Euro 2004 Football discussion

[MonsterMash]

Got to admit I was secretly pleased when I heard Scholes had picked up an knock as I don't find him a player who is good at doing for the national team what he does for his club side.

I'd like to see Cole get a chance, but I think that Ericsson will play safe and go with Hargreaves, just as long as its not Heskey as a left sided midfielder.

 

[DarkMaster]

Darkmaster here is the thing:

Euro 2000, WC 2002, Euro 2004 = Trapattoni. 'Nuff said.

WC 1998 = Maldini. Another coach that no Serie A team wanted. See a pattern here?

If you want to see italian soccer, please, look at the Under 21 team. you wouldn't recognize it.

BTW, why England brought Rooney, who is playing wonderfullly and is barely 18, to the Euro, and we left Gilardino, who is 19 and has made more goals than any other italian this year, with the Under 21? Answer: because our coach is dumb as a brick.

I must admit that since I live in Canada, It is hard to watch the games. We usually only have access to the big events.

 

[MonsterMash]

Looking at todays matches unless Lithuania can do what they did against Turkey I think that the Czech republic and Netherlands will win their matches as Germany look indifferent this time round.

 

[LizardWizard]

I thought Sweden looked real impressive when they drubbed Poland 4-0 in a friendly warm-up, but this result really signals that Sweden might be a possible tourney winner. Of course, it's difficult to know exactly how significant this victory over Bulgaria is, but I think it should be an omnimous sign for Sweden's opponents.

Yeah, Sweden looked really impressive. If they carry on playing so well, the French will have to try really hard to keep their title

Germany-Holland tonight. Ugh, these matches finish at nearly 1:00 a.m. where I am. I'm gonna have a tired three weeks

Hope to see a lot of goals tonight - the Dutch play offence-oriented football, and the German defence isn't as good as it used to be.
The exams are over, so it's football time...

 

[LizardWizard]

Looking at todays matches unless Lithuania can do what they did against Turkey I think that the Czech republic and Netherlands will win their matches as Germany look indifferent this time round.

Hey, it's Latvia not Lithuania!
However, those Baltic republics are a source of constant confusion...

 

[johnsemlak]

Hey, it's Latvia not Lithuania!

Beat me to that on, LizardWizard

Wow, Latvia nearly pull off a dramatic upset, then walk off the losers.

LizardWizard: Any thoughts on the Mostovoi situation? I haven't read much about that one, and I'm undecided whether his expulsion from the team will have a large effect on the team.

 

[LizardWizard]

Wow, Latvia nearly pull off a dramatic upset, then walk off the losers.

That's real shame, they should have walked off with at least a point. The Latvians must have been frightened by their own success.

Any thoughts on the Mostovoi situation? I haven't read much about that one, and I'm undecided whether his expulsion from the team will have a large effect on the team.

Yartsev's decision appears rather harsh; however, player vs. coach conflicts are detrimental to both parties. We have a lot of strong midfielders and could easily find a replacement for Mostovoi (Los'kov being the most logical), but his banishment from the team can be demoralizing. If someone in the squad openly voices support for Mostovoi, we could suffer the same squabbles that plagued us in '94 and '96.

 

[MonsterMash]

Well the Czechs top their group, neither the Netherlands or Germany looked entirely convincing, the first round of matches are over, and only two days to go till England face the Swiss.

Tomorrow Greece vs Spain is important and Russia can see if Portugal are going to be crushed by the pressure of the expectation.

 

[AGGEMAM]

Hope to see a lot of goals tonight - the Dutch play offence-oriented football,

As I've already stated earlier. they don't is this championships. Playing with only 1 forward when you've got 4 of europest top 20 forward is almost comparable to an insult against us spectators. I sincerely hope Netherlands go out so that all teams like them and Italy can be taught a lesson.

 

[AGGEMAM]

Sometimes I wonder if Cole - Lampard - Gerrard - Dyer would be a better England midfield...

Svennis just has to learn to use Beckham correctly as a central midfielder instead of right winger. That would probably mean changing system away from the 4-4-2, so that's unlikely Svennis would and could do that. Another coach might.

An why does Englands style of play remind me of Arsenal in the 70's and 80's?