[GrungeMonkey]

worst day ever.
3 points.
just terrible
what the hell were portugal doing?
ah well...

[pokkeherrie]

Originally Posted by Bertrand

Local journalists predict a Romanian victory, due to a Dutch scheme planned not to meet Italy and France again.
I seriously doubt it.
OK, Van Basten might pick guys from his bench, but his subs aren't out of shape worthless players. Besides, the bench option was welcomed as a bright move, when Aimé Jacquet and Roger Lemerre did for France on their 3rd game group stage in 1998 and 2000 (a victory in 1998 against Denmark, a defeat in 2000 against the Oranges - so, yes, a group leader defeat might occur).

In Euro 2000 both Holland and France had already qualified with 6 points out of two games when they met each other; France fielded their subs in that game, but not Holland (except for Westerveld being the goal keeper). Holland being one of the host nations had some moral obligations towards the home crowd though, which they won't have this time.

I reckon Ooijer and De Jong won't play (because of yellow cards) and maybe some players who did a lot of running vs Italy and France will get rested too. I think Van Basten has hinted that the players can decide that for themselves. I reckon Kuyt will play, surely Van Persie too because he needs more match fitness. Maybe Robben too, but on the other hand he's made out of glass so may get spared. Heitinga will play I'm sure and probably Huntelaar will get his first minutes of the tournament too.

Originally Posted by Bertrand

The only arranged game I remember was Austria-West Germany during the 1982 world cup.

It's sometimes being said about Argentina-Peru from the 1978 world cup too.
Holland-Ireland during the 1990 world cup was a bit of a joke too during the last 10 minutes, both teams playing the bal around on their own half after realising England were 1-0 up against Egypt.

[nicfit]

hmmmmmm denmark-sweden 4 years ago ?

[pokkeherrie]

oh yeah, that 2-2.

denmark and sweden have a history of highscoring draws though... during euro 2008 qualification they played 3-3, but then sweden got a 3-0 victory awarded by UEFA because a danish hooligan came on the pitch and attacked the referee.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XT0WI1-Xqc
the incident costed denmark a place in this tournament.

[atari 2600]

had a Turk; didn't even put him in the line-up/.//oops

watched most of it today...

[o o o]

This Euro 2008 is really quite good so far... even though I do not get all the results I hope for.

Originally Posted by Bertrand

The only arranged game I remember was Austria-West Germany during the 1982 world cup. Both teams had started playing accordingly to the rules as we understand them. Each threatened the other. And, 30 minutes from the end of the game, realizing the result was satisfying for both sides, they gently kicked the ball, never approaching the box, avoiding cards, injuries and exhaustion - and Algeria, second before the game, came third due to a weaker goal average and exited.

Ha... When I was in Algeria, this topic came up quite a few times... at least when I was identified as a German. When I was identified as a French, we would discuss Zidane or Benzema.

We also discussed Rabah Madjer, of course, although I do not know that much about him and I was mostly listening to what the people I was speaking to had to say about him.

[nicfit]

Originally Posted by pokkeherrie

oh yeah, that 2-2.

denmark and sweden have a history of highscoring draws though...

he he!
I'm not one of those blind supporters who say "aaaagh! It's a setup! They want to put us out of he tournament!". I'm one of those who say : "Well, if italy had done better we wouldn't need other teams' help/compassion to get to the next round..shame on us!"

[GrungeMonkey]

still 3 measly points

so bad

im beginning to question whether i know anything about football

haha

[pokkeherrie]

Oh shit, that Klose really isn't going to score this tournament, is he?

I didn't see the first game where he had two assists, but during the second game he was just invisible. Because Germany seemed to have a collective off day vs Croatia I decided to keep him still, but being invisible against Austria!!???

That's it, you're out. And Germany will be too if they don't raise their game a lot for the next match against Portugal... At the game we're doing at work I predicted them to become champions before the tournament started, but I don't see it happening after watching their last two games. At least Metzelder kept me a clean sheet today. Compliments to o o o for having Ballack as a captain.

Sneijder saved my round last week (13 points), but I seriously wonder whether's he's playing tomorrow.

[Bertrand]

I dumped Gomez for Podolski. I'm 1 point happier.
Before the tournament started, I believed Spain would win, but I now doubt it.
Spain will have a tough quarter before facing Netherlands, and the winner will be exhausted.
So it's up to Portugal or Croatia, I don't see Germany producing more than they did. No mention of Turkey, but I'm quite happy they made it. And I think I'll silently, respectfuly support either Croats of Turks against Portugal.
To see the goals, there's something rather sweet the BBC did on its page.
You can have a look at a virtual replay of any single goal, the way TV showed it, and from many players' point of view.
For Germany-Poland : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...?goalid=501993

[GrungeMonkey]

ive given in and transfered in david villa. all spanish attack for the quarters.
i hope the next couple of days are kinder to me

[PAULYBEE2656]

as usual.. its the 2nd half of the week that i depend on success..... 6 points.... and down to third!

[o o o]

Argh... I just realised I can't replace Di Natale by Huntelaar with my wild card as I had planned since Sunday, because Huntelaar is actually more expensive by 0,5m (i thought they had the same price), and this even though I have enough budget...

I hope this sign will not bring bad luck (for France). Hmm, I could pick Mutu but this could bring even more bad luck. I am quite superstitious at the moment.

Regardless, I hope Huntelaar will score tonight!

[nicfit]

So, I figured out why I always mess up my team, I'm doing another "fantasy tournament" on an italian magazine's site and I mix the changes I want to make there with the ones I have in mind for this thing and vice versa and mixxxx and everything goes wrong. I'll sink , I'll sink, I can feel it.

[nicfit]

p.s. I was SURE I tranferred klasnic. No sign of him in both teams. I might play a parallel "fantasy football when you're dreaming" league without even knowing.

[HECKLER SPRAY]

I'm a bit stressed by the match (France-Italy), I don't know why....

[nicfit]

coz you're french?

[HECKLER SPRAY]

it must be the reason...

[HECKLER SPRAY]

And you nic ? How are you ?

[nicfit]

ha ha I'm hysteric but not for the game, the fever went down and it left me a super-excited mood like I was on a super coffeine rush (and I don't even drink coffe regularly), I'm hyperactive and I'm posting stupid things on the board at super-speed.
Talking about the match, I'm pretty sure italy will do another bad game and if holland with its turnover will play well orange people and le bleus could be the ones going on to the next stage...