Czech Republic vs Portugal: Euro 2012 Quarterfinals Preview and Prediction

Published by William | Filed under Euro 2012, Portugal, Predictions, Previews

The Czechs embrace their underdog status

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6/21 20:45 CET, Czech Republic vs Portugal – Odds | Stats


The first game of the Euro 2012 quarterfinals features a Czech Republic and Portugal who after match day one where not even supposed to make it out of the group. One of their dreams however, will come to an end Thursday night in this elimination round thriller in the National Stadium Warsaw. Both teams find their strengths in attack in which should provide for an entertaining match. While goalkeeper Petr Cech looks confident again in between the sticks, Ronaldo of Portugal has found his scoring touch. Portugal is favored to pass to the semis, but this is the knockout stages and anything is possible.

Czech Republic:


Czech Republic won Group A outright with six points after getting blitzed by Russia 4-1 in the tournament opener. With a mountain to climb the Czechs won their two remaining matches defeating Greece 2-1 and Poland 1-0. Petr Czech is showing the confidence and same run of form that won Chelsea the Champions League. Cech blames himself for not making it out of the group stages in Euro 2008 where he misjudged a cross to put Turkey back into the match.


Captain and playmaker Tomáš Rosický is highly doubtful for the Czechs after leaving camp to treat an Achilles heel injury in Prague. Daniel Kolar stepped in for Rosický in the midfield against Poland and will likely do so again. Meanwhile, Milan Barros is trying to match the success of his 2005 Champions League final and along with Cech, has agreed to not shave their beards until they get knocked out or win the tourney.





Portugal:


Paolo Bento can be nothing but happy the way A Selecção has played. Even in their loss to Germany, the Portuguese created chances and in the end, the match could have gone either way. With two goals and two posts, Cristiano Ronaldo had one of the performances of the tournament against the Netherlands. When given space, it is the pace and sheer skill of Ronaldo and Nani that makes the difference on the wings. Real Madrid teammates Pepe and Fábio Coentrão are impressive in both attack and defense. With Ronaldo’s free kick and Pepe’s presence in the area, Portugal is lethal from dead plays. If the Czech’s look to play on the offensive, you would have to think it would play into the style of Portugal, where they can counter and use their speed down the wings.

Ronaldo is looking to make history with Portugal

Prediction:


Both teams are fully recovered from their Euro 2012 Group Stage opening defeats. The Czechs, who are playing their fifth straight Euro Cup, eliminated Portugal in the 1996 quarter-final on their way to the final. The last time they met was in Euro 2008 where Portugal won 3-1, so the Czech Republic has that loss fresh in their minds. However, with a reinvigorated Ronaldo, the Navigators are again the heavy favorites. Without Rosicky, the Portuguese firepower in attack will be too much for Petr Cech to put out. Have to go with Portugal.


Pick:


Czech Republic 0 – 2 Portugal

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