Euro 2008
theysayjump
07-06-2008 08:33:45
Anyone else have an interest? I know we had quite a bit of support for the World Cup a couple of years ago and this is the third largest sporting event in the world after the World Cup and the Olympics, so there has to be a few of of you.
If you're looking for some world class football (soccer), tune in for the next month.
As always I'm rooting for France this year. The first game kicks off in 30 minutes EST between Switzerland and Czech Republic. D
TryinToGetPaid
07-06-2008 09:51:02
I love me some futbol.
bullseye4u
07-06-2008 10:01:52
Russia will win the Euro Cup this year watch
KeithA
07-06-2008 11:15:49
vive la france toujours
hehehhehe
07-06-2008 11:24:24
I'll be rooting for France too, but they're in a tough group.
Germany seems to be the most favored.
theysayjump
07-06-2008 19:57:32
The group of death should produce some great football.
Scotland had France and Italy in the qualifiers and beat both, but were screwed on their last game.
theysayjump
08-06-2008 13:41:33
Portugal played pretty well last night. The Germany-Poland game that just finished was quite good. Fast and had some good football. Podolski's second goal was sweet.
France-Romania, Italy-Holland tomorrow. D
guelah75
08-06-2008 14:33:22
tomorrow's games are going to be great, thank god espn360 is streaming the games so I can watch from work ;)
I have to cheer for Portugal. My in-laws are brick layers.
rutchana666
08-06-2008 17:28:01
I'm all about Home... Go USA!!
KeithA
08-06-2008 17:38:57
[quote8a3b00f507="rutchana666"]I'm all about Home... Go USA!![/quote8a3b00f507]
I believe the tournament is only open to countries located in...Europe
theysayjump
08-06-2008 17:41:43
[quote62bde0cef7="KeithA"][quote62bde0cef7="rutchana666"]I'm all about Home... Go USA!![/quote62bde0cef7]
I believe the tournament is only open to countries located in...Europe[/quote62bde0cef7]
lol
tylerc
08-06-2008 20:17:04
Why do you root for France if you're from Scotland? Just curious, I can't see myself rooting for another country on principle alone, at least if my country is competing.
J4320
08-06-2008 20:36:51
(he's French)
hehehhehe
08-06-2008 21:20:01
[quotebd0da2eb8a="tylerc"]Why do you root for France if you're from Scotland? Just curious, I can't see myself rooting for another country on principle alone, at least if my country is competing.[/quotebd0da2eb8a]
Scotland's not competing, and some people are open minded enough not to be so nationalistic.
tylerc
08-06-2008 21:59:47
It has nothing to do with being nationalistic, it's called supporting your country and having pride in it. Sorry I would prefer to root for the USA, especially over France.
hehehhehe
08-06-2008 22:12:54
Yeah, because the French are all bastards right? roll
ajasax
08-06-2008 22:20:18
Spaniards FTW!
tylerc
08-06-2008 22:24:19
[quote50922987c9="hehehhehe"]Yeah, because the French are all bastards right? roll[/quote50922987c9]
Yes, that's exactly what I implied.
[quote649c0b6571="tylerc"][quote649c0b6571="hehehhehe"]Yeah, because the French are all bastards right? roll[/quote649c0b6571]
Yes, that's exactly what I implied.[/quote649c0b6571]
Well it's true.
hehehhehe
09-06-2008 07:42:53
[quote9cdd70ccc5="tylerc"][quote9cdd70ccc5="hehehhehe"]Yeah, because the French are all bastards right? roll[/quote9cdd70ccc5]
Yes, that's exactly what I implied.[/quote9cdd70ccc5]
How long have you spent in France? How many French people do you know? I appreciate jokes about France from time to time, but you most likely don't know anything about them.
You support teams by where you live (Colts, Cubs), I get it. Like I said, some of us are more open minded and can root for foreign teams so just get over it. The US isn't playing in the EURO either like we've pointed out so it's a moot point.
Anyway, Portugal has a good team too, Ronaldo's become quite a great scorer.
tylerc
09-06-2008 07:52:02
My roommate's brother lives in France, does that count?
