The Euro 2012 group stage is in the books, and Czech Republic, Greece, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Italy, England and France are the eight teams left standing prior to Thursday's opening match of the quarterfinals.
Before looking ahead to the remaining teams, though, there were a number of individual moments that stood out during what was a memorable group stage that deserve another look. Three goals, in particular, commanded more headlines than most.
Danny Welbeck's back-heel flick to cap England's comeback victory against Sweden, Mario Balotelli's overhead volley with his back to the goal to seal Italy's victory over Ireland and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's flying side volley against France all had the wow factor that brought the fans in Poland and Ukraine and those watching around the world to their feet.
Which of the three goals do you think was the best one during the Euro 2012 group stage? Take a look at our three nominees and cast your vote after the jump:
DANNY WELBECK vs. SWEDEN
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRQAWOZppwA]
MARIO BALOTELLI vs. IRELAND
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMcXqkCdhJk]
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC vs. FRANCE
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evBaQR7K_TA]
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How did you vote? Which goal do you think was the best of the Euro 2012 group stage? Was there any goal that was not one of these three that caught your attention the most?
Share your thoughts below.
Plus the slo-mo makes it look like a beer commercial… If Carroll were in a bikini. And a girl. And climbing out of a pool.
I get the feeling everyone voting Ibra is doing so out of fear he will come and find them if they vote otherwise…
Who may have no limbs…
With the form of the teams, added to the number of extra days the big teams have to rest before the next match, divided by the nature of football, could mean we may well see a Czech v France and England v Greece semi rather then the Spain v Portugal and Germany v Italy that logically should come out of this round of matches, and it’s in this impossible maths that makes football the beautiful game noeasyfootballblogsatthislevel.blogspot.co.uk/
He brought up his hand and started to point to his wrist. It sure looked like he was about to tell off Prandelli for waiting so long to bring him in. What a mental case.
Great job by his teammates to quiet him, though. Italy needs him, and he may have been banned from the team if he went overboard to the manager (and when does he not go overboard?).
Personally, I’m going with Zlatan on this one. Each are special in their own right, but the sheer joy I get from watching Ibra’s strike tells me everything I need to know. For those few seconds, it’s like watching everything that’s good and pure about this game.
None of those… did you see Gomez’s roulette against the Dutch?
Ibra is 17 yards away and is HORIZONTAL when he hits it. All other arguments are invalid.
the degree of difficulty, combined with the perfect execution
Ibra’s goal was a textbook volley, and so was Ballotelli’s overhead kick, but they are fantastic because they were executed perfectly.
There’s not textbook for Wellbeck’s creative heel flick.
I’m not hating on anyone, just pointing out that Gerrard and Carroll delivered a stunning goal, when expectations were low.
Its kind of like saying “the most impressive goal” than saying the “most improtant” goal. To add to what abc is trying to say
Shame for him that Ibra then outdid him the next day.
You might as well say “I cannot objectively asses the quality of these goals”…
Just another know-it-all internet tough guy…
So by that logic every goal that wins the game in the next round will be ahead of that Greece goal? And the round after that, until the finals? Iniesta’s was the best goal from the World Cup?
It’s “best goal” not “most important goal.”
You admitted that every aspect of it was “textbook” so how can it possibly be considred the best goal?
Ibra’s was from over twice the distance as Balotelli’s. No contest.
actually wiger may have no limbs… we just don’t know.
+1
What about Gerrard-Carroll vs. Sweden? Textbook service from the MF, textbook finishing with power and direction.
I voted for Welbeck, but Ibra’s was a stunner, especially in a tournament where it seemed like 95% of all shots from any distance were getting skied over the bar.
Welbeck hands down! Balotelli and Ibrahimovic had more time to watch the ball it comes from outside the box.
The goal that got Greece into the Knockout Round is the best Goal of the tourney. None of the others had such a BIG impact for their team.
Ibra had a few shots saved that were absolute cannons. He probably is the purest striker of the ball and hits it with the most power. He had one late in the England game that look like it was going to go right through Joe Hart.
would have liked to hear what Balotelli’s team mates where saying to him after his goal. one of them covers up his mouth and two others come over and calm him down.
My faves in order:
1. Ibra
2a. Welbeck
2b. Balotelli
3. Blaszczykowski
Ibra’s is really something else, and the slo-mo replay gives a wonderful sense of the acrobatic poetry of the shot. Phenomenal technique. I suppose that’s why people put up with all the other baggage that comes w/Ibra.
The other three goals are fantastic, too, but for a 6’5″ man to turn his hips and body and generate that kind of force shows what a special talent Ibra is.
You’re pretty damn special.
Not Balotelli or Ibra just out of principal.
Has to be Welbeck.
Ibra for sure. Welbeck’s was nice, but lucky.
The one that was disallowed was quite good.
Got to be Balotelli. He’s getting mugged as he makes that shot. Ibra’s is a tougher shot, but he’s not being thrown to the ground…
as much as it breaks my heart, ibra …
Balotelli’s got my vote – has a defender holding him and his back to goal and he managed to get that much power on that shot.
Ibra’s for strike beauty.
Welbeck had some luck to it.
Welbeck.
Is your life so hard that you can’t hit an “X” ? Jesus christ.
IBRA.
I’d have to say that the goal Fabregas scored against Ireland was pretty damn special.
Just wait…
Are you serious? I agree on Ibra’s goal being the best but just because somebody prefers Welbeck’s doesn’t mean they ‘don’t know about the game’
Would you rather pay for a subscription?
All were amazing, but to me it’s Welbeck. The guy is running, as the ball is played in he spins and hits an accurate shot with his back heel as the ball passes by. Subtle body control and then the ability to actually get his heel on the ball. Crazy good.
Ibra no questions asked. Anyone else votes differently, u guys don’t know about the game.
Ibra’s is a far better strike from further out.
Get a pop up blocker and problem solved.
Yeah… definite snub. Shot was from a ridiculous angle.
OT: Has anyone else noticed a recent increase in pop up ads from this site? Very annoying.
Ives, please look into this. You run a great site, but hopefully you are not so desperate to irritate all your loyal readers.
I would have Blaszczykowski over Balotelli for 3 though . . .
I really dislike Balotelli…but I gotta give him props for that goal. Amazing.
They’re all phenomenal in their own right. But I vote for Ibra, just watch it. He’s remarkable. Why haven’t Man City grabbed him yet?
Welbeck’s was a bit lucky, but the best I’ve seen so far.
Balotelli for sure-wonder strike after shedding a cardable offense by a defender.