Euro 2012

Captain Poll – Matchday Three – Day Three

If you happen to have a certain CR7 as your captain choice this evening, the chances are you’ll stick. Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace against Holland harvested a 20 point armband return, vindicating the 23% of Fantasy managers who handed him their vote in the Matchday Three, Day Two Captain Poll.

The other main protagonists failed to justify our faith, with Mario Gomez and Mesut Ozil bagging just an assist apiece in Germany’s win over Denmark. Robin Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder stuttered over the finishing line as the Dutch limped out of the tournament without a single point to their name. Time to assess the Group C options, then, ahead of tomorrow’s final matches.

Italy will be confident heading into their must-win match with Republic of Ireland. Giovanni Trapattoni’s have conceded seven goals in their two games thus far and arrive on the back of a morale-sapping 4-0 defeat at the hands of Spain. After a couple of back-to-back draws, the Italians know they must clinch a victory to stand any hope of progressing – Andrea Pirlo has had a hand in both their goals to date, while Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli will be desperate to break their scoring ducks. If Balotelli fails to shrug off a knee problem, Antonio Di Natale could come into contention, while Cesare Prandelli has also been talking up the displays of Alessandro Diamanti in training over the last couple of days.

Croatia will be reliant on Mario Mandzukic to maintain his sensational start to the tournament. The Wolfsburg man has proven to be an outstanding out-of-position midfielder in the McDonald’s game and has sparkled up front, finding the net three times already. Nikica Jelavic’s eye for goal deserted him against Italy but, as Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers know too well, he’s more than capable of capitalising on a half-chance. Darijo Srna’s set-piece and spot-kick duties mean he cannot be dismissed, despite Slaven Bilic’s decision to switch him to right-back in the first two fixtures.

Spain shifted up a gear against Ireland after playing out a stalemate with Italy in their opener. Fernando Torres’ brace against Trapattoni’s men will see many target the Chelsea man as a captaincy option against Croatia, while David Silva has been their most consistent attacking performer thus far. The City man has hand a hand in four of his side’s five goals over the first two games and is another strong candidate. Andres Iniesta’s threat on the left of the attacking three can never be overlooked, Cesc Fabregas has notched in each of his appearances, while the creativity of Xavi is sure to provide plenty of opportunities.

Republic of Ireland have a final chance to pick up a point and restore some pride before flying home after tomorrow’s match. Trapattoni will be desperate to mastermind a result against his native country, though it’s something of an understatement to say the Irish are firm underdogs. Robbie Keane looks the man most likely, while Aiden McGeady’s creativity and Kevin Doyle’s role as a foil for Keane up top sees them come into contention.

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790 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bubbles
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    So...fixtures out today, eh? What time we expecting them?

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    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      10, apparently. 😀

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

        Lovely stuff. Cheers Doos!

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

          Morning Bubbs. How you doing?

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

            Alright ta. Week off work for exams last week, so coming back to work aint the best, but ah well. How's your good self?

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

              Ok, Maccy D's are irritating the shit outta me. Having Sporting as a parnter doesn't help of course. 🙄

              I just hope I'm not burned out like I was after the WC2010.

              Otherwise all well on my side. Looking forward to start on my ticker later today!

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              1. Gaz Downright
                • Has Moderation Rights
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 9 months ago

                Burned out, not competing in FPL, would be a blessing in disguise for most of us wouldn't it? 😉

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

                The tension in the Christina-Sporting camp I can only imagine!

                Put your feet up after the Euros for a couple of weeks, it's been a long old fantasy season. You gotta give yourself a break. 😉

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

                  That's the plan. Less time on here is also on the agenda.

                  😉

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  2. Kevin Twine
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Iniesta or Cassano for captain?

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

      iniesta

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    2. NATSTER
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      inclining to Iniesta..

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    3. nedfoo
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      Got both players, going for Cassano.

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      1. Kevin Twine
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 9 months ago

        I fancy the punt as well, he's more likely to get a bag of goals IMO

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        1. nedfoo
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          exactly, plus there's always back-up in French/England cover.

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          1. NATSTER
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            Cassano was my initial thought.. Some chats on last page swayed my mind to Iniesta.

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  3. stilicho
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    I love fixture day. The strategising begins.

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

      *Apprentice chatter alert*

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

        I hope this is the year Stilicho links his username to his FPL team.

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        1. stilicho
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 9 months ago

          It's more likely to be the year I abandon the boards altogether.

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          1. stilicho
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 9 months ago

            12066 was my id last year.

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

            I think I speak for Christina too when I say we forgive you for the JPT debacle. There's no need to go to such extreme measures.

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

      🙂

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    3. Gaz Downright
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      marks the start of the FPL season

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  4. mysteryDave
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Still no defenders on the captain poll. I'm going for Bonucci.

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    1. Messimerized- Join My FPL L…
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 9 months ago

      He might not start even.

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  5. Willis.
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    New pose.

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

      Are you directing a fashion shoot or something?

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  6. div
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Cassano or Torres?

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  7. keyser-soze
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 9 months ago

    Pirlo or Torres for the arm band?

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