I don't know. You could also say that it was a coincidence. Or that we had to rest them because they just played France and Italy in one week. Russia just had the game of their lives that day, looked like superhumans, kept on going.
I don't know about NL, but Portugal rested players in the last group game because we were already through. We lost 2-0 to Switzerland and still went to the QF where we lost 3-2 to Germany
Just to be clear. Portugal and Netherlands both ended in 1st place in group stage and went out in Quarters (you made it sound like they lost in group stage). Maybe you're right that they lost momentum - but giving players a rest can be helpful in such a short competition. You can find plenty of examples where resting players on the 3rd game of group stage has proved beneficial. It's a tough decision for the coach.
Before this tournament started, i said Portugal had a very small chance of getting out of this group. I have no problem admitting that i under-rated their capacity to step their game up when it matters and i was wrong and that they deserved to qualify. Holland also proved me wrong for thinking that all their individual talents and their team performances in the past 4/5 years was going take them very far in the competition.
Netherlands certainly have been the surprise this tournement ... in that they completely failed to get a single win, and only 2 lousy goals. If Denmark had been drawn into any of the other three groups (swapping spots with France, Czech and Ireland) i'd say that they would have been through no sweat, just bad luck that they were drawn into the group with the strongest contestent from each pot
I disagree with that, at least for group C. They would have a tough time getting out of that group as well. Still, Denmark acquitted themselves well (although it was puzzling to see them sort of strolling around today when they needed the win).
Why? They do have a pretty strong squad and are Holland's bogey team. Denmark played a good Euro 2012 quali and aren't easy to play with their defensive style, nevertheless they clearly lack the offensive quality of teams like Holland, Germany and Portugal.
I had been saying it since the group was made. I though Denmark had a better chance getting out than Netherlands. Their defence was the weakest out of the four teams, they lack strength and height compared to Germany, Portugal, and Denmarks back four.
I feel sorry that only two of this four amazing teams can go through, each of them played three finals where anything could have happened, and has a dutch or a dane I wouldn't be ashamed at all by my teams performance.
Well the Danes have nothing to be ashamed of, can't say the say for my Dutch squad. They were supposed to be contenders but were completely outclassed in this group and go home without so much as a point. This is probably the biggest Dutch flop in a long line of historical disappointments. Ranks right up there with the talented 80s squads that couldn't even qualify for the WC.
I agree with the poster above, the Danes were an inch away from qualifying and gave everyone a good game. The Dutch were just plain disappointing (although I'm obviously happy that they were!). With their backs to the wall they started well but it fizzled out pretty fast. That team just lacked chemistry and with so much talent I think the coach needs to take significant responsibility for it.
Rui Patricio | 6.5 | He did well enough in the air, and was reacting well to the ball. Couldn't really do much with Van Der Vart's goal. Joao Perreira | 7.5 | One of the biggest surprised of the game. Was rather comfortable dealing with Sneijder and Robben on the wings. Made sure to force Robben to his weaker foot and was more aware at the far post then the previous games. Slide a beauty instinct through ball for Ronaldo for the 1st goal. Pepe | 7.5 | Another great performance from the Real Madrid man, covered in behind the defence well, coming to the aid of Coentrao and Perreira on more than one occasion. Moved the ball well into the midfield. Cleared various header off the back post. Commanding performance. Bruno Alves | 7.0 | Good clean game from Bruno. Looked dangerous on set pieces and dealt with everything in the air comfortably. Fabio Coentrao | 7.5| Had a good game at both ends of the pitch. Providing the team with added width as he over lapped. Also knew how to play Robben to his weakness. Put in a few dangerous crosses. Miguel Veloso | 7.0 | His best game so far this tournament. Lied deep in the midfield taking away passing lanes from the Dutch. Was very tidy with the ball, not forcing passes and finding the open man. Had a few wonderful balls over the top to start the counter attack. Joao Moutinho | 6.0| Tidy on offence and the workhorse on defence, making sure the Dutch never had to much time on the ball. Needs