A chance for Ozil to gain international ground on Ronaldo….
The World Cup Jr.–the 2012 Euros–continue.
The Group of rDeath today….they used to be friends.
Undercard: Netherlands v. Denmark
Main: Ozilville vs. Ronaldoland
9 Jun
The Weekend: Live Commentary
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The Shin Guardian 
Posted by mbw on 2012/06/09 at 9:58 AM
Holland — what a mess.
Posted by Jared on 2012/06/09 at 11:31 AM
That comment could have been made in every major tournament with the exception of Euro 88 going back 50 years.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 11:42 AM
A little dramatic, no? It is not like they did not create chances. They had many, just did not take them. Now they find themselves under unnecessary pressure for the next two games.
Posted by mbw on 2012/06/09 at 5:48 PM
(1) They have more/bigger holes in their starting XI than other contenders do; (2) Robben is a bit of a Carmelo Anthony; (3) They’re kind of a broken team — much more so than the other major contenders; (4) They now have lineup questions; (5) The whole attack just seems out of joint — witness poor RVP, the disparity of whose production for club vs. country has something to do with form, but also something to do with the fact that he just doesn’t know what to expect from those around him.
Posted by SmiLeZ on 2012/06/09 at 3:28 PM
They lost the first game of Euro 88 1-0, just sayin.
Posted by KickinNames... on 2012/06/09 at 11:34 AM
you can’t ever predict what you’re going to get from that crew. Looked like 10 guys playing for themselves which is what often happens to them in tournaments. And defending was comical.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 11:39 AM
I just wished that Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland were in the same group.
Why? So we call call them “The Group of Debt!”
Hopefully England will play Ireland in the QFs, just so we can sing “you’re going down with the Euro, down with the Euro!” at them [while knocking them out of course].
Posted by KickinNames... on 2012/06/09 at 11:47 AM
Quite a fantasy life you’ve got there Georgie. QF’s…Ingerland…silly…
But you get mad points for the geoeconomic current events touch.
God Save the Quid..
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 1:53 PM
You think England will not get out of Group D? Interesting opinion, Sir.
Posted by Jared on 2012/06/09 at 12:43 PM
Quite a fantasy life he’s leading that England’s economy is strong and that England might make the quarters.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 1:09 PM
Chaps, it’s just a little bit of banter with the neighbors!
Posted by Jared on 2012/06/09 at 1:22 PM
Not sure that England can participate in banter with any neighbors considering the things they’ve done to the neighbors historically.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 2:00 PM
Let those without sin, cast the first stone.
Take a look in the mirror, my American friend!
Posted by dth on 2012/06/09 at 4:21 PM
Really, the Germans are to blame to the European division of the economic crisis.
Posted by Jared on 2012/06/09 at 4:33 PM
What neighbors have I engaged in banter with that the US has done anything close to what England has done to the Irish?
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 10:09 PM
Erm, let me think… I know, segregation. Only a few decades ago mate.
It was just a little bit of banter and you had to keep going. I tried to diffuse it too. Like I said, America is not innocent in their history. Your shit doesn’t smell of roses either.
Posted by schmutzdeck on 2012/06/09 at 10:25 PM
Jared,
Head south of the border for your answer. You may not like what you find.
Posted by Jared on 2012/06/10 at 4:31 AM
Fine, we’ll diffuse it. Segregation doesn’t come into play in this situation though as I’m not bantering with African Americans about it. I’m not arguing that the US hasn’t done bad things to countries just not as cool to banter about it.
Posted by Ufficio on 2012/06/10 at 7:25 AM
Yeah, if you must bust out a tu quoque, at least make sure it applies to your interlocutor.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 1:05 PM
So, I have had this conversation with friends but have never brought it up on TSG, because some people might take it the wrong way and get upset.
Is it a coincidence that the teams that are showing the most interest in Dempsey have American owners? Don’t get me wrong, I am not trivializing his form over the 2011/12 season. Just saying it is an opportunity to get a good player, and the commercial consideration is there too.
Posted by Jared on 2012/06/09 at 1:20 PM
I don’t think it’s a coincidence at all. If I was in charge of one of the big Champions League clubs in the major countries (Germany, England, Spain, Italy) I would not be putting Dempsey very high on my list of targets. He’s 29 years old which is a bad age for most of the Champions League clubs unless there is additional commercial value.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 1:26 PM
But i have seen a transfer price of £5M** – that’s worth a serious punt in my eyes.
**that is about €100M!!
Posted by BernieBernier on 2012/06/09 at 1:39 PM
I have seen a similar number. If that the cost then he has to go somewhere. He is too good to not be worth 4 or 5 million pounds.
