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27 June 2012
EURO 2012: GROUP STAGE POINT TABLE
Euro 2012 fixtures and results
Friday, June 8
Saturday, June 9
Sunday, June 10
Monday, June 11
Tuesday, June 12
Wednesday, June 13
Thursday, June 14
Friday, June 15
Saturday, June 16
Sunday, June 17
Monday, June 18
Tuesday, June 19
Thursday, June 21
Czech Republic 0-1 Portugal, Quarter-final 1, 7.45pm
Friday, June 22
Saturday, June 23
Sunday, June 24
Wednesday, June 27
Thursday, June 28
Sunday, July 1
Winners SF1 v Winners SF2, Final, 7.45pm
Olympic Stadium - Kiev, Ukraine BBC & ITV
EURO SEMI FINAL LIVE STREAMING: PORTUGAL VS SPAIN
SPAIN
v
PORTUGAL
Dombass Arena, Donetsk, Ukraine
21:45 GMT, 27 June, 2012
***
Live Streaming : Link 1
Live Streaming : Link 2
Live Streaming : Link 3
Live Streaming : Link 4
Live Streaming : Link 5
Euro 2012 Semi-Final Preview: Spain vs Portugal
SPAIN
v
PORTUGAL
Dombass Arena, Donetsk, Ukraine
21:45 GMT, 27 June, 2012
***
The first semifinal of the Euro 2012 pitches the defending champions Spain and their Iberian neighbours Portugal, hopeful of getting their first ever big international title, in a re-edition of a first knockout stage of the World Cup 2010 match that Spain won 1-0 with the goal being scored by the currently injured David Villa on their way to the World Cup title.
Portugal have become much stronger since, though, under the guidance of Paulo Bento; but apparently so have the defending Euro and World champions, who keep making world class sides look very vulgar when they face Spain. Vicente del Bosque’s side will start as the obvious favorites, but Portugal should not be underestimated, especially after their great campaign so far.
This Iberian duel has all the makings of a fantastic semifinal.
Team News and Tactical Brief
Spain
Spain come into this semifinal high on confidence, after dismantling France in the quarters, and they have no injuries or suspensions to worry about, allowing Del Bosque to pick the best and most adequate team for this match.
The Spanish team has very few secrets; everyone can guess who will start, what their formation will be and how they will approach the match and play. The problem is stopping them. With Barcelona’s midfield trio of Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta controlling matches, Spain’s opponents are literally forced to camp in their own half and defend for their lives, much like Barcelona’s opponents in club football.
The only doubt is whether Torres will be fielded as the lone striker or Fabregas as a false 9 like against France. Apart from that, there are few, if any doubts. Casillas will be the keeper, with Alba, Arbeloa, Ramos and Piqué in defense; Alonso, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta and Silva in midfield, with Spain attempting to pass Portugal to death and suffocate them from the offset.
Probable Lineup: Iker Casillas; Jordi Alba, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa; Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, David Silva; Cesc Fabregas
Portugal
If the Spain are on a high, Portugal are too. After losing the opening match to Germany, Portugal’s campaign has been nothing short of impressive, beating Denmark, Holland and Czech Republic consecutively to reach the semifinals, with Cristiano Ronaldo grabbing the headlines.
But Spain are of course an altogether different proposition; against their Iberian neighbors, Portugal won’t dominate possession or dictate the tempo of the match, just like every other team (when facing Spain) they will be dominated. The key for Portugal in this match is great defense and work ethic, not only from the defenders but from the entire team; closing down spaces, trying to rush the Spanish players and not giving the likes of Silva and Iniesta even an inch are keys for Portugal’s success, as well as Rui Patricio’s performance; no matter how well you defend Spain, they always create at least a few decent chances.
After the first part of the job is completed – containing Spain – it will be time to counterattack and try to exploit the tremendous pace of Ronaldo and Nani. With Postiga injured, Hugo Almeida will start as a center forward and his height might be a weapon. The Cristiano Ronaldo vs Arbeloa matchup is one that the Portuguese side will surely try to exploit as well and regularly as possible, as it seems to clearly favor the Portuguese here.
The starting XI shouldn’t differ from the one used in the other matches, bar Almeida in the place of injured Postiga, only the gameplan will need to change out of necessity as it is almost impossible to take possession off Spain.
Probable Lineup: Rui Patrício; Fábio Coentrão, Bruno Alves, Pepe, João Pereira; João Moutinho, Raul Meireles, Miguel Veloso; Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Nani, Hugo Almeida
Key Match Facts
- Spain haven’t conceded a single goal in their eight knockout matches in Euros/World Cups.
- In the only occasions where Portugal and Spain ever faced in a knockout game, Spain won 1-0 in the World Cup 2010.
- Portugal won the last match against Spain 4-0, in a friendly in Lisbon in October 2010.
- Xavi Hernandez has completed more passes than any other player in this tournament.
TheHardTackle’s Player to Watch Out For
Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
Can he unlock the Portuguese defense?
The best player of the tournament and the difference maker for Spain. He is the one providing the spark and inspiration to go with all the possession and control, and the one to unlock defenses with accurate dribbling and pinpoint passes. We can expect more of that against Portugal on Wednesday.
