Friday, July 5, 2024

Euro 2024

The quarter-finals are where things really get going in Big-Time Soccer.  The first quarter-final is Spain v. Germany from Stuttgart.  Spain scored in the 51st minute to take a 1-0 lead, but Germany equalized in the 88th minute.  So it looks like we are headed to extra time.

20 comments:

  1. And in extra time, Spain gets a header in the 119th minute to eliminate the host nation. Spain wins 2-1 and they move on to the semi-finals.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Spain will play the winner of Portugal and France in the semi-finals.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Here's what is going on. France has set up a siege around the Portugal goal, and they are sending ball after ball into the penalty box hoping to set up a shot. Portugal is defending and looking for a breakaway on the counter-attack. This pattern will continue until someone scores or we get penalty kicks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. 60 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France

    Portugal counterattacked and had France on its back foot for awhile, but could not score.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 70 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France

    Portugal back on defense now. 50 minutes until penalty kicks.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 80 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France

    Neither team making much progress now. 40 minutes until penalty kicks.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Full Time: Portugal 0 - 0 France

    Bring on the extra time.

    ReplyDelete
  8. In the 92d minute, Cristiano Ronaldo has a great chance for Portugal, but he boots it way over the crossbar.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The Guardian tells me that my analysis is wrong. Portugal has had the ball 61 percent of the time, and has 10 corners to only 3 for France. I apologize to Portugal, but to be honest I haven't paid much attention because I have never thought either team was close to scoring.

    ReplyDelete
  10. 100 minutes: Portugal 0 - 0 France

    Portugal still with the ball, just as the Guardian insisted. Nothing happening, just as I said.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Half-time of Extra Time: Portugal 0 - 0 France

    Only 15 minutes left until PK's.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Full Time (after extra time): Portugal 0 - 0 France

    Now they can finally do the PK's.

    ReplyDelete
  13. France nails all five of its penalty kicks, which is much harder than it looks (just ask England). Portugal missed one of its first four, so they were eliminated before even taking their fifth kick. France advances on penalty kicks, 5 to 3, and moves on to face Spain in the semi-finals.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I think the two best teams won today.

    ReplyDelete