I just wanted to let this quote stand by itself !!!
Ha! You guys are worried about the Germans? Come on, what’s their average age? 34? (OK, Bierhof is a pretty dangerous striker. Can’t play football, but happens to walk into the ball at very inopportune times)
Try being in OUR group.
France. Reigning world champion.
Denmark. European Champions of 1992, and always a dangerous outsider.
Czech Republic. Finalists in 1996, and a GREAT team.
Home advantage? No way. We’ve got our work cut out for us. The only real reason that Holland is always one of the favourites, is our own arrogance. A friend of mine (also Dutch) put it best: “The Dutch squad is the champion for any tournament, untill proven otherwise”. This sentiment DOES reinforce the team as well, however. Hey, we DID reach the semifinals in France 1998!
Oh god, can’t wait untill tomorrow. The first match for the Dutch team! Also, I’ll be attending the Italy-Turkey match tomorrow afternoon in Arnhem. Not a bad one, knowing that we bought the tickets blind (before the grouping of the teams, that is).
And then, tomorrow… the match against the Czech Republic. I think it’ll be a 1-1 draw.
Hey Coldie,
You can try and talk down Holland’s chances but look at that squad on paper. It should be one of the favourites even without home advantage.
Home advantage, great squad, tough Group. LOL, the pressure’s on.
I’ve been reading a lot about the emphasis Rijkaard’s been putting on building …now what’s the thing called. Oh yeah, ‘Team Spirit’. That’s got to be the Achilles heel, hasn’t it ?
If that’s sorted, Holland should do well. I really hope they do - until Calamity Kev out fox’s ya.
p.s It’s sad and pathetic but I’m going to dig out ‘Football’s Coming Home’ for tomorrow night. When will I grow up.
London_Calling, I’m still waiting in hope for John Barnes to appear on my TV doing the rap from “World In Motion”.
Altogether now…“You’ve got to hold or give, but do it at the right time…”
Italy 2 Turkey 1
As Hugh Dallas gives an extremely dubious penalty to the team in blue … shocker.
Italy deserved the victory, though, and could easily have had a few more goals. Probably would have if they’d started Del Piero instead of the incredibly overrated (IMHO) Inzaghi.
A very entertaining game overall, I thought.
Mattk – I suppose Barnes might make an appearance on video but I think after the Celtic debacle, his studio analyst career probably got ruled off side.
ruadh – agreed, didn’t see it all but it looked pretty entertaining.
Well chaps, we’re jolly well off and there’s a lot happening:
The French are like grease lightening up front and Thierry Henry is shaping up to be the player of the Tournament
Handbags at twelve paces between Zidane and Anelka – could be promising (clutching at straws, already).
Denmark haven’t got anything remotely resembling a striker – they’re out already.
Holland need to buy new goal posts as the Czech’s shot those ones to bits.
The Dutch team spirit isn’t happening – still too many chips on prime madonna shoulders.
The Czech’s are very, very solid all around the park (love that Koller, just like an old fashioned English centre forward)
The Italian goalkeeper needs shooting.
So, so much already. My feeling tonight is if France’s two central defenders and at least two strikers aren’t all miraculously hospitalised we might as well all go home now.
Perhaps Calamity Kev’s got something up his sleeve…………Big night tomorrow. Pass the smelling salts, matron.
OK, I’ll admit it. Those were the three luckiest points the Dutch team has ever come across. But, as the Germans say: “Glueck muss man haben”. If we have THIS much luck in a crap game, think about the possibilities when the chemistry gets working 
France was VERY impressive, and is immediately a tournament favourit. I attended the Italy - Turkey match, and it was very entertaining. The crowd was 80% Turkish. The atmosphere was relaxed, and a great time was had by all. Yes, the Italians deserved victory, and the penalty… well, let’s me put it like this: any defender that nudges a striker down in the penalty area with Dallas as a ref DESERVES a penalty. You just KNOW he’s gonna blow the whistle. All in all, he didn’t do that bad. I’ve seen him fuck up matches MUCH more in the Scottish league 
I’ll second the statement that Inzaghi is overrated, but having seen him: he DOES open up gaps by moving around a lot, and he is ALWAYS in a dangerous position. True, he has less talent and technique than (e.g.) Del Piero, but with his speed and manoeuvrability, he’s bound to score a lot. Seeing Paolo Maldini defend at a few meters distance makes this guy all the more impressive. One of the most solid defenders EVER.
