Euro 2012 QF#2

Portugal was all over the Czechs and fully deserved the victory. C.Ronaldo has finally stepped up for his country. He had a number of chances in this game and was both unlucky and a bit optimistic with his efforts. He was supremely unlucky when he hit the post at the end of the first half, after a brilliant takedown and turn. Just as well, because, had he scored, we would have never seen and heard the end of it.

He did make good late in the game, out-hustling his way to a cross and heading home. This is important because C.Ronaldo again showed the guts previously missing in international play. At that point in the match, it would be very easy to give up on a play that involved getting in front of a defender when starting from out-of-position. Sure, it can be argued that he snuck up on the guy (as opposed to out-muscling him for position), but a late goal to break a scoreless match deserves no qualifiers, especially when no one else was going to do it.

I don't like praising him. I can only hope he falls on his face in the semis.

GER over GRE - What Greece will we get? Will it be the one that was torched for 3 goals in the opening stages of the group matches, or the one that didn't concede the rest of the time? Will it be the one that could only score from opponents' gaffes, or are they capable of opening up the Germans?

The silver lining is that, while all the goals were scored through weakness on its left, Greece seem to have solved their left-back problem through Tzavellas, who looks like he knows what he is doing.

Further good news is that Karagounis is suspended. I know that he is their captain and most capped player. Greeks swear by this guy, but I have seen nothing but shyte from him for about 10 years. How many poor free kicks and corners must he take before they decide that he is not a creative presence? In this tournament (and WC 2010), the rest of the team is so adept at destroying the opposition's attack, he and Samaras have time to destroy their own. Maybe, just maybe, we can see someone with some creativity.

I would like to see Fetfatzidis have a turn. He is only 21 and, at 5'5", easily stuffed in a German's pocket, but, if this kid is the future, he needs to get a run-out in this level of football...now.

Regardless, I think Greece will finally run into a side that will not be fazed by its tactics. Historically, the Greek game has not stood up to German, Italian or Spanish sides.

Aside- the draw sets up so that Greece could face each of those sides...that would really burn my theory.

Seriously, unlike the rest of Greece's opponents, Germany is used to always being the favorite and having to deal with an opponent bent on destroying the game and frustrating them. In these situations, superior size, running and technical ability almost always carry the Germans. When they are beaten, it typically takes a superior individual performer, which is something Greece doesn't have.