Czech Republic v Portugal, Quarter Final, Build up and Match Thread

[Duty281]

Czech Republic v Portugal (Thursday 21st June, 19:45 KO, BBC 1)

So despite taking a 4-1 bashing b the Russians in their first game, the Czechs recovered well to top Group A by beating Greece and Poland. Portugal also had to recover from an opening defeat when they lost 1-0 to the Germans, they then beat Denmark 3-2 and edged out Holland 2-1 thanks to some brilliant play by a certain Cristiano Ronaldo. The winners of this tie will play France/Spain.

My prediction: Czech Republic 1-2 Portugal

[Crimey]

I don't think there is enough quality in the Czech Republic squad to beat Portugal at all, they were very lucky to get through. I think most of the Portugal side would get into the Czech side and Portugal seemed to grow in confidence over the three games and Ronaldo looked very good against Holland and I can see him continuing that form.

[GSC]

Biggest game of the Euros.

3-0 Portugal, Czech really aren't any good, and Portugal look to have found some momentum.

[GSC]

Whoever wins this game is probs going down the QF though

[mystiroakey]

portugal 1-0

[azania]

I have the Czech Rep as my dark horses and I reckon they'll beat Portugal in what will be the most exciting game of the tourny so far. Probably extra time win for C.R

[Guest]

I've really enjoyed watching Portugal this tournament, they've seem to of found something and have great team spirit. Ronaldo returning to form is timely and they should be firm favourites for this game using their counter attacking plays. Russia completely destroyed the Czechs using this style in their 4-1 opener.

[JamesLincs]

czechs 1-2 portugal

[Leff]

Pepe, Alves and Coentrao form a solid defence for Portugal. Of course, Ronaldo in front. My only reservation regarding Portugal is that they have generally performed below expectations on the big stage. Still, I fancy them to beat the Czechs.

Portugal 2-0 Czech

[Hibbz]

An intriguing game for sure. I'm worried it might be very cagey as games in the knock-out stages often are. Not sure who I'd rather win so I've had a punt on the Czech Rep to reach the semis. I've a feeling Portugal are a bit of a one man team. If Ronaldo plays well it may be enough to see them through but if the Czech's can snuff him out it may be their night.

Does anyone else get a sense of disappointment now that we've reached the knock-out stages? However great the matches may or may not be we're already 3/4 of the way through the tournament and once it's all over we're back to the soap operas and the washing up.

Even the third group games were a let down after the two matches a day action.

Still it will give my liver chance to recover.

[mystiroakey]

people may be surprised that portugal have had the least possesion so far in this tourny..

personally i am not - they play a longish ball game- defend well and have attacking threat- i like the way there play and its actually very similar to england.

they have scored a goal for every 15 mins of possesion(england second in that stat with every 17mins)

[mystiroakey]

by the way italy and england have had the same amount of possesion time to the minute..

[davidl1061]

I think that Portugal will win but not by a large magin. Portugal remind me of Spain a few years ago, have the potential but always fail on the big stage. They will go through tonight and get beaten in the next round.
The possession stat is quite surprising but any team that relies so heavily on one player will suffer in the long run if they have no plan b

[Crimey]

by the way italy and england have had the same amount of possesion time to the minute..

Obviously the Italy's stats are warped by playing Spain who get a ridiculously high possession.

[Hibbz]

Geezers, there is a separate thread to discuss England. It's exactly this sort of thing that makes me happier when they're out. The European Championships do not revolve around England.

Thanks.

[mystiroakey]

But also had ireland at the same time!!

remeber that france are the only team close to spains possesion stats, who were in englands group, so although i agree with you its not like comparing one game with england playing sweden and italy playing spain.

Spoiler:

[mystiroakey]

Geezers, there is a separate thread to discuss England. It's exactly this sort of thing that makes me happier when they're out. The European Championships do not revolve around England.

Thanks.

drop me out will ya- we are comparing teams- i havent heard you complain about us discussing other teams on england threads!!

[mystiroakey]

anyone abit fearfull for portugal if ronaldo doenst turn up?

