Euro 2008 (Official LOL Vidic Thread)

[sweboy]

Here is my top 2 list of Ibrahimovic's feet:

#1: Right foot
#2: Left foot

[Timm]

predictions?

i say 3-2 win for sweden and 2-1 for spain

[Smokey D]

That's an ambitious assessemnt of Sweden's attacking prowess.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I don't think the Sweden match will be that open. Russia are the ones that need to win and I'm confident Sweden will remain tight and hit them on the break. That said, Hansen is an absolutely horrific defender so anything could happen.

[Cesar21]

Sweden should have the upper hand, but even though Russia didn't impressed me they could make a very good game.

I'm a bit worried for Portugal, Germany is no walk in the park... Portugal should win if they don't do anything stupid like getting a red card or penalty against them.

I hope Spain defeats Italy by a difference of at least 2 goals.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I've been wrong with pretty much every prediction in this world (including tipping Germany to lose all 3 matches!), but I'm not convinced Portugal have enough going on up front.

[Smokey D]

Among the likely contenders for the title (Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Portugal and Spain), I don't think there is enough of a gap in skill to make predictions with any reliability. It all depends on the idiosyncracies of the game on the day. It's far harder to say that one team who has played well will play well at a later stage.

So while you're right that Portugal, if they play well, are incredibly dangerous Germany cannot be written off. All it requires is a penalty or good free kick.

[hXcPLISIT]

No respect for Croatia !?

[Dave de Sylvia]

This Arshavin character looks really useful. He's had as good a half as I've seen from a player in this tournament. He's at the heart of every move.

Sweden are really poor. They can barely even hold onto the ball.

[Smokey D]

Spain seem pretty intent on grinding out the most boring game of the round.

[Mr. Ron]

So I don't watch football but I'm enjoying the Sweden game.

[mph4ever]

what a second goal for russia. they look good. sweden need to score soon

[Timm]

russia playing ping pong in sweden's box :lol:

[Dave de Sylvia]

Jesus, this Pavlyuchenko character is worse than Toni. He scuffs EVERYTHING.

[Cesar21]

I'm sorry Sweboy but Russia is making Sweden look like amateurs. Easy great passes, playing pin-pong in the box as the comment above says, they are playing at will.

[Timm]

Jesus, this Pavlyuchenko character is worse than Toni. He scuffs EVERYTHING.

he scored the 1-0 at least :p

[Cesar21]

Russia deserves a 3rd goal... Greece couldn't even tie the 2nd string Spain team, i feel a bit sad for them.

[Dave de Sylvia]

he scored the 1-0 at least :p
And he scuffed it!

Gutted to see Larsson bow out with nothing. A true pro.

[Dead Star]

I predict Sweboy will not be happy.

[mph4ever]

its getting interesting now. q/f

quater finals
portugal vs germany - portugal

croatia vs turkey - croatia

holland vs russia - holland

spain vs italy - spain

semi finals
portugal vs croatia - portugal

holland vs spain - spain

final
portugal vs spain - i end up with portugal winning again....hmmmm

[Smokey D]

You really think Spain can beat Holland?

I missed their first game but what I have hasn't been anything invincible.

[Iai]

I dunno about your quarter finals predictions there mph....Spain play attacking football and have a shaky defence, so they're exactly the sort of team Holland should rip to pieces. If anything they'll have more difficult against Russia, I reckon. I could easily see Croatia nicking a tight victory over Portugal too. I'd love for it to be Spain-Portugal in the final (that'd be like England-Scotland!), but I doubt it'll happen.

Speaking of Larsson, I was thinking while watching the game tonight - could you put together a side made up of football players who are both good, and genuinely likeable? It'd be interesting to see what people come up with.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Spain play attacking football and have a shaky defence, so they're exactly the sort of team Holland should rip to pieces.

Alternatively:

Holland play attacking football and have a shaky defence, so they're exactly the sort of team Spain should rip to pieces.

I'm really excited about the prospect of Spain v Holland. I think even Russia v Holland has the potential to be a really exciting match.

[mph4ever]

i just think holland are a little flattered by beating half an old italian team and an absent france. i would like to see them tested. russia will test to a certain extent but russia have beene no great shakes either. so by the time they meet spain, who are a very good side, then i think they may have a serious match on their hands.

my heart rules in the other half. germany have not convinced, touch line ban for the manager and a questionable goalkeeper against a relentlessly attacking portugal who have difficulty defending, i can see portugal outscoring them. croatia are excellent and it will be a toss up between them and portugal but my heart is with portugal.

[Iai]

Eh. Spain don't look as dangerous on the counter as Holland do.

[mph4ever]

Eh. Spain don't look as dangerous on the counter as Holland do.

true, its hard to compare anyone to holland in that respect. with robben et al. but spain have two truly world class finishers, and i know we have not seen the best of torres yet.

[poorquality]

I'm worried about Spain, they've lost Puyol and it shows, he's their captain and their key defender, they haven't kept a clean sheet so far, I just hope that if they get to the semi and play Holland they score more goals, because Holland's defence isn't exactly great either.

Prediction 4-3 Spain if it comes to that

[sweboy]

Abramovich bribed the referee

[Dave de Sylvia]

idk if Puyol is your best defender then you probably haven't got a hope of ever keeping a clean sheet

Eh. Spain don't look as dangerous on the counter as Holland do.
I don't know, they countered pretty well against Russia, and the Sweden game wasn't well suited to counter-attacking football so it's hard to judge. They have plenty of pace and some excellent passers that are well capable of catching a so-far relatively untested defence cold.

[DonMancini]

Damn russians, it seems like a week ago choosing between them and holland to win a game would have been easy, but in light of their astounding performance today (and sweden were not bad at all, they almost held spain to a draw) I'm starting to hesitate. Holland are obviously favorites, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if russia won (that darn hiddink!)

[TakeWarning]

Russia looked about 79 times better with Arshavin playing. He is world class, would love to see him in the EPL.

Holland vs Russia promises to be one of the best games so far in terms of quality and attacking football.

[badtaste]

Gee, Sweden sucked. So lazy at times, not even looking to finish off that 1-2.

[Ganondorf]

Everyone predicting that Spain will trounce Italy are getting ahead of themselves, Italy will be a force to be reckoned with in the quarters.

[DFelon204409]

Italy is overrated. They won the World Cup by paying off the referees. They wouldn't have made it out of the group stage if the referees hadn't called two bogus red cards on the US.

[Surtr]

My pick for today goes to Portugal.

