Euro 2004 Predictions

[toxic rooster]

Post #1000

[toxic rooster]

Reply #1000

[The Mackem]

Just woke up, what a hangover.

It seemed that it was going to be our night when Lampard equalised but alas. THat ref's class me and a mate were calling him a poser. He makes his decisions and does his hand actions in a right poserish way. Sorry still a bit drunk. I got an England hat from somewhere.

The lads were unlucky. I think bringing on Phil Neville on (especially in midfield) was a mistake as well as sitting back and inviting pressure. Ah well not to worry, we got further than a few of the "better" teams.

[diothoir]

Reply #1000

THEY CAN@T BOTH BE REPLY #1000

ARE YOU MAD

[yianni]

Saw the highlights before when I got home. The English lads were unlucky with the disallowed goal but still, looked like a good game.

[toxic rooster]

You idiot diothoir.

POST #1000 is the combined total of all posts in the thread
REPLY #1000 is the combine total of all posts in the thread, minus the first one, AS WE ARE REPLYING TO IT.

[diothoir]

My bad. I've been up too long. :$

[diothoir]

So I hear England lost. :shifty:

[toxic rooster]

So I hear that I wanna play Gunbound.

[diothoir]

Slow news day?

[packt up]

The midfield let us down.

Thats all I can be arsed to say.

*particularly Becks

[91]

Oh well, I'm over the worst now. Portugal were the better team, but we were unlucky, I think that sums it up. Hopefully Sweden will trounce them in the semis and make me feel better though. ABBA! VOLVO! IKEA! REINDEER MEAT! ULRIKA! Yep, I've chosen my new allegiance.

[diothoir]

Come on the Czechs. :mad:

[Doink]

does anyone know if fantasy football was on last night?

its just all i can remember doing last night was me and a friend kept singing the adventures of christian ronaldo and then doing a daft dance like frank skinner, we did this every time ronaldo fell over his laces (so everytime he got the ball really)

i was just wondering what his adventure was last night on ff.

[The Mask]

Okay, i saw some of the game but then i fell asleep. Arse.

At least Cristiano annoyed everyone who hates united here, and Portugal were my original pick to win it, although that seems unlikely now.

[toxic rooster]

Is Rooney possibly the first person to have someone stand on his foot, break it and have a free kick given against him?

It was also funny watching Cole put Ronaldo on his arse and get a free kick for it.

[The Mask]

Also, I heard Ronaldo put Cole on his arse, kicked him in the head and ran off grinning.

I can't confirm this yet, but if he has, I love him more than ever.

[Doink]

Also, I heard Ronaldo put Cole on his arse, kicked him in the head and ran off grinning.

I can't confirm this yet, but if he has, I love him more than ever.

i heard this rumour also but i heard that before he kicked him in the head he did several step overs and dummies before doing it, this is also to be confirmed

[Mr. Monday Morning]

91, I partially blame you for jinxing us in this thread. Also for being a Spurs fan and thus being at least guilty by association for harboring Helder Postiga.

Anyway

-Cole actually defended very well, although he got away by the skin of his teeth once or twice.

-Campbell was as good as ever.

-Terry was crap, seriously Dazz he can't play like that for Chelsea because he was goddamn awful last night, kept getting caught way out of position, giving away stupid fouls, and completely lost Postiga for the goal. Only thing in his credit is he took a good penalty.

-As I said from the start, Beckham didn't show up. We seriously need to think about what his value to the team is right now, because he added f</>uck all.

-Lampard is unbelievably the man. After the number of games he's played this season he was still there right at the end of extra time to score (he did give the ball away a bit though - but then they all did)

-As soon as Phil Neville came on I just knew we were f</>ucked. Seriously, what the f</>uck kind of challenge was that on Rui Costa for his goal? If you're gonna bring on a defensive midfielder...well, don't bring one on to start really. But Dyer would've been a better bet, if only for the amount of energy he has. He could've moved onto the left and Scholes gone into the centre instead of Gerrard, if that's what he wanted (Gerrard did look knackered)

-When Rooney got injured Vassell was the wrong choice to bring on. Heskey should've been brought on (can't believe I'm saying this) to give us an outlet to keep the ball in their half and allow the midfield to push on. Hitting long balls at or over Owen and Vassell was only ever going to have a miniscule chance of creating something.

-And yes, Hargreaves was shockingly bad.

[The Mackem]

If I ever see Cristiano "Spencer" Ronaldo, I'll deck him. What an arsehole.

[Dazz]

-Terry was crap, seriously Dazz he can't play like that for Chelsea because he was goddamn awful last night, kept getting caught way out of position, giving away stupid fouls, and completely lost Postiga for the goal. Only thing in his credit is he took a good penalty.

Crap? He made a few bad challenges but generally he was the man, yes he should have been marking Postiga, but to blame him, when Beckham can't even close down the wide man is stupid. Terry was nowhere near one of our worst players, or our best, he was pretty average most of the time, but I think you are way too harsh.

[Oxstar]

Ok I better not post my thoughts on Euro 2004 anymore cause I will just end up pissing everyone off.

[Dazz]

Whats everyones thoughts on the England captaincy?

Personally I have never been in favour of Becks being captain, he is overrated and the only quality he posesses is that everyone respects him. He doesn't lift the team or anything, I think that Gary Neville or sol Campbell should be our captain. Neville is our most senior player having played in his fourth European championships, and although I hate the guy, Frank Lampard approves of him and says he was the one that lifted the team after the France game, so I suppose he does something right.

[Loose Cannon]

France/Greece today/tonight. I have this feeling that Greece is going to somehow pull this out.

[Dazz]

I don't, if I had any spare wonga I'd bet that France win Euro 2004.

[Oxstar]

France/Greece today/tonight. I have this feeling that Greece is going to somehow pull this out.
After seeing the Greece vs Portugal game I believe that Greece do have a chance against the French but I think the French will win 3-1 maybe 4-1.

[91]

Neville is our most senior player having played in his fourth European championships,

Come again?

[Wengerland]

Up the Greeks

[Loose Cannon]

I don't, if I had any spare wonga I'd bet that France win Euro 2004.

Betting on the Frecnh hey Dazz. Well Greece will surely win now.

[Dazz]

Come again?
I don't even know why I wrote that :mad: Euro 96 was his first one, its his third championships. :$

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Well, wrong count or not he's still been to 5 major championships, only Campbell (I think) can match that. To be honest I don't know if he'd accept the captaincy, he seems to be more of a behind-the-scenes leader than an out-and-out captain type; personally I'd say Campbell is the perfect candidate.

[91]

Have England ever had a black captain?

[The Mask]

Paul Ince?

[Wengerland]

Yeah Ince was, not sure if he was the first though.

Inaki Saez has left his job as coach of Spain, and Marcello Lippi will replace Trappatoni as Italy coach once the latters contract runs out.

[The Mackem]

Whats everyones thoughts on the England captaincy?

Personally I have never been in favour of Becks being captain, he is overrated and the only quality he posesses is that everyone respects him. He doesn't lift the team or anything

To be honest, Beckham had a big part in us qualifying for the tournament for doing the exact opposite of what you've said.

He had a poor tournament by his own high standards though.

[jerichoholic169]

hmmm time for my thoughts.

i think becks should step down - but he isnt. i feel neville should replace him as he is our most experienced player in terms of big games (both with united and england). no one has played in more major tournaments and he has the respect of the team and lifts them after we lose.
also id like to see room in the team made for a holding midfield player who can do the job. oh yeah and a big striker.

[Ferocious]

Paul Ince?
Viv Anderson (once) after someone was subbed off

[91]

By the sounds of things, these captaincies were very brief and we've never had a regular black captain. Not that I'm about to spaz out over it, it's just an interesting factoid.

[Wengerland]

0-0 Greece and France at half time.Greece have gave a good account of themselves really, unlucky with a header which was just held on the line by Barthez.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Well, wrong count or not he's still been to 5 major championships, only Campbell (I think) can match that. To be honest I don't know if he'd accept the captaincy, he seems to be more of a behind-the-scenes leader than an out-and-out captain type; personally I'd say Campbell is the perfect candidate.

Campbell is too timid. Can't organise a defence, can't really play football.

Hugely overrated player. Nothing more than a hoofer. Bit like John Terry.

Rio Ferdinand is truly world class.

[The Mask]

holy fuck, greece :eek:

[Danny Electric]

Come on GREECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[91]

Well, I was just saying to myself a few minutes ago "France just aint doing this right now" and what do you know. I still reckon France will turn it around, and if they do, they'll win the tournament.

[Wengerland]

WOOOOOOOO

Good run and cross from Theo too :cool:

[Loose Cannon]

I told you guys I had a feeling. DAZZ :nono:

[Wengerland]

Wiltord and Saha on for Trezeguet and Dacourt.

[91]

I told you guys I had a feeling. DAZZ :nono:

Don't shake your head, encourage this jinx he's got going. Hey Dazz, do you think Tottenham have any chance of winning the Premiership next season?

[The Mask]

I bet yianni is shitting his pants right now :'(

[Loose Cannon]

Bye Bye France. :wave:

[jerichoholic169]

wow who saw that coming??

[Loose Cannon]

Dazz, you are the worst gambler ever.

[Danny Electric]

Well done Greece.

[Wengerland]

THEO

[The Mask]

yesssss. loose cannon :cool:

[John la Rock]

FUCKING FRANCE. So many week shots and missed nets.

Brutal just Brutal :nono:

Congrats to Greece :y:

[Wengerland]

That means my 2 favoured teams still in the competition will play in the semi final, if the Czech's get there :(

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Campbell...Hugely overrated player.

Won't be much noticeable change there then :nono:

[Oxstar]

Greece beat France :?: Trez-a-gay played soo shit and Zidane didn't get into the game and Henry's shooting had no power but well done to Greece :y:

[Sephiroth]

Yes...no more France!!!!!

And :y: up for Greece :D

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Trezeguet has been dung all through the tournament. Lazy bastard. Big Ron would really have a few choice words to say about him.

Henry just hasn't played like Thierry Henry at all. Spending most of his time lingering around the box, usually he pops up all over the pitch and runs at teams. Terribly disappointing.

Greece showed England how to play a defensive game, by retaining possession and keeping your own system together as long as you can. Boring to watch, but fuck it, they don't care.

France honestly didn't look like they gave a shit. That's what you get for having the Spurs boss coach you.

[91]

That reminded me a bit of the Senegal game. France had the ball in the opposition half more than the opposition had the ball in the French half, but France just weren't doing anything with it. Everytime they lined up for a long range shot (and lord knows it happened often enough) I sat back expecting one of them to blast it in the top corner like they usually do and each time the ball trickled along the ground and into the goalkeepers arms. The only clear cut chance I can remember is that Henry header and if he'd been wearing an Arsenal shirt, he'd have buried that. Such is life. You could tell watching the match that France were the one with all the talent, but Greece were the ones trying harder. I guess you can't always rely on Zidane to get you out of jail.

On the plus side, that's another one of the favourites out. That Greece vs Denmark semi-final could be the biggest ever.

[toxic rooster]

Zagorakis all the way :o

Ole Ole Ole Ole Hellas Hellas

[Cactus Sid]

Come on the Czechs, HUGE opportunity to win it now.

