oh man what a game.. impressive game by the dutch
disposing the two 2006 WC finalists easily.... wow.... i think this is a statement game for the dutch.. they are the favorites now..
great flow of attacking football.. i mean..
the french were not playing as a team.. they have great individual talent.. but they do not play as a team like the dutch today..
and where the heck is benzema? seriously.. what is wrong with the coach?
Notwithstanding the ever-constant officiating debacle... these few things are apparent:
1. Coaching is critical. Both Donadoni and Domenech are not qualified to coach U-13 rec leagues, let alone two powerhouse nations. Their squad selections, formations, tactics and player selections are that of biased and confused men. Don't like Trezeguet, Ray? too bad... the guy is way too good to be watching these on TV like the rest of us. Donadoni has to face facts, he doesn't play for AC Milan anymore, his old playing buddies are fading and its time to re-evaluate things.
2. These are not the 2006 Italy and France teams. Losing Totti, Nesta, Cannavaro, Trezeguet and Zidane from these two squads is clearly like ripping the hearts from these teams. The rest of the old guard is predominantly losing its lustre and the new guys are either not being given a chance, or are the bright spots on the team.
3. Young teams win championships... look at Holland, Portugal and Spain... there's a couple "greybeards", but the core is young, fast, vibrant and exciting. If you're Italy, why not take a chance on Chiellini, Pasqual, Gamberini, Dossena on defense, why not try out De Rossi, Aquilani and Giovinco more than once? Is there something wrong with Cassano, Rossi, Quagliarella, Paloschi, Acquafresca and Balotelli that says they can't be bonafide strikers? Clearly the old guard isn't getting it done, so why not let the stars of tomorrow earn their stripes now? Keep a few of the old guard like Buffon, Pirlo, Grosso, Camoranesi and one of Toni or Del Piero and slot in these 20-25 year olds.
Last edited by Thunderball; 06-13-2008 at 03:32 PM.
3. Young teams win championships... look at Holland, Portugal and Spain... there's a couple "greybeards", but the core is young, fast, vibrant and exciting. If you're Italy, why not take a chance on Chiellini, Pasqual, Gamberini, Dossena on defense, why not try out De Rossi, Aquilani and Giovinco more than once? Is there something wrong with Cassano, Rossi, Quagliarella, Paloschi, Acquafresca and Balotelli that says they can't be bonafide strikers? Clearly the old guard isn't getting it done, so why not let the stars of tomorrow earn their stripes now? Keep a few of the old guard like Buffon, Pirlo, Grosso, Camoranesi and one of Toni or Del Piero and slot in these 20-25 year olds.
Seriously? Theres a guy named Acquafresca? Who does he choose as a sponsor if both Aquafina and Fresca approach him?
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If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
“Scolari behaves like one of those people you lend your car to when it has a full tank of gas and they use it all week, crash it and then leave it on a side street with no gas and aren't even polite enough to tell you where they left it.”
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
I dont see any team throwing any games, especially not the Dutch. If the Dutch win today they're through, so they might rest key players for that match against Romania, but even that would depend on whether another result will move them from top of the group to runners up and their quarterfinal game is affected.
At the end of the day this is a big tournament and teams put their foot on the gas and keep it there.
Besides, the Dutch arent as well versed in match fixing, they dont have the experience or the expertise, I guess they could ask the Italians and Portuguese for some pointers.
HA are you serious? Maybe not throw the game really obviously but the I can guarantee the Dutch will not be playing all their starters and may try quite a bit less than normal.
There was a thread a while back where someone mentioned examples of soccer nations intentionally tieing games to prevent other teams from advancing.
I got my Netherlands jersey on..........come on Van Nistelrooy............I hope the French are in for a Ruud awakening! They looked great in their 3-0 win over Italy, although I expect a 1 goal game today.
I'm quite curious to know how a brown guy such as yourself becomes such a big Netherlands fan.
