Euro 2008 - UEFA

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

I think its too easy for foreign players to be nationalized somewhere else. I find it rather comical to see Boumsong and Vieira playing for France, or Alex for Japan.

To me, the criteria should be simple:
1. You were born in that country or lived there for more than 10 years
2. One of your Parents were born in that country
3. One of your Grandparents were born in that country

I would stop at #1. #2 and #3 are too remote IMO. Actually, I see problems with #1 too. Take Robyn Regehr for example - he was born in Brazil, but played all his minor hockey in Canada. I guess the 10 year rule covers that.

I think a good question would be:

Where did you play the majority of your minor soccer before age 18?

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by troutman

I would stop at #1. #2 and #3 are too remote IMO. Actually, I see problems with #1 too. Take Robyn Regehr for example - he was born in Brazil, but played all his minor hockey in Canada.

I think a good question would be:

Where did you play the majority of your minor soccer before age 18?

Well, to use the Regehr example... he lived in Canada for more than 10 years and his parents and grandparents (as far as I know) are Canadian... which leaves him two choices: play for Canada or Brazil.

Take Miroslav Klose now... he was born in Poland, played most of his minor soccer in Poland, but his family ancestry is German Pole, and they fled communism. Should he have to play in Poland? That's why there's rule 2 and 3.

Lets say I wake up tomorrow and I'm a soccer phenom. I played my whole life in Canada, but my ancestry is German-Italian. My grandparents were born there and I have papers to prove it. I don't want to be stuck playing CONCACAF qualifiers and play my club career in the MLS or to play with teams like Fulham or Sunderland at best because I'm Canadian and lack International experience of much note and end up with a lesser career. So I opt for Italy to get more exposure and play in the Serie A, and in doing so, play in UEFA and FIFA tournaments. Superficially, I'd fit right in. I'd have to get better at my Italian, but many of them speak English and I could learn the basic language I'd need in a matter of weeks. To me, there's nothing wrong with that, and I don't fault Hargreaves for doing it.

Well... lets say, I really want to play with Ronaldo, Deco, Joao Moutinho and company... Sporting Lisbon is interested, so I go play for them, refuse Canada, Italy and Germany if and when they inquire, and then when my 5 years are up, I play for Portugal. I have zero ties to Portugal. This is essentially what Jonathan de Guzman did to Canada, and this I have an issue with.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

0-0 Between Romania and France. Not much to this game, fantastic result for Romania. I said this morning to my buddy, I don't envy their position being in that group, but I don't think they are pushovers by any stretch.


5 games in the book for Euro 2008, 6 goals. This tourney really needs a good game to get it going. On the weekend, there was spurts of games that were good, but we haven't seen a spectacular goal yet, we have seen one great save(Boruc on Ballack), but Christ, that's in 450 minutes of action. I hope today's clash brings us something we haven't seen yet. Maybe both teams score in the same game perhaps??

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

0-0 Between Romania and France. Not much to this game, fantastic result for Romania. I said this morning to my buddy, I don't envy their position being in that group, but I don't think they are pushovers by any stretch.


5 games in the book for Euro 2008, 6 goals. This tourney really needs a good game to get it going. On the weekend, there was spurts of games that were good, but we haven't seen a spectacular goal yet, we have seen one great save(Boruc on Ballack), but Christ, that's in 450 minutes of action. I hope today's clash brings us something we haven't seen yet. Maybe both teams score in the same game perhaps??

ZZZZzzzzz...

Interesting strategy by the French.

"We're in a 0-0 stalemate with the weakest sister, lets take both our strikers OFF!"

They played with 7 midfielders in the last 15 minutes.

--

As for the issue of nationality I don't care. Let's just enjoy the players. Don't you all wish Ryan Giggs had played for England?

A player like Deco wouldn't a get a sniff in Brazil so let's just be happy we get to see him play for someone else

[vodafone_b]

that was not a good result for france..
and where was ribery? they didn't have the firepower at all in that game
leaving trez out for anelka looks like the worst move ever now.. but to rely on young players like gomis and benzema are too much..

I think it was a great result for romania.. get a point.. and just play their own game in this group, and maybe let the dutch, italians, and the french duke it out and play the spoiler role.. they have the least pressure from the public in this group and they could play that to their advantage

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

A player like Deco wouldn't a get a sniff in Brazil so let's just be happy we get to see him play for someone else

I take some issue, I can't say whether or not he would be on the team, but he would get a sniff. He is a better player than some of the midfeilders on their current squad.

Diego and Anderson come to mind. Deco plays for one of the biggest clubs in the world, he would be getting a sniff 100 percent.

