| Archive for Digital Lounge digitallounge.co.nr |
| clevelandspur |
Euros - Are you enjoying the football?I have never been so pleased to see a team lose (sans Arsenal) than Greece against Sweden. I thought there tactics were unsurprisingly shocking. Passing amongst the back 4 for minutes at a time without a mF even showing for the ball that is not football!Then yesterday two marvelous games. I especially was encouraged by the Czechs, sure they lost but they were against a more skillfull squad but went for it playing good football and were unlucky with the result. Then two unfancied sides in Swiss and Turks had the match of the tourney so far for me, gripping stuff. So have you been pleased overall with the football? I know sometimes these major tournaments can be a disappointment with teams trying to take the air out of things. So far it has been so-so but I say the good matches have outweighed the bad. Also do you have a problem with the way Romania and Greece approached their matches? |
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| Penny |
^ I didn't see the Greece match yesterday.
A few of the games have been hit and miss and a bit boring for me. France, for example were awful to watch. However, I really enjoyed the Portugal V Czech game. I thought Czech weren't half bad, and unlucky to lose by that margin. Holland were quite good to watch in the first game too - maybe only because Italy were so awful! |
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| clevelandspur |
^ Greece was actually on Tuesday, they made the Romania-France match look like a Bond movie.
Holland-Italy match was open and very watchable. Italy was going forward more than they usually do, which is probably why they were caught out so easily I guess. I have faith though, I think they will go through. France is quality but Domenech doesn't have a fucking clue. That idiot relies on astrology for picking his lineups. |
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| Penny |
^ Lmao! Are you serious?!! (about the astrology bit) | ||
| clevelandspur |
^ Sadly yes lol He is a real nutter. He says it only helps him pick between the tough choices. I will try and find an article they were talking about it on our American telecast.
Here is one article about it. May suspect why he never picks Trezeguet for the squad as well. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/.../sport/2008/03/26/ufnstars126.xml |
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| ^S^ |
I missed most of the matches, but in Saturday they showing Sweden - Spain in one of those big screens in one of the main streets. I'll go there to support Spain and probably I'll be killed hehe. 
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| Penny |
I really enjoyed Croatia today. I was rooting for them against Germany. I hope they do really well. I have a soft spot for them since the days of Boban, since he also played for Milan. | ||
| El Presidente |
I thinks its been an entertaining so far, shame about Germany losing against the U today but I reckon they can win their last game.
I enjoyed the first half of Turkey-Switzerland last night, ale house football in pouring rain rules. 
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| AlexH |
Ive found it so dull I havent tuned in since the Italy match. There arent enough goals and I have always had a disdain for European International football-it just carries too much of a 1-0 philosophy. | ||
| funkymonkey |
I found it OK so far.
The top teams have put in some good performances but there have been no surprises (Croatia beating Germany wasn't a big surprise) and when you watch games that dont involve the top seeds they are dire to watch, there's quite a divide. It's fair to say that the tournament hasn't really caught alight yet, but there is a lot of talent on show. |
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| clevelandspur |
Croatia-Germany match was very entertaining. That modric looks like an evil elf, but the boy can really play, I hope Jenas was watching and it lights a fire. Can't wait to see Luka play in the Spurs shirt. Likewise I hope Le Arse get nowhere near Krajncar he is class.
Germany should be fine though, I don't think they should have any problems dealing with Austria. Schweinsteiger's red card was really harsh and may have hurt them more if they were playing a better side next game. they look a far more dangerous team when he is on the pitch. Speaking of Austria they have to be kicking themselves. They should have been up 4 goals by halftime and were losing! LOL |
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| Maverick |
Up to now I've enjoyed the Euro's despite England not being there. Greece are by far the most negative team I've play so far and they got their just rewards by losing to Sweden.
One or two teams have caught the eye, Spain, Holland and Croatia so far look to be best of them but as we all know in football it can soon change! |
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| Lou Cipher |
Really enjoyed the Croatia - Germany game. It will be interesting to see what kind of performance Spain and Holland manage in their second games after looking so good in their opening fixtures. | ||
| Marcucas |
Now i backed Holland before the tourno!!!
Now is everyone sitting down taking notice? Bow to your King Marcucas who knows what teams to back!!! |
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| ^S^ |
Beating Italy 3-0 and now France 4-1 ... What have they done to WC finalists ... just Wo0oW!  
