Euro 2008

devilman · **Posted:** Fri Jun 06, 2008 12:54

So.. who will win? Italy won't win 'cos I've just drawn them in the sweep.

Mark X · **Posted:** Sun Jun 08, 2008 0:40

You're lucky. In my workplace sweep I landed, well here are some clues:

They have won the European Championships before now.

A nation beginning with 'G'.

Yup, that's right. I've got Greece. Of course, it's the other team fitting that description that will win it. All the other decent teams in the tournament will have knackered themselves out by playing each other by the time they get to the final.

KevR · **Posted:** Mon Jun 09, 2008 16:37

I'll wager the Czech Republic.

Dudley · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 8679

Jeez this is a shit, shit game.

Joans · **Joined:** 31st Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 8648

At least Romania are giving France a bit of a hard time, but it is pretty dull.

devilman · **Posted:** Mon Jun 09, 2008 20:28

Holland vs Italy is a good 'un so far though. That second goal was excellent.

Goddess Jasmine · **Posted:** Mon Jun 09, 2008 22:32

Bah, I switched off to do my presentation!

devilman · **Posted:** Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:23

It was only after the third goal went in that I remembered that Italy were my team in the sweep. Ho hum.

Dudley · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 8679

I wouldn't over panic, given France's failure they've still got every chance of going through unless France beat the dutch.

devilman · **Posted:** Tue Jun 10, 2008 10:11

True, but based on last night's performance, it's going to take a good team to stop the Dutch winning it.

Plissken · **Posted:** Tue Jun 10, 2008 12:40

Two of their goals were from counter-attacks after a goalline clearance and a superb save. The third was possibly offside - though the interpretation given on the Guardian website says it was on. So 3-0 wasn't a fair reflection.

RuySan · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 3542

cannavaro is really missed in that team. Materazzi and the other guy only played 45 minutes together before this game. If Italy fails in defense, all else fails.

Not to mention that the Dutch defense isn't very good.

Well, Portugal played very well. Nice free flowing football. Every time Ronaldo had the ball it was 2 or 3 players on him. Hope other teams do the same

Curiosity · **Posted:** Tue Jun 10, 2008 14:15

I got Croatia in my sweeps.

Seeing their poor effort against Austria, I think I am doomed. They only got to the Euros as they had a piss easy group against part time nations like England.

KevR · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 21:16

The Netherlands vs France game is fantastic (unless your a France fan).

Currently Netherlands 3-1 France.

RuySan · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 3542

Curiosity wrote:

I got Croatia in my sweeps.

Seeing their poor effort against Austria, I think I am doomed. They only got to the Euros as they had a piss easy group against part time nations like England.

you should be smiling again then. I was a bit pissed off since Portugal is going to get Germany, but i guess after Croatia amazing game maybe its for the best.

KevR · **Posted:** Sun Jun 15, 2008 21:37

Looks like the Turkey vs Czech Republic game may be going to penalties.

KevR · **Posted:** Sun Jun 15, 2008 21:38

.......or not!

Turkey 3 - 2 Czech Republic

Plissken · **Posted:** Sun Jun 15, 2008 21:45

Well... that was dramatic!

KevR · **Posted:** Sun Jun 15, 2008 21:45

Well that was an eventful last 10 minutes. Total pantomime, fantastic!

Curiosity · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 0:25

KevR wrote:

Well that was an eventful last 10 minutes. Total pantomime, fantastic!

Indeed... two nil down, and then in fifteen minutes to get three goals and your keeper sent off. Impressive!

KevR · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 20:29

The drama continues.

The managers of Germany and Austria have both been sent off into the stands!

Curiosity · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:15

Croatia through to face Turkey. Win that match, lads, and I get my sweepstake money back!

RuySan · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 3542

any guesses for the portugal vs germany game?

i guess if our wingers are in a good day, it could be a win for us. Leave simão on lahm side since he's better at defending than Ronaldo. And Ronaldo on the other side, facing every other clumsy defender germany has. For me the best thing Germany had is they're shot capacity. It seems every german player knows how to shot at goal, and i hope shweinsteiger isn't in feeling confident.

Runcle · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 13:10

Im suprised schweinsteiger didnt start either of the first 2 games for Germany, hes looked like a fast creative player when hes came on and when hes not getting himself sent off. Surely gomez to be dropped thoug as I bet his confidence is quite low and replace him by putting podolski up front with klose.

devilman · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 13:19

Gomez surely can't start the next game after his performances so far. I think Portugal will do well against the Germans though as Austria were pretty toothless up front but still tested Germany at times.

devilman · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 15:08

Tonight should be interesting. Will my sweep team of Italy pull through?

From the BBC..

Quote:

The Netherlands have won Group C and will play the Group D runners-up in the quarter-finals.

Romania will qualify for the quarter-finals if they beat the Netherlands, eliminating France and Italy.

If Romania fail to beat the Netherlands, the winner of France v Italy will go through.

If France and Italy draw, a point against the Netherlands would be enough to send Romania through. France must win to have any chance of qualifying.

If France and Italy share a score draw (1-1, 2-2, 3-3 etc), Italy will go through if Romania lose (by any score). In this scenario, Italy, Romania and France will be level on two points each but Italy would have scored more goals in games between the 3 teams.

Romania will finish bottom of the group if they lose and France and Italy draw 2-2, 3-3 or 4-4. France will finish bottom if they draw 1-1 unless Romania lose 3-0 or by a four-goal margin.

