May 30, 2008

• Now, I haven’t done any homework on this, and proper footie coverage is a spotty thing at best here in Southern Ontario, but here is some of my idle pre-tourney speculation. First, with respect to my team, I doubt the Dutch are going to do much. Getting out of the Group of Death is going to be tough, and whoever escapes is going to be so bloodied by the process, it’s hard to imagine any of them going the whole way. Holland has a lot more players from the Eredivisie than it has had in past squads, so you have to wonder about the exposure of international experience, in terms of familiarity with the styles of play of other leagues. They lack their usual crew of exports, but maybe (*crosses fingers*) that’ll work in their favour, as the egos aren’t as big, and the inevitable gotterdammerung of internecine feuds won’t happen. Aah, who am I kidding? We’ve got novices, a keeper from the Paleolithic, and a coach who is running down the clock. We’re doomed. I can see the Czechs doing very well, and I hope they do. The keeper really impressed me during the Champions’ League final, and Koller is always fun to watch, if you’re not playing against him. I’d like to see the Turks do well also, if only to disrupt the social fabric a bit. Not that I see them doing that much, but who predicted Greece the last time around, either? I’d also like to see Team Ikea do well, and give Larsson a proper sendoff for an outstanding career. I wouldn’t mind Spain, either. My usual objects of loathing continue to apply – I’ll be happy if it’s not Germany, Italy, England or Portugal, though with my luck... And if someone could cripple Ronaldo, preferably with some cleats to his pretty-boy face, I’d be much obliged. Thanks in advance.
• That the Turks have a keeper this ugly is a good sign for them. Just as you don't want to box or play rugby against a guy who has no good looks to protect, so do you not want to face a keeper who is clearly unafraid of blocking your shots with his face.
• (And to occupy your time until next Saturday, you can play at Asterix' Champions Cup!)
• I always pick the Dutch to do well in these things, and they always disappoint me. So this time, I'll go with Portugal, unless Christiano Ronaldo gets knackered in the first three games.
• Well, I thought the UK really got screwed, because the song was very good this year - surely worth a middle ranking at the very least... wait, this isn't the Eurovision 2008 thread, is it?
• No.
• Aww... no Cannavaro. Too bad, so sad. *snicker*
• Okay, here goes on the early games: 7th June Switzerland - Czech Republic: Czechs to win. Portugal - Turkey: Draw. 8th June Austria - Croatia: Croatia to win. Germany - Poland: Draw. 9th June Romania - France: France to win. Netherlands - Italy: Italy to win. 10th June Spain - Russia: Draw. Greece - Sweden: Greece to win.
• Roryk -- there's a nice facebook app that allows you to make these calls, see what others have said, and get some sort of points based on the prediction split. Enh. 7th June Switzerland - Czech Republic: Czechs to win. Portugal - Turkey: Draw. 8th June Austria - Croatia: Croatia to win. Germany - Poland: I'm going out on a limb and saying Poland to win. Winning this one game would represent a successful tournament, and I doubt they've thought about much else. 9th June Romania - France: Draw. Netherlands - Italy: My ancestral midichloreans are forcing me to say the Netherlands, against all rational thought. (Mind you, the Dutch usually peak early, and the very first game might be right on target this time around...) 10th June Spain - Russia: Russia to win. Greece - Sweden: Ikea to win. It's the Spain/Russia game that leaves me the most doubt. Russia is always stronger than they're given credit for, and Spain are famous chokers. Can go either way. (Obviously.)
• (The last thing I need is another privacy sucking Facebook app. I'm down to popping in for a minute to see what's new, then poking the Captain. Anything else seems a waste of my time.) 7th June Switzerland - Czech Republic: Draw. The Swiss will be outclassed and outplayed by a superior team, but will be inspired by the home crowd. Portugal - Turkey: Portugal win. They've been close in the last two big tourneys, and should be able to put away Turkey, who haven't done much for 6 years. 8th June Austria - Croatia: Croatia win against the weakest team here. Yawn. Germany - Poland: The Captain raises an interesting point. The Poles do have something to prove, and an upset win here could be enough to push them through to the next round. Germany could be looking ahead to Croatia, which should be the big game of this group. But Germany are gradually becoming the new Spain with their inability to win the big game, so they need the win, and have the talent to get it here. 9th June Romania - France: Which France will show up? Should be enough to beat Romania though. Netherlands - Italy: It's Italy, so it's a draw. The only question is how many penalty kicks will the Italians dive for earn? 10th June Spain - Russia: Russia is becoming a power. Spain will play a fast, exciting game, and will be gone after the first round. The Bear for the W. Greece - Sweden: Sweden to end the party early for the defending champs.
