Football spam

[Nico]

England not being in the competition is great!, , now we can have some 'good' football hehe.

I quite like the netherlands also, I like to see some of my own team playing in there international teams,

[shred]

Though I'm disappointed that England didn't make it, I'm glad they didn't because this miss would knock some sense into them. I find the England team very arrogant. They might have the best league in the world, but are certainly not playing like they do. They so need to change things around.

Holland are a good team if they put away their internal squabbles.

I hope that this year's competition would be like the last one - when the unexpected happen and Greece won the competition. ;D

[Nico]

The great thing about international football is anything could happen!, I cant wait until the world cup, I remember the last one, following teams like the USA, who arent really recognised at all in football, doing better than some of the better known teams!.

[shred]

Oh yes, I remember that World Cup. America could have gotten in to the semis of that World Cup if it weren't for bad ref decisions.

The same can be said for the Aus/Italy game in the last World Cup. Awful refereeing!

[Nico]

I remember Ronaldo scoring against Enland and knocking them out, and the commentator saying he would never be allowed in England ever again, I was like 'over reaction!' .

I love the world cup, it is like the olympics, almost everyday threw the summer there is something on tv to watch.

[shred]

So Euro 2008 starts this weekend.

I've been checking the matches and there are some really good ones. I'm looking forward to the Holland vs Italy game on Tues (my time), Holland vs France, France vs Italy (what a revenge match for France!) and Czech vs Portugal.

I'm not to fussed about the rest of the group matches so I won't catch every match (plus, matches shown in NZ was pretty early in the morning). Usually the thrill comes after the group phase - knockout stage, quarterfinals, etc.

Any games in particular that you guys are looking forward to?

[Nico]

Greece V Sweden, Czech V Portugal, looking forward to those to, but im sure I will catch more matches if I am channel hopping

I agree, the thrill comes after the group stage, so I will probably only catch a few o fthose games

[Vyse]

Ugh, what a disaster... 3-0 Well, congrats to Holland.

[Nico]

I was really surprised, at both France and Italy, now Holland were brilliant, and the most enjoyable match of the tourney so far but Italy didnt play with the passion and skill i'm so used to seeing!.

Sweden V Greece was rather lack luster, I am not a fan of the greek style of play. I did however enjoy the Russia game, that was suprisingly entertaining.

Second bunch of matches start tomorrow right?, looking forward to these ones !

[shred]

I watched the Russia/Spain match and I'm really surprised at how well Spain played. Their movement, the one touch football...great football from them. They are probably Europe's biggest underachievers but if they continue to play this way, I can see them going all the way to the finals.

I'm looking forward to the Czech/Portugal match tomorrow. Should be a tight game.

[Nico]

Russia/Spain was great, first hat trick of the tourney, first game where both teams scored in the same game Spain look very strong and I also wouldnt be surprised if they brought a shock to the tourney.

Yep, the two first game winners, I thought Czech were rather lucky to win their game, they played incredibly bad in the second half and I am hoping we see better from them, I missed some of the Portugal game, but I know they hit the woodwork 3 times, I think Portugal should & probably will win this.

[shred]

Well, Portugal won 3-1. I missed the match (too early in the morning for me!) but I did catch the reply. They looked really good and I can see them being one of the favourites of the tournament. I'm surprise with how the Czechs played though. They sure didn't look like the team from 4 years ago. So with that win, Portual are through to the quarter-finals.

Oh and Scolari has been named the new manager of Chelsea.

[Nico]

Yeah I heard them say that, not a bad choice at all for Chelsea.

I saw both games, enjoyed the Portugal/Czech game , I definetly agree, Portugal look strong, they are consistent and that is really important!.

Did you see the Turkey game? the pitch was bloody water logged!, a goalkeepers nightmare, no bounce on the ball, the ball was hopeless in that kind of weather, having to also remember that it isnt the usual standard issue ball that teams are used to playing with, it is a much lighter ball. That match had the settings to be boring, and without the rains antics it would have been but I was laughing...alot . Luckily it stopped and Turkey came back into the game to win 2-1 against the Swiss (who lets face it, are only there because they are hosts, not much of a shock) , but it was great!

[shred]

I didn't catch the Turkey game but I did catch the highlights on the news. The pitch was appalling! I'm surprise that they were allowed to continue play. I'm not surprise that they won the match. I don't see the Swiss as a big threat.

Looking forward to the Holland/France game tonight. I'm rooting for Holland. ;D

[Nico]

Did you see Germany get beat? , how unlucky for them, favourites to win both the group and the competition!,

I am looking forward to both of todays game, group of death, this is by far the most exciting group, I am also rooting for Holland they certainly provide their fans with one hell of a show and the French team are kind of over the hill . Both Italy & France need wins, especially Italy sitting bottom of the group.

[shred]

I'm surprise Germany got beaten, though Croatia isn't a team that would rollover. But Germany will still go through.

Holland certainly kicked the French butts last night! I thought they were awesome in the second half. Their performance remind me a lot of Manchester United - how they contained the opposition and hit them on a quick counter attack. After they superb performance against Italy and France, Holland are certainly turning out to be the team to beat.

This group is turning out to be very interesting. France and Italy are at the bottom of the table with Romania above them. If Romania wins against Holland, both World Cup finalist are out! ;D

I'll probably catch the Sweden/Spain game just to see Spain play their lovely football.

[Nico]

Holland sure do put on a show, thrilling from end to end, better play from the French but outclassed.

Romania are underrated, the two teams who contended the world cup, and none of them could beat Romania!, a draw between Italy & France will put Romania threw, I would love to see them go threw, Holland are great on the counter attack, but their defence is shoddy, Romanias Mutu (whom I think is marvellous) will get into their defence tcause problems.

Cant believe an entire week has passed!, we have certainly been treated to some brill football.

[shred]

Ooo Sweden was desperately unlucky to get a point from their game against Spain. With Russia winning, it's going to be an interesting last round of matches in that group. Plus, Greece is out so we are guaranteed a new Champion.

It's certainly turning to be a entertaining tournament. ;D

[Nico]

Group stages finally ended today, some great football!, Holland looking big favourites I really cant see them be beaten by the teams threw.

Italy got threw to, Luca Toni!, how many sitters does that guy need before he nets them!, Italy could've/should've buried France!

Portugal I am worried about, resting there first team got them beat, where as Holland resting NINE of there regulars (including keeper) and still won.

This is where it gets exciting!!

[shred]

Now the real fun begins! ;D

There are really some big game and I'm looking forward to most of them - Portugal/Germany, Holland/Russia and Spain/Italy. The only one I'll give a miss is the Croatia/Turkey game.

The Spain/Italy game would be interesting to watch.