If France and Italy draw 0-0, Romania can lose by one goal, two goals or by a three-goal margin other than 3-0 but still qualify. In this scenario, Italy and Romania would have identical head-to-head records, but Romania would have better goal difference in ALL group matches or, in the case of the three-goal defeats, goals scored. France would finish bottom, having scored fewer goals head-to-head v Italy and Romania.

If Romania lose 3-0 to the Dutch, Italy would qualify with a 0-0 draw against France because of their superior coefficient points. France would finish bottom as they would have scored fewer goals head-to-head v Italy and Romania.

If Romania lose by four goals or more and the other game ends 0-0, Italy would proceed with a better overall goal difference than Romania. France would finish bottom as they would have scored fewer goals head-to-head v Italy and Romania.

If France and Italy draw AND Romania avoid defeat, then Romania go through.

That clears that up.

RuySan · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 3542

Germany won, too bad.They were better anyway.

I fear in a decade or something this portuguese team will be remembered as underachievements.

What i find ironic is that Portugal has got the most valuable defence, by far, and yet they were really dire today.

Curiosity · **Posted:** Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:01

Yeah, they were shoody.

Germany are a good team though. It'll be interesting if Croatia beat Turkey and we get a rematch of the group stage game (I still don't understand why that happens... surely it would be far better to have the two teams from the same group scheduled to meet in the final, else it isn't a fair draw? Madness!).

RuySan · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 3542

Curiosity wrote:

Germany are a good team though. It'll be interesting if Croatia beat Turkey and we get a rematch of the group stage game (I still don't understand why that happens... surely it would be far better to have the two teams from the same group scheduled to meet in the final, else it isn't a fair draw? Madness!).

when the tv commentator said before the match that the winner would face turkey or croatia, i thought to myself that he was a moron. Well, he was right. The only obvious excuse for this is that this way there is no team with 2 days of rest ahead of the other. Still, doesn't seem right though.

KevR · **Posted:** Fri Jun 20, 2008 22:17

Looks like Turkey have been given a taste of their own medicine!

KevR · **Posted:** Fri Jun 20, 2008 22:19

Jesus Christ! A goal with the last kick of the game.

Looks like penalties after all.

Got to fancy Germany to make the final playing either of these teams in the next round though.

devilman · **Posted:** Fri Jun 20, 2008 22:27

Yeah, Germany should make light work of the winners. Rubbish match, great last few minutes.

KevR · **Posted:** Fri Jun 20, 2008 22:28

Croatia out. Serves them right, their penalties were shocking.

I would laugh if Turkey managed to win the tournament by beating everyone in the dying seconds.

Plissken · **Posted:** Fri Jun 20, 2008 22:29

Sensational ending!

KevR · **Posted:** Fri Jun 20, 2008 22:31

Still, if your going to have those sort of lucky breaks, its best to have them during a major tournament and not in meaningless friendlies.

Good luck to them, they'll need it against Germany. Half their team will be out with suspensions/injuries!

GazChap · **Posted:** Fri Jun 20, 2008 22:54

That Turkish goal was bloody incredible, they show an absolutely stupendous level of determination. They ain't got nothing to lose, so they may as well just try and get one back, and lo and behold they do - with 1 second to spare. Amazing.

Curiosity · **Posted:** Fri Jun 20, 2008 23:32

Stupid Turkish bastards!

I had Croatia in the sweepstake!

devilman · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 12:01

A bloke in the barber shop wants Holland to win tonight because there are enough Russians around the world as it is.

KevR · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 19:17

devilman wrote:

A bloke in the barber shop wants Holland to win tonight because there are enough Russians around the world as it is.

The daft racist.

I don't care who wins, so long as it isn't a repeat of last night's dull fest.

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

I've got a tenner riding on Holland. The bet was placed after they went 1-0 down. 11/2 odds can't be sniffed at, especially with a team like Holland. You never know!

KevR · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 21:21

I don't think Holland have had to come back from being a goal down so far. They certainly look dangerous in this game though, so it's probably a decent bet.

KevR · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 21:25

That said, Holland are also beginning to look vulnerable in defense when Russia do get through

KevR · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 21:28

jonarob wrote:

I've got a tenner riding on Holland. The bet was placed after they went 1-0 down. 11/2 odds can't be sniffed at, especially with a team like Holland. You never know!

1-1. Those odds look very good now!

devilman · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 22:13

Well that was a turn-up. I still don't see Russia winning but they certainly deserved to beat Holland tonight.

Dudley · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 8679

Crikey.

KevR · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 22:21

Yeah, a throughly deserved victory. Well done Russia.

Plissken · **Posted:** Sat Jun 21, 2008 22:22

Russia were quite superb tonight. I wish I'd put some money on them pre-tournament.

Curiosity · **Posted:** Sun Jun 22, 2008 13:13

Plissken wrote:

Russia were quite superb tonight. I wish I'd put some money on them pre-tournament.

My mate stuck a fiver on them at 22/1.

I spent part of last night explaining to him that he should bet against Russia in the semi and then in the final, for guaranteed cash money.

WTB · **Joined:** 27th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 14497

Bugger.

They were good odds, and I honestly thought it'd go to penalties and the Dutch would walk it. But never mind, the Russians got a thoroughly deserved victory. The looked dangerous for 120 minutes.

devilman · **Posted:** Sun Jun 22, 2008 20:56

Typical that I fell asleep during a good Twenty20 cricket game and now I'm wide awake for Spain vs Italy. Rubbish so far.

Be Excellent To Each Other

Euro 2008

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