I'm all for people being able to do what they want, but everyone should at least have a LITTLE pride in their country. I realize Scotland isn't competing, but take the 2008 Olympics for example. I would imagine an overwhelming majority worldwide will support their own country. If I were for some reason to end up in England or wherever else working, I would still root for the USA, because I am a US citizen and people should support their country, at least a little bit. That's all I was trying to say from the beginning.
hehehhehe
09-06-2008 08:03:56
[quote5463d96419="tylerc"]My roommate's brother lives in France, does that count?[/quote5463d96419]
No, not really lol. But if the French suck so much like you say (since you know so much about them), I hope you told your roommate's brother to get the hell out of there.
[quote5463d96419="tylerc"]I'm all for people being able to do what they want, but everyone should at least have a LITTLE pride in their country. I realize Scotland isn't competing, but take the 2008 Olympics for example. I would imagine an overwhelming majority worldwide will support their own country. If I were for some reason to end up in England or wherever else working, I would still root for the USA, because I am a US citizen and people should support their country, at least a little bit. That's all I was trying to say from the beginning.[/quote5463d96419]
I added some stuff in my post above. Point is, the US/Scotland isn't playing in the Euro, so let us root for whatever country mmmkay?
tylerc
09-06-2008 08:09:58
I don't follow soccer, which is why I was asking why he wasn't rooting for Scotland. I don't really follow the World Cup either, but I pull for Germany or England since I have German and English heritage.
theysayjump
09-06-2008 08:21:46
I'll always root for Scotland if they're playing, but they're not (somewhat ironically we were nudged out by France and Italy), so I can't.
Scotland and France have a long and (non-football) friendly history together. The way Football works (at least in the UK) is that you grow up with your favourite players, regardless of who they play for, so when those players play for their country, we tend to support their national teams, unless they're playing our national team.
My favourite player has always been Zidane since I was about 12, and I supported Juventus from about that time (I creamed my pans when he signed for them), so I grew up watching all of Zidane's games and came to like the French team. Football has nothing to do with politics or stereotypes, so I don't care if one country are a bunch of human right-violating bastards, it's got nothing to do with their Football players.
My brother roots for Brasil in the World Cup. shrug
Now with the Olympics, I'll root for Britain, since Scotland/England/Ireland/Wales don't compete separately.
hehehhehe
09-06-2008 08:32:20
[quote14e5ba8a50="tylerc"]I don't follow soccer, which is why I was asking why he wasn't rooting for Scotland. I don't really follow the World Cup either, but I pull for Germany or England since I have German and English heritage.[/quote14e5ba8a50]
Well, you can actually root for the US in the World Cup as they've qualified since 1990. I watched them and rooted for them in 2006 (along with other teams, sorry).
You can root for them in Olympics soccer too, but if you don't really follow soccer you probably won't care.
See, I don't see why you have to root for England or Germany just because it's in your heritage. Why can't you just root for a team because you like its players or like the way they play?
KeithA
09-06-2008 08:57:10
I was the Zidane headbutt for Halloween 2 years ago...
Stroid
09-06-2008 09:53:54
Portugal FTW! Euro 2008 is sick im watching using Sopcast...anyone know how to access espn360.com if your carrier isnt one of the providers?
theysayjump
09-06-2008 10:45:26
Wow, this France-Romania game was shite.
hehehhehe
09-06-2008 10:50:38
Man, the cheese eating surrender monkeys ;) played like shit today.
EDIT Italy seems to have a better team but I'll be rooting for Ruud and Holland.
Stroid
09-06-2008 11:15:06
yes france game was shitty
hehehhehe
09-06-2008 13:25:44
Holland is kicking some serious Italian ass. That Sneijder goal was sweet.
Stroid
09-06-2008 13:46:54
yes Holland is beating that ass very nice to see!
tucker1003
09-06-2008 14:00:06
USA or Germany!!
guelah75
09-06-2008 14:30:44
France and Italy both played terrible today......Im pulling for Russia
damn italy seemed way too shaky to even be considered a contender.
justinag06
09-06-2008 19:36:57
i'm enjoying the action so far, and glad there are lots of games on ESPN 2 in HD i can watch.
theysayjump
09-06-2008 22:21:48
I just watched the Dutch-Italian game and I was really impressed by the Dutch. I think I now have another favourite after France.
