Euro 2004 Official Thread

Originally posted by Spotnick For my own curiousity.. does the England team include Scotsland and Wales, or is it England only?Clearly remember that for historical reasons the teams are seperated at the Mundial, but I guess it's the same there?

You were right, u dont know anything about football . Its true that England, Wales, Sctland and Northern Ireland have seperate national teams (and leagues as well although the Welsh best teams do participate in the english national division and there's a certain discussion if top Scottish teames should participate in the English premier league) for historic reasons. There is only one exception to this and this is the olympics where u can see a UK national team (although the olympic football tournament doesnt have any big significance)...

in the olympics, however, i believe that northern irish athletes can compete for either great britain or ireland.

as europeans know, it's because of this football division that the british (but not english) ryan giggs disappears from sight for several months every two years.

The reason we are not allowed a British team is that FIFA would only allow this if we had a British league. As Wales, England and Scotland have separate leagues we must have a different national team for each. This is also why we cannot have a team in the olympics.

I think the old "Grandparents" stance still exists, unless you were born in Jersey, which automatically qualifies you to play for any home nation plus France. I thought Quashie's maternal grandmother had been to Scotland once, or something like that.

Originally posted by Slippy The reason we are not allowed a British team is that FIFA would only allow this if we had a British league. As Wales, England and Scotland have separate leagues we must have a different national team for each. This is also why we cannot have a team in the olympics.

I dont think FIFA would allow, say Spain, to have more than one national teams, even if Spain decided to have more than one leagues (in my exemple a Catalan, a Galician or a Basque one). Its an ecxeption the Brits themeselves want (and they defended it many times in the past when various coutries protested about it), and FIFA allows, as a recogntintion for their contribution of inventing the game as we know it today. Just FIFA doesnt want to encourage any others who might want to do the same ;) .

But, and this is quite a distinction, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are all distinct countries in their own rights, with their own political assemblies. The fact that together they make up the United Kingdom is irrelevant. Galicia, Catalunia and the Basque region are not recognised as separate countries yet, and probably never will be.

It's nothing to do with the fact that England invented football and special treatment from FIFA. All separate countries have to have separate teams - the USA is a collection of States bound by one constitution, rather than 50 separate countries. Montenegro are allowed to join with Serbia still, but they are the exception rather than the rule, and I suspect that has much to do with geographical delineation rather than politics.

I dont think that Wales are more independed than the Pais Vasco for example, in fact the Basques have an independed parliament with significant local power for some decades now, while the Welsh parliament is even newer and it is of less importance ;). By saying this, i m not suggesting that there is some kind of special treatment for UK which is unfair to the rest of the world or anything: I am just saying that there were already different leagues and football federations in the parts of UK, when FIFA was founded in 1904, so it would be the least weird, even kinda nervy for FIFA to ask the UK to do any changes - in fact the UK football federations didnt exacktly hurry up to join FIFA, as they were already more advanced by the time the rest of the world was starting to form their own (the Greek was in 1926 for example). So now, i dont think there's is even one serious football fan in the world that would ever like to see one UK national team instead of the 4 (and never see again England play vs Scotland for example :) ). As for players like Ryan Giggs, they ll probably continue to copy with staying out of major national teams tournaments, but thats what would happen to them if they were, say, from Malta (much much worse actually ).

Hey, this is an Euro thread, forget about the English/United Kingdom stuff. Together or separated they lose anyway, right?:p

...and how about of founding football national teams of GUERNSEY, ALDERNEY, ISLE OF MAN, JERSEY and SARK ? ...

Originally posted by Al Jarvis It's not that straight forward. If anyone's born within the UK they can theoretically play for any country within that domain. I don't think the likes of Quashie recently had any Scots in him at all - I may be wrong - but the Scots can pick him cos he's from the UK itself. Someone can probably quote some examples. I think Fitz Hall was called up for Scotland recently too? And, then of course, we might have our own national leagues but Swansea, Cardiff and Wrexham all play in the 'English' leagues. Indeed, I remember when Swansea were top, briefly. Long time ago now.Oh, and of course, the team with the highest number of hooligans on banning orders from following England to Portugal is, of course ... Cardiff!

No, you have to be from that country, have blood relations or citizeship. Quashies gran is scottish i think. The so called 'granny rule' has been exploited by smaller teams, especially the republic of Ireland.

But, if i was asked to play for scotland (which, on current form, could conceivably happen ) i couldnt because i have no scotch in me. But i am eligible to play for the republic of ireland, northern ireland and england. In football terms, the "United Kingdom" simply doesnt exist, except with regards to those from jersey.

Originally posted by Killer Clowns Wales National Team was knocked out in a playoff to reach the tournament by...was it Russia??? but they did make it further than Scotland!!!:p

Hold on there, they didn't get further! They just got gubbed by less once they got to the play offs!

Originally posted by Graeme > Originally posted by Killer Clowns> > Wales National Team was knocked out in a playoff to reach the tournament by...was it Russia??? but they did make it further than Scotland!!!:p

Hold on there, they didn't get further! They just got gubbed by less once they got to the play offs!

quite right, Graeme !

Did you watch the orange c*nts last night? Sad really, to think that Scotland lost to such a crap team.

There were cars going down the main road last night, tooting their horns like they've already bloody won the competition. Oh no, hang on, it must have been sheer relief that made them so happy, lucky gits

Originally posted by almanso it´s a mess really. the UK countries are one example. but what about the danish Faeroe Islands? what do we do about Cyprus? same thing could be asked about Surinam, Guyana, French Guiana...

