best game of Euro 2008 ... so far
TheHun
Posts: 1,690
in Sports Talk
What game has been the most incredible in the 2008 Euros:
A) Holland 3-0 upset of Italy
Spain injury time win over Sweden
C) Turkey's amazing comeback over Czech Republic
D) Croatia beating Germany
Who is favored for the second round ?
cheers
A) Holland 3-0 upset of Italy
Spain injury time win over SwedenC) Turkey's amazing comeback over Czech Republic
D) Croatia beating Germany
Who is favored for the second round ?
cheers
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That Portugal vs. Germany matchup in the 2nd round is brutal!!
<< <i>
Who is favored for the second round ?
>>
The Dutch
<< <i>
The Dutch >>
Shmoke and a pancake? Flapjack and a shigarette? Shigar and a waffle? Pipe and a crepe?, Bong and a blintz?
<< <i>
That Portugal vs. Germany matchup in the 2nd round is brutal!! >>
Either the Germans were skating through the first round, or this is the worst German team I've ever seen.
I don't know what to make of Germany. I think they might really be that bad, but I still expect them to beat Portugal tomorrow. Maybe it's my hatred of Cristiano Ronaldo or maybe I just continue to be blinded by Germany's history and reputation, but I'd consider it a bit of a surprise of they lose tomorrow.
Lastly, I like to think of myself as an enlightened being, but I can't help but want to punch Julie Foudy in the face. Just because.
<< <i>
Lastly, I like to think of myself as an enlightened being, but I can't help but want to punch Julie Foudy in the face. Just because. >>
Thursday........Portugal vs. Germany (Germany has the history, but Portugal has the better side)
Friday............Croatia vs. Turkey (Not too many people are betting on these two to make history)
Saturday.......Holland vs. Russia (Russia's coach is Dutch. Won't matter. Holland should advance. Van Basten will remember
his goal of the century in the 88 final vs. Russia).
Sunday.........Spain vs. Italy (The Spanish are historical failures. Italy can beat anyone in the tournament if their players are
healty and motivated, aside from the Dutch)
Italy will have a tough go vs Spain without Pirlo and (to a lesser extent) Gattuso.
I was flipping between the Turkey/Czech game and something else until about the 80th minute...I never turned back to see the end - can't believe I did that.
Not if he cannot win the big one !
and leave Julie Foudy alone ... (crying) why can't you just leave her alone ..... waaaaaaaaa (hides under blanket)
cheers
<< <i>
<< <i>
That Portugal vs. Germany matchup in the 2nd round is brutal!! >>
Either the Germans were skating through the first round, or this is the worst German team I've ever seen. >>
Proved a lot of people wrong today.
<< <i>
<< <i>
Proved a lot of people wrong today. >>
Not really. Sebastian Sweinstager was a great substitute for Gomez. He made a difference all over the pitch, and scored the first goal.
Ballack finally played a decent game. Podolski is just a big game player. Having said that, the Portugese missed two good chances on goal, and played swiss cheese defense on German crosses.
Did the Germans play better today ? Yes, they did.
Did the Germans prove that they are the favorites like many people said they were ? No, not against this Portugese side.
The Germans have a lot more proving to do in my book. Today didn't prove anything, except that the Portugese are the Portugese.
<< <i> but Ronaldo is clearly the best player in the world right now.. >>
Not denying this statement, but would also like to add that great players have to play great in big games.
Let's look at baseball. Is Greg Maddux a great pitcher ? Yes he is. But he's also 10-11 in the postseason.
Was Catfish Hunter a great pitcher ? Sure he was, and he was 10-2 in the postseason with a much better ERA then Maddux.
All I'm saying is that Ronaldo has a lot of catching up to do to be a guy like Zidane, who was just phenomonal in big games.
He's got a lot of catching up to do to be a Lothar Mattheus who played great in big games. Ronaldo missed the penalty kick in
the Champions League final this year, and clearly looked like he lacked the confidence to attack the Germans today.