[Crimey]

Geezers, there is a separate thread to discuss England. It's exactly this sort of thing that makes me happier when they're out. The European Championships do not revolve around England.

Thanks.

Surprisingly enough, it's likely to happen on a board that is populated mainly by English people that England will be talked about on a disproportionate level.

[The Special Juan]

No I dislike Portugal and will enjoy them going out eventually. I don't like the Czech's either so I don't want anyone to win tonight.

[mystiroakey]

Portugal my no.2 team..

[mystiroakey]

They play to there strengths and i wish em well. Proper team and great country

[mystiroakey]

great play by ronaldo- his strength went against him though- shouldnt have been a free kick- but czech saves anyway

[Crimey]

Portugal should be so much better than they are.

Czechs looking good in attack. I will be very surprised if Selassie isn't snapped up in the summer.

It's a shame Baros just doesn't have the quality.

[mystiroakey]

ronaldo is playijng awesome- so UL,

he thinks he is paul gascoigne- thats how good he is

[JamesLincs]

great bit of play by ronaldo

[Postie]

It's a shame that lad Ronaldo can't finish, decent prospect mind....

[Guest]

The longer this stays at 0-0 the more I fancy the Czechs to beat Ronaldo.

[mystiroakey]

in fairness the most dominated game bar spain v ireland..(oh and russia v czechs)

well done ronaldo- v deserved

[The Special Juan]

Ha their coach looks liek Franck Ribery (a bit).

Who do Portugal play next?

[mystiroakey]

spain or france..

so france

[Postie]

Yep, it's been like The Alamo, especially the 2nd half.

[mystiroakey]

portugal play proper football- maybe a brazil of old lite- but proper- they go forward , this is football from my pov- not the spainish style

[mystiroakey]

btw - howard webb- best ref by far

[The Special Juan]

What have the Czech's really done all game? They've been lethargic and been played off the park. Remember when Milan Baros was good? No, neither do I.

[westisbest]

Johnathan Pearce - very poor commentator.

[The Special Juan]

I liked him on Robot Wars.

[Duty281]

Portugal deserved that win, the Czechs were poor. Can't see Portugal beating France or Spain though so this may be the end of the road for them.

[Leff]

I watched the second half. Glad I could. Excellent football. Lovely goal by Ronaldo.

I see Ronaldo has a long neck, and it seems as though he can stretch it twice as long or perhaps he has 12 cervical vertebrae. Here, he was like a racing horse sticking its neck forward at the finish line.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Convincing victory by Portugal - could easily have won by several more.

Jonathan Pearce sometimes commentates as if he was on the radio....

[Leff]

We have Michael Ballock on ESPN in the US. He is the great grandson of Sigmund Freud. He says a word every 50 minutes.

[dummy_half]

Portugal look like a pretty good side, but seem to have a problem in front of goal - 20 attempts today but only the one goal (and CR hitting the post twice, the first time with what would have been the goal of the tournament so far). The sub centre-forward should have had two but missed the target both times with relatively easy headers.

Positives:
Ronaldo is the most dangerous individual player in the tournament
Alves and Pepe in central defence look very solid.
Moutinho is a quality midfielder
The fullbacks both look good
They play a counter-attacking system that is creating lots of chances for them

Negatives:
Central midfield looks to be an area of weakness other than Moutinho
I'm still not convinced that Nani is a particularly good footballer - decent dribbler but his passing and crossing isn't anywhere near th same standard
Keeper isn' the best.
As already highlighted, their finishing to date has been wasteful

Probably Spain next up, which should be interesting.

[Crimey]

I think the main problem with the central midfield is that all the players are fairly similar, Meireles, Moutinho and Veloso are all players who are creative and try and get the ball out to the rings, decent passing range and can shoot from range. There is no anchor in midfield and I can see Spain just bypassing them completely because Nani and Ronaldo are unlikely to help out.

If I was the Portugese manager, I would be tempted to sacrifice the striker, now that Postiga is injured, and add another midfielder, that defensive midfielder they put on last night and just have Ronaldo up top on his own, that way the midfield might at least be able to put a fight.

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