Despite sitting out the best part of Germany’s quarter-final victory over Greece, Mario Gomez (15/8 Top Goalscorer) is still well placed to claim the Euro 2012 Golden Boot.
German coach Joachim Loew surprised many with his decision to rest his first-choice strike trio of Gomez, Thomas Mueller and Lukas Podolski for the last-eight clash in Gdansk.
However, his decision was vindicated as young replacements Marco Reus and Andre Schurrle produced eye-catching performances, while Miroslav Klose continued his excellent goalscoring record at international level. The 4-2 scoreline flattered a poor Greece outfit and there was a sense Germany had plenty left in reserve.
Gomez should return in Thursday’s semi-final against either Italy or England and have the opportunity to pull clear in the race for the Golden Boot.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (2/1 Top Goalscorer) moved level with Gomez on three goals with the only goal of the game against the Czech Republic to set up a semi-final clash with holders Spain.
The Real Madrid star was disappointing in the opening two games of the tournament but came alive in the crucial final Group B match against the Netherlands and carried that form into the game in Warsaw.
The former Manchester United winger hit the post in each half before finally breaking the deadlock with a powerful header in the 80th minute as Portugal held on comfortably to dump the Czechs out of the competition.
Ronaldo would arguably be the favourite to top the goalscoring chart, but for the presence of Spain in Portugal’s half of the draw. Barring a major surprise, he will have only one more game to press his case for the accolade.
Spain have three men in the frame to claim the Golden Boot. Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres have scored twice, despite limited game time, while Xabi Alonso bagged a surprise brace in Spain’s comfortable 2-0 victory over France on Saturday.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque again decided against playing a recognised striker in Donetsk, replacing Torres with midfielder Fabregas. It is difficult to know which way the boss will go in Wednesday’s semi-final.
In that respect, Alonso (25/1 Top Goalscorer) could represent Spain’s best hope for top scorer. The former Liverpool man is not one of his country’s most forward-thinking players but has an eye for a goal and possesses an excellent long-range shot. He represents a good outside bet.
Should Gomez and Ronaldo fail to find the net again in the championship, they would share the Golden Boot with Alan Dzagoev and Mario Mandzukic, whose countries failed to reach the knockout stage.
Players from England and Italy could yet threaten the current leaders, with Wayne Rooney (25/1 Top Goalscorer) and Mario Balotelli among those on one goal with potentially three games to play.
However, it would take a big effort to overtake Gomez and Ronaldo at this stage of the competition. Gomez has the edge given his goalscoring record and Germany’s impressive form, but you can never rule Ronaldo out.
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, так как через четыре года в турнире будут участвовать не 16, а 24 команды. Может конечно это я драматизирую, и организаторы что-то сделают с сеткой проведения турнира? В конце концов, еще в 1988 году на Евро играли всего восемь команд…
встает эпизод, когда на Евро-2000 Рауль не забил пенальти Бартезу, и Испания не смогла пройти Францию. Такая же неудача постигла Испанию и на Чемпионате Мира 2006 года. Но все это просто приятные воспоминания из истории французского футбола, а сегодня перед стартом матча «трехцветные» находятся далеко не в положении фаворита.
England are bidding to reach the semi-final of a major tournament for the first time in 16 years when they take on Italy in the big Euro 2012 quarter-final on Sunday (England 9/5 draw 2/1 Italy 9/5 – 90 minutes match prices) But can they do it?
The knockout stages at Euro 2012 are now in full swing with the attention on Saturday turning to the defending champions as Spain take on France in Dontesk, Ukraine, with the kick off at 745pm.
Germany have never lost to Greece in eight previous encounters and Friday’s Euro 2012 quarter-final showdown in Gdansk should hold few fears for the 9/4 outright betting favourites.
победе россиян над чехами со счетом 4:1, но теперь мы будем смотреть, как эти самые чехи будут сражаться против Португалии в 1/4 финала. Изначально букмекеры оценивают шансы Португалии значительно выше чем чешские, но в футболе возможно все и не будем об этом забывать.
The Czech Republic are one of the surprise teams to make the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 and they now meet Portugal in the last eight on Thursday, but can Michal Bilek’s side continue to exceed expectations and go further in the tournament?
на этом чемпионате. К чести «желто-синих» путь этот по качеству уже не сравним с тем, по которому «потопталась» сборная Аршавина. Но если рассматривать чисто эмоциональную сторону вопроса, то все может оказаться схоже. Сперва триумф в первой встрече, а затем медленный «спуск с горы». Но в отличие от россиян, у хозяев чемпионата есть возможность все исправить.
The Czechs never turned up against Russia but creditable wins against Greece and Poland is proof enough that Michal Bílek’s men should not be taken lightly, although a clean sheet against the co-hosts stopped a run of five games conceding in all competitions.