UEFA European Championships

[HayotzAmrotz]

Re: UEFA European Championships

I also think that a whole lot of pressure has been taken off Germany now.

This might come as a suprise for you but believe me when I say this: Whether in everyday life or in sporting life, the Turks always feel very confident when dealing with Germans, the Turks have a psychological upper hand over the Germans. Yes, my friend, unfortunately in many situations a great nation like Germany is indeed a Turkish hostage. Right now though the Germans have the opportunity to go out there and cement their first step in the important overall confidence building exercise against the Turks by smashing the shyt out of them, by giving these Turkish dogs the beating of their lives!

[Lucin]

Re: UEFA European Championships

Watch out for Italy tonight, my favourite... Forza Italia!

There were so many unpleasent surprises, unfair wins that I'm losing the little interest I had in football.

[skhara]

Re: UEFA European Championships

Watch out for Italy tonight, my favourite... Forza Italia!

There were so many unpleasent surprises, unfair wins that I'm losing the little interest I had in football.

Italy vs Spain is a mouthwatering match-up. These are actually two of my favorites. My 3 favorites on the international stage are the Latin trio of Spain, Italy, and Argentina.

[skhara]

Re: UEFA European Championships

On Russia's win over the Netherlands yesterday.

From watching Russia's game against Spain and parts of the Sweden game, I thought that Russia will be creating plenty of scoring chances and that they did. I also though that Russia will be missing plenty of their scoring chances, and that they also did.

Notably, the free header in the first half that (Pavluchenko missed). A run by Arshavin on the wing and a grounded cross where either he missed his target who was wide open coming in on the far post or his target didn't move properly to the right position. Torbinsky's miss after a great run from Zhirkov.

A run by Zhirkov in the overtime, where he missed two open players with a short cross.

Russia by far, has been creating more scoring chances than anyone in the tournament. And they have been missing more than anyone.

[RM_sako]

Re: UEFA European Championships

I think Italy will beat Spain. Italy is my second most hated team in this tournament. I seriously hate the xxxxxxxs. But I think Spain is going to choke and Italy get a lucky goal eventually. I see a Germany-Russia final .

Spain beat Italy in penalties and they deserved it... Casillas made nice saves and it's going to be Russia-Spain semis... and I'm confident that Russia will win.

[skhara]

Re: UEFA European Championships

I think Italy will beat Spain. Italy is my second most hated team in this tournament. I seriously hate the xxxxxxxs. But I think Spain is going to choke and Italy get a lucky goal eventually. I see a Germany-Russia final .

xxxx man, why would you "hate" them? ridiculous. Spain was the better team and this match was a classic. Italians simply lacked the quality of strikers they had in the past of the class of Roberto Bagio, Signori, Schillaci. Luca Toni was pretty clumsy and worthless on the field.

[RM_sako]

Re: UEFA European Championships

xxxx man, why would you "hate" them? ridiculous. Spain was the better team and this match was a classic. Italians simply lacked the quality of strikers they had in the past of the class of Roberto Bagio, Signori, Schillaci. Luca Toni was pretty clumsy and worthless on the field.

I hate Italy because of the way they play and because they undeservedly won the World Cup. Their players are disgusting and ruin the game. Materazzi mainly. Sorry, but there is no way that match can be anywhere near classic. Italy showed no desire to score or do anything offensively. Spain were a bit off but Casillas did well for them in the PKs. It was a VERY boring game.

[Lucin]

Re: UEFA European Championships

I hate you , Sako! Why do you hate Italy???

I'd like to see Germany-Russia in the final.

[HayotzAmrotz]

Re: UEFA European Championships

skhara

You shouldn't be suprised or be angry that Italy doesn't have many fans. Italy is renown for its famous defensive and tactical play, which sometimes does produce positive results. But their style is very, very boring and makes the beatiful game of football look ugly. If I want to get bored in front of the TV then I'd watch golf. If I want to see an ugly sport then I'd watch rugby. Do you know what I mean?

With all due respect, my friend, but Italy's game has always been ugly and boring and if not for some very talented Italian players over the years and the huge Serie A (Italian League) then Italy would be on the same level as the other most boring team in Europe, Romania.

[skhara]

Re: UEFA European Championships

skhara

You shouldn't be suprised or be angry that Italy doesn't have many fans. Italy is renown for its famous defensive and tactical play, which sometimes does produce positive results.

Something that every team in recent years that has had success in recent years has adopted. Moreover, I don't believe it's "defensive" -- its just "defense first". Defense and playing solid defense is the only foundation of a solid team. Italians always put out this foundation first and foremost and what they have in attack is a product of the talent of players that they have on the pitch. Some years they have very talented guys and wonderful stars like Paolo Rossi and Roberto Baggio, other times they don't. Besides the 4-3-3 line-up that the Italians employed in recent years is attacking in nature.

But their style is very, very boring and makes the beatiful game of football look ugly.?

I disagree, the Italians always bring an element of extreme tension to giant clashes. I think back to WC 06 and compare the matches that France had against supposedly big teams.

All their opponents in Spain, Portugal, Brazil hardly made the French sweat, hardly raised the intensity. I felt absolutely no tension in the match.

On the other hand, the best match in my opinion of the WC was Italy vs Germany and even though it was 0-0 all the way until the last few minutes of over time, there was nail biting tension throughout.

Football should be tension, football should be intensity. It should never be ridiculously soft goals of the types that Portugal just gave to Germany. Besides, defense can be beautiful too -- think the play of Franco Baresi.

The only reason Spain is advancing, is because for the first time that I've seen Spain in competitive play be extremely serious and have a motivational fear about making a mistake, giving up a goal.

The expression of Iker Cassillas' face after he made that fantastic save against Mauro Camoronesi said it all.

I think the Italians just need to retire some of their older players and add more speed to their team. Luca Toni has been totally worthless for them.