# Ongoing Euro '08 matches. Spoilers included **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 10, 2008, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387 "2008-06-10T00:47:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/241 "2008-06-22T03:23:32Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Did your DVR check show a replay from a camera situated directly along the goal line? No, but the question is whether the entire ball was entirely over the line, and it was clearly not. Clearly enough to me, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/242 "2008-06-22T09:21:09Z")
[QUOTE=Hostile Dialect] No, but the question is whether the entire ball was entirely over the line, and it was clearly not. Clearly enough to me, anyway. [/QUOTE] This is my point. I am telling you, as someone who has refereed, and someone who has been a linesman, that there simply is no way to be certain of that without that precise angle. Otherwise, you are attempting to adjudge something that is almost impossible to be certain of, especially when the ball is in the air, and not on the ground. For what it’s worth, I consider it likely the determination by the assistant was incorrect, too. But I’m not CERTAIN, for the reason I said, and you cannot be, either, in the absence of that view. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/243 "2008-06-22T14:40:07Z")
[QUOTE=DSYoungEsq] Yes, it DOES matter. The player can’t be cautioned for an action that occurs after play has actually stopped, unless that action is cautionable regardless of whether play is in progress or not. Thus, for example, if he had hit the Dutch player, it would not matter. But cautioning him for an over zealous foul when the ball was already out of play cannot happen. VERY correct refereeing, and good job that they conversed; of course, that’s what the headset is for. 😛 [/quote] What he said. > [@](#): > > Amazing win by Russia, though not undeserved. Where was the Dutch team that had played the first three games??? :eek: I seriously thought for long stretches of the match that the teams had exchanged kits. 😕 Having that, chapeau to Hiddink\* for having the temerity/foresight to cap a player that was suspended for the first two matches. Turns out said played, IMHO, is the best “10” in the tournament: Arshavin ‘Van Basten.’ All by himself he’s made Russia a whole 'nother team than the one we demolished in the first round. \*Likely the most hated man in his own homeland at the moment, and although I can understand the feeling, I’d also have to say that at the NT level, considering what he’s done with with own Oranje, SK (even if we consider the fact that the refs were his ‘assistants’ back then), Australia and now, Russia, he’d be my first pick for the first-ever non-Spanish coach for our team. Without a doubt the man can coach-up a storm…not so successful at the club level, but you can book it that his teams will always play attractive, vertical, very offensive footie. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/244 "2008-06-22T14:56:02Z")
PS-Missed edit window. Also wanted to add that I think that even if we can’t be sure if the ball went out or not (replay angles not definitive), I think the replays **do** show that that _wasn’t_ a bookable tackle…thus justice prevailed. Judge for yourselves if you recorded the match. Anyway…time for The Red Fury to prove its mettle once and for all. NT shirt on already as I type this. Will be watching with a crowd as least as rabid as myself. Atmosphere as close as it gets to actually being there. Blood, sweat and tears included. Whether the tears will be of immense joy or utter despair is the great uncertainty and what makes football what it is – the most popular sport in the World. Aupa España! ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/245 "2008-06-22T17:59:40Z")
> [@redfury](#): > > Likely the most hated man in his own homeland at the moment Actually, people respect him a lot for the work he’s done, and rightly so. I think he’s Holland’s top non-narcotic export product. So in fact, the Dutch have taken their demise much more gracefully than you might expect, which is probably because it was so blindingly obvious that the Russians deserved to win. Personally, I think that the way it went now is definitely preferable over a scenario in which NL would have lost against Italy and tied the French, then beaten the Russians with a lousy 1-0 due to an own goal or an undeserved penalty kick or something, only to be kicked out easily in the semis. Now we made it to the quarterfinals and got kicked out, but at least we have two amazing and unforgettable victories against two of the best and also most arrogant teams around to look back on. So that’s that. I really, really hope that the Spanish win tonight, but they have a bad track record with quarter finals. I’ll be cheering for them though! Aupa España, I suppose they say 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/246 "2008-06-22T18:07:37Z")
> [@Švejk](#): > > at least we have two amazing and unforgettable victories against two of the best What’s Romania, chopped liver? They are a damn good team, and were at #12 in the world coming into the tournament (higher according to the Elo ratings–somewhere around 9, IIRC). The third best in that group was #10. I don’t know how you could have watched Romania in this tournament and come away still feeling the need to disrespect them. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/247 "2008-06-22T18:14:41Z")
