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Post by fatboy aphex on Jun 14, 2004 15:18:17 GMT -5
first 35 min they were the worst team in the tournament then Mr Underwear actually scores after a totally failed offsidetrap by the Bulgarians and then they just kept on coming !!! it was unbelievable! I must be dead, I'm in heaven and Ghod, Z-boy and Mr Underwear are smiling at me. This is too good to be true ... Denmark looked sharp and the Italians can only get better but still tonight we are champions of the world!!!!! from Aphex on his mom's steam age modem
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Post by fatboy aphex on Jun 14, 2004 15:34:09 GMT -5
Thx ILR and Francine ILR, your guys are bound to beat Croatia and Switzerland. That match was truly the worst so far Francine, second BIG match of the tournament tomorrow, Holland vs. Germany; that IS a real hate-match, isn't it? Well, I prefer the Netherlands over Germany, those guys are like Italy they are always boring at the start of tournamnets but scrape through somehow.
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Post by fatboy aphex on Jun 14, 2004 15:56:01 GMT -5
And a little whining at the end: why most always the Swedish fans make feeble imitations of the Brittish support? Time to come up with something own and original. Sweden has the weakest fans
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Post by fatboy aphex on Jun 14, 2004 17:08:35 GMT -5
I was watching the re-run (I'm sick I know ) and I must say our boys really had a good deal of luck. In the first half the Bulgarians were dominating when Ljungberg scored 1-0. In the second half the Bulgarians were beginning to take control again, they had a header and a shot just wide, when Henrik Larsson scored 2-0. And while they were still in chock he scored again 3-0, the match was over. Talk about scoring at the right moments!!! Then again you take your chances that's how you win stuff. 4-0 and 5-0 were icing on the cake. I'm sure Italy and Denmark won't give us THAT many chances on the break. BTW: do you guys know that Ajax' fans call Zlatan Son of God. So Sweden has both Ghod and his Son on their team
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Post by Francine on Jun 15, 2004 2:38:32 GMT -5
Maybe they were a bit lucky, but I don't think they were domintated by the Bulgarians or anything and in the 2nd half Bulgaria was nowhere. I liked that first goal by Larsson Ajax fans call Ibrahimovoc Son of God? Didn't know that, I've never liked him, he's a big baby, but maybe I'm a bit biased because heplays for Ajax. Big match tonight, we'd better win.
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Post by ILR on Jun 15, 2004 7:43:13 GMT -5
And a little whining at the end: why most always the Swedish fans make feeble imitations of the Brittish support? Time to come up with something own and original. Sweden has the weakest fans what do you mean? I think we'll beat Switzerland and Croatia, but its never that simple when it comes to England *sigh* Its nice to hear that the players feel confident and that they can't wait to play on Thursday. If we lose though we are out.
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Post by Francine on Jun 15, 2004 14:24:23 GMT -5
Ruud is my hero, but we played terrible. Lose Zenden and maybe vd Meyde, back to 4-4-2 with Sneijder.
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Post by fatboy aphex on Jun 15, 2004 14:25:01 GMT -5
what do you mean? I think we'll beat Switzerland and Croatia, but its never that simple when it comes to England *sigh* Its nice to hear that the players feel confident and that they can't wait to play on Thursday. If we lose though we are out. I mean Swedish fans plagiarize British fanculture in a weak way But now I hear they have song of their own, a real crap one by a really crappy Swedish artist/comedian so I guess I can't whine anymore. And they are there in Portugal, I'm here whining on a computer Francine, good come-back by the Dutch team vs. the Deutsch
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Post by fatboy aphex on Jun 15, 2004 14:28:52 GMT -5
That goal by van Nistelrooy was really something How did he do it? But that free-kick goal by Germany, why didn't Cocu just kick the ball away?
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Post by Francine on Jun 16, 2004 2:41:21 GMT -5
That goal by van Nistelrooy was really something How did he do it? But that free-kick goal by Germany, why didn't Cocu just kick the ball away? Yes, I called Phillip about that yesterday and he didn't know himself either. He blamed vd Sar, as do I.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jun 16, 2004 6:19:01 GMT -5
The Czechs had a hard time with Latvia yesterday, and the Latvians defended very well, though after they scored their goal just before halftime I didn't feel the Czechs were in any danger of losing the match, even though they were getting frustrated.
They ended up having 26 shots at goal. Nedved was a bit disappointing early, but when they needed him he lifted his game and the good thing for the Czechs is that they didn't panic, though the 2nd goal had a bit of comical defending, but it was well taken and deserved victory. Latvia will not be the whipping boys in this group at all.
