Euro 2008

[superfrank]

Damn Poles dictating our TV schedule now too? :mad:
Surely BBC or ITV will show the other one.

[kingdom hoop]

Surely BBC or ITV will show the other one.

Ah yeah you'd assume so. I was only joking anyway.

[sligoman]

That has probably cost me the work competition I entered at work :(Work competition at work?...and here was me thinking you entered it in school:D

[superfrank]

Ah yeah you'd assume so. I was only joking anyway.
That's not what your emoticon thought.

[lionelhutz]

Good players play well against the big teams as it's easy to get yourself up for them games. It's against the small teams where all the real hard work is done great players do this. I think he has had a great tournament so far I hope it continues.

One thing is for sure he won't be the reason if Portugal win it. It will be all about Carvalho and Pepe. These two hold the key. Best players at the tournament so far for me.

I agree with you that Carvalho and Pepe are key for Portugal but I think Deco is their most important player. His ability to hold the ball under pressure and control midfield is the reason they have a chance of winning it

[lionelhutz]

On yesterdays games, I was delighted to see Croatia get the win they deserved. They played very well and the Germans showed they're dodgy at the back (especially Lehmann)

The RTE ananlysts (Whelan and Souness in particular) wrote off Croatia after their first game and predicted Poland to go through with Germany. And they were practically orgasmic about the Germans play. I remember thinking it was extremely hasty to dismiss them after one average performance against the host nation.

Didn't see the Austria - Poland game. Heard Austria missed a few one on ones early on - is that right? And was it a penalty?

[jebus]

was it a penalty?

Technically yes, but given the amount of times it happens in a game you'd be hard pressed to find a fan who wouldn't be raging if it were given against their team. Hopefully it's the start of a trend that will see holding on to players shirts in the box stamped out though

[Closed Account 2]

Spot on Edmundo. Hope ya had a few bucks on it.


Damn, I forgot to put the bet on... :(

I went for a few drinks and then was going to nip to the bookies to put the money on it but stayed in the pub to watch Germany Croatia... I completely forgot about the bet and had one of those "Oh god noooo" moments as Vastic lined up to take the penalty.

I think I'll put a £5 acc. on Italy, Russia and Germany to qualify from the group stages. I think Russia will beat Sweden (an old side who will struggle to contain Arshavin) in their last game, the worry is the Greece game tomorrow if Pavyluchenko is fit I'd say they will win otherwise it could be a draw. Spain should beat Sweden and probably Greece too in the final game, so it's a battle for 2nd. I think Italy will edge past Romania today and France Holland will probably be a draw or Dutch win, leaving Italy with the upper hand on the last fixture v France. I'd say Germany will pip the Poles to the 2nd place in group B, Germany only need a draw with Austria. The Russia prediction is the most risky, the Germany and Italy ones are pretty likely. Anyone any thoughts on the Czech - Turkey match ? I really can't call this one, the Czechs have a great passing game and are a strong physical side and with Chech in goal have a decent chance; I think Turkey's pace and drive down the flanks could cause a tired Czech team problems. I think Ujfalushi and Rozenhal will have the beating of Nihat and Tuncay (or even Semih if he comes on) I either see this as a draw and the Turks winning on pens (Volkan is a specialist) or a Czech win in the 90 mins, anyone else have thoughts on this match ?

[TonyD]

The RTE ananlysts (Whelan and Souness in particular) wrote off Croatia after their first game and predicted Poland to go through with Germany. And they were practically orgasmic about the Germans play. I remember thinking it was extremely hasty to dismiss them after one average performance against the host nation.


RTE analysts are regularly guilty of this. As you said they've done a complete u turn on the basis of two contrasting performances from the Germans and the Croats. Germany are now being written off, while they're talking up Croatia as potential winners now. Maybe they are, but things can change and I wouldn't dismiss Germany yet, or put huge money on Croatia. Similarly, Italy are now written off after one game ("rubbish" according to Dunphy) You'd think these guys had never watched a tournament before. How many times have we seen teams look wonderful in the group stages and then implode, or in contrast, struggle through the group and then go all the way to the final (Italy in particular are noted for this, and the French in the last WC also spring to mind). Way too early to be so definitive about any of the main contenders yet.

