Euro 2012: Top 5 Goalkeepers

We take a look at the top 5 goalkeepers of the Euro 2012 as per the ratings index. The top 5 goalkeepers remain unchanged from the group stages, with Neuer slipping down...

Stephan Andersen

Stephan Andersen has been the `Best Goalkeeper` in the Euro 2012. The Dane made a number of crucial saves and was flawless in dealing with crosses to keep his side in contention in the `Group of Death`. The Evian number one kept his nerve and denied both Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie in one-on-one situations, unfortunately that`s all we saw from him in this edition of Euros.

Iker Casillas

The Euro 2012 winning captain conceded only goal from open play in the tournament, coming way back in Spain`s opening tie against finalists, Italy. Casillas was untested for most of the tournament, but showed immense concentration when called upon, racking up quality saves and the crucial penalty save of Jao Moutinho. Casillas, who captained his side to an unprecedented third straight success at international level recorded his 100th international victory in doing so, a feat unmatched by any other player. Casillas also broke Dino Zoff`s European Championship record of 494 minutes without conceding, setting a new record of 511 minutes without being beaten as Spain retained their continental crown.

Stipe Pletikosa

Pletikosa was highly consistent for Croatia. He started his European campaign with claiming poor crosses and weak efforts from the Irish before the highlight of his tournament, which was surely his double-save against Claudio Marchisio when his side drew against Italy. The Croatian No. 1 almost won his side a point against Spain with numerous saves before Jesus Navas broke the deadlock two minutes from time.

Przemyslaw Tyton

The PSV number one pounced on his chance, saving a penalty with his first touch of the ball in the opening game against quarter-finalists Greece. The home side’s hero went on to make a number of important saves which saw him keep Arsenal’s Wojciech Szczesny out of the starting line-up in Poland’s final group game against Czech Republic.

Manuel Neuer

Neuer was an onlooker for major periods of the tournament, but displayed his sharp reflexes when he was called into action. The German shot-stopper was not at fault for conceding two goals in each of the two knockout stages and showed his handling skills to keep out long shots as well as his spectacular outfield skills, using his head and feet to boost his side’s attacking threat while losing to Italy.

Euro 2012 : Fernando Torres wins Euro 2012 Golden Boot,winning campaign

Kiev: Fernando Torres has collected the Euro 2012 Golden Boot, scoring three goals during Spain`s title-winning campaign.

In a dramatic turn of events the 28-year-old ensured it would be who won the accolade with a superb 15-minute cameo in the 4-0 final win over Italy to put another torrid season behind him. Despite being level with Mario Gomez on three goals and one assist, he takes home the prize having played fewer minutes than his German counterpart.

Torres scored Spain`s third in the final with a calm finish before assisting his Chelsea team-mate Juan Mata for their fourth moments later, which together with his brace against Republic of Ireland in the second group game saw him top the scorer`s charts. The Spaniard also became the first ever player to score in two separate European Championship finals.

Second-placed Gomez scored the only goal as Germany defeated Portugal in their Group B opener before netting a classy brace against Netherlands in the next game.

He then supplied an assist with a skewed shot in the 2-1 win over Denmark that fell to Lukas Podolski who then slotted home.

Alan Dzagoev came in third position having played the least amount of minutes of all other players who were level on three strikes but his goals were not enough to stop Russia from being eliminated at the group stage.

Mario Mandzukic suffered a similar fate to Dzagoev as his trio of goals ensured that Croatia put up a staunch fight for progression from Group C.

There was a silver lining for the striker however as his impressive displays against Republic of Ireland and Italy earned him a permanent move to Bayern Munich.

Mario Balotelli and Cristiano Ronaldo complete the table despite both coming in for criticism early in the competition for their slow starts.

Balotelli`s double against Italy booked his nation a spot in the final but they were powerless to resist Spain who won their third consecutive major international trophy.

After ensuring Portugal advanced to the semi-final with a double against Netherlands and the winner in the quarter-final versus Greece, Ronaldo failed to put in a decisive display against Iberian rivals Spain in the semi-final.

croatia vs italy live updates

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Here is how the game panned out..

90 + 5 min Kranjcar (Croatia) has an final effort on goal, thunderous drive, buffon saves it on the second attempt.

90 + 4 min Free kick for Itlay, Pirlo takes it not a good one, cleared.