The Netherlands/Germany game, well the Dutch dominated in the first 10 mins, then they got a bit overconfident, the Germans got a bit more of the ball and then proceded to dominate physically and the midfield. Soon as a tournament begins the Germans improved and Ballack played well, but the Dutch were awful in the 1st half as well. The goal from the free kick, that was rubbish defending at the set pieces from both teams, but the German goal was bad, no guy on the post and Van Der Sar had a shocking game, though he had plenty of friends.
The Germans were better in the 2nd half, and once Overmars came on, he and Stam are the only Dutch players that could hold their heads high, after that performance. Van Der Meyde was garbage apart from the cross that he gave to Van Nistelrooij, which was a great finish, but he didn't get much service at all. The Dutch were slow, and they were static and not making any runs so their players could pass into space.
Luckily for them, they got a draw, but they need to have a good look at themselves and changes will need to be made Overmars from the start perhaps
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Post by Francine on Jun 16, 2004 7:23:03 GMT -5
Perhaps Overmars, perhaps not a 4-3-3 system after all. Zenden and vd Meyde shouldn't play anymore, vd Meyde didn't play well at all and there's no good alternative for the right wing except for Robben who hasn't played in 3 months. The Chechs are better than the Germans, so it's going to be a very difficult match; if they played like last night they're going to be slaughtered.
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jun 16, 2004 7:31:01 GMT -5
There are options it just depends on how he choses to use them.
Stam was very good last night, V.bronckhorst is not a left back though, these players should have tactical flexibility and adjust to suit certain teams.
The Czechs are good, but these teams played in the qualies and the Czechs had the better of them, I want the Czechs to win the tournament, but they won't.
No matter what tactics, it will count for nothing, if the basics are not followed, not losing your man, giving too much space, don't make intelligent runs or give away cheap ball.
Go Greece, I bet that overrated piece of shit Raul will be playing again, he is like a protected species in Spain, no matter how bad he plays, he will never get dropped.
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Post by ILR on Jun 16, 2004 12:03:11 GMT -5
So Portugal got an early goal from Manich when they really needed one. Russia looked poor against Spain and I think Portugal will win this one. We could do with an early goal like that tomorrow
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Post by fatboy aphex on Jun 16, 2004 14:26:05 GMT -5
at Greece getting a draw vs. lazy Spaniards admittedly a lucky one. Now will Spain vs. Portugal be more fun. Bad luck for Russia with that red card, it wasn't even a free-kick, the goalie didn't touch the ball with his hand. But what is it with Russians? Don't they have any self-belief at the beginning of matches? And Portugal, I'm so bored with those guys and their eternal sideways passing I hope Spain kicks their asses.
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Post by RogiFan on Jun 16, 2004 14:33:31 GMT -5
Well I shouldn't even be posting in this thread as I know nothing about football... anyway, 10 mins left in the ESP/GRE match and there I was wandering up this side street to roars of crazy Greek fans at cafes watching on big TVs waving Greek flags! I got caught up in this footie frenzy in Greektown -- after the match, there they were, honking horns, screaming and yelling, brandishing their flags, as if GREECE had won the whole thing!! What a riot! Police were directing traffic chaos and TV news crews out in force -- so hey, I might be on TV tonight! ;D Great day for it... doesn't ANYONE work??
When's Greece's next match? I'll have to wander up to the Greek cafes again...
I met this young Franco-Vietnamese guy -- he wanted to know where the Frenchies gathered... couldn't help him, I'm afraid... meme en francais... oh well, nice kid!
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jun 16, 2004 20:30:52 GMT -5
at Greece getting a draw vs. lazy Spaniards admittedly a lucky one. Now will Spain vs. Portugal be more fun. Bad luck for Russia with that red card, it wasn't even a free-kick, the goalie didn't touch the ball with his hand. But what is it with Russians? Don't they have any self-belief at the beginning of matches? And Portugal, I'm so bored with those guys and their eternal sideways passing I hope Spain kicks their asses. Greece deserved that draw for sure. I mean in the 1st half Albelda and Baraja were running the midfield and the Greeks were too defensive and didn't create anything. There weren't even passes to the invisible man, who usually does a great job around the park. The Spanish goal was a total defensive error, short hit back pass, which put them out of position and the "protected species" Raul hits a backheel and then he can live off that moment for the rest of the tournament. I seriously think he needs to be dropped, though with the big Iberian derby anything can happen. At least the Greeks were much better in the 2nd half and the quick free kick caught out Helguera and Puyol, and they deserved their draw. Joaquin and Valeron are gun players, sometimes Joaquin's crosses aren't the best, though the good ones he made, weren't taken advantage of. Russia and self-destruction in major tournaments has happened again, then again they are just as capable of beating Greece, though they are a rabble at the moment. I don't have a problem with the Portugal play as much as yourself, though it can be a bit over elaborate at times, at least on this occasion they have Pauleta, who can put the ball in the back of the net. I wonder how many cards will there be in the Iberian derby, if the Portuguese can't lift for this game, then they won't at all.
