Euro 2008
#1
Posted 15 June 2008 - 05:11 PM
Some of the recent highlights:
- The Netherlands, what a performance! They absolutely slaughtered France and Italy, winning each match by 3 goals apiece! And they're the reigning world champions and runner-ups too! By far, they've been spectacular and easily have the most talented strikers out of all 16 nations, in my opinion.
- Portugal and Spain comfortably win their groups with some very well-played matches, both are far stronger than they were in World Cup 2006. Cristiano Ronaldo and Villa are players to watch going forward.
- Croatia upsetting Germany, while the hosts Switzerland and Austria (and the Euro '04 winners Greece) have all been eliminated
- And of course, just today, one of the greatest, most STUNNING comebacks, EVER! Turkey down by 2 goals against the Czech Republic, they comeback for a final score of 3-2, all three goals Turkey scores in the last twenty minutes of the 2nd half. I can't put into words how awesome this match was, and how Turkey did a fantastic job rallying and bringing themselves back into the game. Truly one for the record books.
And of course, the tournament goes on, with the final group matches to be played over the next three days (including a replay of World Cup 2006 final between France and Italy... only one can advance forward, the Netherlands have made sure of that), followed by the elimination round.
Really exciting and some great football all around! Anyone else keeping up too?
#2
Posted 15 June 2008 - 05:17 PM
i got them in our sweep :/
if they can draw with a weakened Dutch side they might get through, then anythings possible!
this tournament has been so much better because there has no been crappy England present
the Croats arent playing half bad either...
#3
Posted 15 June 2008 - 11:11 PM
1. Italy wins the next match.
2. Romania ties or loses the next match.
If Romania wins, then Italy's gone.
#4
Posted 15 June 2008 - 11:35 PM
Turkey has me pissed off, how fricking stupid can the Czech defense be. 2-0 up, and then lose 2-3.
Meh, as a dutch person, I support the Netherlands, only I don't have them on my pools for the final. So, mixed feelings there. We get to modify by giving up half of your points at the end of the pool fase though.
#5
Posted 16 June 2008 - 12:18 AM
Overall Euro 2008 has been a mix of amazing matches and average ones. It's been entertaining, even with the Home Nations stuck watching on TV.
#6
Posted 16 June 2008 - 02:27 AM
Me111 you cant seriously be missing the home nations, they ruin whatever tournament they enter with exception of the Irish, the arrogant attitude of our media and the horriific bias of the commentators is just pathetic
i'd like Spain to win if Romania dont, gotta support the suide with the best attacking play
#7
Posted 16 June 2008 - 10:06 AM
But I wouldn't say that we ruin a tournament. When England play well, they can be one of the best sides in the world and I think a tournament would miss that. It would be like if France or Germany didn't qualify. Yes it would be fine but you'd feel like something's missing.
#10
Posted 16 June 2008 - 03:25 PM
Nice freekick of Ballack though.
#11
Posted 16 June 2008 - 04:48 PM
#13
Posted 17 June 2008 - 02:35 PM
#15
Posted 17 June 2008 - 03:12 PM
#16
Posted 17 June 2008 - 03:31 PM
gsninja, on Jun 17 2008, 09:35 PM, said:
Sucks for laharl though :P
Hup hup Holland!
EDIT- The match between France and Italy was good on the italian side. The french side looked like they've given up as soon as Ribery left. :/ I'm glad Holland didn't "fix" Romania to go through to the next stages.
#17
Posted 17 June 2008 - 04:25 PM
gsninja, on Jun 17 2008, 04:35 PM, said:
Not much of a match between France and Italy, it was over for them when Ribery left, pretty much their central player. Add in a red card + penalty in the first half, and the French never had a decent chance.
Kikuichimonji, on Jun 17 2008, 05:31 PM, said:
Hup hup Holland!
EDIT- The match between France and Italy was good on the italian side. The french side looked like they've given up as soon as Ribery left. :/ I'm glad Holland didn't "fix" Romania to go through to the next stages.
Exactly. And haha, would have been amusing if the Netherlands just let Romania score and pass through. They're in a really good position for the rest of the tournament, they rested 9 of their starting players.
Portugal vs. Germany clash in quarterfinals is going to be sick.