Is Ronaldo great ? Yes, he is a very talented footballer. But he plays small in some big games, and therefore doesn't deserve
the best player in the world title in my book.
Ronaldo has yet to star consistantly in big matches.
Germans were clearly hungrier for it.
Can Croatia run the Turks off ?
next !
<< <i>
Not really. Sebastian Sweinstager was a great substitute for Gomez. He made a difference all over the pitch, and scored the first goal.
Ballack finally played a decent game. Podolski is just a big game player. Having said that, the Portugese missed two good chances on goal, and played swiss cheese defense on German crosses.
Did the Germans play better today ? Yes, they did.
Did the Germans prove that they are the favorites like many people said they were ? No, not against this Portugese side.
The Germans have a lot more proving to do in my book. Today didn't prove anything, except that the Portugese are the Portugese. >>
I didn't say that they proved themselves to be the favorite. They prove you wrong since you said that this is a terrible German team.
<< <i>
I didn't say that they proved themselves to be the favorite. They prove you wrong since you said that this is a terrible German team. >>
Well, I've been watching German football since Gunter Netzer, Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Mueller, Rumminegge, Uli Stilicker, Horst Hrubesch,
Klaus Alloffs, Sepp Maier, Hans Peter Briegel, Uli Hoeness, Tony Schumacher and the betting scandal that ripped through Germany,
Paul Breitner and his exodus from the German national club. Horst Hrubesch's 2 goals to win Euro 1980. Germany's amazing comeback
against France down 3-1 in OT to go to penalties to win on Hrubesch's penalty kick in the World Cup. Klinsmann, Lothar Mattheus, and
company beating Argentina 1-0 in the most boring world cup final ever. Heck, I still have Soccer Made in Germany tapes from the
70's and 80's in my video library from PBS. I've been watching German football from 1972 until Oliver Kahn and now. I will say in my opinion that this is the worst German club I've seen to date.
Did we all see their game against Austria ? Did we see their loss in the 1st round ? I've never seen a German club play like this.
I didn't say "they we're a terrible team" as you said. I asked the question if this was the worst German club I've ever seen.
I was comparing them to the German teams I've been watching for 40 years. Go back and read my post and you'll see the obvious.
So nobody said this was a terrible German team as you said. But thanks for trying to put words in my mouth.
<< <i>
Can Croatia run the Turks off ?
next ! >>
Would it be safe to say that Croatia has the technical advantage, but the Turks are bulldogs with all kinds of fighting spirit ?
Should be one heck of a match. Penalty kicks perhaps. I'll be pulling for the Turks.
By the way, if any of you guys are EPL fans, I'd love to add some knowledgeable, active managers to the premierleague.com fantasy league for which I am commissioner. I'll probably post something once the new campaign rolls around, but feel free to PM me your e-mail address so I can add them to the invite queue.
I do not think this makes his THE best.
There are other qualities that are important:
Leadership
Sportsmanship
and Championship
He may still get there .... but not today.
cheers
Any one have some soccer cards to trade or sell ?
<< <i>Ronaldo has not always shined in the biggest games - well, unless you count his acting, which he vividly displayed today - but he's still young even in football years, did lead the Champions League in goals this year and did score Man U's regulation goal against Chelsea in the final. (Yeah, yeah, that penalty attempt was pitiful.) And I don't really hold Portugal's lack of UEFA/World Cup titles against him since they're just not in the elite tier of national clubs. I agree that Ronaldo is not yet a legend, but who else would you suggest as the best current player in the world? I'd take Ronaldo over anybody right now and I suspect the overwhelming majority of clubs would agree.
. >>
Well said. Ronaldo is surely a great player, and plays even better when he plays on a good club. However, keep in mind that Ronaldo always looks better on great clubs. He looks very average on marginal clubs. Your point is well taken though, however there is more
to football then scoring goals. I would suggest that there is no great player in football right now. No one has taken the mantle from
Zidane as of yet. We'll just have to wait and see. JMHO.
