As we do every four years, Soccer365 will revisit each corresponding set of games from the European Championship with notes, news, numbers and other various nifties, including a star team of the round.
By the time we reach the July 1st final in Kyiv, this space will have dished out a continent's worth of informational tidbits you never, ever wanted to know about Euro 2012 - but still may proudly bust out during pub debates.
No balloons, no fireworks and no confetti. Oh, and definitely no fire trucks.
Sorry to Poland and the Ukraine, but you've extended the host nation curse developing at Euros. It all started when the Netherlands fired 743 shots and hit the post 43 times (or something like that) to drop the semifinal to Italy in 2000. Four years later, Portugal lost the first and last games of the tournament to shock inducers Greece, and then both Austria and Switzerland washed out badly at Euro 2008.
That brings us to the present, and it can be said that the Ukraine did snap a four-game win drought for hosts in an opening game with a rally past Sweden. However, Jiranek's late goal meant that both home countries would make a three-and-out exit for the second consecutive tourney - if not without a few more thrills this time.
Live Nude Goals
Before the tourney started, I told everyone who'd listen to expect plenty of goals in the relatively cool summer climates of Poland and the Ukraine. Even if I expected a bit more production, the teams did not make me look bad.
In the 24 group stage matches, we enjoyed a grand total of 60 goals, a nice clean average of two-and-a-half per game. There were no 0-0 results and both sides scored in 14 games.
Though slightly up from the 57 group goals of four years ago, this year's edition fell short of the record 65 rung up in similar Belgian and Dutch climates at Euro 2000. Of course, that tourney also had six group stage penalty kick goals, whereas the lone 2012 attempt to date was saved.
Country Clubs
In all, 45 different players scored in the group phase... but which clubs accounted for the most? You will be very surprised.
Fresh off a season that saw them finish a disappointing eighth, Wolfsburg have been the top club provider of Euro 2012 goals so far with seven. Croatia's Mario Mandzukic is among the Golden Boot frontrunners on three, while Petr Jiracek and Vaclav Pilar have each hit twice for the Czechs.
Buoyed by one player just arriving (Lukas Podolski) and one likely headed out the door very soon (Nicklas Bendtner), Arsenal stand second with five team goals. English Premier League champs Manchester City can claim four, while AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid all currently sit on three.
Orange Crushed - Part Deux
How bad was this tourney for the bickering Dutch? The three consecutive losses registered their first such sad streak in 20 years.
Oh, but it gets worse. This flop-out also marked the first ever time the Netherlands have dropped three straight competitive matches.
S365 Team of Group Closing Day
G - Joe Hart (England)
Not only did he make a diving stop on Yarmolenko to save the lead, he got the piece of a late shot that allowed Terry to clear "off" his line.
RB - Theodor Gebre Selassie (Czech Republic)
For the third straight game, the Slovan Liberec man set off transfer buzz with a fit two-way display.
CB - Michal Kadlec (Czech Republic)
Forget Terry's "line" save; the Bayer Leverkusen man did the real deal in the waning seconds of a strong shift to preserve his side's place in the quarters.
CB - Olof Mellberg (Sweden)
The wily veteran was at his best again, dominating his box and raising some fears in France's.
LB - Fabio Coentrao (Portugal)
Shut down Robben? Check. Feed the wing expertly? Check. And please, let's not forget that glorious Quest Crew hair.
DM - Thomas Hubschman (Czech Republic)
After keeping both the time and the gate, the veteran threaded the needle to help facilitate the late winner his team needed.
AM - Luka Modric (Croatia)
It's not often one guy hacks Spain's midfield program. Any other questions?
AM - Steven Gerrard (England)
Liverpool's elegant bull is probably the main reason England won their group. Heck, he's probably the main reason they advanced at all.
AM - Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
So nice of you to show. C-Ron dooms Oranje with a double to give him goals in three straight European Championships.
F - Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
For all his work against France, you may be surprised to learn that his winning goal was the only shot Zlatan took in the match. Just when you think you know somebody...
