UEFA EURO 2008

[HaemishM]

Portugal's defense is really fucking bad. I mean, even if you take away the Ballack goal because of the pretty clear push in the back, they still let Klose just waltz unmolested to a header that should have been saved. The keeper shouldn't have come that far out unless he was going all the way, and there should have been at least 1 or 2 guys on the posts. That header wasn't even that great a header, the keeper was just in no-man's land and he had no backup. I look forward to Chelsea's set piece defense being just that bad next year. Ronaldo really had almost no impact on the game, so score one for the Krauts. Taking Gomez out and putting Schweinsteiger in worked a treat, just like I said it would. That ball from Podolski for the first goal was just sublime.

Croatia 2 - Turkey 0
Netherlands 4 - Russia 0
Spain 1 - Italy 0 *fingers crossed*

[WayAbvPar]

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.

Along with Portugal, Holland and Russia are probably the most attack-minded teams in the tournament. Barring some spectacular goalkeeping, and I just can't see them in a single goal game. I wonder where the over/under line is set? Someone who isn't at work check the betting sites and let me know 

[sigil]

looks like 2.5

[WayAbvPar]

I think I would bet the hell out of the over.

[Paelos]

This Croatia-Turkey match is awful. 0-0 and probably going to penalty kicks. Croatia should have scored at least 2 goals by now.

[photek]

This is to cry for.

[Paelos]

That collapse is on par with the Lakers letting Boston come back from 24 down this year.

Good lord.

[Fordel]

As a Croatian fan...


/wrists

[lamaros]

Turkey to win.

And Germany marches on.

[Hoax]

Nice call Lameros, what a rediculous game.  I felt pretty confident in my prediction but Crotia failed to finish and then looked like shit in the OT.

Germany clearly is in the final now, Turkey can barely field 11 at this point.

This next game is the most interesting one to call so far, I'm not quite sure what will happen.

[Fordel]

Between the Goal that should have been, the goal that was and the goal that should have never come... seriously, mass suicide tonight for Croatia fans. Despite their inability to actually put a ball in the net, if they had, oh, I dunno, played the ENTIRE game instead of 119 minutes of it... /cry

[rk47]

hahaha. what a heartbreak. sO....Germany to win championship? 

[Engels]

Well, my boss is Turkish. Explains why he didn't show up for work today :P

[HaemishM]

What a finish to that Turkey/Croatia game. How the fuck does your team COMPLETELY MISS THE GOAL on not one, but TWO penalties? That was just an  collapse, especially after the game was essentially won. Defense just fell asleep on that Turkey goal. They just decided the game was theirs. Of course, the Croatia goal shouldn't have happened either. I have no idea WTF that Turkish keeper was thinking coming out after that ball. Talk about bad positioning.

Yeah, Germany FTW.

[lamaros]

The Netherlands - Russia game is about to start. I'm hoping for a classic and I think it might be a lot closer than people think. Or The Netherlands will just smash them...

[Cyrrex]

Close is right.  Nearing half time, Netherlands is lucky not to be behind by a goal or two.

[Engels]

And now this brief commercial interruption

[Paelos]

It wasn't close at all in the end. Russia just dominated the extra time.

I think it's fair to say that the underdogs are kicking major ass.

[lamaros]

Russia dominated the whole game.

The Netherlands looked like they had no fucking idea what they were doing, too slow and predictable and stationary. They really needed Robben or something to open it up.

Russia was great though, I enjoyed it. They will get beaten in the semi though.

[naum]

Tomorrow, I predict Italy will defeat Spain.

[rk47]

ugh that's another ten bucks down the drain. what's up with these underdogs all the sudden. Damn. Bookies really making a killing. If italy really make it to final..i'd be surprised. Dead balls all the way.

[Der Helm]

And I was hoping for a Netherlands - Germany match. 

[sigil]

Not spoiling, but seriously.... Fuck italy, fuck them up their fucking asses sideways.

[Abagadro]

Heh, Andy Gray was just brutal on the ref today. Too funny.

Italy is indeed frustrating to watch. It's like the Devils back in the 90s with the neutral zone trap. Effective but boring as hell.

[Murgos]

I don't watch too many games a year, but I am pretty glad that was one of them.

There wasn't a whole ton of action but it was fun.

[sigil]

That ref suuuuuucked. and the Oh, I'm hurt, stop play! crap from is bullshit.

[naum]

Heh, Andy Gray was just brutal on the ref today. Too funny.

Italy is indeed frustrating to watch. It's like the Devils back in the 90s with the neutral zone trap. Effective but boring as hell.

Very talented squad, but they always seem to play "not to lose" style.  But justice served, as Spain deserved W.

Let PK decide!

Refs were worse than hockey officiating which is outright sinister, though I'm glad the Spanish dude got a YC for taking an obvious dive. I'd like to see more of that.

[Paelos]

The announcers were brutal on everyone in that game. I can't remember how many times I heard them bitching about the reffing, or the diving, or the terrible terrible attempts over the middle. That whole game was ass until the Spanish keeper owned the Italian whiners. I do love it when the keepers shine.

[Abagadro]

I need to figure out how to have a couple of 2 hour "lunches" this week.

[Cyrrex]

I need to figure out how to have a couple of 2 hour "lunches" this week.

