[Lateralus]

Between Sunday's match and today's, I am absolutely in love with Turkey.

Amazing ending.

Germany is usually my team, but I think I may be pulling for Turkey on Wednesday.

[voodoo]

Sheeesh my predictions have been zero for two two so far.. I predicted Portugal would win Germany and Croatia would win Turkey.

I've predicted Holland to win tomorrow, so if I'm jinxing things that's it for the Dutch. Sorry guys

[Lateralus]

I can't wait for Italy/Spain on Sunday.

I'll be turning off the ringer on my phone.

[analogika]

Wow. Russia (deservedly) kicked the Netherlands out of the tournament.

Who'd have seen that coming?

[(s)macintosh]

Originally Posted by Lateralus 

Between Sunday's match and today's, I am absolutely in love with Turkey.

I watched two of their come-from-behind matches and it's been amazing fun watching them play. The Croatia match was phenomenal.

[mattyb]

Originally Posted by analogika 

Wow. Russia (deservedly) kicked the Netherlands out of the tournament.

Who'd have seen that coming?

Not me thats for sure. I was hoping for a Portugal v Holland final. Think that I'll root for the Spanish now.

[Faust]

My favourite team (Netherlands) is out. They didn't play well for the most part and Russia was amazing.
I'll root for Germany now.

[effgee]

Originally Posted by mattyb 

... Think that I'll root for the Spanish now.

Which means you'll have to pick a new team to root for in just a couple of hours, what a hassle.

[voodoo]

Originally Posted by effgee 

Which means you'll have to pick a new team to root for in just a couple of hours, what a hassle.

Rather that than root for Italy!

[effgee]

^ Agreed. An inconvenient likelihood, but quite likely nonetheless.

(Btw, in *this* game I'll be rooting for the Spaniards as well, it's just exceedingly unlikely that "pretty" will be able to beat "experience".)

[voodoo]

Originally Posted by effgee 

^ Agreed. An inconvenient likelihood, but quite likely nonetheless.

(Btw, in *this* game I'll be rooting for the Spaniards as well, it's just exceedingly unlikely that "pretty" will be able to beat "experience".)

True.. on the bright side no favorites have won so far. Crotia lost to Turkey, Holland to Russia and Portugal to Germany. Now Italy are the favorites and I hope the trend continues

HOWEVER, Spain hasn't beaten Italy in a major competition since 1920, although they beat Italy in a friendly match earlier this year.

I don't know what to make of that, but I know I'll be rooting for Spain tonight and I know that Spain certainly stands a chance, however small it may be. Either way Spain has perforemed admirably so far! I can be pleased about that.

[Faust]

Unless Italy actually "plays" football again, I don't see how they stand a chance. What the Italians have shown us so far has been nothing short of a disaster. Spain's last performance wasn't great either but if they manage to keep the arrogance off the field (unlike in the last two matches), they'll win, I say and I'm going to root for them tonight.

Originally Posted by voodoo 

True.. on the bright side no favorites have won so far. Crotia lost to Turkey, Holland to Russia and Portugal to Germany. Now Italy are the favorites and I hope the trend continues

HOWEVER, Spain hasn't beaten Italy in a major competition since 1920, although they beat Italy in a friendly match earlier this year.

I don't know what to make of that, but I know I'll be rooting for Spain tonight and I know that Spain certainly stands a chance, however small it may be. Either way Spain has perforemed admirably so far! I can be pleased about that.

[effgee]

Point with the Italians is that they - more so than any other team on the planet (e.g. Brasil, Germany, et al) - are a tournament team that can a) adapt their tactics to interrupt their opponent's flow, b) call up tremendous resources when they're needed and c) have enough experience and are cold-blooded enough to ride a narrow lead home.

The only chance I see for the Spanish team is if they manage to gobble up an early and decisive lead ... e.g., going into the half time break leading the Italians by 2-0. If however this match goes into the 70th minute with a close score like a 1-0 lead for Spain or even a draw, there's little doubt in my mind that the Italians will win this thing.

[paul w]

I'm rooting hard for Spain - attack attack attack! I'm still sore over that debacle in 06 and I'd like someone to just beat the helll out of Italy for once and for all.

With the Netherlands out Spain is the last team I can feel excited about.

[Lateralus]

This German ref sucks.

The Italians are playing dirty and keep getting away with it because the ref seems to be blind or stupid.

Go Spain.

[voodoo]

What the HECK is Aragonés thinking taking Torres out?!! Damn that stuffy old coot! I hope this is his last time as manager. The fool.

