Euro 2012

[reindeer]

I beginning to think France will be the darkhorse potential winner. Every major tournament I have watched has had a team that has struggled going into the tournament find form and a long run at the championship (Germany/Brazil, Greece, Germany/France, Spain, Netherlands).

I would replace Spain and Netherlands with maybe Russia and Uruguay.

[Luffy]

I would replace Spain and Netherlands with maybe Russia and Uruguay.

Good prediction!

[Olympian2004]

They were talking about major tournaments, so it was not only about the EURO.

Less than 18 hours to go!

My predictions for the group stage, by the way:

Russia will go through in group A with 9 points, the Czechs will follow with 4 points. Poland (3 points) and Greece (1 point) will be eliminated.

The Netherlands will go through in group B with 7 points, followed by Germany with 7 points as well, but a slightly worse goal difference. Portugal and Denmark will be eliminated with 1 point each.

Spain will go through in group C with 9 points, followed by Croatia with 4 points. Italy and Ireland will be eliminated (3 resp. 1 point(s)).

France will win group D with 9 points, England will get 4. Sweden (3 points) and Ukraine (1 point) will be eliminated.

So the quarter-finals would be Russia - Germany, Netherlands - Czech Republic, Spain - England and France - Croatia.

[Durban Sandshark]

OK, time for for the broadcasting details for EURO 2012, you know you like them from the Olympics, the World Cup, and the Commonwealth Games, now it's the EURO 2012's turn.

Star with the co-hosts Poland and the Ukraine.

Poland: TVP 1, TVP 2, TVP Sport, TVP.pl, and TVP HD will cover all 32 games in Poland with TVP 1 airing the Opening Ceremony. Jerzy Engel, Rafa Patrya, Rafa Ulitowski, and

TVP's group games broadcast: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pl&u=http://media2.pl/euro2012/92154-Euro-2012-na-zywo-tylko-w-TVP.-Plan-transmisji-TV.html&ei=RQ7RT7OSA8OC2AX96tSuDw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CGsQ7gEwAg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtvp.pl%2Beuro%2B2012%2Btransmij%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26prmd%3Dimvns

TVP Commentary team: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=pl&u=http://gwizdek24.se.pl/euro-2012/komentatorzy-euro-2012-dariusz-szpakowski-bedzie-komentowal-najwazniejsze-mecze-powrot-jacka-lask_253039.html&ei=zw7RT43IK8rs2QW4oNCyDw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://gwizdek24.se.pl/euro-2012/komentatorzy-euro-2012-dariusz-szpakowski-bedzie-komentowal-najwazniejsze-mecze-powrot-jacka-lask_253039.html%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26prmd%3Dimvns

This is how Canada through TSN, TSN2, RDS, and TLN (TeleLatino) is getting the EURO 2012 schedule:

http://canadiansportsfan.wordpress.com/euro-2012-canadian-tv-schedule/

For international soccer tournaments broadcasting in Canada, it is the norm to use the international feed and announcers. EURO 2012 is going to be no different. All four of them here are British and have great experience covering such prestigous international tournaments. Also, Darren Anderton, former England international and Tottenham Hotspur star joins TSN as a studio analyst with Luke Wilmon and Jason De Vos in Toronto.

http://canadiansportsfan.wordpress.com/2012/06/04/euro-2012-on-tsn-commentators/

Not to worry, ESPN has one of those Brits too with Ian Darke and Steve McManaman ("Macca") returning for some EURO 2012 soccer action with Kasey Keller, Adrian Healy, Robbie Mustoe, Taylor Twellman, Derek Rae fill out the English commentary on ESPN, and ESPN2. Jorge Ramos, Ricardo Ortiz, Tato Noriega, Fernando Palermo, Hernan Pereya, and Rafa Puente are the Spanish counterparts for ESPN Deportes. All games with their commentaries are on ESPN3

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/06/06/espn-and-espn-deportes-commentator-assignments-for-uefa-euro-2012/137151/

http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2012-articles/may/espn-reveals-announcers-for-euro-2012-coverage.html

Sirius XFM has the digital radio rights provided by ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/06/4543289/siriusxm-to-offer-live-coverage.html

ESPN's EURO 2012 studio set. Not in either Poland or the Ukraine (too bad): http://www.epltalk.com/behind-the-scenes-look-at-espns-studio-set-for-its-euro-2012-coverage-video-43497

ESPN's studio team: http://www.livesoccertv.com/news/5695/espn-s-studio-team-for-uefa-euro-2012/