90 + 3 min SUBSTITUTION Kranjcar (in) - Mandžukic (out) (Croatia).

90 + 2 min Chance for Italy, as Cassano takes the ball away from his teammate at the edge of the box, and passes to Pirlo who does not find any space.

90 + 1 min Crucial interception by Schildenfeld as Pirlo tries a pass to Cassano.

90 min Buffon takes a long Strinic cross and that’s FIVE long minutes of added time.

89 min Modric goes for goal from a tight angle, right wing, ball sails over the cross bar.

87 min Giovinco (Italy) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Vukojevic (Croatia).

86 min Free kick for Italy, in a favorable position, Schildenfeld fouled Giovino Yellow Card Gordon Schildenfeld. Pirlo takes the kick from the right wing headed away.

84 min Srna concedes the corner as Giovinco’s cross puts the keepr in a spot of bother, Srna clears it for corner.

83 min SUBSTITUTION Eduardo (in) - Jelavic (out) (Croatia), and Giovinco (in) - Cassano (out) (Italy).

80 min: YELLOW CARD for Montolivo on a foul on Mandžukic.

77 min: Maggio (Italy) is flagged for offside.

75 min: Montolivo (Italy) has an attempt on goal,open space for Montolivo but Pletikosa makes the save.

72 min: GOOOAAALLLL Mandžukic (Croatia) scores! Good long cross in by Ivan Strinic from deep left, Mario Mandzukic goes behind Giorgio Chiellini who mistimed his jump, Mandzukic, takes a touch before blasting in off the post. It 1-1, and Italy have been pegged back once again from 1-0 to 1-1.

70 min: SUBSTITUTION Antonio Di Natale (in) - Mario Balotelli (out) (Italy).

69 min: Free kick for Itlay right in the middle, di Natale warming up.

68 min: SUBSTITUTION Danijel Pranjic (in) - Ivan Perisic (out) (Croatia).

67 min: Montolivo (Italy) is penalised for a foul on Srna (Croatia).

66 min: Modric (Croatia) is penalised for handball.Tried to control a volley with the chest but gets a hand to it.

62 min: SUBSTITUTION Riccardo Montolivo(in) - Thiago Motta (out) (Italy).

61 min: Balotelli (Italy) has shot on target, long range over the cross bar.

59 min: Modric (Croatia) is penalised for a foul on De Rossi (Italy).

58 min:Corluka (Croatia) is penalised for a foul on Cassano (Italy). Chiellini (Italy) takes the free-kick.

55 min: Strinic (Croatia) has an attempt on goal. Corner for Croatia, Thiago Motta (Italy) is cautioned by the referee. YELLOW CARD for Thiago Motta.

53 min: Jelavic (Croatia) has an attempt on goal, corner won, Rakitic (Croatia) takes the corner a low one cleared one. But Rakitic gets the ball again at the right wing, dangerous ball in no one attacked!!!

51 min: Cassano goes for goal. Defectinoas Corner for Iltay, Pirlo delivers, well defended by Strinic.

50 min: Vukojevic (Croatia) is penalised for a foul on Balotelli (Italy)

49 min: Modric drives strong from the edge of the box, the ball kept on rising.

48 min: Corluka (Croatia) commits a simulation foul.

47 min: Modric goes for goal, weak one, Buffon saves it.

46 min: Croatia get under way in the second half with Giaccherini (Italy) fouling Srna (Croatia). Modric is playing higher but just behind Jelavic.

The Italians outpaced their Balkan neighbours in the first half as the Azzurri were on the ascendency for the first 45 minutes of the game going into half time 1-0 up.

Antonio Cassano and Mario Baletolli had ample chances at the goal with Italy getting 11 total shots at goal but it was the top class free kick from the 33-year old midfield maestro, Andrea Pirlo in the 39th minute from the left wing that made all the deference in the middle.

It was entertaining bit of play by both the teams but Italy created more chances as Croats, even though had some terrify play led by captain Srna failed to get something substantial out of it.

So that is the end of the first half with Italy leading one goal to nil courtesy a moment of pure genius by 33-year old Andrea Pirlo.

45 + 1 min: one minute of added time as Mandžukic (Croatia) has an effort on goal from the ring wing, collected by Buffon.The referee blows for half-time.

45 min: Srna (Croatia) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Balotelli (Italy).

