2016 UEFA Euro Cup - Final
In the qualifying round we picked 14 of 16 correctly. In the round of 16 we picked 6 of 8 correctly. In the quarterfinals we came crashing back to earth, picking 2 of 4 correctly. That flip a coin trend continued (1 of 2) in the semi-finals.
"Ramsey (assisted/scored 5 of the last 8 Welsh goals)... Midfielder Ramsey and defender Davies are out on suspension and we cannot understate Ramsey's loss."
"Where's Ronaldo? He was last seen missing a penalty kick in qualifying. If Portugal are to advance, they must refind their form and Ronaldo must show up against a lively and pesky Welsh side."
Ramsey's loss, huge + Ronaldo showed up scoring one and setting up another + Portugal regained form = Portugal 2 Wales 0 in regulation. The Ronaldo show and Portugal move on to the final.
"France have not scored a competitive goal vs Germany since 1982. The defending world champions have looked lackluster, struggled to beat punchless Italy and come into this match vs the host nation, hobbled. When the German backfield breaks down, and it does."
One 2nd half German breakdown netted one French goal from the pitch + again, flailing German hands in the penalty box resulted in a PK = As the host nation move on, the hobbled Germans will be watching the final like the rest of us, on TV. Moving West to the final...
Midfielder Carvalho back off suspension. Defender Pepe back from injury. Longest drought? Ronaldo now 0-43 on direct free-kicks at majors. At Euro, what is 34 games, no title for Portugal. Argentina 1990 WC; Italy 1994 WC; Portugal 2016 Euro? What is only the third 3rd place team to reach a major tournament final. No winners, yet. Lucky 13? Last 13 in majors, Portugal 12-1. More lucky 13? Under Fernando Santos, Portugal are unbeaten in their 13 competitive fixtures (9-0-4). Missed it by that much... eight of those nine wins were decided by a single goal. In their last five knockout Euro games, Portugal have allowed only one goal.
All of France's players are healthy and available. 11 of France’s 13 goals at Euro 2016 have been scored after 42'. All time, France are 18-5-1 vs Portugal. In competitive matches, France are 3-0 vs Portugal: all semi finals, 1984 Euro 3-2; 2000 Euro 2-1; 2006 WC 1-0. How they got here? Portugal via Iceland (1-1), Austria (0-0), Hungary (3-3), Croatia (1-0, OT), Poland (1-1, PK), Wales (2-0). France via Romania (2-1), Albania (2-0), Switzerland (0-0), Ireland (2-1), Iceland (5-2), Germany (2-0). In his only major final, 2004 Euro on home soil, Ronaldo lost 1-0 on the only attempt Greece made from the pitch that day. In their last 18 major tournament games played at home, France are 16-0-2 and have won three titles. This Sunday, make it four. Remember the shootout curse in still in effect on Portugal.
So far, 23 of 30 for 76.6%. Below our projected winner in bold with odds payout in parentheses for: match result at the end of REGULATION.
3F - Portugal (5.25)
DRAW (3.1)
1A - France (2)
"Ramsey (assisted/scored 5 of the last 8 Welsh goals)... Midfielder Ramsey and defender Davies are out on suspension and we cannot understate Ramsey's loss."
"Where's Ronaldo? He was last seen missing a penalty kick in qualifying. If Portugal are to advance, they must refind their form and Ronaldo must show up against a lively and pesky Welsh side."
Ramsey's loss, huge + Ronaldo showed up scoring one and setting up another + Portugal regained form = Portugal 2 Wales 0 in regulation. The Ronaldo show and Portugal move on to the final.
"France have not scored a competitive goal vs Germany since 1982. The defending world champions have looked lackluster, struggled to beat punchless Italy and come into this match vs the host nation, hobbled. When the German backfield breaks down, and it does."
One 2nd half German breakdown netted one French goal from the pitch + again, flailing German hands in the penalty box resulted in a PK = As the host nation move on, the hobbled Germans will be watching the final like the rest of us, on TV. Moving West to the final...
Midfielder Carvalho back off suspension. Defender Pepe back from injury. Longest drought? Ronaldo now 0-43 on direct free-kicks at majors. At Euro, what is 34 games, no title for Portugal. Argentina 1990 WC; Italy 1994 WC; Portugal 2016 Euro? What is only the third 3rd place team to reach a major tournament final. No winners, yet. Lucky 13? Last 13 in majors, Portugal 12-1. More lucky 13? Under Fernando Santos, Portugal are unbeaten in their 13 competitive fixtures (9-0-4). Missed it by that much... eight of those nine wins were decided by a single goal. In their last five knockout Euro games, Portugal have allowed only one goal.
All of France's players are healthy and available. 11 of France’s 13 goals at Euro 2016 have been scored after 42'. All time, France are 18-5-1 vs Portugal. In competitive matches, France are 3-0 vs Portugal: all semi finals, 1984 Euro 3-2; 2000 Euro 2-1; 2006 WC 1-0. How they got here? Portugal via Iceland (1-1), Austria (0-0), Hungary (3-3), Croatia (1-0, OT), Poland (1-1, PK), Wales (2-0). France via Romania (2-1), Albania (2-0), Switzerland (0-0), Ireland (2-1), Iceland (5-2), Germany (2-0). In his only major final, 2004 Euro on home soil, Ronaldo lost 1-0 on the only attempt Greece made from the pitch that day. In their last 18 major tournament games played at home, France are 16-0-2 and have won three titles. This Sunday, make it four. Remember the shootout curse in still in effect on Portugal.
So far, 23 of 30 for 76.6%. Below our projected winner in bold with odds payout in parentheses for: match result at the end of REGULATION.
3F - Portugal (5.25)
DRAW (3.1)
1A - France (2)
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