EURO 2008 Discussion Topic

bK · Post by bK » Fri Jun 23, 2006 01:13

I am just holding my breath.

If Korea loses and doesn't make it to the next round, you guys won't see me at ON anymore LOL

Moriya · Post by **Moriya** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 02:26

denieru wrote:em... yea ok back out like that. I dont mind

Hey, if you want, we can go on and on about this, but since you said that you thought Japan played better than Brazil in the first half, I get the feeling that I won't be able to convince you of anything, since our views are so damn different.

To me, it's clear as water that Brazil dominated the first half and the Japanese GK saved their asses. Can't say much more than that, really.

denieru · Post by **denieru** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 04:41

I said Japan played a great 1st half, I never said they played BETTER than Brazil... but the defended LIKE HELL from those otherwise sure goals... and scored in their 2 shots they had that 1st half.

I appreciate the effort Japan did against freaking Brazil, something most take for granted... if Brazil can only look good playing against Japan, dont tell me they are so great, as good as they are each one, they need more teamwork... like Englang, only its not as bad as them.

Looking at games with Ivory coast, Argentina, even Germany, show good teamwork... doesnt matter if they win or lose, games are great to watch... I really cant say the same for brazil... no Joga Bonito from my POV.

bK · Post by bK » Fri Jun 23, 2006 06:55

I think Brazil team was just relaxing while they were playing against Japan.

Just look at Carlos here (DURING THE MATCH!!).
I feel really bad for Japan.

Hm.....

...............

Okay.. I will stop now. Sorry.

Eczema · Post by **Eczema** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 07:02

YES!!! it is meant to be, Hiddink Vs Italy Round 2!!! Hiddink will triumph again. italy havent impressed me at all in the group stages, and i think we can win.

i think korea will get a draw, at worst, but that may not be enough.

did anyone watch the aus vs croatia game? the referee was just awful. he gave simunic three yellow cards before he finally realized that two = a red card. wat a joke. really the game was surreal. totally out of control. croatia didn't deserve anything out of that match.

Gaseous Snake · Post by **Gaseous Snake** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 14:51

7d3j wrote:I agree with 3-5-2 more than 4-4-2 here.

Put Gerrard as the outermost right midfielder and let him drift along the side, supporting Beckham, he's the one with the lungs... Though I doubt he'll be able to take it.

No, that wouldn't work. I think it's been shown that Beckham can only play out wide right. 3-5-2 gives him too much chasing responsibility in the middle. We won't get the absolute best out of Gerrard from right back, but we're not gonna get anything from Gerrard or Lampard if we don't switch it around.

Look, any arguing about England's formation and personnel are pointless, because we have the most conservative coach in the world. Sven will just play 4-4-2, dropping the impressive Hargeaves, putting Crouch and Rooney up front, pretending Owen never existed and continue punting balls up the field when Gerrard and Lampard start confusing each other and getting in each others' way.

Speaking of conservative coaches, it'll be really interesting to see what Brazil's Parreira does in the next match. They looked fantastic last night, and I don't think it was just Japan not being that good. The movement and passing was vastly improved, and it's not a coincidence that half their team was different.

Let's see if Parreira has the balls to drop the old men Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Emerson, as well as the underperforming Adriano, and keep with Cicinho, Gilberto, Gilberto Silva and Robinho. If he makes the changes, then I think they'll have a chance to get to the quarters. If not, then my money's on Ghana. I said they'd do some damage at this WC, and this looks to be the match they'll do it.

Iori E · Post by **Iori E** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 21:36

Better luck next time, Korea. No offsides call for you this year.

Sheba · Post by **Sheba** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 21:51

France made it!
They can get eliminated by Spain w/o regret.

Kyosuke Kagami · Post by **Kyosuke Kagami** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 22:16

I can actually imagine a tough game between France and Spain. I wouldn't say the game is already set.

Can't tell the same thing for the Mexico vs Argentina game, though

And... yes, Switzerland is my new hero team. Sorry, guys, but Korea was never supposed to classify, they never deserved it. And well.. to be honest, that final result was expectable.

AND IT'LL BE A MIRACLE IF MEXICO GETS TO QUARTERS.

Iori E · Post by **Iori E** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 22:26

At least the Koreans can now root for Guus Hiddink and his wonder team from down under.

They beat Japan, that feat alone should've won several Korean hearts.

Eczema · Post by **Eczema** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 01:06

So the Round of 16 is:

Germany Vs Sweden - Germany should go through, but they won't have it their own way. Extra time is likely.

Argentina Vs Mexico - Argentina, easily.

England Vs Ecuador - Probably England, but I'd love Ecuador to spring an upset.

Portugal Vs Holland - Match of the round. Two evenly matched teams, with vastly different play styles. I'd say Portugal, but only because of their experienced coach.

Italy Vs Australia - Australia go into almost every game as underdogs, and always manage to get a result (except against Brazil). It is the knockout phase now so anything can happen. Italy underperformed at Euro and last WC, and I think it will be another early exit for them this year.

Switzerland Vs Ukraine - This is a good match for the world game. One of these two unfancied sides will make it to the quarters. Both have been impressive in their groups, but you would have to say Switzerland have this one.

Brazil Vs Ghana - It should be Brazil, but I can see the fast running of the Ghanaians causing the old Brazil defence some trouble.

Spain Vs France - This will be a good match because whoever loses will get slaughtered by their media for going out so early. Spain, definetly.

Moriya · Post by **Moriya** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 02:46

denieru wrote:I said Japan played a great 1st half, I never said they played BETTER than Brazil... but the defended LIKE HELL from those otherwise sure goals... and scored in their 2 shots they had that 1st half.

I appreciate the effort Japan did against freaking Brazil, something most take for granted... if Brazil can only look good playing against Japan, dont tell me they are so great, as good as they are each one, they need more teamwork... like Englang, only its not as bad as them.

Looking at games with Ivory coast, Argentina, even Germany, show good teamwork... doesnt matter if they win or lose, games are great to watch... I really cant say the same for brazil... no Joga Bonito from my POV.

Oh, okay, it seems that I kinda misinterpreted your previous post. I agree with you that Japan did play well in the first half. But nothing TOO great.

And about team work, I can tell you that in the match against Japan, with the subs, they actually did do what Parreira has been asking the main team to do for a month, the stuff that they practice in the trainings. Attacking with two groups of three players on each side, forming two triangles that complement each other, etc. It's the main team that failed to do that, probably because they weren't motivated enough. But Brazil has never been known for its teamwork, anyway. It's a different style.

But hey, the beginning of both halves in the Brazil vs. Japan game were great to watch. The brazilian team did show some great team work, with Ronaldinho, Kaka, Robinho, Juninho, Cicinho, and even freakin' fat Ronaldo. I agree that they kinda slowed down in the end of both halves, though.

Iori E · Post by **Iori E** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 06:24

If the final turns out to be Germany vs. Brazil, I definitely will not watch it. I have better things to do with my time.

Sadly, it may turn out that way, unless Ghana beats Brazil. PLEASE GHANA, BEAT BRAZIL.

Kyosuke Kagami · Post by **Kyosuke Kagami** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 07:01

Don't fool yourselves, guys. Argentina will beast everyone. They are actually PLAYING, unlike Brazil.

Eczema · Post by **Eczema** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 16:18

Please, in the quarter finals, Argentina will knock out Germany, and Spain will knock out Brazil.

My biased final 4 sees Australia Vs Argentina, and Spain Vs Portugal.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/shared/spl ... efault.stm