• Come On England! We're SO going to win this. Suck my wake, Eurotrash! *drinks lager* *riots*
• Can I blame Heskey for anything?
• European Championship of Beers. If Belgium's football team had qualified for the European Championships then their beers would be here. They didn't qualify though, so they're not. The same goes for England and its lovely beers. Life is cruel. Hoo, my! (*wipes tears of laughter*) I'll have to remember that... (Not that the Dutch representative is at all a winner...)
• Someone at the Guardian was calling for support for the Dutch, given that there were no British or Irish teams left in the championship. Two things: 1. Beer is damned expensive in England. 2. I really want some beer now.
• Here, they're calling for Spain, which I wouldn't mind, but I just can't see it happening. None of the supposed favourites, actually. Now, if it were a choking contest, Spain would win hands-down. Or -- wait. Would they? Who could win a choking contest? The real chokers would never make it to the final. *braincramp* Right. I'll go for the cheap joke and say that the winner of a choking contest would be Kit. And I, too, need beer. But not that Grolsch Weizen stuff. I had it for the first time the other day, and was Not Impressed. Not much going on there. Nohting, in fact. Give me a Blanche de Chambly any day... What was I talking about?
• I'm supporting the Crazy Dutch, because they smoke pot, love porn and allow euthanasia. So when the self-loathing and paranoia gets too much, you can just ask a nice doctor to off you.
• *rings*
• I've seen three of the games so far, and I'm not terribly impressed. The Czechs did allright, but just allright. Turkey gave us some solid football, and deserved better, but just didn't have the killer instinct at the far end. Portugal, well, I loathed them already, and my feelings have been reaffirmed. Scolari is just as much the wanker he always was, leading the team in self-righteous indignation at every call of the ref. The players are amazing -- every time they get fouled, no matter how 'injured', they have the presence of mind to get a leg or arm up to take down the other player, and send a pleading glance to the ref. They're calling themselves the 'Brazil of Europe', which is waaaay off. Brazil plays the ball, not the ref. I swear -- sometimes I thought I was watching Italy... I watched the first half of the Germany-Poland game, and while I had hopes for Poland to do well, it looked strictly like Amateur Hour. Germany didn't look like champions, either. Mind you, I was so bored by the game that I watched the second half on fast-forward, so I might have missed something. Enh.
• France-Romania a nil-nil draw? I didn't know that the term "Group of Death" was missing a "bored to".
• Yeah, all the games so far have been meh at best. Italy-Holland might hopefully pick up the pace a bit.
• Don't tell me anything -- I'm taping it.
• Germany-Poland was a cracking game I thought _ I was for the Poles and they gave it a good shot but fair play to the Teutonic masters of percentage football, and they really put on the style at times.
• Also -- SPOILER ALERT -- Just back in time to see Holland's second and then Nistelroy's near miss first half vs Italy- sublime.
• Cappy is not going to be a happy Cappy if he reads this before watching the game, Abie... but it was a lovely goal...
• aaaand that, ladies and gentlemen, was a proper game of footie. Awesome stuff.
• Well, I don't know if Ruud's first goal was onside or not -- it's easy to let yourself be distracted by the position he was in when he scored, but at the time of release, it looks much, much closer, though you wouldn't know that from the commentary. And there's also that matter of if a player can be offside when one of the last two defenders has left the field of play... In any event, they had a couple more, so even if it didn't count... But here again the commentary was all about how the mood shifted. Very well. The mood shifted. Italy let themselves be distracted, then. In any event -- it's great to finally see some quality footie. And from the Dutch! Who knew? There's still plenty of time for them to self-destruct, though. But I won't get into that now. Enjoy the moment, enjoy the moment...
• Sneijder's goal though, the way he threaded the needle -- fuckin' beautiful.
• I missed it 'cos I was lying on the couch reading a book. Am I doing this footy supporter thing right? Is it switched on?
• Great match. The Dutch brought a fantastic strategy and real enthusiasm. Also kept the game going for the duration, rather than shutting it down when their lead was established. Cracking goal from Sneijder.
