Official Football Thread
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Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
I'm really looking forward to Holland vs Russia. These two teams have shown the greatest displays of lightning-fast breakdowns (well, the Czech Republic also had a major breakdown, but a very different kind of breakdown). I see two possible ways the match can end up: Either both teams go on as they have done until now, with all-out attacking football with great pace, or both teams are afraid of the other team's counter-attacking abilities and become very careful. I, as a neutral, hope for the former.
I must also say that I'd like the winner of this match to win the entire tournament. Holland because they have Edwin van der Sar in goal and Russia because They kicked Sweden's ass and they have the greatest national anthem of the remaining teams
The old Soviet hymn, just with new lyrics, is a GRAND song.
I must also say that I'd like the winner of this match to win the entire tournament. Holland because they have Edwin van der Sar in goal and Russia because They kicked Sweden's ass and they have the greatest national anthem of the remaining teams
The old Soviet hymn, just with new lyrics, is a GRAND song.
national acrobat
Ancient Mariner
Nah, best national anthem is definitely Italy's.
I too was very impressed with the Russians, and it should be a good game between them and Holland. I think Russia will be the more attacking and controlling team, and Holland the more counter-attacking, which would probably play into Holland's favour.
I too was very impressed with the Russians, and it should be a good game between them and Holland. I think Russia will be the more attacking and controlling team, and Holland the more counter-attacking, which would probably play into Holland's favour.
Genghis Khan
Ancient Mariner
Forostar said:That was a beautiful goal really, Genghis. I believe the angle (and perhaps also the distance) was less difficult than Van Hooijdonck's, but VH's had more time to concentrate on it.
Prosinečki was really a tecnician "pur sang". World class player. Another (ex-)Yugoslavian player with a fantastic technique was Savićević, but he was Serbian and he sure showed that.
Nice to see all that old footage by the way!
Savićević is Montenegrin. Oh, its been answered already. Filthy mouth, eh?!
Thank you Sweden for ruining my predictions.
Still, 7/8 is not so bad.I figured the Swedish experience would overtake the Russian youth and exuberance. Guess not! Ibrahimovic made a couple of bad passes and was ineffective. Larsson had a nice header. Too bad. The Russians created many fast as lightning plays, but could not always finish.
By 2010 I think we'll see a largely different Swedish team. Unless Larsson decides to surprise us again with another tournament.
Like people have said, I'm looking forward to this Netherlands-Russia game more than the alternative. Nevertheless, I expect a Dutch win.
Let's vote for the winner tomorrow. Portugal or Germany?
I say Portugal because they can find the net easier and Germany's Podolski, top scorer for Germany in Euro 2008 as well as Fritz will not play from the last bit of news I've heard. Also for some inexplicable reason, Gomez will start again despite messing up more than his share of chances. Neuville played well in the World Cup 2006, yet despite showing promise in practice, he's still benched.
Let's have a friendly challenge. Pick a team. We'll see how many of us get it right.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Eddies Wingman said:
Agreed.
Eddies Wingman said:
Agreed. These teams showed the best football.
Eddies Wingman said:
Can't imagine. I guess it will be an open match with many chances (and perhaps many goals).
Eddies Wingman said:I must also say that I'd like the winner of this match to win the entire tournament. Holland because they have Edwin van der Sar in goal and Russia because They kicked Sweden's ass and they have the greatest national anthem of the remaining teams
If the Netherlands go out, I sure hope Russia & Guus Hiddink will do it instead of us. Ironically enough I also like both hymns of these countries the most.
Good old Guus does it again. Remarkable!
On his fifth(!) big end tournament he again survives the first round.
Euro'96: Quarter finals with the Netherlands
WC'98: Fourth place with the Netherlands
WC'02: Fourth place with South Korea
WC'06: 2nd round with Australia
Euro'08: (at least) the quarter finals with Russia
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
Quite impressive record by Hiddink that one. Of course, with proper refereeing South Korea wouldn't made it past the 1/8 final, but they were in fact really impressive in the group stage - and if I'm not wrong, it was the first time they ever got past the first round in a World Cup. So even though the 4th place was mainly due to luck with ref decisions, Hiddink still did a great achievement getting them through the group stage.
And Australia had also never been past 1st round in the World Cup before '06 (they had actually only qualified once earlier, in 1974), so once again a fine feather in Hiddink's hat:
And Australia had also never been past 1st round in the World Cup before '06 (they had actually only qualified once earlier, in 1974), so once again a fine feather in Hiddink's hat:
Fie and shame on you Sweden for playing the worst football I've seen in a long time (and I've seen Austria playing recently). At least Austria tried to attack, Sweden just lay there completely passive...and when they finally tried to get their act together it was too late because it's not like the Russians where being lazy asses. So congratulations to Russia for a deserved win and fie fie fie on you Sweden.
So for tonight I say Portugal to beat Germany.
So for tonight I say Portugal to beat Germany.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Dramatic news from the Dutch camp:
Prematurely born daughter of defender Boulahrouz dies
The Associated PressPublished: June 19, 2008
LAUSANNE, Switzerland: Netherlands defender Khalid Boulahrouz has lost his prematurely born daughter Anissa, leaving the family and his teammates distraught, the team said Thursday.
"Players and staff of the Dutch team are upset by the death of Anissa, the daughter of Khalid Boulahrouz and his wife Sabia, who was born prematurely," the Dutch soccer federation said in a statement.
The defender was taken away from training Wednesday after his wife was hospitalized with pregnancy complications. She had followed the championships with the other players' partners and girlfriends.