to stop over committing on the ground and to stay on his feet. Linked up well with Veloso, always tried to run into space once Portugal recovered possesion. Raul Meireles | 6.5 | His best game so far this tournament. Made good runs and appeared more active before coming off for Custodio. Was a constant thorn for the Dutch mids. Ronaldo | 9.0 | 2 goals, 2 posts, and was the outlet for Portugal. Came out to play today and made himself available to the team as an outlet. Was a threat everytime the ball seemed to come his way. Nani | 7.5 | Another great performance from the United winger. Will feel hard done not to have a goal, but his assist to Ronaldo for the 2nd was exquisite. Had the Dutch defenders guessing which direction he would go every time he touched the ball. Postiga | 6.0 | Good work rate from the Malaga man, but his touch and speed left more to be desired on numerous occasions. With that said he did hold up the ball well, allowing the midfield to come into play. Need to be less wasteful. SUB's: Nelson Oliviera | 6.0 | A good inclusion to take advantage of the tired, weak Dutch defence. Injected some pace into the game, and was able to latch onto 50/50 balls . Custodio | 6.5 | Came in to shore up the midfield defensively. Moved the ball quickly up the pitch and sat back next to Veloso when needed. Rolando | N/A |
I knew it and Portugal looks like a very solid side. Good defense,great midfield and two fast wingers that can cause damage. I said it before the tournament not to underestimate Portugal. They always do this. When expectations are low they play very well. I expect Portugal to beat the czech Republic. CR7 came around and will score more goals. I remember last summer at the U-20 world cup where no expected them to win but they came out with a strong defense and a winning attitude. When they played against Brasil I got scared that Brasil would lose. But they won(thanks to Oscar lol) but after that tournament Portugal gave me the impression that they will be a problem for a long time. If CR7 stays positive then they can go all the way.
I'm a bid sad that that's what people make out of Denmark's performance at this tournament. I thought that they were trying very hard not to play defensively which the ball possesion numbers also imply. I'm a bid dissapointed with the performance in the last minuts of the match against Germany though. That they didn't show more willingness to attack or that Olsen didn't make the necessary offensive substitutions. Portugal on the other hand have made 3 solid performances and I expect them to go deep into the tournament.
I don't regard Denmark's performance as defensive. Actually, I do not even think that their defense performed that well, especially against Portugal. What they have is a strong midfield; they know how to pass the ball and pressure the opponent, which allows them to control the game, even when not having the ball. If you add to that their capacity to score goals without having to create many chances, then their performance is not surprising. The group was so balanced that in the end details made the difference.
Holland wasn't as bad as the 0 points suggests. They were unlucky not to score in the first game and against Portugal they had to win by a 2 goal lead, which made it easy for Portugal to counter. In group play, the results of the first games can change the whole dynamics of the other 4 games They played a lot more open and attacking in this game because they had 3 points and Holland and Portugal had 0 so they could affort the risk. They would've played a lot more defensive if all teams had only 1 point at this time
I think they were as bad as their 0 points suggest. They didn't manage to score vs. Denmark, and were uninspired against Germany. The end game vs Portugal was a product of them failing in the first 2 games.
something i wondered ... do people think that Netherlands got out worse than France did in 02 or 10? ... specially with the rumors flying around that they all but by the skin of their teeth managed to get home without a mutiny
I don't know about internal team dynamics. But on the pitch, Holland was something of a broken team in the sense that their offense and defence were not well-coordinated, to put it mildly. BvM has to answer for that, methinks.
They were clearly demoralized, provably from the first two defeats. A team that desires to win a game by a two goals margin cannot play with 5 forwards, with none of them truly making an effort to defend, and simply relying on a slow defense.
Mmmm, do not know about that BvM part, but at least we didnot fall out of line with the rest of the former runners up in WC finals. For the last 6, 7 or 8 WC finalists, the looser of the WC Final didnot make it out of the Euro group stage. Apart from Brasil, that never did choke in an Euro group stage