Euro 2004 Discussion

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

As things stand, they would finish LAST in the group.

Now, that would be a great finish of this group...

[airulf]

I guess Italy spent too much energy thinking about conspiracy.

I wonder what their excuses will be this time.

[SirFozzie]

HOLEEEE CRAP!

Henrik Larsson converts a penalty to make it 1-1....

Only a minute before..

ITALY ties it up from Perrota!

48 minutes in.. GAME ON!

[SirFozzie]

Tomasson makes it two! 2-1 for Denmark.. and Italy just needs a 2nd now..

BUT...

If Sweden scores a 2nd.. Goodnight Italy

[3ric]

C'mon Bulgaria!

[bbor]

Originally Posted by Desnudo

On a lighter note:

........ she said. "I'm huge........

Yes,Yes you are.

[3ric]

And it's 2-2!!! It's over! \o/ \o/ \o/

C'mon Italy, bring on the lawsuit...

[SirFozzie]

And Italy score a second.

Poor little Pasta Pests..

*GIGGLES MADLY*

as my friend would say..

"HASTA LA BYE BYE, YOU AZURRI FUCKHEADS!!"

[Ryan S]

A sad night for European Football.

If I am Italian, I am blazing mad with Denmark. Especially the goal keeper.

[Coder]

Let the conspiracy theories start flying... wow... excellent effort.. I felt sure we'd lose after the 2-1.. we were just starting to take over when they got that goal, but then they turn things around..

[airulf]

Come on, Ryan. I guess the ball was wet.


I wish we would have won, not because Sweden would be out, but because now we get to play the Czech Rep.

[Coder]

Denmark look VERY good.. I honestly feel like they have a better team than Sweden.. we have two of the best attackers in the tournament, but the Danish midfield is awesome. We couldn't get the balls through there at all, and the wings were dangerous every time... Denmark was first on the second ball every time.

[mordhiem]

Cassano's reaction after he scored was hillarious!

He did the whole run to the bench with his arms outstretched, screaming his head off and started hugging all the substitutes. Then they told him the other score.... LOL

[Darkiller]

LOLOL
Glad they're out. These guys have been flirting with 1st round elimination for years. At last they get punished.

At Euro 2000, their team was awful, a total disaster and -no one knows why- they qualified themselves for Quarter-finals at the last minute of the 3rd game and manage to reach the European Championship final...and almost beat France !!

These Italians never die...normally...today they did !! yeehaaa

[andy m]

italy out?

[sarcasm]oh what a shame[/sarcasm]

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Alf

Screw Italy ! Go for the 2-2 !

Great prediction Alf !

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Darkiller

LOLOL
Glad they're out. These guys have been flirting with 1st round elimination for years. At last they get punished.

At Euro 2000, their team was awful, a total disaster and -no one knows why- they qualified themselves for Quarter-finals at the last minute of the 3rd game and manage to reach the European Championship final...and almost beat France !!

These Italians never die...normally...today they did !! yeehaaa

Euro 1996 they went out on a similiar scenario, if I recall correctly. Head-to-head 2-1 losss with the Czechs knocking them out.

[MIJB does research at rsssf.com]

It is like I posted. In 1996 Italy got knocked out after they held Germany to 0-0, a team down to 10-men for the last 30 minutes. The Czech Republic, however, managed to score in the llast minute to clinch a 3-3 draw against Russia to knock the Italians out after all.

[Kosta]

Originally Posted by Ryan S

A sad night for European Football.

If I am Italian, I am blazing mad with Denmark. Especially the goal keeper.

You obviously didn't see the game (or maybe you are still clouded by Australia's whalloping of Scotland a few years back ).

Denmark were outstanding and went for the win all they way. At 2-1 they had a number of great chances and were very, very unlucky not to go further ahead. Their 'keeper has been excellent all tournament.

If Italy want to blame anyone they can look in the mirror. They drew with Sweden and Denmark and they had the worst result of the teams against Bulgaria. Sweden and Denmark were clearly better teams and deserve to progress. In the end a 1-1 draw would have been just as good for the Scandanavians.

Totti is a disgrace. Matterazzi is not up to international football. Vieri was useless. Del Piero is ALWAYS useless... the defensive tactics against Sweden were pathetic... Trappatoni's substitutions were questionable all the way through...

[MIJB#19]

One thing can be said, the Danes were probably not hoping to finish second and having to face the Czech Republic at full strenght, in stead of Germany, the Netherlands or even Latvia...

Edit:
For the Denmark-Sweden game, I know one thing for sure. If you want to think it was a setup, you will see enough things to make your point proven. But if you think it was a normal game, you will be able to make enough points as well to defend your opinion.
Setup or not, the 2-2 was freaky and feeds all thoughts. We;ll never know what would hae happened if Denmark had scored the 3-1, which looked likely to happen from around the 60th until the 85th minute.

[Kosta]

2-2 was not freaky at all... Denmark and Sweden have drawn 13 times in past meetings and 7 of those 13 have been 2-2. So in fact, on that history, 2-2 was a very, very likely result.