Boulahrouz had started in all three of the Dutch games so far.
The Netherlands plays Russia in the quarterfinals of the European Championship on Saturday.
Prematurely born daughter of defender Boulahrouz dies
The Associated PressPublished: June 19, 2008
LAUSANNE, Switzerland: Netherlands defender Khalid Boulahrouz has lost his prematurely born daughter Anissa, leaving the family and his teammates distraught, the team said Thursday.
"Players and staff of the Dutch team are upset by the death of Anissa, the daughter of Khalid Boulahrouz and his wife Sabia, who was born prematurely," the Dutch soccer federation said in a statement.
The defender was taken away from training Wednesday after his wife was hospitalized with pregnancy complications. She had followed the championships with the other players' partners and girlfriends.
Boulahrouz had started in all three of the Dutch games so far.
The Netherlands plays Russia in the quarterfinals of the European Championship on Saturday.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
Genghis Khan said:
Well, tonight I go with the Jerrys. They have this culture for knock-out matches and if it goes all the way to penalties we know what will happen. Even though Portugal may have seemed more consistent in the group stage, the German team has not really played bad either (except for parts of the match against Croatia). I expect the game to go to extra time and Germany to win.
I have already mentioned (I think) that I'd like the winner of Holland vs Russia to win the entire thing because they deserve a reward for their positive and entertaining football*. However, what I think will happen is a different thing. I would not be surprised at all to see a final between Germany and Italy (but I'd rather have Holland vs Croatia, mind you!). My tip for winners of the tournament: Germany. With some more sleepless nights for Perun, unfortunately.
@Forostar: What horrible news for Boulahrouz. I really feel with him and his wife. Let's hope it enhances the team's spirit rather than degrading it. That's what Boulahrouz needs now.
*( By this I'm not saying a team defending their way to the title are not worthy winners, I'm just saying that I like an attacking philosophy better. One where you try to create something on your own instead of just waiting for the opposition to create something for you. And that I personally would like to see a team like Holland or Russia win the title rather than Greece or Romania)
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
Like the winners of the European Championships, for example? 
Genghis Khan
Ancient Mariner
@ Foro: I hope this loss does not affect the defender Boulahrouz's game.
So far...
Portugal
GK
Natalie
Germany
EW
So far...
Portugal
GK
Natalie
Germany
EW
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
The rather surprising thing is that he wants to play. He told to Van Basten hat he can and wants to play.
Van Basten is allowing him to leave the hotel whenever he wants. He can always go to his wife.
Van Basten:"I understand that it's very difficult for Khalid and we will support him as well as possible. However, at a certain point the focus has to go towards Russia. And that's what Khalid also wants."
Van Basten is allowing him to leave the hotel whenever he wants. He can always go to his wife.
Van Basten:"I understand that it's very difficult for Khalid and we will support him as well as possible. However, at a certain point the focus has to go towards Russia. And that's what Khalid also wants."
Genghis Khan
Ancient Mariner
So Foro, tell me, Portugal or Germany? 
I'm sick today. Can't work. Hacking, caughing and sniffling, but I can still watch the game.
I'm sick today. Can't work. Hacking, caughing and sniffling, but I can still watch the game.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Ai mate, hope you'll feel better soon!
I go for Germany! Portugal was more impressive but if the Germans could recover today then they might surprise us.
Do you have to pay extra to see this Championship or is it on the (free) public or some commercial channel?
If I would like to, I'd have to get some extra paid channel to see e.g. NBA or something.
I go for Germany! Portugal was more impressive but if the Germans could recover today then they might surprise us.
Do you have to pay extra to see this Championship or is it on the (free) public or some commercial channel?
If I would like to, I'd have to get some extra paid channel to see e.g. NBA or something.
Genghis Khan
Ancient Mariner
Forostar said:
Thanks.
Forostar said:
All Euro Cup and World Cup games are almost always fully covered by Canadian cable companies, in this instance TSN (The Sports Network) and Rogers Sports Channel, both of whom are based in Toronto.
However, all European club games require extra money for extra channels. When I used to live in a different part of my city, the local cable company offered an Italian channel that comes as part of the cable package. They had Italian League matches, but of course it was all in Italian. That part of the city was known for its Italian neighbourhoods so the offer of this choice is easily understood.
Forostar said:
Now, why would you want to waste that sort of money?
I watch what football I watch on Sportsnet.
national acrobat
Ancient Mariner
Germany for me. I'm sticking with my pre-tournament prediciton of Germany beating Italy in the final.Genghis Khan said:
Looks like they're missing Frings tonight though, that will be a big miss, he always seems to do well in the tournaments.
Albie
Keeping an open eye on the Weeping Angels.
I'll stick with most of those predictions - bar the Czechs playing Croatia (but I got the rest rightAlbie said:
). The Turkey Croatia match is a bit of a sticky one for me, but I sort of fancy the Turks. So we will have:Germany v Turkey (German win)
Italy v the Dutch (the Dutch to win)
Giving us a repeat of the '74 World Cup Final (or the ill tempered Euro '88 semi).
Germany to win.
There is also something inside me that wants a Croatia Russia final (possible) so I can rest easy that England were third to the eventual finalists.
As for the national anthems - The Germans have the best one, surely.
Do I remember that. We was 1-0 up at Wembley - and ended up drawing that match 1-1.Eddies Wingman said:
Pretty much the same in that league as well, it's a pen and red card - if the defender denies the attacker a real goal scoring chance.Eddies Wingman said: