Written by Bobby McMahon on November 20, 2012 | 1 Comment »
Posted in European Championship

Last summer’s European Championship hosted by Ukraine and Poland is estimated to have generated over $1.5B in sponsorship and broadcasting revenue for the UEFA, the governing body for soccer in Europe.

The tournament’s success is a relatively recent phenomenon. The first edition did not take place until 1960. Only when the field was reduced to four was the venue for the semi-finals and final decided. The tournament grew incrementally and it took until England hosted in 1996 for the Euro field to reach 16 countries.

Many regard the European Championship as superior to the World Cup Finals claiming that the limit of sixteen finalists makes it more competitive – especially at the group stage – than the 32-team global championship.

So, when the decision was made a few years ago to expand the number of finalists to…to read more please click on link.

Written by Bobby McMahon on July 3, 2012 | 50 Comments »
Posted in European Championship

I don’t know if I will be able to keep it up but my goal is to post a daily update on Forbes.com. You can find the articles by following the links.

Coverage and games so far in latest-first order:

 A finally TV ratings in North America and in Europe.

ESPN up but TSN the big winner. Proves my point again that Canada supports the game in much larger per capita numbers than the US.

The final word on Germany, Portugal, Italy and Spain at Euro 2012.

Who met expectations and who did not.

Italy Proves To Be A Red-Rag To A Spanish Bull

Spain 4-0 Italy

Spain vs. Italy Pre-Final Blog

Seven thoughts before the final match of Euro 2012

For Coaches National Service Can Be Brief And Humiliating

Van Marwijk gone, Blanc possible – 24 hours later Blanc gone as well

Mario, Mario Can You Show Us Your Goals

Italy 2-1 Germany

Was Paulo Bento Really Wrong In Leaving Ronaldo Till Last?

Spain 0-0 Portugal

Spain wins penalty kick decider 4-2

Heroes or Villains – They Can All Be Beach Boys Now

Part 2 – Republic of Ireland, Croatia, England, Sweden, France and Ukraine

Euro 2012 – Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Six trams that packed their bags and are gone – but who met expectations and who crashed? Plus were “surprise” players close to the mark? Poland, Czech Republic, Greece, Russia, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Penalty Kick Decider Consigns England To The Hurt Locker….Again

England 0-0 Italy

Italy wins penalty kick decider 4-2

A Very Xabi Performance From Spain And Curtains For France

Spain 2-0 France

Joachim Löw’s Decision Not Arrogant And Why His Critics Were So Wrong

Greece 2-4 Germany

Ronaldo Stoops To Conquer And Breaks Czech Stalemate

Czech Republic 0-1 Portugal

Euro 2012 TV Audiences Up And Why It Will Only Get Better

North American Broadcasters see triple digit growth

Oh Dear, Spoke Too Soon – Goal Line Controversy Alert At Euro 2012

England 1-0 Ukraine; France 0-2 Sweden

UEFA Holds Its Collective Breath But Officials Get Italy Goal Call Right

Italy 2-0 Republic of Ireland; Croatia 0-1 Spain

Netherlands Fail To Launch In Group Of Death But Ronaldo Achieves Lift Off

Germany 2-1 Denmark; Portugal 2-1 Netherlands

Walcott’s Turn Nips Swedes

England 3-2 Sweden

Dutch Oranje Goes Pear-Shaped At Euro 2012

Netherlands 1-2 Germany

Poland and Russia Both Make A Point + A Hackneyed Phrase

Poland 1-1 Russia (seem to be picking the draws)

 England’s 1-1 Draw With France the Height Of Their Ambition

France 1-1 England

Spain Draws 1-1 With Italy – Philistines Read At Your Peril

Spain 1-1 Italy

Dehli Serves Up Tasty Win For Denmark

Netherlands 0-1 Denmark

Poland Offers Bailout but Greeks Miss The Target …Again

Poland 1-1 Greece

Written by Michelle Ackermann on June 21, 2012 | 2 Comments »
Posted in European Championship

With the eight remaining teams set for the next round of the Euro’s,  it is time for me to eat some of my words. Perhaps I should have been more careful in my selections, or maybe I should have heeded the warning that the Euro’s are easily the most unpredictable tournament in the footy world.

