Euro Cup 2008

[redstorm]

Germany is indeed the underdog going into today's match.
They might be without their best striker Podolski and best holding midfidler Frings. Also their coach will have no contact when the player enter the stadium.

Well Nuno Gomes guaranteeing a goal, hope he turns up today. Don't be surprised they will emply the same tactics against Ronaldo when they played in thee World Cup in 2006.

Russia wanted the game more than Sweden. Hiddunk is a world class coach, he manages results with the talent he has. Maybe the Greek or French soccer federations should see if he's available.

Italy better be worried. Spain showed they have so much talent on the bench that no matter Donadoni does they can match him player.

Going out on a limb, take Germany in a shootout. If the Portuguese midfield starts going rampant, Germany has no chance. if they can keep it close, we hopefully have a good chance. Don't think the Portuguese players will be rusty. They are all world class.

Enjoy the game, 6 more games til we crown a new European champion.

Redstorm

 

[poonyman]

Predictions:

Germany 2 - Portugal 1
Croatia 2 - Turkey 0
Holland 1 - Russia 2
Spain 3 - Italy 1

Semi

Germany 2 - Croatia 0
Russia 1 - Spain 2

Final

Germany 0 - Spain 2

 

[master_bates]

I'm glad to see Germany beat Portugal 3 - 1

What a game by Bastian scoring the 1st and setting up the others

I give credit to Nuno Gomes for scoring a goal, when he

guaranteed it the day before. Postiga scored a nice goal for

Portugal as well off a header.

Too bad we didnt get to see Ronaldo cry this time lol

Croatia will likely beat the turks tomorrow, will we see croatia win

vs germany again for the 2nd time in 2 weeks or will germany get

revenge this time when it truly counts?

 

[SexyNadya]

Well I must say that the Germans played this one perfectly. An impressive display of Team work. During the second half Cristiano Ronaldo was a none factor. Also poor defending on the part of Portugal proved to be costly. Croatia should take it tomorrow vs.Turkey.

 

[leneo]

Predictions:

Germany 2 - Portugal 1
Croatia 2 - Turkey 0
Holland 1 - Russia 2
Spain 3 - Italy 1

Semi

Germany 2 - Croatia 0
Russia 1 - Spain 2

Final

Germany 0 - Spain 2

Man you are so wrong !!!!!!!!!! Italy all the way bro !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[redstorm]

Deutschland Deutschland

What a game. They lost Frings but managed to put in two solid replacements.
Put Podolski up front with Klose. I never liked Gomez. Yes he scores alot but he didn't partner with Klose very good. Schweinsteiger made up for his red card and shows up Ronaldo once again. Maybe Scolari's announcement he was coaching Chelsea after the Euro disrupted the team. Maybe resting all his players made them a bit rusty. Yes Nuno Gomes scored but talking with my Portuguese friends, their problem is always no strikers. Midfielders yes but no front men.

Croatia should win easily but Turkey alongside with Russia are the tournament's Cinderella's teams. Germany-Croatia? Well, I think they have found their ideal setup. Been hammering away with all my colleagues.
It's theirs to lose a place in the Final. Holland-Spain looks so good on paper.

I don't think Italy has much of a chance against Spain. Yes they are the defending World Cup champions but losing your captain Cannavaro and now without Pirlo, their most creative midfielder and their pitbull Gatusso though old still inspires the team will be too much. Spain will attack with all their players, Villa, Torres, Iniesta, Xavi. Their weakness is their backline but I don't think Iker will be tested especially when Pirlo's free kicking abilities muted.

Holland will not take Russia for granted. Hiddunk has a solid team first attitude and may give the Dutch some issues. But if the scoreline becomes 2-0, Russia has no players that even remotely put the ball back into the net when they need it.

Enjoy the Croatia-Turkey game. It's the least interesting to watch amongst the four games but nevertheless will get me sitting in front of the tv.

Redstorm

 

[SexyNadya]

Hi there Leneo ! It seems like you just maybe 2 out of 2 !!! 1-0 however I beleive Croatia will take it !!!

