[Golden Legacy]

Surprised that no one's made a topic for this yet. Euro 2008's been absolutely fantastic!

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?

[Laharl]

ROMANIA!!!!!!!!!!

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...

[gsninja]

I'm Italian, so I'm naturally going for Italy. Don't know how they lost that match against the Netherlands without scoring a shot, since Italy is in no way worse. The only way for Italy to advance, though, is by BOTH of these happening:

1. Italy wins the next match.
2. Romania ties or loses the next match.

If Romania wins, then Italy's gone.

[Saturos S.]

Yep, don't think that the Netherlands will give away the next match. But they won't be playing as good as against Italy or France. Italy should have just beaten Romania. Romania is a decent team, don't get me wrong, but Italy should have been able to finish it.

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.

[TheEnglishman]

I saw the Turks last night as well. I was pretty impressed but I don't see them beating Croatia.
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.

[Laharl]

Italy should have lost to romania, stupid Buffon with his stupid penalty save >:[

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

[TheEnglishman]

I think the arrogant 'we're English thus we'll win' attitude died with the World Cup 2006. As long as they remember that, they'll never feel like they have some divine right to win it.
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.

[Eugine]

Me111, on Jun 16 2008, 12:06 PM, said:

When England play well, they can be one of the best sides in the world...

This applies to every team.

And um, my friends are all over this Euro 2008, and I'm like, WHY? =_=
Football only interests me during the World Cup.

[TheEnglishman]

Eugine, on Jun 16 2008, 05:12 PM, said:

This applies to every team.

Really? I wouldn't say it would apply to a team like Iran or Qatar.

[Saturos S.]

And Austria, *points at the 1-0 loss against Germany*

Nice freekick of Ballack though.

[Nyktos]

Every time Portugal wins, I can't leave my house for a day. That's about the extent of my knowledge of this.

[Golden Legacy]

'mazing free kick by Ballack for Germany, what a rocket.

[gsninja]

Holy ****, the best possible thing has happened. Romania lost to Netherlands and Italy's beating France 2-0. Looks like Italy really will advance.

[TheEnglishman]

Good for me, I've got a bet for Italy to win the tournament.

[Saturos S.]

But they can't play with Gatusso or Pirlo, they're main midfielders, in the next round. And they really need a player like Pirlo against Spain.

[Kikuichimonji]

gsninja, on Jun 17 2008, 09:35 PM, said:

Romania lost to Netherlands

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.

[Golden Legacy]

gsninja, on Jun 17 2008, 04:35 PM, said:

Holy ****, the best possible thing has happened. Romania lost to Netherlands and Italy's beating France 2-0. Looks like Italy really will advance.

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:

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.

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.

[Laharl]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo ROMANIA!! D:

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.

[TheEnglishman]

Laharl, on Jun 18 2008, 05:31 PM, said:

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo ROMANIA!! D:

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.

[Laharl]

sky **** mothering sports news

[TheEnglishman]

Well I'm surprised he'd take such an arrogant attitude if he did say that. He may not be a genius, but he does respect other opponents.

[Laharl]

http://www.skysports...3705184,00.html

if you're supporting him then remind to never discuss international football with you again

[TheEnglishman]

He's not saying that he thinks Euro 2008 is bad because England aren't there, he's saying that he feels bad because they didn't qualify. If anything he's criticising England, not the tournament.
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.

[Laharl]

but it is....

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.

[TheEnglishman]

Like I said before, I don't think there's really been an expectation that England must qualify since their poor showing at Germany in 2006. Even if there was, then last year meant that England fans can never expect some sort of divine right to go through.
As for the commentary, they do focus on England a lot and I won't deny that.

[Kikuichimonji]

Laharl, on Jun 18 2008, 09:11 PM, said:

but it is....

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

[TheEnglishman]

I don't think the team has been overhyped since 2006. Then, all the fans expected this Golden Generation to win. When they failed the hype seemed to disappear.

[Laharl]

you do come into contact with the media right?

[TheEnglishman]

Yes and most papers seem to be saying that England would suck if they were there. They certainly aren't putting a lot of support up for them.