Cuprus is a fully independent country (regardless the political issue and conflict there), Faeroes and the rest though, arent. Another exceptions i guess, kinda justified though if u consider the great distances between them and the rest of the main country ;) . Oh, and yeah, talking about football in this Euro, what u guys think of what Poborski did before he crossed the ball and Baros scored the equaliser against Latvia yesterday? If u ask me, its definetely THE higlight of the tournamnet so far .

And of course the best "player" award goes to...

The referees!

I'm still wondering how he saw a Russia's goalkeeper handle the ball outside the area with his hands when his hands were nowhere to be seen.

Found this lovely pic of some of the, err, supporters from Sweden............:)

She featured heavily on TV...

Hmmmmm... Sweden... *drools*

Originally posted by The Saviour ...and how about of founding football national teams of GUERNSEY, ALDERNEY, ISLE OF MAN, JERSEY and SARK ? ...

Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man have got them, but they choose not to compete in European competitions as it would be rather embarrassing. Jersey and Guernsey have their own Football Associations, which are affiliated to the English FA.

Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63 > Originally posted by The Saviour> ...and how about of founding football national teams of GUERNSEY, ALDERNEY, ISLE OF MAN, JERSEY and SARK ? ...

Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man have got them, but they choose not to compete in European competitions as it would be rather embarrassing. Jersey and Guernsey have their own Football Associations, which are affiliated to the English FA.

I didn't know they had teams! I doubt there would be enough space for a football pitch on Sark so that's why they haven't.

BTW Tim your rendition of LMA is very good - never really listened til I got the CD!

Rooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooney

Originally posted by The Haçienda must be (re)Built Rooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooney

It looks like Heskey is finished at international level.

Fingers crossed eh ?

Originally posted by Slippy > Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63> > > > Originally posted by The Saviour> > ...and how about of founding football national teams of GUERNSEY, ALDERNEY, ISLE OF MAN, JERSEY and SARK ? ... >

Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man have got them, but they choose not to compete in European competitions as it would be rather embarrassing. Jersey and Guernsey have their own Football Associations, which are affiliated to the English FA.

I didn't know they had teams! I doubt there would be enough space for a football pitch on Sark so that's why they haven't.

Originally posted by The Haçienda must be (re)Built Rooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooney

Won't be with the Blues for much longer the way he's carrying on.

Originally posted by Killer Clowns yes...England's team is only composed of English players...the national teams are ALWAYS seperated...England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have their own respective national teams...Wales National Team was knocked out in a playoff to reach the tournament by...was it Russia??? but they did make it further than Scotland!!!:p

All English players except Owen Hargreaves, the Canadian with a German passport.

Actually Wales and Scotland both made the play offs so they both went as far as each other.

Come on England - i'm going to a quarter, semi and the final. :D

nice comeback today, sweden! what's up this week, italy? naughty totti!

That group is going to be interesting. The prima-donas might be on the first plane home.

Don't know if it's been mentioned already, but the BBC VIRTUAL REPLAYS are good for a laugh.

What a goal Ibrahimovic scored there !!! . What a shame it would be if Vieri didnt suck that much and he managed to save it with his head ! .

Sweden looked good against the itailians when they brung allback on and dropped Larsson in behind, he created a lot more chances for them, i think they've got a good chance of going all the way.

Sweden and Denmark have been pretty much the best teams so far - should be a good game. Portugal-Spain could be a classic. I have a nagging feeling the Croats are going to knock us out. Better not - I hadn't planned on watching Greece-Croatia when I shelled out for the ticket.

The 3 out of 8 positions of the quarterfinals are taken so far so far... Portugal (who i didnt think they 'd beat Spain, but since they passed the first stage, they might go all the way now), Chech R. (who proved many of us right who trusted them, by qualifing after their first 2 games), and of course Greece (after givin us strokes and heart attacks yesterday, especially before Vryzas scored ). Our first half against Russia was our worst in these last 2 years, but i guess we cant always play better than expected, in the end what counts is that we achieved what 10 days ago, seemed to all of us like a dream :) . Thanks again guys . Does anyone have a spare ticket to Portugal for Friday ??? ;)

fox sports world can kiss my big white ass. england are playing this very moment, and i'm stuck at home watching 'the other one.'

at least i get to watch something, but come on fox, give england some more airtime please!

Originally posted by Killer Clowns actually...Fox has nothing to do with which games they get to show...they are at the mercy of Setanta...and I reckon if you were trying to make money via the pay per view route...which team would you rather try to sell on the telly here in the States...England, or France???

true, but i have to pick on someone. and fox are an awfully easy target, aren't they?

BTW: EN-GER-LAND!!!!

ENGLAND 4 CROATIA 2

Bit fookin' tasty at times tonight, it has to be said. Sorry Julijana, but your boys couldn't cope with some real quality.

Roooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooney :) :) :D :D :) :)

Im actually starting to think we could win! Scholes is a star.

Originally posted by The Haçienda must be (re)Built Roooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooney :) :) :D :D :) :)

Another nail in the Everton coffin. Defence still struggling with set pieces, Beckham too distracted and Owen still not happy with life. That aside, great win.

Originally posted by Wasimple All English players except Owen Hargreaves, the Canadian with a German passport.