ESPN's Euro 2012 TV schedule: http://www.epltalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule

This is the TV schedule for NRK1, TV 2 Norge, and Canal 9 (from the Modern Times Group) for Norwegians: http://www.altomfotball.no/element.do?cmd=tournament&tournamentId=6270&useFullUrl=false

TV 2 is the anchor for the Norwegian coverage with it and NRK sharing from the quarterfinals to the semis. After that, it's TV 2/Sumo's alone:

http://www.tv2.no/sport/fotball/landslag/euro2012/slik-blir-fotballem-paa-tv-2-3799170.html

Canal 9's EURO 2012 broadcasting plans: http://www.canal9.no/9894

Andre Pops, Daniel Nannskog, Johanna Franden, Glenn Stromborg, Chris Harenstam, and Stefan Lindemborg headlines SVT's coverage of EURO 2012 on SVT1, SVT2, and SVT Play even with no final to air.

http://svt.se/sport/fotboll/sa-sander-svt-fran-fotbolls-em

But TV4 does as the shining jewel in its portion plus highlights of each and every match: http://www.livesoccertv.com/channels/tv4-sweden/

ARD and ZDF's Euro 2012 TV schedule in Germany: http://www.sportschau.de/uefaeuro2012/tvspielplan100.html

EURO 2012 TV schedule shared by RTP 1, TVI, SIC, and Sport TV (not to be confused with Brazil's SporTV, note the spelling difference):

Sport TV: http://www.sporttv.pt/Euro2012/Calendario2012.asp (group play) http://www.sporttv.pt/Euro2012/fasefinal2012.asp (knockout stage)

http://www.sporttv.pt/Euro2012/Comentadores2012.asp (sportscasters) http://www.sporttv.pt/Euro2012/Programas.asp (EURO 2012 programming)

RTP 1, TV1, SIC group games schedule: http://www.livesoccertv.com/channels/rtp-portugal/ (RTP1), http://www.livesoccertv.com/news/5656/guia-tv-euro-2012-em-portugal-todos-os-partidos-ao-vivo/ (RTP1, TVI, SIC, and Sport TV)

Eurosport's EURO 2012 plans with Arsene Wegner, Patrick Kluivert, Rafa Benitez, and Fredi Bobic featured: http://www.livesoccertv.com/news/5621/eurosport-secures-uefa-euro-2012-rights/ and

BBC and ITV EURO 2012 full TV schedule: http://www.live-footballontv.com/live-euro-2012-on-tv.html

[reindeer]

Good prediction!

It's not a prediction, I suggest you to learn read first. It was a reference to some past tournaments and in this case to the World Cup 2010.

[Ikarus360]

Spoiler: Rehearsals for tomorrow opening ceremony in Warsaw

[Durban Sandshark]

OK, time for for the broadcasting details for EURO 2012, you know you like them from the Olympics, the World Cup, and the Commonwealth Games, now it's the EURO 2012's turn.

Star with the co-hosts Poland and the Ukraine.

Poland: TVP 1, TVP 2, TVP Sport, TVP.pl, and TVP HD will cover all 32 games in Poland with TVP 1 airing the Opening Ceremony. Jerzy Engel, Raphael Patrya, Rafa Ulitowski, and

What I meant to say was that those guys and Andrej Juskowiak will act as analysts in the coverage for TVP before my computer got wonky. This is another translated and more detailed portion of what TVP will do with EURO 2012

http://translate.goo...%26prmd%3Dimvns

http://translate.goo...%26prmd%3Dimvns

TVP aired a controversial BBC doc about the unpreparedness of Polish and Ukrainian soccer stadiums for EURO 2012 and the fan abuse and racism:

http://translate.goo...%26prmd%3Dimvns

TVP commentator list: http://translate.goo...%26prmd%3Dimvns

TV Polska starts that very big day tomorrow (already that as of this writing in both nations) in Warsaw in what will be a major soccer festival with a special EURO 2012-themed edition of the top daily morning show Coffee or Tea.

http://translate.goo...%26prmd%3Dimvns

Like with the Olympics, Denmark's DR and TV2 will share in the coverage of EURO 2012 as Danish fans cheer on the Danish Dynamite led by Morten Olsen to victory like it so famously happened 20 years ago. DR's P3 will cover the Danish Dynamite on the radio.

