healer

I couldn't watch any of the games last night because mandy and I were going over the menu for the wedding. The football had to come second.

I was very happy to see the Netherlands bench beat Romania, and the French got their asses handed to them. I was, however, looking forward to a Netherlands - Germany final but my prediction is that they'll meet in the semi's.

As always, Go Oranje!

__________________

Laugh-O-Matic

I love you for believing that Germany could make it to the semi's/finals.


Let's hope they beat Portugal first.

__________________
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

I have no love for Portugal, but they do look the better side than Germany - faster, more skilled, better coached. I'd rather the Germans win, but short of breaking Ronaldo's and Deco's legs, I'm not sure they've got enough in their locker.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

Glory's Sun

I have to agree. Portugal is clicking. The Germans are a bit weak. Also, doesn't the German coach have a sideline ban for this game?? That has to be a huge distraction for the Germans. I'll take Portugal 2-0 with Ronaldo scoring in the second half.

Laugh-O-Matic

Germany 3-2 Portugal. WHAT A SPECTACULAR GAME!

@guccilvr: Your boy Ronaldo fell down, paused and then started moaning his soul out, clutching his leg. I call cry baby.

Deco, played well, so did Posinga and Nani. Great saves by Ricardo. One of the best matches so far, apart from the Turkey vs CR one.
And from the German side, hats off to Lehmann, Lahm and Schweinsteiger, heck the whole team, I love 'em! Poldi was invisible for most of the game though, and during his long range attempt, he did look a bit peaky.
<BR>

__________________
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.

Bees

Wow what a match!
Of the five goals I think four were off headers.

__________________
The sands of time past keep shifting according to how we remember or forget or refashion it in hindsight, which is no sight at all.
Kajal Basu

highthief

Glad Germany won, although it did me no good in my fantasy footy pool as I figured Portugal would take it - my half-German bride, however, is snickering at me, as she had a boatload of Germans in her line up.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

snowy

I was glad to see the Germans win this one; it will make the semis much more interesting to me.

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

Strange Famous

Winning games they dont deserve to is what the Germans do and have done for the last 40 years.

Portugal were never in it

__________________
"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

Why would you say that? They bossed Portugal around and took advantage of their physical superiority.

They were worthy winners today.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

Laugh-O-Matic

Huh? I wouldn't know about the older games, but Germany have been playing well since the last World Cup. As hightheif said, they did make the best of the current situation and held up well under pressure since they were facing the match favorites. I've been supporting them only since 2002, and I wouldn't if they were a bunch of cheats. They have been more or less consistent though they never seem to make it to the finals.

Germany exceeded my expectations in yesterdays match (except for flaws in defense), they hardly let Ronaldo get the ball. Good to see Klose coming back on form. That goal was more like the ones he always scores.

@highthief: I bet on Germany in the JVC predictor

__________________
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.

mandy

GO SCHWEINSTEIGER!!! Last night, he was the MAN!!!

and the only reason i backed them last night, was cos i have very strong feelings of dislike for the Portugese team...they play dirty!!!

I LOVE THE NETHERLANDS...always have.

i would like a Netherlands vs Germany final..., i predicted that from the begining.

but a semi will do i guess...both teams deserve to at least go through to the semi, well, now Germany is there already but yeah...

last nights game was off the chain!!!

__________________
The Imagination equips us to see a reality we have yet to create

Glory's Sun

The Germans really took advantage of their height. They finally put together a match that made them look like.. well.. Germany.

Fucking Ronaldo. Such a talent.. and to recover that fast after rolling on the ground 3 times.. I don't know whether to love him or hate him. Guess I'll find my answer soon enough.

Nani sucked. He wasted golden opportunities.

highthief

I believe the name SCHWEINSTEIGER means "pig mounter" in German.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

Laugh-O-Matic

We can expect one hell of a game if it comes to that Agree with you on the cheating bit.

@highthief: Schwein means pig, but I didn't know Steiger meant mounter.

EDIT: Ok, I Googled it, looks like Pig Mounter and Pig Riser are some probable translations. Hog farmer is more practical though.

__________________
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.

roachboy

extra time just ended in the turkey-croatia match.
pretty amazing...and while i don't understand where the extra extra time came from, the turkish goal to tie was impressive.

into penalty.


a few minutes later: wow. turkey is through. they'll be missing a bunch of players against germany, but it'd be good to see germany loose to turkey, dont you think?

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

it make you sick.

-kamau brathwaite

Strange Famous

well, these Turkish boys just dont know when theyre beaten!

__________________
"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

dlish

great game. a bit sloppy but the 2 x last minute goals made up for it.

__________________
An injustice anywhere, is an injustice everywhere

I always sign my facebook comments with ()()===========(}. Does that make me gay?
- Filthy

highthief

Damn, that's 3 games in a row for literally last minute heroics for Turkey.

And it looks like Croatia has been taking lessons from England in how to take penalties!

Too bad - Bilic's team was looking pretty good for a while, but I think their lack of an out and out striker came back to bite them in the butt.

Now for the tasty weekend games - Holland-Russia and Spain-Italy!

Yeah, but "pig mounter" is funnier!

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

chucktaylor

I think it'd be good to see germany taking Turkey as an appetizer before the great dinner in the finale against Holland. *yamyamyam*

Nah, seriously, I don't think they're loosing against Turkey. After the great game against Portugal theres no one left who could stop 'em except for Holland. Also the Turks are a far less experienced team than germany. You just have to watch out for them in the last minutes or they could turn the whole game upside down.

__________________
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

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!

__________________
"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

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.

__________________
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

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.

__________________
"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

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.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

Strange Famous

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

__________________
"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

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.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

MexicanOnABike

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.

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- Movie Reviews - Ratings-

Wally Balls

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.

highthief

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!

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

snowy

Uggh. This is stressing me out.

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

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

Strange Famous

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

SUPERB refereeing - very very brave and 100% correct.

__________________
"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

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.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.

snowy

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.

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

Strange Famous

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.

__________________
"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

snowy

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.

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

Strange Famous

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.

__________________
"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

snowy

This has been downright painful to watch.

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

Strange Famous

___

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.

__________________
"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

ktspktsp

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

highthief

You mean the one that beat England 2-1?



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.

__________________
Si vis pacem parabellum.