Euro 2008

[PhilsCafe 8]

Congrats Holland... great game tonight. But once again "my" team lost, good thing I didn't bet money on one of them. But I'm still optimistic that Italy can qualify for the quarter finals, at least the attitude and fighting spirit were there.

Round 1 will be completed tomorrow with Group D:

Spain vs Russia

Greece vs Sweden

Greece coach Otto Rehagel held a fun press conference today, did anybody see it? He was asked about the psychological state of his team and he answered that he feels very well and healthy, his kids are fine and that he was still married... that was killing me.

[Silur 3,308]

Holland For Ever !!!

[sedimenjerry 1]

haha what was that about their defense? it looked like italy's defense was weak

[wir3d 2]

Wow I was totally surprised to see that the oranjes won!!

They dominated in that match.

[neongamer 3]

Spain 4-1 Russia. Great match, and the first hat-trick of the tournament! That'll earn me nothing in the predictions league, I said 2-2.

Sweden 0-1 Greece anyone?

[wir3d 2]

yeah I think Greece will win one zero.

The hatrick from villa was amazing!!

GO SPAIN!!

[jjune4991 1]

oh...spain won...cool. i saw the second goal at 42 minutes (i think). that one was set up PERFECTLY. he had a really great shot. good luck to them, and good luck for greece and sweden.

EDIT (4:35pm EST): The Greece-Sweden game just finished. 0-2 Sweden. wow. what a great game for Ibrahimovic. great goal in the 67'. i've never played soccer/football, and never know what is really going on, but i could tell that Greece was playing way to defensively in the first half. i actually got kinda mad. well, good luck to Sweden when they play Spain, and good luck to Greece who plays Russia.

[PhilsCafe 8]

Indeed, Greece were playing very defensively... that's how they won the cup in 2004. Against better teams that seems to be it, although not very attractive. But Sweden didn't do too much for the game either, except from the scenes that led to the goals which both were great. Afterwards, Greece never found into the game anymore because they had been so passive all the time.

It looks like Spain might actually go far this year... but let's not give up Russia though, their chances are still intact.

EDIT: Today it's all or nothing for co-hosts Switzerland when they meet Turkey in Basel. Come on Swiss, make us proud!

EDIT2: I am heartbroken... congrats Turkey though, they're deserving winners. Both teams played a hell of a game, but it's sad that it was Switzerland who lost. Now, it's already over after two games...which is kinda ironic. They probably played their best tourney ever but didn't make it to the quarter-finals, that's how close it is in European football. I think the lack of experience and scoring made the difference. But still, these IX guys on the pitch tonight are my heros.

[JanYpe 17]

Mixed results for today's games. Croatia played a very good match against the Germans, and beat them 2-1. Die Mannschaft really seemed to be phoning it in on this one, and I'm glad they got the lid on their nose for it. Austria against Poland nearly bored me to death. The Polish team eventually made a good goal, but in the closing minutes the referee gave a penalty to Austria, which meant they made it a totally undeserved 1-1.

[krbe 193]

I think it's appropriate with a little Shcweinsteiger recap :

[Silur 3,308]

GO, HOLLAND, GO

[Rictiovarus 1]

4-1 for the NETHERLANDS!

I especially liked Arjen Robben's goal, sort of punishing the French for having the gall (or should that be gaul?) to get their hopes up after Thierry Henry's goal. No win for you!

[JanYpe 17]

Romania-Italy went 1-1 apparently, anyone catch it?

Brilliant game tonight, though it had a couple of tight moments. Glad to see van der Sar still holding his own. Anyhoo, France is done and dusted and the Netherlands are off to the quarter finales.

[PhilsCafe 8]

I'm glad that Italy made it... they deserved it most of that trio. France never played on their level and Romania just didn't do enough to win a game (although it was close against Italy). As for Holland, it's impressive that even with the substitutes they can win 2-0. I think at the moment, they're the strongest team in the Euros. But I wouldn't be surprised when teams that didn't play convincingly so far would advance to the finals (this has happened far too often in the past). But the 'Oranjes' are already fan Champions, I've heard there must be quite a party in the streets of Berne.