 

[montreal_monk01]

Final Italia-Germany (2-1)

Can't believe Croatia got beaten.
With my favourite team eliminated (Portugal - I love their exciting à la Brazilian game) I believe the winner might be Italy or Germany: Italians, once they start believing in it, there's nothing you can do against them. Only Germans could be a serious threat to Italy (because of their high level of focus and disciplined work ethics, Germans can beat whatever team...only the surnatural determination of Italians will probably send the Germans off competition)...not even the Deutsch (Netherlands have a solid team in attack and middle-field, but Italians will easily overwhelm the Deutsch's defense). So..Italy I believe (eventhough my heart wanted Portugal or the Deutsch).

 

[master_bates]

Can't believe Croatia got beaten.
With my favourite team eliminated (Portugal - I love their exciting à la Brazilian game) I believe the winner might be Italy or Germany: Italians, once they start believing in it, there's nothing you can do against them. Only Germans could be a serious threat to Italy (because of their high level of focus and disciplined work ethics, Germans can beat whatever team...only the surnatural determination of Italians will probably send the Germans off competition)...not even the Deutsch (Netherlands have a solid team in attack and middle-field, but Italians will easily overwhelm the Deutsch's defense). So..Italy I believe (eventhough my heart wanted Portugal or the Deutsch).

Germany will beat a very injury and suspension depleted turkey

I dont think Italy will get past Spain and if by chance they do?

The netherlands will take care of them

I see a Germany vs Netherlands final

Netherlands lifting the cup

 

[master_bates]

What a remarkable win by Turkey today

I tip my hats to them, never giving up until the final whistle was blown

Croatia had many chances to score early on especially at 20' but just could

not put the ball in the net.

What happened to Croatia in the penalties? They choked

Missing 2 and having 1 stopped including from their best top penalty taker.

 

[redstorm]

What a heartbreak. The Croatian striker with one kidney scores. One minute til a showdown with Germany. The Croatian coach tries to do a sub but the officials don't want anything to do with it. Just dump the ball into the Turkey half, anything but play in your own zone. Turkey ties it up and wins in the shootout. The Turkey goalie goes from goat to hero, mind you the two Croatian penalties were not even close.

I have been hearing and reading all this talk about Italy going to the final. I don't know they have to play Spain and then Holland. Okay so Spain hasn't beaten Italy in a long time. Spain and Holland are always bridesmaids never the bride. If they figure out how to start a play without Pirlo let me know. Other than him name me a playmaker. Yes Del Piero is available but De Rossi is a defenisve midfielder and loses his partner in Gattuso. Yes, Italy is a tight team but prone to mistakes. If it wasn't for Buffon, no chance.

If Italy does beat Spain and face Holland (okay I'm counting my chickens before they are hatched). What can Italy do to improve. The Dutch forwards are too fast for the back four. They will toy with them like they did in their first game. I won't get involved in the controversy over Van NIstleroy's goal but the other two goals are amazing. I'll take Holland's bench over Italy's anyday.

Not anti-Italy, just pro-Germany (then pro-Holland)

Redstorm

 

[SexyNadya]

I'll take Holland's bench over Italy's anyday... Thats a good one Dear Redstorm ! Lets not count Italy out ! Now that there in there anything can happen. Spain will have there hands full. But should take it home. Holand over Russia. And today's game was the best so far in the Tourney !!! Kisses xxxXXXxxx

 

[montreal_monk01]

Netherlands lifting the cup

My friend,
Here we go again -> another favourite off the way.
This is a real mind-tricking Euro Cup. One of the Ultimate favourites Spain or Italy is assured to go to Semi-Final, but since up to now all favourites got beaten by the non ones, shall we anticipate that the winner might be Turkey or Russia...may be. Turks and Russians have an amazing trust in their means and passion on the way. Russians have raw talent as well both at defense and attack. I'm forced to pick Russia ..but hey who knows (Turks always find their way out of difficulty and Italians have an iron-determination)?
For now, qualified for semi-finals:
Germany
Turkey
Russie
Spain or Italy

Let's start with this Sunday game between Spain & Italy: let's hope it will be on par with the expectations and anticipate a crazy game!