[Darkiller]

The Swedes scored the equalizer (2-2) a couple of minutes BEFORE Italia scored their winning goal. And at 1-1, Italia was eliminated no matter what.
So the notion of set-up between Sweden and Denmark doesn't exist.
It's not like, learning that Italia had scored the 2-1 in overtime, then all of sudden Sweden comes through and scores another goal to eliminate them.

[Alf]

It appeared many betting sites didn't allow people to bet on the 2-2 result...

[Kosta]

I don't know of any betting site that didn't allow betting on 2-2... in fact many that I saw (and there are plenty here) were heavily advertising it. I had a friend that collected on 2-2.

[Kosta]

Originally Posted by Darkiller

The Swedes scored the equalizer (2-2) a couple of minutes BEFORE Italia scored their winning goal. And at 1-1, Italia was eliminated no matter what.
So the notion of set-up between Sweden and Denmark doesn't exist.
It's not like, learning that Italia had scored the 2-1 in overtime, then all of sudden Sweden comes through and scores another goal to eliminate them.

I was watching both games simultaneously and in fact the SWE-DEN game actually FINISHED before Italy scored.

[Coder]

Originally Posted by Alf

It appeared many betting sites didn't allow people to bet on the 2-2 result...

Quite the opposite here.. in fact, Ladbrokes even offered everyone who placed a bet on ANOTHER result than 2-2, and the game ended 2-2, they would get their bets back. Why? "Because if it ends 2-2 we're all winners!"

[Coder]

Dola, also, those who actually WATCHED the Sweden-Denmark game can testify that Denmark pushed extremely hard to score 3-1. Isaksson in the Swedish goal had to make some remarkable saves. The Danes then started defending a bit more than attacking, and just like against Italy, Sweden mounted a better offense when they got to dictate the flow of the game.

[MIJB#19]

Don't want to play devils advocate here but I know Denmark were really hoping to win to avoid the Czech Republic and France on the road to the final, but you got to love how this game ends up 2-2 after all. I just wanted to make clear that if people want to prove it was a set-up, there are numerous points to make. Those who say it was a fair game, have enough food to make their point as well. The last minute goal just feeds the conspiracy theory, yet I truely doubt that the Swedish and Danish team even wanted to settle for a 2-2 draw. The way how Denmark was so close to 3-1 proves there was no set-up at all.

For what it is worth, I did watch Sweden-Denmark, unlike 19 others games this tournament. Sweden-Denmark was one of five games I wrote in my agenda to watch (with the others being France-England and the games of Oranje).

[MIJB#19]

Alright, only three hours left before the game that will knock Germany out in the same round as Spain and Italy. Wouldn't that be cool?
Go Czech Republic of Reserve Players, make Latvia proud!

[bbor]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

Alright, only three hours left before the game that will knock Germany out in the same round as Spain and Italy. Wouldn't that be cool?
Go Czech Republic of Reserve Players, make Latvia proud!

Bite your tongue

Deutchland Uber Alles!!

But i fear you may be correct...Germany has been HORRIBLE.Fresh legs and ideas are needed in Germany before the next WC.

[Crapshoot]

Im with you MIJB - I want to see the Germans beaten as well. Honestly though, the Czech's without Nedved are like Roma without Totti- I can't really see them pulling it off.

[SirFozzie]

About 35 Minutes in.

RVN with two goals for the Oranje, who are looking to take Latvia behind the woodshed, 2-0 so far.

Germany scored the first goal, but were pegged back, 1-1. Great Czech goal.

[Ryan S]

Ballack's goal for Germany might be the best I have seen yet at Euro 2004.

[SirFozzie]

And the Czechs take the lead. The Czech B-Team are BEATING the Germans 2-1! Who'd a thunk it.

As things stand, Latvia would have to score twice and Germany once, or Germany will have to score twice.

As things stand:

England-Portugal
France-Greece
Sweden-Holland
Denmark-Czech Republic.

If you told me before hand that the quarterfinals would NOT involve Germany, Spain or Italy.. well.. you'd be nuts.

[SirFozzie]

and Makaay makes it 3-0. The crowd is going berzerk.

[MIJB#19]

Thank you Czech Republic of Reserve Players!

[SirFozzie]

MIJB: I assume the nation of Holland is having a collective all night orgasm right now?

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

MIJB: I assume the nation of Holland is having a collective all night orgasm right now?

Actually not.
It's been stormy and raining all night.
I think people are waiting for tomorrow morning.

Good heavens that the Euro 1996 final went how it went back then, or else the Czechs wouldn't have been motivated to beat Germany.

[MIJB#19]

I just decided to look up my Euro2004 predictions I made in early January.

Originally Posted by "MIJB#19

- Euro2004 is won by Sweden, beating France in the final
- Latvia surprises Europe with a win over Germany, yet miss the quarterfinals
- "Holland" loses in the semi's once again, though not on penalties this time
- Euro2004's top 5 players of the tournament are in random order: Verpakovskis (Latvia), Robben (Netherlands), Ljungberg (Sweden), Nedved (Czech Republic) and Henry (France), who takes the top goalscorers title

My final is still possible, the Dutch reaching the semi's too, Latvia beating Germany didn't happen and my top5 has to be somewhat true with Verpakovskis, Robben and Nedved in there.