[Dazz]

Holy shit, Diothoir put a link to that Stan James website and they were advertising a free bet up to £25 when you sign up, whatever you stake on your first bet they'll meet it, so I was thinking of just sticking £20 on France, thank god I didn't :$!

And 91, Spurs won't even qualify for the Champions League, but I feel Santini is a good choice, but I said the same about Hoddle.

I have been saying for over a month now that I am gunna stick £20 on United winning the league next year, nothing has changed.

[Loose Cannon]

Dazz, quit before you decide to bet your house

[The Mask]

history would suggest we'd win it this season, but I'm not sure. Apparently it's open to discussion if we're going to sign anyone else this season.

[Dazz]

I do get somethings right LC, its usually things I bet on that go to shit.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

history would suggest we'd win it this season, but I'm not sure. Apparently it's open to discussion if we're going to sign anyone else this season.

Liam Miller.

[diothoir]

Seriously, I am gonna go bet on the Czechs now.

GODDAMN

[The Mask]

yeah :cool: but still, we've spent about 12m thus far, which isn't a whole lot considering how shite we did last season. We need some creativity badly

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Liam Miller is creativity. Liam Miller is goals.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

Come to think of it, Liam Miller and Roy Keane is the first choice Irish central midfield.

They're both from Cork, which means there is a strong chance of fighting.

[The Mask]

we're still after that Pedersen guy apparently, so that should give giggs a kick up t'arse too.

[Rob]

Dazz - If you even dare put the jinx on Sweden, I'll cut ya! Don't even mention who you think will win any games for the rest of the tournament in fact. If you need to post, say Van Nistelrooy is a sh</>it or something.

[yianni]

Wow what the fuck. The game was on at 4:45AM this morning but I had a doctor's appointment first thing this morning so I decided to sleep through it, but got woken up at 8:30 this morning from a text message from a friend telling me that Greece won. What the fuck!? I thought that if we won it'd be 1-0, but I honestly didn't think they'd win. Bloody hell. :eek: Gotta find myself some highlights of the game sometime today.

[toxic rooster]

I just have a question, The Mask.

With Manchester United already having one defender whose head looks like a baked bean, was it wise buying a guy named "Heinze" to put next to him?

[toxic rooster]

Wow what the fuck. The game was on at 4:45AM this morning but I had a doctor's appointment first thing this morning so I decided to sleep through it, but got woken up at 8:30 this morning from a text message from a friend telling me that Greece won. What the fuck!? I thought that if we won it'd be 1-0, but I honestly didn't think they'd win. Bloody hell. :eek: Gotta find myself some highlights of the game sometime today.
OK, here are the highlights.

1. I slept through the first hour. Didn't miss anything.

2. France attacked for about 5 minutes. Henry had a chance or two which he would have buried had he been playing for Arsenal.

3. Zagorakis makes a cross. Random other Greek person scores it.

4. About 20 minutes of Greek fans jumping, singing, lighting flares, shitting themselves etc.

[yianni]

:D

[toxic rooster]

Whatever, you big Greek bastard.

I'm hungry, get me some Souvlaki :mad:

[yianni]

I've heard stories about English and Portugese lads setting off flares inside the All-Star Cafe in the Crown Casino in Melbourne while watching England-Portugal. The scenes this morning in the city would have been absolutely insane (the Greeks have a huge backing down here and everyone goes to the soccer pubs in the city to watch their games). So now Greece play the winner of Czech Republic and Denmark...I would die laughing if they went all the way and won the whole thing. Surely not! :D

[toxic rooster]

If Greece win the whole thing, I'll record myself singing "Ole Ole Ole Ole Hellas Hellas" and post it on here :mad:.

Do they have regulations and stuff which allow pubs to be open at 5 in the morning to watch the football or something?

[yianni]

Apparently so, cos there's this certain football pub which is open alot of the time because some mates of mine always go there at 3, 4, 5 in the morning to watch AEK Athens games in both the Greek league and the Champions League/UEFA Cup or whatever. Plus every Greek game from Euro 2004 has been shown live there. It's not just Greek matches though, there are a few official Melbourne Supporters Clubs for like AEK Athens, Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Celtic etc who always go there to watch their team's games.

PS: The way things have been going, you'd better warm your voice up Gooner. :eek:

[toxic rooster]

C'mon the Czech Republic :mad:.

I have to warn you, I'm worse than Dazz when it comes to making bets, so you can start the celebrations :(.

[yianni]

Who's on tonight lads? Sweden vs <s>Stoners</s> Holland or Czech Republic vs Denmark?

[toxic rooster]

I'm pretty sure it's the Cheque Republic, but dun quote me on that.

[91]

It's the Sweden game.

[Rob]

I've heard stories about English and Portugese lads setting off flares inside the All-Star Cafe in the Crown Casino in Melbourne while watching England-Portugal. The scenes this morning in the city would have been absolutely insane (the Greeks have a huge backing down here and everyone goes to the soccer pubs in the city to watch their games). So now Greece play the winner of Czech Republic and Denmark...I would die laughing if they went all the way and won the whole thing. Surely not! :D

Just remember who it was who said once you make the last 8, anyone can win it. If Scotland were in this position (stop laughing!), I'd be thinking the same. If I never had 330 notes riding on Sweden, I'd back you lot.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Current odds to win the whole thing

Portugal 2/1

Czech Rep 5/2

Holland 9/2

Greece 7/1

Denmark 8/1

Sweden 9/1

I can't believe Sweden are the rank outsiders :o :$

[Frank Grimes Jnr]

