BS: Football: Euro 2008

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: gnu
Date: 11 Jun 09 - 10:08 AM

MANCHESTER, England (AFP) - Manchester United have agreed to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a world record 80 million pounds, the club said Thursday.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 09:12 AM

Les, There is no explaining how Healy who struggles to find a place in Fulhams team can become the record European goalscorer [13 goals] in a very poor N Ireland team, this man scores a hat-trick against the European Champions and yet he wouldn`t fetch peanuts in the transfer market. Explain anyone?.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 09:02 AM

Very good Alan. Wise words.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 04:05 AM

You've got it Kevin Let the hooligans f**k off and pursue their own hobby elswhere and beat each other into extinction. Then the rest of us can enjoy our football in peace. I bet the Sun and the Star would stop following football at all. We might even see the end of those racist stereotypes of continentals...

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 06:54 PM

It could have been six or seven goals, if the Spanish had been a but more precise in their finishing. Which would have killed off the game, of course.
.......................

As for hooligans, maybe there should be a parallel event dedicated to that in some other country. When the countries compete to host the next World Cup, the runner up could given the privilege of hosting the hooligan event.

I'm sure the tabloids in England would get behind "our lads", off to battle with the Germans and the Poles and Italians and Dutch fans. Sponsored by the makers of some crap lager.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Les from Hull
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 05:24 PM

Yes that puts Northern Ireland's team into an even better light. And didn't David Healy get some sort of recognition for his many qualification goals? Apart from the MBE?

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 02:48 PM

Yes Wolfgang, ensuring that England qualify they have to move the goalposts, and maybe even the team that beat Spain in the qualifiers N Ireland might do so.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Wolfgang
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 10:18 AM

...uality 90 minutes of their game, the Germans contributed their first 15 minutes and about 5 minutes in the second half. The final was much more one-sided than the result indicates.

Next time there will be probably 24 finalists. We call that the "lex England" for it increases the chances that England much needed from a financial angle might be able to qualify safely.

If that doesn't help we could learn from the Eurovision song contest how to ensure that the largest countries are all in the final.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Wolfgang
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 10:06 AM

There was no real suspense (who might win) in the final after about 15 minutes. Nonetheless it was a high quality game. The Spanish contributed to the high q

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 05:58 AM

McGrath the defence conceded one goal, now I wouldn`t be too hard on any defence that comes out of a game with one defensive lapse.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 30 Jun 08 - 04:20 AM

"I don't think it's so much that it's the hooligan minority among English fans who cause all the trouble directly. But my impression is that their presence in this kind of event in the past may have tended to serve as a kind of challenge to hooligans from other countries."

Sadly I think there is some truth in that. I recall hearing an otherwise perfectly normal young man telling me back in 1988 how much he enjoyed the fighting around the English football hooligans. The kick for those young men is violence, not football. At times I sympathise with the Pamela Stephenson character in the Not The Nine O'Clock News. She played a social worker, who declared that the answer was to, "Cut their goolies off". I dislike the hooligans as much as anyone else here. I just resent the assumption that fans of the England football team will inevitably behave disgracefully. That is a dangerous assumption, which can quickly become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I am wandering a bit off message here though. It was a good tournament with plenty of fine football and happy sporting memories.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: GUEST,Euro 2008 fan
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 08:48 PM

I agree it was a great tournament and Spain were worthy winners.

I do believe the fact there were no English supporters present to be the reason the authorities hailed the tournament totally trouble free.
There have been 25 incidents at away fixtures involving one English club alone(Liverpool)since 2003.

I doubt we will have much trouble from English fans abroad in the future as now every police force in the world know their reputation and few are as soft as our lot !

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 05:53 PM

I don't think it's so much that it's the hooligan minority among English fans who cause all the trouble directly. But my impression is that their presence in this kind of event in the past may have tended to serve as a kind of challenge to hooligans from other countries.

Or perhaps it's just that the English tabloids weren't hyping up whatever may have taken place in the way of ructions, since it wouldn't have involved English fans. Rather on the lines of the tradition of "Earthquake in China. English teacher missing."

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 05:39 PM

I am glad there were not any ructions from the fans too Kevin. The commentators on TV here said that Spain were worthy winners and had won it fair and square. Most Germans are disappointed of course, but they will take it in good part.
I hope that the absence of UK fans was not the only reason it was peaceful though. Certainly they caused no trouble when they were here two years ago for the Sweden match.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 05:28 PM

The Germans did their best but were inept up front They weren't up to much at the back either...

Good to see a competition won by a team that played the game the way it's meant to be played.

