UEFA EURO 2008

[photek]

I couldn't find another thread on this, so here it goes.

Best year in football ever, the underdogs are preforming massively and winning. Czech Rep was 2-0 in the lead and headed for quarterfinals. Then Turkey turns around the game and wins 3-2. Two last goals the last 5 mins of the game. Just fantastic football. Same with Holland 4-1 France. Just wow. Who are you putting money on this year ? I think Croatia or Holland are winning this year. UEFA Euro 2008 delivers.

[K9]

Either Holland or Portugal look golden to me, and I'd be happy with either of them taking it.

[pants]

Either Holland or Portugal look golden to me, and I'd be happy with either of them taking it.

Only if Rinaldo could get cancer of the brain or something for being such a prat.

[sigil]

the last three pages of the EPL thread has the bulk of the commentary.

[squirrel]

Go Oranje!

To add actual content: I'm not a bandwagon fan of the netherlands, I've rooted for them for 15+ years, although I'm not Dutch at all. I love the system they play, it's awesome to watch when they can make it work. Total Football! They've been awesome this tourney.

[Raging Turtle]

God the last 20 minutes of the Czech-Turkey game killed me.  My students are going to be so depressed this week.   

[Mr_PeaCH]

Yeah, that was an amazing finish by the Turks but I was rooting the other way.  Oh well.  And stupid of the goalie to get carded there at the end.

But yes; I am rooting for The Netherlands whole-heartedly and also for the Croats.  Mostly because I just like saying 'Croats'.

(So, is this now the official Euro 2008 thread then?)

[Bungee]

Preparing for the Austria vs Germany clash here.

I say it's gonna be a 3:2 for Austria .... xD

[sigil]

You're rooting for the Croats the same reason I am, Mr Modric. :D

And yes, as I stated earlier, I'm pulling for the Freaky Deaky Dutch because I like  my football to have some action and excitement in it. Glorious, win or lose.

[Hoax]

And yes, as I stated earlier, I'm pulling for the Freaky Deaky Dutch because I like  my football to have some action and excitement in it. Glorious, win or lose.

Out one side of their mouths they say this, from the other they claim all Spanish/Portugese/insert not quite white enough national team here are a bunch of diving bitches and they deserve brain cancer despite playing football that is 10 times more attractive then their plodding boring lob balls over the top and pray opposition.

P.S.  Nobody in the history of the prem dived more then Robben, ffs you guys will never make any sense to me.

P.P.S.  No I dont think your actually racists, I think your just morons who listen to the English "press" too much to inform your viewpoint.  Or your not Utd fans, or both.  Like somehow Torres is a-ok and we love el nino but that other guy who plays just like him!?  One time I saw him do something and I hate him now rawr.

[sigil]

edit. don't feel like arguing with  people who have already made up their minds.

[lamaros]

It doesn't make you a racist. But it does make you a hypocrite and an idiot.

Edit: lol@clicheneversaydie.

[Hoax]

When Germany beats Portugal and you guys are gloating even though that is one less team that plays "like the Dutch" and +1 team that plays like England would if they didn't suck ass.  We're going to revisit this wow your such a bunch of hypocrites thing.

Portugal v Germany thoughts:
-CR can abuse Lahm, not to mention the LB who I can't even think of his name.
-Simao or Nuno are going to have to have a good to great game.
-Portugal would really be helped if they can make the inevitable in-range free kicks count because I expect Germany to roll to CR and rough him up a bit.
-Portugal's defense will be exposed badly, they can't defend corners or crosses in the air for shit.

Prediction:  Germany wins 2-1

[sigil]

 I prefer Portugal to beat Germany. I've not liked Germany for ages. Gomes is a stiff, and I'm not fond of them for numerable reasons going back a bit.

I'd like them to lose to Croatia, but I don't think that will happen. I would not be adverse to Portugal wining. I just don't think they will do it.

Apologies, I forgot that arguing on the internet is stupid.

[rk47]

GROUP C THEORY
Holland v Romania
If Holland wins this either France / Italy will make it through.
Italy / France will face Spain from Grp D.
Assuming Holland goes past quarter finals, they will meet Either Italy/France/Spain
Now....if you are Holland what would you do?
If you let Romania win, you will automatically knock Italy & France out.
This would narrow the possibility to meeting Spain/Romania in semi-finals.

[lamaros]

GROUP C THEORY
Holland v Romania
If Holland wins this either France / Italy will make it through.
Italy / France will face Spain from Grp D.
Assuming Holland goes past quarter finals, they will meet Either Italy/France/Spain
Now....if you are Holland what would you do?
If you let Romania win, you will automatically knock Italy & France out.
This would narrow the possibility to meeting Spain/Romania in semi-finals.

Romania go through with a defeat (by less than 3 goals) if Italy and France draw.

[rk47]

aye but really, it's all down to holland isn't it? when one side comes in with a real need to WIN while Holland doesn't even need to do a thing. It's all down to holland whether they actually want to salvage a draw or just give those reserves some runs. My friend told me the reserves shd be too much for Mutu & Friends to beat and Italy to beat the French.

[Jobu]

aye but really, it's all down to holland isn't it? when one side comes in with a real need to WIN while Holland doesn't even need to do a thing. It's all down to holland whether they actually want to salvage a draw or just give those reserves some runs. My friend told me the reserves shd be too much for Mutu & Friends to beat and Italy to beat the French.

