Euro 2008

[Billsthoughts]

Not really. They have all been cagey enough affairs due to both teams not wanting to lose their first match. Anytime there has been more than one goal it has largely been down to counter attacks against the team chasing the game. Think we will see different results in the second round of matches. Expect Spain to start well tonite tho.

[superfrank]

Also interesting that in the 6 games todate, both sides have failed to score in all the games. 5 teams have scored and 7 have failed to score. First goal seems more important than ever

I've been worrying over this statistic too but, leaving Group C aside, only the "weaker" sides have failed to score.

It's more of a case of the stronger sides getting ahead and then being able to soak up the weaker sides' pressure afterwards.

Group C has been a bit different. France couldn't score at all so the onus was never on Romania to attack. They had settled for a draw from the kick-off. Netherlands Italy was funny because there was no clear favourite in the match so my "stronger vs. weaker" theory doesn't hold up. But it was another example of sublime counter-attacking football by the Dutch.

[bennocelt]

you heard it here 1st!!!
get on the czechs not to qualify FROM the group at EVENS - this is a cert... also have a small bet on them to finish last at 3-1 which is a very good price..

oopps

[bennocelt]

Romanians are a proud people from a nation forged in steel and fire, that was in evidence this afternoon when they out foxed a technically superior (on paper) French team. Like a great game of chess the Romanians held their line with grit and resolve, fair play to them and I can see big problems for teams that play them. They've a good set of players and Nicolae Dorin Goian, Radoi and Dica would grace many teams.

ah man, they were boring, with a little more effort they could have sneaked a win. What the hell will they do with one point!!!!

The tournament needed last nights game. Upto then it has been poor.
I thought the italians were bad and the ref never gave them any support (which was great). What - no free kicks for italy, then how are they supposed to win (cheat) a game?
First goal was a joke
But thank god for holland and attacking football ai its best

Austria were unlucky and deserved something
Croatia were evil, cyncial to the end

[superfrank]

It's great to see such unity on foot.ie.

[jebus]

It's great to see such unity on foot.ie.

What's a Junior Forum?

[jmurphyc]

What's a Junior Forum?

It's for the ickle babies.

[Hibs4Ever]

the czechs are an extremely poor team at the moment. i can easily see them finishing bottom of that group and also getting no wins in the process - you heard it here 1st!!!
get on the czechs not to qualify FROM the group at EVENS - this is a cert... also have a small bet on them to finish last at 3-1 which is a very good price..

Good call, anymore of your wonderful tips for us

[superfrank]

2-0 Sweden! YEEEESSSS!!!!!!!

I hate the way the Greeks play.

[Closed Account 2]

Russia 5/2 to get out of the group looks like a decent bet.

I think Spain will beat Sweden on Saturday, and think Russia can beat Greece (just). Then in the final match Russia will have Arshavin (the best player in Europe) back from suspension and I can see them beating Sweden.

[Hibs4Ever]

Agree. Russia will still get out of the group IMO

[gilberto_eire]

Are ye having a laugh, off the games i caught so far Russia were the worst by far, even when they were losing they never moved the ball with purpose looking to get back into the game, played like they were the ones with the lead, Russia will be lucky to get any points if they play like that for the other two games!

[superfrank]

I'm not so confident for Russia beating Greece.

From what I saw today, Russia are the type of team that Greece can tear apart. Russia tried to play football in the first half and that's how Spain ripped them apart. Russia chased the ball and worked very hard. That's the kind of team that Greece will take advantage of.

[NeilMcD]

I'm not so confident for Russia beating Greece.

From what I saw today, Russia are the type of team that Greece can tear apart. Russia tried to play football in the first half and that's how Spain ripped them apart. Russia chased the ball and worked very hard. That's the kind of team that Greece will take advantage of.

So if an attacking team like Spain can tear Russia apart and also a defensive counter attacking team can take advantage of Russia, which teams, other than crap teams would not beat Russia then.

[jmurphyc]

So if an attacking team like Spain can tear Russia apart and also a defensive counter attacking team can take advantage of Russia, which teams, other than crap teams would not beat Russia then.

England?

[superfrank]

So if an attacking team like Spain can tear Russia apart and also a defensive counter attacking team can take advantage of Russia, which teams, other than crap teams would not beat Russia then.

All Spain's goals came on the counter-attack. Therefore, Russia are open to being caught that way. Greece are a team that can easily do it to them as well.

[Closed Account 2]

Russia had a few chances, they hit the post in the first half and always looked dangerous on corners, before Fabregas's offside goal they put the Spanish under a bit of pressure (Ramos looked sloppy in the last few mins). They had lots of possesion and were a very mobile team. Looking at Greece's defenders and keeper, particularly for the Hansen goal, I don't think they will be able to cope with the speed of the players who feed off Pavluchenko... What they are really missing is a decent defensive midfielder who can break up play and redistribute the ball (a Vieira or Kinsella / Graham Kavagnah for us) Hiddink brought back Semak but it's not right. For the Sweden game they can play Arshavin as a support forward and then drop Zyrianov back to defensive midfield. For the next game (v Greece) I suspect he'll use the CSKA combination of the Berezutski twins and Ignashevitch as center backs and a sweeper or DM. I hope they go through anyway, they're a positive team and so far the only one who's scored after conceeding a goal.

[Sligo Hornet]

England?

Neil said "other than crap teams"

[Kingdom]

I don't understand the slating of Russia, I was particularily offended by Ronnie Whelan's assertion that they should be ashamed of themselves.
I thought they played good football, had numerous chances they failed to take, but crucially were sloppy a few times and were punished for it. I was really surprised not to see Ignashevich start, I thought he is their main centre half?
They have Greece next up and I think they can win that.

Similarily I couldn't believe the rubbish written about Italy. Fair enough Donadoni's selection was perhaps a bit odd, and while they are an older team than most, they were extremely unlucky. Regardless of the first goal, they too played decent football, missed a couple of sitters and to be fair, the 3-0 scoreline could easily have been 2-1 to Italy. They've Romania up next which is the perfect game for them. An Italian win and a French Dutch draw and they're second in the group with the French having to attack them in the last game, exactly what the Italians will want. Write them off at your peril. Dunphy has really shown his ignorance over the last couple of days.

[Sesp]

bennocelt,

The frst goal (for Holland) was actually perfectly legitimate - according to a technical, though not well understood, ruling.

Also - Cheating Italians? Evil Croatians? Nice to see you're embracing a sense of European brotherhood and togetherness....