European Championship discussion thread! Americans keep out.

[victor]

Yeah, I'm probably American. Oh, wait, no.
Just because you're in the same state as someone doesn't mean you need to have the same culture. No point in the Scots governing themselves, they wouldn't do it differently. Neither would the Welsh. The Ires, not sure.

Back to topic, I can easily say that the two best games so far were France-England and Sweden-Bulgaria. I really can't wait to see Netherlands-Germany.

Beckham sucked this time though. Maybe he's saving some for later games? Dunno.

And the Portuguese really need to do better. I was kind of shocked to see them losing, especially as they're hosting and all. Too bad. At the same time it's nice to see some minor teams win.

 

[Brother None]

Yeah, I'm probably American. Oh, wait, no.
Just because you're in the same state as someone doesn't mean you need to have the same culture. No point in the Scots governing themselves, they wouldn't do it differently. Neither would the Welsh. The Ires, not sure.

It's Irish.

Oh, and you're Scandinavian? That makes it even worst, you don't have the excuse of not understanding the concept of culture. We should tell the Finns to stop their bitching and rejoin Russia, huh?

Agh, must...stop...replying.

Back to topic, I can easily say that the two best games so far were France-England and Sweden-Bulgaria. I really can't wait to see Netherlands-Germany.

And Denmark - Italy, really.

Beckham sucked this time though. Maybe he's saving some for later games? Dunno.

All the sex has worn him out.

 

[Big T]

Just because you're in the same state as someone doesn't mean you need to have the same culture. No point in the Scots governing themselves, they wouldn't do it differently. Neither would the Welsh. The Ires, not sure.

Dude, don't say that without some evidence, both the Scottish and the Welsh are pretty different politically, not majorly different, but significantly.

I really can't wait to see Netherlands-Germany.

I'm with you there, should be interesting.
EDIT -

And Denmark - Italy, really.

Yep, shame the Danes couldn't finish. And to think that people were already writing it off as an Italian win...

Beckham sucked this time though. Maybe he's saving some for later games? Dunno.

No, you just don't know English players. They can't be consistant (let alone consistantly good), it's some kind of natural law. He's one of the best players in the world (not the best as some idiots put it, but certainly up there) but he just didn't put in the effort. You'd have thought playing for your country would give you some incentive...

 

[Sander]

Back to topic, I can easily say that the two best games so far were France-England and Sweden-Bulgaria. I really can't wait to see Netherlands-Germany.

Hell yeah. With me being an Ajax-supporter, it was nice to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic do some wonderful stuff. I love that guy.

Plus, this spiced things up a lot in poule C. If the Swedes beat or tie Italy, and the Danes beat Bulgaria by a big lead, Italy could be out of there. Hmm.

And I'm looking forward to Germany-Netherlands, mainly because I'm Dutch. I'm hoping we'll play aggressively, and I'm hoping we'll overrun the Germans. No harm in hoping, eh?

 

[Odin]

Denmark - Italy can be a crap game, remember that the italians throw themselves at the very sight of an opponent (ok, overstatment but...)..ie they break up the game alot.

But Denmark could just overrun Italy with their game, I'm cheering on both Denmark and Sweden.. Hehe.. Gotta stick up for our Norse brothers!

 

[quietfanatic]

Interestingly, Australians nearly always support whoever is playing against England, even though they support Australia in sport.

 

[Big T]

Interestingly, Australians nearly always support whoever is playing against England, even though they support Australia in sport.

Bitter much?
I'm sure there are similar cases in all countries. For instance, most people in England support whoever plays against France (and/or Germany). And most Scots, Welsh and Irish support whoever is playing against England. Damn, nobody likes England much.
I tend to support any British team (or Ireland) unless they're playing against England.
Other than that I tend to prefer Northern European teams to Southern/Eastern. Don't really know why.

Oh, and I also (somewhat half heartedly) support Holland 'cos my Granddad is Dutch.


EDIT - Congrats to the Dutch for managing to equalise, shame you couldn't get a second. Also, shame that the German goal was such a fluke, scoring from an intended cross.