I haven't seen any reports about ructions among the fans either. It sounds as if the absence of the British fans may have made a significant difference in that respect.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 04:53 PM

Yes, Spain deserved it. Germany gave all they had, but it was not enough. Well done both sides.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 04:51 PM

Spain the best team in the tournament got their due reward to-night worthy European Champions.
The Germans did their best but were inept up front, Lamh was badly at fault for the winning goal,Torres muscled him out, but there was no denying Spain their football throughout was excellent.
Still I am more than happy our gaelic football county Armagh beat arch rivals Down in the semi-final of the Ulster Championship, as good as winning the Lotto.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 06:10 AM

From their respective performances on Wednesday, you have to favour the Spaniards. They moved the ball with stylish ease and fluency against the tough and fit Russians until they outpassed them by a yard. That was all the distance needed with that class of finishing. The Germans finished well, but their defence (with the possible exception of Arno Friedrich) was as laughably inept as Wolfgang described it. It is unthinkable that they will play that badly against Spain tonight, but the Spaniards will be relishing the suspect centre backs and a goalkeeper, whose handling is not exactly Gordon Banks.
Bad news for the Germans is that Michael Ballack has calf strain and is looking doubtful for tonight. That may not be such a big blow. He is undoubtedly their leader and a match winner on his day. Unfortunately, in this tournament, he could well be in the running for an award as the most disappointing player. If the Germans come up with a tactical plan to force the Spaniards to play the game at an uncomfortable tempo, they could be in with a chance. Football is an unpredictable game at the best of times. I am optimistic about tonight though. Both teams have every reason to go out and strut their stuff. I am looking forward to it.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: GUEST,Wolfgang (on a wrong computer)
Date: 29 Jun 08 - 04:43 AM

I'm looking forward to tonight's match. Germany will have to play at least as good as against Portugal o have a chance.

What speaks for Spain:
(1) This team (that is, the core of it) has won the U17, the U19, the U21 in Europe and now they are old enough...scorned any ongratulationssc
(2) They have played well or brilliant all games during this championship with the possible exception of a couple of minutes against Sweden.
(3) They are hungry. After the semifinals the Germany players said that they are very happy and will try just to enjoy the final. The Spanish players declined to acept any congratulations and said they had not reached anything yet for they have come to win.
(4) So far, I'd elect 4 Spanish and 1-2 German (Lahm + ?) players into the team of the tournament.

Despite that my gut feeling this time is Germany. They are in their 13th final of world or European championships (6 wins, 6 losses so far).

Just BTW: Record on penalties Germany 6, 5 won
                              Spain 5, 2 won

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Jun 08 - 10:33 AM

I thought the Spaniards were wonderful last night. I only watched the second half, but it was enough to tell me that Germany had better watch out on Sunday. Their defence looked seamless and the grace with which they played the ball forward was something I have not seen since the heady days of France in 1998.
In an earlier post, Wolfgang correctly mentioned that the Spaniards have tended to put on one or two good performances early on and then "bottle it" in big tournaments. Judging by their breezy confidence last night and the fact that they held their nerves so well in the penalty shoot out on Sunday, only a fool would bank on that happening this time.
I think Germany, who were lucky to stay in on Wednesday, will raise their game on Sunday. However, it is hard to see what they can do to beat these Spaniards if they retain the concentration and artistry which they showed last night. I thought they were great.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 27 Jun 08 - 06:25 AM

Talking about the man of the tournament don`t forget that brilliant French player Ribery, he had the misfortune to be injured in the Italy game, he will be out for the next two months,and yes Fabregas was brilliant last night,why does the Spanish coach not start him in each game, this is amazing.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: GUEST,Dave_
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 06:38 PM

Very enjoyable thread, I have enjoyed all the comments to date. Living here in Spain the Spanish people are just starting to realise they are in the final, the team should have done better in the last World Cup, they are now just starting to get it right.
An intriguing final awaits us all, my money is again on Spain, but the Germans wont be a push over.
Fabregas is my man of the tournament.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 04:52 PM

A complete victory for Spain from start to finish, Russia were outclassed all over the field. The Spanish team`s football was excellent, how Fabregas dosen`t start is a mystery, surely he will start in the final and why substitute Torres? amazing decisions.
I can`t see the Germans caving in like the Russians, could be a great final.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 10:15 AM

"The defenders did "mark" the Turkish players as if that meant to make sure to be in a comfortable position to watch them scoring."

