**Official Euro 2012 Discussion Thread**

[Crayo]

Lmao same.

Not sure what would gain/lose me more, Ronaldo scoring a hat-trick and gaining lots of points or Mertesaker conceding 3 and losing me points (!!!

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

Goddamnit, I'm a dumbass. Almeida isn't even starting, Postiga is. : /

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2012/6/9/3075055/germany-vs-portugal-euro-2012-live-updates-lineups
The Group of Death is obviously difficult, but it is about to extra death-y. It's Germany vs. Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Mesut Ozil, and let's leave it at that because the rest of the match-ups tilt heavily to the Germans.

The biggest surprise in the two teams' lineups is the absence of Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has been fighting to get fit for a few months now. He just hasn't been able to get right and will not start for Germany, which means Toni Kroos starts in the double pivot. That could mean trouble for Germany. That aside, both teams are going with the teams everyone both expected and want to see.

With the Netherlands falling to Denmark, this match could determine the Group B winner. Because the winner of the group will end up on the opposite side of the bracket as Spain -- assuming the Spanish win their group -- winning the group is huge.

Germany (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Holger Badstuber, Philipp Lahm; Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos; Thomas Müller, Mesut Özil, Lukas Podolski; Mario Gomez

Portugal (4-3-3): Rui Patrício; João Pereira, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Fabio Coentrão; Miguel Veloso, João Moutinho, Raul Meireles; Nani, Helder Postiga, Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

[Tombstone Piledriver]

Schweinsteiger is playing.

Boateng given the task of muzzling Ronaldo tonight, huge task for the natural centre-back.

 

[Crayo]

IMO Nani is better than the German wingers and full backs. I expected Bastian not to start tbh, Kroos has been insane this season and you simply don't take out Ozil, the best CM in the world this year.

Edit: Now he's playing? :shock:

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

Nani is the x-factor. Obv Germany will have to focus on CR so Nani could have lots of space to get off.

Schwein is playing?? huh

well hopefully the link I found the lineups at is full of shit and Almeida will start as well.

 

[Tombstone Piledriver]

Germany lineup: Neuer - Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm - Khedira, Schweinsteiger - Müller, Özil, Podolski - Gomez

Germany Sub List - Wiese, Zieler, Schmelzer, Höwedes, Mertesacker, Gündogan, Schürrle, Bender, Kroos, Götze, Reus, Klose.

 

[Crayo]

Mertesaker ain't starting? Does that mean if Ronaldo rapes you I don't lose points?

 

[seabs]

You don't get any points unless he comes on, Lahm needs to have an amazing game.

 

[Crayo]

Okay, Mertesaker can stay on the bench and Ronaldo can rape Neur - sounds good.

 

[Tombstone Piledriver]

Lahm is also playing on the left now after playing on the right for the most of the saison with Bayern.

Phillip Lahm is the best fullback in the world who can play both sides in a world class level.

Best Left Back in the world David Alaba
Best Right Back in the world Lahm

 

[Crayo]

Lahm isn't better than Cole, no way, but Lahm is very good, top 5 easily. Best RB probably, the world has shit right backs so it's not actually hard, but yeah, he's not close to Ashley Cole.

 

[Tombstone Piledriver]

Okay

 

[seabs]

Ronaldo needs to be in Lahms back pocket whilst Ozil dominates.

 

[Crayo]

Ronaldo needs to be in Lahms back pocket whilst Ozil dominates.

I so wish I included Ozil. Fuck sake. Then again he doesn't score too much, but he assists a lot. Depending on this game I might put Gomez in my team with Ozil and remove Mertefucker.

 

[Bort]

CR7 will bury Germans.