And English parents, which is all you need to qualify.

Not relishing the prospect of Portugal in the QF. Not being disrespectful, but Greece sounded a better option.

I believe it's silver goal extra time in the knock-out stage, anyone confirm?

Originally posted by Old Blue Not relishing the prospect of Portugal in the QF. Not being disrespectful, but Greece sounded a better option.I believe it's silver goal extra time in the knock-out stage, anyone confirm?

Yeah it is silver goal on extra-time. And of course no offence taken, i d choose Greece too if i was England, we re not Porugal, but we did our job, so no more stress for us now :)

Should have won by more last night :)

Great performance from the lads. Roll on thursday and hopefully watching it at glastonbury

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONEY!

Thierry and Zizou will end up pissing everyone off by getting some more spectacular goals and winning it for the French. Allez les Bleus!

Italy out too... Not that they didnt deserve it having performed much worse than their fans were hoping... Anyways, i have placed a new poll concerning yesterday's story on State of The Nation and i d love to know ure opinion ;) .

Tonight I shall be mostly supporting Latvia and the Czech Republic in the hope that Holland and Germany get elimnated. Actually, I'd settle for just Germany.

Curiously, there is a scenario where Holland can progress having only scored two points. Bet the Italians have something to say about that...

As long as Germany get stuffed by the Czechs, it doesn't really bother me whether it is Latvia or Holland who go through. Neither are that much of a semi-final threat.

Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63 As long as Germany get stuffed by the Czechs, it doesn't really bother me whether it is Latvia or Holland who go through. Neither are that much of a semi-final threat.

Tim, are you casting your earlier caution to the wind? I for one am refusing to get caught up on the wave of hysteria/Rooneymania that seems to be addling the national psyche - too much counting chickens if you ask me. Isn't the agony following the ecstasy just around the corner???

It seems like we've been here before....

Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63 As long as Germany get stuffed by the Czechs, it doesn't really bother me whether it is Latvia or Holland who go through. Neither are that much of a semi-final threat.

Trouble is, the Czechs have already stated that they're putting out the reserves tonight. Just have to hope that the Germans choke.

Originally posted by Old Blue > Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63> As long as Germany get stuffed by the Czechs, it doesn't really bother me whether it is Latvia or Holland who go through. Neither are that much of a semi-final threat.

Trouble is, the Czechs have already stated that they're putting out the reserves tonight. Just have to hope that the Germans choke.

Eh? Aren't there rules concerning that sort of thing, ie - you have to put out your best available side (even if they then trot around like they don't care)?

I'm not sure. Morally you could argue the case, but I expect that the only hard and fast rule is that if a player is named in the squad then he's eligable to play. Whether he's complete pony or not doesn't come into it.

Anyway, the Czech reserves are going to be so keen to get a place in the first team that they'll probably put six past 'em...

I think even Brighton reserves could beat Germany at the moment - except they're all currently on holiday drinking beer and eating pies...!!!

Chris :)

Originally posted by Doctor Clayhead > Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63> As long as Germany get stuffed by the Czechs, it doesn't really bother me whether it is Latvia or Holland who go through. Neither are that much of a semi-final threat.

Tim, are you casting your earlier caution to the wind? I for one am refusing to get caught up on the wave of hysteria/Rooneymania that seems to be addling the national psyche - too much counting chickens if you ask me. Isn't the agony following the ecstasy just around the corner???

It seems like we've been here before....

Did I specify for whom they wouldn't be a semi-final threat ?!! ;)

Spain out! Italy out! Germany out! France out on friday? Come on England,its now or never!

Good luck for tonight lads,COME ON!!!!

Originally posted by Spotnick For my own curiousity.. does the England team include Scotsland and Wales, or is it England only?Clearly remember that for historical reasons the teams are seperated at the Mundial, but I guess it's the same there?

The thing I don't quite get is, given that theres always the threat of having 'your' team thrown out if your fans badly misbehave, how do the authorities determine which nation a given hooligan belongs to, as they all have British passports?

What's to stop a contingent of Scots turning up, masquarading as English fans, wreaking havoc and getting the old enemy thrown out of the contest, eh? Not that I want to give anyone ideas.

Originally posted by I Invented NewOrder Wouldn't say Becks has been entirely invisible...surely he has the best hair of any player in the tounament!!!:p

and the worst penalty kicking

Becks missed at the penalty kick today Bad goalie performances at the penalties. Great penalty shots for both teams, but hell all that matters is England is going home! :)

ROBBED! We played against 12 men!

getting tired of going out on penalties. Beckham no doubt will be Hung drawn and quartered in the papers tomorrow, and rightly so. On that performance we deserved to lose over 90mins.Just hope the idiots don't come out in force and trash Lisbon. Good luck to the Portugese and a safe flight for our pampered boys beware the sharpenig of knives from the tabloid hacks who built you up with all the hype, though you've only yourselves to blame for the exit.

Descend Like Beckham

I fookin hate penalty shoot outs

Still I suppose we will get the confirmation that Judas Gerrard is leaving Liverpool now

Beckham's bubble is about to burst. He bottled that. His body shape was all wrong approaching that penalty, and the contact on the ball was shocking, he wasn't doing any of the basics. Bottler. Fair play to Portugal, the 12 men out there tonight did them proud. Cracking finish by Meier.

Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63 Beckham's bubble is about to burst. He bottled that. His body shape was all wrong approaching that penalty, and the contact on the ball was shocking, he wasn't doing any of the basics.

it's a bit of a pattern with him when it comes to international matches.

the pavlovian feeling of nausea when i hear the words 'england' and 'penalty shoot-out' in the same sentence has grown even stronger thanks to today. shame.

i just hope holland can hang in there!

Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63 Beckham's bubble is about to burst. He bottled that. His body shape was all wrong approaching that penalty, and the contact on the ball was shocking, he wasn't doing any of the basics. Bottler. Fair play to Portugal, the 12 men out there tonight did them proud. Cracking finish by Meier.

I only saw the first half but got a text from a mate in England at the end, and the 1st thing I thought "is that a popping sound?" Yes, the Beckham bubble bursting, as you said. It's been on the cards, he's been crap since the start of the year. For the best dead-ball expert in the world (ahem) missing 2 penalties like that is terrible. His corners/free-kicks are as bad, and even Gary Neville could give him a lesson in crossing. I haven't seen the disallowed goal yet, awaiting the news report with interest. *edit* Just seen Beckham's penalty.

Hard luck lads.

Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63 Cracking finish by Meier.

UEFA obviously like him, he's doing the final...

And as he is at pains to point out in his interview on the Euro2004 website:

"The target for me is always the same in a tournament such as this one - to make no mistakes, then you can go home with your head high."

Oh, and good luck to Greece tonight by the way.

Originally posted by Old Blue > Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63> > > Cracking finish by Meier.>

UEFA obviously like him, he's doing the final...

And as he is at pains to point out in his interview on the Euro2004 website:

"The target for me is always the same in a tournament such as this one - to make no mistakes, then you can go home with your head high."

Meier is a cheatin' bastard and no doubt related to Sepp Blatter. Antything to get England out for Championships. Stupid of Beckham to boot the ball at Posh though.

Best of luck to Greece tonight and for the rest of the tournament, they have been the one side who have impressed me as playing as well as they can. Sweden and the Czechs have both looked good going forward, as did the Dutch. Don't care who wins now as long as it isn't the French.

Crap Ref and a penalty spot made out of a sandcastle

Also, am i the only person to have noticed that Beckham touched the ball with his other foot by accident and then hit the penalty?

C'mon HOLLAND!!!!!!!

Originally posted by The DoN C'mon HOLLAND!!!!!!!

Czech yourself!

Originally posted by Hank Wiseass© > Originally posted by The DoN> C'mon HOLLAND!!!!!!!

Czech yourself!

It doesnt take a genius as to why im supporting Holland now ;) as it doesnt take a genius as to why liverpool fans are supporting the Czechs!!

Will go with Czech, too. Now that England is gone, I'll be happy if Portugal has its arse very well kicked. Scolari is making a very good job there and they still think Portugal is winning "despite" of him!

Cmon, do those morons think they really know how to play ball? Portugal team is mediocre, real.

All I know is that Greece better start getting a lead now; Barthez can block penalty shots, unlike the English twat.

half time now, and I'm nearly asleep... what a boring game this is, not a patch on last night's excitement.

Originally posted by The DoN > Originally posted by Hank Wiseass© > Originally posted by The DoN> C'mon HOLLAND!!!!!!!

Czech yourself!

It doesnt take a genius as to why im supporting Holland now ;) as it doesnt take a genius as to why liverpool fans are supporting the Czechs!!

and that's exactly why I'm supporting the frogs :D

Originally posted by Geri > Originally posted by The DoN> > > > Originally posted by Hank Wiseass©> > Originally posted by The DoN> C'mon HOLLAND!!!!!!!

Czech yourself!

It doesnt take a genius as to why im supporting Holland now ;) as it doesnt take a genius as to why liverpool fans are supporting the Czechs!!

and that's exactly why I'm supporting the frogs :D You are a good woman

Let me do this again:

Once again it has become a beautiful game. There is no finer sight in football than Barthez looking as though he is about to cry. Cunt.

Congratulations to Greece on a very strong showing once again, and without Vryzas up front too. Dellas magnificent again at the back, as was Kapsis. 11 heroes.

Congratulations Greece!!!

Va va what?????

au revoir!

i'm watching some live footage of celebrations in athens on the BBC world news. perhaps the revelers could get out their hammers and nails and put some of that national resolve into finishing up construction on the olympic sites, then. kind of like a big barn-raising party!

...unbelievable, that... ...riot on Jersey...

source: sport.orf.at

Krawalle auf britischer Kanalinsel nach Niederlage.

Auf der britischen Kanalinsel Jersey ist es in der Nacht zum Freitag nach der englischen Niederlage im EM-Viertelfinale gegen Portugal zu Ausschreitungen gekommen.

Die Polizei setzte Tränengas gegen die insgesamt rund 1.500 randalierenden Fans ein. Der Zorn der enttäuschten Anhänger richtete sich gegen die portugiesische Minderheit auf der Insel: Etwa zehn Prozent der Bevölkerung stammen von Einwanderern aus Madeira ab.

sorry, but: huh?

friday night, quarterfinal against portugal, police, 1500 fans. madeira?

...the same theme, source BBC News...

Arrests made after England exit.

Jersey fans after the game: The population is 10% Portuguese A total of 14 arrests have been made in Jersey after police in riot gear had to use CS gas to disperse crowds as trouble flared after England's defeat.

A crowd of Portuguese fans were pelted with cans, bottles and coins in St Helier after the Euro 2004 match.

