Euro 2012: Spain vs Italy 1-1 10 June, Casillas picspam

A decent game for both goalkeepers. Both Casillas and Buffon made 5 saves each and were strong sides of their teams. I'm especially happy thay Buffon is back, after struggling with injuries, and seems to be in a good shape. The players could feel safe, having them behind their back. Pity that the goalkeepers can't say the same, especially Casillas, which was left in situation 1 to 1.

Rather happy that the teams shared the points. After all I like both goalkeepers equally.

Small picspam with Casillas and Buffon. Will add more photos of Buffon tomorrow.

Germany - Portugal 1:0, 9 June 2012

A bunch of photos from the game with Rui Patricio.

















Beto and Eduardo visble among the players on the bench.

Video: Beto

Last but not least. Video presenting Beto.

Video: Eduardo

Video presenting Eduardo.

Video: Rui Patricio

Short video presenting Rui Patricio.

Tytoń: the result was fair, but we can't be satisfied - video

Watch the video interview with Przemysław Tytoń after the Euro 2012 opening game Poland - Greece.

Przemek, please tell what is your general opinion of the game? You have seen a part of it from the bench and a part from the pitch.

In the first half we had a lot of occasions to score. We created a lot of them, used only one. Later, a red card for Greeks, perhaps we lost our concentration back then. When we started the second half, our game didn't look too good. Greece scored a goal, we wanted to create some situations, later a red card for us. It think that the result 1:1, the fact that we shared the points is fair for both teams, however, we cannot be fully satisfied, because we had a lot of opportunities in the first half.

How it is, when one comes on the pitch and in the first action defends a penalty shot?

Fantastic. But well, it was just a twist of events, it was only one game, next one is ahead. Euro hasn't finish yet.

It seems that you are going to be the first choice in the next game. Did you expect that Euro is going to look like that for you?

No. When I joined the team I wanted to fight for the place in the squad. The coach decided that Wojtek [Szczęsny] is going to play. I'm trying to give my support to all the others, as much as I can. Perhaps now I'm going to be given a chance. I want to create a history.

Poland - Greece 1:1, 8 June 2012, Przemysław Tytoń saved a penalty

One goalkeeper's bad luck is another goalkeeper's chance. Wojciech Szczęsny was send off with a red card. Przemysław Tytoń took the place between the posts and saved the penalty in a crucial moment.

Watch the video: link.

Ireland open public training, Gdynia, 5 June 2012

Some photos from the open public training of Ireland, which took place in Gdynia 5 June 2012. The stands were full of people. Of course I focused mostly on the goalkeepers: Shay Given, Keiren Westwood and David Forde.

Euro 2012

Ready for Euro 2012? Going to watch games? Can't believe that the time passed so fast. Less than two days till it's going to begin...

UEFA 2012 Poland-Ukraine official intro

Portugal is going to play friendly game against Poland

On 29th of February Portugal is going to play a friendly game against Poland on the National Stadium in Warsaw.

Definietely going to watch this game, no matter what.

Quim: 'I can be useful for the national team'

Short interview with Portuguese goalkeeper Quim after victory with Brimingham (1-0).

It was a difficult game, as we had expeced. Our penalty box was under constant attack. But we had to win in order to get first place in the group. It was important as well as winning in the upcoming game against Brugge. My return to the national team? I work every day in my club, doing my best. I believe I can return and be useful for the team.

Source: Maisfutebol.

Picture: group of dreams

Although a lot of factors puts Polish team in favor I don't believe they are not going to screw it up anyway.

Similarity to real people is of course purely accidential. As for the part about white eagle it refers to a fuss which was made over new jerseys of Polish team. They were missing Polish coat of arms and had the logo of Polish Football Associaton put instead.

Euro 2012 groups

Everything is clear now.

Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D
Poland	Netherlands	Spain	Ukraine
Greece	Denmark	Italy	Sweden
Russia	Germany	Republic of Ireland	France
Czech Republic	Portugal	Croatia	England

Groups A and C are going to play in Poland, Groups B and D on Ukraine.

Poland somehow avoided the strongest opponents. Don't think it changes anything. Poland is still the weakest team on the tournament. 15 highest ranked in UEFA ranking teams are going to particpate. And Poland (29th place).

Portugal... In one group with Denmark they are familiar one can say too well. Played against each other in two qualifiers campaing in a row. Germany, which is always dangerous (and also send away Portugal from Euro 2008 in quarterfinal). And Netherlands, who are runner up of World Cup 2010. It's really going to be a hard task to get any further.

Euro 2012 draws

Euro 2012 draws are going to start in several minutes in Kiev, Ukraine. No doubt, every team would like to have Poland in their group. In UEFA ranking it's far below all other teams. Qualified nations: Poland, Ukraine (Joint hosts), Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, England, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, France, Greece, Croatia, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland, Portugal.

Seeding pots:

Pot 1: Poland, Ukraine, Spain, Netherlands.

Pot 2: Germany, England, Russia, Italy.

Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Sweden, Portugal.

Pot 4: Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Republic of Ireland.

My types:

Group A: Poland, Germany, Portugal, Czech Republic.

Group B: Spain, England, Sweden, Republic of Ireland.

Group C: Netherlands, Italy, Greece, France.

Group D: Ukraine, Russia, Croatia, Denmark.

(In fact I really hope Poland is not going to meet with Germany. As if it make any difference).

Portugal qualified to Euro 2012

After a lot of struggle during the qualification campaign Portugal finally qualified to Euro 2012!

First play off game ended with 0-0 draw. In the second leg game the team beat Bosnia-Herzegovina 6-2.

Short update

Haven't been updating this blog for a long time.

Sport events that happened lately:

Copa America final - quite happy that it was Urugway and Paraguay who made to the final, not Brazil and Argentina. The game was good. I think that Uruguay victory was deserved, they were the better team on the pitch. However, Paraguay showed that they can play too. Great performance of both goalkeepers, Muslera and Villar. Villar was chosen the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

68. Tour de Pologne - started on 31th of July, and finishes today. Again, amazing speed, some surprises and again I don't think that a Pole is going to win the race. However, they are trying to show their best on each stage. Today it's to be decided if Daniel Martin or Peter Sagan is going to win the whole race. Or perhaps someone else?