Euro 2004 Football discussion

[johnsemlak]

What would people say is the goal of the tournament so far?

My vote would be Larssen's acrobatic header in his first goal against Bulgaria, and possibly Ibrahimovic's goal against Italy (both Sweden goals, I just realized).

Zidane's near-successful pass off his back heel against Croatia would have been a sure goal of hte tournament had Gallas (I think it was him) been able to connect.

I never like to rate free kicks in these sort of things, but Zidane's shot against England was stunning as well.

 

[johnsemlak]

Today, Greece-Russia and Spain Portugal.

Grr, I can't watch the Spain-Portugal match live. Two good teams and a lot to play for, that should be an exciting one.

It looks like either Spain or Portugal are not going to advance, either team will be shocked for sure.

 

[MonsterMash]

Out of the goals I've seen Van Nistelroy's against Germany sticks in my mind, not just because of the goal itself, but because of its importance.

Pressure on the Portugese team must be enourmous tonight.

 

[Asmo]

Spain is out.
Once again a very defensive team is punished by an offensive one. I´m really glad that Portugal pulled through tonight.
And Greece made it to the quarterfinals with that single goal against Russia!
Awesome!

Asmo

 

[AGGEMAM]

I learned a few words in spanish today because I saw the match with two of my spanish friends. Appearantly the spanish coach is called puto, which is strange because I thought he his name was Saiz.


I don't know why Spain thought they could play on a draw .. you can't expect to do that against a team that has to win and will kill themselves trying. So I'm actually glad they got kicked *looking over my shoulder to see if either of my friends watch what I write*

 

[DarkMaster]

Great victory for Portugal, I am very happy. The streets were full of greeks and portugese this afternoon with their flags on their cars honking everybody. I would have prefer to see the spanish go on, but when you play for the draw against the host nation you should lose. It was a great game till the end.

 

[johnsemlak]

OK, judgement time for France, England, Croatia and Switzerland

MonsterMash summarized the situation as follows:

Well with Group B now the last matches should be interesting:
England Wins France Wins - France and England through
England Wins France Draw - England and France through
England Wins France Lose - England and one from France or Switzerland go through

England Draw France Win - France and England through
England Draw France Draw - France and England through
England Draw France Lose - England and one from France or Switzerland go through

England Lose France Win - France and Croatia through
England Lose France Draw - France and Croatia through, but who wins the group is down to goals
England Lose France Lose - Croatia and one from France or Switzerland

Everything to play for still.

France obvously have the best situation. I think they'll easily handle Switzerland. England had better avoid the 'playing not to loose' philosophy the Spanish used... In any case, the England-Croatia match could be one of the surprisingly good matches of the tournament; looking forward to it.

 

[MonsterMash]

England must play to win, and need to watch out for Croatia trying to sit back and hit them on the break. The other concern is the Croats trying to draw fouls from Rooney and look for him to get sent off.

Congratulations to Greece and Portugal.

 

[johnsemlak]

England must play to win, and need to watch out for Croatia trying to sit back and hit them on the break. The other concern is the Croats trying to draw fouls from Rooney and look for him to get sent off.

Congratulations to Greece and Portugal.

There's also the danger of Rooney receiving a yellow and being unavailable in the quarterfinal should they advance. With Owen out of form, that'd be a blow.

 

[MonsterMash]

Half time in England - Croatia. What a goal from Rooney, just at the right time after setting up the other goal. Croatia have everything to do now.