Euro 2012

Scout Notes – Matchday One, Day Four

Zlatan Ibrahimovic gets amongst the goals but it’s Andrei Shevchenko who steals the headlines by bagging a brace as Ukraine see off Sweden. England and France play out a stalemate earlier in the day, with Man City pair Joleon Lescott and Samir Nasri both finding the net as Laurent Blanc’s side extend their unbeaten run to 22 games:

England 1 France 1
Roy Hodgson saw his side concede for the first time since taking charge but, despite France’s domination, managed to scrape thanks to a resilient defensive display. Joleon Lescott will no doubt be on plenty Fantasy radars after his opener against Laurent Blanc’s side – priced at 5.5 in the McDonald’s game, he offers the cheapest route into England’s backline ahead of the clashes with Sweden and Ukraine.

Hodgson’s decision to opt for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the left of midfield instead of Stewart Downing will also have Fantasy managers on alert. Priced at 6.0 in the McDonald’s game and with just 2.8% ownership, the Arsenal youngster is an intriguing proposition but it’s perhaps debatable whether he will keep his starting role when Wayne Rooney’s suspension finishes ahead of Matchday 3. There’s every chance Rooney could be partnered by Danny Welbeck up front for the game against Ukraine, with Ashley Young possibly moving out to the left at Oxlade-Chamberlain’s expense. England’s midfield work-rate helped Steven Gerrard, James Milner and Scott Parker all pick up an extra point apiece due to the recovered balls rule, with the Liverpool skipper’s assist for Lescott’s goal helping him to a six point return.

Laurent Blanc’s starting XI was as expected. Mathieu Debuchy got the nod at right-back, while Alou Diarra started in the defensive central midfield role due to Yann M’Vila’s recent injury. The latter was fit enough to be handed a role on the bench, however, suggesting he may well come into contention for Friday’s showdown with Ukraine.

Elsewhere, Samir Nasri was the standout Fantasy performer in Blanc’s front three. Coming in at 8.5 in the McDonald’s game, the City man is 1.0 cheaper than both Karim Benzema and Franck Ribery and has just 6.8% ownership – his goal just before half-time helped him to an eight point haul, while Ribery returned five points for providing the assist. Nasri also created eight goalscoring opportunities for his team mates – more than any French player – while Benzema managed six attempts on goal; encouraging for his Fantasy owners ahead of the upcoming couple of matches.

Ukraine 2 Sweden 1
The later game followed the script of the previous three days. All four of the 7.45pm kick-offs in Matchday 1 resulted in victories, whereas three of the four early matches produced draws, with teams a little more tentative in the group openers. Oleg Blokhin’s only surprise was the selection of Andrei Shevchenko up front – the former Milan man had started the last three friendlies on the bench and was hampered with injuries earlier in the year. Shevchenko vindicated his manager’s decision by inspiring the co-hosts’ comeback and grabbing both his side’s goals – priced at 7.0 and with a mere 2.2% ownership he proved an inspired Matchday 1 choice, with a 10 point return showing we should never write him off.

Site favourites Andriy Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka also played their part, providing an assist apiece. The latter also looked a lively goal threat and managed five attempts at goal; priced at 5.5 compared to Yarmolenko’s 7.0, he’s a decent mid-price alternative for those Fantasy managers reluctant to splash the cash and, with 0.9% ownership, he also has a share of set-piece duties in the bag.

Erik Hamren picked Andreas Granqvist ahead of Jonas Olsson in the heart of Sweden’s defence, with Martin Olsson slotting in at left-back. Both the latter and Granqvist come in at 4.0 in the McDonald’s game but with a single clean sheet in their last nine, the Swedes will hardly inspire confidence in Fantasy managers ahead of the remaining two games.

Rasmus Elm was handed a slot in central midfield, while Ola Toivonen – who had played up front in the recent friendly win over Serbia – moved to the left flank after Markus Rosenberg recovered from injury to lead the line. Kim Kallstrom rewarded his 2.7% owners by providing the assist for Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s opener and the Milan man can consider himself unlucky to be on the losing side after a strong performance – he managed four goal attempts and created four goalscoring opportunities for his team mates. With Sweden’s schedule now looking far from favourable, though, 8.0 priced Ibrahimovic’s 24.6% of owners have a tricky decision to make, with many deciding to wield wildcards in order to freshen up their frontlines ahead of the Matchday 2 kick-off later on today.

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3,265 Comments Post a Comment
  1. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Last minute choices.....

    Kerzhakov or Cassano?? (I have Shirokov but no Italy attacking cover)

    Meireles or Rosicky (I have Ronaldo)

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Dont worry about Italy attack
      Ronaldo Rosicky Arshavin?

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  2. Jimbo123
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    My assistant is telling me that he thinks Ashley Young will score more points than Benzema!?

    Is he on crack?

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  3. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Ok changed my mind....
    Going with Alba and Marchisio instead of Debuchy Pirlo

    Sensible?

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Though it looks like a bad choice on paper!

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Terrible change it back

        Marchiso why?

