до свидания - vaarwel - zbogom - adjö

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in.  A special Euro 2012 Ola goes out to Hazel Mae.

It doesn't matter how you say it or what language you say it in - "goodbye" sucks.  But as the group stage is getting set to wrap up tomorrow, goodbyes were directed at the Russians (known choke artists), the Dutch (again imploding because of inner turmoil - ahhh, who are we kidding?  they just can't beat Portugal!), the Croatians (coolest uniforms) and the Swedes, who were gone after their second game.

Two of the four quarter-finals have been set -

Group A winners Czech Republic face Group B runners up Portugal on Thursday

Group B winners Germany face Greece on Friday

Group C winners Spain will play ????

Group D winners ??? will play Group C runners up Italy

The Group of Death lived up to its name - just ask the Dutch who were picked by many as one of the three or four teams who had a legit shot of winning the whole thing.  If you have read this page in the past, you know how much the "experts'" opinion means here.  The Dutch were never going to get out of the group stage - not with games against Germany and Portugal (1-4-7 in there last 11 games against the good guys..yes, seven losses).  Both Germany and Portugal should win their quarter-final games and make it to the final four. 

There aren't enough superlatives to describe Cristiano Ronaldo's performance yesterday - both in terms of on the field play and his leadership (just ask Nani).  Portugal seems to be gelling at the right time and have to be considered a legit threat to win the Euro.  Because I can't resist



Tuesday's games

France 2-0 Sweden
The French are playing relatively well, while the Swedes are just looking to start their shortened summer vacation.  France knows that they are in with a win - they'll take care of business early and coast to an easy victory.

England 1-1 Ukraine
I'm calling a tie in this game - but if things are tied up late in the game, don't be surprised if the referee makes a shocking call to give the Ukraine a chance to win this game and advance.  The organizing bodies hate it when host countries don't make it to knock out stages - with Poland out, they'll drag the Ukraine in if they can.

You've been warned.

Hazel, here's hoping things are groovy in your world. 

I'm Out!