I hate the view that everything out of Brazil right now is head and shoulders better than the rest when they're not even the best team in their continent. Brazil isn't what they used to be.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I take some issue, I can't say whether or not he would be on the team, but he would get a sniff. He is a better player than some of the midfeilders on their current squad.

Diego and Anderson come to mind. Deco plays for one of the biggest clubs in the world, he would be getting a sniff 100 percent.

Brazil's 'current' squad is typically a random assortment of people they could collect for any particular game plus a couple of stars like Kaka or Robinho. The biggest problem with Brazil's team is that their best players are playing all over the world and cant be brought in to play national games at any given time.

When a club like Barca is paying a superstar like Ronaldinho they dont always release him for international duty.

Scolari used more than 50 different players furing the World Cup qualifiers before they won the World Cup.

I'll agree that Deco probably would have gotten consideration for Brazil's squad a few years ago, but recently if he wasnt Scolari's favorite he wouldnt even be in the Portugal squad this year. He got all of what, 1 goal for Barca this year? He has been brutal.

And yes, I know he was injured for half the season, but he still played 28 games and got 1 goal.

One of the biggest squads in the world wanted him to sign his contract termination papers before he left for Euro. Hardly a sparkling endorsement.

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

I hate the view that everything out of Brazil right now is head and shoulders better than the rest when they're not even the best team in their continent.

Not the best on their continent because they've only played 4 games and won 2 and drawn 2. They're a whole whopping point behind Argentina and 2 points out of 1st. Woohoo.

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Brazil isn't what they used to be.

Actually, yeah, they kinda are, but only when its important.

Right now, yeah, they arent doing so hot. But its not important right now. But how about during the Copa America where they sent a mailed in squad plus Robinho and absolutely walked all over a full-strength Argentina?

[J pold]

2-0 Netherlands over Italy

[vodafone_b]

wow the dutch is dominating..
but they got a gift from the linesman on the first goal by van N.

and what a 2nd goal by senider.. and set up by who else? KUYT..
i guess he isn't that rubbish on that play (great nod down).. but he gave away the ball cheaply a couple of times..

[united]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

ZZZZzzzzz...
As for the issue of nationality I don't care. Let's just enjoy the players. Don't you all wish Ryan Giggs had played for England?

That would have been a dream come true! So many headaches at that position

[josef]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

Take Miroslav Klose now... he was born in Poland, played most of his minor soccer in Poland, but his family ancestry is German Pole, and they fled communism. Should he have to play in Poland? That's why there's rule 2 and 3.

that´s plain & simple wrong!! klose came to germany when he was 8 years old, so i guess it´s safe to say, that he played most of his minor hockey
minor soccer in germany

anyway, that 2nd goal from holland was really great!!

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by vodafone_b

wow the dutch is dominating..
but they got a gift from the linesman on the first goal by van N.

That was a regular goal, Italian player lying behind the goal line is considered to be in-play for all intents and purposes.

The second goal was a thing of beauty.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by J pold

2-0 Netherlands over Italy

Hop Holland!

I could not resist checking in.

Who said "the only team that can beat Italy is Italy"?

[Flame Of Liberty]

Van Persie in, thought he was injured?

[CFENT]

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

That was a regular goal, Italian player lying behind the goal line is considered to be in-play for all intents and purposes.

The commentator was pretty sure he was offside. Even Ruud looked like he thought it was offside. Should be 1-0.

[united]

Wow poor stuff Del Piero, superb opportunity wasted.
Van Persie on now in place of Ruud VN.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Originally Posted by CFENT

The commentator was pretty sure he was offside. Even Ruud looked like he thought it was offside. Should be 1-0.

I am not sure what does a commentator know, but the feed I am watching had an UEFA linesman on and he explained it why it was a regular goal - Italian player was a part of the play, he got pushed by the goalkeeper behind the goal line and he stayed there, thus he never left the play. Players regularly get themselves behind the goal line (during corner kicks and what not). So Ruud couldnt have been offside.

[Flame Of Liberty]

Unbelieveable goal! Italian defense just mailed it in.

[united]

3-0 Holland! Wooohoo.

The Italians pile on the pressure and create great chances but couldn't finish for the life of them.
Holland counter attack and score a fantastic goal.

Afellay replaces Kuyt.

Holland hit the bar! My goodness.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by united

3-0 Holland! Wooohoo.

The Italians pile on the pressure and create great chances but couldn't finish for the life of them.
Holland counter attack and score a fantastic goal.

Afellay replaces Kuyt.

Hey, everybody! I'm from Holland! Isn't that weird? - Goldmember