Euro 2008

The thing is they are doing all of this with a weaker keeper. Igor Akinfeev is a good young goalie but a bit erratic, Vach Malafeev (at Zenit) is in the squad and is a more reliable keeper. I guess Hiddink is trying to give Akinfeev more experience ahead of the world cup qualifiers but Malafeev is only 29, so personally I'd start with him.

Also they are missing their key striker, Pavel Pogrebnyak. This guy is a great striker, he's got a huge frame and giant physical presence, but he has superb control and deadly finishing. He actually takes free kicks for Russia and Zenit sometimes (which would be like Niall Quinn taking free kicks for us back in the 1990s). Him, Zyrianov, Arshavin, Anyukov all play for Zenit and all link up really well. Arshavin will basically make runs all over the oppositions half, down either flank, or running diagonally from the flank into the box, or just running down the center. Zyrianov usually runs from the center into the middle and Anyukov only down the flank. All these players link really well with Pogrebnyak and with Pavluchenko the link up isn't quite as good.

Russia play Germany in Dortmund on 11th October (I think) and that match will go a long way to deciding which team wins the world cup qual. group.

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

all they have to do is be brave, or fair
I cant believe its good enough, football is like basketball now
player falls on gorund = automatic free kick, its ruining the game

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In fairness to basketball there is far more diving in football

Have been impressed by the singing of the national anthems by the players, with the exception of the Russians last night. One player winked at the camera while most stood mute even though it is by far the best anthem imho. Fair dues to the one player who ended up with tears in his eyes:

Russia - our sacred stronghold,
Russia - our beloved country.
A mighty will, a great glory
Are your heritage for all times!
Chorus:
Be glorious, our free Fatherland,
Ancient union of brotherly nations,
Ancestor given wisdom of the people!
Be glorious, country! We take pride in you!
From the southern seas to the polar region
Spread our forests and our fields.
You are one in the world! You are one of a kind,
Native land protected by God!
Chorus
A broad expanse for dreams and for lives
Is opened to us by the coming years.
Our faith in our Motherland gives us strength.
So it was, so it is, and so it will always be!
Chorus

According to Wikipedia Putin chastised the national football team in the summer of 2004 about the team's behavior during the playing of the anthem. Before the start of tournament matches in the 2004 European Football Championship, the team was caught on camera chewing gum during the playing of the Russian anthem. Putin, using Leonid Tyagachyov, the head of the Russian Olympic Committee as his messenger, told the team to stop chewing gum and sing the anthem.

Now, if our players, other than Robbie Keane and Shay Given, could learn the words of our anthem and sing it would be great.

How do ye think tonights game will go??

Frings is a major doubt while Podolski also has a slight injury. If Germany lose Frings, that would be a massive blow to their chances cause their midfield of himself and Ballack is the strongest in the tournament IMO.

I think Portugal have played very well so far but it'll be a mighty test for them tonight. I hope they both come out and attack each other cause there's weaknesses in both backlines with the German centre halves extremely slow and Carvalho is carrying the Portuguese defence as I don't rate the other 3 (although Bosingwa looks good going forward).

I'll go for a 1-1 draw with Germany winning it in extra time

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Originally Posted by OwlsFan

According to Wikipedia Putin chastised the national football team in the summer of 2004 about the team's behavior during the playing of the anthem. Before the start of tournament matches in the 2004 European Football Championship, the team was caught on camera chewing gum during the playing of the Russian anthem. Putin, using Leonid Tyagachyov, the head of the Russian Olympic Committee as his messenger, told the team to stop chewing gum and sing the anthem.

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funny during the anthem before the greek game one fella winks and there's one fella in the line-up tugging the hair of his teammate next to him. watch 23-25 seconds in here if you can view it:

http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=2049918

p.s. awful news for boulharouz the dutch defender (lost his premature daughter), very sorry for him.

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Originally Posted by lionelhutz

I'll go for a 1-1 draw with Germany winning it in extra time

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i'd agree with that, 2-1 germany aet, ballack scoring at least 1

Portugal are every bit as good as Germany. If there is going to be a difference between them in normal time I expect it to come named "Ronaldo". For that reason Portugal are favourites in my mind. Plus 'Big Phil' is an expert in these games. I don't know much of Lowe. He's banned for this one. That could also be important.

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Originally Posted by Ruben Sosa

I bet you a kilo of my finest produce from Bogota, Ronaldo doesn't kick a ball. He'll be invisible. The Germans will smother the life out of him.
Wanna bet??

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That Ronaldo won't kick the ball in the whole game? I'll take that bet! :D

Germany will win it, looking forward to seeing Ronaldo cry again when they lose, that always makes me smile

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Originally Posted by ken foree

funny during the anthem before the greek game one fella winks and there's one fella in the line-up tugging the hair of his teammate next to him. watch 23-25 seconds in here if you can view it:

http://www.d1g.com/video/show/?id=2049918

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Well spotted (the hair being tugged). Same guy (forward) winked last night as well. Disrespectful of the anthem.

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Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Disrespectful of the anthem.

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Its only a song.

It's too close for me to call in tonight's match.

One thing I've noticed is that the Portuguese are getting an awful lot of attention in the media because of Ronaldo and Scolari's club affairs. This reminded me of all the attention Italy got following calciopoli. And that seemed to unite them greatly.

Even though the Portuguese are technically better footballers, i would imagine the Germans will crowd out the midfield, and Frings is the star man there.
Watch tonight how many times Deco loses the ball

Germany for me in Extra time or Penos

Just FYI, nice good quality video highlight site for Euro 2008 and other sports.

Here

It's looking like Frings and Podolski might not be fully fit tonight, whereas Portugal have a full team to choose from.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...08/7363493.stm

I'm tipping Portugal for tonight, but it should be close and could go either way. Germany's potential loss of Podolski and Frings and Loew's ban for the game make me think Portugal just have the edge. I assume Borowski will take Frings's place and he'll have a very important role to play due to the creativity of Deco and Moutinho and with Ronaldo and Simao probably cutting in a bit. If Jansen plays left back and Ronaldo plays on the right that could also be an interesting battle.

The pitch is a disgrace... Did anyone see it yet Lehman lifting up a piece and all..

2-1 portugal after extra time. Ronaldo to do very little but to pop up with a goal. Deco to be motm.

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Originally Posted by Axe Man

The pitch is a disgrace... Did anyone see it yet Lehman lifting up a piece and all..

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Sure it's only newly laid. It had to be taken up after the Turkey vs Switzerland game becae of the heavy rain.

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Originally Posted by Ruben Sosa

I bet you a kilo of my finest produce from Bogota, Ronaldo doesn't kick a ball. He'll be invisible. The Germans will smother the life out of him.
Wanna bet??

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Ruben I don't see how you feel so strongly on this. Had I been online earlier I would gladly have put my money on the line. I actually had a small bet on him scoring the first tonight. Although that didn't win he has influenced the game and is playing well. If Portugal get through maybe we can set up a bet for the semis.

I think you're ****ing against the wind. What does he have to do to get respect from you?