Euro 2008

[redmedicine]

That's the game I want to show to convert all of my "soccer is so boring" friends.  Czech were so strong in the first half, the Turks could barely get past midfield.  And then something snapped in those last 15 minutes.  It shows how much soccer can depend on momentum, and who wants it more. Volkan's little homage to Zidane in the end was uncalled for.  Though it does take huevos to push down a 6'7" striker.

[samir]

That's the game I want to show to convert all of my "soccer is so boring" friends.  Czech were so strong in the first half, the Turks could barely get past midfield.  And then something snapped in those last 15 minutes.  It shows how much soccer can depend on momentum, and who wants it more. Volkan's little homage to Zidane in the end was uncalled for.  Though it does take huevos to push down a 6'7" striker.

I was happy to big this match up, last night on the Show.
Can we also talk about how diabolical France were in this tournament? Shades of World Cup 2002 about them. Just dire.
Martin, we're rooting for your boys today - beat those Russians!
(Also, I've got Henrik on my Fantasy Team so it's time to make good)

[Martin]

I'm hoping for a win tonight, obviously, and I think we can do it (a draw would be sufficient to go through). But I'm super nervous about what's in store... Holland. They look fucking unbeatable at this point, and I'm afraid that if we go through to face them, they will demolish us. I mean, just look at what they did to Romania with their b-team, not to mention France and Italy.

The oddest thing is that after Saturday's game against Spain, I'm almost emotionally spent. Still! And midsummer's eve is coming around this weekend, with all that entails, and I'll be out in the countryside, possibly without access to a TV... I've almost already shut myself off from the drama, so I won't be that frustrated if/when I miss it.

France really have been abysmal. There was a great throwaway line during BBC Five Live's podcast this morning, about how Domenech avoided answering questions about his tactics and/or his future as a manager, and instead proposed to his girlfriend on the air.

How will Italy fare without Pirlo and Gattuso against Spain? Key players. Potentially fantastic game.

[gravy boat]

Go Sweden!

A Holland matchup will be great.  Do not fear it.  Every team can be beat.  If it should come to Sweden-Holand, I recommend you watch this great American movie called The Edge, starring Sir Tony Hopkins, for a lift.  Its lesson is simple:  in the face of great, seemingly overwhelming, adversity, men will plumb the depths of their character to reach their moment of triumph, if survival and Elle McPherson depend on it.

Good luck!  What one man can do, another man can undo!

[bobby.]

Can we also talk about how diabolical France were in this tournament? Shades of World Cup 2002 about them. Just dire.

They were terrible during the group stages of the 2006 W.C (toilet?) as well, but scraped along. They've really gone down the turlet.

C'mon Sweden!
Boo Holland!

[cutout]

I was just going to post about France, specifically Henry who has always been one of my favorites but has just looked seriously distracted and off his game. I know the deflection wasn't a cardinal sin, he was trying to block the ball, but his reaction/expression after it went in the goal made me really depressed.

[Martin]

I've always loved Henry, it's painful to see him not at his finest.

I thought it was very sweet how Henry was comforting Ribery as he was carried off the pitch.

[samir]

martin what is happening??
your defense is NOWHERE.
this is bad.

[Martin]

That was so humiliating. I changed channel halfway into the second half. Embarrassing. Awful. Terrible. Horrifying.

I seriously have no idea what happened. I have never, never ever in my thirty two years on this planet, seen Sweden play this badly (save Italy '90).

Russia deserved the win, no question. It could've been 3-, 4- 5-0 - It would not have surprised me.

Last on every ball, hardly a completed pass, no initiative, no spark, nothing. All the while the Russian U21 (looked like) run rampant through our defense like nobody's business.

Fuck this team. And the worst thing, the absolute worst consequence of this game and this tournament will be this, since Sweden's FA is a spineless organization which hates change: business as usual. Our manager will never, ever ever resign (he wouldn't, even had we lost 10-0), he won't get the boot, and we will continue down this destructive, pointless, resultless path until we are an utter joke.

[bobby.]

I blame Rednex.

[buffcoat]

"If it hadn't been for Cotton-Eyed Joe..."




Martin, this is why I love country-level soccer but not league-level soccer.  Your depression (sorry, by the way - you deserved better) extends way beyond the pitch.  Only Bostonians feel those heights of ecstasy and lows of depression in US sports.

I mean, people fucking SHOOT people over this stuff.

[Martin]

I completely get what you're saying, buffcoat. One of the biggest thrills about international championships is that it really involves a lot of people - basically all of Sweden were cheering the team on last night. It's dominating all major media outlets (with some competition from a new "big brother"-type bill that was passed the other day, which is even more depressing). When it comes to league games, I'm all over that too, but only to a certain extent (but 100% when it comes the Champions League).

By the way:

And the worst thing, the absolute worst consequence of this game and this tournament will be this, since Sweden's FA is a spineless organization which hates change: business as usual. Our manager will never, ever ever resign (he wouldn't, even had we lost 10-0), he won't get the boot, and we will continue down this destructive, pointless, resultless path until we are an utter joke.

I was completely, ridiculously, right about this. During the press conference today, our manager said stuff like "we were unlucky", "they had a good day", "no need for change", "takes a while to get over this, but we look forward to the world cup qualifiers", etc... An absolute disgrace. Sickens me.

I'm torn about tonight's game. The Germans certainly haven't impressed, and I'm still on the fence re: Portugal. We do have a few cracking fixtures coming up:

Germany v Portugal (toss-up, edge to Portugal)
Turkey v Croatia (big up Turkey, but I gotta go with Croatia, and pretend they're not ultra fascist/nationalist for a moment)
Spain v Italy (this could be awesome - I favour Spain but you never know with Italy, again they just barely get by the group stage, but I think they're picking up steam. Not having Pirlo and Gattuso on the pitch will be a major blow though)
Russia v Holland (Holland for the win, but this could be a really fun game to watch - kamikaze-style attacking total football from both sides!)

[cutout]

I'm hoping Portgual v Germany today will be epic, with Portugal coming out on top. Frankly I'd be happy with an semifinals/finals scenario that didn't involve either Germany or Italy.

[buffcoat]

I'm hoping Portgual v Germany today will be epic, with Portugal coming out on top. Frankly I'd be happy with an semifinals/finals scenario that didn't involve either Germany or Italy.

Sucka!  They fooled you again.  It will be Germaboring vs. Itaboring in the final.   

[gravy boat]

I'm hoping Portgual v Germany today will be epic, with Portugal coming out on top. Frankly I'd be happy with an semifinals/finals scenario that didn't involve either Germany or Italy.

Sucka!  They fooled you again.  It will be Germaboring vs. Itaboring in the final.   

Damn your prophecy. 

Our hopes for attacking futbol now rest on the Dutch.  Proost!

And Spain beats Italy this weekend...right?