Current odds to win the whole thing

Portugal 2/1

Czech Rep 5/2

Holland 9/2

Greece 7/1

Denmark 8/1

Sweden 9/1

I can't believe Sweden are the rank outsiders :o :$

What a load of crap!!!!!
How can Greece be at better odds than Sweden and Denmark? They may have beaten France and Portugal but they still have to be considered real outsiders for the cup.
If I was a betting man I would put some good money on Sweden because I think they will win it. Larsson and Ibrahimovic up front is a strikeforce to die for. :y:

[91]

I think a lot of is has to do with how many stakes they're expecting on each team. Look at England - every championship that comes round, they're always one of the bookies favourites, even though for this tournament they might have been, say, only sixth favourites on paper. That's because the bookies are expecting lots of people to put money on England (as you'd expect, it's doubtless the same in most countries - the Spanish bet on Spain, the Greeks bet on Greece, the Latvians bet on Latvia etc etc) and they can't afford to give them long odds.

Chances are, having beaten France, bookmakers are expecting a surge of people to put all their money on Greece, hence they can't afford to make them 20-1 outsiders, whereas the number of people putting their hard earned cash on the Scandinavian pair might be a little thinner on the ground, hence longer odds for them, regardless of whether they look better on paper or not.

[Wengerland]

Plus Greece are actually in the last four now, so at the minute they have more chance of winning it then Sweden and Denmark.

I'm sure if they both get through then Greece will be back as having the longer odds.

[91]

Oh yeah, even though I'm backing Sweden right now, I have a suspicion Holland might sneak it now. Granted my first two choices are gone, but now either I'm right or another big gun drops out so I win either way. Plus of course they're the only former winners still left (except Denmark, but they don't count :p ).

[Rob]

COME ON SWEDEN!!!

[Dazz]

LOL Rob, look who you backed on the old boards, its near the bottom:

http://www.tpww.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=13&t=000765

[Wengerland]

I inferred that Germany and Spain could well go out back then, and that England would go through in that group.

[Loose Cannon]

lol, Rob with Germany.

And check out my Pillman sig :naughty:

[Dazz]

This is what I said in that old thread:

Croats and France will be a bitch, seriosuly, I am displeased, we're outtie.

But look what I said later on:

Notice how I have NEVER once backed England, we're not half as good as people think we are, I never see England wining eveyone, hence why I'm not really an England fan, I'll support them and back them and all, but really, <b>I don't expect anything more then the quarter finals, semi's at best. </b>

[Oxstar]

Ok WTF has happened to Euro 2004? I could have never predicted what has happened.

[91]

LOL Rob, look who you backed on the old boards, its near the bottom:

http://www.tpww.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=13&t=000765

My god, I'm losing faith in him. Even this one proved to be way off the mark...

"I think if England lose one game in that group then they are out. Results won't got there way if they lose one."

Now, didn't I say Holland would win it from the start? I think I probably did.

[Dazz]

Yeah I saw that post about England, forgot to mention it.

After Hollands fourth game, a commentator has FINALLY mentioned that fact that Van Nistelrooy is a diver. I could have told them that before the tournament started.

[Mr. Monday Morning]

I dunno if Andy Townsend really qualifies as a commentator. Probably why he said it, the main mic men seem determinded to remain as uncontroversial in their commentaries as possible.

Also while I think about it, Motson really needs to be taken out back and put down. He's been crap for years but this tournament he's turned into a gibbering wreck.

[Dazz]

Motson, Robson, ITV commentators are much worse then BBC's. I wish Gray and Tyler were commentating :'(.

[The Mask]

motson still commentates for BBC, what are you on about?

[Dazz]

I think this match might go to penalties, in which case, I can see Ruud Van Nistelrooy missing his one.

[The Mask]

probably

[Dazz]

you what?

Who? me? I can't see a goal thats all

[91]

If it goes to penalties, Holland will win it. I could just see Larsson blowing one too.

[91]

I tell you what, the 90 minutes was fairly dull, this extra time has been really good. Sweden have hit the woodwork twice and Holland have had (in my eyes) a perfectly good goal disallowed. It's been as tight as hell.

[91]

Everybody wave bye bye to Robs money. :wave: Bye bye Robs money.

[Wengerland]

Holland win 5-4 on penalties.

[Loose Cannon]

Awwww, I feel bad for the Swedes. So close.

[Cactus Sid]

Fu</>ck sake.

Both sides were equal, but Sweden were just so unlucky time and time again. Not only that but they have been the better side in the tournament, and Holland have been really average.

I hope Collina refs the Holland/Portugal game, because its gonna be a serious handful.

[Wengerland]

It's been Aston Villa players to miss the losing teams last penalty in both quarter final matches which got that far :$

[91]

Think we could get a repeat of that Holland vs Czech Republic game in the final? It's looking more and more like it, and if it was half as good as their first match, we'd be in for a great final.

[The Mask]

Everybody wave bye bye to Robs money. :wave: Bye bye Robs money.

:D

[Loose Cannon]

Don't jinx the Czechs. :mad: Please.

[BCWWF]

WTF, is Greece actually good or is it just a fluke that they are still going?

[Loose Cannon]

Beating Portugal on the openeing game of the Euro: Maybe a Fluke.

Getting to the next round and then beating France: Yeah, they're for real.

[Oxstar]

WTF, is Greece actually good or is it just a fluke that they are still going?
A good defence, hard work and alot of luck

[Dazz]

Greece are for real. Any team that this stage is for real, I'd say Greece don't have much of a chance, but thats what I've been saying all tournament and they have proved me wrong, so I wont say it again.

[The Mask]

Greece are out now dazz said that.

[Dazz]

Greece were going out anyway :foc:

Note, I never actually contradicted myself by saying that.