[analogika]

BOOOOOOOO-ring!

[moep]

I had cards for this game and I'm so glad I've sold 'em.

[voodoo]

¡ V I V A * E S P A Ñ A !

[Powerbook]

Hooooooooorray! The mama boys are going home! Now the Sowjets can finish off the Spaniards so we can finish them in the final.

PB.

[Faust]

If the final were to be between Germany and Russia, I doubt the Germans would win, eventhough I'd love for that to happen.

[Lateralus]

Hooray Spain!

On Turkey; Looks like Nihat is out from that thigh injury he got at the end of the match against Croatia. So is anybody brave enough to bet on Turkey for Wednesday?

After the last two matches, I'll definitely be rooting for them. But I can't remember the last time I saw a team advance this far only to be hamstrung by having so many players out.

[TETENAL]

I won't be on the streets wednesday evening no matter who wins.

[villalobos]

Originally Posted by voodoo 

¡ V I V A * E S P A ñ A !

Qfe

[effgee]

Originally Posted by voodoo 

..., Spain hasn't beaten Italy in a major competition since 1920, ...

And about time it was, too - go Spaniards!! But damn, that was a dreadful game ... like watching the Germany of old playing against themselves.

Talk about "not wanting to lose" instead of "wanting to win" ... ::shudder::

[Jawbone54]

Nasty-style match for Spain, but I don't care so long as they made it through. Let's hope they look a lot better against Russia. Maybe Russia will push the tempo enough to get the Spaniards moving.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by TETENAL 

I won't be on the streets wednesday evening no matter who wins.

Yeah, but you haven't been on the streets in twenty years.

[paul w]

Why the hell doesn't Fabregas start?

[voodoo]

Originally Posted by paul w 

Why the hell doesn't Fabregas start?

Aragonés is a stubborn old coot?


***
To those who thought this was a booring game, I agree.. however: I'm putting the blame squarely on the Italians.. they never played offensive for one minute and locked up so completely that playing offensive against them wasn't an option. Clearly Spain had Villa, Torres and Silva trying to break through while Italy just had Lucas Toni poking at the ball every now and then.

Additionally the Italians tried every dirty trick in the book to hurt, maim and intimidate the Spanish players - which was expected of course. That's their style.

Looking at the statistics of the game, Spain had more possession, more shots at goal, more corners etc etc. The other team was in 110% defence. Every time Spain had posession, the entire Italian team withdrew to their half of the court.

It's more than fair to accuse the Spanish team for playing average football on a bad day, but asking them to share the blame for a defensive lock-down isn't. The better team won and whatever happens in the next game, it won't be anything like this. Russia and Spain are both here to play football.

[mattyb]

Originally Posted by voodoo 

To those who thought this was a booring game, I agree.. however: I'm putting the blame squarely on the Italians.. they never played offensive for one minute and locked up so completely that playing offensive against them wasn't an option. Clearly Spain had Villa, Torres and Silva trying to break through while Italy just had Lucas Toni poking at the ball every now and then.

Additionally the Italians tried every dirty trick in the book to hurt, maim and intimidate the Spanish players - which was expected of course. That's their style.

Looking at the statistics of the game, Spain had more possession, more shots at goal, more corners etc etc. The other team was in 110% defence. Every time Spain had posession, the entire Italian team withdrew to their half of the court.

It's more than fair to accuse the Spanish team for playing average football on a bad day, but asking them to share the blame for a defensive lock-down isn't. The better team won and whatever happens in the next game, it won't be anything like this. Russia and Spain are both here to play football.

[analogika]

^^ Agreed.

Italian play seemed like Verdun trench tactics, especially in the second half and extension.

[paul w]

For such a great team, they sure do get involved in penalty kicks a lot. Thing is - they had Spain's defense badly beaten a few times, and their players had such a height advantage that had they attacked more they'd have probably scored - either on crosses or corners.

[voodoo]

Originally Posted by paul w 

For such a great team, they sure do get involved in penalty kicks a lot. Thing is - they had Spain's defense badly beaten a few times, and their players had such a height advantage that had they attacked more they'd have probably scored - either on crosses or corners.

Agreed, but then they'd have had to take some effort from their defense and Spain would also have managed to score some goals. In other words, the better offensive team would have won. That was a gamble Donadoni was not ready to take, apparently.

He probably would have lost it anyway. The best offensive teams in the competition this year are Holland, Russia, Spain and Germany. Way, way down on that list is Italy.

