager in Roy Hodgson and a series of injuries that has depleted their squad through the loss of Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and Gary Cahill, many people still expect the Three Lions to make the semi-finals. I feel they will probably finish behind France and Ukraine in Group D."
Pedro may have lived in the UK but he did not understand anything, you refused to print my last comments, now I can see why.
Finally, ITALY & GERMANY will through to final for Euro 2012
Germany to win the final as they have always done after losing the previous one
1976 runners up
1992 1980 winners 1996 winners
2008 and 2012 winners too
All these predictions (for the most part are wrong)...any fan can make a prediction but I doubt anyone could of seen the drama that we have already witnessed.
Group A – (The Warsaw Pact Group) Who would of believed that the Russians would be ousted byt the weakest team (Greece) Their entrance plus the Czechs is truly astonishing...but like Group D it shouldn't be that surprising except that the first set of games painted a picture of Russian dominance and a struggling Czechs and Greeks facing off against homebase Poland...I thought forsure Russia/Poland would proceed, I was dead wrong.
Group B – Group of Death and it totally lived up to its name...I'm still shocked that the Dutch, a team that almost toppled the Spanish in the World Cup (not to mention crushed both Brazil and Uraguay) fell so easily...with no wins I felt no one could accurately predict this one. Germany succeeded and Portugal continued...not to shocking, what was shocking was how dull the Danes played...I swear I practically fell asleep on some of their games.
Group C – The Group of Debt (for the most part haha) Spain and Italy going forward is not surprising although the Croatians IMO were a very good team and probably deserved it more than the Italians...The Spanish look very strong and the Italians look to have improved since the World Cup debacle
Group D – The Group of Blah (Really, they are all kind of boring no?). England winning is a shock considering their awfully boring play...I hate that english teams are very aggressive with eachother but internationally they play "defense" The group was weak but I am looking forward to England/Italy and hopefully England/Germany...I want the English to beat the Germans because I'm tired of Germany winning everything (although Germany will more than likely go to the finals). France looked strong vs England/Ukraine but fell apart vs the Swedes...were they not trying or is their a hidden weakness there? Either way it doesn't matter, they face Spain next and we all know how that will finish up
Portugal and Germany are in....we await Spain and England to join them...
My bet is that the Spanish will win it all (again) which will make it a first in the record books.
Germany will probably face her in the finals but it could also be England...if its England than expect a far more interesting match...English defense is pretty good but Germany for some reason seems to crumble vs the Spanish...unless they learned from their mistakes in the past and we all know how industrius the Germans are...:)_
..england...football.players or team is the best in the world because they always lost the game. but they are popular or highlight cuz they have strong media which keep on saying only good points for worst players..
I like the predictions Pedro..
Finally the story being told as it is and not that hype it all up as others tell it.. Good pick.on Team Germany as well..
One!
It seems that, after all, Germany will not win this EC 🙂
As usual, Italy is amazingly underestimated.
way off on the predictions sorry
Italia Italia ITALIA!!!!! Ciao Ciao Germania, ALLA FACCIA TUA!
The last two games reinstated the firey love I have for Italian football and brought all Italians together in celebration. Italy still masters its top form in their game as seen yesterday. Super Mario Balloteli proved to be the best striker for he settles the score and has to deal with his character on the field! Italy is taking the UEFA Cup this year!
as usual, Italy is totally impredictable...our country has the best and the worst of everything, it's all love and hate, sweet and bitter...the more you underestimate Italy, the better we play
And Spain won again ... honestly speaking, I´m getting tired of the fact that Spain is most of the times underrated. Most of the journalists didn´t predict Spain´s wins in Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 .... but here we are.
Mr. Pinto – I understand (and support) most of your comments, but such a fantastic team (despite of Villa and Puyol absence) deserved more trust – don´t you think so?
Just bringing in a serving of humble pie
Spain 4 – 0 Italy
Hey Pedro, aka the footballing Nostradamus or not!!! We've had 23 days of reading about how boring, predictable Spanish football is. Guess they showed you eh!!!! Now all Abramovich needs to do is buy the other nine players on the greatest ever Spanish team. Let me see what are your predictions on the Olympics....wait a second just save it......
What a collection of misses!!! Spain wins with a best-ever sweep in an Euro final. For all of those who said "Boring", sorry!
What will happen... You will reconsider making predictions!!!
Arriba España!
Well Mr so called soccer pundit Pinto you got every single one of your eight predictions wrong. Time to try tiddly-winks perhaps?
Nice try ... at least you tried
Ciao 4 times Italia. I am sorry Pedro, but for sure you are not a fortune teller, it is better you keep your work as a journalist. Spain did not only win but also gave a great final against Italy.
Que viva España
The worst prediction ever.... coming from a journalist that is always reporting about football, so disappointed
Sorry Pedro! Hope your future prediction will be on course.
Spain may win the next World Cup in Brazil 2014.
Give them a 50-50 chance (Brazil has a 20% chance, Argentina a 10%, Germany 10% and both Portugal and Russia 5%)
The very interesting thing about the Spaniard squad ("roja") is that their story is not over. They are making football history.
Also of interest is that in their World cup qualifications for Brazil, they are in the same group as France.
My opinion is that Spain will IMPROVE in the next 2-4 years. I like the way they play.
Ole for Spain!
PEDRO..WRONGEST PREDICTION EVER......NO MATCHING ORDERS FOR BALOTELLI..SPAIN WINS TREBBLE TROPHIES....MEEEN...U PEDRO-PREDICT WRONG!
You got it all wrong!
Pedro Pinto... you may have a bit more clue about football than some, but clearly your Portuguese/Real Madrid bias makes your comments rather silly... I have been listening and reading your comments over time, as a journalist you should be a bit more balanced... and forget your Portuguese background.
Ozil is good, but very far from best creative mid-fielder... what a joke of a comment.
I could have told you you would be wrong on Germany and Italy / Balotelli, as that you would be dead wrong on Spain.
Holland was a courageous prediction and you were right as on France... so areas where you show no Madrid/Portugal bias you are almost right...
Geeeez, way too much hate here... Some right, some wrong.
England underachieving is not true. They overachieved considering the fail team they had this time.
Cristiano Ronaldo did have a good run and Portugal did edge the Dutch (as did the Danes).
France didn't self-destruct.
Not bad all things considered.
And of course, Spain did win it and now look more dangerous than ever going to Brazil in 2014.
Wow, Pedro Alda. You gus said Spain was not going to win????
Its much more difficult to guess who is going to win because there are many good teams, Italy, Spain,Holland, Germany, France, Portugal etc. However you decide to go safe and say that Spain was not going to win . yiou had 15 options out of 16 to guess right. And you got it wrong!!!
You almodt got it rigth... Except for the winner hahaha