#18
Posted 18 June 2008 - 10:31 AM
Me111 are you still proud to be English after Mr. Beckhan effetively said "i'm not watching Euro 2008 because where we're not in it, therefore it is **** and not worth my time"
hope he dies. in a fire.
#19
Posted 18 June 2008 - 11:50 AM
Laharl, on Jun 18 2008, 05:31 PM, said:
Me111 are you still proud to be English after Mr. Beckhan effetively said "i'm not watching Euro 2008 because where we're not in it, therefore it is **** and not worth my time"
hope he dies. in a fire.
Source?
And yes I'm still proud. I'm not going to throw away my support just because of they did poorly in qualifying.
#21
Posted 18 June 2008 - 12:22 PM
#22
Posted 18 June 2008 - 01:29 PM
if you're supporting him then remind to never discuss international football with you again
#23
Posted 18 June 2008 - 01:34 PM
Besides, what's wrong with defending Beckham. Beckham gets a lot of criticism, and I'll admit he hasn't been great in recent seasons, but that doesn't mean that everything he says is rubbish.
#24
Posted 18 June 2008 - 02:11 PM
he and 99% of England fans just expect England to qualify for and win everything. they just disregard the competition and get beat like they by the croats and the russians, then it's fire and brimstone.
A scottish friend of mine devised a game for competitions with England in, Essentially there was two parts to it, every player put in a quid and then guessed how many times Clive Tydesley (ITV commentry) would make reference to England in a game not featuring England. For games featuring England the rules were changed to how many times a reference was made to the '66 WC win or mentioning that a player played in the English Premiership. Closest at the end of match won the lot. I think the record was something like twenty references and the fastest came after eight minutes of play.
#25
Posted 18 June 2008 - 02:56 PM
As for the commentary, they do focus on England a lot and I won't deny that.
#26
Posted 18 June 2008 - 03:46 PM
Laharl, on Jun 18 2008, 09:11 PM, said:
he and 99% of England fans just expect England to qualify for and win everything. they just disregard the competition and get beat like they by the croats and the russians, then it's fire and brimstone.
No offence Me11, but laharl's right. The England team are overhyped. As much as I do support them, they would've been raped if they did manage to qualify this tournament. That said though, there is something missing in the air because we didn't qualify. Lame I know :P
Anywhoo, just watched the Swedes against the Russians. Match was a little lack lustre IMO
@GL -I did initally think that they were gonna fix it I mean, 9 substitutes, missing some easy goals from what I can deduce. I'm guessing they got cold feet at the last minute :D
#27
Posted 18 June 2008 - 11:49 PM
#29
Posted 19 June 2008 - 11:35 AM
#30
Posted 19 June 2008 - 11:40 AM
#31
Posted 19 June 2008 - 11:49 AM
#32
Posted 19 June 2008 - 11:54 AM
It's going to be huge. Less than an hour to go!
#33
Posted 19 June 2008 - 12:08 PM
#35
Posted 19 June 2008 - 12:48 PM
#36
Posted 19 June 2008 - 01:35 PM
2-1 in favour of Germany, stronger first half but Portugal came back strong towards the last fifteen minutes (Ronaldo opening up the field, making some good runs).
#37
Posted 19 June 2008 - 02:48 PM
Kind of expected that to happen. Portugal has the most talents, but Germany has always been known for their 'luck'.
Though I must say, Germany played a good game and deserved to win. Unlike some matches in the group phase.
#38
Posted 19 June 2008 - 03:04 PM
still, Germany definitely played the better football, so it's well-deserved for them.
#39
Posted 19 June 2008 - 03:56 PM
#41
Posted 20 June 2008 - 12:47 PM
#42
Posted 20 June 2008 - 01:37 PM
This one might be going to penalties judging on the first half.
#43
Posted 20 June 2008 - 03:37 PM
0-0 until 119th minute in OVERTIME, Croatia scores... Turkey responds half a minute later in overtime injury time!!!
They sweep penalty kicks, brilliant last save by the keeper.
The comeback kings strike again!!!
#44
Posted 21 June 2008 - 12:17 AM
Still Greece were outsiders when they won it. Could it happen again?
