Post: #26

I also see Poland-Russia to be a firework, both teams going for it. However, I can easily see Greece-Czech be a borefest. For tomorrow, yeah Germany-Holland will be HUGE and I would LOVE to see Holland play at their best level to beat Germany. Come on Oranje!!! Yo Neil, send a free copy of your book to the Dutch players to give them some inspirations for tomorrow's game!!!

(06-12-2012 05:18 AM)Vorkuta Wrote:  Regarding Zlatan: This was the first season in ten years that he did not win the league title with his club,that is a mind boggling statistic which proves to me that the guy is sheer class. My only issue with him is that he rarely performs well in the big champions league games or for Sweden. Yesterday I thought he did ok,the guy is immensely strong and for a bg guy his touch was fantastic. He reminds of Berbatov with his laconic style but with twice the skill. I think the loss against Ukraine has sealed Sweden's fate though,they had to win that game to go through. Ukraine on the other hand can afford to lose against France knowing a win against England will probably be enough to go through.

So far it's been a good tournament and tonight is going go be immense,possibly for the wrong reasons:

Poland v Russia expect fireworks for this one.

Germany v Holland two countries who hate each other.

Can't wait!

Post: #27

Another thing I noticed while re-watching last night the France-England game: to get the best of Benzema, Blanc needs to play a real striker like Giroud up front so that Benzema can feed him and support him. As the Big Benz likes to go deep, take the ball, take on players and then link up front with a target man. This is how Mourinho has been able to get the best of him at Real with Cristiano up as the guy up front. Wonder why Blanc hasn't noticed that yet....

Another observation on France: while Nasri is a madly talented player, he tends to slow things down as he likes to have the ball on his feet way too much...

Anyone else noticed these or am I thinking too much and over-analysing this?

Post: #28

You have to remember that in all major games Ibra had played the last 3 years his opposition has made it a priority to shut him down. It is at these times the support players have to do their part.

Post: #29

(06-11-2012 10:35 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Some random thoughts on the past 2 days games:

Spain-Italy: I thought Spain played well but was surprised to Del Bosque go without a striker up front and that showed. He should have played Llorente as he is right now the only real viable option Spain have up front since Torres is unfortunately a pale shadow of his old self. The chances he missed were horrendous. Any half decent striker would have scored at least one of those 3 glorious chances he burnt. Italy played good, showing how strong they are at the back yet lacking up front they are.

Croatia played well against a weak Irish team who will have a hard time picking a point in this group. Croatia Italy will decide the team that finishes 2nd in this group behind the Spaniards who are head and shoulders the class of this group.

Today, France showed why they are on a 22 games without losing streak. We finally after 6 long years have a decent team again that we can be proud of. They play good football, are great to watch up front, specially the 3 up front Ribery, Benzema and Nasri. However at the back, there is still a lot of open space left between the midfield and the defence which can be deadly against a top team like Germany, Spain or Holland. I'm very nervous each time I see Mexes going for a challenge as he is very prone to committing stupid fouls at times and or picking yellows or worst, a red or causing a penalty. I was very impressed by Cabaye he was everywhere. I want to see more of Ben Harfa, this guy is mad talented.

At times, the game reminded of the recent Barcelona-Chelsea where Barca were controlling the possession and attacking most of the time while Chelsea had basically parked their bus in front of their goal and in their box. England played really Chelsea like and I was dissapointed by their defensive approach. England didn't do much, their only chances coming from set pieces. On the England goal, Lloris got unlucky as the ball passed between his hands and his tummy. All in all, I was pleased with how France played and felt that we should have won that game with a little bit more daring from Blanc by bringing Ben Harfa earlier and by having a little bit more killer instinct up front.

England didn't show much and if I were an Englishman or an English fan, I'd be worried in light of what they showed tonight. It's not going to be easy to beat Sweden and specially Ukraine galvanized by their home advantage and their ace wearing #7 a certain Andrij Shevchenko, aka Sheva...

Sweden-Ukraine. Was thoroughly dissapointed with Sweden style of play, which reminded me of the old obsolete "kick and rush" a la Irish. Long balls up front for Zlatan and hope that the Giant Swede does his magic. I have never been a fan of his, not even as he has been playing for my team for the past 2 seasons in Milan. He has constantly failed to deliver in the big games. However, I was DELIGHTED to see Sheva show his killer instinct and score those 2 beautiful goals. Even at 35, Sheva is still 10 times the player than Zlatan can ever dream of being. Sheva has always delivered in the big games and he still got it. And that's why he will be remembered as the most deadly and complete striker of his generation. Grazie Vento di Passione!!!!

