Laugh-O-Matic

I had no idea about the grudge. I disliked Italy for the fact that they beat Germany in the WC.

Spain played well, hat trick by Villa. the Greece vs Sweden match is a tad frustrating, many goals off target and the like.

Also, Christian Wilhelmsson got kicked in the tush by a Greek, and Ibrahimovic got it in the nuts. :

__________________
How you bore me, Florrie,
With those eyes of vacant blue;
You'll be very sorry, Florrie
If I marry you.
Though I'm easy-goin', Florrie,
This I swear is true,
I'll throw you down a quarry, Florrie,
If I marry you. - Saki.

highthief

Spain looked really good - Villa and Torres really clicked. Iniesta, Puyol, Fabregas and Senna also played well. Could this be the year they ditch their underperforming label?

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

Strange Famous

Turkey - Switzerland

farcical first half and game probably should have been called off. Turkey deserved to win because they were the ony team trying to play football... it was entertaining stuff I suppose, but two poor teams on the night.

__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

highthief

Loved the first Swiss goal but I think the Czechs will feel good about getting past Turkey after a good performance against the Portuguese.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

abaya

Well, the rain created some pretty shit conditions... not that it's any excuse, but talk about weighing down the game. Looked like they were all on a giant Slip-n-Slide or something.

Nice last-minute goal by Turkey, though... I was sure it was going to be a tie. And what was up with the Turkish guy bleeding from a head-wound, getting hauled off the pitch, and then just going right back out with a bandage wrap? Pretty funny/amazing, not sure which.

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

MexicanOnABike

I thought it was a great game! It was just a bit weird to watch the ball come to a stop whenever it touched the ground because of the rain. KEEP on playing!!

hopefully the games tomorrow will be great.

__________________

- Movie Reviews - Ratings-

Laugh-O-Matic

Croatia seem to be pretty confident and gutsy about playing against Germany. And everyone's raving about Modric, so they might get a goal if they're incredibly lucky, but I think Germans own the game tonight

Poland will probably beat Austria.

__________________
How you bore me, Florrie,
With those eyes of vacant blue;
You'll be very sorry, Florrie
If I marry you.
Though I'm easy-goin', Florrie,
This I swear is true,
I'll throw you down a quarry, Florrie,
If I marry you. - Saki.

Min

Oh, it is so good to be around people that are enjoying the Cup matches. I live in a wilderness of non-football loving Philistines.


I am not cheering for any specific team, I don't have any loyalties, I am only hoping for damn fine games to be played.

I rarely have the opportunity to watch a match, so I know nothing of histories, rivalries or major players.

Thank you all for sharing your knowledge.

abaya

You mean the United States?

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

highthief

I think that's what is good about the Euros - overall, the skill level is higher than at the World Cup, so you do get to see some great action. The goals scored by Podolski for Germany, Snejder for Holland, Villa for Spain and Ibramhimovic for Sweden have been fantastic, and some of the passing and counter-attacks sublime.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

Glory's Sun

Germany will destroy Croatia.

highthief

What, again? Right after Poland, too. And Austria is involved. I remember this sequence of events from history somewhere ...

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

Glory's Sun

You're pretty funny for a scouse

highthief

We're known as a jovial and friendly people who speak a vaguely Indo-European dialect.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

Glory's Sun

Boy was I wrong.

Ballack looked like a pure bum on the pitch.

Strange Famous

you'll struggle to see a worse decision this tournament than that from Howard Webb...

__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

chucktaylor

Well... I watched the matches today and... whats up with germany? Could they have played any worse? Not that I'm a really big fan, I'd just like to see them reaching the quarters cause somehow theres a special thrill involved while watching my own nation play. Besides that I just wanna see some good football (not that greece-sweden crap).
Oh, and the referee from the Poland-Austria match did a really, REALLY bad job! Clear offside goal for poland, missed to give a penalty kick to austria (yeah, he gave one in the added time, but probably just because he had a guilty consience. That was not necessary) It should have been 2-0 for Austria. At least 1-0
And I would like to add my favourite Lukas Podolski quote:
"Football is like chess without dice!"

