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 #1 (Portugal - Spain)

Running around downtown today for meetings, so can't get a full preview in, however something will be up for Germany v. Italy.

Euro 2012 - Quarterfinal #3 (Spain v. France)

It's my birthday, so I am keeping it short and simple.

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.

The $1BN Real Madrid Resort

Spain currently has an unemployment rate greater than 20%. Total debt in Spain is equal to about 270% of GDP. But did that scare Real Madrid president, Florentino Perez? No sir, he wasn't scared and proved it by laying the foundation for a $1BN holiday resort in the United Arab Emirates.

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.

FIBA World Basketball Championships - Quarterfinal Preview

I am batting .750 going six for eight in picks for the first knockout round of the FIBA World Championships, but let's be honest the games were not that difficult to pick and if I used my head instead of my heart I would have been perfect. Regardless, we are at the quarterfinal stage of the competition, so onto the fearless predictions.

FIBA World Basketball Championships - Sweet Sixteen Preview

After a week and a half of round robin basketball action, we have finally entered the knock-out single elimination stage of the FIBA World Basketball Championships. We have had our fair share of disappointments, thank you Canada and surprises, way to go New Zealand. So let's get our perspective on the upcoming matches with some fearless predictions.

FIBA World Basketball Championships - Group D Preview

After a couple days off enjoying the Toronto summertime weather, I am ready to dive back into the FIBA World Basketball Championships with the final group preview. So onto Group D, enjoy!

Our Crazy Announcer Is Back

Camacho is back and in fine form after Andres Iniesta's winning goal against the Netherlands. Enjoy!

Pepe The Partier

Pepe Reina, Spain's backup keeper and current #1 for Liverpool, leads the festivities for the Spanish football team after their World Cup victory. This is a fantastic clip that shows plenty of Reina, congo lines, iPod dock stations and of course Iker Casillas' girlfriend, Sara Carbonera. Enjoy!

Final - Fearless Prediction

Without internet typing on my blackberry!

Netherlands - Spain (2-1)

OVERALL RECORD
35-28

Live Commentary - Germany v. Spain

Karma In Germany's Favor?

This is a fascinating clip of the Spanish team celebrating in front of Bastien Schweinsteiger after their victory in at Euro 2008. Is karma on Germany's side? Thoughts? Leave a comment!

Semifinal #2 - Germany v. Spain

Welcome to the second semifinal between Germany and Spain. The winner will meet the Netherlands in the final on Sunday afternoon in North America, and I could not be more excited for this match. As always the breakdown is listed below and I will also be hosting a live chat during the game, so tell you friends, family and colleagues to join in.

Germany

Minimize The Loss Of Thomas Muller

High Defensive Pressure

Exploit Spain's Wingbacks & Their Attacking Forays

Locate David Villa

Spain

Control Tempo & Possession

Man Mark Bastien Schweinsteiger

Attack Phillip Lahm

Do Not Concede The Early Goal

According to many betting websites the Spanish are the slight favorites in this match, but both teams are very evenly matched and we all hope that a fairly entertaining and attacking game of football is on tap. With the victory by the Dutch we are assured of the first European World Cup winner outside of Europe, quite shocking considering that a couple days ago we were discussing the rise of South America and the demise of Europe, but here we are. Let's take a look at the key match-ups for this semifinal.

Key Match-Ups

Miroslav Klose - Carles Puyol

Miroslav Klose is one goal away from tying the great Ronaldo for the most goals ever at the World Cup, absolutely outstanding considering Klose did not get off the bench for his club team Bayern Munich during this past season. Klose is a pure striker, getting into the right position in the box and burying his chance. Usually he scores the majority of his goals with his head, but lately he has found the range with his feet.

Puyol is the heart of Spain's defense, and the guitarist for a 1980s rockband is all about heart and passion. He is a strong tackler that is liable for a mistake or two during the course of the game. If Puyol can contain Klose, Spain should win the game, however if Klose pots a goal, good night Espana!

Bastian Schweinsteiger - Xavi

This is the match-up that will shape the middle of the park for the semifinal between Germany and Spain. Schweinsteiger has usually played on the wing for Germany, but because of the injury to captain Michael Ballack he is now operating in the middle and has been the key engine for the German attack. He has played phenomenally so far and his assist on the third goal for Germany against Argentina was pure class.

Xavi, it has been argued, is more valuable to Barcelona than Lionel Messi. I might not agree with that sentiment, but he is as valuable in my opinion as Lionel Messi. Xavi controls everything for the Spanish and their attack and is the key fulcrum for their pass and move style of play. If Xavi can connect on a couple through balls to David Villa or Pedro then watch-out as we will have a Spain - Netherlands final.

Phillip Lahm - David Villa

Here we have a match-up between the German right and the Spanish left should Lahm and Villa remain in the positions they have played for the duration of this tournament. Lahm has enjoyed a remarkable season at club and now country level. With Bayern Munich he was one of the outstanding factors that led them to the Champions League final as well as domestic glory, and now he has transferred his reliable defending and swashbuckling attacking onto the international setup.

On the other hand, Villa has unquestionably been la Furia Roja’s outstanding offensive force since Euro 2008. Having been pushed somewhat into the shade in that competition, he has since fired on all cylinders for the national side, scoring a truly breathtaking 25 in his last 31 internationals. What a match-up!

Fearless Prediction

I have gone back and forth on this match-up and really I have no idea which team is going to win, so I am going with a statistic that I quoted earlier in my posts, that Germany or Brazil have been in 11 of the 13 previous World Cup finals. Germany gets revenge for their loss in the Euro 2008 final, so I am going with Germany to win 3-2 in extra time.

Germany - Spain (3-2)

OVERALL RECORD

34-27

Spanish Announcer Going Crazy

Spanish commentator and Real Madrid legend Camacho was so excited by David Villa's goal in Spain's 1-0 quarterfinal win over Paraguay that the overwhelming emotion made him convulse and appear to repeatedly hit himself in the face with his own microphone. That, my friends, is a man who cares. And I doubt he was the only Spaniard to react like that since Villa's goal puts his country in the World Cup semifinals for the first time ever. Villa maravilla! (Credit to Ramzi for the link)

Day 21 Fearless Predictions - Paraguay v. Spain

Wow, Germany took the sword to Argentina, and completely took then out of their game plan and outclassed them 4-0, very shocking result in my opinion. I was aware of Argentina's defensive failings but never to this degree. Furthermore, Lionel Messi was completely taken out of the game via the man-marking from Khedira. Great result for the Germans, and another South American team falls at the quarter-final stage.

Day 21

Paraguay - Spain

Paraguay were not expected to the make the quarter-finals, but here they are ready to show the world that they deserve to be here and are facing a tough task against the Spanish. Spain, on the other hand, have yet to reach the full potential and have been slowly building towards top gear. The Paraguayans will create a defensive shell infront of their back four and try to limit the scoring opportunities for the Spanish. Spain will have to rely on the creativity of Xavi, Iniesta and Xabi Alonso in order to score the goals. The key to this match is whether Paraguay can limit Spain to few offensive opportunities and keep the match scoreless at the half. After that then the game is in the balance for Paraguay. Spain are the overwhelming favorites and have the talent to take the game to Paraguay. I am looking for Torres to open his account for the Spanish with Villa grabbing the second.

Paraguay - Spain (0-2)

OVERALL RECORD

32-27