 

[master_bates]

Boy was I wrong, I did not see that coming yesterday.

It seems the Russians have woken up after being destroyed by Spain 4 - 1

and barely beating Greece 1 - 0 on a goalie mistake.

They have said only 1 time has a group winner won the eurocup I believe

France back in 88. Spain should win today considering Italy has suspensions

and injuries but we'll have to wait and see what happens.

 

[montreal_monk01]

Spain should win today considering Italy has suspensions

and injuries but we'll have to wait and see what happens.

In about 1 more lil hour...can't wait
I am debating whether to hang around Lil Italy and watch the game with some Italian buddies (that will be crazy atmosphere) or ..since my GF is spanish, accept the offer of her grandma to cook us some nice nice paella and hang out with their spaniards family watching the game....crazy..crazy..I can feel the heat in the air
Enjoy the game Master_bates and whoever is the winner, let's just hope it will be a crazy game with lots of ups and downs

 

[master_bates]

Go with watching the game with your gf, it will score you some

extra brownie points.

I will enjoy the game, thanks hopefully the spaniards will not

choke for once.

Always having good teams and get leaving early.

 

[SexyNadya]

I agree Master_Bates. But so far its one suprises after the other. Russia in the Semi's... I'm watching the game with two of my friends today, in the comfort of my own home. Experience is with The Squadra Azzurra .
The Gg Buffon " factor " might just provide the Italian Squad with the edge that they need the win today. However my heart is with Spain. Enjoy the Game !!

 

[montreal_monk01]

Que Viva Espana!!!

Go with watching the game with your gf, it will score you some

Yeah..I went for that option and the Paella was awesome as well.
I hope you also enjoyed the game, MB.


Amazing how Italians completely locked-up middle-field action (at beginning of the game) providing very little serious attack
opportunities to Spaniards.
My heart was with Spain, but I have to conceed: Italians are tactically a tad superior (better coordination between them,
amazing defense-to-offense transition, amazing middle-field control, awesome defense..and what a goalie!).
Spaniards had an amazing goal tender in Casillas, with some nice ball-passings, but without FIRE (Only Senna and Ramos
seemed to have tremendous willing during the entire game) ..where do you go? When I saw the Spaniards going to OT, I right away anticipated that it was unfortunately over for them: OT is the deal
of tremendous willing/FIRE...and that was on the Italian side)...with Del Piero freshly getting into the game at 2nd OT,
I said to myself "Damn...the coffin was ready for Spain!"
Italians were so used to penalty-kicks and good at it, so to me Spain could pack their stuff and just give away the game...
BUT I could not believe it when penalty-kicks unfolded: Spain kept firing good shots (despite missing some) and most importantly...
Casillas was on FIRE!! Spain is qualified for the Semis...QUE VIVA ESPANA!!!!...BUT Spain will need to really
find a way of generating more Fire/desire/ better completion of their game....otherway Russia will beat them big time!

PS: The easy distribution of yellow card (EDOYC) will kill this game (so many yellow cards are distributed for
lots of very very minors offenses...unfortunately, a team can easily run out of players because
of this EDOYC!

 

[gizmo]

my prediction before euro

As you can remember, they were
predictions ###########reality
Group A
Portugal #############portugal
Switzerland ###########turkey

Group B
Croatia ##############croatia
Germany #############germany

Group C
Netherlands ###########netherlands
Romania #############italy

Group D
Spain ###############spain
Russia ###############russia


Quarter final
Portugal Germany #########portugal germany
Croatia Switzerland ########croatia turkey
Netherlands Russia ########netherlands russia
Spain Romania ###########spain italy

Semi final
Germany Croatia ##########germany turkey
Russia Spain #############russia spain

Final
Spain Germany ? ?

Hey I was not that wrong

 

[JustBob]

Good riddance. Now take those Italian flags off your cars.