• UEFA explains why Ruud's goal wasn't offside.
• Yep, I'd read elsewhere they introduced that to stop players stepping out of play and making someone offside. If you're down and being treated having been waved/carried off it's not the same, nor if you where pushed over the line by an opposition player, apparently. /without aid of cruet set
• Now the debate seems to be whether the player left the pitch intentionally or not, despite that not being mentioned in the rule. Seems to me that 'intention' is nearly impossible to judge, and that the only realistic way is to go by whether the player has the ref's permission to leave the pitch. After all, it's the ball that can't go out of bounds, not the players, right? A player can go outside the white line to keep a ball in bounds and in play, and he's not said to have 'left the pitch'. Players doing a throw-in or corner are still in play, even though they're not on the pitch as such. In the case of injury, you have to have permission to leave, and permission to rejoin. Sweet Mothra, this is going to be like that Italy-South Korea nonsense all over again, isn't it? YOU LOST. GET OVER IT. It's not like Italy hasn't benefitted from offside goals over the years, is it? Take away the one, and there were still two more...
• The Italian press is going apeshit. "...Donadoni's Italy, who after 30 years finally succeeded in being beaten by Holland. A Holland that was anything but irresistible, and was certainly a long way from the spectacular teams of Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens." Truth be told, the Dutch looked fairly strong, and the game was closer than the score reveals. A bit of luck, and the Italians could have come a lot closer. The game was fairly tight when the Italians weren't completely stunned. And sure, this crew is a 'long way' from Cruijff and Neeskens. No shit, Sherlock. That's a pretty high bar... Can you tell I've nothing to do until the next game?
• Only 5 minutes more to hold out, Capt.
• This Spain game reads like it's not too bad. I'd rather have taped it than the Greece-Ikea, but hiding from the internettes for the late game yesterday was tough enough -- I can't imagine doing it for the early game...
• Eurosport is broadcasting live, though there might be restrictions on country of origin. Requires Windows Media Player plug-in for FireFox.
• Dammit! I can't get it. Coverage here is shit as per usual... TSN doesn't have all of the games, leaving the bulk to the multi-cultural station, meaning that I had to watch the Germany-Poland game in Polish... Instead, all the sports news here is now the theme song to Hockey Night in Canada has been sold -- which isn't actual sports news. Grr.
• It's all free to air in China, Cap'n :p
• Another excellent game. Absolutely superb stuff from Villa. To quote the Guardian min-by-min, "Using only your fingers and toes calculate how much David Villas' price has just gone up and how much less likely it is that he'll be at Spurs next season." Yep. *fears for Team Ikea*
• What? Ikea will be fine... Larsson has his day pass from the Old Folks' Home, and what has Greece ever done, anyway? Oh, right.
• Most teams are being a lot more gung-ho than I expected in their opening matches. I thought there'd be a longer settling in time. Time for me to make some more crappy predictions: Portugal to beat the Czechs. Turkey to beat the Swiss. Croatia to lose to Germany. Austria to lose to Poland.
• Portugal over the Czechs. Turkey on Swiss. Croatia and Germany draw. Poland over Austria. Italy over Romania. Holland over France. Ikea and Spain draw. Russia over Greece. Meh. Even I wouldn't put money on these picks. Greece deserved to lose today, killing all that time in the back end, the three defenders passing to each other like some halftime tribute to Pythagoras. Ikea did well -- the first goal was a beaut, and the second one an ugly, ugly goal, but it worked.
• Can we watch Ray Mears for a bit now? *fumbles for remote*
• Yeah, the second Swedish goal. Ugh. But a well-deserved wictory for the wikings. Italy > Romania Holland = France Sweden = Spain Russia > Greece
• The Russians looked dire and clueless I thought, which only further emphasises how shit England were for failing to beat them. Spain to do Sweden I fear, but of course then implode before winning the thing. Holland ought to have the beating of what sounds like a very poor French side, but I missed France's first (non) showing. Italy to beat Romania and still qualify for later rounds; they played well but met Holland having a blinder.