The funniest and probably most accurate comment, which I have read yet about last night's game. I guess that at the end of the day, the Germans did enough.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 09:14 AM

Wolfgang Your country`s record in all Competitions is on a par with the very best, from away back in 1954 all of those great stars that did the impossible and beat the great Hungarians, this competitive spirit rarely deserts them when they reach the World or European Cups. I would think Spain will have to play way above themselves to beat Russia, Germany lies in wait.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Wolfgang
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 07:39 AM

Das deutsche Spiel war lahm (The German game was lame). That is not only a wordplay with the name of the scorer of the last goal. Lahm (lame), in his person, showed both sides of the German game: really bad in the defense but determined and effective in the attack.

The German defense was (I translate the German expression) as well organised as a flock of chicken. Lehmann showed why he should declare the end of his career immediately after his next game. The defenders did "mark" the Turkish players as if that meant to make sure to be in a comfortable position to watch them scoring. Ballack was close to invisible.

Turkey has finally run out of luck. They needed a lot of luck to come that far but yesterday they had a lot of bad luck not reach the final.

One commentary said the Germans play each time as bad or good as they think the other team will play before the game. They expected Portugal to be really strong and played well, the expected Turkey to play bad and never could recover when the Turks played much better than expected.

My only consolation is that they will not expect either Russia or Spain to play bad. BTW, a quick poll showed that most Germans by far prefer Spain. I was not polled but I agree.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 06:07 AM

I admit the Turks were excellent, a combination of good football and fighting spirit, but and a big but, the Germans did what they are famous for on the field, winning.
Looking at the posts on ITV [UK] `footy notes`, the Germans are being cast as as a very lucky team, you have to be very lucky to appear in 6 European Finals, what did the man say?, `the more I practice the luckier I get`.
The overall comments are in agreement, apart from a couple of games, this has been a good tournament,

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 05:13 AM

The game last night did not have a lot of classy football, but it was exciting. Despite their injuries and suspension problems, I thought the Turks dominated for much of the match. They were also basically fair in the way they played, which I had not expected. They effectively neutered Michael Ballack and Bastian Schweinsteiger, without resorting to rough house tactics. In truth, I thought they deserved to win. Even Philip Lahm, who has been uniformly excellent, looked out of sorts last night. He scored a fine goal at the end though, which is what most people will remember as the climax of a dramatic match.
Tonight's match should be a good one. I won't be betting either way.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 04:53 PM

Bye the way have those rich Swiss not got a shilling for the meter,so many TV break-downs..

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 04:50 PM

A very good game and again Germany are in another final, listening now to Eamon Dunphy in a fiery argument with Liam Brady, Dunphy has castigated the German team from the start, he is at loggerheads now with Brady who has maintained that you cannot deny the Germans doggedness.
I hope to-morrows game is as good, come on Russia.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Wolfgang
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 02:19 PM

After I was consistently wrong in my predictions I'm sure you'd like to know that I now think the final will be Spain vs. Germany.

Germany - Turkey might have been a game to fear for what might happen after the game but all the newspapers with the big letters in Germany (both Turkish and German) have chosen not to play on jingoistic feelings but to emphasize the friendship angle. I hope that helps. I see lots of cars with both the German and the Turkish flag. I have even seen a photo of a "united" flag, namely the Turkish flag as the red bit in the German flag.

BTW, there is a continuously increasing trend in World and European championships for the games after the group phase to be decided in extra time and/or on penalties. The percentage of wins is much higher in the group phase. And since with the exception of the hosts the teams in the group phase are already selected for strength that is a bit surprising.

A game like Turkey vs. Croatia makes me think it might be an improvement if two teams were allowed to agree on a penalty decision (one penalty each of the 11) instead of having actually to play before the penalties. So one has the suspense without the boring two hours before.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 01:50 PM

That's probably the way to bet. I expect it to be a close call though.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 01:43 PM

Before this Thread is relegated, Germany v Russia for the Final.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 23 Jun 08 - 03:22 PM

Most of the English supporters behaviour at the World Cup here two years ago was exemplary. They were playing football with the Swedish fans in the local parks. They came, they drank, they sang and they joined in the party. The only incident they were involved in here in Köln was when they were attacked by a bunch of neo-Nazi thugs in the Altstadt. That is what both the police said and my Irish friends, who witnessed it as they were working in the Altstadt at the times.
There is a riff raff element, which does tag along at times. I despise them as much as anyone else here. It is quite unfair to tar all of us England fans with the same brush. I am no more violent than anyone else here. Any of you who are near me are more than welcome to join me for a beer at a game of football. And I'll bet we'll part friends whatever the result. Bugger fighting, it's football that we are interested in.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 23 Jun 08 - 08:11 AM

