So far Turkey have been in front for 2 minutes of play in the whole tournamount. And theyre in the semi finals.

They're a tidy team who look like they lack teeth a little bit, but what heart theyve shown.

The Czech game was unbelievable, but this was something else. Croatia scored with 90 seconds left and the games over - then somehow they get back into it with the last kick of the game... Croatia were always going to struggle to win a penalty shoot out after a blow like that. It's never a way I like to see any game ended, but it is exciting stuff I guess - and it makes heroes and villians. The Turkish keeper redeemed himself with the final save after his howler gave Croatia the lead, and one of the Croats who missed was collapsed on the floor crying sobbing hysterically at the end...

On paper Germany are a better team and the Turks are going to be missing some key players - but the way these boys just refuse to lie down and be beaten - it'd take a brave man to bet against them in any game against any opponent at the moment!

I hope Germany can just improve on their defense and play like they did against Portugal. Metzelder and Mertesacker do a sloppy job :(

Altintop plays for Bayern, doesn't he? Germany has many players from there, so they might know how to keep him in control.

To me Germany and Russia are in the worst form of any teams which made the QF's

Germany were well beaten by Croatia, and were absolutely woeful against a very very poor Austrian team. But every German team always seems to start hitting their stride in the big games. To me Portugal dominated the play in the QF, and made more chances, but Germany took theirs.

Portugal bottled it a bit to be honest, and the one thing you know is that Germany arent going to bottle a big game.

But when you look at the team - Klose is world class, but the guy Gomez who's played with him is probably the worst international footballer I can recall seeing play for a major nation. Both centre backs looks immobile and vulnerable to balls in behond, Lehman is a great shot stopper but with him there's always a risk of a moment of madness. Their midfield are full of solid, technically competent, and physically strong players - and then there's Ballack. He can drift out of games, but when he's up for it he's as dangerous as any attacking midfielder in the world. Germany will be favourites, but I wouldnt rule Turkey out.

Pass me a hit of that crack pipe Strange. Russia was utterly fantastic against Sweden - Arshavin and Pavluchenko were brilliant.

Meanwhile, Italy only got into the 1/4s by virtue of Romania losing to Holland's B team.

Fine - but who would you rather your team was facing in the final?

I'd rather play the current version of Italy - old and without their two best players in Cannavaro and Totti - than play this healthy German team with an in form Ballack and Podolski. Both are questionable at the back, but going forward the Germans seem to have a lot more in the locker.

I want to see germany go foward to the finals. I don't really care against who. against russia would be awesome. but italy would give them a good game.

I live in Vienna and it was just crazy after the game was over. They partied til 5 in the morning. Great atmosphere.

Germany will probably go to the final, as will Italy. Although Netherlands and Spain were the best teams so far.

Russia is much faster than Holland - smart move to sub Kuyt for Van Persie. Too bad Babel is injured and Robben, if he plays, will be a step slower due to injury.

Let's hope for a great finish!

Uggh. This is stressing me out.

EDIT: And dear God, it just gets more stressful...I am glad I have a beer to enjoy.

Ive never seen that before in all the years Ive watched football

SUPERB refereeing - very very brave and 100% correct.

Extra time!

Good job, Ruud - I've got him in my fantasy footy pool!

And I agree, brave decision by the ref - not easy to say you were wrong in front of a couple hundred million viewers.

Yes, I totally agree--there was no foul there, and though I'm obviously not a fan of the Russians, I'd prefer to see good reffing and a clean game regardless--it was clear Kolodin did not deserve that yellow card, and I was pleased to see that the ref took it back.

And Ruud van Nistelrooy has always been one of my faves, highthief--second only to Edwin van der Sar on my personal list.

Its a classic "two counter punchers" type of game - but Russia have done well and probably had the best of the first 90 mins.

Just goes to show, like Germany I guess, form in the group stages doesnt always carry forwards into the big games. (and I dont count beating Sweden - who are an ageing team with one attacking threat who also has the honour of being the most frustrating player in world football - as good form)

Did Netherlands make a mistake by playing their reserves against Romania though?