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| Maverick |
Holland at the moment are looking a class outfit, but have they peaked too early? How will they respond if they go a goal behind? Only time will tell. | ||
| ^S^ |
Agree ... beating Italy & France doesn't mean they are the champion, but I liked to see them losing hehe  , no matter Holland will lose in the next round or go to final 
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| ^S^ |
I also enjoyed Sweden - Spain. Although the first half was boring [@list after Spain scored the first goal], but the second half was go0d I think specially the last minutes  ... Spain is a go0d team, but they have problem with finishing ... anyway they didn't play like a champion hehe 
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| ^S^ |
If Check - Turkey had ended 2-2 (instead of 2-3) then the qualifier would've been cho0sing by penalty sho0ts ... the same thing will happen if Holland beats Romania and Italy France end with a draw.
What is this penalty rule (in group matches)? ... Is this a new rule?? or it was there and I haven't noticed B4??? please someBody update me. Anyway 4 me it sounds stupid ... It's only happen when "2" teams have the same situation and they're playing the last game against each other?  
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| El Presidente |
^
I must admit that I was confused about the penalty shootout talk. |
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| Lou Cipher |
Tinkering for the sake of it. Most fans despise penalty shoot-outs so UEFA think up a way to increase them. | ||
| funkymonkey |
The Turkey match was THE match of the tournament so far, it was just bizarre by the end lol.
Ballack scored a beaut last night but Germany are looking awful after an impressive first game. I would never bet against them though! |
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| clevelandspur |
^ Sets up Germany v Portugal right? That should be a real cracker. Germany gets Schweinsteiger back for that one. What a matchup of him vs. Ronaldo on the wing!
Italy today have to do the business, I expect Holland will still put out a strong team considering their depth. |
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| funkymonkey |
Yeah there are some really meaty final rounds this Euro champs and tonight will be the best so far I hope. As for Germany v Portugal, Portugal are the better team man for man but the German team spirit is always worth a goal. I also think it was a school boy error of Scholari to drop so many players (8) from their last group game, they are in danger of losing momentum and cohesion. I could have understood benching the guys on yellow cards but not 8 players! Could bite him in the ass that decision. Like you, I don't expect Van Basten to do the same with Holland tonight. |
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| Penny |
^ I have a feeling Romania will go through. Italy and France to go out. Italy have been so unlucky in this tournament. Holland are through already - they'll probably rest most of their best players. |
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| clevelandspur |
I may put a nice chunk of change on the Germans. I agree about messing with the team too much, add to that every star on their team has talked more about his club future for next year than business at hand including the manager. I don't see how the team can stay focused with all of this drama. |
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| ^S^ |
Yeah Italy made it ... I watched Holland - Romania and Holland was go0d enough again although the match wasn't important ... Probably it will be Spain-Italy & Holland-(Sweden/Russia) | ||
| AlexH |
Best game of the tournament tonight. It was verging on 'it was so bad, it was good'.
What was up with Luca Toni? He only missed about 6 clear cut chances. |
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| Penny |
I know. What is going on with him?!
Pirlo and Gattuso out for the next game against Spain. I'd say Italy haven't a hope! |
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| ^S^ |
4sho
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| Penny |
^ Lol! I'm not happy about that Samad. | ||
| ^S^ |
 Sometimes I become a sadistic person lol, don't know why
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| clevelandspur |
Job done and Italy through!
Toni was shocking he could have had 6! The squad is held together by tape right now, so many injuries and suspensions but you can never count them out. |
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| Penny |
I forgive you. This time!! |
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| funkymonkey |
On the subject of Italian injuries is Totti injured? I must have missed that one as he isn't in the squad. | ||
| Penny |
^ No, he retired from International after the last WC. Same as Nesta. I think they should both have stuck around for this tournament. | ||
| funkymonkey |
Totti is only blumin 31 ffs!!!! That is shocking!
They could have really done with him that's for sure! |
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| Penny |
Yeah, Nesta is only 32. I guess Totti has had a lot of injuries, so he doesn't want to jeopardise his club career by risking injury while with the national team. I dont' really understand why Nesta retired. I know he asked not to be called up last year cos he was just after getting married. Then he said his career with the Azzuri was over, but this time around when he wasn't called up, a few of the players started complaining - I thought that was a bit odd, since I definitely remember him announcing his retirement. | ||
| clevelandspur |
^ I think Totti was going to play in the Euros but he picked up a knock towards the end of the season. These retirments from internationals are a bit like boxing, you can never take them serious | ||
| Penny |
^ Yeah, I guess. Poor Totti - he's always injured. | ||
| Marcucas |
Come on Spain gotta beat the ITalia!!! | ||
| clevelandspur |
^ I think it will be tough for the Italians but remember this is the point where Spain traditionally lays an egg, so that may be in the back of their heads.