Germany have given it a good try, but they're just not all around there to push it far enough.

[2muchket!]

Arshavin was always the key to Russia doing well

Portugal will nick it tonight I think

[mph4ever]

its going to be a great game

usual extra time and penalties, uefa haven't introduced any tournament ruining innovations for this one, have they?

[poorquality]

3-1 to Portugal tonight I reckon, they'll take the lead, and catch Germany on the counter, but I can't see them keeping Germany out for the whole game hence the 1

[2muchket!]

Same as usual

Or that's what I'm lead to believe

[badtaste]

Bloody hell, no more free to air coverage here until the final itself. :(

Might have to travel to a friend's house to watch these finals.

[Timm]

Bloody hell, no more free to air coverage here until the final itself. :(


that is repression! fight the power! hasta la fútbol siempre :mad:

meh frings probably out, podolski might be, too.
at least schweinsteiger will play. maybe he can catch ricardo on the wrong foot once again. but the presages clearly favour portugal :o
all I hope is that my team just doesn't play as half assed as they did the last three games and give portugal a hard time.

[mph4ever]

theres live streaming video on www.rte.ie but i am not sure about territory, might be something worth looking at through an anonymous proxy

[badtaste]

theres live streaming video on www.rte.ie but i am not sure about territory, might be something worth looking at through an anonymous proxy

Eh, I've got slow internet speed anyway, so it isn't an option. Thanks anyway though.

[mph4ever]

no bother

[mph4ever]

hey, anyone see this? what a time to come out with it too, its about the ref from the italy/s. korea game. smell a rat this time around or are they just bulding a siege mentality to keep them going?

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=739887

[sgrevs]

Portugal to go through, and I have a feeling they will win the whole thing. Which annoys me, because anything that makes Christiano Ronaldo happy makes me sad.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I really really want Portugal to win but I just have a feeling Germany will do it. Which is ugh because I want them to ****ing dieeee

Italy is overrated. They won the World Cup by paying off the referees. They wouldn't have made it out of the group stage if the referees hadn't called two bogus red cards on the US.
I have a hard time believing the US could have beaten them in that match, even with De Rossi sent off for the most awesomely vicious elbow ever.

theres live streaming video on www.rte.ie but i am not sure about territory, might be something worth looking at through an anonymous proxy
It's only available in Ireland. Last time I tried from abroad none of the Irish proxies worked, but I read there's more of them now.

[2muchket!]

The US beat Italy.

Now theres a laugh

[badtaste]

btw, Riise to Roma, £4million for four years.

edit: and holy shmokes, Kewell could be heading to Roma as well.

[mph4ever]

and i heard they were looking at saha too, if they don't watch out they'll sign sicknote anderton next

[DFelon204409]

The US beat Italy.

Now theres a laugh

The US outplayed Germany in 02 and only lost because the ref didn't call that ridiculous goal saving handball. A handball that stops a goal is an automatic red card and PK. This all would have happened in the 50th minute. Either US are tied 1-1 and continue outplaying Germany, or they have a PK and play a depleted German side.

The US played a hard nosed game versus Italy that was spoiled by very biased refereeing. Same thing happened the next week as Ghana was awarded a PK in the injury time of the first half because Onyewu a, 6'4" specimen was in contact with the 5'4" Pimpong. They gave the penalty just because of size, not because of fouling. Also, Ghana ended up diving the entire second half and effectively played keep away. The last "real" match we played with Czech Republic, though I wouldn't say we showed up to play at all. Really shameful. So if you chart back to 2002, there's our definitive 2-0 win vs. Mexico and the awesome 3-2 versus Portugal.

The US are a world class team whether people like it or not. It's only a matter of time. I predict this year we'll go to the QFs. There we will face either Brazil, Argentina, Italy, France, Netherlands, Spain, or any other elite team and give them a game.

[mph4ever]

i've watched the american team when i get a chance. i think given the right strategy they can trouble any team, much like the other teams that can do that on their day. australia, scotland, ireland, norway, denmark, loads of the african teams and some asian, but there are very few others that would occupy this 3rd tier of football.

above them you have teams like romania, bulgaria, croatia, spain, turkey, russia, portugal and one or two african teams who have that confidence and skill to go out and play their game against the big few.

then there are the truly world class outfits like agentina, england, brazil, italy, france, holland, germany, who have been there and done it, who have a momentum in football that means they always have a chance, they have players, maybe two or three, that can change games in a flash, the world class players.

i would not put america in the world class group, they may be knocking at the second tier, and by the next world cup they may very be part of that group, but right now i would see them good quality 3rd tier.

managers make a massive difference at international level - look at what domenech managed to do by playing govou in each game or using anelka(wtf?), or mclaren has done the england in qualifying or that idiot mick mccarthy did to ireland for wc 2002.

[2muchket!]

Can I ask has Freddy Adu actually been given a starting place yet ?

Hes pretty much the best American Central Midfielder you have or have ever had.

[Dave de Sylvia]

The US outplayed Germany in 02 and only lost because the ref didn't call that ridiculous goal saving handball. A handball that stops a goal is an automatic red card and PK. This all would have happened in the 50th minute. Either US are tied 1-1 and continue outplaying Germany, or they have a PK and play a depleted German side.
That was 2002. The 2006 US team weren't a patch on four years earlier.

The US played a hard nosed game versus Italy that was spoiled by very biased refereeing.
I'd say the referee was equally bad for both teams...

The US are a world class team whether people like it or not. It's only a matter of time.
Six years ago, you might have been able to argue this. There's no way in hell you can say that about the current team.

[2muchket!]

**** me Germany stun Portugal with 2 quick excellent goals :|

Germany and England are famed for having similar dogged style of playing. But it seems they've developed beyond us in terms of flair.

Capello needs to get us playing like Germany did for the 1st goal

[Smokey D]

Portugal is being somewhat schooled at the moment. They could come back but they're gonna have to fight.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Germany have flair? Awesome opening 20 minutes by Germany though, they've really bossed it.

That Hitzlsperger character is a right sack of **** though. The less he's touched the ball, the better they've played.

[2muchket!]

2-1 now

Gettin interesting

[Dave de Sylvia]

I'll tell you what, Boswinga doesn't exactly look like the solution to Chelski's full back problem. He got turned by Ballack at the end and there, and instead of chasing him he just stood aside and let him have a shot on goal.

[mph4ever]

this is touch and go, could very easily be all square after 90mins

[Smokey D]

Germany needs to do something to reimpose themselves on the game or they risk losing their lead. Their defence doesn't look strong enough to weather a sustained assault.