[OwlsFan]

Robert Missen's sweepstake "ramblings" this am:

"In fact, the only thing that marred the Croat victory was the appearance of Croatia’s coach Slavan Bilic. To put it bluntly, he is not a good advertisement for the Zagreb tailoring industry. This is a man who has the air of not being a regular suit wearer – like somebody who has been told by his lawyer to wear a suit for a Court appearance. Not only that, but his suits are ill-fitting, and complemented by ties whose knots are hideously tied. And the piece de resistance is his classy earring. This fashion style is known in Parisienne haute-couture circles as ‘the pikey look’. Oh, and he has his wife’s name tattooed on his wrist, too.

What is interesting is that Bilic is given such a positive media coverage for being ‘nice’. French readers will recollect that this is the same Slavan Bilic who in the 1998 World Cup semi-final for Croatia v France clashed with French defender (and nice guy) Laurent Blanc and went down holding his face. Not only did Blanc get a red card but he also missed the World Cup final – and tv replays showed that there was minimal contact."

[Closed Account 2]

Technically yes, but given the amount of times it happens in a game you'd be hard pressed to find a fan who wouldn't be raging if it were given against their team. Hopefully it's the start of a trend that will see holding on to players shirts in the box stamped out though


I agree that you rarely see them given but to be fair to Webb just before the incident he specifically warned the players and ordered a re take on the free kick. Three Polish defenders then grabbed the shirts of Austrian defenders, as well as Lewandowski (bald guy) grabbing the shirt near the edge of the area, in the middle another Polish player (possibly Bak) grabbed the bottom of Kienast's (Austrian player with dyed blond hair) shirt in the middle of the area, and then just behind him Wasilewski grabs the sleeve of an Austrian)

You can see them all here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6bx4pvRJZI (video) and here http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/7495/allpolez3.png (picture). I think Poland were a bit unlucky as most teams do this from corners etc, but to be fair it is against the rules and they were specifically warned 30 seconds earlier.

I think Beenhaker made a mistake in taking Guerriero off, amid all the talk of how "special" Ebi Smolarek is, Guerrirero has been the only Polish player to offer any attacking edge. He's also the only Polish player to have scored a goal in a meaningful* tournament match since Somlarek's dad back in 1986.

* Poland usually win their last group match of a tournament having already been knocked out (e.g. 2-0 Costa Rica in 2006, 3-1 USA in 2002).

[Closed Account 2]

RTE analysts are regularly guilty of this. As you said they've done a complete u turn on the basis of two contrasting performances from the Germans and the Croats. Germany are now being written off, while they're talking up Croatia as potential winners now. Maybe they are, but things can change and I wouldn't dismiss Germany yet, or put huge money on Croatia. Similarly, Italy are now written off after one game ("rubbish" according to Dunphy) You'd think these guys had never watched a tournament before. How many times have we seen teams look wonderful in the group stages and then implode, or in contrast, struggle through the group and then go all the way to the final (Italy in particular are noted for this, and the French in the last WC also spring to mind). Way too early to be so definitive about any of the main contenders yet.

I agree, it was a bad performance from Germany but the Germans are a class act and I am already excited at the prospect of their potential quarter final with Portgual. This has all the makings of a classic as the Portuguese strikers (especially Nuno Gomes, to a lesser extend Hugo Almeida) have a tendancy to waste chances. Most of the Portuguese goals (through qualifiying etc) tend to come from midfield, and it is these players (Ronaldo, Quaresma, Deco, Simao) who carry the threat. At the same time Germany have a defensivly minded midfield (esp. if Schwienstieger is suspended with a 2 game ban). I'd imagine Frings, Ballack and Hitzlsperger will all feature at various stages and these players could shackle much of the Portuguese midfield. This match will be a classic battle.

The other quarter (Croatia v Czech / Turkey) will favour the latter team. Croatia are a great side against a good flair team, but a well organised team with moderately skillfull players (the definition of the Czech team) can defeat them. Croatia struggle against solidly organised teams (e.g. Austria, Holland in the friendly in Split a few months back, Australia at the World Cup, Russia H&A and Macedonia A in the quals.

