Euro 2008

[Milgod]

What a day of football! Italy v Romania was a great game, but that late kick off was one of the best games i've seen. Loved every minute of it, glad I kept Robben in my fantasy team too!

 

[Chaplin]

Pretty great day. That first game with Italy and Romania was some of the best technical football we've seen all tournament and the Netherlands showed why they are the best team in the tournament. The efficiency of their midfield and offense is amazing.

 

[English on tour]

SPain Sweden coming up should be another cracker.

todays bet ....over 2.5 goals at 6/4

 

[Ciani]

Looks like my pessimistic approach was corret regarding Italy's chances, sure there is a little hope still to advance, but the team is not good enough to be a contender and this is a huge disappointment.

Donadoni's tactic does not fit the team, most of the players are underachieving in this offensive scheme. Its all about finding Toni with the long ball and hoping he could do something out of nothing. Maybe the biggest problem that Pirlo is a shadow of himself in this 4-2-3-1 (which is rarely used by Italian teams by the way), he is supposed to be the playmaker but cant give rythem to the team.

Add the bad luck with Cannavaro's injury which made the defence a lot worse and this is the result.

 

[Zeno]

I think Italy is a better team than France so there is still a chance to advance. If Holland wins and Italy wins they advance. It means that Italy will have to really open up and play attacking soccer--so will France, should be a fun game. I wonder who Holland will rest in their final match and what kind of impact that will have.

 

[Chaplin]

I think Italy is a better team than France so there is still a chance to advance. If Holland wins and Italy wins they advance. It means that Italy will have to really open up and play attacking soccer--so will France, should be a fun game. I wonder who Holland will rest in their final match and what kind of impact that will have.

It's going to have a huge impact. Right now the Group of Death will be Holland and Romania. Holland will rest some people and Romania needs to win to advance. That to me is reason enough to give Italy very bad odds to advance, even if they do win. Italy has played horribly below their standards this entire tournament and I see no reason to think that will change. Who would have thought, though, that Italy's easiest opponent would be FRANCE??

 

[Zeno]

The bad thing is that Italy was the better team against Romania, minus 1 mistake by Zambrotta and a bad call by the Ref and Italy wins 2-0...but thats soccer and it was eventually going to catch up to the Italians for all their diving and acting and getting calls they shouldn't have over the years.

 

[Zeno]

What a great ending to the Turkey/Czech Republic game. Turkey scores in the 88th(totally Cech's fault) & 89th minute and then in injury time the Turkey GK is red carded...Turkey had no subs left so a field player had to play in goal but it's too late for the Czech's.

Turkey wins 3-2...a collapse for the Czech Republic

 

[cardfaninfl]

What a great ending to the Turkey/Czech Republic game. Turkey scores in the 88th(totally Cech's fault) & 89th minute and then in injury time the Turkey GK is red carded...Turkey had no subs left so a field player had to play in goal but it's too late for the Czech's.

Turkey wins 3-2...a collapse for the Czech Republic

One of the commentators made the remark if some people do not understand why this sport is so enjoyable...send them the tape of the second half of this match. I can't remember enjoying a match, with two sides I could not care less about, so much. Amazing!

 

[Ciani]

The last 20 minutes or so was unreal. Until then Czech Republic really dominated the game tactically, everything went the way they wanted. But after Terim made some pretty suprising changes in Turkey's lineup it was a different game. Of course Cech's uncharacteristic mistake was needed, but who cares, it was a brilliant turnaround.

 

[dogpoo32]

Wow. What a dominant performance late by Turkey. Even when their keeper was out, and they were down a man, they didn't allow a shot. Granted, there were only a couple possessions, but they did the unbelievable and CR couldn't even get a shot. Well played.

 

[Chaplin]

The last 20 minutes or so was unreal. Until then Czech Republic really dominated the game tactically, everything went the way they wanted. But after Terim made some pretty suprising changes in Turkey's lineup it was a different game. Of course Cech's uncharacteristic mistake was needed, but who cares, it was a brilliant turnaround.