Man that group will be fun. I'd love to see Romania win (with a little help from the Dutch?) and put Italy and France out. Failing that, I think I'd rather see France qualify than Italy. Italy are like a slightly more talented Greece. A shame, really. Greece plays that way because they suck. Italy just plays that way because they're Italy. At least France has Henry.
Is there an uglier player in this tournament than Ribery?
Locke, it seems John Helm is calling every other game, so you should be hearing lots more of him.
Is there an uglier player in this tournament than Ribery?
Locke, it seems John Helm is calling every other game, so you should be hearing lots more of him.
I'd like to see France and Italy out too. I was very disappointed that they were the WC finalists. France won against a very lackluster Brazil to get there and Italy looked inferior to every team they played, including the French but had so many horseshoes stuck up their asses they somehow managed to win.
I give Italy very little credit for that WC win, I thought there were many better teams in that tournament.
Ribery looks like a lobotomy patient, I have no idea what happened to him. He also isnt playing nearly as well as he normally does and I think part of that is how hes being used in the French system.
I like John Helm, the guy is hysterical. You can tell hes bitter that England isnt there, and I get the idea that hes sitting in a commentators booth with a bottle of scotch and just givin' er.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
For today's Spain vs. Sweden game its interesting to see that Johan Elmander slots in for the injured Wilhelmsson, which gives them a little more firepower on the field.
Fabregas stays parked on the bench and Torres starts beside David Villa again.
Torres still > Fabregas.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
Good 1st half... entertaining 1-1 tie so far. Choked that I've got to go to a work function in the second half.
Heja Sverige!
Sweden playing extremely well and the Spainish seem lost now ever since Pujols went off injured. Swedes are very very fortunate not to give away a penalty at the end of that half.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Sweden playing extremely well and the Spainish seem lost now ever since Pujols went off injured. Swedes are very very fortunate not to give away a penalty at the end of that half.
Agreed. I was just thinking, WTF is with Johan Elmander? He has had 3 absolutely glorious opportunities to score and been very close, he has been looking really dangerous, hes also looking dangerous for his own team.
That was a foul at the end of the second half in the box, and it was a stupid and clumsy move. Elmander has made several absolutely boneheaded defensive errors and just picked up a card for it.
What is going through his head.
Furthermore, I maintain that Mellberg is actually a clone of Henrik Zetterberg that was programmed to play defence.
Beautiful goal by Torres, and bad defending by Spain on the Ibrahimovic goal, but that was a big goal for Zlatan against a big team.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
I like John Helm, the guy is hysterical. You can tell hes bitter that England isnt there, and I get the idea that hes sitting in a commentators booth with a bottle of scotch and just givin' er.
He's always like that.
Exhibit A:
I think he will be doing another Greek match this afternoon! He drawn the short straw for this tournament.
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
I think he will be doing another Greek match this afternoon! He drawn the short straw for this tournament.
That. Was. Hilarious.
They've got to get this guy into NHL broadcasting NOW.
Did you hear the chick doing colour with him? She was horrified. The only reason I'm looking forward to today's match between Russia and Greece is John Helm.
I cant wait to hear what hes going to say next.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
Very curious strategy by the Swedes. I think they had Spain on the ropes at the half but then they just stopped playing in the 2nd half. They hardly had the ball and played as if they were a man short!
And they just paid for it. Very nice winning goal.
__________________
Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Very curious strategy by the Swedes. I think they had Spain on the ropes at the half but then they just stopped playing in the 2nd half. They hardly had the ball and played as if they were a man short!
And they just paid for it. Very nice winning goal.
Yeah, 92nd minute goal by David Villa, embarrasses 2 defenders and the goalkeeper.
Rough luck for the Swedes, but they sat on a tie and paid the price.
__________________ The Beatings Shall Continue Until Morale Improves!
This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
The World Ends when you're dead. Until then, you've got more punishment in store. - Flames Fans
If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