[91]

Oh yeah, almost forgot...


And 91, Spurs won't even qualify for the Champions League

...cheers Dazz. :D

[Dazz]

No problems, I am worried that Spurs are going to ruin my birthday, we play you at the Bridge that day (September 18th) and I can see you beating us for the first time in 13 years.

[91]

14 years, I've got the official Spurs tape for that season, Gary Lineker with a very late header to win it for us. Plus we beat you in the League Cup a couple of years ago, it's just the league that we've still not beaten you in.

But don't worry too much, I thought United were going to ruin my 14th birthday a few years back and we ended up stuffing them 4-1 (best birthday EVER). I remember a whole bunch of my mates came over to watch the game on Sky - about half a dozen of us rooting for Spurs and one lone United supporter. Boy, did he get it that night.

[BCWWF]

I just wanted to point out, according to FIFA rankings, the United State national team is ranked 9, while England is ranked 13. Isn't that kind of a slap in the face?

[Danny Electric]

I just wanted to point out, according to FIFA rankings, the United State national team is ranked 9, while England is ranked 13. Isn't that kind of a slap in the face?

FIFA rankings mean shit in my opinion.
USA have just had more games against easier teams.

[yianni]

Yeah FIFA rankings are completely ballsed up. :n:

[toxic rooster]

As are ESPN's world club top 25 rankings.

:n:.

[yianni]

Ballsness all round. :n:

[toxic rooster]

Amen.

:n:

[91]

Good lord, I just checked out the ESPN rankings... the hell?

1. Bayer Leverkusen (HUH?!?)
2. Manchester United (Not even the best team in England, but 2nd in the world, OK)
3. Real Madrid (Poor season this year, but fair enough)
4. Liverpool (Excuse me???? Premiership runners up and Champions Leagues semi finalists Chelsea don't even figure by the way)
5. Bayern Munich (Only came 2nd in the Bundesliga, but alright I guess)
6. Inter Milan (Sounds reasonable doesn't it? Go check out the Serie A table and guess again)
7. Arsenal (If they'd been above Utd and Liverpool, I wouldn't argue)
8. Barcelona (But no sign of UEFA Cup and La Liga winners Valencia)
9. Borussia Dortmund (6th in the Bundesliga, so no go)
10. Deportivo La Coruna (Still no Valencia)
11. River Plate (FINALLY, a South American team, and Boca are better than them too)
12. Juventus (Should be below Milan)
13. Sao Caetano (And Cruzeiro are where??)
14. Valencia (Oh thankyou for showing up)
15. AS Roma (I won't argue)
16. Boca Juniors (Should be higher)
17. Celtic (Are you serious??)
18. Feyenoord (Didn't Ajax win the Eredivisie this year?)
19. Gremio (Sorry, did I miss Cruzeiro somewhere? This is getting stupid)
20. Hertha Berlin (12th in the Bundesliga, somebody REALLY loves German teams)
21. AC Milan (Also should be higher)
22. Schalke (Did I mentioned Werder Bremen are champions of Germany? These guys were 7th)
23. Racing Club (Oh dear lord, no)
24. San Lorenzo (Now THESE guys I'm happy to see on the list)
25. PSV (Still no AJax? Oh well)

[Skeletor2]

I think Leverkussen may be #1 to ESPN cos of Landon Donavon. *shrug*.

[Rob Ban Fan]

<font face=verdana size=3 color="#ff6600">we nearly got Donavon on loan, that would've been well cool. Portsmouth might have been #1 in the ESPN rankings :cool:

Milan being below Hertha Berlin :o</font>

[toxic rooster]

Arsenal being below ManYoo and Liverpool :?:

Also, no Werder Bremen or Ajax?

[91]

No European Champions Porto either. I'd love to know what scoring system they're using here. I think Skeletor might be on to something seeing as Utd have at least one American player too.

[Rob]

Celtic are #4 on some other list. They pissed their own league twice and got wins in the champions league as well as UEFA cup runners up and quater finalists. #4 seems high but 17 isn't considering.

Oh yeah, I nearly forgot...

STUPID SWEDISH MOTHERFU</>CKERS!!! Mellberg is a fu</>cking dead man walking. Cost me £330 will you!

[91]

I could easily name 25 teams who have done more than Celtic in the last year. Holland for example... :shifty:

[Rob]

What have they done? Oh except from be the most boring team ever. Last night's game made me nearly want to hate RVN.

[91]

:D I could get some mileage here.

[soconnor]

Baros to score the first goal :cool:

[Loose Cannon]

COME ON CECH REPULIKA







Please win :-\

[Rob]

Well they deserve to win it.

[Oxstar]

Baros to score the first goal :cool:
Yeah I think so too or Pavel Nedved

[91]

I'm going for Holland still. Doubtless after the semis I'll be forced to change my mind again, but still...

Meantime, the Czech/Denmark game is pretty dull, so I'll ask everyone their opinion on the BBC's greatest ever European Championship goal competition. Your contenders are...

Antonin Panenka (vs West Germany, 1976)
Ronnie Whelan (vs U.S.S.R. 1988)
Marco Van Basten (vs U.S.S.R. 1988)
Thomas Brolin (vs England 1992
Paul Gascoinge (vs Scotland 1996)
Davor Suker (vs Denmark 1996)

You can pretty much rule out the first one since it was only a penalty, and Whelans goal was good but no better than a lot of other volleys you may have seen before. It's really down to the last four (and I'm not entirely sure whether to count Sukers as a serious contender). Personally I think they'll go for Van Basten or Gascoigne, which is fair enough as both are very deserving, but I'd pick Brolins goal myself - nice one touch movement from the whole team, quick one-two on the edge of the area and a perfectly hit half volley from 18 yeards into the top corner.