__________________
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.
Sir Winston Churchill

There are three things, which cannot be united: Intelligence, decentness and national socialism. One can be intelligent and Nazi. Then one is not decent. One can be decently and Nazi. Then one is not intelligent. And one can be decent and intelligent. Then one is not a Nazi.
Gerhard Bronner

Laugh-O-Matic

I only wish I could make my face look like this --> WTF was going on with them? Marcell Jansen screwed it all up!

@guccilvr> Forget Ballack. Klose (who is The Invisible Man on field), Gomez and Metzelder were playing one hell of a miserable game! Gah, if only I could out into words how badly the Germans played yesterday. *Shakes fist*

Right, they played like Blackburn Rovers, if you could take Croatia as one of the high profile clubs. And talk about the card fest in the last few minutes. Bastian Schweinsteiger did try to create some chances and stirred up the game a bit, and looked very desirable to me for some reason. Must be the funky hairdo.

Anyone noticed that they played 7 Nations Army by The White Stripes?

BTW, EA sports says Portugal will win


Good one

__________________
How you bore me, Florrie,
With those eyes of vacant blue;
You'll be very sorry, Florrie
If I marry you.
Though I'm easy-goin', Florrie,
This I swear is true,
I'll throw you down a quarry, Florrie,
If I marry you. - Saki.

Glory's Sun

yeah all the color at the end of the Germany game was a bit annoying. Not that it wasn't deserved, but yeah it's annoying.

I tend to agree with EA sports on this one. After all, Portugal does have the "cheater" Ronaldo who you know.. really has no skill other than winking

Laugh-O-Matic

I detect sarcasm!
Looks like Big Phil's been brainwashing Ronaldo to leave ManU. At 180,000+ per week, who wouldn't?

The Italy vs Romania is a decent game so far. Plenty of chances and shots on target for both sides. Toni's was was disallowed due to offside. I'll be missing the Oranje vs Les Bleus match tonight, but hopefully Henry'll work some of his magic.

__________________
How you bore me, Florrie,
With those eyes of vacant blue;
You'll be very sorry, Florrie
If I marry you.
Though I'm easy-goin', Florrie,
This I swear is true,
I'll throw you down a quarry, Florrie,
If I marry you. - Saki.

snowy

Wow, I can't believe the Dutch scored only 9 minutes in. Amazing.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Min

Yes, I live in the United States. It gets worse.
I live in the Southern United States that only acknowledges American football, baseball and basketball as 'real sports'.
It is a sign when the networks I watch the matches play more European ones than any from the MLS.

snowy

You should consider relocating to the Pacific Northwest...soccer is incredibly popular here. During the last World Cup many bars here opened early so that people could watch the matches with others despite the time difference.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

highthief

Yeah, that Dirk Kuyt - a lot of fans give him stick at Liverpool but I thnk he is really a quality player. And his hard work gave him 2 assists in the first game and a goal in this one.

Oh, my! Arjen Robben - what an unbelievable goal! With him and Van Persie in form coming off the bench, the Dutch really have some depth.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

snowy

Wow, what a game! I can't believe it. Sneijder's goal during stoppage time just blew my mind. And Robben's goal seemed so unlikely--the angle was so strange--but well done. And he set up that shot for van Persie so nicely.

I'm sooo happy my team will be moving on, and they look so sharp; I hope they continue to play so well.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Strange Famous

Another great counter attacking perfromance from the Dutch

France will look at the game and see that they did a lot of things right and made chances, but the Dutch team is just full of goals.

I havent seen a lot of him before, but the lad with the no 10 Jersey who plays inside left, Schnejder, is a hell of a player... lovely finish for the 4th goal, and he looked pure class in both games so far - he's a very good player.

