Euro 2012 Soccer: Day 8.
Today’s Games
Arghhh. I didn’t get to see either game today. England beat Sweden and also have Wayne Rooney returning for the next match. Long starved English may have hope this year.
Host Ukraine (i love the underdogs) lost 2-0 to France but still are alive.
Racism at Euro 2012
There was much concern prior to the Euro that racist chanting and behavior could become an issue in the tournament hosted in Poland and Ukraine. There have been some incidents of fans taunting two particular players. These are under investigation by EURO (the governing body of this tournament) which has stated zero tolerance for racism, and created a RESPECT Campaign four years ago to educate and promote diversity. Unfortunately, only time will tell when issues like this will no longer have to be worried about. But to the masses who seem to be showing up to enjoy the atmosphere and cheering for their team, hat’s off to you!
IRISH Fans! Wow! Great example of sportsmanship.
Irish fans once again showed their class and spirit. In the final moments of losing to Spain 4-0 and being eliminated from the tournament, their fans broke into singing “The Fields of Athenry”. This is rare in sports, check it out!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmCosY56lRI
GROUP A: Winners decided Saturday 16th.
GREECE vs. RUSSIA, and CZECH REPUBLIC vs POLAND.
Top two teams advance, the other two head home.
See “Doing the Math” to see different scenarios based on Saturdays games.
My prediction: Russia beats Greece and wins the the top spot. Poland beats the Czechs to take the second spot.
How About You?
Carlos Restrepo
8:38 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
But this is the best moment of the Euro by far. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qaz7N045Zg8&feature=player_embedded
Mike Schuette
11:13 am on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Ha! That's awesome. That's the spirit that most of the fans bring to the games!
That guy's probably a legend now :)
Carlos, do you have any team your either predicting to win or "hoping" will win?
Doug Miner
12:31 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Hi Mike. I watched the England-Sweden game sitting next to a guy who was against England but only said, "It's England!" when asked why. I'm a rookie fan and was mainly amazed at the skill of the players. England's 3rd goal - off the back of that player's heel - was astonishing. Some of the redirected headers are equally amazing. Thanks for your commentary.
Mike Schuette
3:05 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Great Doug! You've taken a "big first step" into international football ;) It's amazing how many people in the U.S. are watching these games with a strong passion "for" or "against" certain teams. I'm glad you could appreciate the skill of the players! Welcome to the growing cult of Americans who are aware of Euro 2012!
Carlos Restrepo
7:49 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
I predict Germany to win, but my heart is with Spain.
Julie Brown Patton
8:33 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
I liked seeing the sea of green for Ireland.
Mike Schuette
10:11 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Julie,
Glad you liked it. The story is really growing by the day in the media.
If you have 1:20 seconds, this youtube video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWPZe1fHZzI) shows faces of fans and how their were some sad irish faces in the crowd, and then the singing quietly began and listen to it grow into full blown anthem, and this is in Poland...so there are a lot of Irish that made the trip. As I read coverage, they are singing not just for fun, it is definitely a song of support the Irish Players, who were losing 4-0 and being knocked out of the tournament.
This has over the days turned into a moment that will be one of my favorites of this tournament.