They could only hope to grind out a 0-1 victory or lose the game 4-2 or so. Penalty shoot out was plan B.

[Ω]

Latest On Cronaldo!!

Has subtitled swearing, so maybe NWS

[mattyb]

^ lmfao

[Nivag]

Originally Posted by Ω 

Latest On Cronaldo!!

Has subtitled swearing, so maybe NWS

hahahaha, that's funny. I love the poor mans Michael Jackson comment

[paul w]

Anybody see today's game? Apparently Turkey outplayed Germany and still lost, 3-2 in the final minutes.

Bahh....

[The Placid Casual]

Awesome, awesome game! Just finished watching it... it could not have been closer! The way Germany played though, I felt Turkey were by far the better team, so Germany will have a tough final for sure.

Hmm, Russia winning 'Euro 2008', has a certain irony!

[Nivag]

When the tv feed worked I watched the game. Yup Turkey played very well and should of won, but the Germans scored 3 good goals and thats what counts.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by paul w 

Anybody see today's game? Apparently Turkey outplayed Germany and still lost, 3-2 in the final minutes.

Bahh....

Apparently ?

Bullsh*t.

Both teams played well, Germany just got the edge.

Also, Germany was cheated out of a penalty shot for a clear foul in the penalty box by the Turks.

It should have ended 4:2.

-t

[analogika]

That was great.

3-2 in the 89th minute is a lucky break - what a close call!

The Turkish team ran like crazy, and as the outsider they had the edge of surprise and the unpredictable tactical opponent status.

A fair outcome, and Turkey went down guns blazing.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Nivag 

Turkey played very well and should of won, but the Germans scored 3 good goals and thats what counts.

Should have won ?

By what standards ?

It's not like Germany played bad soccer. They played very well.
All three goals were well executed, and they should have gotten that penalty kick, too.

-t

[Lateralus]

I agree. Turkey had the better game.

The second half was fairly level but the Germans were sleep walking during the first.

The tournament has been diminished through Turkey's exit. They had a great run that was *very* exciting to watch. Whereas Germany's soccer has become very boring over the past few years.

[effgee]

First off - the Turks played very well tonight and it would've been a deserved win if they had used their chances more efficiently.

What ticks me off a bit is the fact that Turkey had won three matches in the same fashion the Germans won today: play crappy (= defense only) football for 80 minutes, score a goal or two in the last ten minutes and be done with it - and everybody was excited about their will and mental strength. When the Germans win a game in the same manner, everybody complains about how bad the German team played and how their win was lucky und undeserved. Just doesn't make much sense.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by effgee 

First off - the Turks played very well tonight and it would've been a deserved win if they had used their chances more efficiently.

What ticks me off a bit is the fact that Turkey had won three matches in the same fashion the Germans won today: play crappy (= defense only) football for 80 minutes, score a goal or two in the last ten minutes and be done with it - and everybody was excited about their will and mental strength. When the Germans win a game in the same manner, everybody complains about how bad the German team played and how their win was lucky und undeserved. Just doesn't make much sense.

The big difference in this game was that Turkey was BUSY this match. They worked extremely hard and managed to take the German team by surprise - which showed.

[voodoo]

The German team took their time to get into the game today. Turkey took the offensive approach and it served them well. However, they were outmatched and didn't stand a chance in the big picture.

The Turkish defense was haphazard and chaothic, not least due to the people injured or banned, and their offensive game was not on target enough.

Germany played cautiously and strategically. While I knew beforehand that Germany should pull this one through, I wasn't really sure until they scored their third goal.

[effgee]

^^ Absolutely. I'm definitely not trying to make the Turks look bad - for large portions of the match they were the better team and (probably) played the match of their lives (of the "tournament", at least) tonight. The Germans made lots and lots of mistakes, played a real bad defense, had *very* few brilliant moments and were their usual efficient selves in making perfect use of them.

In a sense, the Turks got "out-turked" tonight.

[Lateralus]

The one bad thing I have to say about the Turks is that their defense sucked throughout the game. Any time the Germans drove the ball anywhere near the Turkish goal there was nary a defender.

Whereas the Germans always seemed to keep defenders back not matter how far off the ball was in play.

I guess part of that was Turkey putting all of their efforts into offense. But it bit them on that first equalizer.

[voodoo]

Originally Posted by Lateralus 

I guess part of that was Turkey putting all of their efforts into offense. But it bit them on that first equalizer.

Oh yeah, when the equalizer shows up the game is over

[mr. burns]

Great match, too bad there were technical difficulties. :/