Danmark Radio schedule with TV2's games: http://www.dr.dk/Spo...2012/100157.htm

TV2's EURO 2012 TV schedule starting with the QFs, everything's exclusively TV2: http://drupal-sporte...der-tv-2-fra-em

ETV1 will all the matches except for the other simultaneous final group match that will got ETV2 in Estonia.

http://jalgpall.err....95-8efdc2769b93

This is how Dutch fans will get their EURO 2012 fix that will include the Oranje on TV (mostly Nederland 1 and Nederland 3), online, radio, mobile, RSS, and Twitter

http://nos.nl/ek2012/volg-het-ek/

Schweizer Fernsehen Sport's TV schedule: http://www.sport.sf..../UEFA-EURO-2012

Finland's EURO 2012 YLE TV schedule from TV1 and TV2. What's interesting is that YLE TV1 and TV2 will not only alternate some day but also alternate halfs. YLE Puhe and Fem radio stations will do some games.

http://yle.fi/urheil...ohjelma/5602488

EURO 2012 TV schedule on Iceland's RUV. Does not say which channels specifically. I take it'll specifically RUV 1 for the most part: http://www.ruv.is/fi...ruv-em-opna.jpg

First National Channel of the Ukraine has a running show called Our Euro reporting how the stadiums, the organizing team, the national team, and the nation itself are all getting ready with the Ukraine welcoming the millions of fans from around the world. So far, in its schedule, 1TV Ukraine will broadcast all of the matches with next-day highlights from the previous day in the afternoon and will have the OC live in Warsaw. Can't find a schedule yet to all that. BTW, it's broadcasting some Polish movies lately as a tie-in.

SBS Australia's overhead in their details of the Australian EURO 2012 broadcast: http://theworldgame....-UEFA-EURO-2012

SBS' EURO 2012 broadcast schedule on SBS Two. Very disappointing at that, only 8 games out of 31?: http://media.sbs.com...st_schedule.pdf

Sentanta is supposed to be more complete--no coverage for NZ?!

SuperSport devotes two channels--SS3 and SSHD3-- for all 31 games of EURO 2012 in English and Portuguese in Sub-Saharan Africa

http://www.punchng.c...s-to-euro-2012/

[Faster]

This is the only problem with multiple hosts. It creates the potential for very weak groups. Move Germany and Russia and you would get a far more interesting and balanced dynamic.

[Scotguy]

opening ceremony looks good

[gotosy]

Flower power defines EURO ceremony

UEFA EURO 2012 burst into bloom in advance of the opening game, with a spectacular opening ceremony symbolising unity, rivalry and passion, as well as showcasing the tournament's elegant floral motifs.

With 20 minutes to go before kick-off between Poland and Greece, here was a grand statement of national-team football's great virtues; the ability to inspire the young, to bring people of all nations together, and in the best possible way, its ability to startle and confound. UEFA President Michel Platini asked the players at the tournament to "make us dream", and here was something straight from wonderland.

It kicked off with the ringing of six giant bells lowered from the stadium roof, then a throng of dancers decked out in national colours took to the field before two children – dressed as flesh-and-blood incarnations of tournament mascots Slavek and Slavko – came on. Their arrival prompted another transformation: the dancers whirled across the turf, with the half ball in the centre circle cracking open to reveal Hungarian concert pianist Ádám György, who treated the stadium to a burst of Chopin's Étude in A minor (Op.25 Nr.11).

With a flood of musical notes being carried out on to the pitch, the scene took a marked leap from the 19th century to the 21st, with DJ Karmatronic planting his decks on György's grand piano. The eight half footballs that had been carried on to the pitch burst open to reveal replicas of the eight UEFA EURO 2012 stadiums, and the pianist then gave a demonstration of his not insubstantial freestyling skills.

Fans lifted cards around the stadium, producing massive flags of all the competing nations, flipping them over to reveal the key UEFA principle 'Respect' at both ends of the stadium. The unique wycianka design that defines the look of UEFA EURO 2012 crept on to the field, with green tendrils linking the stadia together, as the grand tableau of the tournament logo gradually came together, with an inflatable replica of the bloom design rising from György's piano.

With a multinational team of 1,000 dancers under the control of creative director and executive producer Marco Balich, the ceremony demanded 1,200 costumes, 250 hours of rehearsals, 2,400 litres of water and 22,000 snacks. A phenomenal effort in every respect.

UEFA

[stark]

I really liked the Opening Ceremony! The Warsaw stadium looked gorgeous!

Germany my favourite! DEUTSCHLAND ÜBER ALLES

[Durban Sandshark]

That was a game the Polish really should have won were it not for the "howler" just for the home stadium pushing them on.

