Euro 2008

**superfrank** · 19/06/2008, 8:45 PM

Portugal wasted possession too many times. They had so many long shots go well wide or over. They also just wasted passes and crosses. Simao was especially guilty of it. I don't see how he is rated so well.

Germany played very well. Their first goal was brilliant play by the midfield. If they meet Croatia in the semis, it'll be a very interesting game.

**pineapple stu** · 19/06/2008, 8:54 PM

True football stereotypes. Germany written off by many before the game, but they were big, their football was efficient, direct and highly effective. Portugal were better technically, but had a good old fashioned dodgy continental keeper. Good game; would have been a great game if anything had happened between Germany's third and Portugal's second.

Very good tournament overall though. One of the best I can remember.

**shakermaker1982** · 19/06/2008, 8:56 PM

Entertaining game. Both team were dodgy at the back but going forward they were a joy to watch. Deco still has it just a pity some of his team mates wanted to take pot shots from 30 yards every time.

Highlight of the match was that German lady supporter in injury time!!!!

**old git** · 19/06/2008, 9:54 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

Entertaining game. Both team were dodgy at the back but going forward they were a joy to watch. Deco still has it just a pity some of his team mates wanted to take pot shots from 30 yards every time.

Highlight of the match was that German lady supporter in injury time!!!!

thought the portugese darkhaired lady on the phone at end of match was a better highlight

**micls** · 19/06/2008, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Very good tournament overall though. One of the best I can remember.

Agree. Really enjoying almost every game I watch.

**Morbo** · 20/06/2008, 9:06 AM

Originally Posted by Morbo

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

Ha told ye so, I got 6/5 on Germany before the game too which makes it even sweeter

**lionelhutz** · 20/06/2008, 9:17 AM

Originally Posted by Morbo

Ha told ye so, I got 6/5 on Germany before the game too which makes it even sweeter

Germany were 9/4 in Paddys before the game. Great price.....in hindsight

Agree with Ruben Sosa's assessment of great vs very good players. Although I think some players do deserve the title "great" if they perform far and above the rest of the world for 2 to 3 years such as Ronaldinho. He was definitely one the greats in his performances between 2004 and 2007

**De Town** · 20/06/2008, 9:18 AM

Originally Posted by Ruben Sosa

win plaudits from team mates, press, fans and fellow players.

Well you cant say Ronaldo hasn't got praise off his team mates, the press, fans and his fellow players.

He must win his fair share of trophies and have a hand in the winning of them.

He's won his fair share of trophies for a man who's still only 23, and has had a hand in winning them all.

He must perform on the biggest stage of all ie :The World Cup European Championships and to a lesser extent, The Champions League or Copa America.

I thought Ronaldo had a good World Cup in 06.

And while he didnt shine individually in the Euro's this year, I was still impressed with him, he looked like he was playing more for the team, summed up with Portugal's 3rd goal against Czech Rep.

He also performed quite well in the Champions League this year, top scorer anyone?

**Morbo** · 20/06/2008, 9:20 AM

Originally Posted by Ruben Sosa

Can I be serious for a minute (well probably not), but I'm going to try anyway.
Ronaldo is on a list of what I call 'very good players'.
Here's my list:
The Good:
Steve Mc Manaman, Paul Ince, Nolberto Solano, Andrei Kanchelskis etc etc etc..
The Very Good:
Chritiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, Rivaldo, Ronaldinhio, Figo, etc etc etc..
The Great:
Zinedine Zidane, Michel Platini, Diego Maradona, Franz Beckenbauer, Pele..

To be truly great in my book, a player must have a long career, almost completly at the top of his game, and win plaudits from team mates, press, fans and fellow players.
He must win his fair share of trophies and have a hand in the winning of them.
And most importantly of all, and I hope your listening Coltron!!
He must perform on the biggest stage of all ie :The World Cup, European Championships and to a lesser extent, The Champions League or Copa America.
That's how I decide in my little football World, The Good The Bad and The Ugly....
Amen....

Agree with most of that although I'd put him a notch below Figo and Henry at their prime

**Roadend** · 20/06/2008, 9:25 AM

Originally Posted by Morbo

Ha told ye so, I got 6/5 on Germany before the game too which makes it even sweeter

I don't remember seeing Ronaldo cry..............unfortunately.

**Morbo** · 20/06/2008, 9:26 AM

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

Germany were 9/4 in Paddys before the game. Great price.....in hindsight

I just bet on them to go through which was 6/5, but 9/4 to win in 90mins was great value too

**bennocelt** · 20/06/2008, 2:24 PM

I shocked that so many people were tipping Portugal, over 60 percent i think on the uefa.com site
Portugal for me didnt do anything special in the tournament to deserve such high praise, esp against a team like germany. And we all know (at least some of us do) how good the Germans are at getting to finals

Croatia 3-1 turkey, should be a cracker

Holland to beat the russians - a game im really looking forward too, two great attacking forces

Spain - italy, all fingers crossed for Spain 2-1

**passinginterest** · 20/06/2008, 3:27 PM

My club ran a forecast and my semi-finalists are Germany, Croatia, Holland and Italy. So that's what I'm hoping. I went for a Croatia - Holland final with the Dutch coming out on top. I doubt too many others would have that so all going well I might be €1500 better off. I have a feeling Spain will beat Italy and it'll end up as a Germany - Spain final. I doubt I could be lucky enough for my forecasting to be that good! I got two of the groups spot on and 7 of the 8 quarter finalists. If it wasn't for that Turkey comeback I'd have had 3 of the groups exactly right.

**pineapple stu** · 20/06/2008, 7:05 PM

Originally Posted by micls

Agree. Really enjoying almost every game I watch.

Only 20 minutes gone in Croatia v Turkey, and it's more of the same.

Here's hoping Sligo v UCD tomorrow is as good!

**Rovers fan** · 20/06/2008, 9:29 PM

What a finish! I just knew turkey would win. You could tell by the look of rakitis and modric that they were gonna miss.

**Greenforever** · 20/06/2008, 9:53 PM

As much as i hate the Turks fair play to them tonight, never say die, lets hope we learn from their attitude. The Croats may as well not have taken the penalties, they had the stuffing knocked out of them by the Turkey (excuse the pun)

**superfrank** · 20/06/2008, 9:53 PM

What an end to the game. It wasn't really up to the others in standard but it finished with great excitement.

Croatia looked defeated after the equaliser and I thought it would be Turkey's.

Turkey Germany will be a fierce battle. Knowing the Turks with their poor discipline and the huge Turkish population in Germany. There are a few German-born Turks in the side and there's plenty of them who play in Germany. It'll be very interesting.