Euro 2008

[Bob Singleton]

Mike_CFC wrote:

> Group C 'The group of death'
>

> Holland:the Dutch only know one mentality,attack!!.Van Basten
> will be looking to win the tournament as manager,as well as a
> player when 'The Oranje' won the tournament in 1988.recent
> injuries and in-fighting have plauged the Dutch.they must win
> their opening game today to ensure any chance of qualification.
> Star Man:Wesley Snijder:The midfield general, playmaker and set
> piece expert.Gets into scoring positions and reads the game
> well.
> My verdict:Babel and Robben's injuries will prove costly.I
> can't see them progresssing,Group stage exit
>


Well you were right about only wanting to attack, but on last night's showing they certainly didn't miss Babel (who he?) and Robben

[Bob Singleton]

On the basis of the first round of games, the winners should come out of Germany, Portugal, Holland and Spain, and a final involving any of the last three would be great.

Because of the way the draw is set up, Spain and Holland are set to meet in the second semi should they both continue in similar vein, while the first semi looks like being Germany v Portugal. Portugal v either Spain or Holland could make for a cracking final.

[Mike_CFC]

The first round of games has'nt been too bad.We have seen the technichal play of the Germans and the Swedes,and the all out attack of Portugal,Holland and Spain,who i thought were breathtaking against Russia yesterday.

David Villa's transfer fee has gone up an extra ?10/15m after yesterday me thinks.

[diplodocus]

and every Greek player has a value measured in smarties after last nites debacle

[Jonone]

It's said that the Premiership can take time to adjust to and players such as Evra and Vidic were given that time. Others such as Torres and Santa Cruz seemed to adjust very quickly.

In the case of Khalid Boularouz Chelsea had him for a season and then loaned him out. He turned-in a capable performance for the Dutch against Italy but obviously Chelsea have made their decision based on a number of games rather than one good performance. Nevertheless, do people think that players are given sufficient time to adapt to the Premiership at Chelsea, or are they sometimes hasty in their assessments of players ?

[Bob Singleton]

Boularouz was used as a right back more often than not (and he didn't do a bad job against Barca) while his strongest position is centre back. He was never really going to challenge Terry or Carvalho as a first choice, but would have been good cover for them.

I rate him far higher than Tal Ben Haim who we got on a free at the beginning of last season. Personally I don't think Boularouz was given a fair run by Mourinho and you have to wonder whether he was one of the players Arnesen brought in (so was never really going to figure in JM's plans given the politics at the club).

There are many Chelsea fans grumbling about Malouda, but I think some of it is unjustified. He started last season quite well, considering the change of pace and style there is between the PL and the French league, but then got injured. By the time he recovered, the season was already past the half way stage and he never got a long enough run of consecutive games to really find his feet again.

Ballack seemed anonymous at times in his first season but once he'd recovered from the injury that kept him out of the start of this season, he looked his old, imperious self... especially when Lampard wasn't around (what is it about Lampard that he and Gerrard can't seem to play together, and he and Ballack never really got going as a partnership?)

[Deuce Bigolo]

Classy Croatia stun Germany



Quite an upset given that Croatia had lost their main scorer in the group stages(brazilian 9 goals)to a long term injury before the tournament

Haven't seen one team yet that even looks remotely comfortable in defence when faced with quality opposition,which makes for a great tournament

[bristolian]

Fair play. They worked incredibly hard and passed Germany off the pitch. The 2nd goal was incredibly lucky, however and some clever gamesmanship was in evidence for the red card. Thought Bilic's team might be better than that...

[Deuce Bigolo]

On overall play and REAL shots on Goal Croatia smashed Germany
Could have easily have been a 5-1 thumping

Dont think the german fullback Janssen will see much more time in the tournament...had an absolute nightmare

[Mike_CFC]

Croatia deserved to win imo,Germany were all at sea in the first half.Even Andy Towndsend picked out the German right back as the weak link,and he was proven right as he(Janssen) was certainly at fault for Croatia's opener.Croatia's second was a cruel goal to concede,but seeing it was Lehman that was the victim,it could'nt of happened to a nicer person !wink!.

Germany seem very vunrable in defence and will not fancy facing the free flowing Portuguese in the quarters.

Germany will also be without Swarzstiger (sp?) for two games, who needlessly gor red carded.

Stupid bastian !happy!