The Dutch defence still looks like they can be vulnerable, but when they have so much going forward its gonna take a big performance from someone to beat them.


The thing about Robben is he just gets his head down and runs at people, and he has pace and good close control, and that always makes him a threat.

His attitude and injury proneness have always be an issue, but when he is full stride he's a dangerous player, especially against an ageing defence when the game is breaking down.

It was a good delivery to set up Van Persie, but to be honest Gallas made it pretty easy for him by deciding to stand still on the penalty spot rather than closing the gap between the keeper and the winger.

__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

Min

I figured that the Northwest and Northeast were the places to go to find a fellow fan base, at least of MLS teams.
I have considered moving to the Northwest since high school, dreaming of attending Reed.

During the World Cup my boss was ever so kind to permit me to watch the games while I worked. That's a great favour for a line cook.

These last two days of games have been incredible. Heck, I do have some Dutch friends and there seems to be a nice representation here, so I shall cheer for Oranje!

Laugh-O-Matic

I wish I had caught that match, my friends told me it was a beauty.

Italy, France and Germany, who were excellent at the WC 06 are awful now.

__________________
How you bore me, Florrie,
With those eyes of vacant blue;
You'll be very sorry, Florrie
If I marry you.
Though I'm easy-goin', Florrie,
This I swear is true,
I'll throw you down a quarry, Florrie,
If I marry you. - Saki.

chucktaylor

Hey! Don't forejudge germany theres still one game coming up against austria, so nothings lost yet. They know they can do better (lets just hope they will )
France-Oranje really was a beauty. Best game I've seen in this tournament. Looks like the Dutch could really make it (my new favourite )

__________________
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.
Sir Winston Churchill

There are three things, which cannot be united: Intelligence, decentness and national socialism. One can be intelligent and Nazi. Then one is not decent. One can be decently and Nazi. Then one is not intelligent. And one can be decent and intelligent. Then one is not a Nazi.
Gerhard Bronner

Strange Famous

To be honest, although France were not great against Romania, they didnt play badly against Netherlands.

They had a 50/50 penalty shout and Henry missed a sitter - a couple of 50/50's gone the other way and the game would have had a different result... was a great game though.

France's problem is at the back... Thurame looked old and Gallas looked out of position, Makele's powers are failing... and they have lost their leader and havent quite replaced him yet.

Italy are also missing most of their first choice back 4... and lets not forget that Romania are a very tidy and good footballing team, they arent mugs.

Its a classic group of death, and really there's no shame in any team in that group losing to any other. Romania are in the top 20 teams in the world, and its really not exactly a shock to see them get a result against anyone.

The same with Croatia. People were making out that the Croats beating Germany was a huge shock... Croatia are a very good team, full of team spirit and every player confident on the ball, lead by a fantastic manager... Germany were favourites, but losing to Croatia is not exactly a shock result for any team in the world.

__

Saying, that I have been impressed with Netherlands.

The number 2 impresses me, he's a bit of a big lummux, but he gets stuck in and shows courage and heart; world class kepper, Nistelrooy has lead the line brilliantly, van der Baart looks a good player, and the big guy who plays defensive midfield looks very effective. van Bronkhurst might not be the most solid defender in the world, but he is undoubted world class, and from what I have seen Schnejder looks like a wonderful player. Not just his goals, but the quick and neat passes he plays countless times, wonderful first touch, wonderful confidence on the ball... very good player, dont know how come Ive never seen him play before!

Other than defensive mistakes (and 3 of the Dutch goals were the result of poor French defending), they key was the way the Dutch controlled the pace of the game. They all pass the ball well. And finally it looks like they have a side that is united and playing together.

__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

chucktaylor

I think the much bigger shock was seeing none of the players living up to their potential. Almost everyone in the german team (excepting Phillip Lahm) did a very bad Job. But they seem pretty confident to rise up again and beat austria to make the quarters.

