Euro 2008

[Louis VI the Fat]

Wow...

Strange as it may seem, I was pleased with les Bleus. They did most of what I wanted them to do. They gave it their best. They played with passion, urgency and determination, right until the last minute! Even if that last bit of finesse was absent - little triangles, cool combinations - they did me proud.
I would not have brought on Gomis maybe, nor Anelka. Benzema it should have been.
We missed that little bit of luck too. A penalty that wasn't given, a devastating attack right after getting the game back up to 2-1, Henry -great though he was - who still lacked some accuracy in front of goal, etcetera.

But this game was about something else. Over the last decade I have seen France play against the Brazilians, the Portuguese, the Spanish, the English, the Italians, the Croats. I've seen it all, great clashes, great games, gifted opponents.

But what I have not witnessed was an opponent that outclasses France on sheer technical prowess. Players, who are simply better, more gifted. This Orange is phenomenal. The greatest team France has met in the modern age.

[LeftEyeNine]

Even if that last bit of finesse was absent - little triangles, cool combinations - they did me proud.

I hate to tell a French that France's offensive success' over recent years was due to that underlying MAJOR tactic -triangles, one-twos and players that break through-.

Thanks to Domenech, with some of the most rapid wingers of all-time France, we are yet to see any of this which can produce Orange-like results for France.

Gah.

[PBI]

Wow...

Strange as it may seem, I was pleased with les Bleus. They did most of what I wanted them to do. They gave it their best. They played with passion, urgency and determination, right until the last minute! Even if that last bit of finesse was absent - little triangles, cool combinations - they did me proud.
I would not have brought on Gomis maybe, nor Anelka. Benzema it should have been.
We missed that little bit of luck too. A penalty that wasn't given, a devastating attack right after getting the game back up to 2-1, Henry -great though he was - who still lacked some accuracy in front of goal, etcetera.

But this game was about something else. Over the last decade I have seen France play against the Brazilians, the Portuguese, the Spanish, the English, the Italians, the Croats. I've seen it all, great clashes, great games, gifted opponents.

But what I have not witnessed was an opponent that outclasses France on sheer technical prowess. Players, who are simply better, more gifted. This Orange is phenomenal. The greatest team France has met in the modern age.

Methinks you have been talking to too many British people, Louis. We're the ones who are supposed to be pleased about how we got thrashed but "played well" and "showed character".

[Ser Clegane]

Spain - Sweden 2 - 1
Russia - Greece 2 - 1

[Adrian II]

But what I have not witnessed was an opponent that outclasses France on sheer technical prowess. Players, who are simply better, more gifted.

As always I like your analysis, Louis. The sheer physical prowess of all the Dutch players isn't in doubt, they lost very few duels on that. The technical prowess isn't spread equally well. Only a few have this 'teflon' quality that makes them appear untouchable. Van de Sar, Van Nistelrooy, Robben and Kuyt certainly have it. Robben displayed it when he made his brilliant solo goal. You can see it in the run-up to Van Persie's goal, too. Van Nistelrooy makes an otherworldly flick in left field that takes care of three French defenders and sends away Robben virtually unchallenged, who then passes to Van Persie in front of the goal. All textbook, except that incredible flick.

I think I know where that little flick comes from. It can not be taught, exercised or drilled. It is the result of kids playing street soccer from the age of six or seven upwards, day in, day out. That's where very young players develop the neural tissue and spatial orientation needed for such moves. The Brazilians used to be past masters as it, because football is totally integrated with street culture there and it is played in impossible spaces and on terrible gravel plots where technical control is everything. Fortunately this culture isn't yet lost in The Neds, or so it seems. Van Nistelrooy certainly has it.

But yeah, respect for the Bleus. They always had exceptional character, and they haven't lost it. They gave it their best as if this were the final.

[Geoffrey S]

Van Nistelrooy makes an otherworldly flick in left field that takes care of three French defenders and sends away Robben virtually unchallenged, who then passes to Van Persie in front of the goal. All textbook, except that incredible flick.