By the way, the Czechs have just scored a pretty anticlimatic goal.

[Loose Cannon]

YES, BAROS GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.
WOOOOOOOO. FHDKDHDKHDKHDKH

[Loose Cannon]

HOLY SH** BAROS AGAIN. GOALLLLLLLLLLL 3-0 CZECHS.

[Wengerland]

Great second goal, they're still my favourites to win it.

Would have gone for van Basten's out of the greatest goals.

[Loose Cannon]

Bring it on Greece.

[Wengerland]

The best side of the tournament against the side with the man, Theo Zagorakis :'(

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Van Basten without a doubt. Still to this day I don't think I've seen a better executed finish.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

I'd vote for Davor Suker's goal as best ever. Just fucking brilliant.

I loved that Croatia side.

[Y2Ant]

Czech-Holland final :o

I'd laugh if Greece beat Portugal again in the final though :love:

Only group A and D left in it now, interesting

[Dazz]

14 years, I've got the official Spurs tape for that season, Gary Lineker with a very late header to win it for us. Plus we beat you in the League Cup a couple of years ago, it's just the league that we've still not beaten you in.

Looks like you were right, I thought it was 1991 not 1990. And the league cup doesn't count, its not a real competition, maybe if Melchiot not Jimmy had been sent off (since the ref got confused) we might have scored the three goals we needed at the time :shifty: . Wasn't it great how we then went and beat you 4-0 at your gaff in the F.A Cup and then 4-0 at our gaff in the league :D

[yianni]

Czechs are on fire...bloody hell it will be tough against them.

[Frank Grimes Jnr]

I'd go for the Suker goal.
I am Croatian, so call me biased but that goal was pure class against arguably the best goalkeeper ever, Peter Schmiechal.
Van Bastens was also top class as well.

[yianni]

I am Croatian

Do you support Melbourne Knights or Sydney United?

[The Mask]

I don't think the rankings are for this season alone. That'd be why we're up there. FIFA's world rankings are a joke though.

[91]

I don't think the rankings are for this season alone. That'd be why we're up there. FIFA's world rankings are a joke though.

Any proper rankings should have some weighting for the more recent years. Besides, that doesn't explain the glaring lack of clubs like Porto and Cruzerio, but the inclusion of Liverpool and Hertha, and the low placement of Valencia and Boca. Bayer Leverkusen might have a champions league final in recent years to their name which could explain their being on the list, but several other teams should be above them like, gee I don't know, the team who actually won that final (Real). And I can bear United being on that list, but 2nd? Hell no.

[Dazz]

11. River Plate (FINALLY, a South American team, and Boca are better than them too)

It's hard to say that, they are pretty equal, River Plate are winning the league at present, Boca knocked them out of the Copa Libertadores on penalties, and although they won the first leg 1-0, River Plate had a man less. River Plate won the return leg, and it shows they must be pretty equal for the match to go to penalties.

Any proper rankings should have some weighting for the more recent years. Besides, that doesn't explain the glaring lack of clubs like Porto and Cruzerio, but the inclusion of Liverpool and Hertha, and the low placement of Valencia and Boca. Bayer Leverkusen might have a champions league final in recent years to their name which could explain their being on the list, but several other teams should be above them like, gee I don't know, the team who actually won that final (Real). And I can bear United being on that list, but 2nd? Hell no.

Boca have won the Copa Libertadores (South American Champions League) three out of the last four years, and are in the final this year and are huge favourites to win it, they won the second league last year and are battling with River Plate to win the first lague this year, they should definitley be higher.

[Loose Cannon]

No games today. :( Feels a little wierd.

[Dazz]

Or tomorrow. Also, I have been thinking more about this what jersey to get, the red Czech one is more recognisable and they wear it more.

[Loose Cannon]

I don't know. I think the White is a lot nicer looking. But, your right, the red is more recognizable. HMMMMM

[yianni]

Right then lads, predictions for tonight?

I'm going for a 2-1 Portugal win.

[91]

Dazz - at the end of the day, it's Boca getting the wins so Boca should be higher.

Yianni - 1-0 Holland.

[Wengerland]

1-0 Portugal

[Skeletor2]

Portugal on penalties.

[Team Sheep]

I predict a high scoring draw, with Portugal going through on penalties.

[Y2Ant]

2-0 to the lads in orange

[Loose Cannon]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/6/6_13_12.gif

[Loose Cannon]

Figo's looking good

[Wengerland]

Yeah Figo was really unlucky with that effort which hit the post.

Holland need to sort it out though.

[91]

Yeah, Holland haven't impressed at all whereas Portugal are looking good.

Meanwhile, Van Basten won the all time goal contest, no complaints here. As for goal of the tournament, if Tomasson doesn't win, there's something wrong.

[The Mask]

Pauleta is pretty shit.

[91]

You ever think they show too many replays?

[Loose Cannon]

Wow, Portugal in the final. It's going to be a great atmosphere in the stadium. Come on Czechs.

[Wengerland]

I think that goal of the tournament should be that Maniche one now.

Portugal through 2-1.

[Wengerland]

van der Vaart, for all the hype, has been really poor during this tournament for me :o

[Ferocious]

Portugal played fuckign superbly today, Tomasson should win the goal of the tournament so far, however it's the English public voting so I'm think Rooney will win.

[toxic rooster]

:mad: Stupid TV.

Not sure if you wankers get the same telecast or whatever, but they were showing a replay of how the corner was conceded, then the commentator goes "MANICHE" and the next thing you see is the ball in the back of the net, while saying "WTF HAPPENED, STUPID TV :mad:".

Also, that Pauleta thing was probably just a lack of confidence to chip the keeper.