• Oh, but despite looking dire expect Russians to manage a draw with Greece in a horrible match (cue free-flowing goal-fest :D)
• Can't help but agree with Abie's prediction for Team Ikea -- Zlatan's goal yesterday was a true thing of beauty, but apart from that they looked alarmingly fumbling. Spain will toast 'em, I fear. Portugal > Czech Republic Turkey > Switzerland Germany > Croatia (but only just) Poland > Austria Italy = Romania (cue total pandemonium back in the boot) Holland > France Spain > Sweden (*cries*) Russia = Greece
• Germany my favourites to win it at the minute - other sides can look better for a given game but suspect the Germans are the ones with the combination of grit, skill and organisation to go all the way. We can look back and laugh at my predictions later.
• > Germans are the ones with the combination of grit, skill and organisation to go all the way. Location will help too, I think.
• That's a good point too rory - which I would say since it supports my idle speculatin'
• For today only, (I'm too busy) Portugal to beat Czech R. Czechs were flat, but were they looking ahead to this one? Shouldn't matter. Swiss to beat Turkey. These teams don't like each other, Swiss at home adds inspiration. Swiss unlucky to lose first game.
• Well. That was a fun game. Even if the Turkish kids drove past waving flags before I had a chance to see the game on tape.
• Heh. I know a Turkish lad on another forum who didn't want the team to do well as that would mean less shooting outside his house in Ankara. I was hoping they'd do it, I must admit, and a great winner though took a deflection, didn't it.
• Today: Germany > Croatia Poland = Austria
• Other way around. Germany and Croatia tie, and Poland kicks the living shit out of Austria. Apparently, I'm in 1,600th place in my facebook pool, so I'm now a Qualified Expert.
• Now I can't find the eurosport video feed...
• The Guardian's minute-by-minute isn't quite.
• Croatia to possibly beat Germany? Did anybody have that? Even the Croats?
• Germany losing, and here I am at stupid fucking work...
• ZOMG
• *calms down a little* Wow. And a red card and three yellows in injury time. And Croatia beat Germany. Wow.
• Wheels coming off my prediction? No, minor hiccup. Ahem.
• *nicks one of Abiezer's wheels*
• Can we talk about AUT-POL yet? (as of start of 2nd half)
• Missed all of Croatia-Germany. I've seen about half of AUT-POL, which is about to end. I think I missd the better game. Again.
• Holy Fuck!
• They'll be arguing that in Warsaw tonight folks!
• Just saw the highlights of CRO-GER. Looks like a good game.
• A penalty for shirt-pulling? Bit much to be honest.
• I could see it as a good penalty if the ball had been playable. In this case, it was a harsh call. Austria got the goal that they weren't able to earn for themselves. (But I called the tie!!! Yay me!!)
• stupideffingsportschannelisetthetapeandfinishedwateringthestupidplantsandcameinsidetowatchthestupideffinggameafterhavingstayedawayfromthenewsandtheinternetssoiwouldntknowthestupideffingscoreandisitdownandpressplayanditsthegoddamnstupideffingusopenlikestupidgolfdoesnthaveitsownstupideffingchannelandthestupidtournamenthappenseveryeffingyearanywayandthiscomeshardlyeverandnowicantwatchthestupideffinggamecausestupidyoutubewontpostclipsandthestupideffingsportschannelwontevenshowthestupideffinggametomorrowsonowimpissedrighttheeffoff...
• > I could see it as a good penalty if the ball had been playable. Yes, I agree. As it was, the ball would have gone right over Prodl's head. Pointless foul and excessive punishment.
• The official could have called it obstruction, which would have led to an indirect free kick taken from within the penalty area. But I haven't seen this happen for years.
• Italy>Romania (Unless the players really want Donaldoni gone) Netherlands>France (It's too early for the Dutch start living down to their reputation)
• Yeah, they need to win today, so they can send in the B-team against Romania, take it easy, get the egos all nicely fluffed up, and then start infighting when it actually matters.
• That was never offside!!1!uno
• Perhaps, but it's the only way to make the whole of Italy go completely apoplectic. You have to look at the bigger picture, mothy.
• You mean a-pope-plectic, surely... *crosses the streams*
• Cross my heart and hope to die!
• Oh, this is fun now!
• Now, not anymore.
• Mind you, a tie would force a tension-filled Italy-France game, which could be fun...
• Especially if France beats the Netherlands.
• Shh!
• Especially if France beats the Netherlands. Especially if France beats the Netherlands.
• That. Was. Awesome. Prediction: Holland are going to win the whole thing, 3-1 against Spain in the final. Brilliant stuff.