<< <i>Ronaldo may be the most ehnically gifted player in the world presently.
? >>
I would suggest that the defenders Lahm from Germany and Cannavaro from Italy are as technically gifted as Ronaldo.
If you watch these two guys play, they anticipate well, and are very rarely beaten 1 on 1. Cannavaro is incredible in the air, and
manages his team inside the 18 very well. Lahm is also very potent on the attack and in the midfield. The guy rarely loses possession, and his passes are very, very good. He reminds me a lot of Bixente Lizarazu, who was also a great unsung player.
Ronaldo is gifted in his dribbling and speed. His heading is on par, his passing is on par, and his defending is absolutely terrible.
He left his man Miroslov Klose wide open inside the 18 for an easy header yesterday and then put his arms up like who was supposed
to have him. In other words, he doesn't have a clue when it comes to marking. Watch his whole game when he plays, not just his dribbling.
The Oranje Express ? The confidently growing Russians ?
Will this be the next generation of Dutch to star on European clubs ... or are they thinking too far ahead and will lose in an upset.
The goalscoring has been spread well among the Dutch ... Sneijder, Van Pierse, Robben, Van Nistelroy, Hunterlaar, von Bronckhurst .... who else will score ?
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defensive outfit in the world.... (if healthy and motivated).
The Turks are missing a few of their regulars due to suspension. Germany will probably look to use crosses into the area to use their height advantage. Germany has the talent advantage, but the Turks have luck on their side. I will be suprised to see Turkey lose, but I'll be rooting for the Germans.
Russia vs. Spain
The Spanish could not have scored against Italy if they played another 90 minutes yesterday. Russia's defense is quite capable of shutting them down, but won't.
Russia's attack is much more potent then Italy's. Did Italy even have an attack ? However, a young Russian team will have difficulty producing two quality games in a row.
We may see a few mistakes by the Russians this time around. Spain already beat them, and I feel that is to their advantage, even though this is a Russian team growing
in confidence. I will be rooting for Russia, but I think Spain gets a gift to move forward.
<< <i>Did Italy even have an attack ? >>
Good riddance to Italy and their negative football.
Germany should handle a depleted Turkish squad, but the other semifinal could go either way. The results of their first match are virtually meaningless now. I'm rooting for Spain thanks largely to my man-crush on Cesc but a Russian win wouldn't pain me.
With Greece winning 4 years ago and Turkey and a rejuvinated Russia in the semis, European football is anything but predictable.
Watching the Dutch proves that superstars don't always win tournaments.
The Germans must feel confident.
cheers
<< <i>A fine tournament so far.
With Greece winning 4 years ago and Turkey and a rejuvinated Russia in the semis, European football is anything but predictable.
Watching the Dutch proves that superstars don't always win tournaments.
The Germans must feel confident.
cheers >>
Yes, a wonderful tournament for sure. I have really enjoyed it. However, it is just a tournament, or crapshoot at best, and the better team doesn't always win. It is very difficult to win 6 games in a row in Europe. You have to be good, and very lucky to do it.
The front two are mixed. Podolski is good, Klose is struggling. Ballack is the worst central mid I've ever seen for Germany since
Hansi Mueller tried to run the middle in the late 70's. They will have to play great to beat either Spain or Russia.
I'll be rooting for the Germans, but it will take a great effort to win the trophy. The one thing going for Germany is that they've
yet to play a great game. Perhaps it will take place this weekend. The Russians played theirs against Holland. Spain played theirs
against Russia.
the tention during the blackout was unbearable ... how could they get live shots from the fan zone and not the stadium ??????
two games to go and this has been a classic. Kudos to the turks ... but Lamm was fouled IN the penalty box so justice was served when he ran rampant into the box and scored.
Russian upset or long time Spanish revival ? tune in tomorrow .........
to come up big.