Football: EURO 2008

[Majsju]

Regarding Russia, they had two (or possibly three) players suspended due to bookings against Netherlands. Not on key players, but it is still quite a disturbance for the team.

On the other hand, Spain might still be shocked having survived a quarter final, and actually won a penalty shootout.

 

And Turkey beat Croatia, who in the group outplayed Germany. But now Turkey have about 1/3 of the squad either injured or suspended. There are even talks about having to use the third keeper as a striker...

[Graendals favourite]

Insert Quote

And Belgium has to defeat TWO semi finalists to reach South Africa

And Finland has the other two... And what is worst, now it is for Finland to stop Russia from winning the WC. It is a responsibility, but thankfully Germany doesn't look like they can score much in regular play.

 

I Believe Turkey will win against Germany despite their deficit in players, but lose to either Spain or Russia.

[Rasta Ashaman]

Come on, how can you still have any doubts who's gonna win?

• UEFA Cup
  
• World Hockey Championship
  
• Eurovision
  

and they just had to show a couple of TOPOLs during a parade on the Red Square  ;D

[Thorum]

Insert Quote

And Belgium has to defeat TWO semi finalists to reach South Africa

And Finland has the other two... And what is worst, now it is for Finland to stop Russia from winning the WC. It is a responsibility, but thankfully Germany doesn't look like they can score much in regular play.

 

I Believe Turkey will win against Germany despite their deficit in players, but lose to either Spain or Russia.

 

I hope you get the two finalists :D

[GaWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWd]

And it seems Germany turked the Turks by getting a last minute crucial turn around goal.

[HoppyQ]

So I have a question for all you experts out there.  Was Italy warranted in firing their coach?  I am an absolute sports nut but usually hate this time of year.  Even though it's unAmerican, I hate baseball and so this time of year is usually the worst time for me.  Nothing worth watching other than the occasional track meet.  I started watching the Euro's and it's the first time I've ever really watched soccer and I've really enjoyed it.  I especially enjoyed watching the Italy/Spain match.  Anyway, I just heard that Italy fired the coach and it didn't sound like he had too bad a record and they did make it to the quarters, so I was wondering if there was more behind this than expecations of a coach.

[Majsju]

Not warranted at all. Donadoni did what could be expected from the team, with all the injuries and so. But, firing the coach is a popular solution in southern Europe. And Donadoni was quite easy to fire, since he has never really achieved anything. Unlike Lippi, who now takes charge.

 

So far, I can only see two coaches that deserves getting fired, Domenech from France and Lagerbäck from Sweden.

 

 

[Majsju]

And the 2008 European Champions are...Spain!

 

The team that can not win finally broke the curse, and won their first title in 40 years.

 

Looking at how they have performed, they are very worthy champions.

[Rufae]

I agree, from the games I saw, Spain was clearly the dominate team.

 

What do teams win for the Euro Tournement? Is it tied up with the Olympics or the World Cup? Or is it simply an international competition on its own?

 

[Thorum]

It's an international ompetition on its own.

 

The third/fourth in #viewers worldwide (after the world cup and the olympics, together with the Tour the France (4x))

[Majsju]

For the World Cup, the qualifiers starts in August. For the Olympics, the top 4 in last years U21 Euros qualified. (And gosh, Belgium qualified!  ;D)

[Thorum]

And gosh, Belgium qualified!  ;D

 

It's not THAT hard, considering our A team and our U21 team are about the same