[cheifo]

Robert Missen's sweepstake "ramblings" this am:

"In fact, the only thing that marred the Croat victory was the appearance of Croatia’s coach Slavan Bilic. To put it bluntly, he is not a good advertisement for the Zagreb tailoring industry. This is a man who has the air of not being a regular suit wearer – only that, but his suits are ill-fitting, and complemented by ties whose lsike somebody who has been told by hi lawyer to wear a suit for a Court appearance. Notknots are hideously tied. And the piece de resistance is his classy earring. This fashion style is known in Parisienne haute-couture circles as ‘the pikey look’. Oh, and he has his wife’s name tattooed on his wrist, too.

What is interesting is that Bilic is given such a positive media coverage for being ‘nice’. French readers will recollect that this is the same Slavan Bilic who in the 1998 World Cup semi-final for Croatia v France clashed with French defender (and nice guy) Laurent Blanc and went down holding his face. Not only did Blanc get a red card but he also missed the World Cup final – and tv replays showed that there was minimal contact."

Bilic is a qualified Lawyer.:)

[lionelhutz]

Bilic is a qualified Lawyer.:)

And a guitarst in a rock band

Predictions for tonights games;

Italy 3 - 1 Romania
France 1 - 1 Holland

[Junior]

Boruc made 4 great saves in the first half - wont do is price tag any harm at all - pending his imminent departure from Celtic:(

[superfrank]

Boruc was outstanding for Poland last night. Can't see him staying at Celtic, especially if the Arsenal rumours are to be believed.

Does the Italian side not seem strange? They're playing two full-backs in the centre of defence.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Does the Italian side not seem strange? They're playing two full-backs in the centre of defence.
Both can play at centre back.

[gustavo]

Eamo is on his hobby horse about declining Italian football , according to him and Giles , Del Piero didnt feature at the last World Cup

[superfrank]

Both can play at centre back.
Yeah but they're used more often as full-backs. I know Panucci can play at centre back, if needed, but I'm not so sure how Chiellini will adapt.

[Hibs4Ever]

Wins for Italy & Holland tonight me thinks

[stojkovic]

Eamo is on his hobby horse about declining Italian football , according to him and Giles , Del Piero didnt feature at the last World Cup

Was he not sub most of the time.

I know he came on and scored the second in the semi.

[ruben_sosa]

arrivederci Italy, au revoir France. Romania qualified ahead of the Netherlands for Euro 2008, they'll get at least a draw against the Dutch. :p

[jebus]

arrivederci Italy, au revoir France. Romania qualified ahead of the Netherlands for Euro 2008, they'll get at least a draw against the Dutch. :p

Then whoever wins France and Italy goes through

[Greenforever]

Our 4 - 1 defeat at home to Holland doesn't look quite so bad now, mind you I'm glad we didn't get them in the next qualifiers they'd hammer us.

Hoping for a Holland Protugal final.

[Closed Account 2]

See I think the Dutch are a great team to watch but I'd like to see how they do against a less skillfull but well organised defensive team. Romania beat them 1-0 in Constanta in the qualifiers with a very well marshalled display of midfield dominance and a good goal from Nicolae Dorin Goian.

[Coltron]

The feeling is that Sweden will test and cause a Spanish stumble. I agree it will be a test. I disagree with the result. I think Spain will produce another quality performance and be too good for Sweden. Russia are a tough tactical side like Sweden and while Sweden are more experienced, talented and prepared for what they can expect from Spain; Spain have enough in their armour to deal with this and show some metal that is usually left unfound. In the other game it's a clash of two tacticians. A draw in that one I think. What do you think?

[TonyD]

Then whoever wins France and Italy goes through

I've a sneaking suspicion the two games might be drawn. Romania then to go through without winning a game.

[superfrank]

After last night's result, I firmly believe that Romania will finish second in Group C, knocking out the big two.

Romania beat Holland in the qualifiers 1-0 and Holland have nothing to play for. Romania can easily win it.

France and Italy both played better yesterday and they should hit form on Tuesday night. I think that match will be a draw.