LondonCalling, I see what you mean with the Dutch primadonnas. When is everyone going to realise that Clarence Seedorf is an overrated arrogant little shit with 0 talent?
Even Davids couldn’t set him straight. The problem is that there isn’t a real leader, nor is there a real team spirit. Combined individually, they are the best team in the cup. As a group they are however not the best team. They have to pull themselves together if they want to win this tournament. Davids is the closest thing the team has to a real leader, but we’ll have to wait and see if he can be as impressive as he was in France 1998 (when HE, and not Zidane, should have won the Player of the Tournament title).
In 20 minutes: Germany - Romania
Tonight at 20:45 CET: England - Portugal
Two great matches, at least on paper… I’ve got ample beer in the fridge and I’m looking forward to a great night of football!
What a great game it is.
This was the most entertaining match so far. Five goals in one match! In fairness, this was due to the poor defensive play by BOTH teams. However, poor defense makes for a good game, as shown once more. The first half was better than the second, and I’m kind of disappointed in the English team for letting their heads hang when Gomez scored the 3-2. England started off great, and had a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. The Portuguese proved that their breath was longer, and scored three times in a row. All goals in the match were of great beauty, and play was attacking and diverse.
Great match. Who would have thought Portugal would lead this group after the first round of matches? The new favourite for this group, definately. Especially since neither Germany nor Romania managed to score more than 1 point…
England seems to be the loser for now. A big shame, because they played better than Germany or Romania, who both disappointed greatly. On the other hand, England should be able to beat both of them in the next matches and take second in the group.
As an England fan I thought we were utterly predictable, which is why the more technically-skilled Portugese ran rings around us.
The first goal was a dream for Kevin Keegan - the nearest England have to a guaranteed goal is to have David Beckham hitting a dead ball from the right with Paul Scholes running in unmarked from midfield. Steve McManaman’s second was down to poor Portugese defending - they weren’t at all solid at the back.
After that, downhill all the way. England backed off and backed off, looked terrified of Luis Figo, paid the price. Campbell and Adams looked strong and powerful, but helpless against agile, tricky players. The Neville brothers were mediocrity personified. Ince was…well, as anonymous as only he can be. McManaman started brightly, but never skinned his man once. Beckham did quite well. Shearer did the job he was put out there to do. Owen never really showed much. It may have been an exciting first half, but once Figo pulled one back there was only one team looking like scoring.
The England team looked bereft of original ideas beyond “running around and being physically strong”. Once Portugal had got over the initial shock they realised the game was theirs for the taking.
The only consolation is that Germany looked even worse. Why is Lothar Matthaus still playing anyway? And Bierhoff was the kind of player I’d heard him labelled as - rubbish. Still, it was fun watching the pensioners’ race between Matthaus and Gheorghe Hagi. My grandma could’ve skinned them both for pace.
Lions led by a retarded donkey.
You know, this match reminded me so much of what is said about the General’s and soldiers in WW1. Stupid, stupid, ignorant, naïve, schoolboy tactics. Just charge at them and something will happen.
I fully understand the boy’s dropping their heads at the end. For the entire second half England had no width and just pumped the ball from midfield into the box. Beckham !! – having made the two goals AND being the best crosser of the ball in the world by far, runs around in central midfield chasing the same shadows as Ince and Wise.
Lost all shape, lost direction, lost purpose. Don’t bloody blame boys at all. The tactic’s were F***ING ATTROCIOUS.