42 min: Corner awarded to Italy. Pirlo (Italy) takes the corner. Antonio Cassano dahses to the near post, but his header flies over.

39 min: GOOOAAALLLL by Pirlo. Total class from the veteran, amazing free kick by the midfielder, from the corner of the box on the left side, Pirlo curls the ball just over the defensive wall, and into the bottom corner. Italy 1-0 Croatia.

39 min: Rakitic (Croatia) is penalised for a foul on Balotelli (Italy), Pirlo to take the free kick.

37 min: Twice denied by Pletikosa, Marchisio with the attempt on both the occasion, that had to be a goal.

35 min: Cassano (Italy) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Vukojevic (Croatia).

34 min: Baletolli goes for goal again, firing wide with a strong shot from range.

33 min: Cassano shoots just wide from a difficult angle on the right side, Leonardo Bonucci flicks the ball into space in the box, and Antonio Cassano fires across the goal from the angle.

31 min: Chance again for Italy Marchisio (Italy) has an effort on goal from the edge of the area after first Mario Balotelli then Antonio Cassano is crowded out. Well blocked by Gordon Schildenfeld.

29 min: Baletolli (Italy)fined by Strinic (Croatia).

28 min: Chance for Italy !!! Cassano darts into the area by a lovely turn of pace beating Schildenfeld, but his shot of goal is blocked before being taken by a perfectly timed tackle by Schildenfeld.

27 min: high ball in from Srna (Croatia) with corner, Perišic (Croatia) has an attempt on goal with the header, straight to Buffon though.

26 min: Giaccherini concedes a free kick in a dangerous position, Croat Captain Srna delivers from left wing, deflection from the wall, corner for the Balkans.

24 min: Balotelli (Italy) is penalised for a foul on Strinic (Croatia). Slight nudge on the back.

22 min: Jelavic (Croatia) is penalised for a foul on De Rossi (Italy). De Rossi (Italy) takes the free-kick.

20 minIvan Rakitic with the attack for the Croats, as he passes to Darijo Srna down the right. The winger's cross is well held at the near post by Gianluigi Buffon as Jelavic is inches away from connecting with another dangerous low cross,

19 min Good delivery by Perisic as Chiellin and Jelavic go down inside the area. Free kick to Italy.

18 minBaletolli wins a corner, Pirlo takes the kick, just a tad long, scrum in the middle but cleared eventually by the Croats

17 min: Cassano (Italy) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Schildenfeld (Croatia).

15 min Balotelli (Italy) has an effort on goal for the third time, this time on target but Croat goalie stops it well. Too much space for Baletolli.

14 min fantastic ball from Pirlo to Baletolli but the ball is cleared.

12 min Baletolli again goes for goal, blocked by Corluka. But bal laws still loose and Marchisio tried his luck as his drive goes narrowly over. Cassano was the man behind that move, stunning pass to find Baletolli inside the area.

11 min good run by Perišic as he sprints past Marchisio, but is stopped by Giaccherini.

9 min Free kick for Croatia, Chiellini fouls Jelavic.

8 min First Corner for Italy, Pirlo takes it, not strong, cleared away with ease.

6 minJelavic (Croatia) has an attempt on goal, weak one as he tried a bicycle kick. Buffon takes the ball.

5 min Mandžukic (Croatia) concedes a free-kick for a foul on Chiellini (Italy).

3 min Great opportunity for Italy, Baletolii has a shot on goal just wide.

1 min So we are under here at Municipal Stadium Poznan, Poznan.

Coin toss won by Srna (Croatia) he chooses the side, Italy to start of the proceedings.

Italy have never won their second group match in last 5 major tournaments whereas Croatia have never lost theirs.

National Anthems of Croatia followed by the Italians.

Dancers on the field with white flags doing the now customary pre-match routine that we have seen in all the euro matches so far.

Daniele De Rossi usually a midfielder, impressed as a makeshift centre-back against Spain and with an unchanged squad and he will be in charge of Luka Modric this evening.

Welcome to the live coverage of the Group C fixture of Euro Cup 2012 between Italy and Croatia.

Croatia: Pletikosa, Strinic, Corluka, Schildenfeld, Rakitic, Vukojevic, Modric, Srna, Perišic, Jelavic, Mandžukic.