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Post by The Chloe on Jun 17, 2004 0:31:07 GMT -5
I know twit all about football, but my roomate and I have been watching since the tournament started. If football for decent coverage year round here, I could get into it. Since it doesn't, I can't be bothered to watch unless it's euros or world cup, or something where countries play each other. Once in a while we get some random game from uh, one of the leagues but I have no idea what is going on so I do'nt watch ;D
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jun 17, 2004 1:23:03 GMT -5
Well I shouldn't even be posting in this thread as I know nothing about football... anyway, 10 mins left in the ESP/GRE match and there I was wandering up this side street to roars of crazy Greek fans at cafes watching on big TVs waving Greek flags! I got caught up in this footie frenzy in Greektown -- after the match, there they were, honking horns, screaming and yelling, brandishing their flags, as if GREECE had won the whole thing!! What a riot! Police were directing traffic chaos and TV news crews out in force -- so hey, I might be on TV tonight! ;D Great day for it... doesn't ANYONE work??
When's Greece's next match? I'll have to wander up to the Greek cafes again...
I met this young Franco-Vietnamese guy -- he wanted to know where the Frenchies gathered... couldn't help him, I'm afraid... meme en francais... oh well, nice kid! Great story with all the Greeks, but they are like that everywhere and even more so after the last time they were in a major tournament, when they were a big embarassment. Check this site for info www.euro2004.com/
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jun 17, 2004 5:55:17 GMT -5
get the English tonight! (i can dream, can't i) ;D
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Post by Patrik Sjöberg on Jun 17, 2004 6:02:13 GMT -5
Of course they can do well tonight, no one expects them to do anything against England and that can work in their favour.
Hopp Schwiiz.
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jun 17, 2004 11:23:27 GMT -5
and England steamrolled the Swiss. the French are gonna trample them too.
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Post by ILR on Jun 17, 2004 11:24:40 GMT -5
Extremely pleased, even though we played awfully. Right now I dont care but its got to get better. I believed we would win (and in the football prediction game I play, I actually put 3-0 to England) and I knew our boys would handle the pressure, although many doubters didn't. Allez les Blues!
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Post by ILR on Jun 17, 2004 11:25:34 GMT -5
Mrs.B If they weren't playing England, I might feel sorry for them But you know how it is.
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Post by RogiFan on Jun 17, 2004 11:42:29 GMT -5
awww... poor little SUI team...
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Post by Partridge In A Pear Tree on Jun 17, 2004 11:51:13 GMT -5
Mrs.B If they weren't playing England, I might feel sorry for them But you know how it is. Hi, Em! I know how it is, and it's ok. The Swiss are not famous for it's football. Bring on Wimbledon! ;D How do you like your captain's neck tattoo?
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Post by ILR on Jun 17, 2004 12:06:19 GMT -5
Hi, Em! I know how it is, and it's ok. The Swiss are not famous for it's football. Bring on Wimbledon! ;D How do you like your captain's neck tattoo? I heard Hakan Yakin said a few things about us not being a team of workers or something. No, bring on the QF's! Hopefully I think he's gone a bit overboard with the tatts and I dont like the one on his neck.
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Post by ILR on Jun 17, 2004 13:30:13 GMT -5
Just read what Hakan Yakin said. Thanks for that, gave me a right laugh! Is he usually arrogant? lol. Apparently he is convinced that he will trouble our leaky defence tonight and that they will physically and mentally hurt us. We are a team who dont work hard and we are going to get crushed and humiliated. Right Hakan. It wouldn't be so bad if he could actually carry out what he said Bet he feels like an idiot now. btw, I don't think we played that well and that Switzerland were unlucky to have Haas sent off. It did obviously give us an advantage, but I dont like it when players mouth off, just like when Henry and Pires did. Lucky Im not a manager, their mind games work on me!
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Post by fatboy aphex on Jun 17, 2004 14:07:56 GMT -5
So ILR what do you think about that young Everton guy? Pretty good, eh? Shame Mornar didn't put that last shot in the net, that would have been a great laugh and well-deserved punishment for the French after that hand-ball equaliser.
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Post by fatboy aphex on Jun 17, 2004 14:12:32 GMT -5
Btw: no Totti(Spitti) for Italy tomorrow. I should say it's better for us Swedes, but I think the Italians will improve their team-work because of this and be much better than against Denmark.
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