Euro Cup 2008

[redstorm]

The semi-finals

OK. Holland blew it again. They played a team ready to attack, remember their coach is Gus Hiddunk, he is Dutch and is a great tactician.
Why they didn't play Robben to change the pace is a mystery. Their weakness is at the back. Russia played very well and will be a formidible opponent for Spain.

Well, just came back driving around Woodbridge, an Italian neighbourhood.
Just stunned faces, tearful fans but no griping or moaning.
Italy without their best playmaker and one of their bulldogs, well, they did their best. Luca Toni, so dominant in the Bundelisliga with Bayern Munich, well, didn't show up.

Spain, well, they couldn't keep up the goal scoring pace. They played a well trained, defensive orientated and tactically superior team. Villa had opportunities but Iniesta vanished and Torres and Xavi were not a factor.
The sub for Torres, though the leading scorer in La Liga, was a bit selfish, I know that is a good trait in a striker but he and Villa didn't click.
Why Alonso didn't get a chance since he was their best player against Greece?

So, Germany vs Turkey and Russia vs Spain. Who knows, Turkey is the sentimental favourite. Russia is the surprise. Spain got the monkey off it's back and Germany, well pre-tournament favourites and they won't take anything for granted.

The yellow card issue. Yes, it's a back breaker. Germany got screwed when Ballack was missing for the World Cup Final. The referees were way better than the World Cup. Gattuso and sometimes Pirlo play rough, it's in their nature. It's sad to lose them in Italy's most important game in their life but that's soccer, the rules are rules. Every game Italy played were needed, no time to rest the players with yellow cards. That is the reward for winning the group early.

Enjoy the rest and look forward to the games this week. My German flag is ready, will have to find where to get a Spanish flag.

Good night.

Redstorm

 

[Joe.t]

My prediction for the final

Russia 2 Germany 1

 

[master_bates]

It seemed to me that the ref was pro Italy today but overall Spain played

better and came away with the final result. Funny that Spain won on

penalties even though it looked as if Italy wanted to go to kicks when extra

time began considering they are very experienced in them and have one of

the best goalies in the world.

Now we will see if Russia gets their revenge on thursday from the beating

they took in the opening game 4 - 1.

On paper it should be a germany vs spain final but the way things are going

this year it might be a turkey vs russia final lol

 

[leneo]

after watching the game between Russia and pays-bas and Italy and Spain ..... Russia will win the euro cup this year !!!

 

[redstorm]

Nope. I'm still not convinced Russia will win the whole thing.
Yes, they are on an amazing roll. They are popping in goals and play
a refreshing style of attack. Hiddunk got all his players playing on the same
page. They are giant killers now but see how their inexperience affect them.
Greece, in 2004, well, they managed to play the defensive game.
Got them their championship over a superior Portugal.

Yes Russia beat a good Holland team. The Dutch are a pretty unbalanced team. They have the forwards and midfield but their defence tends to move more up than other teams. The two defensive midfielders did okay against Russia but weren't ready for the speed. Van Basten should have anticipated the speed and maybe made sure the fullbacks stayed back.

They face Spain, who yes, didn't convince alot of their skeptics but they tend to play a more balanced game. Defence is solid with Puyol leading the back four, hopefully Ramos doesn't stray too far up. Casillias one of the top 3, Van Der Saar is good but is getting old. The attack, not fast but determined. For sure, Alonso will play next game since they were lacking production for Villa. Bench is stronger for Spain too.

They beat Spain, then it's either Germany or Turkey. Germany, is peaking at the right time. The Croatia game scared the hell out of them. Hopefully Frings will be back and Podolski is 100 percent. Ruustu is on fire. Yes, he was the goat for the goal he let in but he is their inspiration. Still battered and short handed due to suspensions. Who knows.

The first game with Spain and Russia doesn't count now. Russia adjusted accordingly and they are where they are now. Villa won't score another hattrick, teams learn from other teams.

Still have Germany as my champions.

Redstorm

 

[Porter]

well being a sentimentalist and seeing Italy go down in flames in penalties, me thinks that Turkey can maybe surprise a few.

