Euro2004 support thread

[Liar]

Be careful with one thing. There's only one transfer* you can make between each matchday. Any additional tranfers will cost you 2 points. May be worth it, but keep it in mind.

*Real transfers, not just bringing in substitutes to the starting line-up. Those are free, of course.

Ah, so that's why I'm so bloody poor on points. Already traded five players.

 

[neonlyte]

Not if he scores a hat trick!

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Ah, so that's why I'm so bloody poor on points. Already traded five players.

No, those transfer points will only be deducted after matchday 2 starts, I think. All you 4 points were well earned.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Not if he scores a hat trick!

A hat-trick from a midfielder would be worth 17 points! 34 if he's the captain.

 

[Liar]

No, those transfer points will only be deducted after matchday 2 starts, I think. All you 4 points were well earned.

Oh joy. Ya think I can un-trade them before matchday 2, or am I doomed?

 

[Lauren Hynde]

I can't be sure, really... I'll try to find out later today.

 

[SnoopDog]

So matchday three. What will it bring us.
Today the team I consider favourite start off, being Italy.
Forza Italia !!

Semi's with Germany-Italy would be nice. Though in that case Germany's run to European Champs would be over.

We'll see.

I fear that today we might see the first really broing games of this tournament.
Italy is best known for 'catenaccio' so that might make a good game impossible.

And Sweden vs. Bulgaria could be a goal-less draw I suppose.
However, let's hope the Swedes will make use of the offensive powers they possess.

Snoopy

 

[Lauren Hynde]

So matchday three.

Third day of Matchday 1, really.

 

[SnoopDog]

Third day of Matchday 1, really.

Of course you're right. My bad.

Snoopy

 

[Lauren Hynde]

If it's any consolation, I don't think Italy will win.

 

[SnoopDog]

If it's any consolation, I don't think Italy will win.

We'll see about that. We'll just see about that.

Snoopy,

 

[PaulUK]

I'm certainly part of the rush behind Italy winning comfortably... even though I didn't end up with many Italians in my team. I have a feeling the Swedes will be good enough for Bulgaria too...

Considering the chuff-up I made of not checking the squads carefully enough at the start, I might check out a transfer or two later today. I am guessing anyone who has Zidane in the squad feels pretty good about now.

 

[Nemasis Enforcer]

I'm certainly part of the rush behind Italy winning comfortably... even though I didn't end up with many Italians in my team. I have a feeling the Swedes will be good enough for Bulgaria too...

Considering the chuff-up I made of not checking the squads carefully enough at the start, I might check out a transfer or two later today. I am guessing anyone who has Zidane in the squad feels pretty good about now.

Zidane got me 24 points but damned if im happy with him... but thats coz im English!!!

 

[PaulUK]

Looking back, after a night of tearing at the bedsheets (misery, not sex), it seems inevitable that he or Henri would do something like that. I used to do a little youth team coaching, and the hardest thing to instill into kids' minds is the idea of holding the ball through simple passing to deny the opposition time and possession. I said to my son before the game, that England had to attack France and hold the ball, because you can't let France attack you 30 or 40 times, and expect to get away with a clean sheet. sadly, that is what we did. We achieved a resul against Argentina 2 years ago like this, but they were a very poor attacking force. France are too damn hot to treat that way.

Oh... Deco out... Camorenesi in. It's a much better game when you can see all the players...

 

[neonlyte]

If anyone has Scholes in their team, he has an ankle injury and is doubtful for next game.

 

[PaulUK]

Plus, you know... he isn't going to score you anything...

 

[SnoopDog]

Plus, you know... he isn't going to score you anything...

And the huge fact that a lot of England-supporters are overlooking is that you are not as strong a team as you think you are.
Of course there are some good names on the pitch when Englnd's playing, but they usually fail to perform. So the manner in which France won is the surprise, not the fact that they won the game.

Snoopy

 

[PaulUK]

Oh, not all England fans think that way, Snoops. I actually don't think we are well-equipped enough to go all the way. There are just too many positions where we are short of world-class players... not that I think many teams can boast 9, 10 or 11 absolute stars on the top of their game. France had us out-gunned for talent as the teams lined up, but we were fine as long as they were under-performing (where was Henri? or Zidane in normal time?) and we were playing football in both halves.

I think the closest to a complete team turns out today - I think Italy have most of the bases covered.

 

[SnoopDog]

Oh, not all England fans think that way, Snoops. I actually don't think we are well-equipped enough to go all the way. There are just too many positions where we are short of world-class players... not that I think many teams can boast 9, 10 or 11 absolute stars on the top of their game. France had us out-gunned for talent as the teams lined up, but we were fine as long as they were under-performing (where was Henri? or Zidane in normal time?) and we were playing football in both halves.

I think the closest to a complete team turns out today - I think Italy have most of the bases covered.

Of course I'm not talking about all english fans. But it seems to me that the average uk supporter thought so.
And of course you don't need 11 superstars in order to be succesful. The key is always the effort you put into your game and that you are able to actually BE a team, i.e. everyone fights for their teammates.
That's why germany is usually up there with the best teams.
(Then again this year we could horribly fail again, )

And I think you're right about Italy. Most people don't see them as winners because they would like a team to win that plays more attractive football. But Italy produces wins.

Snoopy

 

[Lauren Hynde]

And I think you're right about Italy. Most people don't see them as winners because they would like a team to win that plays more attractive football. But Italy produces wins.

I think the reason why Italy won't win today and maybe won't even go through to the quarter-finals is the same that led Juventus and Milan, who had been the Champions League finalists last year, to lose against Deportivo this year. They're regarded as absolute favourites of the group, are over confident, there has been internal conflict between players, and all they need is to have a bad first half to completely self-destruct.

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Anyway, only 20 minutes to go.

 

[Guest]

Go Denmark!

 

[cloudy]

Go Denmark!

WHOOP!!!

 

[Lauren Hynde]

http://www.euro2004.com/ml/euro2004/images/flags/17X17/hp/35.gif DEN 17:00 ITA http://www.euro2004.com/ml/euro2004/images/flags/17X17/hp/66.gif

Players involved:
Nemasis Enforcer - 2 Italians
Cloudy - 3 Danes and 2 Italians
Paul UK - 1 Italian
English Lady - 2 Danes
Gauchecritic - 2 Italians*
Tatelou - 1 Dane
Natural Born Eros - 2 Danes and 2 Italians
Liar - 2 Danes

* To close Group Stage 1

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Cloudy, this is the big one. Hope it all goes your way.