EDIT: that'll do.

[mph4ever]

hehehehe

[Smokey D]

Simao has the touch of a drunken rhino. That last German goal killed all momentum Portugal had going forward and they haven't been able to recover. It looked dangerous for Germany for a while but now Portugal need something quite spectacular to win.

[Timm]

F-u-c-k
Y-e-s

Tournament Team!

[Dave de Sylvia]

Ouch, Portugal were the own worst enemies- shocking defending and a general lack of quality in the final third. Never thought I could say that about this Portuguese side. Extremely contentious call by the referee for Ballack's goal- it was as blatant a push as you're likely to see.

[mph4ever]

third german goal was pure foul, but goalkeeper was complete rubbish on that incident

ronaldo was absent. he has to come out and say what he is going to do. on tonights showing then i would look for a career change, great players on big stages make the difference - ronaldo failed for potugal

deco is gifted

scolari's tactics have to be question to get hit by ballacks goal after klose's in the first

[Timm]

could we all agree that germany's first goal was pure win :D

my side was really lucky in the last 20 minutes but fcuk that, they deserved that win after the full 90 minutes.

[Smokey D]

Although it wasn't scintillating football, the German performance was one of the more complete I've seen so far in the tournament. Strong in most areas with no obvious weaknesses. There might be a lack of penetrating plays into the box but set pieces seem to make up for that.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I don't know, I raved about Germany after the Polish match, but after that they were found out by an excellent Croatian side. You have to judge a performance on the strength of the opposition, and Portugal really didn't put up a fight tonight.

[Cesar21]

Set pieces won't do it all the time, they need more action and success in penetration, I see too much dependence in set pieces and free kicks, not that there is anything wrong with getting that done extremely well.

I'm disappointed with Portugal, atrocious air defense, its really too bad. Now I hope Netherland wins.

My predictions for the following games are Croatia, Netherlands, Spain.

[Chilifanthatsme]

Pundits said that the marker for the first set piece goal was probably told to mark the tallest guy, but surely they woulda changed tactics for future set pieces?

[DonMancini]

they need more action and success in penetration

....... :D



On a more serious note, I wish I could have watched that game cause it sounded like a cracker. I'll see if it's on tonight on TSN. Tomorrow's game should be quite good as well. I had a feeling the Germans would make it though, it's always a bad idea to count them out.

[mph4ever]

german first goal was pure class, as good a goal as we'll see in the tournament

germany vs croatia as a semi, that will show the men from the boys

[Dave de Sylvia]

It was nothing to do with who was marking who, it was just bad organisation. By the time the ball was played the Germans were already attacking it and the Portuguese defenders were stood still, helpless.

[Cesar21]

....... :D

Yeah i noticed that when writting but thought "what the hell".

Following my predictions in my previous post. Turkey is severely weakened by the loss of GK, Netherlands overall is a better team even if it will be a great game to watch, Italy has been very average and Spain brings a great attack force plus has a deeper bench. Those are the reasons for my predictions.

[Timm]

I don't know, I raved about Germany after the Polish match, but after that they were found out by an excellent Croatian side. You have to judge a performance on the strength of the opposition, and Portugal really didn't put up a fight tonight.

germany's strategy completely fcuked their way of playing. in the second half they took shots from outside the box most of the time because they just could pass into the box; they scored all their goals from inside the box. :D

[Pastorius]

guys, almost all of you guys got it wrong

...and gary neville got it right. hang your heads in shame

[Dave de Sylvia]

germany's strategy completely fcuked their way of playing. in the second half they took shots from outside the box most of the time because they just could pass into the box; they scored all their goals from inside the box. :D
Standing in your box is hardly a strategy. Germany played the game perfectly in the first half, putting pressure on the danger men and ensuring that they had more or less half of the possession. In the second half, they just sat back, and it was more a measure of how little the Portuguese had to offer than the Germans' play.

[Give me Beer]

guys, almost all of you guys got it wrong

...and gary neville got it right. hang your heads in shame

I told you people Portugal was being over-hyped. :D

Excuse me, I have to go make fun of a Brasilian buddy of mine who claimed Portugal was going to win the final and that they were way better than any other team in the tournament. :P

[TakeWarning]

I would say Portugal was one of the best teams in the tournament during the group stage. But based on their performance against Germany, they probably didn't deserve to get past the quarters.

I thought Jaoa Moutinho looked a really important player for Portugal. One of those players you don't notice until he's gone, and when he was Deco seemed to be the only thing holding the Portugese midfield together.

[Timm]

ronaldo off to real madrid!

[TakeWarning]

Torres off to Fluminese!

What game are we playing?

[Dead Star]

Adebayaor to Milan!

can't beat speculation

[Timm]

Ronaldinho off to LA Galaxy!

[TakeWarning]

Santana to Spurs!

This one is real though. Spurs are expected to sign Argentine midfielder Mario Santana from Fiorentina for 5 million Euros.

Anyone know about him?

[Dave de Sylvia]

I would say Portugal was one of the best teams in the tournament during the group stage. But based on their performance against Germany, they probably didn't deserve to get past the quarters.
Yeah, but who were they playing? The Germans got a really difficult game against Croatia, and were forced to play a full-strength side in all three games, during which Loew replaced dead links (Jansen, Fritz) with stronger players. I reckon that was the difference between the two sides in the end.

[Pastorius]

Santana to Spurs!

This one is real though. Spurs are expected to sign Argentine midfielder Mario Santana from Fiorentina for 5 million Euros.

Anyone know about him?

"The news about the possible transfer of Santana is completely false," he said. "We have created so many good players that it is inevitable we are handed requests about them.

"But in this case there has been false information. I guarantee you that as a club we don't have in mind any talk of transfer.

[Timm]

watching turkey-croatia
ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzz


WTF

klasnic 119 minutes
semih 121 minutes

0_o

on to penalties :D

[Dragon_Prince]

Idd, I was shocked too :P

[Smokey D]

That was the world's most boring 119 minutes, but pretty interesting at the last.

Good on Turkey. I'm pretty glad Croatia didn't win. Croatian fans are pretty terrible.

And I know it must be horrible to lose on penalties after coming so close and even worse to miss a shot but players blubbering on the side line doesn't exactly help the international reputation of the sport.

[Cesar21]

Greatest 3 minutes in the tournament.

[Dave de Sylvia]

what

[Cesar21]

Can you pull more miraculous wins than Turkey? its just amazing.