[Golden Legacy]

OMFG, PORTUGAL VS. GERMANY!!! I'm so excited!!! *squeals like fangirl*

[TheEnglishman]

I reckon Portugal will go through. They've got a strong side, plus the best player in the world.

[Golden Legacy]

No doubt about that (I'm expecting a narrow Portuguese victory), but what a match-up still. Portugal's flair and finesse against Germany's strength and efficiency on the pitch.

It's going to be huge. Less than an hour to go!

[TheEnglishman]

Yeah the German side's strong. I bet they're glad Ballack had such a good season with Chelsea.

[Golden Legacy]

Just about started! What a match this will be! =)

[TheEnglishman]

I see it being one of two options. Either a great match, with some amazing football or a totally overhyped non-event where the two sides cancel each other out.

[Golden Legacy]

First half, 5 shots on goal, 3 in.

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).

[Saturos S.]

Just ended, 3-2 for Germany.

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.

[Golden Legacy]

Bah, lucklustre performance from Portugal... they surely could have done better defensively. They gave away too many free kicks/headers, didn't mark as closely as they should have...

still, Germany definitely played the better football, so it's well-deserved for them.

[TheEnglishman]

I missed most of it cause I was watching Heroes. Sounds like it was a good match, but I'd hoped Portugal would go through.

[Laharl]

awesome match, Germany's first goal was brilliant

[TheEnglishman]

Croatia-Turkey tonight. I think Turkey did well to get through, but I can't see them getting through.

[Golden Legacy]

Half-time, 0-0. Been a fairly even game between the two, with Croatia playing slightly better technically and Turkey playing defensively and physically.

This one might be going to penalties judging on the first half.

[Golden Legacy]

OMFG OMFG OMFG, ANOTHER TURKISH MIRACLE!!!

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!!!

[TheEnglishman]

One thing made me laugh yesterday. One of the pundits said 'Only one team will be happier than Turkey and that's Germany.'
Still Greece were outsiders when they won it. Could it happen again?

[Laharl]

Turkey are a lot better than you're giving them credit for >_>

excellent performance yesterday btw

[Saturos S.]

I don't really consider Turkey as a part of Europe. But I guess in a football tournament that doesn't really matter. I just don't want them to win the cup, I'll be sulky for weeks if that happens.

[Laharl]

so EU membership counts for nothing these days?

i don't really consider Alaska part of the USA myself

[Saturos S.]

Laharl, on Jun 21 2008, 01:23 PM, said:

so EU membership counts for nothing these days?

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.

[Laharl]

really cant see the dutch losing tonight, unless Russia field a 14 man squad

[Golden Legacy]

I second what Laharl said about Turkey.

Netherlands, hands down for today.

[TheEnglishman]

Russia are winning 3-1. Wasn't expecting that. Holland have been poor from what I've seen.

[Golden Legacy]

Beautiful performance by Russia! The better team won for certain. Was expecting more from the Netherlands though.

[Laharl]

you guys are ****ing jinxes!!

you better back Italy tomorrow

[TheEnglishman]

I need Spain to win tomorrow.

[Golden Legacy]

I'd like for that too, though I expect it'll be a very close match.

[Laharl]

Golden Legacy, on Jun 19 2008, 06:54 PM, said:

No doubt about that (I'm expecting a narrow Portuguese victory), but what a match-up still. Portugal's flair and finesse against Germany's strength and efficiency on the pitch.

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-Turkey tonight. I think Turkey did well to get through, but I can't see them getting through.

Croatia 1-1 Turkey (AET) (Turkey win 3-1 on penalties)

Golden Legacy, on Jun 21 2008, 07:16 PM, said:

I second what Laharl said about Turkey.

Netherlands, hands down for today.

Holland 1-3 Russia (AET)

thanks for condemning Spain guys :/

[TheEnglishman]

Well if the results continue to fall completely opposite to what we predict, Italy will win and my bet will be safe.
@Laharl: *Evil laugh*

[Golden Legacy]

*looks at laharl's post*
That's a damn good point...

ITALY ITALY, LET'S GO ITALY!!!

[TheEnglishman]

0-0 right now. Not the greatest match from what I've seen.

