Euro 2008

[Darky]

Since i haven't seen a thread about this one i'd might as well just make one.

For all of you who have no idea what this is about, it's the european championships football (or soccer, whichever you prefer).

And now after almost a week into the tournament there's just a few things that really took my notice. The Netherlands beating both the world champion and former word champion with 3 goal margins. And after seeing them play before the tournament that came as a huge shock, to see them play this level of football.

Then there's Switzerland who's out of the tournament already sadly enough since they co host it together with Austria. Austria still having a small chance if they beat Germany.

But as to not make this post to big, who do you expect to win?

Yes i know i had Switzerland in the pole as well but it just looked so sad not having them in.

[BioAlien]

I voted for France. No particular reason.








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[Splash!]

I voted for Spain. Go Torres! At the beginning of this tournament, I was rooting for Italy, but now I am not so optimistic.

I would vote Netherlands, but the Dutch are really pissing me off. They are too damn good!! My only hope is they don't throw away the game against Romania, which I fear they will.

@BioAlien: I assume you feel this way about following all professional sports in general?

[Animeniax]

Why isn't the US in the poll? My vote would go to them.

Just curious, but do they test for steroids at soccer tournaments?

[Sapphire]

Isn't Ireland in this? Or did they already lose?

US isn't in it because it be Europeean! (Or was that a joke?)

[Splash!]

No Ireland didn't qualify. Neither did England for that matter. Only the teams mentioned above qualified for the tournament.

@Animeniax: Yes, they test for steriods. In fact, they are pretty strict about it.

[David75]

I voted for Spain. Go Torres! At the beginning of this tournament, I was rooting for Italy, but now I am not so optimistic.

I would vote Netherlands, but the Dutch are really pissing me off. They are too damn good!! My only hope is they don't throw away the game against Romania, which I fear they will.

@BioAlien: I assume you feel this way about following all professional sports in general?

I don't know Van Basten enough (Dutch team trainer), but I hope he will not calculate things too much.

Since they are already qualified for the next round, they could actually choose to loose against romania.
The end result would be:
Netherlands 6
Romania 5
And Italy and France would be eliminated because no matter what their score won't be more than 4...

But seeing the strategy Van Basten had against France and the way his guys play, I doubt they can be so cheap as to loose on purpose... but everything is possible.

[Splash!]

Van Basten and Donadoni used to be teammates when they played for AC Milan. Hopefully there exists some sort of anceint comradery that Van Basten won't pull something of the sort.
Regardless, Netherlands will stay on top of the group whether they win or lose, so from a strategic standpoint, they have nothing to lose by being defeated by Romania.
Although I am sure the Dutch won't try anything as underhanded as throwing the match away on purpose, it is quite likely that several key players will be resting. For Italy's sake, I just hope that the Dutch players filling in show the same spark as the ones on the regular team.

Maybe I will get to see Huntelaar work some of his magic.I have been waiting to see him get his chance.

[David75]

Van Basten and Donadoni used to be teammates when they played for AC Milan. Hopefully there exists some sort of anceint comradery that Van Basten won't pull something of the sort.
Regardless, Netherlands will stay on top of the group whether they win or lose, so from a strategic standpoint, they have nothing to lose by being defeated by Romania.
Although I am sure the Dutch won't try anything as underhanded as throwing the match away on purpose, it is quite likely that several key players will be resting. For Italy's sake, I just hope that the Dutch players filling in show the same spark as the ones on the regular team.

Maybe I will get to see Huntelaar work some of his magic.I have been waiting to see him get his chance.

I do also hope the Dutch won't use such cheap trick.

However, they could be very subtle... like having a match with equal scores
-they score 1, romania scores one... then 2-2 etc

In the last minutes, the score is equal, no team wins... but the Romanian score a silly goal (penalty for example...) and win.

The Dutch would not be seen as using a very cheap trick to eliminate 2 teams that are dangerous when they awake (they are to slow though...)

[Kraco]

I vote for Portugal. You never know.