[Give me Beer]

Holy ****, what the **** was that. Turkey are the absolute masters of the last second come back. They've been ahead only 2 minutes so far this tournament, yet they are in the semi-finals, incredible.

[Cesar21]

I can't imagine how it must feel for the Croatian players, I really can't.

Turkey barely has a team now with 4 starters out of the semi-final game, if the beat Germany it would break the balance of the universe.

[2muchket!]

Well Germany are pretty much guaranteed to be in the final now

[Dave de Sylvia]

And I know it must be horrible to lose on penalties after coming so close and even worse to miss a shot but players blubbering on the side line doesn't exactly help the international reputation of the sport.
What's wrong with a little bit of passion?

[Timm]

that means civil war next wednesday =/

[Dave de Sylvia]

Döner fight!

[sgrevs]

Holy crap, I actually can't believe Turkey. If you'd told me before the tournament started that they would play like this I would have hit you for wasting my time.

I don't see them beating Germany though...*waits to be proved wrong again*

[badtaste]

And I know it must be horrible to lose on penalties after coming so close and even worse to miss a shot but players blubbering on the side line doesn't exactly help the international reputation of the sport.

Ahaha, fail.

edit: it's like you're suggesting that soccer isn't one of the most popular sports in the world already, ahahahaha.

[TakeWarning]

Good on Turkey. I'm pretty glad Croatia didn't win. Croatian fans are pretty terrible.



YEAH SHAME ON THEM FOR BEING SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR TEAM

Idiot.

[Smokey D]

What's wrong with a little bit of passion?

There's a difference between showing emotion and committment and crying like a child.

edit: it's like you're suggesting that soccer isn't one of the most popular sports in the world already, ahahahaha.

No it's like I'm suggesting soccer plays cop a lot of crap for being being sissies.

YEAH SHAME ON THEM FOR BEING SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR TEAM

Idiot.

What?

[badtaste]

Yeah, tell Eduardo that.

[TakeWarning]

There's a difference between showing emotion and committment and crying like a child.



No it's like I'm suggesting soccer plays cop a lot of crap for being being sissies.



What?

Obviously you don't really grasp how important major tournaments are for professional soccer players. To lose a game in the circumstances Croatia did would be devastating considering all their hard work and preparation.

[Timm]

"Someone said "football is more important than life and death to you" and I said "Listen, it's more important than that.""

quoted for truth

[2muchket!]

"Someone said "football is more important than life and death to you" and I said "Listen, it's more important than that.""

quoted for truth

QFT

football is my religion

[Smokey D]

Obviously you don't really grasp how important major tournaments are for professional soccer players. To lose a game in the circumstances Croatia did would be devastating considering all their hard work and preparation.

Okay but not all players cry when they lose such an important game in similar circumstances.

I accept that it would be heart wrenching. But the fact is it isn't helping the reputation of the sport.

[badtaste]

Only ignoramuses and children would probably think that sports stars crying would be a tarnish on the reputation of the sport.

[2muchket!]

I see it as a sign of passion rather than the apathetic expressions on some, who'd rather be on their holidays or earning their 'real' living at their clubs.

[Bukowski]

Only ignoramuses and children would probably think that sports stars crying would be a tarnish on the reputation of the sport.

agreed.

Especially if you play for 120 minutes in the quarter finals of a big tournament, concede a goal with the last kick of the ball, and get beaten on penalties. You're obviously going to be devastated. If a few tears from certain players result in anyone thinking less of football...that's pretty pathetic and is that INDIVIDUAL's problem, not the sport's.

[Smokey D]

I can't believe you guys are getting so worked up about it.

And I don't see how you can deny that one of the biggest hinderences to growing the game is the perception, accurate or not fair or not, that soccer is weaker or less tough than full contact sports.

[2muchket!]

Football is the choice of sport worldwide I dont get how it can 'grow' anymore ?

[sgrevs]

Going back to the Croatia game itself, Olic had a real shocker. How did he miss that open goal after Modric's awesome goalmouth gross!? Croatia were just so unlucky.

Also, one Turkish player came close to scoring what would probably be the best long range shot I've ever seen. Insane stuff.

Tonight's tip:
Holland 5-4 Russia

It's gonna be all out counter-attacking for the entire game.

[Surtr]

I see it as a sign of passion rather than the apathetic expressions on some, who'd rather be on their holidays or earning their 'real' living at their clubs.

Here you there mate!

It doesn't make a difference to me if they're crying. It just proves they really give a **** about their sport.

I was wrong about Portugal over Germany, so here we go, and I damn well better be right about this one.

My boys in Oranje are taking Russia tonight and I can't wait. On a side note, there's a massive ship from Russia in town right now that was carrying some Windmill parts or some ****, and so I went out today wearing my Netherlands top and I ran into not even lying, at least 20 Russian guys wearing Russian tops. Of course they're all sailors and they're all piss drunk and it was the ****ing scariest sight of my life. I kept walking towards the pub they had just left and walked right passed them and every single one of them gave me a dirty look. One called out something in Russian but I have no idea what it was. Anyways...

Netherlands v Russia

[2muchket!]

Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko need to be on form tonight if Russia are going to make any sort of stride towards beating the Dutch.

Otherwise Sneijder, Van der Vaart and co will rip 'em to pieces.

[mph4ever]

this is the test that holland need

i hate turkey, they add little by way of honesty to a tournament, but they do add shocks, regularly. poor old croatia

[Smokey D]

Football is the choice of sport worldwide I dont get how it can 'grow' anymore ?

There's heaps of room for growth in the US and Canada.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I can't believe you guys are getting so worked up about it.

And I don't see how you can deny that one of the biggest hinderences to growing the game is the perception, accurate or not fair or not, that soccer is weaker or less tough than full contact sports.
I really can't imagine it being an issue for many people. Maybe it's different in rugby countries, but I can't really see that being the case either.

[Prince of Darkness]

Nederland ftw

[2muchket!]

There's heaps of room for growth in the US and Canada.

Maybe so but last time I checked Basketball is pretty popular in the US and is far far less of contact sport than football.

I also saw KG crying the other night after putting in an excellent performance and winning his first NBA title.

I bet that wont harm the popularity of the sport.

[Smokey D]

I really can't imagine it being an issue for many people. Maybe it's different in rugby countries, but I can't really see that being the case either.

There's a difference between a restrained display of emotion after a hard fought defeat and the unashamed wailing by the player who inspired my initial comment. It wasn't just a quiet sob. It wasn't even crying into someone's shoulder. He was screaming with about 5 support staff trying to console him. It looked like a child's tantrum in a supermarket, not a professional player on a sports field. It's unsporting to bawl like that because it implies that you think you are owed the victory.