[3ric]

*sings*
Germany's going home
Germany's going home
Germany's going home

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[SirFozzie]

maybe Italy, Spain and Germany (can anyone come up with a fourth, among the eight teams who failed to qualify, maybe Croatia.. they looked awful...) can hold a Tournament.. call it the Whiner's Cup.

[fantastic flying froggies]

Both Germany and Italy out, that is a great day for french football...

[Ajaxab]

Originally Posted by fantastic flying froggies

Both Germany and Italy out, that is a great day for french football...

It is not just a great day for French football. It's a great day for football . Who is more enjoyable to watch? The pedantic Germans or the entertaining Dutch? The positive tactic Swedes/Danes or the negative tactic Italians?

[scooter]

The ITV broadcast made a good point about the Czech "reserves". They are claiming the Czech coach to be a genius for playing a team of motivated backups - players that wouldn't be looking to avoid injury and looking forward to the next round. To a certain extent this was true. The Czech team looked very good in the first half, with only the Ballack wonder goal to worry about. Heinz looks a marvelous player - I think he will be moving soon.

The Germans looked better in the second half, but I thought that was more because the Czechs were getting tired than anything the Germans were doing. Lahm (on the left) continued to be the only bright spot for the Germans.

I think with this game, the Czechs have told the world that not only do they play wonderful football, they have depth on their bench too. Not to mention the fact that they are never out of a game - they came from behind to win all three of their games!

[Mac Howard]

An interesting point: three of the four top European leagues are no longer represented - Italy, Spain and Germany. Could this have anything to do with the clubs from these leagues (particularly Spain and Italy) filling their teams with quality 'foreigners"?

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Mac Howard

An interesting point: three of the four top European leagues are no longer represented - Italy, Spain and Germany. Could this have anything to do with the clubs from these leagues (particularly Spain and Italy) filling their teams with quality 'foreigners"?

Wanna see which leagues and teams are still represented in Euro2004?

Top countries still represented
49/58 Englang
20/47 Italy
18/20 Portugal
16/17 Greece
15/50 Germany
14/20 France
14/16 Netherlands
13/36 Spain
Selected others
2/24 Russia
6/ 7 Denmark
5/ 5 Czech Republic
4/ 4 Sweden
0/15 Latvia

Top teams still represented
8/8 Chelsea
8/8 Manchester United
7/8 Arsenal
7/8 Benfica
7/7 Panathinaikos
6/6 Ajax
6/9 Barcelona
6/8 Liverpool
6/7 Porto
5/6 AEK Athena
5/7 PSV
selected others
4/9 Bayern
4/8 Milan AC
3/8 Inter
3/9 Juventus
3/7 Real Madrid
2/7 Lazio
2/4 Monaco
0/7 Skonto Riga

[Darkiller]

now MIJB, are you happy or what ????!!!! :-)

[MIJB#19]

Originally Posted by Darkiller

now MIJB, are you happy or what ????!!!! :-)

I still can't believe it, really.
This was such an weird ending, depending on the Czechs all night.
I mean, over the years, the Dutch teams either f*cked up before the last game or had everything in their own hands at the start of the last round of games. It was a complete new happening, after over 10 years of following our national football team.

On the other hand, how can one not be proud that your national team keeps their group stage survive record up with only one failure at Euro 1980? (All other 'eliminations' were in knock-out stages.)

The most heard line in the Netherlands in the last 14 hours?
"Schade, Deutschland, Alles ist Vorbei!"

[MIJB#19]

Wohoo!
Yes, I checked the QuikTionairy, it's allowed to be used.

The knock-out stages are here.
Remember, no sudden death but the good new up soon to be in the bad ideas box, silver goal rulings.

So:
Score after 90 minutes tied?
Continue play, or else the high scoring team wins.

Score after 105 minutes tied?
Continue play, or else the high scoring team wins.

Score after 120 minutes tied?
Penalty kicks, or else the team not-being-the-Netherlands wins.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Ajaxab

It is not just a great day for French football. It's a great day for football . Who is more enjoyable to watch? The pedantic Germans or the entertaining Dutch? The positive tactic Swedes/Danes or the negative tactic Italians?

Well put. If anything, the lesson of Euro 2004 is that sitting back and playing defensively after scoring a goal (also known as every bloody game in Serie A) is liable to be punished. Im glad teams that have shown a desire to play football and not boot it up the field are advancing- except for the English...

[RPI-Fan]

Originally Posted by MIJB#19

I still can't believe it, really.
This was such an weird ending, depending on the Czechs all night.
I mean, over the years, the Dutch teams either f*cked up before the last game or had everything in their own hands at the start of the last round of games. It was a complete new happening, after over 10 years of following our national football team.

On the other hand, how can one not be proud that your national team keeps their group stage survive record up with only one failure at Euro 1980? (All other 'eliminations' were in knock-out stages.)

The most heard line in the Netherlands in the last 14 hours?
"Schade, Deutschland, Alles ist Vorbei!"

Pretty easy to avoid elimination when you don't reach the competition.