[quote author=72514B617D475C5B4C3E0 link=1336403980/43#43 date=1339409736][quote author=12272A0C23252E2F28460 link=1336403980/42#42 date=1339407501]
So far, the refs have been acceptable imo (except the one in [highlight]GRE-POL[/highlight], whom I hope is sent home by now). 
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Why him? I don´t remember a bad mistake in that game. Anyway, the decisions of the refs are create always most of the flow in football threads, and I don´t think they are worse so far than in the tourneys before. Worst ref imo so far was in the [highlight]POL-GRE[/highlight] game, sending off the greek player for a maximum of two minor fouls.
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You disagree just to agree?!

A commentator mentioned that Spain hasn't beaten Italy since 1920 - is that the longest row of non-losses in international play?

[quote author=784643434A425F464A2F0 link=1336403980/39#39 date=1339401849]Well the refereeing is another issue right now. Holland should have gotten a penalty (how much hands do you need for one?), the Croats scored an offside goal and Keane should have gotten a penalty as well, the Greeks also got screwed with 2 yellows and I am sure I have forgotten some other match impacting wrong decisions. But who needs cameras?[/quote]

It was actually rather entertaining with all those dutchies with their hands constantly in the air every time the ball was in the Danish penalty area - as if they were schoolchildren and knew the question. Luckily it's the referee whom awards penalties. Besides, if you've gotten a penalty it would only have become yet another field goal... :)) 

On the Croat "off-side goal", no one would've protested much if it had been disallowed, but it was a shot at goal with two players standing off-side, then the ball goes to an Irish defender who tries to pass back to the goalie. One could claim that the ref should've blown for off-side after the shot was saved, but since they then had possession of the ball, it shouldn't be necessary.

A similar case would be GER-POR where the pass reflects on the arm of a defender before Gomez heads it in. The ref could've given a free kick for hands instead, if he'd been quick enough to react that fast...

The Greeks should've had another penalty before the one they got, and Keane probably one (though I'm not completely sure if it actually occurred inside the box). And maybe the ref saw some offence that wasn't visible on screen. 

Still, the Irish version of football was rather boring, a mixture of wrestling, kicking the opponents and running - and all their attacking attempts looked the same throughout the match - often it's nice that people use their heads, but don't they know that you're actually allowed to kick the ball with your feet into the goal too?

So far, the refs have been acceptable imo (except the one in GRE-POL, whom I hope is sent home by now). 
But, if we lose to Ukraine tonight I may have a 2nd opinion tomorrow though! ;)

Referee mistakes, luck, big mistakes ... Is it a surprise for you ? Football is not a science, luck is very important for exemple for some centimetres Portugal would have scored against Dutchland who scores with a deflected center ... That's the charm of Football and also the reason to not take it very seriously in my opinion.

Dink Heckler wrote on 06/01/12 at 10:43:57:


lol

The Czech seems the worst team so far, just letting the Russkies run around as they pleased.

The Greeks impressed with their team spirit, most other teams would crack after  being 1 goal down and having lost one middefender to injury and getting the other sent off for two 'offences' that normally wouldn't even be one yellow card. Instead, they actually deserved to win the game.

NED-DEN was reminiscent of the game DEN-SWE (1-0) that removed us from South Africa 2010. Disciplined, effective and lucky sums up Denmark at their best. Though someone should tell Robben & Co that field goals don't count in football... Given the same chances as Robben alone, Germany would probably have scored 2-4 goals.

Portugal was a bit unlucky to lose to ze Germans, who play a lot like Denmark but much better. :)) The next round in this group will be very interesting to watch, to say the least.

Some rumours: It may be possible that Italy has to withdraw, due to the bribinbg scandal....

In other news, England have adopted a Duran Duran song as their official Euro 2012 anthem: "His name is Rio, and he watches from the stand..."