Euro 2012 - The Final (Spain v. Italy)

After almost a month of exhilarating football we have reached the final of Euro 2012. Spain and Italy, two deserving finalists, will battle for the premier crown in European international football. Similar to Euro 2004, where Greece and Portugal had a rematch of their opening group match in the final match, Spain and Italy meet for the second time to decide the title.

Euro 2012 - Semifinal #2 (Germany v. Italy)

It is a bittersweet time in the tournament for many footballing fans. See, after today's semifinal there is only one match left in the entire competition. However, we really shouldn't get ourselves too down. Sporting events come and go thus allowing for our emotions to continuously be part of a never-ending roller coaster. This is why we watch sports, the best reality programming in television. Let's jump right into the Germany - Italy semifinal.

Euro 2012 - Quarterfinal #4 (England v. Italy)

Barely recovering from last night's birthday festivities and we manage to squeeze in a fearless prediction for today's quarterfinal between England and Italy.

Euro 2012 Fearless Predictions - Day 11

Travel day for Posts By Panos . . . but have no fear tomorrow's fearless predictions will be packed with a complete preview of the final round of match for Group D.

Euro 2012 Fearless Predictions - Days 6-8

You could argue I have been lazy, but I would rather say I have been pre-occupied. See, I have traveled down south to the coast of Maryland for the lovely wedding of two good friends from business school. Unable to post any fearless predictions, has clearly left my readers in a loop, but here is recap of what I would have predicted.

Euro 2012 Fearless Predictions - Day 3

Two days into Euro 2012 and we have our first major upset of the tournament with the Danes taking down the Dutch with a dogged determined defensive effort. I hope everyone likes that little alliteration, I do it for the kids. Let's get to Day 3 with another set of fearless predictions.

Euro 2012 - Group C Preview

Group C at the European Champions in Poland and Ukraine is highlighted by the defending champions, Spain, the pragmatic Italians ever dogged by scandal, determined Croatia and pesky Ireland. One can argue that all four teams in this group are not entering this tournament in the greatest form, yet once the tournament begins we  will be surely blessed with some fantastic football.

Kobe Bryant Italian Nike Ad

Thanks to Jimmy Traina and SI Hot Clicks comes this fantastic Nike ad featuring soccer players, Kobe Bryant and the ever beautiful Melissa Satta. (Enjoy these pictures fellas Melissa Satta Photoshoot)

A Way Too Early Look At Euro 2012

Congratulations we have all survived another two year qualifying cycle for a major footballing tournament. This time we have managed to whittle down 53 of Europe's footballing nations to the 16 that will compete in Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. So that only means that Posts By Panos has to give you a way to early look at the tournament.

Day 14 Fearless Predictions

Wow, what drama as the United States scored a late goal to secure their passage to the Round of 16 while elminating the Slovenians who lost to England, 1-0. The Americans victory sees them leap frog England into first place in Group C and into a quadrant of South Korea, Uruguay and Ghana for a place in the Final 4. Not many would of had that before the tourney. As you can see, when I choose the games with my head rather than my heart, thank you Greece, I actually can pick one or two. Day 14 sees Group E & F up for grabs with only the Netherlands having secured a spot into the last round. All the pressure will be on the Italians in their match against Slovakia. Onto the picks!

Day 14

Paraguay - New Zealand

You have to be impressed with the All-Whites who have secured two points from their first two matches and find themselves with a fighting chance to qualify for the Round of 16 if they can secure victory against Paraguay. Paraguay can secure first place in the group with a victory and will look to do so to avoid the Dutch in the next round. The dream dies for the Kiwis, but what a ride it was.

Paraguay - New Zealand (2-0)

Slovakia - Italy

Slovakia can secure their passage into the Round of 16 if they beat Italy and New Zealand fails to beat Paraguay. The key during this match revolves around who will control the midfield battle between both sides and if Andrea Pirlo will be fit for the Italians. Usually the Italians excel in the third group game and I assume that they will be able to do the job against Slovakia and set up a match-up versus the Dutch.

Slovakia - Italy (1-2)

Cameroon - Netherlands

Cameroon have already been assured of an early flight home, while the Dutch, with a point, will secure first place in the Group. I do not expect many of the Dutch veterans to be in the squad and I expect to see a youthful squad led by Hunterlaar, Babel and Elia. Furthermore, this is Cameroon's final attempt to salvage some pride for their nation after a horrendous showing at the World Cup. Regardless I see the Dutch playing well and cruising into the last 16.

Cameroon - Netherlands (0-2)

Denmark - Japan

It comes down to this, winner takes all for a place in the Round of 16. The Danes played extremely well in their match against Cameroon and I expect them to take the game to the Japanese. Japan have been resilient themselves but hardly have they attacked with any flair or conviction. They can still hold out but they know they need a victory to get to the knock-out stage.

Denmark - Japan (1-0)

OVERALL RECORD

21-19

Day 10 Fearless Predictions

The Dutch are in the Round of 16, and we have 15 more cards to punch to the Big Dance, while Cameroon became the first team to be eliminated from the World Cup. That is the Cliff's Notes version of what happened on Day 9 of the World Cup. Day 10 sees the last two world champions in action as Italy and Brazil take to the field in the later games. Onto the action.

