OT: Euro04
 

Less than a week left. Who do you think will win it ?


My bet is England or Spain.

France: bookies favorite but I don't think they click. Zidan is not at his best, keeper (Barthez) is a joke, Trezague does not communicate well with Henry. Still they are most talented but something in my mind whisper it will be 2002 all over again.

Germany: Only fools can ever underustimate Germany but I would risk to be one. The current crop of players is simply not good enough. No way !

Italy: Nothing new. No new tactics, no new stars. Will give a run for a money for anybody but fall short.

Holland: History shows for all their tallent must be above rest to win. However good recent players are, they are not equal to Gullit/vanBasten. Never mind Kroif !

Portugal: Well, may be. Porto was most impressive and homefield helps. I just don't think they can carry it all the way.

Other nations excluded, that leaves England and Spain.

La Liga is the best. No questions here. Before, Spain suffered from Real-Barsa Schisz. No more. Valensia and Depor bring new blood and sence of identidy to the squad. Must be the year !

England: Perfect form, best coach ever, no (almost) injuries. Lads have never been so fired up. Best team in years.

Re: OT: Euro04
 

http://www.footballbadgers.com

http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Heh, not really interested in Euro thingie because the Belgians aren't in it. I'm rooting for the Dutch. One of these days, they are going to field people that are forming a team (always been a problem for them) and then they'll surely grab a Euro/WC title

Re: OT: Euro04
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Surely you're joking?

I mean, I'd love England to win. But while they look pretty good on paper, we haven't seem them perform convincingly as a team in the Last two years.

(Excellent link, Taera)

Re: OT: Euro04
 

ATM, tennis with Rolland Garros.
Then it will be Euro - soccer.
After that tour de france.
Then there must be something with Olympic games.

I hate sports on TV.
I Must be in hell.

Re: OT: Euro04
 

http://www.stalvik.com/images/Vapen/vapen_sverige.jpg


Sweden, Sweden, Sweden, Sweden!!

http://flagspot.net/images/s/se.gif



Actually I hate soccer too, but my wife follows it...

[ June 06, 2004, 05:55: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Why, England obviously. I mean, they won the Last World Cup and they have Wilkinson among other talented players, and... Oh, is that the wrong sport?

Nonetheless, I will put my marbles on England as usual, especially as their first game will be against France. If my innate ability of bringing bad luck to France still works, England will won the day , as there is nothing half as fun as such an outcome. there is actually something that would be better though ; what if England defeated France now, and then later on in the competition? That would imply a somewhat successful France, but the very thought of losing twice to England is very appealing to my wicked mind.

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Group A

Portugal - Greece : 1-2
Spain - Russia : 1-0


Group B

Swiss - Croatia : 0-0
France - England : 2-1 (what an extreme Last 3 minutes!!!!!)


Group C

Italy - Danmark : 0-0
Sweden - Bulgaria : 5-0 (wauw)

[ June 14, 2004, 20:41: Message edited by: Intimidator ]

Re: OT: Euro04
 

wow, what a highly dramatic game: France beats England 2-1. sorry England.

I'd like to see some headlines tomorrow from the English press concerning the goalie.

Re: OT: Euro04
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">That was a painful experience. 89 minutes slowly becoming convinced that we would win, suddenly followed by catastrophe and stupidity.

I'm changing my favourite sport to cricket. It's a lot less stressful, and we actually win a few matches these days...

Re: OT: Euro04
 

I watched the game and felt so bad for you guys in England. First the French goalie making the save on the penalty shot - and then that Last minute. Almost enough to start a riot. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/tongue.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

England will get a 2nd chance - they should make the finals in 2nd place - good win for the french though bouncing back from the world cup disaster.