And it's not an issue for many people. That's why football is the world's biggest sport. But I bet it is an issue for at least some of the people who don't like the game. In fact, one of the biggest complaints I hear is how soft football is, with its diving, penalties and on field temper tantrums. The fact is it's an unfair representation, but it's one that needs to be overturned if the game is to reach those sort of people.

I also saw KG crying the other night after putting in an excellent performance and winning his first NBA title.

Okay, but if Kobe Bryant or whoever sat down on the court after losing a game and wailed inconsolably, I bet that'd hurt both his image and the games.

[dei]

It's funny to hear people who follow basketball religiously say football is weak when a lot of fouls called in basketball are really dumb things, like a slap on the wrist when a person is shooting. Come on, bro!

[2muchket!]

Football is a bit soft in other countries but for the most part bar a few divers and daft referring decisions, in the Prem its pretty athletic and there is still a lot of contact.

And as the Premiership is the leading league in the world at present I think its an important distinction to make.

Also tbh I don't think it'd harm Kobe's career if he cried on court. He looked close to tears after the finals the other night actually.

[Smokey D]

Okay but you're not getting what I'm saying.

Crying or even sobbing into your hands is not the same as wailing in a way that is either intended to draw attention or looks like it was intended.

[2muchket!]

Aye I get ya mate

Some of these foreign players are a bit OTT like, it's just in their nature.

[Dave de Sylvia]

It's unsporting to bawl like that because it implies that you think you are owed the victory.
It can imply any number of things.

[poorquality]

I see the crying as a sign of passion for the game, there are differences, such as croatia players crying because they've been knocked out in the cruelest way possible in the quarter finals of a major tournament. Passion, shows how much it meant to them, they wanted it and they put everything into it. It always hurts to try your best and fail.

Then there's the Gallas (it was him right?) tantrums, crying, kicking things, sulking on the pitch, that's not really called for, could argue he was reaaaally passionate about the sport, but there's no room for that sort of behavior (ie. kicking stuff etc).

Also whoever said football players crying is making people think football is softer than other contact sports...Rugby players cry all the time, some are extroadinarily passionate about the game, and if they lose it really gets to them. Now go say Rugby is getting soft because of their actions, see what they say to you.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Wow, Boulahrouz is playing despite the death of his daughter a couple of days ago. Props.

Anyway, 2 group winners have already fallen at the QF stage. What do you reckon we make it 3/3?

[2muchket!]

From the way Russia are playing you could be right

its really open as expected

[DFelon204409]

I see the crying as a sign of passion for the game, there are differences, such as croatia players crying because they've been knocked out in the cruelest way possible in the quarter finals of a major tournament. Passion, shows how much it meant to them, they wanted it and they put everything into it. It always hurts to try your best and fail.

Then there's the Gallas (it was him right?) tantrums, crying, kicking things, sulking on the pitch, that's not really called for, could argue he was reaaaally passionate about the sport, but there's no room for that sort of behavior (ie. kicking stuff etc).

Also whoever said football players crying is making people think football is softer than other contact sports...Rugby players cry all the time, some are extroadinarily passionate about the game, and if they lose it really gets to them. Now go say Rugby is getting soft because of their actions, see what they say to you.

I've cried after losing rugby games. I hope I didn't ruin my image.

[Minus The Flair]

That Kolodin has one hell of a right foot. Still think this one's Holland's, despite Russia having the better half.

[Surtr]

****.

1 - 0 for Russia.

Come on boys. Oranje oranje oranje!!!

[2muchket!]

Lovely little move from Russia and a good finish from Pavlyuchenko

[Surtr]

I hate how the team that works harder, has the most chances and plays the best Football rarely seems to win. So far Holland has been dominating this match, they've been putting ages of pressure and getting off some excellent shots, but Russia just keeps shooting off random shots and its been pure **** luck that Van der Saar wasn't set right to catch that little touch.

[Timm]

I think I'll put money Italy winning now, haha

[Surtr]

I have never once liked this Ref.

Every match I've watched him Ref. has gone to ****. He's a ****ing retard who can't make a good call to save his life.

Edit: HAHAHAHA! I ****ING LOVE YOU VAN NISTELROY! **** YESSSS!

[Timm]

heh 1-1

russia must feel dumb now having not scored from that chance some minutes ago where they just passed the ball around in holland's box

[Minus The Flair]

Decision at the end was strange, either way, Kolodin didn't deserve a second yellow so it's fair he got to stay on.

[Dave de Sylvia]

I'm not sure how anybody could think Holland were the best team in that match. Aside from the first half hour or so, they've created very little, and much like Germany pounced on poor defensive organisation from a set-piece. I'm surprised by how ordinary the Dutch have looked against decent opposition- they really do lack creativity, despite Sneijder and v. Nistelrooy.

And yeah, Russia should have killed it off. I was screaming at the television when they tried to walk the ball into the net right before the equaliser.

[2muchket!]

Arshavin what a player

And the ref made a really good decision not to send Kolodin off.

I swear if Italy win tomorrow :(

[talk show host]

Germany are going to win this aren't they? :(

[poorquality]

I wanted Portugal to win it because of Man Utd links, they got dumped out, so picked the side that impressed me most entertainment wise, Holland, dumped out...

Means Spain is my only other team to go for, if Italy win...the Euros are over for me :P

[Dave de Sylvia]

Germany are going to win this aren't they? :(
On the evidence of tonight, Germany would have torn Holland apart. I think Germany have a great chance just because they're the most experienced side left, but that would have been true whether Croatia and Holland had won or not.

[poorquality]

A Germany vs Spain final would be interesting. 3-2 Spain

[2muchket!]

A Germany Italy final I think would be horrible

I would like to see Spain and Germany final tho'

[dei]

I want Turkey to win but I feel it's going to be Germany.

[Surtr]

I'm done cheering I guess boys.

**** this ****.

I 'spose that means Football is over for me for a while :(

[badtaste]

There's a difference between a restrained display of emotion after a hard fought defeat and the unashamed wailing by the player who inspired my initial comment. It wasn't just a quiet sob. It wasn't even crying into someone's shoulder. He was screaming with about 5 support staff trying to console him. It looked like a child's tantrum in a supermarket, not a professional player on a sports field. It's unsporting to bawl like that because it implies that you think you are owed the victory.