Russia obviously came into the game on a high, and Netherlands dont seem to have done, despite their great form in the first two group games.

Despite my bias, I absolutely agree with your assessment here. I thought I would see more out of the Dutch team today, but the precision and fire just hasn't been there. It's disappointing. I sincerely hope they get it together.

EDIT - and definitely having the best of extra time...

In the first two games the Dutch got ahead early, and that played into their hands and forced the other team to chase - which played into their counter-attacking style

I think there was always a question how would Holland react when they werent able to play the game at their pace... but I personally didnt think Russia has the team to ask the question.

Some of the defensive frailties that were talked about before the tournament are now there for all to see - but Schnejder really is a wonderful player.

Ive read this morning that Madrid are going to offer him to Man United in part exchange for Cris Ronaldo - would love to see him in the premiership.

This has been downright painful to watch.

___

diabolical defending on the 3rd.

Netherlands have imploded tonight, only 1 team has been in it in extra time and Dutch have disintegrated.

Cant argue with the result.

Also cant believe this is the same Russian team that were in England's qualification group, or got turned over by Spain.

Wow, Russia are impressive. They were able to neutralize Holland pretty well...

You mean the one that beat England 2-1?

:lol:

And the result against Spain - yeah, Spain won but it was nowhere near as lopsided as the scoresheet suggests. That game could have easily been a draw.

Russia are playing to their strengths - speed and energy and Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko. They are young, they almost all play for the same handful of Russian clubs and know one another well.

I wonder how many bids will be made by big clubs in England, Spain, Germany and Italy for some of these Russian tyros? That Kolodin can hit a football.

Fantastic extra time. The Russians deserve to win the Cup, if it comes to that. It seems hard to predict anything this time. If anyone had told me that Turkey and Russia will make it to the finals, I would have laughed in their faces. Klose has been despairingly out of form, and he can't seem to find his pace with Gomez around. I think only Lahm has been consistent so far of the entire squad: keeps his cool, never seems to suffer from major injuries and avoids making a scene.

Any guesses on tomorrows match, Italy vs Spain?

Dutch team just fell to pieces, and Russia were all over them at the end.

What a tournament though.

Some wonderful play from the Dutch at the start, breathtaking comebacks from the Turks, the emergence of Russia...

Its all starting to look good for the Azzurri for me, but Spain is going to be a tough game, and you can never discount the Germans... and Turkey are playing like their name is on the trophy... and Russia just took Holland apart... so its anyone's game right now!

I'd back Italy right now though, even with a very tough QF to come.

I dont care how bad they play, or how many chances Luca Toni misses (or how slow he moves), how many senior players they miss:- at the business end of a competition they are a very hard team to beat.

Is Gattuso suspended for tomorrows match? A part of me is glad that Cannavaro is out, with him around, no one has any chance of breaking the defense.

I'd like to see Germany beat Turkey. Russia could take on Italy (IF they win) and then Germany might play one of them in the finals.

I'm hoping it's Italy. At the risk of sounding like a fanatic, I hope the Italians don't score like they did in '06 :oogle:

Seeing Russia play like they did today, I wouldn't be surprised if they booted Italy out.

Yeah, Gattuso is out; Pirlo too I think.

I think thats a bit unfair to be honest.

Fair dues, when the tournament started I was dissapointed that England werent there and wasnt looking forward to it, but there have been so many great games - and I havent been going on about how everyone misses England like some English fans. Its disrespectful to the teams that qualified, and we didnt qualify for a simple reason - we didnt win enough games.

But, over two matches against us, Russia were a poor side in the qualification league. Croatia were a better team than England over the games, and Russia werent... but they won through, and they must have deserved to cos they had more points than us - end of story.

They WERE poor against Spain and turgid against a toothless Greek team. I think Sweden were there to get knocked over... but you cant argue with what theyve done tonight... they have turned over the best team in the competition, and this one result marks their emergence on the world scene.

