Re: Euro 2008 Thread

[HH_pink]

What's wrong with Germany? I think they are brilliant.

[HH_pink]

Was thinking of making a thread about this myself.

Okay, you win. Have a cookie.

[doremi]

Chocolate chip? Oreo?

[HH_pink]

eo.

[Chivalry Augustus]

I hate these boring pre-season international bore-fest tournaments. Renewed my season ticket the other day and I'm sick to death of the break already.

[JKLever]

Not Euro 2008, but interesting to hear that Maldini has postponed his retirement at AC Milan and will carry on for another year.

[PearlJ]

I hate these boring pre-season international bore-fest tournaments. Renewed my season ticket the other day and I'm sick to death of the break already.

You don't like Euro 2008? It's gunna be awesome!

[doremi]

Not Euro 2008, but interesting to hear that Maldini has postponed his retirement at AC Milan and will carry on for another year.

Great news. The great man carries on.

Portugal vs Turkey should be some match.

[LeFromage]

Not Euro 2008, but interesting to hear that Maldini has postponed his retirement at AC Milan and will carry on for another year.

Why not - you're a long time retired.

If the body still says si, bada bing, bada boom, happy days.

[LeFromage]

Forgotten how boring international football was.

And how much ITV are the Cristiano Ronaldo channel.

When they're not being the Lewis Hamilton channel.

Or the reheated shit channel.

[Chivalry Augustus]

The best matches internationally are often played out between the poorer sides, probably because they don't over-complicate the game with the particularly negative 4-5-1 or 4-6-0 tactics. When the side who previously won the competition relied on clean sheets and set-pieces to grind out 1-0 wins throughout, it does suggest that we cannot expect a classic. The stakes in modern football are so high that not losing is almost as good as winning to some, and thus, we, as fans, do not get the entertainment that our money deserves. I daresay football will carry on along this path for some time to come.

[doremi]

Good match as expected. Portugal looking really good.

[PearlJ]

The best matches internationally are often played out between the poorer sides, probably because they don't over-complicate the game with the particularly negative 4-5-1 or 4-6-0 tactics. When the side who previously won the competition relied on clean sheets and set-pieces to grind out 1-0 wins throughout, it does suggest that we cannot expect a classic. The stakes in modern football are so high that not losing is almost as good as winning to some, and thus, we, as fans, do not get the entertainment that our money deserves. I daresay football will carry on along this path for some time to come.

Are you ever happy? You seem to be on the brink of committing suicide most of the time......

[Chivalry Augustus]

I'm fleetingly happy as far as sport is concerned, whereas in reality I am generally content, even if I am not often exposed to the two extremes of mood; happiness and unhappiness. When considering football though, I am actually quite happy, I simply don't like international or continental football - it's pretty dour.

I remember an open Premiership, once upon a time, where we finished 3rd having just been promoted. I remember seeing a world-class player called Stan Collymore plying his trade in the second tier of English football for a short time prior to that. And that's just me, a relative youngster, who remembers much brighter days for football.

[JKLever]

Away from Euro 2008, what did you make of this BS from Platini?

Michel Platini, the Uefa president and most powerful man in European football, has launched an extraordinary attack on British football, accusing heavily indebted Chelsea and Manchester United of being "cheats" who win tournaments on the back of their debt.


Speaking on the eve of the Euro 2008 tournament, Platini said that England's absence from it is in no way detrimental to the competition and a product of the direction the Premier League has taken

That league more than any other domestic division, he said, has succumbed to a win-at-all-costs mentality in which success is imperative "not to win titles, but to pay back debts". This, Platini told L'Equipe, must now be dealt with.

He singled out Chelsea and United – collective debt £1.5bn – for criticism. "It is a never-ending search for money, leading to the proposal of a 39th fixture abroad," Platini said. "Look at Chelsea and Manchester United's debt. Fifa and Uefa have to do something to combat that, because today the ones who cheat are going on to win. Is Champions League success built around who has the most money? I think so. It is run on credit now and it annoys me. We have to find ways to help other clubs sort out their problems. Defeat must no longer mean financial disaster. We have to find the means, together with the European Club Association, to help clubs sort out their financial problems."

English teams have won the Champions league 3 times in 10 years. Hardly domination...

Do you think he was pissed off about the all English ECL final?

[PeterCS]

If anybody, Spain.

But generally: Not really interested.

Obvious reason: all N W Atlantic Islands countries eliminated.

Underlying reason: the involuntarily risible flouncing (goal celebrations), self-righteously self-glorifying petty melodrama (Sky's dream of sport) and above all, the all-permeating and naked financial greed of the contemporary game put me off it as a sport, as "sinew and geometry", as a pursuit worth supporting with anything but a tired glance.

Examples:

Rooney - thick (not his fault), talented and lauded. Terry - valiant crusader of earnestness, self-interested, ridiculous. Ronaldo - twittish hero of sanctimonious solemnity, sneaky through and through, and the most contemptible and mendacious mercenary in sport since Robbie Savage. His Alf Garnett impressions (stepovers) are the main amusement.

Yes, he can score like an angel, with supertech boots and a specially designed football and nets to facilitate sensation ..... but what's the game of such angels worth?

Platini: counter-crapologist and arch-crapologist. Simmering petty resentment. Unworthy idiot.


I enjoy the game at its roots and stems: lower-league football, and local football.

I watch football on the telly when I am too exhausted for anything else.

Apart from that ...

[Lara Lara Laughs]

I think you're letting the characters and other off the pitch matters take precedence. I watch it because I love football, just like I watch cricket because I love cricket.



Anyway - Portugal vs Turkey was really rather excellent. Two shocking dives by the Turks though. Nihat and Tuncay should be ashamed of themselves.


Even the Switzerland - Czech Republic game was pretty good, overall. Good start to the tournament!

[PearlJ]

Cynics!

[Geoffrey Trueman]

Portugal played well, with a decent centre forward they could be a real force. Getting rid of Deco would improve them as well, when Emre outplays you and makes you look bad it's time to hang up your boots.

[PearlJ]

Portugal played well, with a decent centre forward they could be a real force. Getting rid of Deco would improve them as well, when Emre outplays you and makes you look bad it's time to hang up your boots.

Oh yup.... Deco is well past it....

[Lara Lara Laughs]

F*ck off! He's been injured and he's a bit rusty. One of the best players either of you brutes is ever likely to see.

[PearlJ]

F*ck off! He's been injured and he's a bit rusty. One of the best players either of you brutes is ever likely to see.

Dear god, I hope not......

[Lara Lara Laughs]

Dello, can we have this smiley added to the roster?

[Geoffrey Trueman]

F*ck off! He's been injured and he's a bit rusty. One of the best players either of you brutes is ever likely to see.

Past tense, yeah, but this is now and rather like that other washed up Barca has-been, Ronaldhino, Mr sad face is well past his sell by date. I'd mention the fact Barca have told him to sling his hook to back me up but that would be too easy.

[Lara Lara Laughs]

Anyone watching Ze Germans? They look pretty good.

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