The Soccer Thread

[Timbalaned]

Didn't hear the talent during the game. The article I read says that he got a two-game suspension:

Volkan will sit out the meeting with Croatia next Friday after UEFA's disciplinary committee handed him a two-game ban for shoving Jan Koller off the ball late on during his side's meeting with the Czech Republic.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=741519

Looks like UEFA decided based on the foul that a two-game suspension was warranted.

The foul was so lame to begin with. Yeah Volkan shouldn't have pushed him, but Koller made it look like Volkan just threw a Ali shot to his grill. It was a flop and shouldn't be two games.

[KnoxVegas]

Soccer is no different than the WWE... when it comes to fouls that is.

[KnoxVegas]

Stupid ESPN 360 is not available to our site in Concord, MA. But it is all tied up at halftime b/w Nederlands and the Russians.

[FLAK]

In Moscow right now, and people are going nuts! That Arshavin kid is ridiculous, I wonder which major European Club is going to snatch him up this summer....

[KnoxVegas]

Guus is a traitor in so much as Becky Hammon is.

A valiant effort by the Dutch.

[jessexy]

Didn't hear the talent during the game. The article I read says that he got a two-game suspension:

Volkan will sit out the meeting with Croatia next Friday after UEFA's disciplinary committee handed him a two-game ban for shoving Jan Koller off the ball late on during his side's meeting with the Czech Republic.

http://www.goal.com/en-us/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=741519

Looks like UEFA decided based on the foul that a two-game suspension was warranted.

The foul was so lame to begin with. Yeah Volkan shouldn't have pushed him, but Koller made it look like Volkan just threw a Ali shot to his grill. It was a flop and shouldn't be two games.

UEFA gave him an extra game. they'll do that anytime you get up near a players face. VOlkan deserved it as they were in extra time and he was completely out of line, even his own coach said so. I think i read that Turkey is only appealing the $50,000 fine to the Turkish federation and not the extra game, but that doesnt sound right.

Soccer is no different than the WWE... when it comes to fouls that is.

i think you mean that the NBA is no different than the WWE. This tournament has seen a minimal amount of diving and exaggeration and has seen very fast-paced games throughout. These teams have wanted to win and went after it pretty good with attacking soccer.

Guus is a traitor in so much as Becky Hammon is.

A valiant effort by the Dutch.

maybe Holland will finally consider giving Guus Hiddink a job now....

[jessexy]

In Moscow right now, and people are going nuts! That Arshavin kid is ridiculous, I wonder which major European Club is going to snatch him up this summer....

My Arsenal is interested.

I have to comment about the trend we're all seeing with the group winners losing out of the tournament in the QF round. all of them rested players in their third group game and lost that continuity they'd built with 2 victories. the teams that finished 2nd and had to really push during that 3rd game to qualify have maintained their momentum into the knockout rounds. We see this in the NFL during the wild card games versus teams with the bye (NYG v. Dallas Cowboys, 2008)

Will the trend hold tomorrow in the most dangerous game for Spain v. Italy? I have to think so even though i finally have belief in Spain this time around. theyve disappointed so much that they finally have the determination to win it all. they have the most depth of any team in the tourney and Italy have been scraping by, but thats exactly what makes the Italians so dangerous. We'll see.

I picked Spain to win the entire thing.

[FLAK]

God I hope Italy Doesnt win. Its been a great tournament thus far though

[Brent Burns]

maybe Holland will finally consider giving Guus Hiddink a job now....

Yeah, Marco Van Basten's job with the Dutch team is done since he will began his new job as Ajax's coach starting July 1.

Jessexy and others, I wonder if Guus Hiddink's contract with the Russian football team will expire soon or will be for a while.

[FLAK]

maybe Holland will finally consider giving Guus Hiddink a job now....

Jessexy and others, I wonder if Guus Hiddink's contract with the Russian football team will expire soon or will be for a while.

If they make it to the final or win it, I think the Oil Billionaires like Roman Abramovich et al will see to it that he is very well compensated (read: made filthy stinking rich) to stick around for a few more years.

[Timbalaned]

Spain gonna win it all. Iker is the man, I am so glad the Italians are out of it.

[ineedmorecowbell]

i'm glad the announcers called out italy for their flailing around on the ground garbage. it's ridiculous.

[Dan Warren]

i'm glad the announcers called out italy for their flailing around on the ground garbage. it's ridiculous.

couldn't agree more. I want to root for Italy because that is where my Grandparents are from, but I just can't. They make a joke out of a beautiful game. However, some blame must be given to the officials for buying into the garbage these guys are selling....especially today. Why on earth would an offical blow the whistle for a player down "injured" BEHIND the play? It is so obvious that they Italians use this as a tool to regroup their defense at the back. Let them whine and cry on the ground until the ball goes out to touch or play comes up on them. FIFA/UEFA needs to address this ASAP.

my pick for EURO: Russia...they beat the hottest team, and took their energy. Arshavin (#10) is legit

[DG]

i'm glad the announcers called out italy for their flailing around on the ground garbage. it's ridiculous.

Until Soccer's organizing bodies, including FIFA, start reviewing tape and fining players for flopping, it will continue.

¡Viva España!

DG

[Timbalaned]

Turkey is scrappers. Kind of sad they lost to Germany, they are fun to watch, but kind of glad cause Lehman is such a liability that when Spain gets to them in the final it will be a blow out.