1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

***The Official Eurocup 2008 thread***

Discussion in 'Other Sports Forum' started by giovafin, May 25, 2008.

Tags:
  1. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    13,777
    7,574
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    Its a shame that we wont have Pirlo or Gattuso, but we will manage.

    [​IMG]
     
    giovafin likes this.
  2. first&goal

    first&goal Luxury Box Luxury Box

    4,941
    749
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    Charlotte
    It's really bad, more for Pirlo tho.
    We need to get ready for Spain next.
     
    giovafin likes this.
  3. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    13,777
    7,574
    113
    Dec 8, 2007

    Correction.....Spain must now prepare for ITALIA!

    The hardest part for Italy is always making it to the second level. The snowball is now rolling and gaining momentum.
     
    first&goal likes this.
  4. giovafin

    giovafin Rossonero

    1,149
    584
    113
    Mar 25, 2008
    i like how it sounds :up:

    EDIT: Sweet Pirlo sig! :ffic:
     
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2008
    first&goal likes this.
  5. wpgfishfan

    wpgfishfan Member

    2,081
    580
    113
    Nov 26, 2007
    Winnipeg, Manitoba
    We get to rest till Sunday

    The 3 players we can't do without are Buffon, Pirlo, Toni

    Buffon has been dynamite
    Toni is creating chances and penalties although he needs to finish
    I've always been a Pirlo fan hopefully he comes through
     
    first&goal likes this.
  6. first&goal

    first&goal Luxury Box Luxury Box

    4,941
    749
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    Charlotte
    Against Spain, Personally I would like to see this Team:
    Buffon-Grosso-Chiellini-Panucci-Zambrotta-De Rossi-Di Natale-Aquilani-Camoranesi-Cassano Toni. :up:
     
  7. first&goal

    first&goal Luxury Box Luxury Box

    4,941
    749
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    Charlotte
    I like Toni also, but he needs to start scoring......maybe he's going to start now.
     
  8. Pink_dove

    Pink_dove Burning coal Luxury Box

    679
    587
    0
    Nov 30, 2007
    What a load of cobblers. The lack of stones on Domenech's part is maddening. He neuters Clerc and Evra, and sets up the sandbags on defense by pairing Toulalan and Maka again. Against a team with an absent centre-half vertebrae, you're essentially playing 6 at the back, with that bum Abidal replacing Thuram to boot. And playing him out of position on top of it. Fcuk me.

    As for the subs, takes out Nasri, to replace him with Boumsong. You're down a man, with the score 1-0, and do that. Gobsmacked. Gutless. Mental. As a last sub, you throw in Anelka...for a forward. And then, after the game, you talk about how bright the future is, that the project will continue, and that you're marrying Estelle Denis, who, as the chinese whispers go, you stole from Pires. Good god, put a sock in it, don't make excuses, or look ahead, and take it like the slapper you are.

    Mind you, the players are just as guilty. No urgency, not only tonight, but throughout the tourny. They might not have been convinced of the tosser's plans, but even Italy, with a palid Pirlo, appeared to be behind Donadoni. I would think losing Ribery in the opening minutes was tectonic, but you'd have thought it was the Pony Express out there, with the number of telegraphed passes. The penalty shot was fair and predictable considering the four chances the Italians had just before that. And with Nancy Abidal being sent off, it was game over. Even a fix couldn't have saved us.

    They've got to create a project, and entreprise for 2010. Ribery talked about the team missing Zizou, but they missed a Manu Petit's or Didier Deschamps' sterness in midfield, a Laurent Blanc's imperial airness, or a Bixente Lizarazu's passionate defiance at the back just as much. Bring in Flamini, Sagna, Clichy, Diaby, Menez, and Valbuena for a start, and let Deschamps iron out the cliques.

    Enough of my waffling. Well done on Italy's part, and good luck going forward. Still think the Spaniards have that look of destiny in red, but that's for the football gods to argue about. See y'all later.
     
  9. phunwin

    phunwin Happy kids are Dolfans. Luxury Box

    Well, that Abidal for Thuram switch sure worked out well, didn't it?
     
    alen1 likes this.
  10. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Lol yeah, I didn't agree with that move.
     
  11. Eop05

    Eop05 Junior Member Club Member

    5,659
    5,268
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    NJ
    Very well said.

    I won't get too excited about this, although I am relieved a bit. France looked extremely uninspired this whole tournament and especially today, however Italy did look better today and looked the better side even before the red in the 24th minute.