SUBS: Kelava, Subašic, Šimunic, Buljat, Vrsaljko, Vida, Pranjic, Badelj, Dujmovic, Kranjcar, Kalinic, Eduardo.

Italy: Buffon, Maggio, Chiellini, Bonucci, Motta, Marchisio, Giaccherini, De Rossi, Pirlo, Balotelli, Cassano.

SUBS: Sirigu, De Sanctis, Ogbonna, Balzaretti, Abate, Barzagli, Montolivo, Diamanti, Nocerino, Di Natale, Borini, Giovinco.

Italy drew 1-1 with England in their opening game as Croatia had little trouble dispatching Republic of Ireland 3-1

Euro cup 2012 : Germany - Netherlands 2:1

http://euro-2012news.com/review/1079/germany---netherlands-21

Germany has defeated one of its main competitors in fight for European Championship's gold, before even clearing the group.

The first half of German and Dutch showdown was somewhat reminiscent of the first half of the game earlier this day.

Germans, the same as Portuguese, underwent well-prepared attacks in the first minutes, but recovered calmness pretty fast and soon moved the game to competitor's half of the field. Germans even scored roughly at the same time.

On the 26th minute, the Dutch gave Schweinsteiger a huge space (and not for the last time! who plays like this?!).

Having got an opportunity for thoughtful attack, Bastian paused, saw Mario Gomez in advantageous position and accurately crossed to him.


Mario received the ball, turned around to the goal and made an accurate goal attempt - 0:1. On the 38th minute, Gomez stormed into the 'orange' penalty area from the right and shot a goal with powerful and accurate kick. And again no one prevented the forward from 'comfortable and cozy' attack. And again everything resulted in a goal. 0:2.

Only on the 73d minute, the Dutch managed to bring back intrigue to the game.

Van Persie's cannon ball from outside the box became the first goal for the Dutch on Euro-2012. The team got the second wind, however, massive attacks and open football didn't help them to come back from behind.

19 Days to euro cup Final ....

Teams P Pts
A Russia 2 4
Czech Republic 2 3
Poland 2 2
Greece 2 1

B Teams P Pts
Germany 2 6
Portugal 2 3
Denmark 2 3
Netherlands 2 0

C Teams P Pts
Spain 2 4
Croatia 2 4
Italy 2 2
Republic
of Ireland 2 0

D Teams P Pts
Ukraine 1 3
England 1 1
France 1 1
Sweden 1 0

euro cup 2012 news : today Italy vs Croatia game

Italy vs Croatia: Italy team preview


Italy secured an impressive draw against Spain in their Group C opening match at the Euro Cup 2012 at Gdansk.

Tonight they will take the field against Croatia.

I get a feeling that this will be a more exciting match that their first one.

Independent Croatia has not lost a game against Italy. That means,

in the last 21 years, Italy was never able to beat them! That is some record!

Italy must show the attitude to win this one for keeping alive their prospects for a knock-out berth. They have the last match in the group stage against Ireland,

but if they leave things that far then they would have to depend on fortunes and maths to get a place in the next round.

I don't think coach Cesare Prandelli and company would like to leave it to the last.

Croatia has a very strong team which is good in the midfield and attack too. While Italy must score goals to win this one, they must also ensure that their defence does not leak. So, over the 3-5-2 formation that was adopted against Spain, I prefer to see a 4-4-2 formation to start with. For me, that would sacrifice Christian Maggio from the right wing position and fit Federico Balzaretti to the left back position. It would strengthen the defence with four in the back, with Daniele De Rossi and Giorgio Chiellini as centre backs and Leonardo Bonucci on the right back position and Balzaretti on the left back. At the goal would be Gigi Buffon as usual. In the midfield, I would go with Thiago Motta on the right, Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio in the middle, and Sebastian Giovinco on the left. Though Mario Balotelli was totally off-colour in the opening match, I would give him another chance to wipe off the bad memories from that match. Balotelli is an impressive footballer and I don't expect him to make those mistakes again. I considered a place in the starting line-up for Antonio Di Natale, but he might not have the full energy to run the entire 90 minutes of it. Moreover, he is a sure shot goal scorer when the team badly needs them. If any of the strikers go bad, may be Prandelli can field Di Natale for the entire second half. Along with Balotelli, would be Antonio Cassano in the strike.


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euro cup 2012 news : shedult .....result ...

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