Euro 08

[hush]

Any soccer fans here? Who do you like for Euro and who do you think will win?

I like Portugal (who have a chance), Greece and Turkey (who don't). As for winning I would bet on the Group of Death, be it France, Germany or Italy.

Normally England would be my team but they, deservedly, did not qualify :-(

[tomyam]

Spain and Portugal. Their formation seems unbeatable.
Go Portugal!!! Go Ronaldo!

[Stratocaster]

All my friends are going crazy about this Euro 08 business...
Frankly I don't understand it :(

[bagpipe]

Yesterday games were opposite ends of the spectrum: Netherlands vs Italy was the best game of the tournament so far. France vs Romania was the worst. Boring, defensive soccer with neither side looking that interested in the game. While I'm a neutral supporter in this tournament (no Scotland or Canada to cheer for) I hope that the Netherlands can continue in this form. They reminded me of the Dutch glory days with Johan Cruyff and Johhny Rep.

[Jeff Flowerday]

They need to start allowing full body contact or some type of hitting. Watching a game that goes on forever with barely a goal scored is crazy.

This post is in memory of our lost soul, David Henman. :smile:

[hush]

They need to start allowing full body contact or some type of hitting.

I know you are kidding but, much like in the NBA, there actually is a lot of contact in this non-contact sport :sport-smiley-002: I am guessing here but I would think that, per-capita, there are more contact-related fractures in soccer than in hockey.

I used to have two beefs with soccer - 1) the dudes rolling around on the ground for 10 minutes like someone severed their femur when no one was within three paces of them and 2) the "slow" play with few goals/chances. For the former most leagues have instituted "diving" penalties as well as requiring an "injured" player to come out of the game if he is tended to on the field (you know, like with the "magic waterbottle" or "secret spray"). In a lot of cases the refs will now ignore legitimate fouls on players like Portugal's Ronaldo as he has a history of embellishment (which is too bad he dives, he is incredibly exciting to watch). As for the slow play - there are a lot of scoring chances in most matches, but I was too unfamiliar with the game to recognize them. I can now even be excited about a 0-0 match as long as it's not played in mid-field. Holy crap I am long winded.

Now that I have hijacked my own thread lol - back to our original programming - now that we are in the quarters who do you like? I am still cheering for Portugal, although my money's going on the Dutch as they have been playing a class above all other countries.

tomyam - can't agree with you on Spain. I am just waiting for thier implosion. I would bet a couple of Euros on both Germany and Croatia too.

[Ti-Ron]

For me it's Oranje all the way! I bet on them for the final, would like to see them against Portugal! Italy and France really desapointed me, supposed to be the two best team since the World cup but nothing really solid. France have alot of yougster maybe it's bad, we'll see on the next big event! Italy have the 10 best scorers in their team but almost lost the chance to past the second turn...isn't because you have the nicest player that you will win! ON the other hand Nederland put all their newbies on the field for the last game and they dominated so much, maybe it's their turn! I'll cross my fingers!
Roem aan Oranje!!!!!

[Stratin2traynor]

While I love playing soccer (sadly due to a back injury I can't run anymore), I rarely ever watch it. Although I did watch a bit of the Russia vs. ?Sweden? yesterday. I was very impressed with the one Russian play involving surgical passing from one end of the field to the other and then what seemed to be an effortless goal. It was sweet.

[dan_]

I miss all the games due to work, but I'm constantly hitting refresh when the Netherlands are on the pitch. I'm not a soccer fan at all, but something about Euro/World Cup soccer turn me into one, albeit only for a few weeks every two years.

[Ti-Ron]

Germany wins this afternoon!! I won't see Portugal against Nederland! :(
I'm waitin' for the next game against Russia!

[drak10687]

Rooting for my home team, Russia... but unfortunately we have to play the Netherlands, which doesn't improve our chances of winning.

[bagpipe]

Rooting for my home team, Russia... but unfortunately we have to play the Netherlands, which doesn't improve our chances of winning.

I think your chances are much improved with Arshavin in the lineup - that guy is fantastic. Russia really reminded me of the Netherlands in their game against Sweden - their counterattacking was very impressive. Pavlyuchenko is also very good - its a pity they missed so many chances at the end of the Sweden game. Hopefully Netherlands vs Russia will be an exciting game.

[drak10687]

woot! Russia 1-0 right now ... but its not over till its over...

[mario]

woot! Russia 1-0 right now ... but its not over till its over...
3-1 Russia over the Netherlands! I think that is the biggest upset yet. Congrats to you and Russia. Sunday, my team plays...Go Azzuri!

[bagpipe]

I think your chances are much improved with Arshavin in the lineup - that guy is fantastic. Russia really reminded me of the Netherlands in their game against Sweden - their counterattacking was very impressive. Pavlyuchenko is also very good - its a pity they missed so many chances at the end of the Sweden game. Hopefully Netherlands vs Russia will be an exciting game.

You see! Didnt I tell you to have faith? A well deserved win by Russia - again, Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko were fantastic. Russia are the team that the Netherlands wish they were.

[drak10687]

So, who do you guys think its gonna be? Germany or Spain?

[dr_iggi]

Spain of course, joder!!!