[Golden Legacy]

Very uninspiring so far, agreed. Anyone else notice the seeming bias of the referee? Spain were taken down in and near the penalty area three times so far, no call.

[TheEnglishman]

I saw one, but it looked like a dive to me.

[Golden Legacy]

0-0 AET (4-2 pk), Spain go on to the semis.

[TheEnglishman]

Damn, I'll never get that £7 now.

[Laharl]

hahahahaha, your losing of a bet amuses me

Germany - Spain final methinks

[TheEnglishman]

Laharl, on Jun 18 2008, 05:31 PM, said:

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo ROMANIA!! D:

At least my bet lasted longer.
I'd agree with the final being Germany-Spain. Can't see upsets occuring now.

[Laharl]

mine was a sweep, i got romania randomly :b

[Golden Legacy]

Next game will be on Wednesday for the start of the semifinals.
Added in a poll to make things interesting.

[Saturos S.]

The Dutch press is starting to annoy me. They keep blaming the death of too early born daughter of Khalid Boulahrouz for the poor play. Hiddink just came with the better match plan. Holland couldn't reach the people they wanted to have the ball, and the Dutch defense didn't do what they were supposed to do.

[Golden Legacy]

1-1, first half, Germany vs. Turkey

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!

[TheEnglishman]

They've had to use the radio commentary on tv. It's back now though. Germany winning 3-2, if Turkey score it'll be the best comeback I've ever seen.

[Golden Legacy]

3-2 final score.

Fantastic match. Turkey is the highlight of the tournament, no doubt.

[TheEnglishman]

The BBC have a studio where the broadcasting area is. The pundits are sat in front of this giant window which looks out to Vienna, and there's loads of lightning out there. No wonder the pictures kept going.

[Saturos S.]

Yep, the Germans were and still are the best last minute matchwinners.

My Germany shirt didn't fail me today. :P

[Laharl]

amazing match last night

Germany didnt really deserve it but they had telling quality in the final third of the pitch

expecting Spain to win tonight

[Saturos S.]

Spain outclassed Russia.

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.

[Ravenblade]

I will be backing Germany for the final. Spain are good, probably been better across the tournament, but Germany only seem to play as well as they need to, not as good as they can. Thus, I believe they are the better team.

[Laharl]

Spain were amazing last night, especially in the second half, backing them to win the final

[TheEnglishman]

What to do? I'll be going against my English nature if I wanted Germany to win, but if Spain win then England will become the biggest underachievers in the world.

[Laharl]

you make it sound like our national side is good >_>

[Kikuichimonji]

Laharl, on Jun 28 2008, 12:15 AM, said:

you make it sound like our national side is good >_>

QFT

I saw the Spain-Russia match (I haven't able to watch many matches this week ><). Excellent match.

Still annoyed about Holland not getting through (that and my tenner I lost >>).

[TheEnglishman]

Laharl, on Jun 28 2008, 12:15 AM, said:

you make it sound like our national side is good >_>

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.

[Saturos S.]

Poll time plox?

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.

[Golden Legacy]

Pretty excited for tomorrow, should be a decent match.

Germans might have a bit of bad luck since Ballack is injured.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/e...008/7363545.stm

[TheEnglishman]

The Ballack thing sounds like a not so subtle attempt to destabilise Spain. I see Germany winning tonight, so much so that I betrayed my country by putting a bet on them to win 2-0. I'll be heading into exile after the match.

[Golden Legacy]

Half-time, 1-0 for Spain. Brilliant touch by Torres, Germany hasn't been half as threatening on the ball as they should be.

[TheEnglishman]

Well, since my bet won't be coming through, I'm switching my alliegence to Spain.

[Golden Legacy]

CONGRATS TO SPAIN!!! BRILLIANT TEAM, THEY DESERVED IT ALL!!!

[TheEnglishman]

I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT GL! :ph34r:
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...

[Laharl]

its not very often my sporting hunches are right, so i'm going to savour the moment XD

Spain have played the best attacking football, great to watch and are worthy winners

[TheEnglishman]

http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/UnNews:Zimbab...08_championship