It was a dramatic game but I didn't see a good game. This game was a perfect example why I have such a tough time to root for us. We don't play great, we just win. I hope Russia wins it all.
Cracking game. Lahm is such a good player, but Turkey were outstanding and Germany were very, very lucky.
Spain takes it. Senna can blanket Arshavin, and with Kolodin suspended, the back four will have their hands full dealing with Villa, and Torres. The threat of a Sergio Ramos on the wing cancels out my boy Zhirkov's daring runs, Semak who was at PSG years ago takes off his cape, and Puyol does a job on Pavlyuchenko. That being said, with the Russians youthful exuberance, Zapatones sticking with an out of form Iniesta in the starting eleven, and Arshavin emulating Platini as an emblematic figure, I'm about as confident with this pick as I am about Mugabe hosting my tea party.
for the people outside of the USA, were you able to see the entire Germany vs Turkey game... here, ESPN said lightning caused technical difficulties with the entire world feed and nobody saw the entire game (it cut out three times in the second half)... If it turns out that ESPN is the one that was having the problems, I'm going to be very upset... damn good game completely effed up by mother nature... apparently...
The good thing about that, during that technical difficulties, they were showing the beautiful German ladies instead. Wow!
Nope. Vienna got hit by a thunderstorm last night and there was a blackout in the central broadcasting station. German TV managed to tap the Swiss satellite (who are the only nation allowed to use their own feed instead of the Austrian one), so we got to see most of it. Dunno if other stations went ahead and did the same though.
Man cant wait to see the Spain v Russia game. Think it is going to be a cracking game, could go either way for sure, espically if the Russians score first.
I never saw Russia get anywhere close to playing Spain off the park. Spain dominated from start to finish. Senna neutralised Arshavin, Pavyluchenko fed on scraps and David Silva tormented the Russian defence. It could have been 5 or 6-0 to Spain. Re: the thunderstorm on Wednesday night; we also had three extended breaks, but the BBC switched to live Radio, BBC Radio 5 Live and so there was commentary but no pictures during the breaks.
Just saw the match on my DVR... Spain was very very strong in the second half and clearly made the right adjustments at halftime to expose the Russian defense. Russia had a couple of chances in the first half that could have changed the outcome of the game as they play much better with a lead than from behind, but credit to Spain... Arshavin was nonexistant... Rooting for Spain in the final, they have been the best team... that first goal is going to be oh so important, especially if Germany gets it... reckon that first half is going to be played close to the vest, but look out second half... Spain 2-1...
Well as the saing goes football is a game where 11 play against 11 and in the end Germany wins.... I like spain, I feel they are a better side. But Germany is germany. so...
I think if Germany gets a lot of set pieces and puts the ball in the air, they will give Casillas hell.
Villa ruled out of Sunday's showpiece http://www.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kind=1/newsid=728174.html#villa+ruled+sundays+showpiece
Man he's going to be livid. Fabregas did a nice job for them out there. They better hope Torres shows his Liverpool form if they plan on beating the Germans.
There is a very strong case to be made for this being a blessing in disguise for Spain. Villa has been immense to date, but once he came out, Iniesta, and Xavi played much higher than against Italy or Greece. Reason being that without Villa, they had to push forward, show ambition, and liberation. EDIT: As for Sunday, said earlier that the tippety tappety mid of Spain would have trouble against a more physical and mechanical side such as Germany's. Fortunately for Spain, Frings hasn't found his legs, Ballack has been nowhere as good as the press have made him out to be, and there's loads of quality on the bench for Spain. The Spaniards also have to be brimming with confidence, and unity after the last game. Something to be said about Germany not having hit its apex yet, and for that reason I wouldn't put money on it, as they're certainly due. Still, when it's all said and done, Spain takes it.
Thuram heart problem, blocking transfer to PSG http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8288636/Thuram-heart-problem,-blocking-transfer-to-PSG In other news: Ljungberg quits Swedish national team http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/8292010/Ljungberg-quits-Swedish-national-team
Sad indeed. I still remember the Cameroun guy, Marc-Vivien Foe collapsing during an international match. (I think it was a heart problem) Very, very sad.
Euro Cup Finals Will Be Held In A Prison That Was Used In WWII http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3457493&categoryId=2378529 This is wierd. Watch the video.
Gonna pick Germany to win, even with ballack out hopefully that midfield can disrupt main enough. They have been one of the better teams on set pieces in the tourney so hopefully they can keep that up.