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Indeed, my mood was Jubilant until these fateful few minutes, and I was almost relieved to see the match ending on a 1-0. Alas, while I wasn't watching, Zidane ruined the day and launched a riot run, destroying my happiness and getting me back to the Angry mood. (Which is, obviously, impossible under the current rules regarding happiness)

Speaking of which Oleg, we are fortunate that Zidane wasn't at his best according to your post. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif Ah, if only we had known... *Sighs and seeks political asylum in England to avoid the derision*

Re: OT: Euro04
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif Nothing is lost. Although the second place would probably mean a quaterfinal game against Spain - my second favorite to win it all http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/shock.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Sigh.

I was piloting an IL2 2M and preparing to make a ground attack run, Murden was in a LA-5 trying to get some BF109 clear of my tail when we heard people rejoicing all over the place.

And it was not even for our brillant skill display in flight combat simulation, just because of 22 guys running after the same ball.
http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">And when somebody finally got the ball, he kicks it away, and they start running again !!??!!??!!?? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Group A

Portugal - Greece : 1-2
Spain - Russia : 1-0


Group B

Swiss - Croatia : 0-0
France - England : 2-1 (what an extreme Last 3 minutes!!!!!)


Group C

Italy - Danmark : 0-0
Sweden - Bulgaria : 5-0 (wauw !!!!)

Re: OT: Euro04
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Ruatha, Congratulate your wife from me. What a victory !!!!!! really huge.
I hope that Holland is playing as good as Sweden tommorow against Germany !!

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Intimidator, beware my wrath! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

What a game england - france was. It reminded me of the game Man u played against Bayern when they pulled off a come-from-behind-to-win game.
I never expected the french to win. The english kept everything pretty closed and played solidly. Beckham should convert a penalty NO excuses. Everybody misses a penalty from time to time but it didn't look like a good effort to me.
Badly placed.

Anyway, since the Belgians are at home playing cards and pool, i'm looking forward to the Netherlands - Germany game.
A lot of controversy about this game and Van Nistelrooys comment about WWII surely added to the tension. This game could easily end up in a card drawing festival.

Re: OT: Euro04
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I don't think Beckham's penalty technique is very good. If you look at Sunday's one, or the one he scored against Argentina in the World Cup, they're all power and no placement. Michael Owen is (or was) technically much better.

But since Owen missed five in a row for Liverpool, it seems that there's nobody in the England team apart from Beckham who's prepared to take on the responsibility.

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Yeah, taking penalties in important games can be very stressing even for professionals.
The Netherlands are a team that have been "cursed" when it comes to penalties. They still seem to drag that along with them.

Anyway, a long time ago when i still played soccer, i wasn't a good penalty kicker but i could kick a decent free kick. I scored a lot of goals on free kicks.

But back to Beckham: would nobody else have considered taking the penalty?

Re: OT: Euro04
 

I agree, the penalty kick was not a good one. I am even surprised that they let Beckham make the attempt. He missed the Last one against Turkey.
But the more important reason somebody else should have kicked is that Beckham and Barthez played for many years in the same club. Thus they know each other, giving an advantage to the goalie.

Re: OT: Euro04
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Why advantage to the goalie, doesn't Beckham know as much about the goalie?
I'd belive it'd give none of them any advantage.

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Because it is for striker to score, not for goalie to save. Striker bears more responcibility and expectations. He must strike well and accurate. No mistakes are allowed. But all goalie should do is to guess the direction correctly and hope for the best.

Re: OT: Euro04
 

When the striker and the goalie know each other, the smartest one will usually win.

Now Bartez might not be of rocket scientist material, but Beckham http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif

The blame for this miss must go to the Swede (not you Ruatha, the other one). He should have known better http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

I didn't think it was an awful penalty at the time. Barthez guessed right and saved well. When I saw Zindines though I realized how average Beckham's was. I'd have Lampard or Rooney take penalties from now on.

Re: OT: Euro04
 

*Crosses fingers* Croatia is leading to France for now, so perhaps my mad prevision will come to reality. Switerzland would need to win against France, and England against Croatia, and then France would not make it to the next stage of the competition.