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        1. HuttonDressedasLahm
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          The way I see it he scores a lot of goals from midfield. The Croatia defense has a problem there hence Andrews having 8 attempts against them. He is my differential....and cheaper

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    2. Spike ⚽️
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Alba on a yellow 🙁

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        True, but ill take the risk, and too late anyway!

        Good luck people

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  4. Spike ⚽️
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Good luck everyone. GW2 here we come 🙂

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  5. ricksoa86
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Dzagoev or Kerzakhov as captain tonight?

    Quick!!!!!!!!!Please!!!!

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    1. Derailed Bandwagon
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Dzagoev

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Kerzakov. They will mark Dzagoev out giving Arshavin/Kerza loads of space.
      Polands right back gets forward the most leaving more holes on that side.

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  6. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Chalkias
    Maggio//KPapa//Limbersky//Poulsen
    Pirlo//Sneidjer//Dzagoev//Xabi Alonso//Krohn Delhi
    Arshavin

    Hart//Welbeck//Benzema//Debuchy

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    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Fear the mids

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I miss Hummels and Ramos 🙁

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    2. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      We are Arshavin buddies!

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        Whoop

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      2. Spike ⚽️
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        + 1 🙂

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  7. Azzuri_Buddy
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    KERZHAKOV OR SHIROKOV CAPTAIN??!

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  8. Derailed Bandwagon
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Whose everyone captained then??

    Ive gambled on Gekas.

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    1. Soidisant
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Arshavin

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    2. GoonerByron
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Kerzhakov again, although I was tempted by Rosicky

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  9. jaredmason
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Andersen / Hart
    Maggio / Alba / Gebre Selassie / Maniatis / Debuchy
    Pilar / Dzagoev / Mandzukic / Iniesta / Young
    Arshavin / Cassano / Benzema

    Any known issues with these boys? Thinking maybe Arshavin to Kerzhakov. Worth it? Wjere would you put the extra dollar?

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  10. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Come on Kerzhakov!!

    Hope I don't regret dropping Cassano one minute before deadline!

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  11. Natas
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Hope I dont regret my last second polanski=>Fortunis trannie

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  12. davysteen
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Delighted with my team..anyone care to burst my bubble?

    Chalkias -Hart
    Alba Kadlec Maggio -Debuchy Lescott
    Pirlo Pilar Fabregas Shikorov Dzagoev
    Salpiginas Ronaldo -Benzema

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  13. DonTheSpecialOne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Think i messed up my team right there. Last minute swaps, argh!!! Heading out for something to eat, catch you later lads

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  14. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I've put Fortounis into my team and have no clue who he is or where he plays 😀

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  15. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Arshavin (c) FTW!!

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    1. DonTheSpecialOne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      this

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  16. turbosmalec
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Good luck everyone!

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    1. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Good luck Poland!

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  17. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Russia 5 - 0 Poland 😀

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    1. turbosmalec
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Not 😛

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  18. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    That was stressful.

    I think I got there in the end, but team was a nightmare to select. Definitely doing it the night before next time!

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  19. isacki: full casual
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Game has already updated. Incredible.

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  20. Azzuri_Buddy
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Ok after some last minutes changes:

    the final WC team:

    Chalkias/Rui Patrício
    Evra/Maggio/Alba/Lescott/Maniatis
    Fabregas/Shirokov/Pirlo/Mandžukić/Pilar
    Kerzhakov/CR7/Benzema

    Captains:Kerzhakov,CR7,Fabregas,Benzema

    Opinions?

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  21. jaredmason
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Gutted. Team change fail. Man I hate time differences! I bet most you guys can just sort your team out after work... Meanwhile I have to get out of bed at 3:30AM!

    Oh well - worse options out there than Dzagoev for captain...

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  22. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Last minute RVP --> Ronaldo = RVP hattrick

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  23. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Xcellent choice bringing in k papa for hubnik last minute. Here we go again!

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  24. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    My last minute switch of Kadlec to Selassie and Meireles to Pilar is looking pretty good right now.

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  25. RevsFC
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Arsenal look likely to sign Giroud, is this another sign RVP is out? Or will he be a replacement for the other four strikers likely to leave?

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  26. I Am ToTo
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    captin xavi or silva?

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  27. mo 10 years on FFS? Join my…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Stick with malieff (4) or twist with anderson?

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    1. Natas
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Stick - thats one is easy - Portugal can tear anderon up

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  28. GREENDREAMS11
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    dear oh dear ronny. wink now ya fool

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  29. georgeelokobi
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    CAN SOMEONE GIVE FEEDBACK/ADIVCE/TIPS FOR MY TEAM. I am doing bad so far:

    -------------------- Akinfeev ------------------
    Coentrao - Lahm - V.Der Wiel - Cole
    Shirokov - Cabaye - Modric - Young
    ----------- Van Persie - Jelavic -----------
    Subs - Wiland, Elmander, Kjaer, Eriksen.

    Who should I get rid of and who should I sign?

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  30. UKG
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Would you remove Cech for Given today, this is one of my issues or are Ireland going to get stuffed 4+ by Spain do we think?

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