• Sneijder goal was straight out of Roy of the Rovers.
• When did the hockey game break out?
• So if the Dutch field some stiffs and lose to Romania, then both Italy and France are done?
• Yep. Now, where's that tiny violin?
• Spain>Sweden Russia>Greece Portugal>Swissies Republic of Czech>Turkey
• >So if the Dutch field some stiffs and lose to Romania, then both Italy and France are done? That would be very funny. France really needs to replace Coupet in goal. Great game and wonderful to see the Dutch playing an open game right the way through.
• Great game, but no disrespect to the French -- for the twenty minutes before the second goal, they were in firm command. Couple of lucky breaks, and things could have been quite different. The Dutch aren't invincible (most obviously seen through v/d Sar's being asleep at the wheel). In any event, it's nice to see. So many years of drifting, and now the kids seem to be hitting their stride at just the right time. But with the Great Man himself in the stands to watch over them, how could they lose? Maar, dat is logisch...
• Bugger.
• Hooray!
• :D Looking good - Spanish defence ropey and they're commiting lots of niggly fouls. I'm backing the social democrats against the heirs of Franco's fascist footie.
• Quite entertaining. And the ref is satisfactorily biased, as well.
• *cries* (as predicted. but still. gutting)
• What a sickener, though a well-taken goal from young Villa. I take no pleasure in having predicted the result (he lies, mentioning it).
• Poor Ikea. They were holding off so well, just not long enough. Good goal, yes, but Ikea deserved better. Oh well.
• (And I predicted a draw! I was this close!)
• Russia deserved to win based on the first half, but then their relaxed approach became downright sloppy. That No. 19, though -- good stuff.
• I can't believe I gave up on watching Turkey-Czech Republic at about 70 minutes in because it was too dull...
• I only got to see the last four minuutes, and that was better than the whole of the Switzerland-Portugal game. If it's going to be a game that doesn't matter, and Portugal is going to lose, then let's at least have the entertainment of Heart Attack Phil blowing a coronary artery. So what happens now? Turkey is through, but without their No.1 keeper. They too damaged to go further?
• We watched Switz-Port :-( Managed to catch the last six or seven minutes of Turk-Czech. Wowsa. What did Koller say? Did he insult the Bird People?
• Missed it but as luck would have it the last ten minutes of the re-run were on as we had lunch. Wowsa indeed. Sending off seemed harsh.
• I've only seen the replay once. They kept showing what happened before the Incident, and I could not see what the hubbub was about. Then they had one clip shot from far away, showing the keeper do this two-handed push on the player's chest (after the play had ended), the guy went down, and the ref saw the whole thing. At that point, I don't think the ref had much of an option.
• Italy and France scared shitless, beg Holland to go full-force against Romania. Because they would to the same for them, no doubt. Forget about putting up the B-team and risking needless injury to their best players, I mean. Christ, I love this.
• The push was definitely cardable (it is a word!) but I would have thought he'd have had to swing for him for a straight red. The ball was out of play at the time, wasn't it? Handbags basically.
• I think I'll watch Poland-Croatia tonight and trust the Germans to do the business and keep my prediction on track.
• Did I make predictions for these? I don't think so. Uh, Germany over Austria, Poles over Croatia. Holland Romania draw, France over Italy. Spain over Greece, Russia over Ikea. Enh.
• My predictions for today. Germany > Austria: This game will be good if the Austies score first. Poland = Croatia: I'd like to see Poland beat the odds and qualify, since they were blatantly robbed against Austria, but I can't see it happening. Does it mean anything that UEFA put Howard Webb in charge of the meaningless Spain-Greece game?
• Germany > Austria Croatia > Poland (I think) Holland > Romania France > Italy Spain > Greece Russia > Sweden Please sprinkle liberally with salt.
• Oh, good lord. I watched the Poland-Croatia game. Even if I was a hardcore heroin addict, I'd be moaning "this game is tooooooooo slooooooooow..." Kee-rist. Any livelier, and a funeral was going to break out. Poland didn't deserve to go on, that's for sure.
• I was saved by all the Chinese channels showing the Germany-Austria game. German defence looked mighty shaky at times. They need to tighten up. They clearly had the edge in quality over the Austrians, but then that's not saying much.
• The beeb 'explains' who goes through in Group C. I-Don't-Know's on Third, I know that much.