Yeah, take one case and generalise it for the entire sport.

And it's not an issue for many people. That's why football is the world's biggest sport. But I bet it is an issue for at least some of the people who don't like the game. In fact, one of the biggest complaints I hear is how soft football is, with its diving, penalties and on field temper tantrums. The fact is it's an unfair representation, but it's one that needs to be overturned if the game is to reach those sort of people.

You're the only one pointing it out - no one else cares. You're preaching to the wrong people.

Go Guus Hiddink, what a champ.

[Dragon_Prince]

Netherlands - Romenia, is what killed the Dutch playing. They should have gone through with the winning streak with the same team, everyone should have stayed in that flow. The magic was just lost in the football tonight, they went to their old style of playing. It's really a shame.

[sgrevs]

Upset after upset...I'm still hoping Spain will pull through, I'd hate to see Italy get a totally undeserved passage through again.

[Cesar21]

All the group winners have lost... I still go for Spain to win.

[mph4ever]

don't know if i said this. me and a couple of mates got france, germany, russia and spain in the local pub draw. i honestly thought that france were the ones in the lead up. goes to show what i know. theres money for 1st, 2nd, have a real chance of a clean sweep.

hehehehe, enough to justify going to the pub, collect the winnings and drink for the day, hehehehehe

[RandyfromPennywise]

Guus Hiddink, the master. Don't care what anyone says, he is the most tactically-astute manager in the world. Mourinho, Scolari, Wenger, Ferguson, Lippi, anyone, they are all great, but none can compare to Guus Hiddink.

[mph4ever]

Guus Hiddink, the master. Don't care what anyone says, he is the most tactically-astute manager in the world. Mourinho, Scolari, Wenger, Ferguson, Lippi, anyone, they are all great, but none can compare to Guus Hiddink.

too true

no wonder he didn't look at the chelsea job. he probably thinks he has a shot at the world cup with his present team. only germany in the qualifying group that might threaten them. it would make a great world cup qualifying group to watch if germany and russia get to the euro 08 final.

[Timm]

I say Italy is going to win 6-5 after penalty shoot outs

[Dave de Sylvia]

I can't really see Italy matching Spain anywhere on the pitch, but I've already been wrong twice in this round of matches.

[Timm]

well, if we can learn something from this euro it's never judge a team by their perfomance in the group stage.
and don't play your B-11 in the last game in group stage, even if you're through already.

fun facts:
in the last 22 years Spain failed three times on a June 22nd in quarter finals.
And they couldn't beat Italy for the last 88 years, except for friendly games.

[Timm]

so far, Luca Toni has been the opponent's best centre back in this tournament.

so far it looks pretty good for my predictions :)

ok maybe not, congrats to spain :D

[Cesar21]

Yeah!!! About time things turned out like expected for a change, happy for Spain i am... way more deserving than Italy in this tournament. Casillas was great.

[Iai]

YES

YES YES YES YES YES

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA HHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I really hate Italy.

[Give me Beer]

I agree with the sentiment displayed by Iai :D I'm so happy di natali missed that penalty, serves him right for that **** he pulled earlier on.

[poorquality]

I'm so happy Italy are out, no team who play that negatively deserve to go through

[Happy]

This is good because there are lots of Italians around here that will be very upset.
I'm not surprised they went out at all.

[Timm]

http://img-a1.pe.imagevz.net/profile1/b9/c7/4a63c3061be60100b1f23fbc1d2c/6-baf42f7ab0655e93.jpg
:D

[TakeWarning]

Don't know how anyone could possibly support Italy, I couldn't be happier that they've gone out.

I think Luca Toni was probably the worst player of the tournament, or maybe Mario Gomez.

[sgrevs]

La Furia Roja! La Furia Roja!

So glad Spain are through. Don't know how they will do against Russia this time around though!

[badtaste]

Neat, I'm happy for Spain.

In other news, Paul Ince is now manager of Blackburn.

[sgrevs]

Yeah, I saw that. Crazy stuff.

[TakeWarning]

Seems a little odd, I doubt he'll do as well as Hughesy did.

Hasn't he only managed MK Donnes before now?

[2muchket!]

Seems a little odd, I doubt he'll do as well as Hughesy did.

Hasn't he only managed MK Donnes before now?

Mark Hughes had only managed Wales before blackburn so alteast Incey has a bit more knowledge of club football.

Besides Paul Ince not only captained England (first black player to do so), played for Utd but also played for Inter Milan. I think he has plenty of knowledge of the game and is a natural leader, much like Southgate at my club and I do believe were about to break into the top 8, top 6 with a a bit of luck.

Infact Paul Ince is the first black english manager in the premiership.

[TakeWarning]

Mark Hughes had only managed Wales before blackburn so alteast Incey has a bit more knowledge of club football.

Besides Paul Ince not only captained England (first black player to do so), played for Utd but also played for Inter Milan. I think he has plenty of knowledge of the game and is a natural leader, much like Southgate at my club and I do believe were about to break into the top 8, top 6 with a a bit of luck.

Infact Paul Ince is the first black english manager in the premiership.

You're right, Southgate's done a pretty good job in charge in Boro considering his experience. By that logic Ince could probably pretty do well.

Also, as far as black managers go, what about that bloke who used to manage Fulham who was always sucking on something? And Gullit was half-black.

[2muchket!]

Yeah but they weren't english :p

Steve McClaren takes over at FC Twente in Holland. Which is errr interesting.

[badtaste]

Wow :0 That's an interesting career move.

[sgrevs]

I hope Ince does well, I like him and I quite like Blackburn.

[Dave de Sylvia]

First black British manager in Premiership history. Interesting, I'd never thought about it before. Gullit and Tigana are the only other black managers I can think of.

[Iai]

John Barnes was Celtic boss for a while if that counts. Which it doesn't but I'm stretching.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Well done!

[badtaste]

Didn't Cronaldo say he was going to make a statement regarding his future a few days after his Euro campaign finished?

[talk show host]

He's decided to go on holiday for a few weeks first I think.

[2muchket!]

Hes having an operation as well

[badtaste]

Wow, going to great lengths to delay his decision :p

[ChodaBoy]

If he wanted to stay, there wouldnt be this discussion.

[Surtr]

Exactly. Its obvious he wants to leave and Sir Alex needs to decide if he's going to hold Ronaldo to his contract and possibly upset the balance of things, or if he's going to just let him go to Real for A LOT of money. I won't lie, I don't see the appeal of making the move to Real anyways.

[2muchket!]