__

But I havent been moaning that England arent in it, ever since this tournament started, Ive just been enjoying the great football.

Not unfair at all - Russia and England split the spoils in qualification. Neither side were consistent, Russia however, got through.

As for the match against Spain, did you actually watch it? I did, pulling for Spain all the way, but I see it much the way the two coaches did and how most media observers did - it was more of a 3-2 game than a 4-1 game. Spain deserved the win, but it was not as resounding as the scoreline suggests.

If Russia had a real predator - a Van Nistleroy type - they'd have scored 50% more goals than they have. But Pavlyuchenko takes half a dozen shots to score one, and that may well be their downfall in this tourney.

Not sure of what Im supposed to make from that... if England has Nistlerooy we would have qualified probably.

Over 180 minutes Russia were a poor team in qualifying, thats all I can tell you - I didnt watch their other games... but I think they qualified off the back of home form.

Didn't watch Russia play either, just caught the highlights the next day. But after I read about how everyone was praising them, I decided to observe them more closely. And I like Guus Hiddink too. :thumbsup:

Yes, you have missed the point ... which is that Russia are a very good team, but their lack of a real hitman is an evident weakness and one that might let them down in the semis or finals if they get that far as a they run into teams who will contain their running better and who will limit their chances. Nothing to do with Ingerland in the slightest.

But thats my point - the Russian team DONT have Nistlerooy.

You can say "add a world class player" to any team in the world, and it will make them better.

If Lionel Messi was Dutch, they might have beaten Russia... but what does it mean?

The lack of a goal scorer after Owen's injury problems is probably the biggest problems the England team have as well - but thats the reality of the situation.

You are still not understanding - my comment is merely an analysis of Russia's abilities. They may have the wheels to win this competition - they are fast and skilled and well coached - but the fact that they lack a goal mouth predator is a potential downfall.

Stop bringing England into this ...

____________________________________________________________

OK, if you prefer, here's my analysis of the remaining teams:

Russia - Pro: fast, skilled, maybe the best coached team, brilliant player in Arshavin.

Con: Untested, young keeper, no out and out striker.


Germany - Pro: Brutally strong and fit, experienced, full of belief.

Con: Slow defence, young coach, main two strikers misfiring, crazy Jens Lehman.


Turkey - Pro: More confidence than anyone after recent results, play cohesively, players well acquainted with one another, experienced coach.

Con: Injuries and suspensions mean a short bench, may be out of gas.


Italy - Pro: Reigning world champs, experienced, the best keeper in the world in Gigi Buffon, know how to win, feared.

Con: Old, missing many key players, questionable coaching.


Spain - Pro: The best collection of individual players on earth, fast, skilled, Villa-Torres combo may be the best in world football, deep bench.

Con: Lack of self-belief, shaky defence that can be exploited by strength and physical play.

The spain-Italy game today will be awesome!!

I predict : Italy 2, spain 1. Italy will score 1st and then spain and near the end, Italy again. No overtime.

Well, it was anything but awesome! Unfortunately, it was probably the worst game of the tourney so far, but we were due for a dog eventually after so many excellent matches.

Glad to see Spain go through - they (usually) play nice football, and we'll see how the rematch with Russia goes. Their first game was much closer than the scoreline suggests and Russia have gained heaps of confidence since.

I have to agree. fucking boring game! I actually fell asleep in the 2nd half.
what a disappointing game.

I liked the game. Note the liked and not loved. I fell asleep too, but that was because it was 1.30 am here. I have managed to stay wide awake only for the games that Germany play. :hyper: :hearts:

Toni was frustrating, missing shots or misfiring them. He and Klose play well for Bayern Munich, and yet they've been flop shows so far.

Italy lost because they didn't have Gattuso, Pirlo and Cannavaro. The rest looked old and tired. Spot-on analysis, highthief. :) Buffon looked out of form during the penalties.

So, Germany vs Turkey.
Russia vs Spain, any guesses?

