Guest CurryMan Report post Posted June 1, 2004 I wouldn´t only say that England is overrated, every country is overrated in there own eyes. Almost every country is saying that there team is going trough to the quarterfinals. But I would say that England has some problem upfront, neither of they strikers that has been selected has really played a good season so far. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Cucaracha 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 England 1 Japan 1 I think that pretty much speaks volumes. The fact that the 25th ranked team in the world can expose us so easily makes me fear playing France. And that was our 'strongest side'. I'd be surprised to get past the second round now...I wouldn't be surprised not to make it out of the group stage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DCMaximo 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 I'm sure you'll step up the effort against France though, although I think the team needed Ledley King in from the start . Not surprised Owen got the goal and if Heskey is Sven's choice for a late sub to get a last minute goal, you're fucked (seven goals last season). James seemed weak, especially with the Japan goal, although he made some good saves, but Scholes looked very poor. Look on the bright side- you haven't got to the point where a 1-0 victory over Canada is considered a "great result" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vanhalen 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Man, whats with all the negativity, its traditional for us to fuck up before a big tournament, the cathay pacific flight in 96, the crappy training sessions in 98, drawing with tunisia in 1990 and losing to the usa in 1991, it wouldnt be england if we werent utter shit before the start of a tournament Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest wayzing Report post Posted June 2, 2004 So true. The friendlies don't mean anything. It's just practice. Sweden drew Portugal 2-2 in Portugal but that doesn't mean we're one of the favourites now. The whole English side had been through a full training session the same day. I didn't see the game but apparantly England looked very good in the first half and then they ran out of steam in the second half. I wouldn't call England a favourite but they're the most dangerous dark horse in the tournament this year (unless you want to call Holland a dark horse, which I wouldn't). But still, there's a story in there anyway. England never seems to learn that you have to be there all 90 minutes and it's gonna cost them in the opening game. I predict France will score twice in the last 15 minutes of the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Rising Star Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Why isn't there a Bronze Final? There IS in a World Cup... I predict that Bulgaria will shock people, they have more dangerous players than Berbatov. People shouldn't underestimate their other players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheFranchise 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Look on the bright side- you haven't got to the point where a 1-0 victory over Canada is considered a "great result" You were lucky Peschisolido didn't start! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest wayzing Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Why isn't there a Bronze Final? There IS in a World Cup... I predict that Bulgaria will shock people, they have more dangerous players than Berbatov. People shouldn't underestimate their other players. They have a decent team but with a hot Italian side and both Sweden and Denmark in their group I don't see Bulgaria advancing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest wayzing Report post Posted June 2, 2004 Well, I finally got around to look closer at the bracketings and here we go. Major spoiler warning Here are the semi-finals: Spain vs. Italy France vs. Holland Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mystery Eskimo 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 The Japan match doesn't matter. The players were just trying to avoid injury. What's more worth worrying about is Sven's selection. I really don't like the diamond and France are probably going to rip straight through the midfield. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Cucaracha 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2004 That's the thing. The Japan match was Sven's chance to test his best line-up. I know they weren't 100% into the game maybe and Sven made a bunch of substitutions... ...but the fact remains, the pre-tournament friendlies are the chance to show Europe what England can do. France are gonna watch that match and go in with so much confidence, because there's not enough in the England team to fear. The Japan draw's going to be more damaging physchologically than anything. its traditional for us to fuck up before a big tournament Well, we did win Le Tournai before France '98. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iggymcfly 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2004 Well, I can't claim to be too knowledgable here, as the only European football covered here is NFL Europe, but I'll make my predictions anyway. England's national team hasn't done shit for years now, and they always do worse in a big tournament. With them being all young to boot, I say they lose to France 3-0, draw both their other matches and don't make it out of their group. As for who will go far, I say Spain, Italy, France, and Germany make up the final four, with Spain knocking off Italy and the French beating the Germans to reach the final. Then, since it is the final, no one will score a goal and Spain will win on penalty kicks 4-3. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spiny norman 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2004 In the random drawing which I bet $5 for in an opportunity to win $80, I drew Bulgaria. Joy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deancoles 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2004 For a laugh we could take the player values from one of the papers and do our own Euro 2004 Fantasy team.What Paper would you guys suggest? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vanhalen 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2004 its traditional for us to fuck up before a big tournament Well, we did win Le Tournai before France '98. Thats a great point, and we looked very impressive against France and Italy, to the guy who said we always do shite in big tournaments, hmmm, how about 1990, semi finals(losing to the team that won the competition on penalties), 1996(semi finals) again, losing to the team that won on penalties, 98 2nd round, amazing game, both teams should have gone thorugh, but lost on penalties, 2002, quarter finals, losing to the winners of the competition, I would hardly call that doing nothing in a tournament situation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Rising Star Report post Posted June 5, 2004 England and Italy have been very unlucky, it's a shame R.Baggio and P.Maldini have never won a World Cup or a European Cup. As for England doing "good" in tournaments, remember that in 2002 teams like USA and Senegal were in the qurter-finals, so I don't get your point. And for God's sake, England and Holland: Practice penalty kicks, over and over and over. I don't think England can handle another Southgate or Batty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest wayzing Report post Posted June 5, 2004 As for England doing "good" in tournaments, remember that in 2002 teams like USA and Senegal were in the qurter-finals, so I don't get your point. ... And for God's sake, England and Holland: Practice penalty kicks, over and over and over. I guess the point was that they lost to the team that would go on to to win the World Cup so there's no reason to feel bad about being eliminated in the quarter final round. I agree that everybody need to practice penalty kicks but once you're there it's all about nerves and presence. Scoring is relatively easy without the pressure. At least compared to other sport's penalty shots. It's not like ice hockey where the goal keeper has at least even odds. I don't like the idea of penalty shoot outs. In a game like football where draws are so common their impact is too big. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mystery Eskimo 0 Report post Posted June 5, 2004 Good performance from England today, even if Iceland were crap to say the least. Regular 4-4-2 seems the obvious choice now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caboose 0 Report post Posted June 6, 2004 6-1, I don't want to be pessimistic, but I wouldn't read to too much into it, but its good because it will boost the confidence of the players a bit. I just wish Eriksson would realise that he can play Bridge at Left-Back and Ashley Cole as an out and out Left Winger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Cucaracha 0 Report post Posted June 6, 2004 Well, 6-1 is the sort of result we needed going in. But I still wouldn't be losing any sleep if I were French. Iceland were teh suck~!, but outside of a few players no-one stole the show. Total walk in the park. We seemed to be pass stop, pass stop, pass stop for far too long...and lacked invention apart from a few tasty passes from Gerrard and Scholes. Owen was unaffective...same for Beckham. And the goal was sloppy. At least the players'll have some confidence. I just can't summon up enough to think we can beat France, without them having a bad game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
caboose 0 Report post Posted June 7, 2004 Did anyone see Channel 4's Greatest England side ever yesterday? Apart from Adams (I went for Jack Charlton), it was the side I had guessed a few weeks back... GK - 1 Gordan Banks RB - 2 George Cohen LB - 3 Stuart Pearce CB - 6 Bobby Moore CB - 5 Tony Adams RW - 7 David Beckham LW - 11 Tom Finney M - 4 Bobby Charlton M - 8 Paul Gascoigne F - 10 Gary Linekar F - 9 Alan Shearer Two notes however, 1) Matthews was dropped for being from a slower age of football yet Finney made it. I'm sure this is down to Beckham bias, but I would have had it that way anyway. 2) Alan Shearer was a close call ahead of Jimmy Greaves. On the whole a decent look at England's player history, and the varied opinion of the guest talkers was interesting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deancoles 0 Report post Posted June 7, 2004 I had Bryan Robson ahead of Gascoigne,Kenny Sansom ahead of Pearce and Matthews ahead of Beckham. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted June 7, 2004 I am in a terrible dilemma here in the States. I do not have Direct TV which show the games live, so I will be getting them on Fox Sports World on a 72 hour tape delay, so if I wait I won't be able to join the discussion with you guys. But I really can't watch any athletic contests with a great interest if I know the outcome. I think it does help England that they get France first. But you're right they are going to have to bring their best games. Are we going to do any predictions for Group play? I'll start, just like in the 2002 Cup, the first match had a shocking upset so....... What am I saying? Portugal 2, Greece 0. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vanhalen 0 Report post Posted June 7, 2004 I am in a terrible dilemma here in the States. I do not have Direct TV which show the games live, so I will be getting them on Fox Sports World on a 72 hour tape delay, so if I wait I won't be able to join the discussion with you guys. But I really can't watch any athletic contests with a great interest if I know the outcome. I think it does help England that they get France first. But you're right they are going to have to bring their best games. Are we going to do any predictions for Group play? I'll start, just like in the 2002 Cup, the first match had a shocking upset so....... What am I saying? Portugal 2, Greece 0. Hey man, www.soccerstreams.com is covering most of the Euro 2004 games live, and all on some sort of a delay, not as much as 72 hours tho. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gert T 0 Report post Posted June 7, 2004 Cool, thanks I'll probably check that out, 72 hours is just to long to wait to see a game! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vanhalen 0 Report post Posted June 7, 2004 Ive created an account for everyone at www.soccerstreams.com Username: thesmartmarks Password: thedames Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vanhalen 0 Report post Posted June 7, 2004 And also for anyone interested, this is the bbc news section for Euro 2004, its v fast, and lots of good info on all teams and games, its worth a check out http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/e...004/default.stm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest CurryMan Report post Posted June 8, 2004 And also for anyone interested, this is the bbc news section for Euro 2004, its v fast, and lots of good info on all teams and games, its worth a check out http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/e...004/default.stm Some real funny shit there :-) I loved the swedish info. Nice to hear that Gary Lineker thinks that Sweden will go trough before Denmark and Bulgaria but is he any good at predicting stuff like this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mystery Eskimo 0 Report post Posted June 8, 2004 About as good as any of us here I'd say. Sweden shouldnt have any problems getting through. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest wayzing Report post Posted June 8, 2004 Denmark can be a threat to anyone but they're playing their opening game against Italy without Thomas Gravesen and there's nooo way they're not losing to Italy without him. Italy tend to be sloppy in the opening rounds though so I'd say Sweden has a fair chance of grabbing at least one point there. Sweden vs. Denmark is mad in any sport but Sweden should win. Anything else would have to be considered a poor performance. This is spooky. I'm Swedish and live in Denmark. Sweden beats Denmark; I'll get killed. Denmark beats Sweden; I'll have to kill myself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