I really like it when an underdog upsets the cards, though with injuries and yellows they will only have a 15 man squad..

Must say Russia played a good a game has I have not seen in along time!!! So on with the Turkish flag and hat and watch for the final 2 minutes on the game..

You have to admit that this year with Turkey you never know what will happen till the whistles blows..

Porter

 

[redstorm]

One down, one to go

Well Germany gave Turkey a taste of its own medicine.
Gave me a scare when Turkey scored first. They totally dominated the first half and should have been up 3-0. Germany replied with another Schweinsteiger goal. As the game progressed, Germany slowly got their act together. The teams swapped goals with the Turks once again the comeback kids with 5 minutes to go. Lahm however delivered the knockout blow after missing a few opportunities.

Spain, Russia. Too close to call. I love when teams say the other team is the favourite. Russia has nothing to lose, Spain has the pressure. If Germany of the first half shows up in the final, it could be a bloodbath. Frings came in the second half to put some calmness in the German side. Hopefully the extra day of rest will help. Low was smart saving him til the second half.

Enjoy the Spain-Russia final, may the best team win and set up the final on Sunday.

Redstorm

 

[montreal_monk01]

Thanks Turks for making me dreaming till the very end: your games were simply magic and kept us on suspense til the very last. Given all the injuries they had on yesterday's game, many teams would have gave up. Not the Turks! They dominated a great part of yesterday's game and would have deserved a bit more luck on the 1st two missed goal-opportunities.

 

[master_bates]

Germany got lucky yesterday, they didnt play well especially in

the first half.

They should have been down 3 - 1. Luckily it was tied 1 - 1

I hate to say it but Turks should have won that game.

Today I'm rooting for Spain but if Russia ends up winning it wont

be a bad thing either. Should be an open high scoring game but

we'll have to wait and see what happens. I'm hoping the winner

of todays game wins the cup.

 

[montreal_monk01]

Ok, ok I got it: so, all these surprises to end up with an expected classic finale between Germany and Spain (a rewind of last World Cup ..isn't???)
BTW: I was disappointed by Russia today. I was expecting more challenge from their part. It was no show instead. So now, what? Spain Vs Germany: mind-tricking isn't??? since we do not know which team will show up under a good day (this afternoon Spain was on Fire...they moves the ball with confidence...but that was not always the case...same thing can be said of Germany: Germans were on fire against Turks...mainly from the second half of the game yesterday....but..........)

 

[Ted2005]

It will be a tight match between both actually ..... . I tend to think Germans will win the cup. Here is what I think will happen .... draw match in 90 mins and Germany on penalty.

 

[redstorm]

Germany v Spain

Spain finally shows their true colours and Russia finally meets a wall.
Spain wasn't going to let the Russians run all over them. The midfielders choked the center of the pitch and the Spanish defenders with Puyol leading the way gave no chances to the Russians. O shots on target in the first half and most of the second half. You could see the frustration in Hiddink's face.

Losing Villa was a heartbreaker. Fabregas was a great sub and Guiza will probably start in Villa's place. It will be tough to call on that decision. I chalk Russia's loss to inexperience. No one thought they would get this far. Basically the entire Russian team plays domestically though St. Petersburg won the UEFA cup so they did have some interntional experience. But when you look up and down the Spanish lineup, the majority play for superteams like Barcelona, Read Madrid, Liverpool, Arsenal etc.

Sunday's final as many have noted was the predicted outcome. Yes, Turkey and Russia made the trip very fun and intense. We see the changing of the guard with England out completely and Italy and France not having enough. Donadoni was fired yesterday and Lippi brought back. Totti and Nesta will come back from their retirements to play one more time. It's not Donadoni's fault they lost their inspirational captain to injury but he kept mixing up his lineups as most managers do. No strikers taking penalties was the death blow.

Germany to win the whole shooting match. Equally talented teams but Villa's absence may be a factor but Spain has enough talent on the bench to compensate.

See you on Sunday.

Redstorm

 

[master_bates]

Spain is finally crowned the eurocup champion after 44 years

1 - 0 on a goal by striker Fernando Torres

Striker David Villa won the golden boot for most goals

Midfielder Xavi was named MVP of the tournament