[KrayZ33]

Netherlands...

its simply unbelievable how they wipe out all the favorite teams... 3:0 against the world champion hahaaa... oh man (not to mention how France got served)

I wanted to have a good game between germany and netherlands, but now I fear that they get their ass kicked. which is slightly disappointing because Germany vs Netherlands has always been a very exciting game.

not even that, i fear that Germany will loose against Austria, if thats going to happen, I'll vomit on my flag which is hanging out of the window right here.

[rockmanj]

I support France, but the Dutch have been looking like absolute beasts...I gotta take them. Its actually quite fun to watch the game with my British friends, as they are all pissed that there are no U.K. teams playing in the Euro this year, which is kinda inconceivable, but hey, they need to get their act together. And my Dutch friends are absolutely loving it.

[Psyke]

Portugal seems to be the hot favorite here. Ronaldo, while pisses people off with his antics (I can't stand his penalties) and dives, is still an amazing player and especially this season when nothing seems to go wrong for him. He must just be the player to make the difference for Portugal this year.

I've not been catching most of the matches, since England isn't in it there's not many players I can complain about....

[rockmanj]

I agree about Ronaldo, (the asshole antics too) and Portugal is looking good too...But there's been talk of Ronadlo choking sometimes when it comes down to the wire. Still a really good player; and maybe if the takes control of the games in the Euro, he could possibly elevate himself to a modicum of greatness.



...good to see some football discussion around here ^^

[David75]

Seems like Portugal did goo easy on their last qualification match where they lost...
It's not a problem since they were in the same situation the Dutch are, whatever happens in the last qualifying match, they finish first in their group...

I think France and Italy are out. We'll see tonight.

[David75]

Update on this fatefull evening for 2 teams composed of elders after first period...

Netherlands vs Romania is a draw @ 0-0
Netherlands seem to be superior, but they didn"t score like they did against France and Italy. So I guess their "low profile" team is a little less efficient. Plus they do not really need to push like hell since they already qualified.
Basically Netherlands are still exposed to a counter-attack from Romania... should that happen, the France-Italy match would just be for "fun"

France vs Italy is 0-1 on a penalty with redcard for Abidal (France)

So France is losing and 10 players against 11... Plus we lost Ribery for injury in the 7th minute (Ribery is a good player that gives some energy to the game... in fact he's almost alone with energy in our team....)

Miracles sometimes happen, but we have to be realistic...

Edit:
Netherlands wins by 2-0. Really great of them. Hope they'll go far with such an incredible spirit and power.

Italy is qualified since they won by 2-0 and Romania lost.

France and Romania are out.

So for now I'll support Portugal. I know they have few chances to go to the end, but that's my mother's nationality.

[Splash!]

Thank you Huntelaar (I knew this guy was good ), thank you Van Persie !!!!

Italy is back in the competition. It sucks that Pirlo is going to miss the quarter final game against Spain. Hopefully De Rossi and Cassano will pick up the slack. I am at least glad that Gattuso isn't going to play for Italy either, god I hate him. Having him in midfield without Pirlo = TOTAL FAIL.

It's a real shame about Ribery though, he was the backbone of the French team.

Anyways..... group dominance doesn't matter anymore, the quarter finals is a whole different scenario. I am curious to see if the Netherlands can continue what they have going for them. The two teams I was supporting are facing off against each other in the quarters, it's going to be interesting.

[Darky]

Congrats to Italy for continueing into the quarters, should be a really interesting match. Spain vs Italy if both teams manage to play at their best level it should be awesome to watch. Just have to wait now if we face Sweden or Russia. And i hope we'd face Italy again in the semi's. If both make it that is.

And i'm so glad we showed our sportmanship and still beat Romania, i'd hate for italy to go out by us taking it easy. And you really can't talk about sending out a second string team, still so much quality in it. Biggest miss would've been van der Vaart and Sneijder the others i would say are almost even.

[KrayZ33]

So for now I'll support Portugal. I know they have few chances to go to the end, but that's my mother's nationality.

heeee heeee heeeeee..... ya they won't even come to the semifinals haaaa haaaa haaaaaa

[Darky]

I dunno Germany started strong in the tournament but every match they i just see them loose more and more of what they had going. Though past the group stage it really doesn't mather how you got there. Starting at 0 again.