 

[Loxley]

I vote for sweden for two reasons:
1. Norway is not playing
2. i know a few really sweet swedish girls.

 

[Fas Ist]

I'm supporting my brothers in genes, GO SWEEDEN!

HEHE. :lightning: Bulgarian team was smashed by them.But Bularians will beat Danemark and Italy(only in their dream) But you can't say that the referee was deciding honestly.
At the beginning he had to inpose a penalty on in favour of the Bulgarian team.And he had to punish a Swedish footballer with a red card,but...Swedishes were the better team in the second half.

 

[Brother None]

EDIT - Congrats to the Dutch for managing to equalise, shame you couldn't get a second. Also, shame that the German goal was such a fluke, scoring from an intended cross.

Yeah no shit. I didn't like the match much. Germany played half-arsed the second half, Holland played half-arsed during the first half. I know things would turn around when they brought Overmars in. On the other hand, I was dissapointed with Cocu, who generally manages to direct plays much better.

The goal against us sucked.

The goals we made kinda sucked to. I mean the goal itself, the pass was brilliant, but I can't say I'm impressed by van Nistelrooy, who got pushed against the ball more than he went for it.

And that Schweindude is scary.

 

[Sander]

Bah. Sucky game. Especially the first half, both teams played an absolutely crap game. The second half was a bit better, but not much. Overmars got some decent balls, and Sneijder was decent, but it only really changed when Van Hooijdonk came in.
We barely even deserved the equaliser.

And Latvia v. Czech Republic was a lot more interesting. Only a small win for the Czech republic.

 

[victor]

Didn't have time to watch Latvia game, but I wasn't too disappointed by the Dutch-German game, at least the ending results. I really thought the Germans would own.

 

[Role-Player]

Let’s just see if Scolari (or Filipão or whatever) finally comes to his senses and starts to put the GOOD players from beginning of the game.

Baía isn't there. That alone puts a halt to the hopes of having him come to his senses.

 

[Karkow]

Spain - Greece is on, who you think will win? As Portuguese, I hope for a draw, but I got a feeling Spain will win...

 

[Gus]

Spain will win, no doubt about it. They're already in lead by one goal, and there's more to come I'm sure.

 

[Karkow]

A draw! That was good (for us Portuguese) and now it's gonna be Portugal - Russia. Finally Scolari did what he should: take off Rui Costa, Fernando Couto and Rui Jorge and bring for their places: Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Nuno Valente. But he shouldn't replace Paulo Ferreira for Miguel, since the first is obviously better and that is more accustomed to play with most of this defense (in FC Porto). And still I would take out Simão and play in a 4x4x2 with Pauleta and Nuno Gomes

 

[Sander]

Spain will win, no doubt about it. They're already in lead by one goal, and there's more to come I'm sure.

Never be too hasty. France v. England should've shown that.
Greece is turning out to be the surprise of the tournament, I think. It's quite possible that they'll be in the quarterfinals, leaving Portugal (or maybe, just maybe, Spain) behind.

Portugal v. Russia has begun nicely, with a goal for Portugal. It appears that Portugal may be getting back up the horse.

 

[Karkow]

Ohhh how I hate Simão. Deco and Maniche are clearly carrying the game on their backs, but Simão is just taking space on the field!

And Miguel, maybe because he's also from Benfica (like Simão) he only knows how to play with him...and how awfully they play together



....ahh poor Obshinikov, he didn't used his hand on purpose and he didn't deserve that red card... his a good goalkeeper (and used to be of Porto).

 

[Role-Player]

Seems that putting Rui Costa on the field paied off, eh?

 

[Big T]

....ahh poor Obshinikov, he didn't used his hand on purpose and he didn't deserve that red card... his a good goalkeeper (and used to be of Porto).

I actually think that was the one thing that gave Russia a chance. They played better with 10 men than with 11. And the replacement goalie made some good saves.

But, yeah, it was a wee bit unfair. He only scraped the ball as he was getting up, and it didn't help him at all.