04/24/24
June 21, 2012
Portugal Advances Over Czech Republic: Portugal defeated the Czech Republic 1-0 in Euro 2012 quarterfinals Thursday. Cristian Ronaldo scampered around a defender and blasted a header in the 79th minute on a terrific cross by Joao Moutinho after twice hitting the post on earlier shots. The Czechs had no shots on goal and only two attempts the entire match. "Now it is big smiles and good music," Ronaldo said.
The wide view camera angle of Ronaldo's goal was amazing.
He was WAY outside the play, and then when Moutinho was about to lob the cross in, he started his break and snuck in for the header.
After looking pedestrian earlier in the tournament, he's suddenly got a swagger and confidence. He could have had 3 goals this game, plus a chance at another one if his teammate (who should have known he was offside) had just let the ball go past him, as Ronaldo was waiting to pounce on it (after timing his run to remain onside).
posted by grum@work at 02:04 AM on June 22, 2012
Ronaldo's burst of speed on that goal was like something out of a cartoon.
posted by rcade at 09:42 AM on June 22, 2012
Should Greece somehow sneak past the Germans today, in the next round we'll see a replay of the 2004 final, and how much Ronaldo has learned in eight years. But frankly I don't think Portugal played well enough to make me think they have a chance against Germany or Greece.
posted by billsaysthis at 12:14 PM on June 22, 2012
Greece? I'm pretty sure Portugal will smear Greece if they play them. Germany, probably not, but when CR is on a tear, it is definitely possible.
posted by josher71 at 12:59 PM on June 22, 2012
Should Greece somehow sneak past the Germans today, in the next round we'll see a replay of the 2004 final
Portugal will play the winner of Spain-France, not Germany-Greece. Today's winners will play Italy the winner of England-Italy.
It'd take until the final to get a possible repeat of the 2004 final. At which point, if the Greeks have managed to beat Germany and Italy, then they can certainly beat Portugal. Not least because you could put a lawn chair in the middle of your defence and it'd mark Hugo Almeida out of the game.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 01:24 PM on June 22, 2012
Portugal would crush Greece the way they played yesterday. What did you see in their game you didn't like, Bill?
posted by rcade at 02:15 PM on June 22, 2012
Yeah, 20 shots to 2 and a couple of Czech posts hit seemed like a decent effort to me.
posted by yerfatma at 02:34 PM on June 22, 2012
I thought the Greeks would be a little more aggressive, rcade, but I guess missing their skipper through suspension hurt more than expected. Also, the Danes were apparently much better than I realized from watching them against Germany, which led me to underestimate the Germans.
Plus, my bad for thinking Portugal plays England the winner of England-Italy. I still think Portugal would lose to the winner of that game and will if by some miracle they beat Spain the winner of Spain-France (and England somehow gets past Germany ;).
posted by billsaysthis at 12:30 PM on June 23, 2012
The Czechs looked hopeless on offense in the second half.