One of the more highly-anticipated match-ups of the group stage kicks off today's Euro 2012 action as France takes on England in Group D's opener (Noon, ESPN).
The French come in riding high after a strong run of form over the past year. They boast a strong attack and steady defense, and will be favored to knock off an injury-hit England side that will also be without suspended star Wayne Rooney, who is due to miss the match after receiving a red card late in Euro qualifying.
The English are dealing with an injury-depleted defense that could be in serious trouble trying to slow down an attack featuring, Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri. John Terry and Joleon Lescott will be paired up in central defense today, while youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gets the start in midfield for Roy Hodgson's side.
In the day's second match, tournament co-hosts Ukraine take on favored Sweden (2:45pm, ESPN) in a match-up that should offer plenty of intrigue. The Swedes are favored, but will be faced with trying to beat a home team.
If you will be watching today's matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action.
anyone got a line on a working feed for the ENG-FRA match? Stuck at work and don’t have the Slingbox up at the new house yet
I’m just waiting for Hart to make the tragic error. He is a great keeper but it’s England in a major tourney.
Oh my Milner…
Anyone else notice the person sporting a US soccer t-shirt in the crowd at the England France game?
It’s so sad it’s funny listening to Macca trying to come up with reasons why England could possibly win this.
England might win but I would have to say that would be a wacky surprise.
I thought I saw it but I am not on DVR so I couldn’t check. Good spot!
In his defense they could easily be up 1-0. But, you’re right, this team ain’t that great.
Great week to be on vacation. Sleeping in, drinking coffee, and watching Euro 2012.
yeah, they did have that Milner opp. If France doesn’t stretch England out, they COULD win on a counter.
That’s looking like Hodgson’s plan. And probably the best one available to him
The Mig effect in full form. I pan England, they take the lead. Sigh.
orrrrrrrrr on a set piece
I suppose the Three Lions will begin bunkering now…
and just as soon as I finish typing, France level the match. Serves me right
That’s how my commentary usually goes too.
Nasri such a punk … “be quiet” sign. Act like you’ve done it before.
How is that being a punk? A lot of players do that, it’s just a celebration like everything else. Better than the Brazilians having a entire choreographed team dance when they score in a friendly.
Lucky. At least replays are on ESPN3
France look really, really good, but set pieces can change a match.
England had only 4 players forward for that corner a couple of minutes ago. Odd.
yes, a lot of players do it, but it’s (kind of) a punk move because it’s more a taunt than a celebration, though certainly not the worst you could do.
and i agree, it’s better than the brazilian dance in a friendly.
Ribery is putting up a work rate I’ve never seen before. How many hundreds of touches does he have?
These commentators seem just a little biased. I know they’re English, but at least try ti hide your bias.
Apparently, it’s going to be that way for England. Just 4 attackers in the box on corners. I understand conservative but jeez.
I will say that England has NOT been well treated by the ref today.
France has been the much better side.
Now Milner fakes an injury.
Agreed. At a minimum, 3-4 yellow cards should have been issued.
How many fouls is that not called for England? This ref looks so biased for France.
Agreed. France has certainly been creating and dominating possession.
Marvin the Martian is on!
Off a questionable PK as well. I hate that
lol the interaction btwn Lalas and Ballack is so awkward. Here I side more w/ Lalas in that they should be content to pull out the draw, no matter how many buses they parked.
Lalas won’t let Ballack finish a sentence. Poor Ballack is wounded every time Lalas steps on his lines. Not a good combination. Bring back Rossi!!! (jk) Ballack just wants to extend some of his insight (which has been good imo when he gets it out). Lalas just wants to fight.
Yeah I really feel like Ballack is about to swing if he interrupts him one more time. I got all my money on Ballack although Alexi is wirey as hell.
But what Ballack is saying in true…as just a fan of the game England’s philosophy is hard to watch. Sure they got a decent result, but that wasn’t great soccer to watch.
Were people late or was the bathroom line super-long because the stands only seemed 70% full. If people don’t want to travel to Poland or Ukraine what are the odds they’ll go to Qatar?
Also, Alexi needs to be more considerate of letting a dude finish his sentences when Enlgish isn’t his first language. Once again, Alexi proves he’s a punk.
i saw that! ive actually seen a good number of US shirts/jerseys/flags for some reason.
Can anyone think of any tactics or strategy for breaking down a packed-in team like England was? Other than playing Barcelona style ticki-tacka one-two passes with a superstar like Messi, what else is there? Crossing the ball and having an Ibra or Carroll trying to head it in?
It’s such a popular tactic now, parking the bus, and I think the coach and team that innovates a new way to attack it will be called a genius.
agreed. alexi is kind of a punk and is always interrupting. ballack is having enough issues making his points due to his english, but so many times lalas has cut him off as he is getting it across.
we actually had a discussion about this in the bar i was at watching it. we were wondering why the stands looked so empty.
Apparently, UEFA got the matchday fixtures mixed up. Today was France/Greece, not France/England. Shame.
I saw on a (in)famous website’s live chat that tickets were being scalped for 35L, which seems cheap to me. So probably there wasn’t a ton of demand…
This English side is very weak. They won’t make it out of this group.
Was this France vs England or France vs Andorra? Because the way England played, it was hard to say.
I’m withholding judgement about England until they play Ukraine and Sweden. They should be a bit more positive in those games.
Lalas does that to *everyone*. Yesterday it was Tommy, and he was *incredibly* rude and arrogant in stepping on him. It was embarrassing.
Oh look, it’s yellow and blue vs, uh, blue and yellow?
It’s got to be great as a player – everybody is supporting your team by wearing your colors in the stands!
I hope the directors of the Ukraine-Sweden game devote at least a third of the game on hot Ukrainian and Swedish girls in the stands.
teams have been trying to break down packed in defenses for over 100 years. if someone comes up with a new and better way to do it, it probly won’t be on this comments thread
Hey, here’s another failed Chelsea striker signing that misses glorious opportunities. Torres -3, Sheva -1…and counting.
As a Chelsea fan, this is pretty horrible.
Ukraine and Sweden playing quite a match here for 0-0 at half time. Much more interesting than France and England was.
I like Keller, but he has the most repetitive vocal inflection I’ve ever heard.
This has been entertaining.
I have always detested Ballack but I do have to admit he makes some decent points.
I believe the only “point” he has made today is that he personally prefers attacking, flowing soccer instead of bunkerball.
I really like Keller on the commentary. Been a fan of his with doing the Sounders. Nice to hear him doing the big games too.
Go Sverige!
Bout time and well earned for Sweden with a bit of help. Can’t tell if the Swedish support is that massive or if the Ukrainians dance when angry.
Then Ukraine responds with an even better goal. This is truly a wonderful match.
More Mig effect.
+1
2-1 Ukraine. Somehow they sneak it in nearpost past the man on the line much to Isaksson’s frustration.
wowza. Zlatan put some strength behind that one.
I like Keller too. Way better than Harkes.
Voronin swearing before the final whistle. LOL.
WAY better than Harkes.
Sheva is no longer a Chelsea player, and, by the way, after you posted this, Sheva scored two goals against Sweeden. I am not sure if that makes you feel better or worse.
Just a question of time before Ballack pops one on Lalas.