European Cup 2008-

[MrFurious87]

Is anyone watching the games on ESPN?

[EmperorNorton]

Watching, yes, but not on ESPN.

[MrFurious87]

But you're in Europe though, right??:laugh: Did you catch the Czech-Turkey match? Pure insanity...

[EmperorNorton]

Nope, didn't watch it.
I just figured Turkey had won when dozens of people started honking their horns outside.

[MrFurious87]

Well, you were right in guessing the Turks won....they scored three goals in the last 20 minutes or so...it was kinda embarassing for the Czech.:(

[MrFurious87]

I had to watch, as my team(France) got totally outplayed my Italy earlier. They took the win 2-0 and are goingon to play against Romania(I think).

[EmperorNorton]

No, Italy is going against Spain.

Germany - Portugal was awesome. It reassured me about my dislike of Christiano Ronaldo, though.

[MrFurious87]

I knew I was wrong in that.:laugh:

I just watched the Germany/Portugal game also. It was way good. I'm glad Germany pulled out ahead and held them off, but I thought Portugal was going to tie right there at the end, they had a few decent opportunities for the tie, but fortunately weren't able to follow through.:)

[JGonspy]

I'm glad there's finally a thread for this, wasn't sure anyone around here was watching.

Today's game wasn't terribly good. Spain seemed to forget how to handle the ball near the opposing net, and Italy played the same way they always do. I'm really glad Spain won on penalty kicks, but I wish they had done it in standard time. They need to start playing the same way they had been against Russia in their first game. Shouldn't be too tough since their next match is against Russia :p

[MrFurious87]

I agree, that game was pretty disappointing to me though. I was hoping Spain would pull ahead, but even with Italy not scoring a single goal....I hate when it goes to the penalty shots.:(

I'm still waiting for the games to start up again...I think they start tomorrow.

[Maniac_nmt]

No, Italy is going against Spain.

Germany - Portugal was awesome. It reassured me about my dislike of Christiano Ronaldo, though.

I hate to say this, but the tourney in general has reinforced my opinion that many European players are big babies. They like to flop around and dive like little kids.

Turns my stomach to watch such lilly livered football being played. Then again, I prefer a more smash mouth style play, and if you aren't actually hurt, don't do a swan dive and pantomime like a little girl just to get attention. It also feels like cheating to me. It's like saying 'I know I can't beat you, so I'll try and cheat to get a foul so I can beat you'.

That said, there has been some really good matches. Holland looked brilliant while they were still in it while on counter attacks, Podolski has been everywhere for the Germans, and I'm happy to have seen fouls called on diving players (i.e. I've seen at least one guy get carded for play acting).

[EmperorNorton]

I hate to say this, but the tourney in general has reinforced my opinion that many European players are big babies. They like to flop around and dive like little kids.

Turns my stomach to watch such lilly livered football being played. Then again, I prefer a more smash mouth style play, and if you aren't actually hurt, don't do a swan dive and pantomime like a little girl just to get attention. It also feels like cheating to me. It's like saying 'I know I can't beat you, so I'll try and cheat to get a foul so I can beat you'.
I completely agree.
It doesn't only feel like cheating to you - it is cheating. I wish the referees would mercilessly send off players for diving to discourage this practice that has become way too common. However, that's a difficult call to make for the refs and it probably cannot be enforced unless the FIFA allows the use of video like in American Football.
That's why I dislike Christiano Ronaldo so much. There was this moment in the television broadcast of the Germany - Portugal game when Christiano Ronaldo went down after having been touched ever so lightly. The camera was on him the whole time and you could see that he wasn't hurt at all, but that he made the conscious decision to pretend he was, feigning an injury only after he had lain there for a second or two. And that guy is supposed to be one of the best players in the world, if not the best. Appalling.

[MrFurious87]

Just finishes watching the Germany Vs Turkey match and was happy to see one of my favorite teams pull through. Lahm had an awesome shot on the goal in the last few minutes to make it 3-2 in favor of the Germans.:)

I wasn't very happy with the whole lightning strike problem, I missed most of the last 15 minutes, but they were saying it was just not for us Americans.

[EmperorNorton]

Just finishes watching the Germany Vs Turkey match and was happy to see one of my favorite teams pull through. Lahm had an awesome shot on the goal in the last few minutes to make it 3-2 in favor of the Germans.:)

I wasn't very happy with the whole lightning strike problem, I missed most of the last 15 minutes, but they were saying it was just not for us Americans.

Nope, not just the Americans but the whole world. Really annoying.

Anyway, while I'm glad the German team made it to the finals the match wasn't particularly good.
Kudos to the turks for fighting until the end although they had to do without so many of their players.

[MrFurious87]

They would have had more players, if they didn't get themselves banned from the match. I hope the Russians take the win and then play against Germany in the finals. That's the game i'm hoping for...:)

[MrFurious87]

I just finished watching Spain outplay Russia. I was wanting the Soviets to pull out ahead, but they were just outclassed by Spain.:(

[JGonspy]

I just finished watching Spain outplay Russia. I was wanting the Soviets to pull out ahead, but they were just outclassed by Spain.:(

Soviets? I guess that explains why they were playing like a team from the 80's...

But Spain was all over them in that game. In the second half anyway. If they play like that against Germany, they'll win it easily. Of course, this is Germany we're talking about and they're not a team to be taken lightly. I'm really looking forward to the final.

[MrFurious87]

Soviets? I guess that explains why they were playing like a team from the 80's...

But Spain was all over them in that game. In the second half anyway. If they play like that against Germany, they'll win it easily. Of course, this is Germany we're talking about and they're not a team to be taken lightly. I'm really looking forward to the final.

Yes, I said Soviets.:Laugh: They played pretty poorly that day.:ermm: I can't wait for the game tomorrow morning either, it should be really, really good. Go Germany!!:cool:

[JGonspy]

Yes, I said Soviets.Laugh: They played pretty poorly that day.:ermm: I can't wait for the gamoe tomorrow morning either, it should be really, really good. Go Germany!!:cool:

Heh, well I hope you aren't too sad by the result. I was thrilled myself, finally Spain lives up to its potential and wins a title. And it was a great game too. As the best team in the tourney, Spain was completely deserving of the title and I'm looking forward to the world cup in two years.

[MrFurious87]

Heh, well I hope you aren't too sad by the result. I was thrilled myself, finally Spain lives up to its potential and wins a title. And it was a great game too. As the best team in the tourney, Spain was completely deserving of the title and I'm looking forward to the world cup in two years.

I am pretty disappointed in Germany, they played like a non-finals team today.:( Spain played really well though, and my hat's off to them. Torres' goal was well deserved, and he played well the entire game.

[EmperorNorton]

And it was a great game too.

You must have seen a different game than I.

[JGonspy]

You must have seen a different game than I.

Did you happen to see the game between Spain and Italy? It's all relative :p