Sporza's EURO 2012 plans with the help of Canvas and on 12 in Belgium's Flemish part. All games televised live on Canvas with live streaming on sporza.be

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=http://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/voetbal/EK/120607_Euro2012_op_Sporza&ei=zkDST6m4MIqu8QT108iuAw&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://www.sporza.be/cm/sporza/voetbal/EK/120607_Euro2012_op_Sporza%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D843%26prmd%3Dimvns

ORF 1 (or as it now calls itself as ORFEins) in Austria will show almost of the EURO 2012 games with daily highlights show and replays late at night

http://tv.orf.at/program/orf1/20120608/598008001/339538/

All of the defending champs Spain's games will be on Telecinco like with the World Cup (and yes, will have Sara Carbonero keeping an eye on Iker Casillas) along with a few others and will alternate with Cuartro for group games except on the final group ones that play at the same time. All games are online at MiTele.es

http://www.telecinco.es/eurocopa/Eurocopa-Euro_2012-Mediaset_Sport_0_1626437644.html

EURO 2012 TV schedule from Fiji One and SKY Pacific's Super Channel

http://www.skypacific.tv/images/stories/G_Highlights/Copy%20of%20Euro%202012%20%28SUPER%29.pdf

[Westfale]

I really liked the Opening Ceremony! The Warsaw stadium looked gorgeous!

Germany my favourite! DEUTSCHLAND ÜBER ALLES

If you are really from Germany, you should know, that your sentence in capitals does not fit to 2012.

[stark]

Russia winning 2-1 great match

[markun]

Here is the opening ceremony in case anyone is interested

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixi6RCDLXBI

[Ikarus360]

Spanish media are idiotic. They criticized

PGE

Arena Gdansk because of a pic that makes it appear it's still under construction. When in fact, the pic was about a road which was being built nearby the stadium and has nothing to do with it.

The pic they put

How the stadium really looks now

Didn't tought i was gonna say this but i'm starting to believe the media truly has a war against Poland-Ukraine organizing comittee (though they're right with the racists groups in Ukraine, but come on, this went too far, people.)

Aw well, same criticism happened in 2010 WC and we all know it was a great event.

[deawebo]

Spain is only finding excuses... That's ridiculous!! They know they will not win... This Euros is Germany or the Netherlands... I also expect to see France giving a suprise! Russia did it well today

[Athan]

Spanish media are idiotic. They criticized

PGE

Arena Gdansk because of a pic that makes it appear it's still under construction. When in fact, the pic was about a road which was being built nearby the stadium and has nothing to do with it.

What I had heard in the news the previous days was that the stadium was built, but that the surrounding area was still under construction and that it wasn't expected to be finished for the Euro. I don't know whether this is right or wrong though. I didn't watch the matches yesterday so I can't judge what they said there, but I wouldn't trust anything coming from Telecinco, the official broadcaster in Spain. What can be expected from a TV channel whose contents are mostly "talk-shows" with people shouting and insulting each other?

Didn't tought i was gonna say this but i'm starting to believe the media truly has a war against Poland-Ukraine organizing comittee (though they're right with the racists groups in Ukraine, but come on, this went too far, people.)

That's just what I think too. Since Angela Merkel said she was going to boycott the tournament in Ukraine, I have the feeling that the media are trying to discredit everything Ukraine does. Also, the tournament is commonly being referred to as the "Ukraine Euro", as if Poland wasn't hosting half of it...

[Scotguy]

Just watched the Opening Ceremony and i liked it. Very colourful and i liked how it fit in with the whole look of the competition. Will put it at number 2 in the list of my favourites

[Rob2012]

I really liked the Opening Ceremony! The Warsaw stadium looked gorgeous!

Germany my favourite! DEUTSCHLAND ÜBER ALLES

If you are really from Germany, you should know, that your sentence in capitals does not fit to 2012.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Uz2WjPKuA&t=25m9s

Edited June 9, 2012 by RobH

[Scotguy]

Uefa has begun disciplinary proceedings against the Football Union of Russia for "improper conduct of supporters" during Friday's Euro 2012 game against the Czech Republic in Wroclaw.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18383678

[Luffy]

Putin is not gonna like that i Bet!

Knowing him he is going to take measures against this soon, if there is one thing Vladimir doesn't like is for the world to have a bad image of great Russia in the world and in Europe and when he can act against it because it's not Russia other interest (let's not talk about politics, Journalism, human rights and Syria here) he does it.

I already sense a very tight security at Sochi & Russia 2018 and some ugly measure against some football fans in the year.

Apart from some Russian stupidity i think that's a great euro so far, beautiful matches, beautiful stadiums and nice fans.

