Euro2004 support thread

[PaulUK]

Wow... even more public than usual. Van N has got some cheek complaining... if he had hit the target with the chances that came his way in the 2nd half, there would have been no problem. I thought it was odd that he took Robben off, but every coach has been guilty of trying to protect a one goal lead and failing. In this case, there were chances going to the Czechs and he tried to change that...

Thius is a very poor German team (sorry, Snoop) with no great goal-scorers and only a couple or three of genuine world class players. Latvia hustled and worked hard, and that proved to be enough. German teams of the past would have eaten them alive.

 

[SnoopDog]

Snoopy,

How about you and me start a new country? Where football is never even heard of?



I did watch the games last night and that stupid coach nearly cost me a seizure. Grrr.

Dick Advocaat: http://users.telenet.be/eforum/emoticons4u/mad/1335.gif

I'm up for it. We could call it 'SnoopTheTulip-land' and instead of football we could have another sport.....um...what about sex.

You can be president if you like, I don't like being in the spotlight.
The only question is, what would be the official language, dutch or german???

Snoopy

 

[SnoopDog]

Wow... even more public than usual. Van N has got some cheek complaining... if he had hit the target with the chances that came his way in the 2nd half, there would have been no problem. I thought it was odd that he took Robben off, but every coach has been guilty of trying to protect a one goal lead and failing. In this case, there were chances going to the Czechs and he tried to change that...

Thius is a very poor German team (sorry, Snoop) with no great goal-scorers and only a couple or three of genuine world class players. Latvia hustled and worked hard, and that proved to be enough. German teams of the past would have eaten them alive.

You are absolutely right about the offense. It IS a very poor offense. Even though we got great midfielders they are not able to actually PLAY some good football, but rather concentrate on the typical german traits like running, fighting, stamina, organisation, discipline, etc.

So offensively we are pretty much third class in the world. However, we have a very good defense and the best goalie in the world. We are able to hold tight and play strong against other strong teams. We are able to 'destroy' creative play by other teams and fight ourselves to a 1-0. (as it has happened 2 years ago)
So I think germany still has a strong team which of course is not nice to watch play. But it can still perform and win titles.

But this time it might not be enough since we have to score against Chechz Republic now.
And this lack of offensice power might cost us the tournament.

But don't be mistaken, germany is always up for a title, especially when underestimated, and you'll be welcomed to the World Cup in Germany in 2 years time to see them win again. In the end we're still runners-up in the last World Cup.

Snoopy, being a little patriotic here

 

[PaulUK]

LOL... you go for it, Snoop! I agree with your analysis whole-heartedly. The draw at the 2002 WC was very kind to Germany, but you also beat enthusiastic, naive teams by being patient and hitting them with one goal to win. You are quite right about the situation on Weds, when you must come out and play the Czechs, but I don't think they know how to just defend, so it could be a very interesting night.

You think Germany will rebuild in time for 2006? I think you have to really think about your attacking options... I like Lamm as an attacking full-back, and Friedrich too... and you do have Ballack, but they need someone a lot better to aim at. Someone with a bit of creativity in midfield would help too.. I think your lad Schwein-something (sorry) is energetic, but he needs more experience and better judgment.

It might not be a tragedy if you got knocked out here. I think the WC disguised how badly you guys need to rebuild. If you made the semis or something here, that would be a bad thing, because you can't possibly win it.

 

[Liar]

I'm up for it. We could call it 'SnoopTheTulip-land' and instead of football we could have another sport.....um...what about sex.

...and host the Lit Olympics?

 

[SnoopDog]

LOL... you go for it, Snoop! I agree with your analysis whole-heartedly. The draw at the 2002 WC was very kind to Germany, but you also beat enthusiastic, naive teams by being patient and hitting them with one goal to win. You are quite right about the situation on Weds, when you must come out and play the Czechs, but I don't think they know how to just defend, so it could be a very interesting night.

You think Germany will rebuild in time for 2006? I think you have to really think about your attacking options... I like Lamm as an attacking full-back, and Friedrich too... and you do have Ballack, but they need someone a lot better to aim at. Someone with a bit of creativity in midfield would help too.. I think your lad Schwein-something (sorry) is energetic, but he needs more experience and better judgment.

It might not be a tragedy if you got knocked out here. I think the WC disguised how badly you guys need to rebuild. If you made the semis or something here, that would be a bad thing, because you can't possibly win it.

I think we have quite a good chance to perform well in the World Cup. Not saying that we will play the best of football, but we'll be motivated as hell. We'll still have a good defense, we'll still have the best goalie (Oliver Kahn said he'll play in the national squad until 2006) and we'll still have some good old-school midfielders (provided Ballack, Hamann will still play) And then you should consider the youngsters we got.
Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Kuranyi, all excellent young players that only lack of international experience. Hopefully they wil get that in two years time.

However, the offense remains the huge problem. We haven't had a really good striker since Klinsmann or Bode. Klose is awful. (He had only a couple of good games in his entire career, those were the games in the last WC). I don't know why he's in the squad.
Brdaric the same, why the hell is he there????
Bobic has had some good games in his career but he's too old and too bad nowadays. He has played an awfully bad season in germany.
The best german striker (Martin Max) was left at home.

So the only thing we could hope for is that some young players will emerge and be fit and experienced till then. (Podolski, I hope he gets a spot in the team for wednesday)
But I think we will still lack offensive skills in the WC.
Then again a 1-0 is always possible.

