Euro 2004 (football)

This tournament is really too close to call with so may of the better teams (France.Italy, Portugal, Spain, England) on top form. On paper it looks like France will take it, but of course England must and will win every single match.

I'm hoping that Itlay and England meet in the Semis or the Quarter finals and that England wins, just so that I can harass my Italian co-worker about it for a few months

That aside, my prediction is that the final four will be England, France, Italy, and Portugal or Germany(probably Portugal)
From there I haven't clue who will progress.

However, I'm dreading the England-France match - even though the current England side is better than any I can remember, France have the two best players in the world playing in attacking positions. In additrion to that, they haven't conceded a single goal in qualifying, which is worrying me ahead of sunday's game...

I guess it all depends on whether we play 4-4-2 or Erikson's stupid bloody "diamond" formation.

France is the favorite for me, with Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic not far behind.

France: Zidane, Pires, Vieira and Makalele are the best midfield in the group. Thierry Henry is the best striker in the tournament. Why Zidane would be happy with a draw with England is beyond me -- I'm betting on a victory for France.

England -- overrated IMO; They'll finish second in the group but not make it to the final four. Beckham's form has been declining since March. Why scholes is partnering Lampard in the middle of the park while Gerrard is on the left is beyond me. Scholes out, Joe Cole in on the left, and Gerrard into the center. Oh, and Bridge for left back, too.

Spain are perennial favorites, but never win anything. History will probably repeat itself.

Italy -- have the squad to take it, but Cassano should play instead of Del Piero. However, they might get a nasty surprise from Denmark in their first game if they're not careful. If not, they'll go far.

Portugal - Home field advantage. Rui Costa is getting old and should be replaced by Deco. This team will go far, though. (personal note: I'm glad Vitor Baia isn't among the 23. Hate hate HATE that diving bitch).

The Czech Republic - my favorite dark horse candidates. Strong, all-round team who will likely finish first in arguably the toughest group (Holland has too much internal bickering, and Germany is beyond hope this year). Could win it depending on who they end up facing in the elimination matches.

And of course, my team:

Denmark -- could deliver an early surprise against Italy, or they could get severly pummeled. They're too inconsistent (both with the results and entertaining play) to give a good analysis, but I think they'll finish second in the group. Won't make it to the final four, though.

Player(s) to watch:

Rooney
Robben
Rosicky
Cassano
Berbatov
The usual suspects.

Well thought comments Pervis42.

I think the Czech are the dark horses of the tournement but after seeing Greece humble Portugal maybe they might fancy their chance!!!

It looks like Sven has dropped the diamond. Scholes will be playing out on the left tomorrow with Gerrard in the middle with Lampard and Beckham on the right. Worried about who might fill in at the back for Terry. I'm really not comfortable with Ledley King and would be much happier with Carragher or prehaps push Gary Neville into the middle and give Hargreaves a go at right back.

Should be a good game against the French tomorrow night and I look forward to the second leg on July 4th

Just saw the game between England and France. Great game but damn those French were lucky in the end. Loved Rooney.

What was Gerrard thinking when he made that suicidal back pass and why did James go flying in with his feet.

for 90 minutes a nation cheered. two crazy minutes later and a nation mourned.

The result is infuriating - I cant believe they took off Rooney for Heskey(whose only only noticable impact on the game was to give away the equalising free kick.) but at least it showed that we can outplay the favourites for 90 mins.Not to worry - we'll beat 'em in the final.

ps.-James went in with his feet because it was a backpass - if he picked it up France would'nt get a penalty but a free-kick on the 6-yard line. He was screwed whatever he did.

I can't fault how France played, it was just England's impenetrable defence that kept them away for the full length of the game. Even in the second half when France were really going for it our defensive play prevented them from ever threatening our goal. Henry and Trezequet were basically out of the game, and Zidane couldn't even get a shot or pass off.

I'd have to disagree about Rooney(although he should have given the ball to Vassell, but had he not been tackled he'd have scored). He made fools of the French defenders for most of the game and single-handedly put on attacking pressure when he got the ball. The kid even took the ball off Zidane's feet as if he was showing off in the park!

I wouldn't be as dissappointed if France had outplayed us, but we were the better team. Man Utd in-fucking-deed.

Anyways, it seems that the other teams in our group are utter crap, so we'll go through to face Spain with little difficulty.

It was easily the best match of the four so far, Spain-Russia was OK, It was kinda fun watching Portugal get beat by Greece, and Switzerland-Croatia nearly bored me so much I stopped breathing. I'm hoping that Spain-Portugal will be great though(should be).

Hey, some of us Americans are watching as well. Granted I may not have the depth of knowledge as yall about the game, but I still love it.

So, was Italy suppossed to blow out the danes today or is the 0-0 tie not a surprise? Curious. Just watching I would have thought Italy would have won.