That was in my opinion the most beautiful moment of the match. We were all watching him being surrounded, then suddenly there's that flick and the field is wide, wide open for Robben and Van Persie. Barely a Frenchman in sight. It was clear ten seconds before the ball actually hit the net that it would be a goal, and everyone was ecstatic.

[InsaneApache]

I'd better pull my socks up here before a certain small bear roars off into the dist......

Here goes..

Spain 3:0 Sweden

Russia 1:0 Greece

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

Match Day 8:

Spain 2 - 0 Sweden

Russia 1 - 1 Greece

[LeftEyeNine]

Sweden 1-1 Spain

Greece 1-0 Russia

Spain is no big team yet. And Greece are sure to grab some points from one of the "almost-nothing" teams of the tournament.

[Adrian II]

Sweden 1-1 Spain

Greece 1-0 Russia

Spain is no big team yet. And Greece are sure to grab some points from one of the "almost-nothing" teams of the tournament.

Russia can play offensive football. It's not pretty. But it is offensive football. Greece can't - which doesn't mean it is going to be a pretty sight either.

[Afonso I of Portugal]

I think I know where that little flick comes from. It can not be taught, exercised or drilled. It is the result of kids playing street soccer from the age of six or seven upwards, day in, day out. That's where very young players develop the neural tissue and spatial orientation needed for such moves. The Brazilians used to be past masters as it, because football is totally integrated with street culture there and it is played in impossible spaces and on terrible gravel plots where technical control is everything. Fortunately this culture isn't yet lost in The Neds, or so it seems. Van Nistelrooy certainly has it.

At last!!! i see someone who understand the reasons for Brazilian wold cup superiority and Portugal's past years success. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo or Ronaldinho, among many others (almost the entire teams, actualy) came from that street culture and that explain individual skills and ball possession. Usualy both Portugal and Brazil have a lot of ball possession in their matches and that can also explain Dutch failures against both.
But in this Dutch team, teamwork is amazing and together with very good individual skills makes them the main favourite for this trophy. Playing like these, i think this time The Neds can easily win over Portugal...

[Fragony]

Lest we never forget

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKXq7xcnkis

hehe that was fun

[Adrian II]

Lest we never forget

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKXq7xcnkis

hehe that was fun

[Louis VI the Fat]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if we had Portugal - Neths for a final this time. Hopefully, it will be a better match than two years ago. Last World Cup both teams wasted their considerable talent on too much nonsense. If the Portuguese hadn't mistaken the semi-final for an Olympic diving contest, the final would've been theirs.

Spain 2 - 1 Sweden
Greece 0 - 1 Russia


Still recovering from last night's game. Biggest defeat in a competetive match since before I was born. The defensive duo of Gallas and Thuram were too vulnerable.
*cries for Mexes*
No wait, Domenech didn't bring him.

If the Dutch decide to lose the last game, or play their reserves, it's all over for France. Bah.

[Fragony]

Biggest defeat in a competetive match since before I was born.

Well it is the greatest team in the universe and surroundings.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Sure Bet: France - Netherlands 2-2
Sure Bet: Romania - Italy 3-0

Well that was expensive.

Mind over passion sometimes, Louis, damnit. There's a time for the heart and a time for the mind.

But I'm making up for it with brilliant footy knowledge! :