    Pirlo will be missed greatly though in the next game. His connection with the attack and creativity is invaluable to this Italian side. Swapping Ambrosini for Gattuso isn't that big a deal, but finding the replacement for Pirlo in this squad is not possible. If I had to guess, the formation against Spain will look like this:

    --------------------------Cassano---------Toni---------------------

    -----------------------------------------------------Camoranesi-----
    --------------Perotta--------De Rossi------Ambrosini--------------

    ----Grosso------------Chiellini------------Pannuci-----Zambrotta---


    Camoranesi will be on a short leash if he's not involved in the game. Aquilani should be ready.

    And I'm just waiting for Luca Toni to score a pivotal goal in a major tournament. I hope I see it eventually. He's a headache for those central defenders and knocks the ball down so well with his back to goal, but man, he needs to put one in the back of the net already!

    What was Abidal thinking? With the way things were going, I'd have let Toni shot wide or right into the keeper at point blank range. He had to know he was gonna get sent off for that. And yes Pink Dove, I've never seen Abidal in the central defense. Seemed out of position to me as well.

    EDIT: I'm still trying to figure out what De Rossi was doing out of the starting XI against the Dutch in game 1. Was Donadoni high or something? The guy is simply a great player, one of the top midfielders in serie A no question. Ah well, that was the last game we'll see De Rossi out of in a long time unless he's hurt or suspended.

    And props to the Dutch for taking it to Romania.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2008
    Tone_E likes this.
  12. Eop05

    Eop05 Junior Member Club Member

    5,659
    5,268
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    NJ
    This team is too top heavy. If they go down a goal and it's late, you may see this team, but to have only one defensive minded midfielder to work through the midfield for 60 minutes, you'd then see Spain eat up too much possession. and work the ball through midfield at will.
     
  13. Eop05

    Eop05 Junior Member Club Member

    5,659
    5,268
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    NJ
    From and Italian fan?! LOL

    I'd expect that from others, but from an Azzuri tifoso...

    I'm just kiddin. VDS has no doubt been the keeper of the year. Seems like everything he does is right lately, but Buffon is still Buffon. He'll always be the world's best in my eyes.

    BTW, that was some save he had today late in the game off Benzema's shot, and not to mention the penalty save against Mutu, which we can say now is probably the reason this team is still in this tournament.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2008
    alen1 likes this.
  14. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    13,777
    7,574
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    Perotta did nothing today. I would like to see our midfield involve Ambrosini, Camoranesi, De Rossi, and Aquilani. Camoranesi has not been impresive at all, however, like you said, put him on a short leesh. When the guy is on, he is on, and is the best player on the pitch, but when hes off, man hes off. Too inconsistent, but has to start IMO. I think Aquilani should get the start though. That kid has some range, and can find the net from distance, adding a whole new dimension to this squad. Pirlo can do the same, but hed rather finesse a pass into the box, while Aquilani will lower the boom. :wink2:
     
    Eop05 likes this.
  15. Eop05

    Eop05 Junior Member Club Member

    5,659
    5,268
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    NJ
    If I was the coach, I'd be tempted to put Aquilani in in place of Perotta, and I was thinking about listing the team like that in my post but I decided on Simone because:

    Perrotta has more experience.
    Although not great today, he was good against Romania
    I know Aquilani works, but Perrotta works up and down the field both in Offense and Defense.

    However, I wouldn't be the least bit upset or surprised to see Aquilani in the starting XI

    And you're spot on with your evaluation of Camoranesi.
     
    Tone_E likes this.
  16. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

    22,623
    50,064
    113
    Nov 30, 2007
    Bad luck mate.

    I agree with all that. When I watched the teams come out, I was stunned to see Abidal - who had played so poorly in his natural position - moved to centre back. Remarkable. And why Boumsong is even in the squad is remarkable. I'm sure I saw Phillip Mexes have his best season at Roma since he left Auxerre. Squillachi? Hell, even Gael Givet is a better defender than Boumsong. But I digress.

    Before Abidal was sent off, all that space that Grosso was getting up the left, made me so angry because the gaps in behind for Bacary Sagna would have forced Grosso back. Similarly with Gael Clichy on the left; Zambrotta would have had to respect his ability to get forwards and his pace. I thought Toulalan had a strong second half, but Makelele is gone. And neither of them provided any protection to the back 4 in the first half. I can't help thinking that Lassana Diarra and Mathieu Flamini would have been a much better option for you. People talk about missing a playmaker, but Benzema drops very deep and Ribery does a lot of Zizou's playmaking, so it's not such an issue for me. Losing Ribery was a huge blow.