Let Ronaldo go for say £60m and buy Arshavin for £20m.

I know atm who I'd prefer

[Iai]

Arshavin's wages at Zenit are paid by this rich Russian bloke called Roman Abramovich or something. I hear he wouldn't be too happy about him going to ManYoo.

[sgrevs]

Turkey are missing like their 7 best players tonight. Really sucks for them, I hope they somehow find another way to defy god.

[TakeWarning]

Turkey are missing like their 7 best players tonight. Really sucks for them, I hope they somehow find another way to defy god.

I heard on Setanta that (depending on injuries) they might have to play their reserve goalkeeper up front. :eek:

[Dave de Sylvia]

Wow, that's insane. They only have like 14 players iirc, and 3 of them are goalkeepers. I really wish Nihat and Arda were available. They're capable of shutting the Germans out for long periods, but they'll need somebody to make a bit of magic out of nowhere, and right now Semih's the only real option, and he was dropped last time out. I'm pinning my hopes on Altintop.

Also, out of interest, does anybody who's not German actually want Germany to win?

[Surtr]

I'm now playing the underdog game from here on out.

I'm hoping Turkey create a miracle and take this match against Germany. If they do I will officially switch my Permanent Allegiance for National Football Clubs.

[2muchket!]

I hope Turkey to do win because they are massive underdogs.

But Germany in the final will certainly make it interesting

[badtaste]

I won't lie, I don't see the appeal of making the move to Real anyways.

The weather.

Arshavin's wages at Zenit are paid by this rich Russian bloke called Roman Abramovich or something. I hear he wouldn't be too happy about him going to ManYoo.

orly? Arshaving himself says he wants to play in the Primera Ligue, and I think his agent or his father or someone close said he'd love to join Barca.

Turkey are missing like their 7 best players tonight. Really sucks for them, I hope they somehow find another way to defy god.

Crazy.

Also, out of interest, does anybody who's not German actually want Germany to win?

The game yes, the tournament no.

[Give me Beer]

Also, out of interest, does anybody who's not German actually want Germany to win?

I do, but that's because I always support Germany as my second team after Belgium. I have since I was little, emotional attachment to the team due to FIFA computergames ;).

Also, if Turkey wins, I won't be able to sleep tonight with all the noise :P.

Ah, and all the nationalists here want Germany to win because 'Turkey isn't a European nation and shouldn't be in the EC'. I swear, if they had been playing any other team than Germany, I would have been supporting Turkey just for statements like that.

[Dave de Sylvia]

It's kind of funny that 2 of the last 4 teams in the Euros could just as easily qualify for the Asian Cup.

[Timm]

it's funny that a turkey - russia final is possible :amaze:

[dei]

I want Turkey to win because no one thought they would make it this far, but I wouldn't be upset if Germany won it.

[ATM]

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h186/firstshirt/germany.jpg

[RandyfromPennywise]

^ Randy is rooting for Germany!!!

[Surtr]

It's not too late to switch over to Germany is it?

Hell if I get womenz like that then..Well you know.

[Dave de Sylvia]

1-0 Turkey!!!

Richly deserved too! :D :D :D

[2muchket!]

GETINNN TURKEY 1-0

Kazim-Richards hasnt been too bad either

EDIT: 1-1

And wtf is Hansen talking about, if I was Podolski knowing how absolutely **** Klose has been in this Championship, I wouldn't have squard it either.

[Ventriloquist]

Kazim Richards improved a lot this season in Fenerbahce. I had some British friends telling me how **** he is but even now they say that they see the difference. Bah I hope we win.

[2muchket!]

**** sake

the bbc are a bunch of idiots

[talk show host]

god damnit we're missing goals!

ah well, looks like they're sticking with 5live. Maybe the lightning killed Motson and Lawrenson.

edit: the commentary's just ahead of the pictures too which is annoying.

[Minus The Flair]

Noticed that. Watching Germany you wonder how on earth they could be considered favourites for the title of 'best team in Europe'. They're terrible.

Edit: And lucky.

[2muchket!]

3-2 :(

[Minus The Flair]

Corr, I don't think I've seen a more undeserved victory in the tournament than that.

[talk show host]

Bloody Germans

[Ventriloquist]

Lucky Germans. I don't think they will win the final match though. With this play...

[RandyfromPennywise]

Turkey deserved to go to extra-time, maybe even win it in normal time, but Germany, yet again, get the business done. In an arsey and lucky way, but hey, this is football. Turkey is probably the story of the tournament, the team that will be remembered - three amazing come-backs and a brilliant display in the semis, from a team most didn't fancy to leave their group. Nae bad ay.

Will have to wait until tomorrow's match before I start talking about the final, but can't wait for the next two matches - if this morning is anything to go by. Well worth staying up 'til 6.30am for, no doubt about it.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Germany have had just about every lucky break you could get in this tournament. If either Russia or Spain are even firing on half of their cylinders, they'll destroy this lot.

[Iai]

Agreed.

[Cesar21]

Its painful to see Turkey lose. I saw a re-run of the game after I already knew what had happened, but i still hoped for a different result. I don't care who plays Germany in finals, they better win.

Spain should win, but Russia is playing great and it would be kind of cool if they make it, but again as long as they beat the Germans all is good.

[Timm]

ahahahahaha!!!!

<3 Lahm <3

they just cannot cope with being the favourite side

[MattSharpIsCool]

So can someone tell me why England is not in the Euros? I live on the west coast of the US so following this stuff is hard.

And Germany really needs to shore up their defense. You can only blame Lehmann so much for those goals Turkey scored. The German defenders were just stepping aside and allowing the Turks to walk right up to the goal line.

But if Klose can get going after his goal today, that's going to help a lot.

[Dave de Sylvia]

So can someone tell me why England is not in the Euros? I live on the west coast of the US so following this stuff is hard.
There's 57 countries in Europe and only 16 can qualify for the tournament, so they have a 2-year qualifying campaign. England came third in their qualifying group behind Croatia and Russia, so they didn't make the final tournament.

[RandyfromPennywise]

I'm tipping Spain 2-1 or 3-2. It's a brave man who tips against Hiddink though. No result will surprise me.

[TakeWarning]

I think Russia will beat Spain tbh. They've come out of a confidence-building win whereas Spain come into the game after a penalty shoot-out win over a medicore Italy.

Germany were average at best against Turkey. They seemed to be content to let Turkey play the ball around as much as they wanted in the first half, they were incredibly wasteful in possession, Lehmann had a shocker, and Lahm was terrible defensively. Having said that, they've got this far and I can still see them winning the final.