Full credit to Russia yesterday. they looked very impressive, played a good Sweden team off the pitch. To Greece FUCK OFF! Most embarassing display of a team I can remember at a major tournament, I hope they piss off the interantional radar forever. |
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| funkymonkey |
^Yeah I'm glad the travesty of the last Euro champs has been righted now with Greece finishing bottom of their group. Nobody should ever be rewarded for playing the kind of football they play, it's just soulless!
Russia are growing in this tournament. If you look at tournament winners over the years they have tended to peak in the knockout rounds and usually look piss awful in the group stages. This would count against Holland, Portugal and Spain and favour Russia, Germany and Italy. Something to think about! |
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| clevelandspur |
^ good point there funky. I honestly think alot is going against Portugal today. Even though they may be books favorite my money will be on Germany. They have more going on inside there team then the rest of the field combined.
Consider Big Phil taking CHelsea job mid tournament coaching two current Chelsea players who are being coveted by their favored old manager to go to Inter Deco hearing he will be transferred from barca Ronaldo and his fucking circus 
Simao, Moutinho, Pepe all being coveted for buyouts |
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| El Presidente |
Germany was fantastic tonight, skillfull, attack football......I still tip them to win.
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| funkymonkey |
Well it looks like a couple of us called that one right last night!
Portugal: an incoherent mess of wonderful players Germany: a dynamic attacking machine, with a touch of flair! Ballack was playing with a slight cockyness which I haven't seen for a year or so and that was good to see, Sweinsteiger (spelling) is the perfect example of making the most of yourself even when you may not be the most talented on the pitch. I think Germany will do one on Croatia in the semis and once in the final they rarely lose. |
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| Penny |
Come on Croatia!!
I am 'anyone but Germany' to win! lol! I am not a fan of those Germans at all. - Well, actually, I am Italy to win, but that's not going to happen. |
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| clevelandspur |
Impressive display by the Germans and I got a nice payoff on that one. $100 paid me $220!
Schweinsteiger was the difference yesterday, man of the match for me. Simao must be class, because he is always raved about but whenever I see him he is rubbish. Up the Croats today, cmon little Luka |
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| funkymonkey |
Yet another of the early pace setters Holland are out, booted out by one of the late starters in the tournament. It happens every time!
The biggest miracle is that Spain haven't bottled it yet! It's a Spain v Germany final for me but you never know with Russia and Turkey. |
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| clevelandspur |
Turkey is totally knackered with injuries and suspensions which is a shame because it ruins the occasion. I think the yellow card rule is still too harsh especially considering what some of these refs are booking people for. The one on Arda Turan was ridiculous hardly a foul.
Italians deserved to go out really. Considering they were missing their playmaker in Pirlo I expected them to sit back. |
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| funkymonkey |
I'm gutted for the Turks they put on another great show and out played the German's for large parts of the game.
I can't believe Germany have yet again lucked themselves through to a final. Granted they have had two very good games in the tournament so far. The Lahm goal was a perfect example of their luck! The Turks were tight on every man and the Germans were just hovering around midfield then Lahm goes inside and his maker Richards twists his knee and leaves Lahm free without a challenge! Lahm then runs into the box unmarked now and picks up a return pass and scores. His marker Richards prostrate up the field and stretchered off. Jammy bastards! You can't see Germany not winning although they may have used up all their luck in the Turkey game. |
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| clevelandspur |
^ was a great game wasn't it. Why did Richards change his name to Kazim Kazim? Isn't that the name of a bad Shaquille O'Neal movie?
Gutted for the Turks they took it to the Germans. Instead of laying back and soaking up pressure they attacked more than the Germans and I think Germans were not expecting it. C'mon Spain/Russia |
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| funkymonkey |
Germany v Spain it is!
I was surprised that Russia were a push over again for Spain, I expected them to be a different proposition from the Russia Spain twonked in the group stages. I think the game was just too big for a lot of their youngsters. I will be supporting Spain as that is who I wanted before the tournament started but I don't have a strong allegiance really. Just hope it's a good game. |
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| Diane |
The best team won, Spain deserved it and Germany were very poor! | ||
| ^S^ |
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| clevelandspur |
Full credit to Spain, they played some good football and finally broke the long drought! | ||