That was a really good game.
hehehhehe
10-06-2008 11:40:24
I've always liked Holland since they've always had good attackers. Bergkampf, Kluivert (to a much lesser extent), and now Van Nistelrooy. Overmars was awesome too. They always seem to have bad luck in int'l tournaments though.
Man, seems Russia had its ass kicked. Rooting for Sweden against Greece.
theysayjump
10-06-2008 21:39:44
Yeah I wanted Sweden too and I'm glad they won, they played much better than Greece did. There were spells where Greece were just passing the ball between three defenders for about a minute. I hate teams who play really boring football.
I thought Kluivert was a great player, Bergkamp was a genius, as was Overmars and the De Boer brothers. Van Der Saar pulled off an amazing save last night too.
We need more players with this kind of skill, flair and ability http//youtube.com/watch?v=kFvXVlfu4vs
and portugal does it again
3-1
w00t
TryinToGetPaid
11-06-2008 17:52:12
Yeah, I love Mr Ronaldo. Should have put more on the game....
[quote01797d23fe="Kidd"]and portugal does it again
3-1
w00t[/quote01797d23fe]
How far do you think they will make it?
TryinToGetPaid
11-06-2008 18:00:10
I think very far, they looked slow vs the czech until the end they stepped it up.
theysayjump
11-06-2008 18:18:50
I'm impressed with Portugal, Spain and Holland, but once the latter two, as well as Italy, Germany and France all play their second games, it'd be easier to make an informed opinion. I can see them all doing well, once the shitter teams go out, like Austria, Croatia and Poland.
I'd love to see Spain and Portugal play, but won't happen for another few games yet, if at all.
hehehhehe
12-06-2008 09:15:02
If things keep going as they are, I think Portugal would end up playing Germany (assuming they beat Croatia today, which is not a given) in the semis. Germany is the big favorite but it really seems like the soccer gods are with any team with Ronaldo these days.
The other half of the draw has a lot of good teams so who knows what will happen there. Things will be clearer after a few matches like jump says.
Spain vs. Portugal might happen if the group of death teams beat each other up a lot. The group of death plays tomorrow...
I assume that there are other tournaments like Euro Champs. How come they aren't as publicized?
hehehhehe
12-06-2008 11:35:48
Yeah, that was an upset from hell. That second goal was a fluke but I'm not a fan of Germany.
[quotebe0c7ddff8="Twon"]I assume that there are other tournaments like Euro Champs. How come they aren't as publicized?[/quotebe0c7ddff8]
There aren't that many really. Besides the world cup, you got this every 4 years, and also the copa america (for s.america) which is every 2-3 years I think. There's the olympics too but I follow it less than the World Cup and Euro.
You also have Champions League, which is for european club teams.
They don't get much press in the US and Canada because people don't give a shit about a soccer here. It takes a zidane headbutt to get the sport mentioned on the news.
theysayjump
12-06-2008 20:56:58
Yeah which is sad. I hear people and sports commentators here making fun of football for not being very masculine, yet they worship men who hit little balls with sticks, throw balls into little hoops, and fat guys with lots of padding and helmets running into each other.
There is so much skill and accuracy in football that even in the teams who aren't the best in the world you can see it. Unfortunately, it takes players like Zidane, Bergkamp, Messi, Ronaldo etc to bring any attention to the game, and those players don't come around too often.
I'd say there's more talent in Football than in American Football, Baseball and Hockey combined.
Basketball on the other hand, those guys have got some mad skills and that's a sport I can watch.
I was surprised at not only how many people were at the USA - Argentina match a few days ago, but the atmosphere too, it was impressive and you guys were really getting into it.
It's a shame that the MLS doesn't have the same kind of passion, otherwise it could produce some really amazing football.
TryinToGetPaid
13-06-2008 08:19:34
MLS is garbage.
Period.
TSJ you like Portugal over the Swiss?
theysayjump
13-06-2008 08:47:03
Without a doubt. I can see Portugal progressing quite far, but there's also the possibility off them just taking it easy against the Swiss since they're already through and the Swiss are out, so maybe they'll take it easy and the Swiss will try to give their home crowd a decent send off. shrug
bballp6699
13-06-2008 10:16:23
[quote5b7f0acee8="theysayjump"]
I'd say there's more talent in Football than in American Football, Baseball and Hockey combined.
