Euros!

Anyone else pumped for the Euros? This tournament usually produces much more competitive football than the World Cup, a team really has to earn their way in. Unless you're Switzerland or Austria that is. :P Anyway, cheering for the Netherlands but secretly hoping Spain will do well, they are the Ottawa Senators of the international game. So talented but never really living up to the advance billing.

Ah well, even the Germans and Italians are playing attacking, attractive football, should be a great tournament. Can't wait for the start in 2 hours!

There are gonna be some great games , i think this tournament is one of the best due to the fact that the teams are a little closer in terms of skills and playing types.
This time around should be even better considering that there aren't any outright favorites , looking forward to my time in front of the tv .:rolleyes:-)

GO SCOTLAND.......oh :(

Good luck spackler, your group is a a tough one. I thin Romania may be a surprise team too. Hopefully the Dutch and the Romanians will knock out France and Italy (no bitterness here...:))

If the dutch get through the group, I think they will win the whole damn thing, other than that my money is on Italy to clinch "the double".

I would have loved to see the Scots there. My mom is Scottish and my Dad is Dutch, so I cheer for them both. At least they're competitive now, that was a long time in the wilderness since '98. Things are looking up.

I am more than a little worried that the Dutch are too weak at the back to make too much of an impression. They're magnificent up front and in the midfield, so either they're going to win games 4-3 or hope van der Sar can make some magic. I agree with you on Romania, very solid team and they drew the Dutch twice in qualifying and finished ahead of them so they won't be a surprise to me. I had the pleasure of watching Chivu many times at the ArenA when he played for Ajax and he is a great player. Mutu is obviously back on track too.

My Germans put on a clinic today! L O V E D it! Mind you three of the german squad were born in Poland, but oh well.

Tomorrow's Italy-Dutch game is gonna be W I C K E D!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That group is nuts, certainly the group of death!

My wife is already mad at me for watching it. LOL

Really looking forward to this tourney. Still upset that England didn't make it, but there will be plenty of great soccer. I think Germany is going to run away with it. Hopefully they start using Schweinsteiger as a starter - he's way too good not to be on the field...probably my favourite player right now.

I hate "football" My cousins made me watch it while in the UK and I've never missed hockey more in my life. 1-0 after 90min?? No thanks That being said... go italy!!!

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Originally Posted by sillywilly

I hate "football" My cousins made me watch it while in the UK and I've never missed hockey more in my life. 1-0 after 90min?? No thanks That being said... go italy!!!

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For someone who hates the 'boring' low scoring nature of soccer, Italy sure is an odd choice of team to cheer for. Talk about a yawn-fest.

I like Portugal's chances, albeit very limited if Ronaldo doesn't perform as the world class striker he is. Their group isn't very strong and they should advance easily, depending on their game against the Czech Republic.

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Talk about a dive-a-thon. Soccer is really starting to disgust me. Shameful.

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Originally Posted by jonf

Talk about a dive-a-thon. Soccer is really starting to disgust me. Shameful.

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It's just starting to disgust you now?

It gets worse and worse. And the Dutch were never this bad. I think they even surpassed Italy in diving today, which I didn't think was possible.

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Originally Posted by jonf

It gets worse and worse. And the Dutch were never this bad. I think they even surpassed Italy in diving today, which I didn't think was possible.

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I think that's pretty harsh. Van Nistelrooy gave up a sure penalty call by not going down when Buffon clipped him. There was hardly any flopping at all in the game, especially surprising considering how physical the tackling was in the first half hour.

I couldn't count the number of times people got lightly clipped with a hip or shoulder and jumped in the air with knees bent and hands extended to the heavens.

Nistelroy may have stayed up there, but that was only because - A - he hadn't been touched at all and - B - he still had a great chance at goal. He went down way too easily a few times later in the game.

Not saying Italy didn't do it too. They were flopping all over the place as well, but I've come to expect it from them. I was disappointed that the Dutch, who I often cheer for, decided they'd join Italy in playing the flop game, rather than actually playing football.