Anyone catch who got the assist for the Klose goal?

[Dave de Sylvia]

Lahm

[Give me Beer]

Before the game started, I said to the guy next to me: Watch Germany score the winning goal in the 90th minute. I actually repeated it about a few seconds before that goal actually happened.

Turkey played well, they were a lot better than the German team, but the lacked the quality strikers. To be honest, I don't think people are giving Germany enough credit, Turkey might have dominated but Germany actually manged to score from their few attacks, and the first and the last goal were beautiful, even if the second was rather lucky (but so was the second and even the first Turkey goal).

What happened was Germany doing what the Turks have been doing all tournament. Taste of their own medicine one might say, even if that sounds rather harsh.

I keep hearing people that claim Germany will be 'destroyed' by the winners of Spain/Russia. While that might well be the case, I remember hearing similar predictions before Germany/Portugal. They do have the capacity to up their game when needed.

Yesterday they were bloody awful at times though, half the time it felt like they weren't even really trying.

[2muchket!]

There is a distinct difference between the quality of strikers with Portugal and Spain. Torres and Villa provide more depth than playing 4-3-3 with 2 wingers up front like Portugal did.

If Germany want to do well in the final, Podolski playing left wing ain't gunna help.

[Smokey D]

Torres has been meh all tournament.

[Timm]

i have a terrible hang over :(

[dei]

If Germany want to do well in the final, Podolski playing left wing ain't gunna help.

Yes. I'm still confused as to why Podolski isn't playing up with Klose.

[2muchket!]

Torres has been meh all tournament.

Hes been subbed twice when hes been playing quite well

[dei]

Germany will lose is Gomez gets any time on the pitch.

[Minus The Flair]

Lippi back in charge of Italy. Didn't take them long to make that decision.

Prediction for tonight: Russia 2 - 2 Spain, extra time, 3 - 3, Spain win on penalties.

[2muchket!]

Spain 3-2 FT I reckon

[ChodaBoy]

3-1 to Spain. Villa, Pavlyuchenko, Silva, Villa

[Timm]

2-1 to spain
I'm hoping for russia, though

[DonMancini]

Spain vs russia has the potential to be one of the most entertaining games of all time. I have Spain winning the whole tournament in my pool but everyone loves an underdog, hence GO RUSSIA!

As for Italy, they didn't deserve to go through imo, and italy vs spain was one of the most boring and painful games I've ever watched ever. I'm so so glad lippi is back in charge.

[Timm]

ha, what a setting for a semi final, hope no one will get thunderstrucked lol

[Cesar21]

So Spain seems to be well in route of a win. Happy for them, hope they beat Germany.

The 3rd place game will be very interesting now that Turkey has suspended players back. I hope Russia wins that one.

[Timm]

there's no 3rd place game

[Dave de Sylvia]

Wow, that was boring. The Russians never really got started. Spain are well worth their 3-0 win.

[Cesar21]

I didn't know that...this is the first Euro I follow so I just figured it was same as the WC. Would have been nice to know who would win.

[Minus The Flair]

Arshavin was non-existent, all hype no product. Fabreagas was great though, deserves a start in the final.

[Dave de Sylvia]

Well, that's kind of unfair. Arshavin's played 3 matches and has been outstanding in 2 of them. The entire Russian team was poor tonight, and Arshavin was one of the few who battled to the end.

[TakeWarning]

Really good performance from Spain, Russia never really fired.

[badtaste]

Arshavin was non-existent, all hype no product. Fabreagas was great though, deserves a start in the final.

It's called being man-marked. If it can happen to Kaka, even Cronaldo, then it can happen to Arshavin.

In trade news, Heurelho Gomes of PSV, has been bought by the Spurs. He's a decent keeper, yah?

[TakeWarning]

From what I've heard, he is pretty good. I saw him play in the CL last year and he was very very good, but...that was just one game. His goalkeeping record in the Dutch league was 24 goals in 34 games, which is impressive.

Good signing for Spurs I think, anything is an improvement over Robinson in his current form.

Also, Italian left-back Andreas Dossena from Udinese to Liverpool.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Well, that's kind of unfair. Arshavin's played 3 matches and has been outstanding in 2 of them. The entire Russian team was poor tonight, and Arshavin was one of the few who battled to the end.

Correct.

[2muchket!]

Arshavin is apparently set for Barca.

Which makes sense.

[RandyfromPennywise]

Australia have drawn Qatar, Bahrain, Japan and Uzbekistan in the final round of Asian World Cup qualifiers. Not a bad draw, with the other group having the Saudis, Iran and S. Korea. We should qualify from our draw, but away trips to Tashkent and Japan will be the real tests.

[2muchket!]

Had a look at the league for the South American qualifying and brazil after 6 games aren't even in the 4 automatic spots !

I can't believe Iraq failed to qualify over Qatar !

[TakeWarning]

Man City set to pay an insane price of 19 million pounds for Jo. Seems a little rash.

Australia have drawn Qatar, Bahrain, Japan and Uzbekistan in the final round of Asian World Cup qualifiers. Not a bad draw, with the other group having the Saudis, Iran and S. Korea. We should qualify from our draw, but away trips to Tashkent and Japan will be the real tests.

Do the top two from each group qualify? The WA newspaper didn't say.

[sgrevs]

Top 2 from each group, then the third placed teams play each other, and the winner plays the winner of Oceania for a WC spot. Or something like that.

[Iai]

Had a look at the league for the South American qualifying and brazil after 6 games aren't even in the 4 automatic spots !
It's happened before.

[2muchket!]

They got beat by Paraguay. Which isnt that hard to believe since Paraguay have got 1 decent striker in Valdez and 1 excellent one with Santa Cruz

[RandyfromPennywise]

It's happened before.

I know you're not referring to eventual qualifying, because Brazil have played in every World Cup.

Do the top two from each group qualify? The WA newspaper didn't say.Yeah that's right, top two go through, then the two third-place teams play-off to get the right to beat New Zealand in a two-legged tie for the final spot in the WC.

On the face of it, it might be something like Australia, Japan, Iran and South Korea going through automatically with Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia playing-off. Wish it was that easy! The Japan game in Australia is going to be huge. Will have to go to Sydney for it. (No doubt Sydney will get the game, they get every fking big game, we haven't had a game in Adelaide since 2004, bloody balls. We were going to get an Asian Cup qualifier in 2006 against Lebanon but Hezbollah went and fked that up for us didn't they!)