Central EURO 2008 football topic

[alig]

Euro Cup, big frickin deal! Greece won it in 2004 which goes to show it's just fluke. Why do people still take it so seriously that they deign to make utter pillocks out of themselves by dressing up in their national colours for the sake of footie? I guess I just wasn't made for these times.

[Pani]

(Hoping Spain can buck the trend...)

They did!

[Kris]

Justice done to be fair. No one should have to put up with watching that dross. The worst part is, they have enough quality to play decent, attacking football. How many times are the Italians beaten on pens? You think they would have learn't their lesson.

I can see why Luca Toni plays now. He's in to head it on to nobody. What a crock of sh*t. He might have done better if he had a strike partner but that doesn't excuse his 50 pence head. He must be the only player to have lead boots.

I wish people would stop going on about penalties being solely about bottle. It's about technical abilty and concentration as well. Two out of the three pens stuttered in their run up. all 3 were more concerned with staring at the ref, waiting for him to blow his whistle.

Spain and Russia could and should be a goal fest.

Although, like you, I prefer open, attacking games, there is a masochistic side of me that actually also enjoys tense, tactical battles like the one tonight. And though I agree with you to an extent about the Italians, with Del Piero fading and Totti off the radar they lack flair players and have to rely on above average workhorses like Ambrosini and De Rossi to try and conjure up chances. As such I thought they got it tactically spot on as they denied the Spanish midfield enough space to play telling passes through to Villa and Torres.

And in fairness, Italy probably did create the best chances - Cassilas' close-range block with his legs and then the fingertip save in extra time.

Having said all that, I'm glad Spain did get through in the end as the semi-final with Russia should be a fantastic encounter. I reckon Russia could turn the tables on Spain this time - the Spaniards will be emotionally and physically drained from tonight's game and Russia will have had 24 hours extra rest. Admittedly, Russia will have to defend much better than they did in the group match but Hiddink will know that - he is an excellent tactician. And of course, Russia have Ashavin this time...

As for penalties, although technical ability is very important, I do think bottle does ultimately play a major part because world class players - think Baggio, Shevchenko, Cristiano Ronaldo, Van Basten (all regular penalty takers) - have missed with woeful efforts in the past.

[Kris]

Euro Cup, big frickin deal! Greece won it in 2004 which goes to show it's just fluke. Why do people still take it so seriously that they deign to make utter pillocks out of themselves by dressing up in their national colours for the sake of footie? I guess I just wasn't made for these times.

That's your loss, mate. I've absolutely loved watching this tournament so far and so have plenty of others on here.

As for Greece in 2004, OK, they weren't the most exciting team in the world but they were superbly organised, kept the ball brilliantly and were clinical when it mattered. It was certainly no fluke they won the tournament. Besides, rank outsiders like Greece winning a major competition is what makes football the most compelling, dramatic, addictive and emotional sport in the world.

[Your Funny Uncle]

Italy's is not the prettiest way of playing, but it's effective and they are very good at it... What annoyed me more was Lawrenson's continual moaning. Surely the job of the pundit is to try to make a dull game more interesting, not just whinge on about it...

[GalataPSB]

*edit

[GalataPSB]

Germany beat Portugal on penalties

Germany Won...

Croatia beat Turkey

Turkey won

The Netherlands beat Russia

Russia won

Italy beat Spain

Spain Won...

[Undertaker]

Although, like you, I prefer open, attacking games, there is a masochistic side of me that actually also enjoys tense, tactical battles like the one tonight. And though I agree with you to an extent about the Italians, with Del Piero fading and Totti off the radar they lack flair players and have to rely on above average workhorses like Ambrosini and De Rossi to try and conjure up chances. As such I thought they got it tactically spot on as they denied the Spanish midfield enough space to play telling passes through to Villa and Torres.

Yeah, i agree with you there. Tactical games are very interesting but IMO, yesterday's game wasn't about that. Italy played for pens from kick off. When Spain had the ball, they had 11 players within 30 yards of the goal. When Italy had it, they had 1 central midfielder crossing to a cart horse. That was it. Two players attacking. The one chance Italy created was down to luck, rather than flair. The worse thing is, they don't need to be like that. You can't blame the players though. They do what they are told.

Where was Toni at the end anyway? Surely your 'striker' should be taking a penalty.

[Fugitive1979]

Hmmm........, defeats to a bunch of Latin American no-hopers and the worst Brazil team in a generation. Yes, I really look at Italia'90 through rose-tinted glasses.

Isn't that a successful tournament by Scottish standards though?

To be fair, yes it is. It was the usual story - need a result in the final game to qualify but fail miserably. Although, in the case of Italia'90, it would have been as one of the best third-placed teams.

[Patrick Bateman]

Anyway Donadoni has paid the price for his reticence and it looks like Lippi's on his way back.

[Parkol]

Spain won Russia.
4-1.

It's hard to play against them.
In spite of all we wil fight.

[JSDOUVRES]

Ive quite enjoyed the tournament so far, Well done to Turkey and Russia who did better than most people thought they would, me included.
Big shame that Nihat is out injured, could be missed a lot. I was reading that the 3rd keeper may have to be used outfield if they get any more injuries because of all the suspensions!
I'd like to see a Germany v Russia or Turkey v Spain final. It would be a good end to the tournament.

[diana]

Russia has a good team. But if they get a referee who let the game play on, and not whistle all the time when a Russian player falls, than Russia has no chance against Spain of Portugal.

For the next time Holland has to practice with different referee-attitudes.

[Parkol]

We have a chance, maybe not a big, but we have...
Spain won us many times.
They are strong at football as we are in ice hockey.
When I think about ice hockey I think about Russia, Canada, Finland, Czech, Sweden.
When I think about football I think about Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

I remember when we watched the game against Holland people hated that referee.
He did many mistakes during that game.
Too many.

[Your Funny Uncle]

I'm not usually one to criticise referees but I think Lubos Michel is pretty poor. He also made a mess of the Champions League final, even though it made for great entertainment...