England were ok and played to their strength. They have a young squad and have had barely any time to organize themselves before the tournament. Rooney's suspension is really hurting them.

Post: #30

After watching alle the matches, a coupple of things strikes me. First of all the enternainment value is way higher then for the last world cup in South Africa. Secondly, the quality difference between the teams first matches are huge.

Germany- Portugal and Spain - Italy, by far the better teams and matches so far. All of them obvious title contenders.

France, Holland and Russia have also been pretty good. France needs more tempo on the ball and for their combinations. They did not want to take much risiko when attacking England. If they had, they most likely would have won it. Holland could easily have won by 2-3 goals. They did not play great, but even their low standards are a class above most of the opponents. Russia moved excellent, but with an ageing squad, Im not sure how long they can keep on playing like that.

Ukraine, England, Croatia, Denmak, Greece have played like I expected them to. Greece extremely unlucky with a mad ref mistake. Making them play with 10 men.

Czech Rep, Sweden, Poland, Ireland all been disappointing. I cant really see them advancing even if the Sweedes might beat England, the old tired legs will lose to France in the last match.

Post: #31

Some funny words from national team reject Van der Vaart: "Only Goetze, Schweinsteiger and Oezil are good players and I believe we have more quality."

I'll just leave this here:





Holland losing against Bayern 2 days after Bayern lost the CL finals.





Nevertheless the Dutch will give it all because they have to win it, but Dutch doesn't have a great midfield and defense like Portugal and I think the Dutch will get annihilated if they attack Germany full force.

Quote:Germany v Holland two countries who hate each other.

To be honest it's more that the Dutch dislike/hate the Germans. I never came across a German that hated Holland.

Post: #32

Anyone see the blonde Russian chick making the heart shape in the crowd just now,damn. Might have to apply for my Russian visa.

Post: #33

(06-12-2012 08:50 AM)Donald Duck Wrote:  To be honest it's more that the Dutch dislike/hate the Germans. I never came across a German that hated Holland.

Hate is a strong word but there is a dislike from Germans towards the Dutch but mostly in football, nothing serious. Think of the second round World Cup match in 1990 when Rijkaard spat on Völler. Not to mention 74, which still hurts the Dutch.

Post: #34

(06-12-2012 01:51 PM)Gavin1234 Wrote:  . Or think of the second round World Cup match in 1990 when Rijkaard spat on Völler.

I'm still angry with Rijkaard about that incident. I remember it well,he spat into Voller's ridiculous perm and Voller got sent off for reacting. If Rijkaard had left it at that and walked away Germany would have been down to ten men ( unjustly ) and Holland would probably have gone on to win. But the fool had to go and spit in his hair one last time didn't he,dick. The result was the ref saw it,sent Rijkaard off too and the Dutch bottled it and lost with the result being that Germany went on to knock England out in the semis. I have an immense amount of respect for German national teams but not the 1990 one which rolled and dived it's way to a world cup win. Horrible team.

Back on topic...Russia 1-0 up.

Post: #35

Post: #36

DonaldDuck, that's hilarious!!!Thanks for posting it!
I also remember that incident in that infamous 2nd round match in the 1990 WC in Milan. Agreed with Vorkuta that had Frankie not fallen to Voeller's trap, only the German would have been sent off and Holland would have won that game. But that year's Holland was an awesome team with great players but they once again, in typical Dutch fashion, shot themslves in the foot with their internal disputes and arrogance. Too bad as that was a truly classic team with Van Basten, Gullit, Rijkaard, Van Brekelen etc...

Post: #37

Not sure what game some of you watched, England clearly played better than France , a number of times Chamberlin was hacked down after he had beat his man, with a better referee it would have been a simple Enlgand victory.

Post: #38

Billy,
Not sure what game you watched as England didn't do jack in that match. They simply parcked their bus in front of their goal in their box. In the entire 90 minutes+, England must have passed the midfield line no more than 10 times. In the 2nd half, it was more like an attack defence with England having everyone back behind the ball and France attacking all the time. Some stats for you 19 shots to 3 for France, almost 60% ball possession for France. Apart from a couple of runs/bursts, Chamberlain was a non factor, same for Wellbeck. The only English player who could have had an impact would have been Walcott and we French are very grateful for Hogdson for bringing him only towards the end. Had France or rather Blanc been a bit more daring by putting a real striker up front as Giroux , it would have been a clear win for France.

