Euro 2008

[XabbaRus]

Again another game where the Russians had many more chances than they converted into goals.

I'm glad they won but against Spain or Italy that could kill them.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by XabbaRus

Again another game where the Russians had many more chances than they converted into goals.

I'm glad they won but against Spain or Italy that could kill them.

You may rethink that:

Originally Posted by Skybird

2:0 was not enough for the plenty of 100% chances they had, although the Russians played well. I counted a two-digit number of top chances for them, 10 all in all, but scoring only two. With that goal efficiency, they will not survive Holland, and they will not have as many chances as the Swedes allowed them. the play was great, but if the Russians can repeat that performance level, also is a question. the team is young and still finds together, so I expect a more up-and-down way of going for their team's results. I expect them to be a strong contender in the next international major event, however. As people say: the future is theirs.

If you did like me - no realizing the already given strength of the Russians, this may be the right time to correct that.

Impressive is that they are all playing in russia except one guy. Peterburgh did not win the championsleague by chance only. They keep their things together, one could say. It pays off to be financially independant and keep all talents together.

and haven't they become icehockey world champions again after so and so many long years?

Germany needs to face them in the next qualification. that could become a major headache.

Had to work, did not see much of the match.

[GlobalExplorer]

Originally Posted by HunterICX

whats your problem?HunterICX

I wrote these quotes before the match and now is certainly not the moment to pour oil in the fire. In fact what I said makes me look like an idiot now. I guess I have to make a statement.

You know what, yesterday the plebs were firing rockets around my house and today the bild zeitung is going to pour scorn about holland as they always do in such moments. This I find very embarassing and out of place, my apologies for that.

If I hadnt grown up with the images of 1988 and what came in the decade after it I might feel sorry for you because you really could have won the championship. Excuse me if I was such a s.o.b. but there is nothing football without some commitment to your team. And some of your fellow countrymen have made it pretty clear to me that they do not love us.

But - in this championship - I found nothing wrong with the dutch team absolutely nothing. That scene when Van Niestelroy did not fall in the first match was actually very impressive.

This time you only stumbled about a brand new lesson in international football, one that no one could have prepared for: playing with a B-team at the end of the group stage is not a good idea after all. Same trap that Portugal fell in.

In fact I cant remember if there was ever a championship that was won by a team who prematurely won their group and played with their second suit in the last match.

The young team from russia has to be loved for the way they won, it's rare to see a team that enjoys playing football so much.

[LaughingSwordfish]

Russia deserved the win 100%. Hiddink`s teams always play attacking efficient football. I noticed some of the Dutch "stars" showed their frustration very obviously when they were down 0-1. Not the trademark of a great tournament team.

[GlobalExplorer]

Looks like the dutchies were completelys taken aback by the vigor of those russians. I could not believe myself what I saw in the overtime.

Impossible to say what is going to happen now. The Russians could take the trophy, on the other hand they are much too inexperienced, so they might as well collapse completely against Italy. In any case this is an ideal development for the co - hosts of the next Euro, because they have now proven that their team could win the title in four years. I mean also age-wise this team is perfect. A good moment for Russians.

[Red Heat]

Looks like the Spanish team is in...crazy to see the next game Spain vs Russia!

[Red Heat]

Oh yes, very boring in did...may be they will win a "Special Trophy" the most boring game in Euro 2008! :rotfl:
But im happy for the Spanish, it was a long time they didnt win the Italian team.
I belive the last game wich they win was in 1920 or 1922!

[Skybird]

After 20 minutes again I watched it with just one eye. Boring. a duel of two different playing philosophies, it seems.

Be sure you don't miss Germany-Turkey. If the Germans keep up their niveau from the Portugal match, it will be a very close match, and with some emotional spice due to the high local rivalry: a lot of prestige is at stake. I see it as a 50:50, the match is totally open. I hope the Germans show to have an advantage in precision, fighting alone is not enough since the Turks have as much fighting spirit, they may also be slightly better in individual technical skills, so that must be countered by better tactic and team spirit. Tactical adaptation to the Turk's offensive temper and not wasting chances will be of the essence. Defense of Germany is not the most shining part of the team, so Germany needs to tackle any Turkish attack already in midfield to be sure, and will need to get and defend the initiative at all cost in order to even kill the chance for any Turkish avalanche. Maybe Podolski can blitz them. just countering Turkish attacks would be a high risk tactic, they are too dangerous for that.

If Spain meets Germany in finals, I have a good feeling that that challenge can be successfully solved for us. Against Russia - an open match again, maybe even with slight advantage for the russians. they are so damn fast and agile, they remind me of speeding mice.

From now on, everything - in good and bad - seems to be possible! I can't see any clear favourites.

[asanovic7]

Now, I don't have anyhing to watch on this euro..
I cannot believe Italians can endure Luca Toni, in the end they lost deserved. That Toni makes Italian like a ferrari with tires of tractor.
Aquillani ran 14 km.. Because of Toni, idiots..
Now..
Not a big fan of Russians, Turks are with 14- players. Spanish fall and fake all the time.. So it must be Germans.. Again..
Cheers

[Red Heat]

Or may be not...

[asanovic7]

Originally Posted by Skybird

After 20 minutes again I watched it with just one eye. Boring. a duel of two different playing philosophies, it seems.

Be sure you don't miss Germany-Turkey. If the Germans keep up their niveau from the Portugal match, it will be a very close match, and with some emotional spice due to the high local rivalry: a lot of prestige is at stake. I see it as a 50:50, the match is totally open. I hope the Germans show to have an advantage in precision, fighting alone is not enough since the Turks have as much fighting spirit, they may also be slightly better in individual technical skills, so that must be countered by better tactic and team spirit. Tactical adaptation to the Turk's offensive temper and not wasting chances will be of the essence. Defense of Germany is not the most shining part of the team, so Germany needs to tackle any Turkish attack already in midfield to be sure, and will need to get and defend the initiative at all cost in order to even kill the chance for any Turkish avalanche. Maybe Podolski can blitz them. just countering Turkish attacks would be a high risk tactic, they are too dangerous for that.

If Spain meets Germany in finals, I have a good feeling that that challenge can be successfully solved for us. Against Russia - an open match again, maybe even with slight advantage for the russians. they are so damn fast and agile, they remind me of speeding mice.

From now on, everything - in good and bad - seems to be possible! I can't see any clear favourites.

It seems to me, skybirdi, that your team played much the same like Italians yesterday against the Portugal.. Or you are just fallen to subjectivity?

[Skybird]

Almost a Darwin Award for a German fan! He missed it closely, so: nice intention, but lousy execution:

A 17 year old fan driving on a motorbike managed to nestle the huge German flag he had with him around his neck while being in full flight on his motor bike. The other end of the flag then got into the rear wheel, the wheel was winding it up, and so the driver was suddenly catapulted to the rearside, did a salto in midair and then crashed onto the street behind the bike, suffering skull fractures and a brain trauma, none of them were sufficient to earn him a Darwin Award, since he is still alive, but one must give it to him that he was very close to succeeding.

Next time try a headjump from five meters into the pool while they are changing the water! We know you can accieve it if you only try hard enough!

[GlobalExplorer]

Death by german flag eh.

I am driving to work through Berlin and the record number of german flags I saw attached on a single car has been four (so far). That certainly has an impact on fuel consumption. I also wonder what will happen if the first person is impaled by one of these.

[Red Heat]

Tonight it will be Germany vs Turkey...lets see if it will be fair match specialy for the Turkey, i hope beter luck than Portugal...specialy atention in validation of goals, "a hawk eye" in the judge team, and the foults near the goalkeeper...

[Skybird]

Validation of goals?