wwheng
1475
2012/06/24 12:34
#293329
wwheng wrote:
Euro Cup 2012 Highlights: Hummels Continues Making Noise As Germany Advances
The breakout star of Euro 2012 is modest to a fault, so much so that when he was told he had been tabbed as the player of the tournament so far, he thought his teammates were playing a practical joke on him.
Mats Hummels is not a name hot on the lips of many American soccer fans, much less the wider sporting public, yet he has suddenly been thrust into the spotlight at the world's second-biggest tournament as the young face of Germany's rampaging national team.
Part of the reason for Hummels' lack of widespread recognition, even among soccer supporters, is that his club side Borussia Dortmund, two-time reigning German champion, failed to make it past the group stage of this season's Champions League.
No longer. From the moment French legend Zinedine Zidane, winner of the 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000 and three-time world player of the year, picked out Hummels as the only player who has seriously impressed at the Euros, the focus was going to intensify.
Hummels was on form again Friday as Germany cruised into the semifinal thanks to a comfortable 4-2 victory over Greece in Gdansk for a fourth straight win in the competition, to follow on from 10 in a row in qualifying.
Mats Hummels is making a name for himself in the Euro 2012 tournament. (Reuters)
Now, it seems, whatever happens in the remainder of the tournament, he will leave Poland and Ukraine with his reputation greatly enhanced.
It is rare that central defenders get the kind of plaudits like the one dished out by Zidane, and – once Hummels realized it wasn't a joke – the compliment was gratefully received. Yet neither is Hummels a typical defender, having been given the liberty to venture forward and create offense by coach Joachim Loew, an opportunity he has eagerly snapped up.
A far cry from the uber-efficient and somewhat mechanical teams of the past, the current German side is fun to watch and has attracted plenty of neutrals into their corner. Hummels' role may be the epitome of that and, now just two more wins from the title, the Germans are easing more and more comfortably into the role of favorite – despite the continued progress of reigning European and World Cup champion Spain.
"We know what is expected," said Hummels. "In Germany the publicity says nothing, but the title counts."
Indeed, the pressure on this young side has been nothing short of extreme. Frustrated by close shaves in recent times, like defeat to Spain in the Euro 2008 final and the 2010 World Cup semifinal, the German public believes the time is now to clinch a first major tournament trophy since 1996.
While there was hope and some degree of optimism four years ago and again two years ago, now nothing short of triumph will be considered good enough.
That, surely, is part of the reason wily coach Loew has sought to keep things so low key around his training camp. His players are free to smoke, drink, entertain their partners and do pretty much whatever they like outside training, an attitude that has not been abused but that has certainly helped lighten the mood.
Mueller was one of three first-choice players to be rested against Greece, a sign of Loew's unshakeable confidence in the strength of his squad. Leading scorer Mario Gomez also made way in favor of Miroslav Klose, while Lukas Podolski was also left in the line up. In the end it didn't matter, although there were a few nervous moments. Phil Lahm's thunderous strike 39 minutes in put the Germans in control, but an equalizer against the run of play from Giorgos Samaras gave the courageous Greeks a sniff at a shock result.
However, Germany asserted its authority once more, with three goals in 13 minutes throughout the middle of the second half, killing off the Greek challenge. Sami Khedira's blast from inside the area sapped the life out of Greece, before a Klose header and a fierce strike from Marco Reus sealed the deal. Dimitris Salpingidis scored a late penalty to make it 4-2 but it was little more than a consolation – and Germany marches onward.
"This is a young team and we believe in ourselves," said Hummels, who on this night was not called into so much action due to Greece's lack of attacking ambition. "We are having fun and we are ready to be adaptable. It is nice to go forwards and to be recognized for that, but I am prepared to be a wall if I need to be."
EURO 2012: Germany vs Greece Timeline
90+2' - The match is over. Final score 4-2.
90' - At PGE Arena Gdansk the fourth official shows that 2 minutes will be added to the Second half.
89' - Greece are back in the match in Gdansk. A Dimitris Salpingidis penalty has made the score 4-2.
88' - Greece have been awarded a penalty...
85' - In Gdansk Germany drive forward through Mesut Ozil. His shot is on target but it's saved.
83' - Giorgos Fotakis for Greece drives towards goal at PGE Arena Gdansk. But the finish is unsuccessful.
81' - Germany's Mario Gomez is whistled for offside at PGE Arena Gdansk.
81' - Germany push forward through Mesut Ozil, whose finish on goal is saved.
80' - Mario Gotze is on a sub for Marco Reus for Germany.
80' - Joachim Low (Germany) is making a Second substitution, with Mario Gomez replacing Miroslav Klose.
75' - Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Greece) gets a yellow card.
74' - Goal! Marco Reus extends Germany's lead to 4-1.
72' - Damir Skomina has awarded Germany a corner. Mesut Ozil takes the kick from the Right .
72' - Greece make their Third substitution with Nikos Liberopoulos replacing Grigoris Makos.
69' - At PGE Arena Gdansk Mesut Ozil (Germany) takes a corner from the Right.
69' - Germany drive forward and Miroslav Klose gets in a shot. Without netting, however.
68' - Germany move into a 3-1 lead through a Miroslav Klose header.
68' - Great play from Mesut Ozil to set up the goal.
