Aycliffe Today Sports Editor and Newton Aycliffe FC reporter Glen Robertson continues his daily Euro 2012 blog…
Portugal 1-0 Czech Republic
The Cristiano Ronaldo show made compelling viewing in the first quarter-final. The Real Madrid striker was at his menacing best, as Czech Republic’s ploy of playing for penalties was scuppered with Ronaldo’s 79th minute header.
You can see why the Czechs played that way. If they opened up, Ronaldo would have torn them apart.
Also, the Czechs are the best European side in history when it comes to penalties. Three shootouts, three wins. Twenty penalties taken, 20 scored. They even beat the Germans on penalties.
On top of that record, their goalkeeper Petr Cech has recently won a Champions League winners medal after making two saves in the penalty shoot-out.
Added to that Ronaldo’s tendency to miss in penalty shoot-outs (Champions League final 2008, against Cech and Champions League semi-final 2012) and Czech Republic may have been on to a winner.
But Joao Moutinho’s terrific cross was met by a flying header by Ronaldo, and Portugal were through to the semi-finals for the third time in the last four European Championships.
Portugal were more than worthy victors, and if Ronaldo remains in that form then they have a real chance of reaching the final.
Quarter final two – Germany vs Greece
This should be a routine victory for the Germans, but the Greeks will put up far more of a fight than the Czechs did last night.
The season of 2011/12 has been the year that reactive football has become the way of playing again.
After Barcelona and Spain dominated the last four years playing proactively, Chelsea and Altetico Madrid won both European trophies this season by sitting deep and hitting on the counter.
Greece won Euro 2004 playing this way and will again rely on the tactic to try to overcome the Germans.
Form says this should be an easy German victory but football’s latest trends say they will have to work very hard if they’re to progress to the semi-finals.
They should still succeed, but don’t expect the victory margin to be by four or five goals like some are suggesting.
Prediction: Germany 1-0 Greece
Bet of the Day: Germany to win by one goal 14/5