Anyway, catching what games I can on Fox Sports World here in the States (its on pay-per-view as well but I can't afford it).

I don't watch as a rule, but I caught England vs. France. Hockey must've spoiled me, because I saw no set play to this game foot-ball, no rhyme or reason. I used to play it and I still don't understand the rules. But the surprise finish was neat.

larsson was something else today. it's good to see it.

Good to see. Just remember it's foot-ball and not soc-cer

The Italy game was good, but I was really impressed by Denmark, they played like a top-flight team. And Sorenssen(Danish Goalkeeper) was an absoloute hero in that game, making about three impossible saves (two within five seconds of each other.)

The match reconfirmed my belief that the Italians are the dirtiest players in Europe - Totti could have ended the other guy's(I forgot who it was) career that tackle, didn't get sent off and then had the gall to argue against a yellow card!

Sweden also slaughtered Bulgaria 5-0. It looks like that group will be tight. Between everyone except Bulgaria

Germany-Holland tonight - both are pretty shit at the moment, but this like a local derby for them so it should be entertaining.

I honestly still can't figure out whether Totti's horror tackle was born out of malice and frustration or simply the fact that he's shit at tackling. Its like Paul Scholes, that guy should be banned from tackling anyone. Ever. He just can't do it.

Anyway, the end of the England match was possibly the funniest thing ever seen in football history, except of course Rijkaard gobbing on Voeller's perm in 1990. It was deserved as well, considering that England abandoned all pretence at playing football after they scored and tried to do the ever-tedious Italian tactic of everyone behind the ball. They just kept giving the ball back to France and it was inevitable that they would get undone at some point. Zidane is God.

Sweden are now my dark horses for the whole thing. Larsson, Ljungberg and Ibrahimovic are a strong attacking trio.

Thanks yall for helping this yank out. And don't worry, in our house it is called football. My wife is a huge soccer fan as well, so we always call it football (although, it always comes out as futbol).

I just wish I could see more matches without paying for them. Oh well, Fox Sports World keeps getting more and more of my viewing time because of this.

I do have to say, I thought Italy played kind of dirty, but I wasn't sure if it was dirty or if it was just aggresive play (wish I could find Warren Ellis' rant about the state of play in England).

Are they playing any of the Euro Cup on Fox Sports World? I have been looking for it but have not been able to find it.

Yep. Check out their website for a schedule:

http://www.foxsportsworld.com/named/FSW/Index/Home

Missed the England-France game because I was flying to London. Zidane - is there anything he can't do?

As for Italy-Denmark: Man, what a game! 0-0 was a good result, but the way Denmark sat on the entire first half, a victory for us wouldn't have been unfair. Sorensen, Martin Laursen and the two central mids (Poulsen and Daniel Jensen) were the best men on the field. Totti was a disgrace. As if the horror tackle wasn't bad enough, he has to go and spit in Poulsen's face for marking him out of the game. Buffon was the best for the Italians. Actually, both goalkeepers were amazing. That game could easily have been 1-1 or 2-1.

Looking forward to the rest of the tournament.

That is true but they play boring football. I hope Italy falls out. Sweden and Denmark are my teams.

Generally the Italians were pretty professional - but it's a guarantee that if ever and Italian player commits a horrendous foul, he'll start acting all "what? me? I didn't do nothin! what you talking about?"

Germany-Holland was good. Holland were pretty crap until Van Hoojdonk was brought on, and Van Nistlerooy scored an absoloute cracker of a goal.
Germany look to me like the best non-french, non-english side so far, and that kid Sweinschteiger(sp?) looks like a terrifying prospect in attack. That group looks to be pretty tight now and even Latvia hassled the Czechs somewhat, which amazed me.

That concludes the entire first round of group games, which means that all the teams will know what they have to play for now. England, for instance, cannot lose(probably wont-Switzerland and Croatia -pssh!), likewise with Portugal. Italy, Spain, Germany and Holland all have to raise their game to get through such tight groups.

Yeah, If Germany bring up some more young talent like Lahm and Sweinschteiger they will be a very dangerous side in 06. I'm going to get tickets for that one even if I have to make my dog breed and then sell all the puppies.

ps. I thought it was funny during the Holland-Germany game when one of the pundits said "Van Hoojdonk literally bombed the German defense!"

Sweden will never underestimate Italy. The points you make mirror exactly the talk that is going on in Sweden. When it comes down to it, Italy is one of the World's greatest football nations and we're a little pissant northern European country. No underestimation going on here.

That said:
Italy is going to have their ass handed to them tomorrow. You just watch. I don't see Sweden going all the way, though
The press have been talking it up after the Bulgaria game, but I don't think it's possible. First half wasn't all that good, and they quit defending after 3-0.