Posted by BernieBernier on 2012/06/09 at 1:31 PM
Its not a coincidence To think that marketing doesn’t factor into player decisions is naive. Real paid so much for Ronaldo in part because he makes some of it back in jersey sales, gets the brand out via marketing etc. Dempsey clearly has more value in the American market than someone with comparable skills. If you are an American owner it natural for you to attempt to cash in on the growing and relatively wealthy American market. I don’t think its purely an American thing though. A number of teams are going out of their way to court the Asian market. Also many non-American owners are courting the American market in various ways (see World Football Classic or whatever the silly name for the silly event is).
Posted by BernieBernier on 2012/06/09 at 1:34 PM
As an aside does any American at a top club not become a top seller in the US? A lot of US fans buy a Dempsey Arsenal jersey or a Bradley Juve jersey, etc. We can knock the US as a soccer nation but with 330 million people you don’t need a high market share to sell a lot of jerseys.
Posted by Nelsonaoatl on 2012/06/09 at 10:22 PM
yeah I think he’s a profitable acquisition and the fact he’s a good player helps.
I would like to see Dempsey excell in another country.
But to those doubting his ability to play for a top club in England, just look at his performances against the elite. He shows up big. I remember him scoring against Chelsea in multiple games.
Posted by narkid on 2012/06/09 at 6:51 PM
george, most of the top clubs in england are owned by americans and dempsey happens to want to play championship ball
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 10:11 PM
Dikky boy, “most” and “top”?
Posted by narkid on 2012/06/09 at 10:21 PM
let me clarify; the top two clubs in english football, american owned
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 1:13 PM
Can’t help but think Klose would have been a better option than Gomez…
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 1:28 PM
I knew if I wrote that, Gomez would score and make me eat my words!
Posted by KickinNames... on 2012/06/09 at 1:17 PM
Right on time Georgie! You’re killing it today…
Posted by JW on 2012/06/09 at 1:30 PM
Count me as not surprised about the qual
Posted by JW on 2012/06/09 at 1:32 PM
… ity of play today(stupid phone). Good teams often produce cagey games, and there’s a lot of chess going on.
Posted by dth on 2012/06/09 at 1:39 PM
Obviously the offense looks less than precise for Germany, but their defense has been very good in general. It was always strange that a a centerback pairing featuring a player as good as Hummels could be so leaky. Ultimately, probably just a blip.
Loew might need to insert more vitality in attack, especially out wide. Gotze might make a big difference for Muller or Podolski.
Posted by dth on 2012/06/09 at 1:40 PM
Or, for that matter, Andre Schurrle.
Posted by dth on 2012/06/09 at 1:43 PM
Or, Reus.
Posted by Alex on 2012/06/09 at 2:37 PM
As I was slowly scrolling down I was thinking “hey you missed Schurrle and Reus” and then “hey you missed Reus” hah
Posted by schmutzdeck on 2012/06/09 at 1:43 PM
Based in this game, I find it hard to believe Boateng is that much better than Chandler
Posted by SmiLeZ on 2012/06/09 at 3:38 PM
I don’t know man, he kept Ronaldo to a very, very quiet game. Maybe he didn’t generate much offense, but that surely wasn’t on his “to-do list” for this game. I thought he had a great game, especially the tackle from behind on Ronaldo in the penalty box late in the game. Probably the best tackle you’re going to see in the entire tournament.
Posted by schmutzdeck on 2012/06/09 at 10:33 PM
I agree with you. However, this is the first I’ve seen Germany since the World Cup and I don’t think Chandler would look out of place at right back for them.
Of course, there is a lot more to it than talent and I don’t know how that works with those guys.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 1:51 PM
Only if Portugal had more composure in front of goal. Probably had the better chances even if Germany had more possession.
Germany’s defence today does not look like that of a Championship winning side.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/09 at 2:02 PM
My bracket is looking very good, apart from Greece only managing a draw!
Posted by dth on 2012/06/09 at 2:55 PM
My fantasy team was doing really well at first–had Lewandowski and Dzagoev. I petered out thereafter.
Posted by Eric on 2012/06/09 at 2:24 PM
I swear, at least once a game when playing for Portugal, Ronaldo gets a look like, “Why can’t you all be as good as me?”
That shot Varela had stuffed was that moment today.
Posted by GeorgeCross on 2012/06/10 at 5:57 AM
Germany vs Netherlands is a historical match-up and always has an edge and generally bad blood.
Just think what satisfaction the German would have by sending the Netherlands packing. Major pressure on Netherlands to win.
Denmark must now fancy their chances to progress. After all, they topped the ECQ group that included Portugal.
Keeping my fingers crossed for Spain and Ireland today!