    Domanech looked so out of place. You have good players, good skilful players and he's not a) playing the right ones and b), more importantly, not playing to their strengths.

    Italy will miss Pirlo greatly because for about half an hour he absolutely ran that game. He laced 4 or 5 killer balls into Toni and Cassano. I'm not sure Italy are strong enough at the heart of the defence to cope with Villa and Torres and Italy's strength up front is just that - strength; Toni is so string in the air and holds the ball up so well, but he'll be facing Puyol and Marchena who do just that; play well in the air and are strong. At least Aquilani will get a shot which is good, but I think the Spanish will have too much for them, although Grosso could get a lot of joy in behind Ramos.

    Keep your chin up Francois.
     
  17. finattic79

    finattic79 Season Ticket Holder

    737
    250
    63
    Dec 19, 2007
    Juneau, Alaska
    Well the quaterfinals are all set, Russia is the last of the 8 to go through the group stage.
     
  18. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    And Hiddink does it again.
     
  19. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Henry bemoans lack of luck against Italy

    http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=548342&cc=5901
     
  20. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    No regrets from suspended midfielder Pirlo

    http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=548335&cc=5901
     
  21. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Turkey keeper Volkan banned for two matches

    http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=548398&cc=5901
     
  22. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Ribery has sprained ankle and knee injury

    http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=548408&cc=5901
     
  23. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Italy coach Donadoni defends tired strikers

    http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=548551&cc=5901
     
  24. finattic79

    finattic79 Season Ticket Holder

    737
    250
    63
    Dec 19, 2007
    Juneau, Alaska
    So you got the totals of the picks from everyone that participated?
     
  25. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Not yet, I thought we were going to get the picks at the end of the tourney? I'll do an update in a few minutes on who's leading the pack.
     
  26. Boomer

    Boomer Premium Member Luxury Box

    22,623
    50,064
    113
    Nov 30, 2007
    EOP - if you saw the Spain game, you'll know what I meant about Xabi Alonso. Awesome.
     
  27. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    The tally as of now:

    alen1 - 4

    giovafin - 7

    first&goal - 6

    ChrisKo - 4

    JCowScot - 5

    Tone_E - 5

    quelonio - 5

    wpgfishfan - 4

    Paul 13 - 6

    Pink_Dove - 7

    Finattic79 - 7

    WhiteDolphin54 - 7

    Unifiedtheory
    - 5
     
  28. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Do you guys want to continue these picks throughout the tournament or would you rather stop it right now and give the winner his banner?
     
  29. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    If you would like to continue the tournament, the following are the upcoming fixtures:

    Portugal v Germany

    Croatia v Turkey

    Netherlands v Russia

    Spain v Italy

    My picks are in the bold.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2008
    giovafin likes this.
  30. Whitedolphin54

    Whitedolphin54 From the land of legends Luxury Box

    3,647
    883
    0
    Nov 26, 2007
    Somerset UK
    Portugal v Germany

    Croatia v Turkey

    Netherlands v Russia

    Spain v Italy
     
    giovafin and alen1 like this.
  31. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    13,777
    7,574
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    Portugal v Germany

    Croatia v Turkey

    Netherlands v Russia

    Spain v Italy
     
    giovafin and alen1 like this.
  32. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Thanks guys.
     
  33. Whitedolphin54

    Whitedolphin54 From the land of legends Luxury Box

    3,647
    883
    0
    Nov 26, 2007
    Somerset UK
    Only missed on one in the first round. Anybody have a full house?

    A--Portugal and Turkey

    B--Germany and Poland

    C--Italy and Holland

    D--Spain and Russia
     
  34. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Nope, nobody. I posted the picks on the last page. The most was 7 and the least was 4.
     
  35. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Here they are:


     
  36. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

    85,620
    51,681
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Since I haven't won yet, I would like to continue this contest... :pointlol:

    Portugal v Germany - a little revenge on the mind of the Germans, Portugal is more talented, but the Germans will pull this one off...

    Croatia v Turkey - Croatia getting it done again... Turkey cinderella slipper falls off

    Netherlands v Russia - Holland should win this, Russia has played well though, give them credit for knocking out Sweden today.

    Spain v Italy - I suppose a slight upset if you go by the Euro games so far... although Italy has done this before in major tourneys... slow starters but strong finishers...

    A couple of rematches in the semis from earlier group play...(Croatia v Holland in the finals but lets not get ahead of ourselves)...
     