Dude, you need to be creative.  Take a page from the wonderful Italian side.  On your way to the photocopier, gently brush shoulders with that fat guy Alfred from Human Resources.  Immediately lift both - now this is important - BOTH feet from the ground and push them out behind you.  You are now airborne, but don't think for a moment that you are finished with the move.  Next, it is critical that you pull both of your elbows in to your ribs, and tuck both arms neatly into your body.  This is key to achieving the proper amount of roll once you hit the ground - goodness knows that the worst thing you can do at this stage would be to do something foolish, like sending your limbs out in from of you to arrest your spin!  Great, now you are halfway through your performance. 

You are going to hit the ground very soon, yet you haven't figure out what you're going to do with your hands, have you?  There are two schools of thought here.  Many professional divers will opt to take both of their hands and place them (open palmed) on their face.  Be sure NOT to have palms facing outwards - it just looks stupid, okay?  The effect on any bystanders (e.g. your boss, or that hawt girl from the tech lab) can be quite dramatic...he/she may instantly shout "oh holy bejesus he's injured his face!"  Now, this could seal the deal for you, but have you spotted the obvious problem?  That's right, you don't have a mark on you, do you?  My advice to you would be to give yourself a healthy scratch with your thumbnail if you choose the hard-to-pull-off hands-on-face method.  Maybe even jamb a finger up towards your brain to draw a little extra blood.

A safer alternative is to simply take your hands and reach for that nebulous spot between your foot and your shin.  No, I don't mean the ankle...that is far too specific.  Chances are that most people watching your spectacular dive can relate to a simple ankle sprain, and we don't want that.  What you have is worse than that, by golly.  We want them to think that you've been kicked by a rabid ostritch, and that you've likely severed several important tendons.  Maybe even ligaments.  To help sell the effect, it will be a huge bonus if you can manage to grab the foot/shin area as you are just beginning your roll.  Nothing smacks of serious injury like a guy so overcome by agony that he can't even be bothered to arrest his roll.  "OMG" they'll say, "he's in so much god-damned pain that he won't even put his arms out to stop rolling!"

Much like in soccer, your boss will be obliged to send you off for a the afternoon.  Do us a favor though, okay?  At least pretend like it still fucking hurts the next day once you're allowed back in the office.

[MrHat]

lol.

[Engels]

Heh heh, good one, Cyrrex

[WayAbvPar]

Where in Italy were you born, Cyrrex? 

[HaemishM]

Le brilliant, Cyrrex. You must be from Milan. 

Great games this weekend. The Russians absolutely dominated that game, and Arshavin will not be playing in Russia next season. He's just too good.

Glad to see Luca Modric is polishing up his penalty kicks to fit in with Spurs. 

Spain deserved to win that game, and that ref deserved all the derision Andy Gray could heap on him. I've seen Herr Fandel in the Bundesliga, but I don't remember a performance that bad out of him. Missing two or three clear penalties, being a fussy bitch, and then giving the Italian high marks for all their dives while carding Villa for something I didn't even consider a dive. That game is a perfect example of why I hate the Itailan team. They were boring as fuck. Sit back and defend with 10 men on the edge of the 18, and hope for a break. If not, oh well, let's go to penalties. Glad to see it bite them in the ass. Go go Iker.

I still think Germany will beat them in the finals. Yep, I predict a Spain/Germany final. Turkey doesn't have enough players, and even with Arshavin, I don't think Russia can match Spain's offensive output.

[Hoax]

Its all in Spain's hands now, Italy had the mojo and the stifling defense to prove a bad matchup but they have all the quality needed to beat their last two oponents.  Yes, they have sucked in the air at times but I have this to say:

If their back line steps up like they did versus Italy, besides that one scramble that forced the amazing reflex toe-save from their GK, they should beat Germany with style.  It'll help greatly that the ref will have seen the vicious berating given during yesterday's game for being too pussy to award a penalty in the box.

That was the best weekend of Soccer I've ever experienced, both games were terriffic, sure it helped that teams I wanted to win won but tbh I felt both games were just quality quality football.

I felt if anything Andy Gray was being the most partisan announcer of all time, is he Scottish and mad that Italy eliminated them from Euro qualifying?  I wasn't able to say bad things about Italy because he was saying it all for me.  I hate them for it but they proved yet again they have the greatest defensive system in the world.  If Pirlo had been available or if Toni wasn't utter crap they would have likely won the game.  Undeserved for sure from a neutral standpoint but come on, who didn't think they were winning for sure once it was still 0-0 in the 75th minute?

Germany > Turkey by 2
Spain > Russia by 1

Germany 3, Turkey 1.  Two goals in quick succession by Germany in the first half.  Another added midway through the 2nd half and Turkey picks one up late.

Spain 3, Russia 2.  Spain scores first halfway into the first, Russia has no fear and pulls one back but unfortunately for them momentum is back with Spain by the time the half ends.  Spain scores again early in the second, possibly a freekick and Russia misses some good chances before Spain puts themselves ahead by 2.  Russia scores due to stupid defending with 10min or less to go but can't find the equalizer.

For real, best weekend of football I've seen in I dunno how long.  I'm getting a bigtime hardon for WC2010