• Cappy, that link is the best one I've seen that explains the permutations. Now if it only told us how many starters the Dutch are resting. Romania=Holland : The Romanians control their own destiny, and the Dutch will rest some starters. But I wouldn't shed any tears if Romania wins. France>Italy : They beat each other at home during qualifying, but the French need to play with more desperation, since they're on the losing side of every tiebreaker. No matter what happens, the Italian conspiracy theorists win.
• Talking completely out of my ass, I'd expect that the Dutch aren't completely going to be the B-team, not like Croatia was. A number of their starters were injured going in, and are just beginning to creep back -- this may be a good, easy workout for them. The B-teamers have already had some time on the pitch. The starters can have some time to try out new things and really gel before Saturday. And while a loss doesn't strictly matter, you don't want to lose too much momentum, either. But what do I know? Judging by my standings in the pool, not a hell of a lot.
• While Croatia didn't have anything to play for, the Poles didn't really either, since the odds of their qualifying were astronomically low, even with a win. It was effectively a meaningless game. Romania has nothing to lose by going all out, and a few hard tackles may have the Dutch subbing out their top starters relatively soon, rather than risk injury before Ikea/Russkie. Or how about this...the Dutch don't like the Romanian hard play. They sub in their player least likely to get onto the field during the tournament, who gives up a penalty, and gets a red. The inspired Romanians tire out the shorthanded Dutch, and qualify with a 1(pen)-0 win. Italy goes into mourning, and the Italians in my neighbourhood let me get some sleep.
• Poles have nothing to play for? Well, yes and no. They needed to recover their reputation with a win (and against a B-team, no less), and failed miserably. As for that B-team, this was a rare chance for those kids to be on the international stage and promote themselves for better contracts in England or Spain or wherever. But in terms of the standings, yes, it was meaningless. The Romanians have to play hard. The Dutch, not really, but they need to keep the momentum, and they also would like to erase that loss to Romania in the qualifiers. They'll play well, just not go too overboard with it, I think. Whatever it is, I think we can all agree that Italy sucks.
• And yet, my spidey-sense is telling me to put money on Italy or Germany to still win this thing, no matter how awful they've been so far. It'd just be so... typical.
• I haven't yelled "It's always the same old fucking story!" once this tournament, and I'm well overdue.
• Yes! They're playing Vennegoor of Hesselink! I'm only excited because I'd love to see how they fit that onto the back of his shirt.
• > we can all agree that Italy sucks Yes. Terrible performance tonight despite a numerical advantage for 70 minutes. I don't see them beating Spain unless some tough decisions are taken on the line up. The French were a mix between lax lustre and damned unlucky.
• Romania must have believed the Italian conspiracists. That's the only way to explain that game.
• Spain shitting bricks about playing Italy, "the same old Italy; the Italy that never plays football but always wins." *puts fresh coat of paint on flagpole, ready to hoist "It's always the fucking same" flag*
• Das oops: ... The [Swiss] national channel SRG ran subtitles to Germany's national anthem including the obsolete first verse - ignored since the fall of the Third Reich. *readies herring, vodka and Ikea flag for this evening's catastrophe match*
• We always had our own alternate lyrics, anyway.
• > Das oops: Not as bad as the Saudis playing the Syrian national anthem prior to a game against Lebanon.
• Spain > Greece. Not even taping this one, although if Greece wins, I'll step off the subway on the way home, just to see if anyone in Greektown still cares. Ikea/Siberia is a difficult pick. Ikea's polish and experience against Siberian brute force. No finishing on either side. But I have to go with Ikea>Siberia, and regret not seeing Hiddink vs Holland in the next round.
• I think I'd agree, although I don't know how much 'polish' Ikea has. Certainly, this isn't their best edition -- I've seen far better the last couple of times, and they seem to be running on the fumes of greatness past. They'll win this one, but that's likely as far as they'll go. Mind you, I'd like to see more of Russia. That No. 19 kid deserves more exposure, get the transfer out of the boonies. Hiddink doesn't seem to be having as much fun as coaching Trinidad & Tobago. Wonder why...
• Oh, and Spain to win, too. David Villa needs to ink a new deal, get that Big Cash Payout.
• A more Beautiful Game than usual: Austria beat Germany 10-5 in topless football. Go to Austria. See the Alps.