[Disturbed316]

Yeah, they were showing a replay when Portugal scored there second.

[toxic rooster]

So it wasn't just me?

[Disturbed316]

No, it wasn't just you.

As they were showing how they got the corner, they took it and then scored. Was funny seeing an angry Van De Sar flapping his arms about as soon as the replay finished.

[toxic rooster]

Did you have that wanky commentator that kept going on about "juicing the orange" in reference to the Dutch?

[Cactus Sid]

You didn't have to call us Wankers you know

[Cactus Sid]

As for Portugal, impressive in the first half, didn't find anything special about them in the second half. I'll probably get flamed, but I find Deco ridiculously overrated, and a complete cheat.

[Y2Ant]

Come on the Czechs

[toxic rooster]

You didn't have to call us Wankers you know
Didn't I?

[yianni]

Right then lads, predictions for tonight?

I'm going for a 2-1 Portugal win.
:cool:

[toxic rooster]

:eek:

[The Mask]

As for Portugal, impressive in the first half, didn't find anything special about them in the second half. I'll probably get flamed, but I find Deco ridiculously overrated, and a complete cheat.

Yeah, he does seem pretty shite. I hope Chelsea blow loads on crappy portugese players who all die in the premiership, if only to watch Dazz cry :love:

[The Mask]

And my bet on portugal to win it is making me wish I'd put money on it too :mad:

[toxic rooster]

At the start of the tournament, I wrote down the name of every country in the competition on a piece of paper. Then I closed my eyes, and put my finger on the paper. The closest name to it was "Czech Republic". So I put a tenner on them to win the whole thing.

Hope it goes better than my Leeds bet :mad:

[Loose Cannon]

Ziskati Cech Republika.

[BCWWF]

Who scored that amazing goal for Portugal?

It takes a pretty good goal to make #1 on Sportscenter Top 10

[Y2Ant]

Maniche, I think

[91]

What's the Sportscenter Top 10? And I think it was Maniche.

[Y2Ant]

Yeah, he does seem pretty shite. I hope Chelsea blow loads on crappy portugese players who all die in the premiership, if only to watch Dazz cry :love:
I hope that group of crappy portuguese players includes Ronaldo :shifty:

[Y2Ant]

Sportscenter is ESPN, America's biggest sports channel :o

and I said Maniche first :foc:

[91]

I know what Sportscenter is, I wanted to know what the Sportscenter top 10 is. Fool.

[The Mackem]

Ruud Van Nistleroy should have had a penalty when he slipped last night :mad:

[Mr. Monday Morning]

I know what Sportscenter is, I wanted to know what the Sportscenter top 10 is. Fool.

By the sounds of it it's probably a play of the day thing

[Loose Cannon]

I starting to get nervous. I wish the game would just start already.

[91]

Nerves, yeah, I can understand. Just promise us there'll be no "ABCXJEICNEUDFUBEU NEDVIED!!!!!!!tonight.

[Loose Cannon]

lol, fine

[Loose Cannon]

AHHH, MOTHER FK'ER, Nedved is injured :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Loose Cannon]

god, I hate that Greek system. Not a great game

[Wengerland]

"Who has the most tackles in the tournament? Theo Zagorakis, once of Leicester City" :love:

The games not been brilliant but Nikopolidis has made a couple of decent stops, Rosicky hit the bar early on. Greece are looking for the high ball into the forwards too much really.

[Loose Cannon]

I feel like I want to stab these refs. :mad:

[91]

It's really tight to call right now. The Czechs look most likely to take it still, but Greece are showing moments of dangerousness. It'll be interesting to see what sort of goal (or penalties) decide this one.

[91]

By the way, with all these misses the Czechs are having, it's the sort of series of misses a team has when they crash to a hugely unlucky defeat, I could see it happening...

[Rob]

Czechs will still win it.

[Wengerland]

Extra time boys.

Feel sorry for Karagounis, he's been one of Greece's better players but he'll miss the final now :(

[Loose Cannon]

ah Christ, can you score a goal please. Plenty of chances for the Czechs.

[Rob]

Patience is a virtue my good man.

[The CyNick]

The Gods are being very cruel letting Greece stay on this long

[Loose Cannon]

oh my god. phew

[The CyNick]

blast

[Rob]

All over

[The CyNick]

boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[91]

Ho... leee... s</>hit.

[Rob]

Can some check if Yianni is still alive?

[Sephiroth]

WTF GREECE!

Portugal is going to win this shit.

[Rob]

You say that but Greece were an 80/1 shot and had never won a game at a tourament before this one.

[Wengerland]

Harsh on the Czech's but Greece went for it in extra time, to be fair.

I'll be cheering on Greece in the final :D

[Disturbed316]

OMG what a way to lose!

Heartbreaking stuff :'(

[Rob]

All my peeps are Portuguese so I have to go for them. Plus I was picking them before I saw Sweden at 33/1 a week before the tournament.

[Loose Cannon]

FK'ING MOTHER FK'ING BULLSHIT. DAMMITTT. FK FK FKF FK GREECE YOU FK'S. WHY DOES SHIT HAPPEN. FK'N BEAT EVEYONE AND LOSE TO GREECE. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[yianni]

Can some check if Yianni is still alive?
Barely. I have had the most insane night of all time.

Cos the game was at 4:45am here I stuffed around with a few mates beforehand then drove down to South Melbourne (club I support, with Greek background) to watch the game along with about 250-300 other supporters. What can I say, chances fell both ways but in the end we once again pulled it out of our arses to win. When the goal went in the room I was in went fucking wild, cunts hugging anyone, beer flying, even a flare :lol:. Chants of HELLAS HELLAS HELLAS HELLAS rang for the next bloody 20 minutes.

