EURO 2012 Fixtures - October 2010 - update 10/9/10

Why are the games on Fridays now?! That is so cruel! I am at work in the afternoon and can't watch now! It is not that I already missed wednesdays games (now moved to tuesdays for some reason) and now this! That is one thing I really miss about Europe. Beautiful evenings with lots of soccer games. And good food...Sacrifice must be made!

In bold, updates. Next games are already this coming Tuesday. New tables and analysis shortly after!

Here is the groups situation after September games:
Group A
1. Germany 2 2 0 0 7-1 6 (six points)
2. Turkey 2 2 0 0 6-2 6
3. Austria 1 1 0 0 2-0 3
4. Belgium 2 0 0 2 2-4 0
5. Azerbaijan 1 0 0 1 1-6 0
6. Kazakhstan 2 0 0 2 0-5 0
OCT 8
Kazakhstan - Belgium 0-2
Austria - Azerbaijan 3-0
Germany - Turkey 3-0

The last game will be a beauty and I take Turkey over Germany (yes, can't and won't ever bet for Germany even though they don't play like cyborgs anymore having foreigners on the team). With Hiddink in charge I would expect Turkey to narrowly win this group. If there were pure Germans in the team then no hope for Deutsche. Interesting to see how Real Madrid Mesut Ozil (his family is from northern Turkey; he speaks fluent Turkish) plays against Turkey. The other games have to happen. Or do they?
Big win for Germany (3-0). Ozil, who was booed by Turkish fans throughout the game (that was played in Germany!) scored a goal and now the hatred will multiply by a zilion (not that he cares, I guess). The rematch is in a year and a lot can happen in 12 months. Winning in Istanbul and Germany losing points with Austria playing their little derby can still see Turks atop. But they have to play to their potential. Ozil Khedira and other youngsters are sehr gut.

Group B
1. Ireland 2 2 0 0 4-1 6
2. Slovakia 2 2 0 0 2-0 6
3. Russia 2 1 0 1 2-1 3
4. Armenia 2 0 1 1 2-3 1
5. Macedonia 2 0 1 1 2-3 1
6. Andorra 2 0 0 2 1-5 0
OCT 8
Armenia - Slovakia 3-1
Andorra - Macedonia 0-2
Ireland - Russia 2-3

Ireland must win this group relatively easily with Russia finishing 2nd. Performance of Macedonia will be interesting to follow. They might finish ahead of Slovakia, which will run out of luck this time. WHAT the hell was that?! 0-3 at home to Russia?! Irish found a way to score 2 late goals but way too late.
Group C
1. Italy 2 2 0 0 7-1 6
2. Serbia 2 1 1 0 4-1 4
3. Northern Ireland 1 1 0 0 1-0 3
4. Estonia 2 1 0 1 3-3 3
5. Slovenia 2 0 1 1 1-2 1
6. Faroe Islandes 3 0 0 3 1-10 0
OCT 8
Serbia - Estonia 1-3
Slovenia - Faroe Islandes 5-1
Northern Ireland - Italy 0-0

Although Italy is likely to top the group, unless erratic Serbia surprises again, in 2012 - 3 games and out. That's all folks. Next! Total HUMILIATION for Serbia! Italians end up only with a draw. These teams want to top Group F in terms of "excitement" that they offer to their fans. Ugly.

Group D
1. Albania 2 1 1 0 2-1 4
2. Belarus 2 1 1 0 1-0 4
3. Bosnia Herz. 2 1 0 1 3-2 3
4. France 2 1 0 1 2-1 3
5. Romania 2 0 2 0 1-1 2
6. Luxembourg 2 0 0 2 0-4 0
OCT 8
Luxembourg - Belarus 0-0
Albania - Bosnia Herzegovina 1-1
France - Romania 2-0

Actually picked Bosnia to win this group. Horrible to see them lose to France instead of taking advantage of the frogs' weakness. It still might happen, though. Romania and Belarus will only annoy the two teams. Albanians at home are always dangerous. Quite a humiliation for belarus as well. important points lost by bosnia and frogs luckily won again. This will be a tight race all the way till the end.

Group E
1. Sweden 2 2 0 0 8-0 6
2. Netherlands 2 2 0 0 7-1 6
3. Moldova 2 1 0 1 3-2 3
4. Hungary 2 1 0 1 2-3 3
5. Finland 2 0 0 2 1-4 0
6. San Marino 2 0 0 2 0-11 0
OCT 8
Hungary - San Marino 8-0
Moldova - Netherlands 0-1

Holland all the way. Sweden will take the 2nd comfortably. Sorry crazy-blonde Fins, sorry Balaton lovers. Just get out of the way. Ok, make Swedes suffer a bit. They deserve it. Just because. (Ibra's face does make me want to shoot him with a dart.) Holland wins barely but 3 points are all it matters.

Group F
1. Croatia 2 1 1 0 3-0 4
2. Israel 2 1 1 0 3-1 4
3. Latvia 2 1 0 1 2-3 3
4. Georgia 2 0 2 0 1-1 2
5. Greece 2 0 2 0 1-1 2
6. Malta 2 0 0 2 1-5 0
OCT 8
Georgia - Malta 1-0
Greece - Latvia 1-0
Israel - Croatia 1-2

Give me a break! Boredom! HEEELP! Croatia leading the way of this "fantastic" group. Brazil of Europe? That is ancient history. Greece will have to come 2nd again (emphasis on "will have to"). Israel should play in Asia where it belongs. They would actually qualify to world cup with that weak competition. Just like americans in their ridiculously uncompetitive zone. Shame. Commentary is needless of course. 1. Croatia, 2. Greece.

Group G
1. England 2 2 0 0 7-1 6
2. Montenegro 2 2 0 0 2-0 6
3. Wales 1 0 0 1 0-1 0
4. Switzerland 1 0 0 1 1-3 0
5. Bulgaria 2 0 0 2 0-5 0
OCT 8
Wales - Bulgaria 0-1
Montenegro - Switzerland 1-0

Unfortunately, England. I like Montenegro to stay 2nd. Big game for them against the cheese factory on Friday. Bulgarians and Swiss are so mediocre. Ouch. Nice win for Montenegro! They have a real chance to make the play-offs. Wishing/hoping that they win this group would be an early Christmas present for me. Go right ahead! Make my day!
Group H
1. Norway 2 2 0 0 3-1 6
2. Denmark 1 1 0 0 1-0 3
3. Cyprus 1 0 1 0 4-4 1
4. Portugal 2 0 1 1 4-5 1
5. Iceland 2 0 0 2 1-3 0
OCT 8
Cyprus - Norway 1-2
Portugal - Denmark 3-1

Here comes Denmark again. Norwegians will take Portugal out. Cyprus will surprise till the very end. Maybe even challange for the 2nd spot. Norway might be a winner in a battle between Denmark and Portugal.

Group I
1. Scotland 2 1 1 0 2-1 4
2. Lithuania 2 1 1 0 1-0 4
3. Spain 1 1 0 0 4-0 3
4. Czech Republic 1 0 0 1 0-1 0
5. Liechtenstein 2 0 0 2 1-6 0
OCT 8
Czech Republic - Scotland 1-0
Spain - Lithuania 3-1

Who else? Spaniards will leave the competition so far behind that earth-to-moon distance will look like a bedroom-to-bathroom stretch. Czechs are back! Not the good, old version of the 2004 great team but strong enough to cross the Polish border in 2012. Hey neighbors! Poor Lithuanians but I feel even worse for Scotland! Always high expectations, always getting kicked in the ass. Somebody has to, guys! Focus on your independence movement from London. You have my support. Cheers! Spain and Czech are through.