The Soccer Thread

[Timbalaned]

Nederlands.. If I didn't, then we would never be able to return to our apartment in Maastricht.

If they can get out of the group of death. They need to get at least a point today against the dirty greasers or they could be in trouble.

[FLAK]

Their 2 goals in the first 30 minutes will help for sure. I like the Netherlands or Portugal, Germany also looks pretty dangerous.


This whole Real Madrid business with CR7 is starting to get annoying, I don't think that ManUtd should have reported RM, but CR needs to come out and say whether he wants to stay or go on camera. I think ManUtd will hold onto him for another 2 years and then sell him after they win another couple of titles.

[Timbalaned]

Their 2 goals in the first 30 minutes will help for sure. I like the Netherlands or Portugal, Germany also looks pretty dangerous.


This whole Real Madrid business with CR7 is starting to get annoying, I don't think that ManUtd should have reported RM, but CR needs to come out and say whether he wants to stay or go on camera. I think ManUtd will hold onto him for another 2 years and then sell him after they win another couple of titles.

That second goal by Wesley was sick. But yeah I agree with you around Ronaldo it needs to get solved, but the guy shouldn't have to deal with it right now while he is trying to compete for his country. Give him til the end of the month.

[bste_lax]

The Fighting Van Der's looked good today.

It is always enjoyable to watch the Italians lose.

[FLAK]

It is always enjoyable to watch the Italians lose.

Amen to that!

[jessexy]

Man, when did Gio start controlling his side of the field like that? Holland looked really good today, even without Robben, v. Persie, Babel, and Seedorf....who would all be starters if they wee 100% fit. After today, it looks like the Usual Suspects (France & Italy) will be taking the short trip home from Switzerland and Romania and Holland will move into the next round.

and it really doesnt matter how badly the referees missed some calls. i couldve told u this crew wasnt that good cuz they screwed my Arsenal outta the Champions League against Liverpool. This Swedish crew and Dutchman Pieter Vink both.

my votes are for Spain and Germany. Portugal looked good, but their attack all came from defenders and Dimao. My underdog pick is the Czech Republic. I've been high on them since they destroyed the US in the first game of the World Cup 06 after dominating European Qualifying that round.

Ronaldo doesnt care if Madrid and ManU argue over him and he shouldnt. All this speculation is gonna do is raise his value and his paycheck. I wouldnt comment at all and let the rumors run wild. Of course, if thats Cesc Fabregas, I'm demanding he commit to Arsenal aftger each game he plays.

[Timbalaned]

David Villa and El Nino, let's go Spain!

[jessexy]

Now that I've actually sat down and watched the games from today, Russia losing 4-1 wasn't exactly a fair representation of the game. they had chances galore with Casillas making saves and the ball hitting the post and crossbar each once. Somthing is getting at me though.....How good are the Spanish. They've got the best striker in the EPL (Torres), and La Liga (Villa) and Raul coudlnt make the team. a Top XI midfielder in the EPL (Fabregas) sitting on the bench as a sub along with Santi Cazorla. Guti couldnt even make the team. and they've got 3 keepers that could start on any club in the worl with Casillas, Reina, and Palop.

Sergio Ramos was pretty disappointing today and Fabregas needs to start over David Silva...but how can they lose?

[Timbalaned]

Now that I've actually sat down and watched the games from today, Russia losing 4-1 wasn't exactly a fair representation of the game. they had chances galore with Casillas making saves and the ball hitting the post and crossbar each once. Somthing is getting at me though.....How good are the Spanish. They've got the best striker in the EPL (Torres), and La Liga (Villa) and Raul coudlnt make the team. a Top XI midfielder in the EPL (Fabregas) sitting on the bench as a sub along with Santi Cazorla. Guti couldnt even make the team. and they've got 3 keepers that could start on any club in the worl with Casillas, Reina, and Palop.

Sergio Ramos was pretty disappointing today and Fabregas needs to start over David Silva...but how can they lose?

They can't! Like I said, they are winning it all. The only team I see as a threat after the first round is the Fighting Van Der's, but that might also just be a very bad/old/injured Greaser team they destroyed, so I don't know. But I still think the sickest goal of the tourney so far has got to be Wes Sneijders on that sick side volley from the header of Kuyt.

