Euro 2012

Semi Finals – Day One – Dugout Discussion

After a brief three-day hiatus from the Euro 2012 action, we’re raring to go once again as Spain take on Portugal this evening in the first semi-final of the tournament. With only three games left of the competition, there are big decisions to be made by Fantasy managers looking to get that vital edge in their mini-leagues. As always, we’ve opened up the Dugout Discussion ahead of kick-off:

The team news is in and is as follows:

Vicente Del Bosque makes one alteration to Spain’s lineup from the side that saw off France 2-0 in the previous round. It’s a move that will surprise many, with Alvaro Negredo handed the chance to lead the line, as Cesc Fabregas joins Fernando Torres on the bench. Portugal also make a single change but it’s one that had been anticipated. With Helder Postiga due to a hamstring injury, Hugo Almeida is given the lone forward role.

Spain XI: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pique, Jordi Alba; Busquets, Alonso, Xavi; Silva, Negredo, Iniesta

Portugal XI: Patricio: Pereira, Pepe, Bruno Alves, CoentrAo; Veloso, Meireles, Moutinho; Nani, Almeida, Ronaldo

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1,871 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Harry Ball Bag™⚽⚽…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Oh dear pens!

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  2. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Well done GB, no way I can beat you now unless Hummels or Neuer score

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  3. Parm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Clean Sheets locked it.

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  4. UKG
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Clean sheet central. Awesome

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  5. Bøwstring The Carp
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Patricio and Alba secured on 14 pts 🙂

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    1. UKG
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      +14

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  6. Gaz Downright
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    regardless of your fantasy team:

    spain or portugal?

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    1. Bøwstring The Carp
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Spain

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  7. Waldaz
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    At least spanish defence delivered, now win this!

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  8. Somalion
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Really hope Portugal win on these.

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      -1

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      1. Somalion
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        +2 = +1

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        1. Abominable Snowy84
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 11 months ago

          -3 = -2

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          1. Somalion
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 11 months ago

            x-3 = +6

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  9. Back on the horse
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    hmmm, should have had a few more defenders in my squad

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  10. crystalpalaceRus
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Ronaldos missed a few pens lately hasnt he?

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  11. leo_messi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Spain will win it..just one reason:

    Patricio < Casillas

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    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Portugal's legs have gone, they should sky a couple.

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  12. @ImpressiveTackl
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Fair play Portugal. This is the best chance for a team to beat Spain in a major tournie since Italy 4 years ago.

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  13. Bungalow Bill
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    if Portugal go through I'll be happy that Spain were dumped out for playing no strikers, but the Germans would be tested more in the final by Spain … I'm conflicted

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  14. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Sweet, 3 cs with 2 German defs to come... 😀

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    1. Mull
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Ditto.

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    2. @ImpressiveTackl
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      3 with 3 of ze Germans to come.

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    3. Back on the horse
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      3cs with Abate and Limbersky to come....

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  15. RoysCallerAnne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Moutinho was just awesome in that game

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      him and Pepe were both immense.

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  16. Miro
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Ronaldo to miss a pen. I said it first 😀

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  17. Chrissy Waddle - 2023/24
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    It's pens time.... Drama, drama, drama!!!!!!!!

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  18. BONZ
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Fecking Hell.......that's a kick in dick for any german/Italian defenders in fantasy land 🙁

    Spain looked great in last 20mins!

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  19. Mílanista
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    They had to hold on for 120 minutes with Ronaldo on the other side but Spain have given me 24 clean sheet points. Now, if they can just win the shootout I don't have to spend any of them getting a team for the final!

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Alba(C) this side!

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      1. Mílanista
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        Pique here

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  20. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    I apologize to all the people out here who I advised to stock up on midfielders and downgrade defense as none of the semis were expected to be goal less affairs...

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    1. RoysCallerAnne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      That's ok I wouldn't have listened to you anyway 😉

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  21. Coldplay
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Portugal would win it now and put our fantasy teams in jeopardy I am afraid.

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  22. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Here are all the penalties that Casillas (Spain) & Patricio (Portugal) have faced since 2008 - http://twitpic.com/a18gjl

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    1. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Nice gfx. Casillas has made a couple of great pen saves

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  23. UKG
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Come on Portugal.

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  24. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Navas Bandwagon

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    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Perron too

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      1. Art Vandelay
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 11 months ago

        *pedro

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  25. Lordjim
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    37 pts and have a small hedge with 3 Portugal players. Obviously prefer Spain to go through on Pens...5:15am here....hanging on...

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  26. Red20
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Ronaldo to do a John Terry 😀

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  27. Chrissy Waddle - 2023/24
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Who thinks Ronnie will choke again on the big stage with his pen?

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    1. Bungalow Bill
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      me

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  28. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Portugal to win it 4-3 after penalties...

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  29. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    Can't wait to say 'Jesus wept' when he misses the crucial one and cries...... 😀

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      Not going to happen 😀

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  30. @ImpressiveTackl
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 11 months ago

    5 players possibly going out here, 3 (2 really) at best

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    1. Mílanista
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 11 months ago

      6 or 0. Come on Spain!

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