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ng.Even the players and the tournament ball have behaved well.Some positives could have been predicted: Spains football is pretty as a picture; co-hosts Poland and Ukraine roused national passions; Irelands drinking, swaying, smiling choir of fans deserve their own talent show.Then add the pleasant surprises: Italy is mostly fun to watch; England is easy to like; no team has come just to "park the bus" and play defensively."It has been a very good tournament," football author and analyst Simon Kuper told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Kyiv. "Because European teams are better, they are more confident about attacking."That perception of Euro 2012 is backed up by the numbers.A total of 46 goals have been scored in the first 16 games, before the final round of group matches begins Saturday. That works out at 2.88 goals per game.The Euro 2008 group stage in Switzerland and Austria reaped 2.38 goals per game.In South Africa two years ago, the 32 teams managed just 2.1 goals per game in the 48-match group stage.It was so bad there that FIFA President Sepp Blatter appointed the grandly titled Task Force Football 2014 to suggest changes that would help make the next World Cup more entertaining in Brazil.Kuper suggests that UEFAs event benefits from a different mindset to the World Cup, where Europe provides 13 qualifiers who intimidate some opponents."A lot of non-European teams are desperate not to be humiliated," the author of Soccernomics said. "The easiest thing for them to learn is defence. You get a really boring team with a couple of 0-0 draws who go home with honour."In Europe, Kuper suggests, national teams focus on constantly trying to improve themselves."If the Spanish do something right, then the Germans look at what they are doing," he said, highlighting a gradual transformation of Germanys style since a poor team was quickly eliminated at Euro 2000.Euro 2012 also appears to have benefited from the increasing intensity of Champions League football, especially in the 16-team knockout rounds which captivates football fans worldwide each February through May."Most of the players at the tournament are Champions League regulars and they know the rules of international football," Kuper proposes.Denmark coach Morten Olsen hinted at his underdog teams problem of playing group opponents Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal, whose squads are loaded with talent from elite clubs."We are facing players from Bayern Munich, (Borussia) Dortmund and Real Madrid," Olsen said. "They are Champions League clubs, all of them. Its a totally different level. We need to get up to that pace."The Champions League has also prepared the 12 referees selected by UEFA to deliver high class performances.In the 15 matches since Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballos slightly shaky handling of the opening match between Poland and Greece, not one red card has been shown, no penalty has been awarded and there have been no disputed goal controversies."They are less overawed," Kuper said. "And they are used to the speed of the games and the high-profile pressure."While the World Cup had a notorious goal line decision, which robbed England of a legitimate goal against Germany, the only similar call here was judged correctly.Portugal defender Pepes shot against Germany -- with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer beaten just as he was by Frank Lampard -- was correctly judged to have bounced on the line by French referee Stephane Lannoys team of assistants.The quality of Euro 2012 officiating might yet help sway FIFAs rule-making panel, at a July 5 meeting in Zurich. The session could approve the five-official system on trial at Euro 2012 after two seasons of tests in the Champions League.FIFA officials could feel a little aggrieved that the reputation of the European Championship sparkles while the World Cup is treated like a soap opera in comparison.Racism in the stands and violence on the streets at Euro 2012 has been worse, particularly in Poland, than dire predictions of trouble in South Africa that barely materialized.FIFA also was roundly criticized for thousands of empty seats at 2010 World Cup matches, yet Euro 2012 stadiums have also had bare patches in the stands.In the rather charmed world of Euro 2012, even disappointments on the field have fed fascinating story lines.Ronaldos continuing underachievement at major tournaments; the state of the Netherlands squads collective psyche; the worst team, Ireland, redeemed by the best fans.And where official ball provider Adidas failed with the infamous Jabulani in South Africa, the same companys Tango 12 is a blameless, unremarkable presence in Poland and Ukraine.At the halfway stage of matches played, Euro 2012 is a success -- even as allegations of racist abuse of black players tarnish the overall image."I feel its lacking a sense of importance," Kuper said. "There has not been the usual hysteria and hype."Instead, Euro 2012 has been more purely about the football. The kind that fans like. cheap Larry Allen cowboys jersey . It will be tough to top last seasons unpredictable, breath-taking campaign, capped off by the final day dramatics seeing Manchester City win Englands top flight for the first time in 44 years. NFL Armon Binns Dolphins Jersey . -- The Ryder Cup is so hotly contested that even its humble beginning is the subject of debate. http://www.chiefsteamstoreonline.com/ . -- Jennifer Rosales birdied five of the first seven holes on the back nine and finished with a 5-under 67 on Thursday in the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic for a share of the first-round lead with Katie Futcher, Lindsey Wright and Caroline Hedwall. Customized Jason Campbell Jersey .The White Sox acquired Houston reliever Brett Myers on Saturday for two minor league pitchers and a player to be named. cheap Travis Frederick cowboys jersey . Financial terms of the deal werent disclosed.Floyd has 13 catches for 227 yards and a touchdown in three games this season. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound former Wyoming player has 190 receptions for 3,397 yards and 21 touchdowns in eight NFL seasons.WASHINGTON -- Chris Rusin made an impressive major league debut for the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 21 when he allowed just one run over five innings in a loss at Milwaukee.On Tuesday night, he looked more like a rookie.Rusin was pulled in the second inning after allowing five runs on eight hits as Chicago lost 11-5 to the NL East-leading Washington Nationals.Adam LaRoche hit two of Washingtons six homers and Ian Desmond had four RBIs for the Nationals, who opened a season-high 7 1/2-game advantage in the division. Second-place Atlanta lost to Colorado 6-0 on Tuesday night.The Cubs have lost four straight.Rusin (0-2), who was recalled from Double-A Tennessee before the game, was pulled after the first four batters reached in the second. It was the Cubs shortest start of the season."Without breaking balls you better keep it down and you better have movement and today he didnt have either. The cutter wasnt doing a whole lot and you couldnt get the ball to sink or keep the ball down," said Cubs manager Dale Sveum. "He threw a few good changeups, that was about it. Its tough to get through a major league lineup, lets alone that lineup, with a flat fastball."Desmond hit a two-run drive off Rusin (0-2) in the first for his 20th homer. The All-Star shortstop added a two-run double after Jesus Flores homered in Washingtons three-run second."I just didnt keep it down and when I missed my spots they capitalized and did what they were supposed to do so, I give them credit," Rusin said. "This is the big leagues and you cant miss your spots here because that will happen."Despite Tuesdays outing, Rusin has a chance to make an impression on Cub management over the next month."t;Thats what you want to do, but you cant have outings like this.dddddddddddd Youve got to go out there and keep the ball down, hit your spots and hopefully make an impression," he said. "
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