We could go for a Germany (fingers crossed) vs Spain. Russia and Turkey (especially Turkey) face injuries and suspension issues.

Spain v. Germany final, I hope! Turkey are brave but I don't really, as a fan, want them in the final. Russia have a shot, but for all the press Arshavin gets, they'll be missing Kolodin in the semis and that is going to hurt.

Those fucking Oranje-clad bastards.

Sorry...I'm just really disappointed in their shocking collapse.

Bad luck for the Turks. Injuries and suspensions, rumor has it that they've got only 13-14 people to choose from. :sad:

daylight robbery.

What a shame for the Turkish team.

despite the repeated breakdowns in television imagery, a hell of a game.
it is a shame for turkey.
i was really hoping they'd beat germany.
ah well.

Daylight robbery my foot. :p They all played well. *Dances* Fail for the glitches, I missed the last 3 goals because of that.

So who pulled the worldwide TV plug (several times) on that one? Listening to the Icelandic sportscasters stumbling over their words in shock was pretty funny... "Uh... we are... uh..."

'We apologize for the inconvenience'

Lehmann was creaky. Lahm was brilliant and so were the Turks. :thumbsup:

Turkey are the story of the tournament to me, they can go out with their heads held high.

Germany were awful tonight in patches, but they found a way to win - and as a team thats what they do.

They looked shakey but as if they could come into form against Poland, were outclassed by Croatia, were woeful against an awful Austrian side who wouldnt have qualified for the championships if they had twice as many games as the other teams, had the least of the play but took their chances against Portugal, and again tonight they were outplayed for much of the night, looked dodgy at the back, but they took their chances and found a way to win.

They're the one's in the final, and thats the only stat that matters.

I think a lot of people's perception of Turkish football has been changed by their lads though, and it shows what we always knew about a German national team - however they play - they tend to be in the mix at the business end of a major championship more often than not.

The game lasts 90 minutes and at the end Germany wins :D

OK, now for Spain to do the trick against Russia and we have the sort of final many fans will have been hoping for.

The ref was crap in that Germany-Turkey match - the least Lahm should have gotten was a free kick and possibly a penalty, depending on where contact really was made.

^^What he said.

The German defense absolute rubbish. Lehmann was an ape yesterday (I finally realized why they call him mad). Metzelder and Mertesacker could do a good job. The Turks played much better than what I expected/

I think no matter who goes through from Spain-Russia, there should be goals in the final. None of the 3 teams has a great defence, but all have potent offences. So long as the coaches don't get nervous and adopt an Italian approach, it could be a really sweet final!

Fingers crossed!

Spain lose their most potent striker yet score 3 goals! Did not get to see all the second half, but all the reports suggest it was an excellent performance with Fabregas and Senna especially taking control.

Looks good for Sunday!

^I think Fabregas is the Golden boy in everyone's eyes right now, I;ve been checking a number of football forums.

I missed that last half hour. :( But Spain did play well for what it's worth. I still don't see what the fuss about Arshavin is about. He fizzed out after a couple of good performances. He was practically invisible during the game.

Pity Pavlyuchenko didn't score, he did try his best. i feel so sad for Hiddink.:shakehead:


So, Germany vs Spain. Your take on it, folks. :thumbsup:

Watching the replay, Arshavin really did get shut down a fair bit by Senna - he never got up the head of steam he seems to need to be so productive.

Anyway, civil war is about to break out here - my wife is for Germany and I must pull for my cultural brothers in Spain! I bought her a little present last night in anticipation of difficulties come Sunday!

I have this horrible feeling Germany's going to lose. :shakehead:

i sure hope your gut feeling is correct LOM

*Shakes fist* :mad:

The Spanish players are easy on the eyes though. :bowdown:

Go Spain! :D

GO GERMANY! http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/4499/xcivyxie5.gif

The formbook says it has to be Spain

History says you discount the Germans at your peril

Torres!!!!

i am definitely pulling for spain--i only just got in at the end of the first half--spain looks good---how would you assess the first half (which i missed)?

best team won

no question.

