Euro 2008

[klangspiel]

Re: Euro 2008



the only problem with france is the idiot who runs the team -- domenech.
he has been tactically suspect on more than one occasion.
in addition, not calling up trezeguet, mexes and flamini (who has only now been called
up due to vieira's injury) is the dumbest decision he could possibly make.
granted, the first eleven and some of the subs are top-notch but still, you know, things could be better...</p>

benzema will explode in this tournament. i think him and mario gomez are the two young forwards/strikers
to look out for. </p>

my pre-tournament favourites: italy -- donadoni has got them playing some solid (and attractive)
football thus far leading in to the euros. if they can make it out of the "group of death", it's their
tournament to lose.</p>

[Jon]

Re: Euro 2008



I definitely agree with that appraisal of France, they have the players, it's up to Domenech to fuck it all up.</P>


Anyone know what Italy's starting lineup looks like?</P>

[huskiesonice]

Re: Euro 2008



Not sure of Italy's line up - but whatever it may be it will not include Cannavaro, who has just crocked himself. </p>

Italy may get done for pace in defence, most of their back line is (well over) 30 - and I say that as a (half) Italian. </p>

</p>

[Jon]

Re: Euro 2008

I forgot about how much offence the Netherlands has... they could easily pip either France or Italy in the group of death....

[klangspiel]

Re: Euro 2008



cannavaro has been replaced by gamberini -- a hard-nosed old-school
centreback not unlike, say, john terry. too bad nesta retired
from international duties. he's still the best in the business.</p>

italy's first 11 looks something like this:</p>

buffon; zambrotta, gamberini or chiellini, barzagli, panucci; pirlo, de rossi or ambrosini, gattuso; di natale, camoranesi, toni</p>

not exactly household names (unless you follow italian football)
but a solid squad overall. mind you, they had quite a number of 2nd stringers
fielded against a full-strength portugal in a recent friendly and whitewashed them 3-1.
</p>

btw, this is hilarious.</p>

[oliviervdroo]

Re: Euro 2008

[quote user="ahlefeldt"]

I actually think that Spain will win this year, they have a great team and played some great matches. Turkey might be the team that will suprise :) </p>

[/quote]</p>

</p>

with Guus Hiddink as their coach (remember South-Korea at the 2002 world cup) i'd bet on russia for that. </p>

[Faust]

Re: Euro 2008

[quote user="oliviervdroo"][quote user="ahlefeldt"]

I actually think that Spain will win this year, they have a great team and played some great matches. Turkey might be the team that will suprise :) </p>

[/quote]</p>

</p>

with Guus Hiddink as their coach (remember South-Korea at the 2002 world cup) i'd bet on russia for that. </p>

[/quote]</p>

Unfortunately without their two top strikers I don't see it. Hiddink is a great coach though. They may get to the quarterfinals though.
</p>

[Faust]

Re: Euro 2008

[quote user="klangspiel"]

btw, this is hilarious.</p>

[/quote]</p>

Hahaha, this is great!!!</p>

[Jon]

Re: Euro 2008

[quote user="klangspiel"]


italy's first 11 looks something like this:</P>


buffon; zambrotta, gamberini or chiellini, barzagli, panucci; pirlo, de rossi or ambrosini, gattuso; di natale, camoranesi, toni</P>


[/quote]</P>


Yeah... I was expecting something like that.It's a solid team but not as good as the teams they've fielded in the last 3 comps, IMO.</P>

[ahlefeldt]

Re: Euro 2008

[quote user="klangspiel"]

btw, this is hilarious.</p>

[/quote]</p>

Fantastic video.</p>

[Yan]

Re: Euro 2008

[quote user="Jon"][quote user="klangspiel"]

italy's first 11 looks something like this:</p>

buffon; zambrotta, gamberini or chiellini, barzagli, panucci; pirlo, de rossi or ambrosini, gattuso; di natale, camoranesi, toni</p>

[/quote]</p>

Yeah... I was expecting something like that. It's a solid team but not as good as the teams they've fielded in the last 3 comps, IMO.</p>

[/quote]</p>

</p>

whats happened to Allessandro Nesta? </p>

[klangspiel]

Re: Euro 2008



nesta's retired from international duties. it's actually a silly tread amongst players these days but i guess club football holds
more of an allure than playing for your country. *shrugs*</p>

turns out flamini hasn't been called up. domenech has decided to stick with vieira.
just about ruined my day.</p>

[huskiesonice]

Re: Euro 2008



Nesta, to be fair, has (I think) retired from International football because he is so injury prone. Not unlike Woodgate at Spurs, his body isn't up to playing many more than 25/30 games a season. </p>

France not using Flamini, on the other hand, is a bizarre and inexplicable decision.
</p>

[Yan]

Re: Euro 2008

[quote user="huskiesonice"]

Nesta, to be fair, has (I think) retired from International football because he is so injury prone. Not unlike Woodgate at Spurs, his body isn't up to playing many more than 25/30 games a season. </p>

France not using Flamini, on the other hand, is a bizarre and inexplicable decision.
</p>

[/quote]</p>

Pity. He was a truly great international defender. I think the Italian defence looks very shaky for the Euros, in fact the whole team looks suspect. They maybe wont even get out of the group stages. All hail Roberto Baggio! </p>

[Yan]

Re: Euro 2008

[quote user="huskiesonice"]

Germany will not win, they don't have the players this time. </p>

Spain look good - but they usually do, until the tournament starts! - so do France</p>

I think France will win and the Lyon striker Benzema, together with Nasri and Ribery, will steal the show.</p>

Karim Benzema is the mutt's nuts - please Lord he doesn't go to United!
</p>

[/quote]</p>

</p>

Never underestimate the Germans. My outside bet. Podolski, Klosse, Lahm and Ballack would walk into most teams. </p>