Police in Norfolk have been questioning 15 people about an attack on a Portuguese-run pub in Thetford.

Portuguese fans, including children, were besieged in the pub for more than two hours by angry England supporters.

In Jersey, around 1,500 England fans brought Minden Place in St Helier to a standstill after Portugal's victory.

The situation was brought under control by 0100 BST.

Jersey's population is around 10% Portuguese, of Madeiran origin.

Vingtenier Mitch Couriard from St Helier's Honorary Police said: "It was shocking. There's been nothing like this in Jersey in living memory."

shameful.

where's bergerac when you need him.

I think everything czechs up for the czech to win...

Well, what can i say without repeating myslef... . We didnt become a bigger team from France, England, Italy or anything, by getting into the semifinals, but we sure "made our team's shirts heavier" to translate an expression we use for that here. Meaning that in the future, the name "Greek national football team" will mean something to everyone, and our players will be having responsibilities to prove themselves capable of wearing that shirt. And how much i love these kind of responsibilities :) :) :) In the meantime, thanks again guys

HOOLLLLLLAAAAANNNNDDDD!!!!!

Originally posted by I Invented NewOrder 006...let me see if I get this straight...Holland's top gun is a Red Devil....whereas Sweden's best player in the match was a Gooner...and you are cheering the Oranje's win?!?!?!

true, freddie's swedish and ruud's a...you know, one of those. but i've always loved holland, originally because of my never-ending love affair with dennis b. i know he's not playing, but the dutch play so beautifully; it's like ballet. i was attracted to them by the non-flying dutchman (and cocu, i must say: yum, yum!), but stayed a fan because of their beautiful footwork. i love the way they play. it's so gorgeous (usually), and seems almost choreographed. gives a new meaning to 'the beautiful game.' i can watch their feet kick those balls around forever. sigh.

Czechs 3 Holland 2 Greece 2 Portugal 1

earlier on......

Czechs vs Hollana again for me, and the best match of the tournament to be repeated, even though I would love to see Greece win it.

There is an odd statistic that on three occasions a team has lost it's opening match but gone on to reach the final, against the team that they lost to in the first game! So Portugal v Greece isn't completely out of the question.

My money is still on Czech Republic though.

C'mon Holland!!!

I fear that Portugal will knock them out on wednesday,

I'll then have to support Portugal as the United connection will live on until the final!

Hoping the Greeks win the other semi, cant have a Liverpool player threaten to steal the limelight from Ruud or Ronaldo in the final now can I ;)

Originally posted by Old Blue There is an odd statistic that on three occasions a team has lost it's opening match but gone on to reach the final, against the team that they lost to in the first game! So Portugal v Greece isn't completely out of the question.My money is still on Czech Republic though.

There's another statistic that on, at least, 5 occasions the hosting country was kicked out in the semi-finals. Holland in euro 2000, England in '96, Sweden in '92, WestGermany in '88 and Italy in '80. So my money is still on those cheeseheads:D:D:D

The final will be between two fine beer-making nations.

Portugal X Czech Republic.

We do have 3 or 4 greek beers, but i didnt know u guys liked them so much .

I had a bottle Myrthros whilst holidaying in Corfu earlier this year. Soon switched back to Amstel!!

Originally posted by Old Blue I had a bottle Myrthros whilst holidaying in Corfu earlier this year. Soon switched back to Amstel!!

Mind u, accordin to Tim here, mythos is one game away from to be considered one of the best beers worldwide . Seriously now, not the best beer possible, but i ve had worse in my life, besides, i dont remember who was it that said "each country has to have a descent football team and some beers of its own to be considered one" ;) .

israel: love hapoel tel aviv...worst brewers of beer in the world!

Originally posted by Elias > Originally posted by Old Blue I had a bottle Myrthros whilst holidaying in Corfu earlier this year. Soon switched back to Amstel!!

Mind u, accordin to Tim here, mythos is one game away from to be considered one of the best beers worldwide . Seriously now, not the best beer possible, but i ve had worse in my life, besides, i dont remember who was it that said "each country has to have a descent football team and some beers of its own to be considered one" ;) .

The restaurant in front of my house has a picture with a lot of famous mentions about beer, and this one is there. I'll look again and tell you later

Originally posted by Old Blue I had a bottle Myrthros whilst holidaying in Corfu earlier this year. Soon switched back to Amstel!!

When I worked in Greece in 1999, that stuff sold for about 200 dracs a bottle. I wasn't going to complain.....

To PORTUGAL and the fantastic football they've played today against Netherlands: a beer called SUPERBOCK !

Portuguese, of course !!!!! I hope that on Sunday Big Phil and his guys will give me reasons to drink a lot of beer, Brazilian, but beer, :D

"And the Dutch are weeping in 5 languages at least......" (MES, Tempo House)

And so to tonight. My heart wants Greece to win but my wallet demands that the Czech Republic win, in normal time. More chance of a pay out in the office prediction competition that way...

Originally posted by Old Blue And so to tonight. My heart wants Greece to win but my wallet demands that the Czech Republic win, in normal time. More chance of a pay out in the office prediction competition that way...