• *sings* Ja, jag vill leva jag vill döööööö i Nooooooorden! *breaks out the Absolut*
• Uh, I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes..? *eyes still-unfinished GORM shelf in basement*
• You drunk yet, mothy? You should be...
• Only saw second half, but Russians had got it very together - fast-moving, accurate passing, slightly shit strikers but still good enough to take a percentage of the many chances they created, also got back quick to defend in numbers. Keep that up and the game with Holland could be a cracker. Sweden didn't look like they knew each other so well and some of the brighter stars are aging.
• *sniffle* Not drunk at all, actually, which with hindsight might have been a mistake. The Russians played great. The Holland match is now looking very interesting indeed.
• Anyone willing to make the call? I hate having to root for Germany, but I just want to see Portugal out. All that drama -- fuck, I didn't cry at all when I broke my knee... Portugal > Germany, tho. *sigh*
• Why the hatin' on Portugal, Cappy? I don't really have much of an opinion on this game at all. Um. In the hope that it's going to be an entertaining match, 3-2 to Portugal? Or alternatively a defensive yawn-fest that ends with Germany finally scoring the game's one solitary goal in the 88th minute.
• I'm picking Portugal, but it's difficult. Germany has played one good half, and seems unable to cope against speed, even with Frings on the field. Podolski is questionable at the moment, leaving the attack to Ballack. Portugal is rested, and Ronaldo should be free to roam. Temperatures in the 30s should favour them. But it is Germany, and they have been battle tested, one can't say the same of Portugal.
• Still poised at half time! Could be a cracking 45 minutes in prospect here. Don't let me down now, Teutonic overlords.
• Jeez... the one game I don't tape... I do like the comment on the Guardian's ticker: "Ronaldo is so good, he can even get Nuno Gomes to score a goal..." Ouch.
• Fantastic cross for the Portuguese second to make for a nervy final few minutes but they stood tall those German lads. Thought Podolski did some great work after coming on. Nani wasted a fair few.
• Oops, looking at the match report I realise I must have meant Borowski as the super-sub.
• I thought Portugal could have gone all the way. As an England fan though, I'm not shedding any tears, crocodile or otherwise.
• I missed this game completely (staying in a hotel). I liked some of Portugal's players - always had a soft spot for Gomez and I think Deco is a very solid player. I'm not a big fan of Ronaldo but I can't help but recognize his outstanding talent. A la fin de la journee, result as expected. Germany might not be the most watchable team, but they're building on a solid foundation in this tournament and have the overall quality to beat all comers. I think it might have been a mistake for Scolari to rest so many of his team in the last match.
• I missed this game completely (staying in a hotel). I liked some of Portugal's players - always had a soft spot for Gomez and I think Deco is a very solid player. I'm not a big fan of Ronaldo but I can't help but recognize his outstanding talent. A la fin de la journee, result as expected. Germany might not be the most watchable team, but they're building on a solid foundation in this tournament and have the overall quality to beat all comers. I think it might have been a mistake for Scolari to rest so many of his team in the last match.
• Sorry for the double, I had problems with the server last night.
• Croatia>Turkey. Too many missing players for Turkey.
• I'll go Turkey>Croatia, just to be contrarian.
• Americans not knowing what's going on on the field tune into the Babes of Euro 2008, on FOX.
• Opa would have called #48 "Christ between the two thieves".
• Interesting first half - Croatia look to have that little bit more class for sudden breakthrough but I'm still holding out for Turkey to come good.
• Holland>Siberia Spain>Italia (PK)
• I'm afraid it will be Holland < Siberia, though this would be a shame. Spain > Italy. I feel almost ready to call the Croatia-Turkey game.
• Glad I didn't. Heh...
• I say! And so to the lottery...
• Wow. Why don't they just play the first 10, and last 15 minutes? I could have got some work done.
• Group hug time. Yay! Turkish goalies rule.
• You'd definitely have taken Rustu of the two goalies for a shoot-out, and so it proved.
• Can I be the first to say Germany>>>very depleted Turkey?
• That has to be it, Northern - the Germans won't miss the kind of chances the Croatians did.
• Oh to be in Germany when that game is played. Yeah, I think Germany will do it. A bit surprised that Croatia didn't push harder in regular time. Was this scoring in the 119th minute a strategic plan? If so, it backfired dreadfully. Missing two penalties out of three?
