European Soccer UEFA Cup

Zanshin · #1 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008

The European cup is a big multinational sports event that gets more news attention than most wars.

Yesterday was day 2 of the event and Poland managed to lose against Germany.

camaraderie · #2 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008

Zan...even if it is just you and I we can follow this once every 4 years event!
Yesterday Poland lost to Germany....expected
Croatia beat Austria....expected
Portugal beat Turkey...expected
Czechs beat Swiss...expected
Romania ties France...big surprise
Holland beating Italy at half-time...will be a mild upset if it holds up!
Edit...Holland a winner 3-0 WOW!!

Favorites are Italy, Germany, France, Portugal with Spain and Holland also given good chances.
I am picking the following 8 teams to move out of group stage:
Portugal/Czechs/Germany/Croatia/Italy/Dutch/Spain/Greece

Who do you like?

tdw · #3 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008

Poor old Poland, they always seem to lose to Germany.

As you reckon Cam but methinks Italy might be in a spot of bother. Romania can pull the odd surprise and the Italians might find it difficult to regroup after that walloping by the Dutch. France are also quite capable of beating anyone at their best. So , say Italy can only manage two draws. Italy could quite conceivably end the group stage on two points. Hee Hee, that would be fun.

My guess though is that they will win one, draw one...4 points. France and Romania both on three draws at best. Damn.

Wombat disclaimer - I have too many Italian friends. They are a complete pain in the arse when Italy wins so I'd love to see their sad widdle fwaces if they fail to quality.

Despite my new found liking for Portugal I've supported Spain for too long to desert them now so GO THE SPANIELS !!! They won't win, never do. Don't think of themselves as a nation. Barcelona v Real Madrid is more important to them than any international.

Portugal/Germany/Netherlands/Italy

Van Bastan was a fine fine player and seems to have turned into a bloody good coach. I'll go with the Dutch I think. Portugal, sadly I don't think so. Germany who knows. Italy never write them off. Nah, stick with Holland.

Zanshin · #4 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008

I watched yesterday's game at the hotel, the crowd were Dutch but all the important people (bartenders, servers & hotel manager) are Italian and since I like my creature comforts at the bar I was on the Italian side for this game and really surprised at how well Holland played!

On other sports fronts - too bad I missed the State of Origins again this year!

tdw · #5 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008

I've a bit of a soft spot for the Dutch. Good friends who live down south showed me around one time I was there and it was a great experience. As is often the case with people who are supposedly dour time spent with them can result in good conversation and lots of laughs. They like their music as well.

Well Spain were damned impressive agin the Russians wern't they ? Maybe I have underrated them. They have been playing some good football as a national team for a couple of years now after another disappointing World Cup.

State of Origin 2 is on tonight. NSW one up after first game in Sydney. Scott Prince playing for Qld this game so anything is possible, he is a fabulous player. Not happy when he left the Tigers. First game was tight and relatively unexciting. Hopefully this one with light up.

Stillraining · #6 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Zan...even if it is just you and I we can follow this once every 4 years event!

Who do you like?

Hay You should know Im in there...We are a soccer family..Hope to send two to collage on scollerships...if they can stay healthy..

camaraderie · #7 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008

Fuzzy....yes ...Spain has impressive attacking (Torres is wonderful and Villa was playing out of his mind!) and they can exploit a disorganized defence like Russia's easily. I don't think they'll have a tough game until the group of 8. Should be an easy go through for them. Did you see Sweden beat Greece 2-0 ! Wow...that is an upset.
Turkey and Swiss (sounds like a sandwich!) game tomorrow should be a yawner but Portugal / Czech should be exciting.

tdw · #8 (**permalink**) 06-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Fuzzy....yes ...Spain has impressive attacking (Torres is wonderful and Villa was playing out of his mind!) and they can exploit a disorganized defence like Russia's easily. I don't think they'll have a tough game until the group of 8. Should be an easy go through for them. Did you see Sweden beat Greece 2-0 ! Wow...that is an upset.
Turkey and Swiss (sounds like a sandwich!) game tomorrow should be a yawner but Portugal / Czech should be exciting.

Missed the Gr/Sw game but Sweden can play good football. Trouble for us is that all the games are played in the middle of the night here. This kind of a tournament can be murder.

Zanshin · #9 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008

Too bad that Portugal is going to lose tonight....

(This post should bring a certain person out of the woodwork)

camaraderie · #10 (**permalink**) 06-11-2008

Portugal 3 Czechs 1

Ronaldo 1 goal...2 assists!

All is not lost for the Czechs. they will go through with a win over the Turks. Just will than have to play a group winner.
The Sandwich Game (Turkey & Swiss!) is being played in a flood zone and Swiss lead 1-0 at the half on a goal where the ball stopped dead in a puddle in front of the goal!