Euro 08 Pool

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by aldukes

so far the announcing stinks.

great pace in the match so far.

Surprise. Surprise.

[gocowboys]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Surprise. Surprise.

You all actually listen?

[EastBay]

I just wish Pogrebnyak wouldn't wimp out of the tournament, it is obvious he'd be great in this match even if he could play for 30 minutes only.

[aldukes]

that should do it. The Dutch never showed up today. I feel bad for Van Der Sar- this game could have been 5-1.

[bobarian]

Great match, Russia definitely deserved to win. Didnt look like the Dutch even had a midfield.

[EastBay]

Originally Posted by aldukes

that should do it. The Dutch never showed up today. I feel bad for Van Der Sar- this game could have been 5-1.

You're right

The score should have been much higher, 7 or 8 to 1 if not for VdS saving Dutch a few times plus Russia not finishing up on an empty goal a good number of times. Like I said, Dutch were lucky Pogrebnyak didn't play, could have been really ugly for them.

I'm lighting up a nice smoke tonight and pop a nice bottle of wine.

[yayson]

I kinda felt this game could go Russia's way. Kudos to the Dutch tho, they played great in the group stages and thought they showed some fight that I haven't seen in a while when they got the goal back to send it to extra time.

I am kicking myself hard for not sticking with the Russians as a pool pick.

So 3 more games for Italy with a hattrick for Toni in each, is this too much to ask?

[hotreds]

Очень Хорошо!

[mastershogun]

Originally Posted by yayson

I kinda felt this game could go Russia's way. Kudos to the Dutch tho, they played great in the group stages and thought they showed some fight that I haven't seen in a while when they got the goal back to send it to extra time.

I am kicking myself hard for not sticking with the Russians as a pool pick.

So 3 more games for Italy with a hattrick for Toni in each, is this too much to ask?

i can go for that (though i picked russia as well)

[yayson]

Originally Posted by hotreds

Очень Хорошо!

indeed

Originally Posted by mastershogun

i can go for that (though i picked russia as well)

You're looking good for it.

[theycallmedan'lboone]

Well Thanks to the Oranje for getting me where I am. If espana win out... i'm golden... if they don't... well maybe I'm in trouble...

[EastBay]

Originally Posted by hotreds

Очень Хорошо!

А могло быть и лучше :d

[EastBay]

It is funny how many internet boards now are asking who Arshavin is and many insist this was a "one off" performance. Guess they didn't watch Zenit's march in the UEFA Cup and their systematic (and easy) thrashing of some really good European sides including 2 Germany teams (one a German champ). Arshavin and Pogrebnyak made it look too easy in the process.

That said, if Spain dumps Italy out of the competition (as they should with Italy now having a number of key players unable to play), a great semi-final could be on the cards. Both Russia and Spain are built for speedy attacks. I just hope Ignashevich wakes up, all the chances Dutch had today went through him as he was simply too slow and lazy to react to set plays.

Germany should easily dispatch the Turks, who really got lucky Croatia could not connect on so many and finish some easy plays. Olic himself missed a good number of sitters.

As is, its time for ManU to dump Ronaldo and bring in Arshavin (and Pogrebnyak, if at all possible, as replacement for Saha).

One game I am really looking forward to is ManU against Zenit in August, although I am very sure ManU will have a much better outing than Oranje did. I just hope Arshavin is still with Zenit then, at least for this game.

[yayson]

Zenit and this Russian side both remind me of Lobanovsky's great Dynamo Kiev side, fast, strong, young, technical and a true TEAM.

I think it would be huge for Spain if they could get past the Italians tomorrow. That in itself might give them the belief that they're able to do more than choke at the big tournaments, I hope so for their sake but the tifosi in me says it ain't gonna happen. If they can't get past this injury/suspension riddled side tho it could set them back even further psychologically.

Tomorow's match will be interesting as hell no matter what the result

[EastBay]

Without Gatusso and Pirlo this could be an end for Italy, you can't simply replace the workhorses of the team and compete with Spain. And without midfield supplying Luca Toni this could be a long day for Italy. I could see Del Piero starting tomorrow alongside Toni, though, this could change the game a lot.

Rooting for Russia, I am hoping this game goes to penalty kicks, with Spain winning. This would take some toll on the Spanish side and make it an even playing field for Russia next week. As much as I feel Russia can beat Spain this time around, Italy with Gatusso and Pirlo returning (if they make it past Spain) will be a team to beat. That said, Germany looks awfully good all of a sudden with Ballack and Schweinsteiger along with Podolski exerting their will on opponents.

French should pay attention to Russia, Domenech should have selected younger players and let them run wild. Same for Sweden. As much as I know experience usually trumps (young) age, it seems speed these days is the dominant factor. Just look at ManU, Arsenal and Lyon for the past few years, teams mostly driven by youth and speed. Add Zenit to the group now.