Just about the same here. I would love Greece to win the whole thing as it would be best for the development of football in Europe, but fear very much that it will make no difference who wins tonight, the trophy has already been guaranteed to Portugal. Sunday's ref being Mr.Homer of Hometown, UEFA-guaranteed back-scratching Portugal-have-to-win-at-all-costs as a thanks for voting for Germany 2006. FIFA and UEFA are so corrupt it is embarrassing. I wouldn't mind betting that guarantees are given these days to host nations to preserve interest from the local public. If Portugal had bombed out the group, Portugal's economy would suffer. Can't allow that, they've been soooo nice to the suits of UEFA........kicker conspiracy indeed.

Greece for me too. The comments about UEFA & FIFA are spot on my man. Blatter will probably get a nice holiday home out of this.

Originally posted by Old Blue And so to tonight. My heart wants Greece to win but my wallet demands that the Czech Republic win, in normal time. More chance of a pay out in the office prediction competition that way...

I had a bet on 3 coutries to win the tournamnet, Italy, England and Chech R., so u can imagine the state im in right now . But.... in the end, to h**** with the stupid bets, lets hit the final boys !!!!! As for Portugal, congratulations to them for a well-deserved win yesterday, but sorry guys, i cant support u on the final, since ure gonna be playing against my bet, or my very country ;) . As for the FIFA/Uefa issue, i think there's no doubt that these ppl care more about business and public relations . On the other hand however, i must say that we didnt witness referee's crimes to the (unbelievable) extent we did on 2002. Portugal may have been treated with a bit of "respect" (especially in some challenges in the middle of the filed), but they deserve to be on the final as they have played well. Now if its "guarranteed" they 'll get the trophy, thats something we re gonna have to see, but i dont think anyone will give it to them if they dont show anything on Sunday...

Sadly (and knowing full well that England only achieved their success in 1966 thanks to some outrageous homer decisions that are conveniently forgotten by the kneejerk press who strove to criticise all but those responsible for the latest England failure last week) football is full of corruption and incompetence by officials of all kinds and badges. Meier's spineless homer decision against Portugal is only compounded by the way in which UEFA have rallied round him as a bastion of truth when it is they who are the crooks. Sure, the scumbag English press went way too far, we've all given up condoning the wankers who churn out The Sun and the like. This is all a very clever way for UEFA and even FIFA to smokescreen the real issues here. It is very much in their interest for the home nation to at least get as far as the quarter finals, for economic purposes. We’re talking big money here, and UEFA award the tournament not to member countries who can guarantee that they will host a good tournament, but to countries who can make UEFA certain financial guarantees, that both UEFA and the host nation will make x out of the tournament. Consequently, UEFA’s minions will do all they can to ensure that these financial guarantees can be met. Refs know how to influence games by carding influential players for nothing, like Robben last night. They know how to basically rule dangermen like Overmars out of a game by winding them up with cards, and they also have the power to rule out goals if there is a big danger of the required result going wrong. Meier couldn’t do much about the penalty shootout result, short of insisting on a kick being retaken if the wrong side had saved one. There would have been little chance of Portugal coming back from 2-1 down with seconds to go, so the cheap and UEFA-sponsored decision was to rule out the goal.

Last night, a Dutch side incapable of organising themselves sufficiently to string together three passes got more and more frustrated by being penalised for absolutely nothing on several occasions, indeed every time they looked like stringing something together, Frisk stopped them. This got them more frustrated and pushed them further out of the game. Portugal were allowed to play freely, allowed to take quick freekicks, sometimes with a moving ball, and there was no insistence on ten yards for freekicks, whereas he applied zero refereeing common sense with the Dutch. That’s how teams get cheated out in a subtle way, there was no one particular incident that cheated the Dutch, just 90 minutes of gentle pressure against them from the one man who is meant to be impartial. It’s a hard enough game 11 against 11 when you aren’t playing well, but 11 against 12 is just not on. Portugal played very well last night, but it's a hell of a lot easier to do so when you have the confidence that you're going to be allowed to.

And don't even start me on South Korea's route through two years ago !

Bring on the next World Cup then. Where's it being held again ?...

Blatter has already spent the advances from his book written on the strength of his elevation to Fuhrer following Germany's success in the 2006 World Cup despite being possibly the crappest host team ever. A 99th minute penalty from Germany's Horst Hodentrager being the crucial moment in a game which saw country X have 27 goals disallowed and have 4 players sent off for smiling. Accepting the Sepp Blatter Trophy, specially commissioned to celebrate Blatter's success as the most powerful man in the world today, German captain Lother Scheisskopf acknowledged that none of their success would have been possible without the crucial role played by Blatter.....

Actually, Havelange stayed for 20 years, I guess, in front of FIFA, and we were back to a cup win only 24 years after. World Cup is pretty influenced by external issues, but not as much as a robber I would say.

If you think, German has win his last Cup in 90, Argentina in 86, Italy in 82 and England only in 66. None of these teams, one against the others, I think, would have external preference.

But I'm sure that WE dont have any preference to win next cup. If there's a team they dont want to be champion, it's US...

And when I say US, I dont mean United States...:D

Never !!!!!!

oh to be greek

Originally posted by Server Error in "/" Application And when I say US, I dont mean United States...:D

Don't worry. We'll be there soon enough with or without FIFA's aid (though I'm sure they'd love to see a pretty significant American run in Germany '06).

Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63 Sadly (and knowing full well that England only achieved their success in 1966 thanks to some outrageous homer decisions that are conveniently forgotten by the kneejerk press who strove to criticise all but those responsible for the latest England failure last week) football is full of corruption and incompetence by officials of all kinds and badges. Meier's spineless homer decision against Portugal is only compounded by the way in which UEFA have rallied round him as a bastion of truth when it is they who are the crooks. Sure, the scumbag English press went way too far, we've all given up condoning the wankers who churn out The Sun and the like. This is all a very clever way for UEFA and even FIFA to smokescreen the real issues here. It is very much in their interest for the home nation to at least get as far as the quarter finals, for economic purposes. We’re talking big money here, and UEFA award the tournament not to member countries who can guarantee that they will host a good tournament, but to countries who can make UEFA certain financial guarantees, that both UEFA and the host nation will make x out of the tournament. Consequently, UEFA’s minions will do all they can to ensure that these financial guarantees can be met. Refs know how to influence games by carding influential players for nothing, like Robben last night. They know how to basically rule dangermen like Overmars out of a game by winding them up with cards, and they also have the power to rule out goals if there is a big danger of the required result going wrong. Meier couldn’t do much about the penalty shootout result, short of insisting on a kick being retaken if the wrong side had saved one. There would have been little chance of Portugal coming back from 2-1 down with seconds to go, so the cheap and UEFA-sponsored decision was to rule out the goal.Last night, a Dutch side incapable of organising themselves sufficiently to string together three passes got more and more frustrated by being penalised for absolutely nothing on several occasions, indeed every time they looked like stringing something together, Frisk stopped them. This got them more frustrated and pushed them further out of the game. Portugal were allowed to play freely, allowed to take quick freekicks, sometimes with a moving ball, and there was no insistence on ten yards for freekicks, whereas he applied zero refereeing common sense with the Dutch. That’s how teams get cheated out in a subtle way, there was no one particular incident that cheated the Dutch, just 90 minutes of gentle pressure against them from the one man who is meant to be impartial. It’s a hard enough game 11 against 11 when you aren’t playing well, but 11 against 12 is just not on. Portugal played very well last night, but it's a hell of a lot easier to do so when you have the confidence that you're going to be allowed to.And don't even start me on South Korea's route through two years ago !

AND RUUD AGREES!

Originally posted by almanso my god, the greeks on the final match! i´m sure they will be out of beers tonight in Greece! congrats to the greeks and especially our NOOLers friends Elias and Sophia.

Thanks mate, but even that im tall as Dellas, goodlooking as Vryzas and clever as mr Otto, i still dont play ball, im only good at shouting :D :D :D .

Can you let me know asap if you see any bookies giving odds on South Africa reaching the semi-finals in 2010...!!!

Chris :)

Originally posted by Detweiler 3.63 Sadly (and knowing full well that England only achieved their success in 1966 thanks to some outrageous homer decisions that are conveniently forgotten by the kneejerk press who strove to criticise all but those responsible for the latest England failure last week) football is full of corruption and incompetence by officials of all kinds and badges. Meier's spineless homer decision against Portugal is only compounded by the way in which UEFA have rallied round him as a bastion of truth when it is they who are the crooks. Sure, the scumbag English press went way too far, we've all given up condoning the wankers who churn out The Sun and the like. This is all a very clever way for UEFA and even FIFA to smokescreen the real issues here. It is very much in their interest for the home nation to at least get as far as the quarter finals, for economic purposes. We’re talking big money here, and UEFA award the tournament not to member countries who can guarantee that they will host a good tournament, but to countries who can make UEFA certain financial guarantees, that both UEFA and the host nation will make x out of the tournament. Consequently, UEFA’s minions will do all they can to ensure that these financial guarantees can be met. Refs know how to influence games by carding influential players for nothing, like Robben last night. They know how to basically rule dangermen like Overmars out of a game by winding them up with cards, and they also have the power to rule out goals if there is a big danger of the required result going wrong. Meier couldn’t do much about the penalty shootout result, short of insisting on a kick being retaken if the wrong side had saved one. There would have been little chance of Portugal coming back from 2-1 down with seconds to go, so the cheap and UEFA-sponsored decision was to rule out the goal.Last night, a Dutch side incapable of organising themselves sufficiently to string together three passes got more and more frustrated by being penalised for absolutely nothing on several occasions, indeed every time they looked like stringing something together, Frisk stopped them. This got them more frustrated and pushed them further out of the game. Portugal were allowed to play freely, allowed to take quick freekicks, sometimes with a moving ball, and there was no insistence on ten yards for freekicks, whereas he applied zero refereeing common sense with the Dutch. That’s how teams get cheated out in a subtle way, there was no one particular incident that cheated the Dutch, just 90 minutes of gentle pressure against them from the one man who is meant to be impartial. It’s a hard enough game 11 against 11 when you aren’t playing well, but 11 against 12 is just not on. Portugal played very well last night, but it's a hell of a lot easier to do so when you have the confidence that you're going to be allowed to.And don't even start me on South Korea's route through two years ago !

Very sharp observations! And your in good company, the great maestro himself, Johan Cruijff, pointed this theory out, after the match. But the Portugese were better...

Sometimes things is footbal doesnt happen exactly as we think they would. And that includes "conspiracy theories".

We always think, when a referee commit mistakes in favor of only a side of the field, that there's some interest behind it. Well, what about if Portugal loses the final against Greece? What we will say? That Greece needed some external help to increase their footbal?

Recent example: In Brazil Cup final - our most important championship, together with the Brazilian Championship - we had Flamengo X Santo André.