    Whitedolphin54, giovafin and alen1 like this.
  37. giovafin

    giovafin Rossonero

    1,149
    584
    113
    Mar 25, 2008
    ThePhins.com Eurocup Tournament 1st stage results:

    Alen’s picks:
    Group A: Czech Republic, Portugal.
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 1

    Group B: Germany, Poland.
    Teams qualified: Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 1

    Group C: France, Italy.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 1

    Group D: Greece, Spain.
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS:1

    TOTAL: 4



    Giovafin’s picks:
    Group A: Portugal, Turkey
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 2

    Group B: Germany, Croatia.
    Teams qualified:Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 2

    Group C: Netherlands, Italy.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 2

    Group D: Greece, Spain.
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS: 1

    TOTAL: 7



    First&goal’s picks:
    Group A: Portugal, Switzerland
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 1

    Group B: Germany, Croatia.
    Teams qualified: Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 2

    Group C: Netherlands, Italy.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 2

    Group D: Spain Sweden
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS: 1

    TOTAL: 6



    ChrisKo’s picks:
    Group A: Portugal, Switzerland
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 1

    Group B: Germany, Poland.
    Teams qualified: Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 1

    Group C: Netherlands, Italy.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 2

    Group D: Greece, Sweden
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS: 0

    TOTAL: 4



    JCowScot’s picks:
    Group A: Portugal, Turkey
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 2

    Group B: Germany, Poland.
    Teams qualified: Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 1

    Group C: France, Italy.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 1

    Group D: Greece, Spain.
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS: 1

    TOTAL: 5



    Tone E’s picks:
    Group A: Portugal, Czech Republic
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 1

    Group B: Germany, Poland.
    Teams qualified: Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 1

    Group C: Netherlands, Italy.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 2

    Group D: Sweden, Spain.
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS: 1

    TOTAL: 5



    Quelonio’s picks:
    Group A: Portugal, Switzerland
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 1

    Group B: Germany, Poland.
    Teams qualified: Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 1

    Group C: Netherlands, France.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 1

    Group D: Russia, Spain.
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS: 2

    TOTAL: 5



    Wpgfishfan’s picks:
    Group A: Portugal, Switzerland
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 1

    Group B: Germany, Poland.
    Teams qualified: Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 1

    Group C: Italy, France.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 1

    Group D: Sweden, Spain.
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS: 1

    TOTAL: 4



    Paul 13’s picks:
    Group A: Portugal, Czech Republic
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 1

    Group B: Germany, Croatia.
    Teams qualified: Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 2

    Group C: Italy, Netherlands.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 2

    Group D: Sweden, Spain.
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS:1

    TOTAL: 6



    Pink_Dove’s picks:
    Group A: Portugal, Turkey
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 2

    Group B: Germany, Croatia.
    Teams qualified: Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 2

    Group C: Italy, France.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 1

    Group D: Russia, Spain.
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS: 2

    TOTAL: 7



    Finattic79’s picks:
    Group A: Portugal, Turkey
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 2

    Group B: Germany, Croatia.
    Teams qualified: Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 2

    Group C: Italy, Netherlands.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 2

    Group D: Sweden, Spain.
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS: 1

    TOTAL: 7




    Whitedolphin54’s picks:
    Group A: Portugal, Turkey
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 2

    Group B: Germany, Poland.
    Teams qualified: Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 1

    Group C: Italy, Netherlands.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 2

    Group D: Russia, Spain.
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS:2

    TOTAL: 7



    Unifiedtheory’s picks:
    Group A: Portugal, Czech Republic
    Teams qualified: Portugal, Turkey.
    POINTS: 1

    Group B: Germany, Croatia.
    Teams qualified: Germany, Croatia.
    POINTS: 2

    Group C: France, Netherlands.
    Teams qualified: Netherlands, Italy
    POINTS: 1

    Group D: Sweden, Spain.
    Teams qualified: Spain, Russia
    POINTS: 1

    TOTAL: 5
     
    alen1 likes this.
  38. alen1

    alen1 New Member

    52,811
    20,365
    0
    Dec 16, 2007
    Thanks gio, MUCH more detailed then mine haha. Appreciate it :up:
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2008
    giovafin likes this.
  39. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    13,777
    7,574
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    Hey Gio, you're not taking Portugal? :)
     
  40. Whitedolphin54

    Whitedolphin54 From the land of legends Luxury Box

    3,647
    883
    0
    Nov 26, 2007
    Somerset UK


    The only one Pinky got wrong was France :sidelol:
     
    giovafin and alen1 like this.

Share This Page