[QUOTE=Hostile Dialect] What’s Romania, chopped liver? They are a damn good team, and were at #12 in the world coming into the tournament (higher according to the Elo ratings–somewhere around 9, IIRC). The third best in that group was #10. I don’t know how you could have watched Romania in this tournament and come away still feeling the need to disrespect them. [/QUOTE] Geez, I didn’t mean to disrespect them, after NL played them twice in the qualifiers and now again in the first round, I know for a fact that they’re a great team, although I don’t like the football they play at all. But I wasn’t talking about teams but about the matches. The match in which Holland beat the Romanians was ok, but nowhere near the first two matches. Also, I don’t recall Romania being in the final of the last world championship. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/248 "2008-06-22T18:35:02Z")
Fair enough. I don’t mind the Romanian style myself–they seem to get plenty of scoring chances, they just put too much pressure on Mutu and he’s really not mature enough to handle it. It’s better than watching Italy in the last World Cup, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/249 "2008-06-22T20:12:38Z")
Huh. What’s up with the Italians tonight? They’re not their usual diving, crying, drama queen selves. Perhaps someone gave them a stern talking to. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/250 "2008-06-22T20:19:30Z")
[QUOTE=Surly Chick] Huh. What’s up with the Italians tonight? They’re not their usual diving, crying, drama queen selves. Perhaps someone gave them a stern talking to. [/QUOTE] I’m all for controlled play, but this is like watching a foosball game - three lines moving up and down the pitch passing back and forth, then someone rips a shot from long distance. Give me Brazil any day. ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/251 "2008-06-22T21:15:51Z")
Penalties again… … on June 22… The three times Spain shot penalties on a June 22, in the past, Spain failed. Let’s see if this is “fourth time lucky”… 😛 Just my 2 eurocent! (Let’s see if my country makes it better this time…) ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/252 "2008-06-22T21:22:45Z")
…and they made it! Spain to semi-finals after the penalty shooting. I was not happy with the match… Let’s hope the next one in semi-finals will be better! Interestingly enough, Spain will meet Russia **again** … Let’s see if history repeats itself! Just my 2 eurocent! ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/253 "2008-06-22T21:37:14Z")
Amazing result! Spain break two jinxes in one day! And we get to see Spain v Russia with a VASTLY improved Russia. AND, no Germany v Italy in the final!!! YEAH!!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/254 "2008-06-22T22:31:02Z")
Thank God Italy lost. It was like watching Spain being suffocated by a boa constrictor. 90 minutes of the dullest football ever, from Italy. ---
**Author:** ![PaulParkhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PaulParkhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PaulParkhead)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2008, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/255 "2008-06-22T22:36:01Z")
Yeah. That game must rival France v Romania when we finally choose the worst game of the tournament. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/256 "2008-06-23T05:01:12Z")
[QUOTE=Hostile Dialect] What’s Romania, chopped liver? [/QUOTE] They were pretty horrible in their last game of group play. Far below chopped liver. [QUOTE=Capt. Ridley’s Shooting Party] Thank God Italy lost. It was like watching Spain being suffocated by a boa constrictor. 90 minutes of the dullest football ever, from Italy. [/QUOTE] QFT Now someone just needs to beat Germany. Hard to see Turkey pull off another miracle since they only seem to have three available, healthy players. Germany will destroy them. It’s up to Spain or Russia. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/257 "2008-06-23T07:03:00Z")
Living in Hamburg, I’m quite looking forward to the Germany-Turkey match. Either way, half the city will riot. I just hope my favorite Turkish deli emerges unscathed… ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/258 "2008-06-23T20:50:56Z")
And now the world knows what we Merengue fans have known for almost a decade now (and he is still only 27), and that is that Iker Casillas is the best keeper in football. Bar none. Ciao Azzurri. Try playing some football next time and not acting as if you’ve been shot with a Magnum every time we get near you. Insane UEFA schedule has us playing Russia _again_. Erase the 4-1 from the first round – Hiddink’s team, with the amazing Arshavin ([who wants to play in La Liga](http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/eurocopa-futbol-tengo-otras-ofertas/dasftb/20080623dasdaiftb_45/Tes) and we’d love to have him) leading the way is not, by far, the one we played just last week. Should be a cracker…with some amazing footie included. Meanwhile: **¡Viva España!** Y con un par! ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/259 "2008-06-24T15:37:37Z")
I think The Germany v. Turkey match will be interesting. With the Turks, we’ll have the first time a player has smuggled a shiv on to the field, while that thug of a goalie goes up to the crowd and mugs them. It will be quite easy to mug the German fans, after watching more than a minute of plodding, uninspired football, they will have all fallen asleep. With the Turks, the ref will have a difficult time from keeping his yellow card turning white due to sun bleaching. And keeping the balls clean from the german hair gel. Spain v Russia should be the game of the week. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387/260 "2008-06-25T18:25:08Z")
Here we go folks! And no Gomez for Germany again (or Frings!). Seems they learned a lesson from the Portugal match… 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ongoing-euro-08-matches-spoilers-included/452387.md?page=14)