67' - Germany make their First substit
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2012/06/06
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1475
Cristiano Ronaldo created a slice of history in powering Portugal to the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 on Sunday but faces a lonely day off after his supermodel girlfriend decided to remain in New York instead of jetting to Poland.
Ronaldo scored two goals as Portugal beat the Netherlands 2-1 in the Ukranian city of Kharkiv to guarantee itself second place in Group B and a last-eight showdown with the Czech Republic.
After Portugal's impressive recovery from losing to Germany in its opening game, coach Paulo Bento decided to reward his players with a day off to spend with their wives and girlfriends when they return to their Polish training base.
However, Ronaldo will be on his own after his leading lady Irina Shayk opted to stay in the United States rather than travel to the tournament.
"We will rest and regroup and the players will have some time to enjoy themselves," Bento said. "It is important after coming through a difficult group that they can have some normal time. We want everyone to share in our success, the players, the people close to them, the whole nation."
Shayk and Ronaldo are used to spending time apart because of his commitments as one of the world's finest soccer players and her own as one of the most sought-after models on the New York fashion scene.
She was spotted by paparazzi exercising and shopping in New York just hours before Ronaldo geared up for what was one of his most important matches for his national team. "When asked last week if he expected his girlfriend to join him during the event, Ronaldo simply replied "no."
Defeat would have eliminated Portugal from the competition and led to criticism aimed at Ronaldo, whose performances at major tournaments have often been called into question.
In the side's previous match against Denmark, rival fans taunted the 27-year-old by chanting the name of Lionel Messi, the Argentina and Barcelona superstar widely regarded as the only better player in the world.
EURO 2012: Portugal vs Netherlands Timeline
90+4' - The second-half is over. The match ends 2-1.
90+2' - Portugal's Joao Pereira has been booked in Kharkiv.
90' - 4 minutes will be added to the Second half.
90' - Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) fires in a shot – and hits the post!
89' - Netherlands's Robin van Persie misses with an attempt on goal.
87' - Portugal make their Third substitution with Rolando replacing Nani.
86' - Netherlands's Klaas Jan Huntelaar breaks free at Metalist Stadium. But the strike goes wide of the post.
86' - Portugal are pushing forward but Nani's finish is wide of the goal.
85' - Portugal are coming forward and Nani gets in a strike, it misses the target, however.
84' - Corner awarded to Netherlands.
83' - So close for Netherlands as Rafael van der Vaart's shot comes back off the post.
80' - Portugal push upfield and Nelson Oliveira gets his head to the ball. The attempt is cleared by an alert Netherlands defence.
80' - Nicola Rizzoli has awarded Portugal a corner. Miguel Veloso takes the kick from the Left .
79' - In Kharkiv Portugal attack through Nelson Oliveira. The finish is off target, however.
76' - Netherlands's Wesley Sneijder gets in a shot on goal at Metalist Stadium. But the effort is unsuccessful.
74' - Goal! Cristiano Ronaldo gives Portugal a 2-1 lead in Kharkiv.
74' - Nani with an assist there.
73' - Corner awarded to Portugal.
72' - Nani for Portugal drives towards goal at Metalist Stadium. But the finish is unsuccessful.
72' - Paulo Bento (Portugal) is making a Second change, with Custodio replacing the possibly injured Raul Meireles.
69' - Robin van Persie (Netherlands) has been booked and must now be careful not to get a second yellow card.
68' - Raul Meireles has recovered and rejoins the match in Kharkiv.
68' - Nicola Rizzoli has awarded Portugal a corner. Joao Moutinho takes the kick from the Left .
68' - The match at Metalist Stadium is underway again.
67' - Netherlands make their First substitution with Ibrahim Afellay replacing Jetro Willems.
67' - Attention is being given to Portugal’s Raul Meireles and play has been suspended briefly.
66' - In Kharkiv Portugal drive forward through Fabio Coentrao. His shot is on target but it's saved.
65' - Netherlands push forward at Metalist Stadium and Robin van Persie gets in a strike. This is blocked, however, by a determined Portugal defence.
64' - Nelson Oliveira is on a sub for Helder Postiga for Portugal.
60' - At Metalist Stadium Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) takes a corner from the Left.
60' - Nicola Rizzoli blows against Portugal's Helder Postiga for offside.
59' - Portugal have been awarded a corner by Nicola Rizzoli. Raul Meireles steps up to take it.
55' - Joao Moutinho of Portugal gets in a strike, but is off target.
54' - Portugal's Helder Postiga is whistled for offside at Metalist Stadium.
53' - In Kharkiv, Ron Vlaar (Netherlands) misses the target with a header.
53' - In Kharkiv Wesley Sneijder for Netherlands takes a corner from the Left-hand flag.
52' - Portugal's Joao Moutinho looks ok and returns to the pitch.
52' - Play has been resumed at Metalist Stadium.
52' - Play has been interrupted briefly in Kharkiv to check on Joao Moutinho, who is grimacing with pain.
51' - Jetro Willems (Netherlands) has been given a yellow card and will be suspended from the next match.
50' - Nicola Rizzoli has awarded Netherlands a corner. Wesley Sneijder takes the kick from the Left .
49' - Joao Moutinho for Portugal gets in a strike but fails to hit the target.
48' - Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) gets in a strike but the shot is blocked by a defender.
46' - The second-half is underway in Kharkiv.
45' - The first-half is over at Metalist Stadium.
41' - Portugal are pushing forward but Cristiano Ronaldo's finish is wide of the goal.