OT- anybody watching euro 2008?
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The soccer tournament? Maybe not if we take into consideration that England isn't even there, 
but I would like to add a comment anyway. It was 4 years ago that I celebrated Greece's unexpected win of the trophy on these boards too among other places. It is amazing to see how quickly that team collapsed. Tonight they are facing Spain in their last game, of no significance to either team, Spain is already first in the group and Greece last and out. I'm heavily relying on Spain's indifference and will to rest its key players for the upcoming quarterfinal, to get away with a positive score perhaps, and not face yet another embarrassing defeat. I would even bet money on a Spanish win if it wasn't a dishonourable thing to do.
It's not that there's no talent, there never was any to begin with. Back in 2004 many people accused Greece and their German coach for playing anti football. They were, just copying 40 years of Italian catenazzio. We all go to defense, try to win the one on ones because of the physical advantage (height etc), then the team relies on counterattacks and set plays to score. 60% of the goals in such tournaments come from set plays, that is fouls, corners, penalties. Or in other words, less than half of the goals are the result of genuine team efforts or explosions of individual talent, which is why sometimes soccer can be such a boring sport.
What Greece doesn't have that it used to, is spirit. Team spirit. Back in 2004, they outsmarted better teams because they were like one fist, in and out of the games. Now I see a team with loser psychology, and that cannot get you anywhere in life. Coincidentally, I'm reading these days, Phil Jackson's Sacred Hoops, Spiritual lessons of a hardwood warrior , an account of the Bull's run of the 90s by their coach, a must read even if you're no sports fan. And if you are a fan, a Boston Celtic fan, congrats for climbing to the top of the world again.
but I would like to add a comment anyway. It was 4 years ago that I celebrated Greece's unexpected win of the trophy on these boards too among other places. It is amazing to see how quickly that team collapsed. Tonight they are facing Spain in their last game, of no significance to either team, Spain is already first in the group and Greece last and out. I'm heavily relying on Spain's indifference and will to rest its key players for the upcoming quarterfinal, to get away with a positive score perhaps, and not face yet another embarrassing defeat. I would even bet money on a Spanish win if it wasn't a dishonourable thing to do.It's not that there's no talent, there never was any to begin with. Back in 2004 many people accused Greece and their German coach for playing anti football. They were, just copying 40 years of Italian catenazzio. We all go to defense, try to win the one on ones because of the physical advantage (height etc), then the team relies on counterattacks and set plays to score. 60% of the goals in such tournaments come from set plays, that is fouls, corners, penalties. Or in other words, less than half of the goals are the result of genuine team efforts or explosions of individual talent, which is why sometimes soccer can be such a boring sport.
What Greece doesn't have that it used to, is spirit. Team spirit. Back in 2004, they outsmarted better teams because they were like one fist, in and out of the games. Now I see a team with loser psychology, and that cannot get you anywhere in life. Coincidentally, I'm reading these days, Phil Jackson's Sacred Hoops, Spiritual lessons of a hardwood warrior , an account of the Bull's run of the 90s by their coach, a must read even if you're no sports fan. And if you are a fan, a Boston Celtic fan, congrats for climbing to the top of the world again.
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I also had another book with me by Pat Riley, basically an account of the 80s Lakers by their coach. However, the difference in writing with Sacred Hoops is so big, as is the mentality of Jackson to Riley's. And even though I kind of like the latter's manneurisms and oily hair, I really can't take him seriously when the first phrase in his book is that he's considered an authority on...blah blah blah.
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Yes, Greece has been disappointing. I have let a Greek fellow at my workplace know my displeasure. I now have learned an interesting Greek word, the equivalent of bupkis, I think.
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And I agree with the sentiment for the team from the Netherlands, always a pleasure to watch that team play!
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The Italians have been a disappointment as well.
I suppose I should add a faint "Hup Holland Hup" since the wife's half Dutch.
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Croatia has been impressive, dumping the Brits twice in qualifying and then the Germans in group play. They are very dangerous and should progress to the semis at least.
I like Holland as well, they crushed the "group of death." With knockout games approaching, there will be closer, tenser games for them. They may regret allowing Italy to qualify yesterday, as a possible rematch in the semis awaits. They should be able to dispatch either Russia or Sweden.
Spain, known for choking in post-group play, will be under tremendous pressure to beat Italy. I wouldn't want to take wagers on that match.
I'd like to see Portugal beat Germany. Portugal plays some fun-to-watch football and Germany does not. The only exciting player for Germany is Podolski, and he is unlikely to be suited up.
Biggest disasters in the tourney: Greece and France, followed closely by the hapless co-hosts.
Russians were surprisingly strong in that game, and the Dutch weren't up to the games they played in the first round. Great game to watch though.
The Turks are going to have a problem with Germany since they had three players receive their second yellow card and won't be available to play.
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Ajax is still number one.
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The Russia-Holland match was breathtaking. Arshavin was brilliant all game long. I wonder which premiership club he'll end up at? Rumor has it Arsenal
Spain had best watch out for this revived Russian side. It won't be a 4-1 massacre again.
Germany should progress against Turkey, who may be hard pressed to field 11 healthy players in the semi-final, but I have bet against Turkey in nearly every game - so much for that. Is Turkey the Greece of 2008?
The most exciting team of the four right now is Russia. When I don't have a horse in the race (England was knocked out in the qualifying phase), I always go for the team playing the most creatively.
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<< <i>I have to agree with wybrit
According to ABBA the winner takes it all.
I dont wanna talk
About the things weve gone through
Though its hurting me
Now its history
Ive played all my cards
And thats what youve done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play
The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
Beside the victory
Thats her destiny
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<< <i>All of my QF picks lost: the Dutch, the Croatians and the Portugese. I didn't pick a winner for Spain-Italy but wanted Spain because they play a more interesting brand of football. Unfortunately, the Croatia-Turkey and Spain-Italy matches were unbelieveably boring - providing lots of ammunition for soccer haters.
The Russia-Holland match was breathtaking. Arshavin was brilliant all game long. I wonder which premiership club he'll end up at? Rumor has it Arsenal
Spain had best watch out for this revived Russian side. It won't be a 4-1 massacre again.
Germany should progress against Turkey, who may be hard pressed to field 11 healthy players in the semi-final, but I have bet against Turkey in nearly every game - so much for that. Is Turkey the Greece of 2008?
The most exciting team of the four right now is Russia. When I don't have a horse in the race (England was knocked out in the qualifying phase), I always go for the team playing the most creatively. >>
So now you play money to the team you despise the least to make it interesting.
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<< <i>OT- anybody watching euro 2008? >>
ROSSIYA!!! ROSSIYA!!! ROSSIYA!!!!!
Haven't seen Russia play this well in quite a few years.
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I do believe that they'll be ready for World Cup 2010. This was a good lesson for them.
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I'd pick Spain in the final, but Germany always finds a way to frustrate more skillful teams than them.
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Perhaps the half time prep talk will move Germany to the offensive from the defensive.
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<< <i>Perhaps the half time prep talk will move Germany to the offensive from the defensive. >>
Not going to happen
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