• It always amazes me when they miss penalties by going outside the box. The dimensions of the box do not change. This is the one thing you can practice over and over and over and over. I got home, watched the last fifteen minutes, and I still can't stop laughing. Just the way joy gave way to heartbreak in such little time. With their confidence completely deflated, the result on penalties were a foregone conclusion...
• The cockles were also warmed by the sight of the big CARSI banner behind one of the goals, read they'd split recently, as leftie groups are wont.
• Thanks A_C, I've read up on CARSI this morning and I'm both interested and pleasantly surprised. The ITV commentary on NETH-RUSS is dreadfully biased for the Dutch. I mean, I'd prefer Holland to win, but I'm not going to say that "The Russians can't defend against set pieces" just because there's one failure in 90 minutes. That's just stupid. The Russian defence has been solid all the way through, I think. Not 100 percent, but better than average...
• Russia deserves to win this game. I'd rather see the Dutch get it, but Russia has played so much better in the 110 minutes so far.
• Class.
• *takes all predictions, rips them up, throws them out* My goodness. The Russians in my neighbourhood are going even more nuts than the Turks were last night. This is turning out to be one of the best tournaments in years.
• Guus Hiddink for Republic of Ireland manager!
• Y'know, in a few years, when he's ready to spend more time golfing and fishing.
• Deserved by the Rutchies, sorry for the Dutchies.
• Quite right, rory. They would have wrapped it up in normal time handsomely if they weren't so profligate in front of goal and Van de Saar so good.
• Well, I think I'm hoping for a Spain win tonight, mostly because Italy have a fascist in goal and can fuck off, but I suspect this will be the game where the Spanish implode as per usual.
• I was very relieved to see Spain proceed. By the time the penalties started, I was convinced that the Spanish would choke. First time Spain has beaten Italy in competition since 1920, apparently.
• It looked like the world champions were playing for penalties from the kick-off. Spain certainly were the more adventurous going forward and pleased they got through rather than a very negative Italian side.
• Good. This'll keep the horn-honking, flag-waving mooks off the streets for another two years.
• What a great first half - fair play to Turkey for taking it to them. Germany a bit lucky to be level. Head says Germany, heart says Turkey now. We shall see.
• Turkey definitely not playing conservatively. But it seems they're tiring, and the Germans are starting to play more aggressively. Now the fracking signal is gone. Hopefully nothing happens while it's out.
• Yep, keep losing the picture on a grandstand finish! :(
• And it's done. Hopefully the weather in Austria will be better tomorrow.
• Shame, the Turks should totally have won that. Great game. Now for the Russians to whup the Spanish!
• Russia > Spain. And it only took half an hour to get to this thread. Fairly evenly matched after 30 minutes, quite a good game.
• And my VCR is busted. Yay. Oh well. I haven't had the heart to watch since Holland totally imploded like I said they would lost to the russkies who completely dominated the game from what I saw usurped the win. Go Russia, I suppose...
• Second half - not so evenly matched.
• Nice goals from Spain but even at 3-0 didn't find them that convincing; more like Russia were off the boil. My Germany prediction looking pretty good still.
• Sigh. Germany>Spain, Teutonic efficiency defeats Spanish flair. But I'm 1-6 in the knockout rounds, so take it for what it's worth.
• Don't jinx me Jerries, Northern! Germany to win. Spain to get better haircuts next time out.
• I'll say Spain, just to keep my suckitude perfect, as I can't possibly redeem myself at this point anyway.
• Well, you did start the thread, Cap'n, which was an noble contribution to the common weal.
• The Tale of the Tape. I think the mention of Spain's unbeaten streak just jinxed the whole thing...
• Possibly no Ballack may do for the brave Germans. Scheisse.
• Well he played carrying an injury, got himself crocked and card early on. That porn star Furanyi they brought on was useless. Podwolski was anonymous. But then again, Spain were far and away the better side and won it fair and square. My betting days are done.
• Ballack was taking a few chances, there. I thought he was almost calling for a second yellow, given how many warnings he was given before the first... Anyway, a cracking game. Never let up. The Germans started out stronger, Spain had a couple of breakouts that gave them confidence and left the Germans rattled, then there was a good stretch in the second where Germany was pressing hard, until Spain regained control. Quite enjoyed it. And I can watch Germany lose all day. Good tourney overall, personal disappointments aside.