I hope Russia beat Greece tonight and knock them out of the tournament.

[geysir]

There was a lot to like about the Romanians last night, if we played like that against a fired up Italy most everybody would be drooling with superlatives.
I think it's almost a certainty that they will have to beat Holland to go through.
Holland are already guaranteed top spot, you never know.

[OwlsFan]

What is it about Romanians and penalties ;) ?

[geysir]

El Tels Barcelona had to miss all their penalties to let Steaua win the EC final shoot out in the mid 80's

[stojkovic]

El Tels Barcelona had to miss all their penalties to let Steaua win the EC final shoot out in the mid 80's

Remember Venables saying that in the Semi everyone wanted to take a peno including the keeper (Zubi ?) but when it came to the Final he had to beg players to take one. Steaua won 2-0 !

The Czechs (and Slovaks) have taken 20 penalties (in shootouts) and scored every one. Best of all was Panenka of course.

[gilberto_eire]

My highlight of the tournament so far.......

They play that dance song from 1998(in or around, can't think of the song) after every goal and it was memorable to see all the French going mad to the song when they got it back to 2-1, the song was only turned off 2 seconds before Robben scored that cracking goal and back on came the song again with the Dutch going even crazier to it, while the French were speechless :D

http://youtube.com/watch?v=n5iqLPOvMmw

1:45 on, you can still hear the song playing when he got inside the box :D

[Red&White Rover]

What an unbelievable game tonight...One of the greats...

[rambler14]

What an unbelievable game tonight...One of the greats...

Cech shown up for his average keeping abilities at last!!

[Sheridan]

Brilliant game, probably the defining game of the tournament (as CZE-NED was in 2004.)

[Kildare Lad]

Really enjoying this tournament have to say, the game tonight wasnt great apart form the last 20 mins IMO but them last 20 minutes were brilliant! Shocked when Turkey scored their 3rd! Thought the Czechs were better overall though.

[superfrank]

Only caught the second half and it was pretty incredible. Full of excitement and chances. I thought that at 2-0 the Czechs would go on to win it, especially after the Polak miss but Turkey came back and sensationally won it.

Once the first Nihat goal went in, I felt Turkey would win though in my mind I was thinking it'd be on penos. Brilliant second goal from Nihat, amazing finish.

I don't think Cech's been "shown up", he just made a mistake. Fair play to him for going on BBC afterwards and explaining it.

[joe_barry80]

I wanted any team but Turkey to go through. They are a horrible team and are scum. The sending off at the end proves my point. They where elbowing, kicking their way through their match. Crying like babies when a decision went against them. The team, the fans and anything got to do with them have caused trouble going back so many years now and they get away with it.

I hope Croatia hammer them in Vienna.

Saying that their last goal was a peach

[OwlsFan]

Brilliant game, probably the defining game of the tournament (as CZE-NED was in 2004.)


Was forced to watch Inspector Lyndley on BBC :mad: I bet George H had the game done and dusted at 2-0 and was astounded that another team could come from behind. Gutted to have missed it, having seen nearly all the games todate.


I wanted any team but Turkey to go through. They are a horrible team and are scum. The sending off at the end proves my point. They where elbowing, kicking their way through their match. Crying like babies when a decision went against them. The team, the fans and anything got to do with them have caused trouble going back so many years now and they get away with it.

I don't think they whinge and cheat any more than the other teams in the tournament. It's endemic. Their fans are probably more passionate than most.

[gspain]

I wanted any team but Turkey to go through. They are a horrible team and are scum. The sending off at the end proves my point. They where elbowing, kicking their way through their match. Crying like babies when a decision went against them. The team, the fans and anything got to do with them have caused trouble going back so many years now and they get away with it.

I hope Croatia hammer them in Vienna.

Saying that their last goal was a peach

I think those comments are as disgrace. It's not as even if you had sour grapes as them beating us as an excuse.

Turkey were lucky to go through but we've had our own stupid sendings off as well. Their team was anything but dirty last night. Certainly we had a few scarey moments after the game in Istanbul in 91 but otherwise I've never had aproblem with their fans and really enjoy the passion they bring to their games.