[/quote5b7f0acee8]
I have to disagree here. I'm not a hockey fan by any means, but I would say hockey takes more talent than soccer/football. It's practically the same type of sport (get the ball/puck in the net). Difference being that in hockey you have to skate around the field/ice and you use a stick to push the puck...
Are the soccer/football players more talented at their sport than hockey? Probably...but I would say only because hockey is a lot harder to get into, where anyone can play soccer/football.
shrug
Anyways, carry on...
TryinToGetPaid
13-06-2008 10:27:51
Yeah I do not know if I want to put any money on Portugal or not since the reason you stated. I watched the Swiss play vs Turkey and they did not look good at all, with their star out and another cat getting a red card - I may just bet small.
hehehhehe
13-06-2008 11:54:54
Man, the dutch scored already 9 mins in.
France is starting to move the ball better and getting chances, but no finishing.
theysayjump
13-06-2008 13:40:34
France are complete shit.
I really don't like Domenech as a manager. He brought on Anelka and Gomis far too late and he doesn't even seem to have any passion.
Stroid
13-06-2008 13:41:22
Netherlands are on fire this tourney! Van Nistelroy is sick!
hehehhehe
13-06-2008 14:17:27
Yeah, Holland pwned the group of death.
I don't like Gomis much, I would've liked to have seen Benzema instead. I can't wait for FRA vs. ITA, but a win won't mean much if Romania wins. Holland should let its stars rest for Romania, so that's a possibility... I hope that last Holland goal doesn't hurt France if it comes down to goal differentials since ITA, FRA and Romania have all tied each other so far.
hehehhehe
14-06-2008 10:55:20
guelah75
14-06-2008 12:49:47
that Nike ad ROCKS!!!
theysayjump
14-06-2008 20:47:10
[quote43c031b7cb="hehehhehe"]What a heartbreaker for the Swedes.
I love the new Nike ad
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwlpTgbQTE[]http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwlpTgbQTE[/quote43c031b7cb]
It's a shame they don't show the full thing on TV though.
The Swedes can still qualify, all they need is a draw against Russia and I really hope they go through.
David Villa is really getting a lot of attention and rightly so. I can see him signing for a big club after this (well, bigger than Valencia).
bullseye4u
15-06-2008 13:47:07
Turkey is my hero )
Iloveipods2
16-06-2008 16:54:48
Germany vs. Austria game was a good one. I think they will get far.
hehehhehe
17-06-2008 13:18:50
France was screwed early on but that 2nd goal that Henry tipped in was the nail in the coffin. Benzema is playing well though.
That ref is too yellow card happy.
theysayjump
17-06-2008 21:36:23
Benzema did play well, but with Ribery going off in the first 7 minutes they were fucked.
I just watched the game and stopped as soon as the second goal went in. France really need to get a grip, they were abysmal for the whole tournament and they deserved to go home. Hopefully this will be a wake-up call for them.
I want Holland or Portugal to win now. I can't stand the Italians (not just because they put France out) so whoever the fuck knocks them out is fine by me.
hehehhehe
20-06-2008 14:28:49
Yet another crazy comeback from the Turks.
Insane.
theysayjump
20-06-2008 15:47:51
That was un-fucking-real.
I still can't believe it.
hehehhehe
22-06-2008 09:58:14
I wasn't able to follow yesterday but I just saw the highlights for the Russia - Netherlands match. The Dutch got kind of screwed on that ref call where Solodin should've been out of the game but it seemed like the Russians played better overall.
bullseye4u
22-06-2008 10:55:05
[quote30f6709bcc="MyGiftsFree"]Russia will win the Euro Cup this year watch[/quote30f6709bcc]
looks like my prediction is gonna be right on the money
theysayjump
22-06-2008 20:25:01
Russia definitely deserved to win, they far outplayed the Dutch.
I watched the highlights from the Spain - Italy match today and even the it was a pretty shit game, Spain played much better and had more chances. I'm so glad Italy are out.
I want either Spain or Russia to win.
hehehhehe
29-06-2008 12:09:36
GO SPAIN
theysayjump
29-06-2008 15:04:21
That was a pretty good game and I'm really glad Spain won, they deserved it.
Torres was relentless and won it for them.
Happy man. D