Euro 2008

[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.

[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.

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 ?