Day 10

Slovakia - Paraguay

Slovakia's Robert Vittek is two goals away from becoming Slovakia's all-time leading goal scorer. I am willing to put a wager that he is not going to accomplish the task in this game against a stout and defensive Paraguayan side. Paraguay looked better than Italy in their first match of the tourney and I expect them to squeeze a victory out of the affair with Slovakia.

Slovakia - Paraguay (0-1)

Italy - New Zealand

The Italians looked past their best in their match against Paraguay and for the majority of the game were outplayed by the South Americans. New Zealand, on the other hand, battled till the very end and grabbed a valuable point against Slovakia that was one of the most exciting moments of the tournament. The Italians should beat the Kiwis, but this World Cup has been so difficult to predict. However, with everything said, Italy should win.

Italy - New Zealand (2-0)

Brazil - Ivory Coast

Brazil is in action against the Ivory Coast for the late game of the day. Brazil struggled to break down the North Korean defense but eventually Maicon struck for the breakthrough and Brazil coasted till the end. Ivory Coast should expect Didier Drogba to resume his spot in the starting line-up but African teams at this World Cup have only won one game out of 11. This should be a fun game, and I see Brazil edging for victory.

Brazil - Ivory Coast (2-1)

OVERALL

12-14

Day 4 Fearless Predictions

Finally, our first dominant World Cup performance. Thank you Germany. Let's move ahead with Day 4, where we will see the defending champions Italy in action coupled with the Dutch, Danes, Japanese, Paraguayans and Cameroonians. And now unto the picks.

Day 4

Netherlands - Denmark

Without Arjen Robben the Dutch could struggle against their sternest test in the group stage. I expect Sneijder and van Persie to pick up the slack for the Oranje and see them walking away with a 3-1 victory against the Danes who might be missing Nicolas Bendtner.

Netherlands - Denmark (3-1)

Japan - Cameroon

So far African teams in the tournament have one win, two losses and one tie. Let's even things out and give the Lions the victory over the Japanese. I see E'too snatching two goals in a key victory for Cameroon before their big matches against the Dutch and Danes.

Japan - Cameroon (0-2)

Italy - Paraguay

Italy will be missing Andrea Pirlo and I feel that the squads creativity will be lacking with his absence. This match has the potential to be an absolute dogfight between two defensive organized squads. Therefore, I see this match ending in a draw. Both teams cancel each other out.

Italy - Paraguay (1-1)

OVERALL RECORD

4-4

Group F Preview

Overview:

Group F appears to be rather straightforward with Italy expected to top the group leaving Paraguay and Slovakia battling for the second spot while New Zealand in all probability will bring up the rear. The Italians are the defending World Cup champions but many of the pundits probably do not see the Italians repeating their fine form of 2006. Marcelo Lippi recently changed Italy's formation from a 4-3-3 to a 4-3-1-2 to favor the skills of Andre Pirlo. The problem is that Pirlo is currently injured and will not feature at the World Cup till the final group stage game. Furthermore, Italy appear to be lacking a creative replacement for Pirlo as Lippi has failed to recall Totti or Cassano for the Italian squad. Paraguay qualified for the World Cup with the second best defensive record in the South American region. Unfortunately a hideous crime has robbed the World Cup of one of Paraguay's best offensive talents in Salvador Cabanas. Cabanas was shot in the head outside a bar/nightclub in Mexico. Even with the loss of Cabanas, Paraguay still possess a formidable strike force in the form of Nelson Haedo Valdez and Oscar Cardozo. However, Paraguay still lacks a creative midfielder to pull the strings. Slovakia have been touted in the press as a potential dark horse for the World Cup. Slovakia plays a neat intricate passing attacking form of football that will focus on the strength of the team, the midfield. Marek Hamsik is an absolute stud in the middle of the park and a host of the big clubs will be looking for his services if he performs at this upcoming World Cup. Just a quick history lesson but the 1976 Euro Cup Winners Czechoslovakia had a majority of their players from Slovakia, maybe lightning can strike twice. New Zealand are one of the weakest teams at the tournament and although they did well to qualify for South Africa courtesy of a play-off against Bahrain. New Zealand will struggle in this group and realistically all they can hope for is a point.

Players To Watch:

Italy - Fabio Cannavaro - In my opinion Italy will be at its best if Mr. Fabio is at his best. After a sub-par season with Juventus, the Italians are looking for major improvements in the play of Cannavaro. Keep in mind that in their 2006 triumph Cannavaro was voted Player of the Tournament.

Paraguay - Oscar Cardozo - Nicknamed the Bamboo Tree because of his 6 foot 4 inch frame, Cardozo offers a target for the midfielders of Paraguay. He just came off a successful season with Benfica and perhaps will be snatched up by one of the EPL teams that prefer the use of a target man.

Slovakia - Marek Hamsik - Perhaps the heir apparent to Kaka's vacant throne as the best creative midfielder in the Serie A, Marek Hamsik is the key player for the Slovakian national team. Already being courted by the big boys of Europe and as stated earlier a big World Cup will lead to a big pay day.

New Zealand - Ryan Nielson - Nielson is the only member of the Kiwis who plays their football in a major league, as he is currently with Blackburn Rovers in the EPL. Nielson is also a former member of D.C. United and the MLS.

Projected Order Of Finish:

Italy

Paraguay

Slovakia

New Zealand