Spain 2 - 1 Sweden
Greece 0 - 1 Russia

~~~

Are we in for some great final day matches! Czech - Turkey, Germany - Austria (!), Sweden - Russia. And maybe France - Italy. Such a pity that this last game hinges on what the Dutch will do, or it would be a classic. Dormirnech should play me and Mehphistophilis, we know just how to approach this game...

Match Day 9

Switzerland - Portugal 0-1
Czech Republic - LEN Republic 1-1 And penalty shootout!


I haven't thought this long about match results before as for these two matches. I really don't know.

Portugal has got nothing to play for, and the Swiss will give it their best. But the difference in quality may be simply to great. Although any result seems quite possible.

Czech - Turkey could go either way as well, for any number of reasons.

[Decker]

Dang! I didn't do the Spain game What a bummer for Sweden at the end tho

Russia 2-1 Greece

[Limbs]

Sigh, horrible match I'd say. I guess that's what happens when the entire strategy is dependant on one player (zlatan). The beginning of the match was a disgrace also, like watching tree trunks trying to cover their respective areas by putting down roots rather than pressing enemy players or blocking passes, consequently giving Spain free reign far into our defence. Spain won that one fairly, still frustrating match to watch though, especially when the spanish team seemed to be far from their prime. It's as it allways is with Sweden and championships, coincidental goals, no drive, and and a long, slow but certain death.

The only thing left to do now is to hope for second place (not that the team on the whole deserves even that) in the group and to be beaten out of the competition by Holland like last time.

[InsaneApache]

...

[Adrian II]

Bloody hell, tomorrow is hard to say. This old fox still knows his game, but during a European Championship the Gods of football drink themselves into a stupor and no priestess is able to channel their will. Portugal will win, but probably in a lacklustre game (it takes two to make a good team tango). The Czechs will beat sturdy LENnistan, but barely, for somewhat similar reasons.

Day 9
Final prediction

Switzerland 0:1 Portugal

Czech Republic 2:1 Turkey

[Geoffrey S]

I love this commentating.

[Adrian II]

I love this commentating.

God, that idiot again... he should be shot in a ditch, his possessions burnt and his children sold into slavery in some third world country. Not Bergkamp, the commentator.

Geoffrey, please stop destroying the illusion that the Dutch are in the big league and are not the emotional and intellectual midgets that we really are. You can still be 'uitgeburgerd', you know...

[Afonso I of Portugal]

Lest we never forget

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKXq7xcnkis

hehe that was fun

Fun? it was a shame for both teams!

But your right, we shouldn't forget some butchers...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIYHDU2b7DM

[Fragony]

Oh common you won, Portugal was a dirty chief as well

[PBI]

Right, Sunday's games:

Match Day 9:

Czech Republic 1-2 Turkey

Switzerland 2-1 Portugal



Czech Republic haven't done anything like enough to justify a quarter final spot so I pick the more energetic Turks to just edge it to take second place in the group. In the other game, Portugal have already qualified and it is the last chance for the Swiss to take some points since they are already eliminated so I expect them to go all-out against a weakened Portugal side and get a victory for pride.

[DukeofSerbia]

Not bad match, but still average.

Spain defense is poor without Puyol.

Dutch referee Pieter Vink could easily whistle a penalty kick on the end of half time...

Sweden can win [as Puyol is out] if they would play more aggressively in attack phase.

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

Matchday 9:

Portugal 3 - 0 Switzerland

Turkey 1 - 1 Czech Republic

[PBI]

So I'm making steady progress up the table thanks to a few good predictions over the past couple of days; Grizzly's miles ahead though, and alas there are no England to lose on penalties and lose him all his points.

OK my choices for Monday:

Austria 1-3 Germany

Croatia 1-1 Poland



These final group games are tricky to predict, the presence of already-qualified teams is always a wildcard. Sometimes they rest their squad and field the reserves, but sometimes they use the confidence from winning the two opening games to get a clean sweep, which surely is a better omen for the knockout stages than losing your last game. I'm not sure which way Croatia will go, so I'm going to fence sit and say they have enough quality to put one past the Poles, but the Poles' extra drive will be enough for them to get one too. Meanwhile I predict Germany to bounce back from the Croatia game (they never seem to stay demoralized for long) and outclass the Austrians; they do look dangerously flimsy at the back though, so I predict Austria to put one past them. Thus, Croatia to win the group with Germany second; not a day for sure bets though.

I have a question though; anyone know of a team losing a meaningful group game going on to win the tournament?

[Adrian II]

I have a question though; anyone know of a team losing a meaningful group game going on to win the tournament?

Off the top of my head I would say Germany, German and Germany. Pick any major tournament of the last thirty years. Okay, they didn't go on to win most tournaments, but they would do very well toward the end.