Greek Dynasty and Czech Comeback

Perhaps the most exciting group as the first round came to an end, with these teams all fighting till the very last minute. Also, the only group where my predictions were completely off base, as I had chosen dark-horse, Russia as well as co-hosts, Poland to commence.

My reasoning you ask? With tactical players such as Arshavin, Glushakov and Pavlyuchenko, as well as the fact that Russia will be hosting the 2018 World Cup, pressure has been mounted on the team to show the world that they are indeed making strides.

As for Poland, one always wants to believe that the host nation has what it takes to make their country proud, but in this group the Greeks side, led by Captain Karagounis, surprised yet again by putting an end to Russian side, who merely needed a draw to continue. Confidence remains high despite the fact that their next opponent is tournament favorites, Germany. Will we see Greece cause another major upset like they did in 2004 by ousting tournament favorites, Germany?

“Group of Death”…but only for ‘Oranje’

My predicted winners, Germany, seemed to breeze through this round, becoming the first national team this year, to win 12 competitive games in a row, and the only team in the Euros to win all of their matches, seemingly well on their way to be crowned Champions.

On the other hand, the team I claimed would be the biggest disappointment, Portugal, changed their fate with the help of Ronaldo’s much feared right-foot. Though admittedly, CR7 seemed to only find his groove when it mattered, going from biggest letdown to hero in one game.

As for the Netherlands, my second selection in Group B, they seemed to fall short in every aspect. With rumors floating about that there is disharmony within the camp, perhaps the same fate that befell France in World Cup 2010 has moved on to haunt the Netherlands.  And the questionable selection of offense chosen by Bert van Marwijk, exiting the group without any points,  and for the first time ever losing three consecutive competitive games in a row, it didn’t come as much of a surprise.

Current and Former World Cup Champs Solidify Spot

With Spain looking to become the first nation to win three consecutive international titles, the pressure is most certainly on.

The Spanish team and Vicente del Bosque has taken much criticism from the Spanish press. From questioning his selection, to the formation he has chosen thus far, Del Bosque is feeling the heat, although he stated yesterday that the criticism is of no importance to him. If, and only if Spain does not go on to lift the Cup, maybe then he will think back on all the criticism.

As for L’Azzuri, the veteran Italian side proved once again that they are not yet a team to be forgotten. With the tactical skills of Pirlo, who seemed ever present as well as Cassano, Balotelli, and the beastly Buffon, they seem well on their way and are set to face England, who have had a trying build-up to the Euros.

Content with both teams going through, as my selection for Group C was spot on, I must admit that a part of me feels that Croatia, who played with so much heart and passion deserved to clinch a spot, but so the wheel keeps turning.

England and France Scrape Through

England sans Rooney seemed destined to disappoint, but when his banned finally lifted, he went on to score the winning goal. With a solid mixture of veterans and rookies, the team once again rose to  fans expectations and managed to end  top of Group D, despite the lack of confidence from critics.

At the other side of the same coin, “The Return of France” as dubbed by some, saw the French side finally return to their revered style of play.  Breakout star on the team would undoubtedly have to be right-back Mathieu Debuchy, but facing Vicente Del Bosque’s side next, the question must be asked, will their return to former greatness continue, or will it merely be a passing phase?

Predicted Final

Firmly behind my initial selection of Germany to lift the Cup, my selection of opponent has been eliminated and forcing my hand in selecting a new rival. As much as this pains me, my prediction for the Euro Final 2012: Germany v. Spain….sure to be an enticing and energized game. Hopefully this time around I won’t have to swallow my words, again….Auf Gehts Deutschland!

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