#45
Posted 21 June 2008 - 03:37 AM
excellent performance yesterday btw
#46
Posted 21 June 2008 - 04:53 AM
#47
Posted 21 June 2008 - 05:23 AM
i don't really consider Alaska part of the USA myself
#48
Posted 21 June 2008 - 07:05 AM
Laharl, on Jun 21 2008, 01:23 PM, said:
i don't really consider Alaska part of the USA myself
I wasn't pro Turkey joining the EU either. Since there's such a big cultural difference.
O well, two Dutch trainers are up against each other tonight. Would kind of really suck if Hiddink manages to win tonight. Kicking his own country out of the league.
#49
Posted 21 June 2008 - 08:02 AM
#50
Posted 21 June 2008 - 12:16 PM
Netherlands, hands down for today.
#51
Posted 21 June 2008 - 03:07 PM
#52
Posted 21 June 2008 - 03:15 PM
#55
Posted 21 June 2008 - 04:25 PM
#56
Posted 21 June 2008 - 04:42 PM
Golden Legacy, on Jun 19 2008, 06:54 PM, said:
It's going to be huge. Less than an hour to go!
Germany 3-2 Portugal
Me111, on Jun 20 2008, 07:47 PM, said:
Croatia 1-1 Turkey (AET) (Turkey win 3-1 on penalties)
Golden Legacy, on Jun 21 2008, 07:16 PM, said:
Netherlands, hands down for today.
Holland 1-3 Russia (AET)
thanks for condemning Spain guys :/
#57
Posted 21 June 2008 - 04:42 PM
@Laharl: *Evil laugh*
#58
Posted 21 June 2008 - 07:15 PM
That's a damn good point...
ITALY ITALY, LET'S GO ITALY!!!
#60
Posted 22 June 2008 - 01:45 PM
#64
Posted 22 June 2008 - 03:41 PM
Germany - Spain final methinks
#67
Posted 22 June 2008 - 10:16 PM
Added in a poll to make things interesting.
#68
Posted 23 June 2008 - 01:44 AM
#69
Posted 25 June 2008 - 01:41 PM
Without a doubt, the Turks have been playing the better football, have had the better chances, and are threatening the Germans very well.
Great game so far.
EDIT: This is the second time the international feed has failed due to a lightning storm. Arrgh, it's frustrating!
#70
Posted 25 June 2008 - 02:35 PM
#71
Posted 25 June 2008 - 02:41 PM
Fantastic match. Turkey is the highlight of the tournament, no doubt.
#72
Posted 25 June 2008 - 02:48 PM
#73
Posted 25 June 2008 - 02:53 PM
My Germany shirt didn't fail me today. :P
#74
Posted 26 June 2008 - 02:06 AM
Germany didnt really deserve it but they had telling quality in the final third of the pitch
expecting Spain to win tonight
#75
Posted 26 June 2008 - 03:22 PM
Spain's midfield with Iniesta, Xavi and Fabregas worked wonderfully. Plus, Spain probably has the most solid defense in the championship. They hardly make any mistakes.
#76
Posted 26 June 2008 - 07:51 PM
#77
Posted 27 June 2008 - 01:40 AM
#78
Posted 27 June 2008 - 03:22 PM
#81
Posted 28 June 2008 - 02:19 AM
Laharl, on Jun 28 2008, 12:15 AM, said:
I meant the whole time between 66 and now. 42 years without a trophy for a reasonable side is pretty bad.
And no my patriotism does not blind me to the fact that we've sucked copious amounts of *** over the past few years.
#82
Posted 28 June 2008 - 04:56 AM
I can see the Germans, as german as they, acting the German, and thus play a lousy tournament and beat the guys who have been playing a good, fun to wacth, tournament.
I hope Spain wins, I fear Germany will.
#83
Posted 28 June 2008 - 12:59 PM
Germans might have a bit of bad luck since Ballack is injured.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/e...008/7363545.stm
#84
Posted 29 June 2008 - 12:04 PM
#85
Posted 29 June 2008 - 01:35 PM
#86
Posted 29 June 2008 - 01:42 PM
#88
Posted 29 June 2008 - 02:39 PM
But they were the best team on the night and probably in the tournament.
EDIT: There's one good thing about this. This is Spain's first trophy in 44 years. In 2010 it'll be 44 years since another team won their last trophy...
#89
Posted 29 June 2008 - 04:30 PM
Spain have played the best attacking football, great to watch and are worthy winners