Putin is not gonna like that i Bet!

Knowing him he is going to take measures against this soon, if there is one thing Vladimir doesn't like is for the world to have a bad image of great Russia and when he can act against it because it's not against Russia other interests (let's not talk about politics, Journalism, human rights and Syria here) he does it.

I already sense a very tight security at Sochi & Russia 2018 and some ugly measure against some football fans in the year.

Apart from some Russian stupidity i think that's a great euro so far, beautiful matches, beautiful stadiums and nice fans.

[gotosy]

UEFA hand Russia fine, suspended point deduction

Russia will spend the next three-and-a-half years playing under the threat of a six-point deduction for their 2016 European Championship qualify campaign after UEFA today got tough over the behaviour of their fans.

The Russian Football Union were also fined €120,000 (£96,761) for the "improper conduct" of their supporters during their opening UEFA EURO 2012 Group A match against Czech Republic on Friday.

UEFA said in a statement: "The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has today decided to impose a deduction of six points on the Football Union of Russia (RFS) in the qualifying round of the next UEFA European Football Championship.

"This decision is suspended for a probationary period running from now until the end of the play-offs of the next UEFA European Football Championship (UEFA EURO 2016). The Football Union of Russia (RFS) has also been fined €120,000.

"The RFS was facing charges for the improper conduct of its supporters (crowd disturbances), the setting off and throwing of fireworks and the display of illicit banners at last Friday's UEFA EURO 2012 Group A match against the Czech Republic in Wroclaw. An appeal can be lodged against this decision within three days of the dispatch of the written decision."

UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings 24 hours after Russia's 4-1 win in Wroclaw on Friday night.

http://www.fifa.com/...id=1649303.html

[Olympian2004]

It's almost six years ago since I opened this thread -- and now we're already on the eve of the final of this EURO 2012! It's always appalling how time flies.

Anyway, it's time for a résumé: How do you judge this EURO?

I was surprised that actually not a single organisational flaw was reported here in Germany. Or I missed those reports. I mean, there were so many fears that Poland and especially could be unable to stage such a tournament with their under-developed infrastructure, with the lack of hotel rooms and motorways and the chaos during the stadia construction. Nothing of all that came across in the coverage about the EURO here in Germany. I had the impression that the supporters had a good time, that the stadia were excellent, that all logistic tasks were solved smoothly.

The only "blooper" was the thunderstorm in Donetsk during the Ukraine - France match, and even that was solved impressively when the two teams played on a drained field after the rain had stopped instead of having to fight a water battle.

Sportswise, I think that this EURO was a bit underwhelming. Just like in the recent World Cups, the defenders an defending midfielders were the most important people, there was a lack of thrilling offensive play mostly, which was also caused by the surprisingly weak or at least mediocre performances of the "big offensive stars" Spain, Netherlands and Germany. Right now, we have seen an average of 2.40 goals per match, which is the lowest average for an EURO since 1996 -- even if it's still better than the 2.27 goals average of South Africa 2010 and the 2.30 goals average of Germany 2006.

The teams mostly delivered solid performances, but it all lacked a bit of football magic. My own team's performance was good evidence for that -- they did a lot of magic during the qualifiers and even the friendlies of 2011, with brilliant passes, with an young team living their joy for football and showing no fear even against strong opponents. In this EURO on the other hand, they showed insecurities, a certain lack of creativity and individual class. It was good, but not impressive. And that applies to the other teams as well.

Correction: I mean, there were so many fears that Poland and especially Ukraine could be unable to stage such a tournament with their under-developed infrastructure...

[gotosy]

UEFA Chief Praises Ukraine for Euro 2012 Success

UEFA President Michel Platini met here Tuesday with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to praise Euro 2012 co-host Ukraine for its good organization of the tournament.

"It was an excellent tournament with good players, goals, matches and referees," Platini said.

The UEFA President officially eulogized Ukrainian President, Ukraine Football Association president Gryhoriy Surkis and UEFA Events executive in Ukraine Martin Kallen for the fruitful work they have put up as the event's organizers.

Platini said that he had received a lot of positive reviews about Euro-2012 in Ukraine and Poland from all over the world.

Yanukovych, for his part, appreciated Platini for the opportunity to host the tournament and expressed the desire to work together with the UEFA management to further develop football in Ukraine, Europe and around the world.

"We aim to host the World Cup in Ukraine," Yanukovych said, adding that Ukrainian authorities are working hard on this issue.

...

Xinhua

http://english.cri.c...2724s719224.htm