I saw it slightly differently. To me it looked as if an hour passed before the Italians decided to join in. I'll agree that it wasn't pretty. Spain were at least trying to play, but it was hard to see what they could do against those tactics. Let's just hope the semi finals are an improvement. I think they will be.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 23 Jun 08 - 05:29 AM

Sorry i`m late I have just awoke after that coma inducing wake of a game, in boxing the ref after a couple of rounds calls both fighters together and if they don`t want to fight he throws both of them out of the ring, Italy v Spain merited this punishment.
No wonder the US have never taken to Soccer, seeing how Italy and Spain went through the motions is it any wonder.
An otherwise good tournament being taken down to mediocre level by two so-called giants of Europe, Russia you may not win the Championship but thanks for a breath of fresh air your method of playing dosen`t always gets what it deserves, but you have really brightened up this fare.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: GUEST,Euro 2008 fan
Date: 23 Jun 08 - 03:35 AM

It's still wide open Alan. We must acknowledge the behaviour of all supporters,they have been great and enjoying a carnival atmosphere.

No blow up Spitfire balloons, no Nazi salutes, no chants "We won the war". No throwing tables and chairs through shop windows or head butting people in the street. Why ? Because there is no British football thugs there, that's why.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 23 Jun 08 - 12:53 AM

Well done Spain! They deserved it, because they played the more positive football all the way through. Who would have expected such a young team to win against Italy on penalties? I would have bet against it.
It looks like another surprise winner for the competition. I would not bet on anyone now!

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Jun 08 - 09:10 PM

.hmmm...now THAT's an idea. I rather like it.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Jun 08 - 07:45 PM

If both teams are so negative that they are only interested in not conceding a goal, I reckon a penalty shootout is deserved.

But no, that doesn't cover every situation, and I don't have an answer for knockout competitions.

I'd prefer no goalkeeper during extra time to your suggestion but...

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Jun 08 - 07:26 PM

I don't suppose anyone but me thinks that low scoring, tie games are a problem. It sure makes important matches seem silly when needing to be settled by kicks.

What about making the goal a foot wider on each end?

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Jun 08 - 07:23 PM

Italy could not hit penalty kicks (well, the Spanish goalkeeper made some good guesses)...that's why *I* never bet on sports.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 22 Jun 08 - 01:44 PM

I had posted a comment on the Russian win, must have been wiped out like the Dutch were,best football yet from a really smooth Russian side, Holland were flattered by the scoreline it could have been 5 or 6.
To-night I will stay with Italy like the Germans they are not a team you would bet against.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: alanabit
Date: 22 Jun 08 - 06:42 AM

I fear for the Germans on Wednesday. All the quarter finals have gone against the form book so far - and I fancy Italy to improve and send Spain home tonight. Turkey are unlikely to beat Germany in an open game, but they are masters of the shirt tug and the sly off the ball foul. I expect them to work on Ballack and Schweinsteiger, both of whom have been known to lose their rag at persistent fouling in the past. If they can get one of those players carded early on, they could pull the Germans' teeth before they get started. Somehow I don't expect it to be pretty to watch.
Well done the Russians. It looks like they are coming to life.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Jun 08 - 07:24 PM

Russia played DEFENSE...then suddenly showed some amazing OFFENSE. They deserved the win.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Jun 08 - 05:26 PM

You need to be Jon. I have the sandbags out becuase my wifes tears are so bad, I am worried about floods :-)
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 21 Jun 08 - 05:18 PM

I'm sorry Vilan.

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Rasener
Date: 21 Jun 08 - 05:16 PM

You are a jinx Jon

van Basten showed his inexperience by adopting the wrong tactics.
Why didn't he approach it like he did in the group.
He was too scared.

Its amazing how managere get scared and play defensively when in actual fact they do not need to.

Ah well good luck Russia.

Now to console my missus

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 21 Jun 08 - 12:15 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: Les from Hull - PM
Date: 18 Jun 08 - 12:29 PM

Talking about quilting patterns Liz, have you tried 4-4-2?


Yes I did Les, but made a mistake and went 4-2-4- in the third row... completely buggered me blocks it did.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Football: Euro 2008
From: ard mhacha
Date: 21 Jun 08 - 09:37 AM

The TV pundits must have been viewing another game,Turkey v Croatia was 90 minutes of punishment only coming to life in extra time, if ever a team deserved to lose it was Croatia this supposedly superior side were woeful.
It looks like the Nederlands can beat Russia but they have the hardest side of the draw if they do win awaiting them are Italy or Spain, but beware the big bad Germans who are heading for the Final.