__________________
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.
Sir Winston Churchill

There are three things, which cannot be united: Intelligence, decentness and national socialism. One can be intelligent and Nazi. Then one is not decent. One can be decently and Nazi. Then one is not intelligent. And one can be decent and intelligent. Then one is not a Nazi.
Gerhard Bronner

Strange Famous

well played Turkey.

They arent gonna win the thing, but they are a good footballing team who play the game the right way. Great team spirit to come back tonight.

__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

highthief

What a crazy finish to a match! And what a blunder by Cech ... for those who suggest he's better than Buffon, just watch the replay. Either catch it or punch it away!

And nice to see the Swiss get a win, too. The Portuguese don't really have the depth to field a B team and get away with it. Without Deco, Ronaldo, Simao, Gomes et al, they looked pretty ordinary.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

Laugh-O-Matic

Scholari was probably benching the top players so that they'll be in good shape for the more crucial matches

@highthief: I'm with you on that one. Buffon is far better than Cech, that penalty save against Romania was classic. I don't think Cech would have saved it. Casillas is excellent too, though he hasn't been in danger on the field so far.

Germany has a better lineup, Podolski will be playing, along with Thomas Hitzlsperger and Tim Borowski. Predictably, Gomez has been dropped. I saw some of the World Cup videos, Germany really did play a wonderful game. Klose and Podolski backup each other better than anyone else. Let's hope Klose plays against Austria like did before.

Does anyone have a clip of Hitzlsperger speaking in English? I want to hear his peculiar accent.

@StrangeFamous: The football coverage here is abysmal, just the EPL/BPL, UEFA and qualifiers, and a few of the La Liga matches (Madrid and Barca... Valencia to an extent). It's cricket, cricket, cricket. And cricket. So I always assumed that Brazil, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, France, England, Argentina and Netherlands are the big guns of football. And since many players from these countries (not many from Italy) play for clubs in England, I was more familiar with them.

__________________
How you bore me, Florrie,
With those eyes of vacant blue;
You'll be very sorry, Florrie
If I marry you.
Though I'm easy-goin', Florrie,
This I swear is true,
I'll throw you down a quarry, Florrie,
If I marry you. - Saki.

Glory's Sun

It would appear that Total Football is indeed back..


Anyway.. bravo to the Turks. I wonder though, if they had fallen behind 3-0 if they would have had the same spirit?

Inside I was happy watching Cech have a rough go of it. Fuck Chelski
It was a pretty wild finish, I certainly know that.

Laugh-O-Matic

this is what I've gathered so far.

If Poland beat Croatia, and Austria beat Germany by 3-4 goals, Poles qualify, right? If the worst case scenario, what would the Austrians need to qualify?

__________________
How you bore me, Florrie,
With those eyes of vacant blue;
You'll be very sorry, Florrie
If I marry you.
Though I'm easy-goin', Florrie,
This I swear is true,
I'll throw you down a quarry, Florrie,
If I marry you. - Saki.

Strange Famous

Miss of the decade in the first half!

__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

Laugh-O-Matic

Gomez!

I felt sorry for France, watching them loose miserably to Italy.

__________________
How you bore me, Florrie,
With those eyes of vacant blue;
You'll be very sorry, Florrie
If I marry you.
Though I'm easy-goin', Florrie,
This I swear is true,
I'll throw you down a quarry, Florrie,
If I marry you. - Saki.

highthief

Without a serious retool, bet France don't qualify for the next World Cup. Thuram and Makelele just announced their retirement, Viera, Trez and Henry can't be far behind.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

roachboy

france-italy was a dismal match for anyone who is a fan of the french team.
by which i mean that i found it dismal.
fortunately, the evening held other sporting events in store which cheered me up. (yay celtics)

btw the french press, across the board, is calling for domenach's head over this performance. i don't blame them. poor selections, poor decisions, and an apparent inability to motivate the players he did select. he's history.

__________________
a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle
spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear

it make you sick.

-kamau brathwaite