Soccer thread 07/08

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:03 pm

I was almost wondering whether Germany were pulling another of their 'oo, we've accidentally lost a group game and ooo, ooo, we've got an easier second round game' a la 1954 and 1974.

Two factors against that....

1 Germany put out what theoretically is their first choice XI.

2 Finishing second in that group gives them Portugal in the quarters.

Looks like there'll be no Anschluss in this set of final games, like that despicable 1982 outing.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:36 pm

Ballack used to play up front and ran under those balls to score a lot of goals, didn't he?

Now he's a midfielder? Is that an age thing?

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:40 pm

wco81 wrote:Ballack used to play up front and ran under those balls to score a lot of goals, didn't he?

Now he's a midfielder? Is that an age thing?

He's slow now.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:07 pm

Looks like there'll be no Anschluss in this set of final games, like that despicable 1982 outing.

You wanted Algeria?

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:14 pm

Schweinsteiger might have a chance with Klinnsman the manger now. Magrath fecked with him when he was the manager.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:50 pm

In non-Euro, non-professional soccer news.....my indoor team clinched the title tonight with a 5-3 win over the second placed team with yours truly scoring a rocket from 25 yards out to take a 4-3 lead.

Sorry for the OT, just very chuffed with myself.

EDIT: Oh yes, and well done Croatia - that was brilliant!

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:07 am

Macca00 wrote:In non-Euro, non-professional soccer news.....my indoor team clinched the title tonight with a 5-3 win over the second placed team with yours truly scoring a rocket from 25 yards out to take a 4-3 lead.

Sorry for the OT, just very chuffed with myself.

EDIT: Oh yes, and well done Croatia - that was brilliant!

WTG, Macca. I'm sure that I speak for Zeppo as well when I commend you for shooting from outside the area LOL

Jimmydeicide · Post by **Jimmydeicide** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:59 am

It was indoor the box is only 8 yrds.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:39 am

fsquid wrote:
Looks like there'll be no Anschluss in this set of final games, like that despicable 1982 outing.
You wanted Algeria?

I wanted them to have a chance, not to watch two ordinary sides of cloggers play out a cheating game to ensure they both progressed. That's the reason why FIFA introduced the rule about final group games taking place simultaneously.

I'm also still wondering how on Earth the bookies had Germany favourite for this tournament. The full back is definitely a weak link, the midfield is lacking pace and has no width, and the forward line has the mobility of a forward line on a bar football table. I've not seen anyone try a forward line with two static beanpoles for ages - why is Kuranyi not starting instead of Gomez ?

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:49 am

Kuranyi is just as inconsistent and willing to disappear as Gomes. Poldi will disappear in the next game too. That's just the GErman way.

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:05 am

davet010 wrote:I'm also still wondering how on Earth the bookies had Germany favourite for this tournament. The full back is definitely a weak link, the midfield is lacking pace and has no width, and the forward line has the mobility of a forward line on a bar football table. I've not seen anyone try a forward line with two static beanpoles for ages - why is Kuranyi not starting instead of Gomez ?

Agree. Gomez has been absolutely awful.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:03 am

Macca00 wrote:In non-Euro, non-professional soccer news.....my indoor team clinched the title tonight with a 5-3 win over the second placed team with yours truly scoring a rocket from 25 yards out to take a 4-3 lead.

Sorry for the OT, just very chuffed with myself.

Well done, Macca! I've taken more lasers directly to the face in the last two seasons of indoor soccer (three) than I've scored goals (zero!). But I am a stay-at-home defender, so I take a shot about as often as the U.S. government balances its budget.

Congrats on the title and your glory goal!

Take care,
PK

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:30 am

I wanted them to have a chance, not to watch two ordinary sides of cloggers play out a cheating game to ensure they both progressed. That's the reason why FIFA introduced the rule about final group games taking place simultaneously.

Germany and Austria were simply protecting the sport

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:57 am

That'll be a first then. However, four simple words can be grouped in order to completely demolish that suggestion re the 1982 World Cup.

Harald
Schumacher

Uli
Stielike

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:38 pm

Thanks for the congrats, PK!

Italy vs Romania was fun. Mutu went from Man of the Match for me to a weak-willed pansy in a matter of moments....it's one thing to miss a penalty but then to literally sulk, walk around and then sit on the pitch while the match is still going on around you is just pathetic.

To be fair, though, he still has some way to match Cassano's madness:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZVeaoe31PM

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:47 pm

Can't believe that Murgu choked in the clutch like that! LOL The call leading to the shot looked a clear penalty to me. That was a flat-out horse collar. Terrible missed call on the disallowed Italy goal, though.

Great games, both. That Sneijder goal...beauty!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:59 pm

This Italian team just has an identity crisis. Sure they miss Cannavaro, Nesta, the creativity of Totti, Gattuso is running like a chicken with no head, but you look at the rest of the group and not much has changed since the WC. Is it Donadoni's fault? They seem like they are just getting to know each other. Next game with France will be an intriguing one, of course Les Blues are not doing any better.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:23 pm

I heard some Italians are accusing it of regional biases in the team composition.

Supposedly there are some good young players from the southern part of the country who were left off or aren't being played, in favor of older players from the Milan and other northern clubs like Juventus.

Still, if the roster is mostly from the WC winning team, then they should be given a chance to win this competition, even if most of them are over 30 now.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:35 pm

It takes them 3-5 games to get used to playing with ref's who haven't been bought vacation property by the owners.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:53 pm

It is fun to watch Holland play...

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:13 pm

RobVarak wrote:It takes them 3-5 games to get used to playing with ref's who haven't been bought vacation property by the owners.

Why did you put the smiley? Isn't that true?

Sorry, I keep forgetting that his real name is Murgu.

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:50 am

Another poor display by France - too many of them getting old together, and some of the newer players are just not as good . Malouda was awful, as was that no 20, and notwithstanding the beautifully delicate touch for his goal, Henry is not the player he was 2 years ago. Thuram's days of being an international class footballer were over 4 years ago, he was poor in La Liga this year so I'm not sure how Domenech thought it was a good idea to have him in here.

Keeper was crap as well - 2nd goal was not his finest hour, and there is no way Robben should have beaten him at his near post from that angle for the 3rd, powerful as the shot undoubtedly was.

Only honourable exception was Ribery, who was head and shoulders above the rest of them.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:00 am

Macca00 wrote:Thanks for the congrats, PK!

Italy vs Romania was fun. Mutu went from Man of the Match for me to a weak-willed pansy in a matter of moments....it's one thing to miss a penalty but then to literally sulk, walk around and then sit on the pitch while the match is still going on around you is just pathetic.

To be fair, though, he still has some way to match Cassano's madness:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZVeaoe31PM

Nothing will beat the Di Canio push

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TFVuHrwgyY

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 11:17 am

Just so you all know that I can say something nice about Italian footballers

Kudos to Mr. Buffon, for this response when asked about his save on Mutu's (weak-assed, conservative) PK:

'A save is a save,' said Buffon. 'I have been fortunate.'

Macca00 · Post by **Macca00** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:54 pm

VIIIIILAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

Serves Italy (wearing their 3rd strip of Yellow and Blue) right for showing zero ambition and getting away with a stone-wall penalty at the end of the first half.

That said, Spain's defense continued to look shaky.