*sigh*

Is the way football had become over the last 6 or 7 years. Sometimes I yell at the television in absolute derision at some of the nancies who tumble even though if they'd stayed on their feet they'd have been clean through on goal. Saying that, EURO 2008 hasn't been too bad so far, the World Cup was ridiculous IMO. Glad to have seen quite a few referees motion to the divers to get up, however, I'd like to see them yellow card more divers as it is the worst form of cheating IMO.

Oh and Spacker. Congratulations man, Holland were amazing, that 2nd goal was an absolute joy to witness. Sublime, pure brilliance. More please (a message to all the teams, and that means you Romania, Russia, Poland, Austria and Russia!).

Hate football? :rolleyesGo Italy?:fight:

Thats it, I am never playing golf with you again!:P

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Originally Posted by sillywilly

I hate "football" My cousins made me watch it while in the UK and I've never missed hockey more in my life. 1-0 after 90min?? No thanks That being said... go italy!!!

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Originally Posted by rezadue

Hate football? :rolleyesGo Italy?:fight:

Thats it, I am never playing golf with you again!:P

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Alot of people say that, and it's not because of his dislike for soccer.....ahem, I mean football.

So true... So true!:lmfao

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Originally Posted by Geoff Johnston

Alot of people say that, and it's not because of his dislike for soccer.....ahem, I mean football.

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All credit to the Croatians who were very good, but wow, was Germany ever AWFUL today. Ballack? Brutal. Gomez? Brutal. Klose? Not very good. Podolski? He was ok. Schweinsteiger? Great...until he saw red. Probably a one-off game for the Germans, but it sets up a Portugal-Germany quarter now.

Schweinsteiger!

WooHo. Bye Bye Portugal.
Now all I need is for Holland and Spain to win.
Could nto care less about the Turkey-Croatia match.

Schweinsteiger was awesome, great game. Holland and Spain are in tough Reza. Russia are flying right now, and Italy is like Germany, they always build to the finish. I hope you're right though.

As much as I hate to admit it, the Azzuri are like cock roaches. Every time you think you have exterminated them, they show up...

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Originally Posted by spackler

Schweinsteiger was awesome, great game. Holland and Spain are in tough Reza. Russia are flying right now, and Italy is like Germany, they always build to the finish. I hope you're right though.

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Turkey is the dark Horse. No one is expecting them to be there. I don't know why I say that but they remind me of Greece 4 years ago.

Italy and Germany are also in the running.

The Dutch must be looked at as favorites.

That's my opinion.

As long as Schweinsteiger is healthy, Germany will win. Without a doubt.

Arshavin is fantastic, the Russians ran circles around the Dutch today and fully deserved the win. I would have liked to see Robben in there today to counter the Russian speed with a blazer of their own, but second guessing is for losers. Sad day. :(

don't really care about "football" but that russia game was sick today. I really enjoyed it

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Originally Posted by spackler

Arshavin is fantastic, the Russians ran circles around the Dutch today and fully deserved the win. I would have liked to see Robben in there today to counter the Russian speed with a blazer of their own, but second guessing is for losers. Sad day. :(

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Ya, I was really surprised when the Dutch used their third sub and didn't put Robben in. He and Van Persie had been their spark all tournament, so it was quite a surprise that they didn't go with them.

Spain will bomb today and all the group winners will have fallen. Brace yourselves for a Germany Italy final and a Germany win booooooooooooooooooooooo.

I think Russia has more than a chance. The speed that they play at should really confuse the Italians (who I also think will win today). They were very, very good both technically and tactically yesterday.

My germans, all the way.

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Originally Posted by spackler

I think Russia has more than a chance. The speed that they play at should really confuse the Italians (who I also think will win today). They were very, very good both technically and tactically yesterday.

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Ya, Russia looks scary offensively. I think if there is a team that could beat Germany, Russia would be the ones to do it. Germany's weakness is definitely at the back end, and Russia has already proven they have the offensive versatility to exploit any holes at the back. Haven't seen a team activate their defenders like that in years...actually...ever.

Phew I was wrong, Spain win on Pens. They will find a way to choke another day...

Well, the Turks are down 9 players at this point. Not permited to call anyone up, makes them an easy beat in the semi's.

Germany is my pick but would love to see the Russians get cup

What he said! :) + Viva Espana

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Originally Posted by fundonny

My germans, all the way.

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