Then again, if it's ever gonna happen, it's this year. We got Larsson, an injury-free Ljungberg, Zlatan. We got Allbäck warming the bench, for Christ's sake! All of them got a taste of the goal against Bulgaria.

England-Switzerland this afternoon. We lose, we're out. It won't happen, but I'm a little bit concerned about John Terry in defence. After Sunday I'd go for King, but then I'm not in charge. I predict 2-0 or 3-0 to England.

Did anyone see Portugal play yesterday? That's how I wanted to see them play against the Greeks. Figo was shit-hot, and I can't believe they don't stard Christiano Ronaldo every game that guy runs fucking riot over the opposing half. I have a feeling that either Spain or Portugal are out of the tournament after the next round of matches.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ly/3812903.stm

I saw on the news when Totti spat on Poulsen. I hope he will be banned. He´s a piece of shit.

This just in: Three day suspension to Totti. I didn't think UEFA had the balls. Kudos to them, and a middle finger to Totti. Bitch.

Good.

Hopefully this will serve as an example and force other players to clean up their game. Not that everyone is doing the same thing, but I've been seeing a lot bad tackles, some in the penalty area(Silvestre I'm talking about you) that have escaped reprimand.

I thought they were too passive, not enough running without the ball. But Russia sucked, and it was clearly a step up from Greece. And, since Greece will beat Russia in the final round Portugal-Spain will decide which team goes on to the quarter finals.

That's just another reason why the Spain-Portugal game should be great. Not only do you have the old rivalry for which they both raise their game, but the loser will most probably be going. Can't wait

Me neither.

And, as you said, England-Switzerland tonight. I'm glued (Go, Sven!). Croatia-France should be interesting, too. Swedish television is showing all games. Yay!
The game is on about the time I get home from work.

Edited because I suck at spelling

For me, the game is on an hour before I finish work. Which would be shite, but my boss is my dad, and I work next door to a pub with a big tv.

Those followingmight want to check out http//little-gamers.com today. Funny cartoon which pokes fun at the current situation with Totti.

Question for those in Europe: do you get the games on regular TV or do you have to get some pay-per-view subscription? Or is it just us Yanks getting screwed? We are only getting a few games here. Gonna try and find a pub who might be showing the games in Austin (I know one in New Orleans but that is a 7 hour drive to watch football).

We get the matches on normal TV. If the powers that be tried to make international tournaments Pay-per-view there'd a fucking revoloution.

edited to say: Yeah, you yanks are getting screwed. I don't if you or someone you know has a satellte dish, but if so try and pick up Eurosport. Failing that, try south american sports channels - they'd be your best bets. Your country is great in many ways, but I pity the fact that the beautiful game is so ignored there. I mean- you guys staged the world cup and hardly anyone knew! Good luck trying to find somewhere to watch the games though.

The match just finished3-0 to England. Two from Rooney, one from Gerrard, and our first clean sheet in ages to boot. Michael Owen looked threatening - an improvement on recent form. Rooney seems to think that he's playing with his mate down at the local park or something, but he's a god on the ball. We were pretty shaky until the second goal, sue most lkely to the heat and low self'beleif after the France game, but as soon as Rooney scraped the second in, our confidence came back and we started to open them up a helluvalot. After this, I expect a similar or better score against Croatia.

England all the way

Man, Croatia misses one over the crossbar with a minute left. That would have been HUGE.

Croatia 2
France 2

Pretty good game. France seemed to have control in the last 30 minutes of the game, and probably could have won without some good saves by the Croatian keeper.

I was pulling for Croatia to have the upset. I just thought that would be a great one to say. I am excited about Italy vs Sweden tomorrow. Will be a fun one to watch.

Still trying to find a pub with the games on later in thr tournament. I am worried I am going to miss the later round matches which would really suck.

Croatia are going to be tough for England next week. The French were lucky to get a draw yesterday.

Man, that looked scary. Stiel is a pretty tough cookie for going face first into that situation.

BTW - anybody else hear the bitching about how it wasn't "fair play" that the Danes had kept a camera on Totti throughout the game? I'm not sure it was Totti himself, but it pissed me off.

Finally - games are on regular TV. 2 channels that each show 1 game/day.

I knew when I wrote that, that Rooney would do something to make me eat my words. To be fair, he's the only one in our squad who intentionally puts in tackles like that. Scholes is horrendous but every bad tackle he does is completley accidental. Personally, I thought that he had a chance of getting the ball and he went for it, but after the keeper got it he decided to keep his foot in. He needs to cool that down before we get to the knockout stages.

What the fuck is up with Croatia? Did they suddenly remember how to play good football in the second half of their second game? At least England know how good we'll have to play on Monday.

Yeah, my Italian co-worker wouldn't shut up about it. So I wrapped a black twist-stick round my finger and told him it was in memory of Totti's international career.