[bste_lax]

I am a fan of this newer Nike ad:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wItKyTltJWM[/youtube]

[jessexy]

But I still think the sickest goal of the tourney so far has got to be Wes Sneijders on that sick side volley from the header of Kuyt.

Sorry, buddy, but you're mistaken on that. Zlatan Ibrahimovic' goal in the Sweden v. Greece game was a stunner. He ripped that from 25 yards across the face of the goalkeeper and stuck it right into the corner netting. it developed from a nothing chance too. it was amazing!!!

I'll agree with you if you're talking about the whoel buildup starting with Gio's goalline clearance and his long run on the counter up the left side. Sneider provided a good finish, but Zlatan's was crazy.

[TheBearcatHimself]

The most exciting goal of the tournament was in the last 10 mins of Italy v. Netherlands, when their goalie stoned a perfect free kick with an amazing dive, then the Orange come out like the Phoenix Suns off the break, sprint upfield and send it in to (I believe a backup) midfielder van Bronckhorst for the goal. Very exciting soccer, which is a rare statement.

I think Sweden could really be a darkhorse this tournament. They just beat a very solid Greek team, and the Greeks are very similar to the Dutch, they don't play great defense but they have a solid attack and the Swedes shut them down. If Sweden can find some seams on offense they could be a very dangerous team.

Austria is so bad that a local brewer promised any player on the team who scores a goal a lifetime supply of beer!

[jessexy]

They just beat a very solid Greek team, and the Greeks are very similar to the Dutch, they don't play great defense but they have a solid attack and the Swedes shut them down. If Sweden can find some seams on offense they could be a very dangerous team.

Austria is so bad that a local brewer promised any player on the team who scores a goal a lifetime supply of beer!

You may have Greece mistaken with Turkey. The Greeks bunker down on defense and play 9 behind the ball and make the offense find seams with tight spaces to pass into. Thats how they won the Euro 04 and how they qualified for this Euro.

Turkey, on the other hand, attack from all angles with both forwards and all midfielders with alot of technical skill and relentless, unorthodox pressure. They often leave their defense hung out, which causes counters and a wide open game (Portugal v. Turkey last Saturday)

[TheBearcatHimself]

You may have Greece mistaken with Turkey. The Greeks bunker down on defense and play 9 behind the ball and make the offense find seams with tight spaces to pass into. Thats how they won the Euro 04 and how they qualified for this Euro.

Turkey, on the other hand, attack from all angles with both forwards and all midfielders with alot of technical skill and relentless, unorthodox pressure. They often leave their defense hung out, which causes counters and a wide open game (Portugal v. Turkey last Saturday)

I believe my comparison with the Dutch is out of place for Greece because the Dutch are very free-flowing and the Greeks much more technical and paced, as you have corrected me. I meant more that the Greeks are very stout team, and often find many great opportunities out of their offense, though much slower paced than the Dutch, thus the err in my comparison. Thank you for the correction

I still think the Swedes can be an imposing team, they are no slouches, and they beat a very solid Greek team in impressive fashion I thought.

[DG]

Now that I've actually sat down and watched the games from today, Russia losing 4-1 wasn't exactly a fair representation of the game. they had chances galore with Casillas making saves and the ball hitting the post and crossbar each once. Somthing is getting at me though.....How good are the Spanish. They've got the best striker in the EPL (Torres), and La Liga (Villa) and Raul coudlnt make the team. a Top XI midfielder in the EPL (Fabregas) sitting on the bench as a sub along with Santi Cazorla. Guti couldnt even make the team. and they've got 3 keepers that could start on any club in the worl with Casillas, Reina, and Palop.

Sergio Ramos was pretty disappointing today and Fabregas needs to start over David Silva...but how can they lose?

They can't! Like I said, they are winning it all. The only team I see as a threat after the first round is the Fighting Van Der's, but that might also just be a very bad/old/injured Greaser team they destroyed, so I don't know. But I still think the sickest goal of the tourney so far has got to be Wes Sneijders on that sick side volley from the header of Kuyt.

Timbalaned,

I consider myself 1/2 Spanish after living there for 2 years. The problem with the Spanish is the same that has plagued them for years. Their teams are made up of great, talented, players...but they have not historically played well together. The amount of pressure on them from the home side is immense. They have made underperforming an art form over the years.

I would love to see them win it all, but count myself as one of the hopeful skeptics.

DG