Almost everyone knows Flamengo around the world. It's the most popular team in Brazil. 12 years without any important championship. Sank deeply in debts. Lost this same championship last year in the final.

Santo André is just a fuc.... city in the middle of São Paulo. Never ever had any tradition in footbal.

The final was in Rio, Maracanã, 70.000 people. Draw would make Flamengo the champion.

Santo André won 2 X 0. The biggest silence in Maracnã since 1950, when we lost World Cup to Uruguai.

I was sure that Flamengo would win, I was sure the championship was made this year to Flamengo be champion... but who can explain this, now?

Originally posted by Server Error in "/" Application Sometimes things is footbal doesnt happen exactly as we think they would. And that includes "conspiracy theories". We always think, when a referee commit mistakes in favor of only a side of the field, that there's some interest behind it. Well, what about if Portugal loses the final against Greece? What we will say? That Greece needed some external help to increase their footbal?Recent example: In Brazil Cup final - our most important championship, together with the Brazilian Championship - we had Flamengo X Santo André.Almost everyone knows Flamengo around the world. It's the most popular team in Brazil. 12 years without any important championship. Sank deeply in debts. Lost this same championship last year in the final.Santo André is just a fuc.... city in the middle of São Paulo. Never ever had any tradition in footbal.The final was in Rio, Maracanã, 70.000 people. Draw would make Flamengo the champion.Santo André won 2 X 0. The biggest silence in Maracnã since 1950, when we lost World Cup to Uruguai.I was sure that Flamengo would win, I was sure the championship was made this year to Flamengo be champion... but who can explain this, now?

I can explain : FLAMENGO = SHIT !!

And now the next step is the 2nd league !!!

Don't dare to compare Portugal, Greece or any other team with Flamengo

FAO: GREEK NOOLS

I'm going to put 2 bets on the 1st goalscorer of the game, 1 from each team. Since I know very little about the Greek side (& not a whole lot more about the Portugese side except for 1 or 2 players), can you recommend a player to put my bet on please?

Best of luck to both teams anyway. I've got a night off work, the fridge is stocked up with beer and I'm looking forward to a great game.

(Sorry about the short notice!)

Didnt know Shug was a Barcelona admirer

WELL DONE GREECE!!!!

Originally posted by Element115 FAO: GREEK NOOLS

I'm going to put 2 bets on the 1st goalscorer of the game, 1 from each team. Since I know very little about the Greek side (& not a whole lot more about the Portugese side except for 1 or 2 players), can you recommend a player to put my bet on please?

Best of luck to both teams anyway. I've got a night off work, the fridge is stocked up with beer and I'm looking forward to a great game.

(Sorry about the short notice!)

Sorry mate, we both were outta town to our beach house, so we didnt have any internet there. I d really love to have proposed Charisteas to you... Thanks for your support all, anyways, it really means a lot to me and Sophia :)

It's all GREEK to me! Well done but i had NOT seen the match...got it videod cos the girlfriend hates SPORT and i am trying to be GOOD to her.But don't tell me who won the TENNIS cos i ain't seen that yet neither.So to all the GREEK fans...enjoy and get drunk.I am celebrating cos i have just lost my JOB.GREAT....:D

Originally posted by Elias Sorry mate, we both were outta town to our beach house, so we didnt have any internet there. I d really love to have proposed Charisteas to you... Thanks for your support all, anyways, it really means a lot to me and Sophia :)

No problem. Got to the bookies just before it shut & put €5 each on Ronaldo & Nikolaidis, both @ 9/1. Was Nikolaidis injured? Checked the UEFA website for teams & substitutions after the game & didn't see his name at all. I'll get my money back anyway as he didn't play.

Enjoy the celebrations!

Well done greece...

Nenikekamen!

YEAH! Well done Greece!

well done to greece however i thought the tournament was pretty sub standard. lots of players chose not to perform for whatever reason.

best player...nedved

worst player...beckham..although silvestre had a shocker

best moment...the pitch invader at the final,classic..did he know the net was there ???

Greece the saviours, I hate Portugal they have the worst fans all they did throughout the tournament was whistle, and old bags/hags crying, hahahaha Ronaldo what a massive bender

Originally posted by PAUL TROWELL well done to greece however i thought the tournament was pretty sub standard.lots of players chose not to perform for whatever reason.best player...nedvedworst player...beckham..although silvestre had a shockerbest moment...the pitch invader at the final,classic..did he know the net was there ???

This is exackty what happened in the previous world cup as well - we didnt see even a bit of what we expected by the big names... The reason for that, if you ask me, is pretty obvious, these guys play more than 60 (and very competitive) games every season, its only reasonable that in the end of it, they cant go on anymore :( . Take the Greek example: half of our players played last year in the greek league, where not only they have 30 league games instead of 38 in the major european leagues, but most of them are easy for them to win, as apart from 3 or 4 teams here, the others have a big difference compared to them. The other half of our squad, with 2 or 3 exception, may have played in Italy, UK, Germany or Spain, but they were subsitutes to their teams. Which, as ironic as it may sound, helped them in the end to get the cup !!! ;) If FIFA and UEFA (and the local FAs) do care even a bit about football's future, they should start care less about commercial market, and think more about the player's health. Reducing the number of the official games around the world, is a one way road...

Saw 20 minutes of Costa Rica vs Paraguay last night in my hotel room before I fell asleep, nothing there to stimulate the mind. Colombia seem well organised, which is more than can be said for Ecuador !