Indeed :). And Germany lost, which is always good ;)

Germany! :mad: They didn't deserve this Cup. Serves them right. Bet Klose was taught a good lesson. He took one for the team.

KURANYI and GOMEZ? What was Loew thinking? If he was looking to take a risk, surely Neuville would have been a better option? They played like buffoons. Horrible defense. Schweinsteiger and Podolski were probably having a picnic in another corner for their involvement in the game.

Jansen :no:

We played only one really good game, the one against Portugal.
The final was crap :(

My German wife is not talking to me at the moment but I'm pretty happy that Spain won - and that El Nino scored the winner. He had been getting into such good positions the goals were going to start coming. He's also one of those guys who plays better as a lone striker than in a partnership.

Credit to Aragones as well - throughout the tourney he made the right subs at the right times, and Spain were great throughout.

Loved the shot of Casilas hugging King Juan Carlos - can't imagine David Beckham giving Queen Liz a bearhug if England were to ever win anything!

i enjoyed the match, even though i missed most of the first half--i thought spain entirely outplayed germany, with the exception of a 10 minute stretch about midway through the 2nd half.

it was however one of those games that looked as though it could have gone another way very easily on a different day. it just didn't today.

I was really hoping Germany would win, as I have this strange liking of Ballack. However, Spain handed the Germans their asses. I haven't been able to catch all the matches throughout the tourney - has the officiating been this weak the whole way through? Regardless, Germany looked slow in the back and uninspired in the attacking half of the field.

Poor Ballack, the man seems destined to lose out on a trophy at the finals. A bottler, perhaps? I would be a shame if he didn't get at least a Player of the Tournament award.

The refereeing wasn't this bad, a lot of talk is going on about this in a number of football forums.

Germany did play well at the beginning. They would've won easily if they had stuck to it. But it was hard to win over the ball once Spain had it. As the game went on, it just got more frustrating with pointless dives and squabbles interrupting the flow.

Also, crazy Lehmann. I finally realized why they call him that.

I think it's safe to put Ballack and Ronaldo in the same league as far as not performing when it's the right time.

just glad that ur gut feeling stuck

thanks LOM ure the best:thumbsup:

http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/a...nn_388281a.jpg

"...and, you know, as far as Cesc goes, I'd like to congratulate him and his club, his country, yadda yadda fuck Almunia, und Ich werstehe nicht warum blah blah..."

North London's gonna miss you, ya big crazy Kraut... believe it or not, we will!

*Shakes fist in fury, once again*

Ballack was the only one playing to win, though he did get desperate and went on a fouling spree towards the end. I couldn't imagine putting him in the same class as that cheat.

@echo5delta: Click here for Mad Jens

With no football on TV, I feel like my life has entered a void. :oogle: Can't wait for the Premiership to start.

It was a great championships.

Spain were the best team over the whole thing, although Netherlands gave us some wonderful football, and Turkey some wonderful moments.

I still remember the Czech game, I was literally shaking all over after it finished.. they had NO right to win that game.

Then against Croatia... poor game, Croatia win it with a minute left... one desperate hoof up the pitch and the Turks put it in the back of the net with the last kick of the game.

They arent the best team, but what spirit!

To be honest if you offered that England had 20% less talent and 80% of the fighting spirit of that Turkish team - I'd take it in a second

EDIT - And Lehman is just one of the keepers.. you take the upside with the downside... he is a wonderful shotstopper, but always prone to a moment of bad judgment. You could pick someone safer, or you can pick Lehman who will get to an extra 3% of saves that no one else will, but will also panic the defense and give away the odd goal with a moment of madness.

England have been in the same situation since Seamen retired with Calamity James. Easily the best keeper in the country, but always that calamity is around the corner...

There were some great keepers on show, Buffon, the Turkish first choice keeper, Van der Saar, and the Polish lad (who was probably the best keeper in the whole thing)