[razor]

Unreal finish, the Czechs looked old and jaded at the end, fair play to the Turks for not giving up, felt sorry for Cech, keeping is a confidence game and he looked pretty shook.
few points on last nights game.
How was the Turkish coach allowed get away with manhandling the 4th official after the 2nd Czech goal?
How was the Turkish keeper allowed remain on the bench after his sending off?
Adding one extra minute on top of the 4 at the end when at least 2 if not 3 of those 4 had been wasted with the sending off and the booking of Baros, was a complete sham.

My father rang me after wanting to know why the ref hadn't given a penalty when the keeper pushed Koller over but I presume as the ball was already out of play that he could not.

[lionelhutz]

Must say the Turks played some great football in the second half. They missed a hatful of chances even before Arda got their first. They had the Czechs under immense pressure and Plasil's goal was agaisnt the run of play when the Turks had a man off injured. You get a real buzz after watching a game like that - the excitement was unreal. Cracking winner by Nihat - Jankulovsky stepped up too late to play offside.

Kazim Richards was a disaster when he came on and it was in spite of him that they won the game. And he had the nerve to come out in an interview after the game and say something along the lines of "the manager has shown he's a brilliant tactician by bringing me on and winning the game"!!

[Junior]

Kazim Richards was a disaster when he came on and it was in spite of him that they won the game. And he had the nerve to come out in an interview after the game and say something along the lines of "the manager has shown he's a brilliant tactician by bringing me on and winning the game"!!

I didnt hear the interview but its a weird one this Kazim Richards. I had never even heard of him before this tournament. He was excellent in the first game I thought, one of, if not Turkeys best player, but was then dropped to the bench and brought on in the 2nd half of the two other group games where he has been fairly non existent.

[shakermaker1982]

Delighted that the Turks won - sick of the diving antics of the Czech Rep all tournament. Great last 20 minutes and makes up for the fact that I missed Holland/France Friday night.

[De Town]

Very happy to see Turkey go through. Great win and deserved too IMO.

Today, I fancy Germany to win 2-0 with Klose scoring 1st.
And Poland could beat Croatia, maybe 2-1.

[Oink]

Really didnt want the Turks to go through... if there ever was a team of moaners and whingers then look no further. The manager has to be the biggest prat ever. Fair play to the ref, he was excellent throughout and didn't let them get to him..... as far as the comments about Turkey not being dirty, they got the first 4 bookings. Luckily I had my always back Turkey and Greece to get the first yellow in every match bet in place.... its been a profitable tournement so far!

Turkey do play some great football when the get into gear and Nihats goal was superb. I think Bruckner really fuped it up by leaving on Koller instead of bringing on Baros..... Kollers legs were gone by the 60th min and Baros would have been a great man to catch the Turks on the counter.

What a tournement though...... im still confident in my backing Croatia, I think they are solid in every dept.

[Lionel Ritchie]

I think those comments are as disgrace. It's not as even if you had sour grapes as them beating us as an excuse.

Turkey were lucky to go through but we've had our own stupid sendings off as well. Their team was anything but dirty last night. Certainly we had a few scarey moments after the game in Istanbul in 91 but otherwise I've never had aproblem with their fans and really enjoy the passion they bring to their games.

If I can be the grey in the middle for a moment betwixt your defence of the Turks and the lashing they just took from Joe. :D

...I recall saying to myself last night that if that Turkey team would only get on with it and set aside the cynical stuff they'd be a handy side. BUT in the first half their entire philosophy seemed to be built on studs up and elbows out at every opportunity. The yellow cards they got were all stone cold no brainers and they could've had worse.

Much, much better footballing side in the second half. Dunno if the better team won all things considered but the Turkish lads had a hell of a hill to climb and fair play* (no pun intended) they went and did it.

[pineapple stu]

Austria-Germany shaping up to be a good game. Two crunching tackles from Austria, who are well up for it, and one of the worst missed ever from Germany, all within the first four minutes.

[stojkovic]

My father rang me after wanting to know why the ref hadn't given a penalty when the keeper pushed Koller over but I presume as the ball was already out of play that he could not.

You are correct. The ball has to be in play, doesnt matter where, for it to be a penalty.