At 7am when I FINALLY left, I headed toward the city to Lonsdale Street (Greek street as some like to put it). On the 10 minute drive to the city all that could be heard on the roads were car horns, scarves were hanging out the window along with Greek flags, some nutters were jumping around topless even though it's fucking freezing down here. Then I managed to somehow get to the very top of Lonsdale Street (the main Greek part of it was at the other end) and tried to get down there but the entire road was blocked off. All you could hear is fire engines going toward that end of the road to put out all the flares. :lol: The entire road was covered with them. :rofl: :D

I haven't had any sleep for exactly 24 hours, I'm fucking tired having worked a full day yesterday, and I have to front up to work in just a shade under 5 hours, but I really couldn't give a fuck. All along I have believed Greece was capable of upsetting big sides but I never actually thought they would go ahead and do it, let alone make the fucking final. I have doubted them since they lost to Russia, and both times they've proved me wrong. Who knows what's going to happen now, but whatever does happen doesn't really matter cos they've achieved some amazing things in this tournament. :eek:

OLE OLE OLE OLE HELLAS HELLAS :D

[Loose Cannon]

Alright, the best way to let off some steam after your country loses in football is to break out good ol FIFA 2002 on Gamecube and beat Greece's ass. :y:

[yianni]

FK'ING MOTHER FK'ING BULLSHIT. DAMMITTT. FK FK FKF FK GREECE YOU FK'S. WHY DOES SHIT HAPPEN. FK'N BEAT EVEYONE AND LOSE TO GREECE. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Because that's football.

And come on give us some fucking credit for fucks sake! :mad:

[yianni]

Alright, the best way to let off some steam after your country loses in football is to break out good ol FIFA 2002 on Gamecube and beat Greece's ass. :y:
Ah you hate living in reality my friend. :p

[Loose Cannon]

No, I just need to let off some steam. And, you know what, I 'll give the Greeks credit. But seriously, they like to tug on jerseys a lot. Even the English commentators were ripping them a part for doing that. But that's footbal I guess :-\

[Wengerland]

To be fair, our commentators are pretty much all twats.

[yianni]

In all seriousness I thought it was a very even game which could have gone either way. Both teams had some golden chances but nobody managed to put them away til of course the end of injury time. Just a question though, I thought that by getting rid of the golden goal, this means that both halves of injury time be played out, not just one? So that the other team like the Czechs could have a chance to snatch an equaliser? Or are the rules different or something :?:

[Wengerland]

They brought in the silver goal rule,which means that 15 minutes are played and if a team is leading after that then its game over.Given the timing of the Greece goal the Czech's could only really kick off before the final whistle.

[The CyNick]

I was hoping Greece would lose, but you have to give them credit. They have beat the host team Portugal in the round robin, they beat France, maybe the favourites in the tounry at the beginning and they beat the Czechs, which was clearly the most dominant team in the tourny. And all three wins were legit, no shoot outs or anything like that (no offense to Portugal), so they deserve to be in the final.

Doesn't mean I have to like it though.

Go Portugal Go!

[91]

At the end of the day, it's still Greece. All those countries who are out (and didn't get beat by the Greeks) must be cursing their luck that they're out and Greece are through. Italy, Germany, England, Holland, Sweden - all big names who would surely fancy their chances against those mayonnaise eating tsipouro drinking Greeks (god bless). Still, that's football and as a guy who always roots for the underdogs when I'm otherwise a neutral, I'll be rooting them on, even though there would be some comfort in knowing we got knocked out (ultra narrowly) by the eventual winners.


Omen #1: The last time a team lost their opening game and won the tournament was Holland in 1988. The team that beat them, the Soviet Union, was the team they eventually beat in the final.

Omen #2: England always lose to the eventual winners. At least it seems like we do.

If omens dictated football in any way, Portugal would have it swen up already.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

I feel sorry for wee Nedved.

[91]

Yeah, it was remeniscent of our exit, with our star players limping off early before we crash out. I do feel sorry for him though, didn't he miss the Champions League final last year too?

[El Capitano Gatisto]

He did indeed, 91. He got a needless, soft booking, and the best player in the world last season missed the biggest match of the season.

Nedved is incredible. He dragged Juventus there practically single-handedly (with help from Thuram and Buffon).

Montero actually committed an absolutely ridiculous foul in the same match on Ronaldo, when Ronnie was through on goal, in the box, and only got a yellow. Montero is a beast.

[toxic rooster]

Always get Montero and Montello confused :o

[yianni]

They brought in the silver goal rule,which means that 15 minutes are played and if a team is leading after that then its game over.Given the timing of the Greece goal the Czech's could only really kick off before the final whistle.
Oh right. :o

I thought that no matter what happened in extra time, the full 30 or so minute period would be played.

Thanks for clearing that up. :o

[yianni]

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/07/02/gall_melbourne,0.jpg

This isn't me this morning. :shifty:

[Cactus Sid]

:(

I missed the game, got the results, and felt a need to drink myself stupid.

Lets hope the Greeks beat the Portugese again.

[Dave Youell]

Well i got 14-1 after Portugal lost the first game

COME ON PORTUGAL!!!!!!!!!!!11

[Mr. Monday Morning]

Silver goal is being scrapped after this tournament as well.

I'm sure that's comforting to all those Czechs out there :$

[Y2Ant]

Silver goal is a load of bollocks

[Loose Cannon]

Silver goal is being scrapped after this tournament as well.

I'm sure that's comforting to all those Czechs out there :$

wait, what was the rule in Euro 2000? Was Goden goal used. I don't even remember.

[91]

Yes it was, that was even how the final (and the final before that) was decided.