Euro '08

[Oggie]

I'm going with Russia all the way. They are beautiful to watch and in Andrei Arshavin, they have a player who can cut open the best defences in the world, let alone a defence as questionable as Spains.
Spain have looked good and bad, but even on their good days you could argue that they still are not playing to their potential, considering the massive quality they have in abundance.

As for the rest of the tournament,
Sad to see Turkey going home after such brave performances in their last few matches.
I don't think I have ever seen an Italian team so lacking of creative and scoring ideas. Seems like the only thing they felt confident doing was swinging in crosses for Toni's head over and over and over and over... very poor.
France were rubbish yet again and it has to be said again, but Anelka is NOT international quality. I can't believe they had him on for the hugely impressive Benzema in one of their earlier matches!
The Netherlands looked great in qualifying and I had a feeling they would go all the way, until they ran into the Arshavin inspired Russians. Sneijder was pure class the whole way through!
Portugal were fancied by many to win it outright, but I never had that same belief in them. I think a lot of the hype was building from the presence of that overrated, arrogant, self absorbed and whinging piece of garbage Ronaldo. Don't get me wrong, he is a good player... but these recent reports of Real Madrid willing to pay £85 million for him...? He is worth more than Zidane? Ridiculous. He is not Kaka, he is not Messi and he is most certainly not Arshavin. Give me any of those (among others) over him any day please.
Lastly, Germany... they have looked like they always do. A strange mix of solid and fragile. They seem easy to score against, yet they also seem to be scoring pretty easily themselves too. They have tremendous self belief which goes a long way to helping them succeed, but against the winners of Spain and Russia, I think they will finally crumble.

[Mikkel_K]

At every big tournament Spain are like England, a slow-motion car crash waiting to happen.

I just cannot help quote this post, while also pointing out that I came out saying Spain before the tournament began...

I absolutely loved them last night. The show they put on in the second half was just about the best, I've seen in a long time. One holding midfielder and four offensive midfielders, all small guys with an impeccable technique - well, never actually losing the ball can be one hell of a way of organising defense, I guess. Before the last five minutes, did Russia have _anything_ on the Spanish half that could be worth mentioning? Add three beautiful goals, great team play and incredible individual vision (like Fabregas for the second goal) and it is hard for a football aficianado to wish for more.

[Kirkland Laing]

At every big tournament Spain are like England, a slow-motion car crash waiting to happen.

I just cannot help quote this post, while also pointing out that I came out saying Spain before the tournament began...

I absolutely loved them last night. The show they put on in the second half was just about the best, I've seen in a long time. One holding midfielder and four offensive midfielders, all small guys with an impeccable technique - well, never actually losing the ball can be one hell of a way of organising defense, I guess. Before the last five minutes, did Russia have _anything_ on the Spanish half that could be worth mentioning? Add three beautiful goals, great team play and incredible individual vision (like Fabregas for the second goal) and it is hard for a football aficianado to wish for more.

I'll be delighted to be wrong. I don't care who wins so long as the Germans don't.

However. Before the Spain-Russia semi final I was going to post that one team will play the other off the park, look outstanding and a certain winner in the final, then play absolutely rubbish in the final and hand it to the Germans. So I hope I'm doubly wrong.

[Mikkel_K]

I'll be delighted to be wrong. I don't care who wins so long as the Germans don't.

However. Before the Spain-Russia semi final I was going to post that one team will play the other off the park, look outstanding and a certain winner in the final, then play absolutely rubbish in the final and hand it to the Germans. So I hope I'm doubly wrong.

I know you would take it with a smile - funny thing is, I'd normally agree with you

This time Zab Judah has made it into the final round though, let's see if he can keep the calm. Is Baldomir, slow, plodding and semi-boring and with just about no fans outside his own family, actually a good metaphor for Germany?

[I too hope you're doubly wrong ]

[X]

New football boots - 150 Pound.
New haircut - 50 Pound
Providing your family with luxury accommodation for 3 weeks - 3000 Pound

Losing the Euro 08 cup final, Champions League Final, Premier League final day show down, League cup final, Fa cup quarter final all in the same season... Fucking priceless

There are some things money can't buy but for everything else there's Ballackcard.

[HattonTheHammer]

head wanted germany as spain have some ignorant c*nts playing for them

But heart was glad spanish flair won over german efficency.

For the record spain should of won 4,5-0. But i guess they couldnt care a less that they didnt.


world cup champions 2010: England

[El Kabong]

....I'm not one to say I told you so but Torres did score the game winner



England sucks! Why? Frank Lampard....England could play better with 10 than with Frank on the field....hell I'd rather see Pennant starting than Lampard.

[HattonTheHammer]

....I'm not one to say I told you so but Torres did score the game winner



England sucks! Why? Frank Lampard....England could play better with 10 than with Frank on the field....hell I'd rather see Pennant starting than Lampard.

Its one of many reasons

The main beneficiary in our constant downfalls is the expectation we as a nation put on our football team.

We sent the 2006 side over to germany with a "dont come back without the trophy" type attitude regardless of the fact all we had to offer in terms of a forward line was a half fit rooney and peter crouch.

No side however good defensively will get anywhere unless they have natural goalscorers within the side.

Another problem is this inability we have to win scrappy games, unless we are on full throttle we just dont win. Its always been like that with english sides.

The fear of defeat is far greater than the idea of winning.

If our national side is to get anywhere we have to get over this belief that its our god given right to be beating everybody when in reality there are sides out there with far greater players and depth than us.

[El Kabong]

With Gerrard, Crouch, and Rooney England should be scoring more and should be scrappy enough to get by.

I think the problem with England is the coaching.



Whatever happened to Theo Walcott? I thought he was supposed to be the best thing ever and what is he doing only scoring 4 goals for Arsenal?