20 minutes? I thought the last 35 minutes was dominated by the Turks. What an amazing comeback. The Turks are far from one of the better teams in the tournament, but that offense they had going in the 2nd half could beat anyone. If the goalkeeper was someone other than Petr Cech, the Turks would have scored a few more goals. Amazing. Unfortunately for them, that was nowhere near normal--it will be very interesting to see how they come out versus Croatia.

I just love, love, LOVE international football.

 

[Mulli]

20 minutes? I thought the last 35 minutes was dominated by the Turks. What an amazing comeback. The Turks are far from one of the better teams in the tournament, but that offense they had going in the 2nd half could beat anyone. If the goalkeeper was someone other than Petr Cech, the Turks would have scored a few more goals. Amazing. Unfortunately for them, that was nowhere near normal--it will be very interesting to see how they come out versus Croatia.

I just love, love, LOVE international football.

Absolutely. And the ESPN camerawork has been fantastic. Come on Italy!!

 

[Zeno]

Absolutely. And the ESPN camerawork has been fantastic. Come on Italy!!

I think the camerawork isn't by ESPN, its an international football feed. The only thing that changes from country to country are the announcers.

 

[Mulli]

I think the camerawork isn't by ESPN, its an international football feed. The only thing that changes from country to country are the announcers.

Cool. I love all the different angles they give. GOLTV and Fox Soccer Channel don't seem to have them. And just the HD is great.

 

[Chaplin]

I think the camerawork isn't by ESPN, its an international football feed. The only thing that changes from country to country are the announcers.

Regardless, I think ESPN is doing a SPECTACULAR job. I would be confident to say that their presentation and announcers are the best I've ever seen that Network do. Andy Gray and Tommy Smyth are great color guys.

 

[Mulli]

Regardless, I think ESPN is doing a SPECTACULAR job. I would be confident to say that their presentation and announcers are the best I've ever seen that Network do. Andy Gray and Tommy Smyth are great color guys.

Ture. I cannot wait for the France v. Italy match.

 

[Zeno]

I'm not much of a Tommy Smyth guy, he needs something better than "the old onion bag".. I'm a big fan of Andy Gray though.

 

[Chaplin]

I'm not much of a Tommy Smyth guy, he needs something better than "the old onion bag".. I'm a big fan of Andy Gray though.

As someone that watches a lot of basketball on television, I'd say Tommy Smyth is a huge improvement.

 

[Mulli]

As someone that watches a lot of basketball on television, I'd say Tommy Smyth is a huge improvement.

Agree. Who is the Irish guy who does a lot of Barca games on GOLTV? He is hilarious!

 

[Milgod]

Err, just to check this isn't the Scottish Andy Gray of Sky Sports is it?

If so, I feel so very sorry for you having to listen to his pointless comments.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Better than listening to Eric Wynalda.

 

[gr000000vy]

Agree. Who is the Irish guy who does a lot of Barca games on GOLTV? He is hilarious!

i believe you are talking about Ray Hudson.... the guy is great...

Tommy heh.. i've heard worse but andy gray has set the bar way high.. not for his entertainment value but for his actual soccer insight.....

 

[gr000000vy]

Better than listening to Eric Wynalda.

hah! I must be in the minority here because i actually enjoyed eric... after usa lost in the world cup he was the first one to call out bruce for his poor tactics... i would rather see him than julie foudy that is for sure....

where is heather mitts when you need her?

 

[CardEd]

You ever notice the guys on the set of Euro2008 don't give Foudy the time of day. She makes a point and they either talk over her or move onto another point.

The color guys have been great to listen to. That guy Andy Gray, if thats who it is, loves to call players out for poor dives or for refs for making the weak call. Always at the same time Im making the same comment at the TV. I've enjoyed his commentary, as well with Tommy Smith.

I didn't check my Tivo and for some reason it cut out the last 8 minutes of the Austria/Germany game. First bit of EURO2008 I've missed.