I'd rest the whole first 11, tell the reserves to let Romania have all the 50/50 balls, and just coast through the game. They don't owe anyone anything. Every team came here to make it to the final, not win all their group games. The two are not mutually inclusive. They have every right to piss away the game if they wanna take it easy.

But I'm not one of the greatest center forwards of my generation and the heir apparent of the "Total Football" throne. I just can't see him being that pragmatic and cautious, especially after their results and momentum so far.

[Jeff Kelly]

I really don't get the English hatred for the German team or the Germans. At all.

I was in Manchester over the weekend and the English tabloids were falling over themselves reporting the German defeat although they didn't  really care about Euro 2008 otherwise.

I always get a sort of weird feeling when walking into a WH Smith. Two whole shelves full of World War 2 books and pictorials and a range of tabloids always frothing over 'The Krauts' and the next thing we supposedly did wrong, garnished with a picture of a nazi. And I thought WE were obsessed with WW2.

We aren't obsessing over the Brits in quite the same fashion by the way.

Oh to get back to football. Germany won't defeat Portugal, at least when they continue to play like they did vs. Austria or Croatia. Which is a pity because I really don't like those diving bastards.

[Tebonas]

Well, I don't care about soccer. At all. But because my Internet was down at home yesterday (the pain) and I was bored, I watched the game. Damn, that ref needed a good lynching. From both teams.

[Jeff Kelly]

Well apart from ignoring most fouls by both sides (Both teams wouldn't have finished play with 11 players with another ref) calling offsides when it isn't and ignoring it when it was and not calling the odd penalty he made a good game. ;)

Oh and the 4th ref sending both managers off to the stands for complaining (they complained about the abysmal performance of the ref) was hilariously stupid.

[HaemishM]

Germany's last two games were CRAP. They are a much better side, but they really really really need to sit Gomes. He's great in the Bundesliga, but for whatever reason, he's been a complete dud in the Euros. Put Podolski up front and Schweinsteiger on the flanks and figure out the goddamn left back situation and go with it. Klose hasn't been the same since his injury in early 2007, but he and Podolski always link up well. They way they played against Croatia and Austria was just sloppy, and Gomes missed a number of clear opportunities as well as totally losing the ball when he got out on the wing. Klose was giving him service, and Gomes never returned the favor worth a damn.

As for Portugal, yes they play attractive football. But my dislike of them has nothing to do with the English press. Shit, I don't even listen to the English press except for actual news. I don't like Ronaldo, he's a whiny cunt. Torres doesn't play like him at all other than they are both fast as fuck. Torres doesn't even take free kicks, and Ronaldo is just a better out and out player on all fronts. That doesn't mean I like Ronaldo. And again, Italy is the diving team moreso than Portugal. And Italy plays BORING BORING BORING football. I can't even watch Serie A because of how boring the Italian style is. I prefer La Liga or Premier League football myself.

And that ref in the Austria-Germany game needed a bitchslap.

[photek]

Right now it is getting interesting (Italy - France). One red card to the French, penalty to Italy and 1-0, 33 mins into the game. And its all in Netherlands hands whether any of them will advance.

[sigil]

GAH

SMALL PRINT for spoilers.


jesus.

[lamaros]

Still not small enough. I can read than on my shitty laptop.

Also, if all you're going to do is tell us the fucking score what is the point of posting here? This isn't a "running commentary" thread.

[Der Helm]

5 minutes to go. I am excited. 

[Der Helm]

What a game! 

[Bungee]

What a game! 

 

[WayAbvPar]

I predicted the final score correctly, but got the teams reversed.

[Hoax]

When Germany beats Portugal and you guys are gloating even though that is one less team that plays "like the Dutch" and +1 team that plays like England would if they didn't suck ass.  We're going to revisit this wow your such a bunch of hypocrites thing.

Portugal v Germany thoughts:
-CR can abuse Lahm, not to mention the LB who I can't even think of his name.
-Simao or Nuno are going to have to have a good to great game.
-Portugal would really be helped if they can make the inevitable in-range free kicks count because I expect Germany to roll to CR and rough him up a bit.
-Portugal's defense will be exposed badly, they can't defend corners or crosses in the air for shit.

Prediction:  Germany wins 2-1

So on to the next game eh?  Fucking fuck.  Aren't we all glad that Germany v Crotia will get played again!!!!  Woo fucking hoo.  Portugal's fault though, fucking no defense having fucks.

Prediction for the next game.  I'll keep it short.

Crotia over Turkey.  2-0.  Done.  This game will either be over before half time or I'd hazard a guess be a pretty crappy 0-0 tie until the 60-70min with another goal by Croatia in garbage time.

[lamaros]

Turkey to win.

[Paelos]

Turkey's getting owned, 3-0. Their defense won't hold up.

[rk47]

....hmmmm croatia to win Euro at 7.5

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[WayAbvPar]

Croatia 2-0
Holland 3-2
Spain 2-1

[photek]

Croatia 2-0
Holland 3-2
Spain 2-1

I'm with you on this. Except Holland might be 1-0. It will be an either A) Boring as hell match or B) Awesome match.