[Robin Pierce 0]

Spain against Holland.... now thats going to be one hell of a match!!!! I'm backing Spain though..... i dont think the dutch defence have been tested yet and Torres and Villa are amaaaaaaazing!!

[JanYpe 17]

Quarter finals start tonight.The surviving teams:

Portugal-Germany

Croatia-Turkey

The Netherlands-Russia

Spain-Italy

The stadium in Basel they're using tonight apparently needed new grass. Here's how it looked this afternoon:

A bit messy, no? It's like one of those rural looking textures from the Lot Editor.

[PhilsCafe 8]

OMG, that pitch looks terrible. They said they'd replace the surface because it was in pretty bad shape after the Switzerland-Turkey game... but now it looks like they'd better left it like it was... hopefully it only looks like that.

As for tonight, go Portugal!

[PT 0]

As for tonights game, I hope Germany wins, because Portugal already kicked out The Netherland twice before. Go Germany, make Portugal pay. ^^

Nice that these blokes from other countries support The Netherlands as well. And so do I (I'm Dutch, that's why.....).

Cyu

[JanYpe 17]

So has Germany though, and if they play against the Portugese like they did against the Croatians they'll have a hard time winning. I think seeing Portugal in the final would be more interesting than seeing Germany there.

[DinoBond007 1]

DEUTSCHLAND wins Good game, Schweinsteiger was playing very good and also other players!

[PhilsCafe 8]

Just as I suspected... Germany made it to the next round (no offence, but I crossed my fingers for Portugal to win). At least one country who didn't play convincingly so far now probably will reach the finals... I don't think the Germans will loose against Croatia twice in the same tourney and Turkey will certainly be a tough opponent, but not strong enough to beat them, sorry.

On the other hand, that win wasn't completely undeserved... Portugal scored twice, but conceded three goals. That says everything about their defensive abilities. Oh well...

Croatia vs Turkey tonight: we might get the first penalty shootout... or another late game-winner by Turkey .

EDIT: My condolences to Khalid Boulahrouz and his wife...! I wonder if there's gonna be a minute's silence tomorrow.

[Easy Bakes 253]

Russia Knocks off Netherlands 3-1

[JanYpe 17]

Meh, the Russians played the better game.

EDIT: My condolences to Khalid Boulahrouz and his wife...! I wonder if there's gonna be a minute's silence tomorrow.quote>

Very sad business that.

[simwario 95]

I was quite surprised by this. Holland played pretty well during the EC2008, and i thought that they would have a great chance to reach the finals... until today.

[kawan 6]

Holland 1-3 Russia...a third underdog goes through! The words "This year's FA Cup" springs to mind...

I see Russia facing Spain in the semi's, and possibly a final consisting of Germany and Spain. So i'm now rooting for Spain. Go Spain!

[ianpaschal 77]

NOOOOO! This is a very sad day for NL.

I wonder how long we'll keep up the orange flags in the back yard and stuff

[Silur 3,308]

Holland - Russia 1-3..

I'm from Russia, but my favorite team is Holland for ever ...

Sometimes Russia win ...

ARSHAVIN and AKINFEEV now about 24 000 000 EVRO !!!

Russian team can win this EURO2008 - this is a great team now ...

 ARSHAVIN, ZIRKOV, AKINFEEV, BEREZUTSKY, POGRBNJAK, SEMAK, SEMSHOV - Remember this !!!  180 000 000 EURO for Arsenal !!!  

Final = Russia with Turkey 3:2 

  

[PhilsCafe 8]

Holland was never able to make their game tonight, because Russia seemed more willing to make their own. That's the difference to Italy, France and Romania who all seemed to play with the intention not to lose... instead of to win against Holland. So it's definitely a deserved win for the Russians.

Too bad Holland is out now though... their fans and enthusiasm will be missed. As for myself, my hopes rest entirely on Italy now.

[Silur 3,308]

Hi, PhilsCafe

You can rest with Italy - my Holland team crash now, but You can see final RUSSIA with TURKEY ...

[penguin007 27]

Dang there goes my tipping reputation down the drain!!! I really fancied Holland to win it but they just didn't turn up

Will