What's the word for it? Oh yes, wishful thinking. But I may dream, can't I?

Edit: And add "Croatia has still to win against France" to the list. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[ June 17, 2004, 20:11: Message edited by: Alneyan ]

Re: OT: Euro04
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Sorry 2-2 now

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Indeed, hence my edit. Though I guess I am responsible, as France scores only when I am writing they are losing, and not before. (Sadly it happened as well in a certain other game against England. *Sighs* It hurts quite a lot when you leave with England leading, and comes back a few minutes later to see you have just lost the game. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif )

Re: OT: Euro04
 

So stay at your television the next match !! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

BTW. you are from France so explain to my why you want them to lose..............

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Great Game!

Croatia nearly would have beaten France! If that Last shot on the goal from the croatians...nah...nevermind, a relative slow match, but lots of goals :-)

France still can be kicked out by Suisse (even if they need to win with at least...hmm...3 goals?!)

That would be weird...

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Switzerland needs to win with four more goals than France to manage to get through. How likely is it? Not quite I would wager. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Intimidator, I happen to be for England, and so I would rather see France gone from the competition. Alas, they managed to get a draw against Croatia, meaning they will get through. (Unless something really, really weird happens against Switzerland that is)

Re: OT: Euro04
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Only if England draw with Chroatia and three teams have 4 points. If England win or lose, Swiss go through regardless of the margin of the victory.

Thus, Swiss can win 1:0 and qualify or win 3:0 and still fail. Bizzare http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Oh, I didn't know about a certain rule, which would allow Switzerland to pass if they have as many points as France. Thanks for the clarification!

Now what would be truly weird: both France and England don't make it. Hmm, perish the thought! (I have nothing against France finishing third of the group though. *Smirks*)

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Not that difficult.

I am sure that after watching both games Swiss discovered the secret how to beat France :

Never ever back pass to goallie !! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

23 minutes, still 0-0 (Sweden - Italy)

And I now only have 12 hours left on this workpass and then 4 weeks of vacation, oh summer is great!

[ June 18, 2004, 19:17: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Sorry but 0-1 right now............. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Inti,

Re: OT: Euro04
 

1-1 great goal from Ibra......... , **** can't spell that name http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Obviously England's group is the only one of importance... But still, what an excellent game!

Ibrahimovitch? Nah, can't be that easy...

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Sorry Mark but tomorrow The Netherlands against the Szechs, believe me is very important for me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Obviously England's group is the only one of importance... But still, what an excellent game!

Ibrahimovitch? Nah, can't be that easy... </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Zlatan!

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">Let's make it a Dutch-Swedish final!
That oughta show those experts!! Whoa ha ha!

[ June 18, 2004, 23:26: Message edited by: Ruatha ]

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Czech Republic 3 - Netherlands 2

Surely the best game of the championships so far. The Czechs were two goals down after 20 minutes, and came back to win! The only blemish was a very harsh sending off of a Dutch player; would they have conceded the third goal if they had 11 on the field?

So the Czechs are through and at least one of Germany and the Netherlands is out. My vote's for Germany...

Edit: The BBC statistic of choice is that there were 35 shots on goal during this game!

[ June 19, 2004, 20:48: Message edited by: Mark the Merciful ]

Re: OT: Euro04
 

DON'T WANNA TALK ABOUT IT http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon9.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

(Happy England fan sits at work trying to think of a hundred stupid puns on the name Rooney)

Re: OT: Euro04
 

Happy ??????

I am already nervous about the _next_ game :-)

Re: OT: Euro04
 

And so they did it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Nordic Victory 2:2

Can't even imagine Italian' reaction.

Re: OT: Euro04
 

How is a tie a victory?

Re: OT: Euro04
 

I knew my reaction. I danced around the room. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

Re: OT: Euro04
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">The tie was the only way that both Denmark and Sweden could advance, while poor Italy was knocked out - despite all 3 teams having the same record.