Euro 2008

[Gilly]

Only Bostonians feel those heights of ecstasy and lows of depression in US sports.

What about Cubs fans? Pro football does a wonderful job of building fans spirits up only to crush them.

But, the US really lacks national teams.

-We're way too good at basketball and it's hard to care much about the national team blowing out opponents and embarrassing when they lose. It's not much fun either way and I don't blame b-ball players who don't want to participate.

- For some reason baseball isn't a world sport and it's a shame they removed it from the Olympics. It's tough to get behind an MLB run "world tourney" even though it was fun to watch.

-Does the rest of the world know what American football is?

-Hockey is the closest thing we have to a good national team, but unfortunately we don't produce many good hockey players and are always mediocre. Plus, 90 percent of the country doesn't give a rip about hockey....

-....and 99 percent of the country doesn't give a rip about soccer and we produce one good soccer player every 20 years or so.  It sure would be nice if soccer could catch on over here so we can share in the festivities but I doubt it ever will.

[buffcoat]

When have Cubs fans felt ecstasy?

[cutout]

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

I'll be bummed if you're right.

I know I could be appreciating this on a level of "these are the best players in Europe, playing against each other in the prime of their careers", but I can't lie - I unrepentantly hate both teams.

[samir]

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.

You're damn right. I'll never forget the day we got knocked out of World Cup 2002 by Brazil. Because of the time difference, that was in the morning, UK time, and after that heartbreak, we had to spend the day at work. Walking from the pub to work (they were open early for the football), with 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' by Oasis playing everywhere, to an office with three Scots and a Northern Irishman, was just awful. Several hours later, the Tube ride home was one of the saddest ever. Nobody was happy.

Wait, what?

Oh... Wouldn't want to be you, Portugal.

[jbissell]

When have Cubs fans felt ecstasy?

I felt ecstasy in 2003.  Oh wait, it was the complete opposite of that, soul crushing defeat.

[gravy boat]

I'll never forget the day we got knocked out of World Cup 2002 by Brazil.

Didn't you score first too, on an Owen goal?

I watched that same World Cup in Italy (not bragging -- it was my honeymoon, maybe a little bit of bragging). TV's everywhere, in the piazzas and the train stations, the backyards, everyone in the azzurri jerseys.  Oh boy, when the Italians lost to South Korea -- after a dubious offside call and Italy's best striker missed a tap in extra time.  What misery.  I felt like such an intruder in the country after that, like I had walked into a funeral of someone I didn't know. People were mourning.

[samir]

anyone watching turkey croatia? chat room?

[samir]

I think everyone will agree with me when I say:

FUCKING HELL.
THE TURKS ARE INSANE.

[cutout]

If they can pull off another of their insane comebacks in the game against Germany, it would be truly tubular. Of course, they've arrived where they are by the skin of their teeth, I guess anything could happen.

[Martin]

In Russia, soccer plays you!

[buffcoat]

Heh, heh.

Germany won.
The weaker team won to face Germany.

The weaker team won to face Ita... the winner of Spain-Italy.
Spain is the biggest choker soccer nation on earth.

Here it comes!







Srsly... I was very disappointed in the Dutch.  They played tentatively to say the least.  The Russians played very well.  But they'll never beat the Spain-It... the Italians.

[redmedicine]

I'm rooting for the Russia vs Turkey final.  My prediction ... Russia defeats Turkey 2-0 in regular time. 
There is NO WAY I could be wrong!

In Russia, soccer plays you!

[Clint]

The Russians played very well.  But they'll never beat the Spain-It... the Italians.

[Martin]

Spain v Russia the second time around will be very interesting, now that Russia have picked up so much steam.

I didn't root for anyone in particular tonight, but I hate penalties. Hate hate hate them. So cruel. Still, as penalties go, I think everybody did reasonably well, no-one missed the goal (hello Croatia!), instead we got a couple of quality saves.

[buffcoat]

I like that I called them "the Spain."

I'm very happy the Italians lost, but that game was everything that's wrong with soccer among the great teams.  One team not even remotely trying to score, one team only barely trying and stumped by the other team not trying to score.  A bunch of long-haired Mediterranean momma's boys cavorting around and diving and crying.  The "magic spray" has turned into the "magic sports bottle."

Croatia-Turkey was much more entertaining, and those teams' players aren't nearly as good.