Snoopy, egerly awaiting what Portugal's coach 'a war' against Spain today

 

[SnoopDog]

...and host the Lit Olympics?

Hell yeah.

Snoopy

 

[PaulUK]

Cool... thanks for the info, Snoops. We don't get a lot of coverage of German league here at all.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Level on points
If teams are level on points on the completion of the group matches, the first criterion used to separate them will be head-to-head results, followed by goal difference in the matches between the teams. Below are all the criteria which will be used to determine the rankings:

List of criteria
a) Number of points obtained in the matches among the teams in question.
b) Goal difference in the matches among the teams in question.
c) Number of goals scored in the matches among the teams in question (if more than two teams finish equal on points).
d) Goal difference in all the group matches.
e) Number of goals scored in all the group matches.
f) Coefficient from the qualifying competitions for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and 2002/04 UEFA European Championship (points obtained divided by the number of matches played).
g) Fair play conduct of the teams in the final tournament.
h) Drawing of lots.

 

[PaulUK]

Well, snap my vitals...

OK, I can see why they did this. They are trying to avoid a situation in which qualification is about who whipped the weak team(s) the hardest. Do you recall that suspicion a few WCs back, when Argentina needed to beat Peru 6-0 - and did? The Czechs can't pay the Latvians to read the newspapers and lose 15-0 under this system.

So... so... Italy have to win.

Then... Sweden and Denmark have to draw. If either loses, they are out... if Italy win...

If it is 0-0, it's Sweden and Italy; if it is 2-2, 3-3... it's Sweden and Denmark. Sweden can only miss out if they lose.

If it's 1-1, Italy and Denmark would only then be separated by who whips Bulgaria hardest.

Clear as mud. If it's 1-1 between Sweden and Denmark after 5 mins, smell a rat.

 

[SnoopDog]

Alright, only a couple of hours now till the first 'games of death'
These will be interesting days. Today I think Greece will do what they need (maybe a draw, maybe a win), hey, I mean, they got a german coach ( ).
But for the game Spain vs. Portugal I can make no prediction at all. Should be an interesting game though. Either it will be über-suspenseful or if there will be an early goal it'll be an open clash.

So bring it on baby.

Snoopy

 

[Nemasis Enforcer]

Alright, only a couple of hours now till the first 'games of death'
These will be interesting days. Today I think Greece will do what they need (maybe a draw, maybe a win), hey, I mean, they got a german coach ( ).
But for the game Spain vs. Portugal I can make no prediction at all. Should be an interesting game though. Either it will be über-suspenseful or if there will be an early goal it'll be an open clash.

So bring it on baby.

Snoopy

Spain are going through (Sorry Lauren)

 

[PaulUK]

I'm with you, Snoops.. I can't see Greece messing this up, and as the other game goes on, and they don't hear any sign of a miracle from Russia, you'll see the Iberians look at each other and realise - it's you or me, compadre.

BIG night.

 

[Guest]

Go Greece!

I hope tonight's game (the one) will be as entertaining as yesterday's.

Although me head says Spain, my heart prays for Portugees.

Either way, I hope the Czhechs win the tornament (they are the most beautiful side ((footballing terms)) of all).

 

[Lauren Hynde]

No need to apologize yet. I'll be accepting them later tonight.

 

[Liar]

My prediction for today:

Spain 2-1 Portugal
Russia 1-3 Greece

A realult that would buy me a good steak dinner. But secretly I'm rooting for Portugal to make it through.

Made me a few lineup changes in the FF team. We'll see if it helps...

 

[Lauren Hynde]

The line-ups are available already. Last chance to make changes to your FF teams.

Portugal is playing with the same team as last time, but with Ronaldo instead of Simão. Better.

 

[neonlyte]

Good for you Liar.
My big fear is Portugal will be too nervous, too many hopes on them.
You cannot believe the tension here, the streets are emptying now, virtually every car has a flag, people in the streets hold flags. The shout PORTUGAL has been going off all over since early morning, ie: when ever any two people pass in the street.
On TV they have just followed the team bus by helicopter from Alcochete training camp, south of the river, across the bridge to the stadium, there was virtually no traffic - unheard of for Portugal - everyone is already where they want to be ready for the match to start.

In the last twenty minutes the noise level outside has dropped enormously, in another forty-five minutes it will be silent and the roar when Portugal score will be heard all the way to Madrid.

Have a great game.

NL

PS I think the R / G will be a draw, I can't believe Russia will not play for pride.

 

[PaulUK]

It'll be a tough time in Portugal tonight... but whatever the result, I hope they do you proud.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

It'll be a tough time in Portugal tonight...

If I had an euro for every time I heard an Englishman say that this season, I'd have... like... 6.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Russia 1 - 0 Greece

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Russia 2 - 0 Greece

 

[Guest]

Jeez! 2 - 0 to Russia. If it stays that way and Portugal win, Spain will be going home.

Portugal are playing very well at the moment. Ronaldo is awesome!

Lou

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Jeez! 2 - 0 to Russia. If it stays that way and Portugal win, Spain will be going home.

Portugal are playing very well at the moment. Ronaldo is awesome!

Lou

No, with that result and if Portugal wins, Greece will be going home.

And YES!

 

[Nemasis Enforcer]

Russia 2 - 0 Greece

Is that good or bad for you Lauren I can't wotk it out