What the hell were we doing STANDING OFF one of the best midfield’s in the world (Louis Figo - best player in the world ? - quite possibly), letting them hold, control and pass all around the edge of our box for most of the second half – what was Ince on the pitch for ???
Chasing shadows, no purpose, no friggin idea.
The only bonus is the German’s are worse. Thought Portugal showed great spirit and great control. – probably the best side in the Group. (Keegan just played completely into their hands). Wanker.
God help us, or at least save us from this idiot. I’m utterly speachless. Goodnight.
Andy.
So I’m just gonna!
Here’s to 2000 posts, Euro! And 2000 more!
Can we close this thread before I blow my brains out. We were worse than Germany? So what? They’ll beat us anyway. The sooner I get to sleep, the sooner this day will be over. Oh, work was was infinitely worse than the footy result. Now that’s a bad day.
Damn that was a good game. Sloppy, but good.
Oh and fuck you RTP for not showing the England/Portugal game, but re-running the highlights after the game was over for an hour straight. Way to treat your Portuguese fans. :mad:
Tonight:
Spain vs. Norway: this is basically pure talent versus pure cowardly defense. I expect little excitement here, although Spain will probably get one or two goals in. 2-0?
Yugoslavia vs. Slovenia: besides the obviuous political shit that affects this match, it should be a complete walkover for the VERY highly skilled Yugoslavian team. They have some of the most terrifying strikers in the tournament. 4-0?
Good morning England. What are the tabloid headlines today? I’m really sorry about the loss, and am hoping that England will make the quarter finals. They belong there, albeit on tradition values as well as on quality displayed.
MAGGIE THATCHER!! MAGGIE THATCHER!!! CAN YOU HEAR ME!!! YOUR BOYS TOOK A HELL OF A BEATING!!!
anyway… Portugal deserved the victory.
and I’ll tkae Yugoslavia tonight, but at a more modest 3-1
slovenia do have a couple of good players, but not enough to make a team.
and the Spanish match should be as boring as the Nederlands…
WELL AT LEAST WE FUCKING QUALIFIED.
Hi, I’m the orange dude. I’m here to bring peace between England and Ireland. And guess what? We didn’t even HAVE to f*cking qualify
John Larrigan – it’s funny to be reminded of that. It was a Swedish commentator, wasn’t it ?
Well, I’m a little less upset this morning. Still think Keegan’s the worst England manager in my memory and it hurts to see ITV with a studio panel that includes Venables and Bobby Robson. Salt in the wounds. Still it was a great match, hopelessly naive but a great spectacle for the neutral’s.
I glanced at the Tabloids in the newsagent. They seem to be torn between, on the one hand, getting rid of Keegan now and on the other, trying not to be too pessimistic about Saturday’s game. I think we WILL beat the Germans – not blind optimism, I just think the Germans are very, very weak. Love the idea of Owen running at Matteus.
Tonight looks less exciting but I agree there should be a few goals.
Could do with a quiet evening.
ah android, c’mere [gives a big noogie] I was only joking!!
FWIW we have Macedonia and Turkey to blame.
I mean, The cheek of Macedonia scoring with 1 minute to go!! dont they know their place!!
and dnt get me started on the turks!!
we didnt diserve to qualify.
we played badly, and by our performance in the recent Nike Cup (HA!) we have a lot of work to do, but we have a young, talented squad, and there is better days to come.
At least we’re better than Wales
London Calling, It was Norway. The commentator went on to mention (IIRC) Winston Churchill, Neville Chaimberlain, and Enoch Powell.
And if England do go out, at least Keagan has a chance to do some commentary, and say “I’d Love it” about 50 times
We were complete pants in the second half last night, it doesn’t look like MacManaman is going to fit again before the end of the tournament, Owen managed to get himself bundled over every time he got the ball and Seaman seems to have lost his touch completely,
But…
If we beat Germany on Saturday (and face it, they didn’t look brilliant last night), we might not qualify but if we go out, we could take them with us. Just a thought.