Post: #39

If Chamberlain was so inefectual then why did France have to resort to cheap fouls to stop play ? France got away with cheap professional fouls all over the pitch when they knew they were beaten, a proper ref would have dealt with it, if you cannot see that you clearly know nothing about football. Your stats are also misleading, France had only 7 shots on target to Englands 4 because most of their efforts were specualtive. Without a ridiculously biased ref France were not in that game. Considereing this is am England team with no experience and major players missing France should be more worried.

Post: #40

You know that your team is in trouble when you have to blame the ref for everything.

Post: #41

DK is going to clobber Portugal! Or so I hope.

Post: #42

WARSAW, Poland -- The injury toll from clashes involving soccer hooligans before and after Poland played Russia in a tense European Championship game increased to at least 24 while 184 people were detained.

But Polish officials were putting a positive spin on the situation Wednesday, saying they intervened decisively when trouble arose and that the big police presence prevented worse trouble.

The trouble started when about 5,000 Russian fans marched through central Warsaw waving flags while making their way to the National Stadium for Tuesday's game. It was seen as provocative to many Poles. The two countries share a difficult history, including decades of control by Moscow over Poland during the Cold War. Many Poles felt authorities shouldn't have allowed the Russians to march as a group in Warsaw.

Police used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse fights between fans of the rival teams and to repel attacks by Polish fans against officers. The fights were scattered across downtown Warsaw. None was at the National Stadium or in the downtown fan zone, where about 75,000 watched the match on giant TV screens.

Post: #43

I'm nervous, goddamnit !!!

Post: #44

oh boy, was that game close...

Post: #45

Great result. I don't see Holland winning 2-0, 3-2 or 4-3 vs Portugal which they need to go on to the tournament.

Post: #46

(06-12-2012 05:53 PM)billy Wrote:  Not sure what game some of you watched, England clearly played better than France , a number of times Chamberlin was hacked down after he had beat his man, with a better referee it would have been a simple Enlgand victory.

English delusion about their national squad never fails to amuse.

Post: #47

After yesterday's results, Italy are almost out. Spain and Croatia need to tie their game and they'd get rid of a dangerous thread. Which wouldn't be a big loss after all for the tournament. Italy should have killed the game in the first half against Croatia but failed to do so and in the 2nd half, paid the price cash. Spain easy win over a weak Irish team. Hoping that Ireland will play their best game against the Italians to get at least a point in this Euro. Come on Irish lads!!!

Hoping today that Ibra and Sweden send home a very overrated English team. For us France against Ukraine, it'll be a tough game playing against the home team and a reborn Sheva. Hoping we can emulate the result of the friendly a year ago in Kiev where we beat Ukraine 4-1. Allez les mecs!!!

Post: #48

(06-15-2012 08:23 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Hoping today that Ibra and Sweden send home a very overrated English team.

Overrated?!! Who overrates us? The English media know we won't do anything in this tournament and have stated so and the English fans are expecting nothing except qualification from our group followed by a loss to whoever we face. No we are certainly not overrated except maybe by foreign press who don't know enough about our team.

Post: #49

Live feed to watch the games online free for Sweden-England:
http://atdhenet.tv/47790/watch-ukraine-vs-france
Heja Sverige!!!Go Sweden!

Good match by France, solid display, could have easily scored 2-3 more goals if Nasri, Benz and co were not too greedy...
I'm really starting to like this France team...
Vorkuta,
I should have clarified that I was talking generally speaking. Usually, every half decent English player gets profiled as the next best player in his position and English player get a lot of media hype, specially in the Anglosphere where the English media is omnipotent. England has had over the years some great players but it's this whole air of superiority that the English media like to portray that is disturbing and hence the overrated comment.

Post: #50

Good win by England even tough at times they looked a bit lost that is until Walcott was brought in. For England to do anything in this Euro, Walcott and Carroll have to play from the start. I don't know what's hard to understand for Hogdson here. With Rooney returning for the Ukraine match, it'll be interesting to see England play and see if Rooney will finally delivery at a major international tournament which he has yet to do. If the coach plays Rooney and Walcott, then England can become a potentially dangerous team to face for any team.

For France, I was delighted to see Evra on the bench as Clichy is a much better player. Evra has been more of a liability than anything. Now, if we can only find a good alternative to that clown of Mexes, then we'd be set...

Tomorrow, Russia should beat Greece comfortably and the Poland-Czech Republic will be an interesting one to watch.