TheHardTackle’s Prediction
Spain 2-0 Portugal
Spain have been looking ominous in this tournament so far and look like a safe bet to win their third major tournament in a row. Portugal obviously have a chance considering the amount of talented players in their squad, but Spain’s fast and accurate passing should wear them down eventually.
Article Sources: The HardTackle
EURO 2012: PORTUGAL VS SPAIN REVIEW
Counter-punching Portugal prepare Spain ambush
Having swept past France to reach the semi-finals, Spain can expect a more exacting ordeal on Wednesday when they face a Portugal team who beat them 4-0 in their last meeting.
Spain have largely held the upper hand against their Iberian rivals, losing just nine times in 37 encounters, and they edged Portugal 1-0 in the last 16 en route to their triumph at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
However, Portugal claimed emphatic revenge less than five months later with a four-goal victory in Lisbon that condemned the reigning world and European champions to their heaviest defeat in 47 years.
The teams have changed little since. Nine members of Portugal's likely starting line-up at Donbass Arena in Donetsk on Wednesday featured in the game, while Spain are expected to start with eight of the same players.
Cristiano Ronaldo terrorised the Spanish back line at Estadio da Luz two years ago and would have claimed one of the finest goals of his career had Nani not headed his goal-bound shot over the line from an offside position.
The 27-year-old is not short of scores to settle against a team who can call upon five of his Real Madrid colleagues.
After match-winning performances against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, he is finally making his mark at a major tournament and Spain's ability to keep him quiet will be pivotal.
"We will be taking special care of Cristiano Ronaldo," promised Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, whose players successfully muzzled the Portugal captain in their encounter at the last World Cup.
"It won't be an individual (marking) thing. There will be permanent support (from midfield), as there was two years ago."
The match should provide an intriguing clash of styles, with Spain likely to dominate possession while Portugal await opportunities to spring forward on the counter-attack.
For the first time at the tournament, Portugal coach Paulo Bento will be obliged to change his starting line-up due to the thigh injury sustained by striker Helder Postiga in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Czech Republic.
Besiktas' Hugo Almeida is set to deputise, although 20-year-old Benfica striker Nelson Oliveira is also in contention, while defenders Pepe and Fabio Coentrao are both fit after sitting out training on Saturday to rest injuries.
Spain reported no new injuries after their victory over France, but Del Bosque must decide whether to persevere with Cesc Fabregas in the 'false nine' role or restore Fernando Torres to his starting XI.
While Spain are gunning to become the first team to win three consecutive major international tournaments, Portugal are aiming to reach a first final since their heartbreaking loss to Greece as hosts of Euro 2004.
The two sides' records in semi-finals are sharply contrasting.
Spain have never been beaten at this stage of an international competition, but Portugal have won only once in five attempts.
Having swept past France to reach the semi-finals, Spain can expect a more exacting ordeal on Wednesday when they face a Portugal team who beat them 4-0 in their last meeting.
Spain have largely held the upper hand against their Iberian rivals, losing just nine times in 37 encounters, and they edged Portugal 1-0 in the last 16 en route to their triumph at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
However, Portugal claimed emphatic revenge less than five months later with a four-goal victory in Lisbon that condemned the reigning world and European champions to their heaviest defeat in 47 years.
The teams have changed little since. Nine members of Portugal's likely starting line-up at Donbass Arena in Donetsk on Wednesday featured in the game, while Spain are expected to start with eight of the same players.
Cristiano Ronaldo terrorised the Spanish back line at Estadio da Luz two years ago and would have claimed one of the finest goals of his career had Nani not headed his goal-bound shot over the line from an offside position.
The 27-year-old is not short of scores to settle against a team who can call upon five of his Real Madrid colleagues.
After match-winning performances against the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, he is finally making his mark at a major tournament and Spain's ability to keep him quiet will be pivotal.
"We will be taking special care of Cristiano Ronaldo," promised Spain coach Vicente del Bosque, whose players successfully muzzled the Portugal captain in their encounter at the last World Cup.
"It won't be an individual (marking) thing. There will be permanent support (from midfield), as there was two years ago."
The match should provide an intriguing clash of styles, with Spain likely to dominate possession while Portugal await opportunities to spring forward on the counter-attack.
For the first time at the tournament, Portugal coach Paulo Bento will be obliged to change his starting line-up due to the thigh injury sustained by striker Helder Postiga in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Czech Republic.
Besiktas' Hugo Almeida is set to deputise, although 20-year-old Benfica striker Nelson Oliveira is also in contention, while defenders Pepe and Fabio Coentrao are both fit after sitting out training on Saturday to rest injuries.
Spain reported no new injuries after their victory over France, but Del Bosque must decide whether to persevere with Cesc Fabregas in the 'false nine' role or restore Fernando Torres to his starting XI.
While Spain are gunning to become the first team to win three consecutive major international tournaments, Portugal are aiming to reach a first final since their heartbreaking loss to Greece as hosts of Euro 2004.
The two sides' records in semi-finals are sharply contrasting.
Spain have never been beaten at this stage of an international competition, but Portugal have won only once in five attempts.
