The 2012 UEFA European Championship - Poland/Ukraine - The Thread!

[d_phaneuf]

Peter Crouch retired from England, while it's not a loss with Rooney (who comes with hair now!) Carroll, Bent, Defoe, Agbonlahor etc. all ahead of him

it is somewhat worrying that he is the 4th player to retire from England under Capello, at least the Italian is likely only around for 1 more year

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Not exactly what you want to see the day before a big three points is on the line.

Spoiled brat Carvalho walks off training field after finding out he would not be starting in Cyprus. He then made an official retirement announcement after. Coach Bento has said that he is no longer welcome on the team.

I hope this doesnt mess with the morale of the other players. I get the impression that Portugal is rather fragile.

Eat it Carvalho!

http://www.goal.com/en/news/2898/eur...ain-as-long-as

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Not exactly what you want to see the day before a big three points is on the line.

Spoiled brat Carvalho walks off training field after finding out he would not be starting in Cyprus. He then made an official retirement announcement after. Coach Bento has said that he is no longer welcome on the team.

I hope this doesnt mess with the morale of the other players. I get the impression that Portugal is rather fragile.

Eat it Carvalho!

what are you guys? French?

[d_phaneuf]

It sure messes with the talent on the field because he is easily their best defender

[Locke]

Wow.

First of all, Carvalho is way too sensitive about this, he may be their best defender, but we're talking about Cyprus here! Portugal's reserves should be able to walk all over Cyprus, they dont need him!

Sorry, I shouldnt say that. If Portugal were any good then their reserves should be able to handle Cyprus, however they have been massive underachievers lately...

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

It sure messes with the talent on the field because he is easily their best defender

Bruno Alves laughs at this statement.

Carvalho was obviously a steady piece of the back line, but hasn't been their best defender since 08 IMO.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Bruno Alves laughs at this statement.

Carvalho was obviously a steady piece of the back line, but hasn't been their best defender since 08 IMO.

Whos this now?

Interestingly enough, I hear hes got special talents....

Alves is noted for his strength, tough tackling, aerial ability, and is a widely recognized face kicking specialist. He spent most of his professional career at F.C. Porto, winning a total of nine titles, seven as first-choice.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruno_Alves

Is that handy? Is that useful? I just dont know...

Although, in fairness, I will concede that Carvalho was and is, highly overrated. Much like Portugal.

[GirlySports]

also strange to see bento and carvalho at odds, weren't they national team teammates for many many years?

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Bruno Alves laughs at this statement.

Carvalho was obviously a steady piece of the back line, but hasn't been their best defender since 08 IMO.

Carvalho has been the best defender at Chelsea or Real Madrid for the past 5 years

Bruno Alves plays in Russia

[Locke]

So, who are we watching today? I'll be focusing on the Germany and England games.

Germany should be relatively straight forward, Austria have some quality but I dont think they can stop Germany.

Low is saying that he might run with two playmakers in Gotze and Ozil working together, and that could be interesting to see. But a win today and they're guaranteed qualification.

Gomez out through injury, so in slots Miroslav Klose. Its going to be good.

England, well, I just watch the England games because something always happens. Not to mention, its always good to keep tabs on rivals.

[d_phaneuf]

ze germans are just clinical in qualifying

I'm pissed at TSN, they had been advertising the England game on TSN2 for weeks and now I find out that it's not on, working from home today was going to give me something to do

now I have to watch it through other means

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

ze germans are just clinical in qualifying

I'm pissed at TSN, they had been advertising the England game on TSN2 for weeks and now I find out that it's not on, working from home today was going to give me something to do

now I have to watch it through other means

Ditto. Its on a special 'event' channel or something. What a rip, I'm not going to pay to watch England vs. Bulgaria.

Germany are on Setanta! Sweet.

And yes, Ze Germans just get that annoying 'qualifying' bit out of the way and then use the rest of the games to experiment and tryout some new young players.

[united]

This made me laugh

MattLawExpress Matt Law
Flowers, clover and stones on bulgaria pitch - terrible. Never seen anything like it

At least there is an excuse if they don't get the result they are looking for.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Locke

Ditto. Its on a special 'event' channel or something. What a rip, I'm not going to pay to watch England vs. Bulgaria.

Germany are on Setanta! Sweet.

And yes, Ze Germans just get that annoying 'qualifying' bit out of the way and then use the rest of the games to experiment and tryout some new young players.

delay though right?

mine shows spain/chile friendly at 1145 pacific and Germany/Austria 2 hours later, but it starts at 1145

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

delay though right?

mine shows spain/chile friendly at 1145 pacific and Germany/Austria 2 hours later, but it starts at 1145

I'll have to check, but as I recall, mine said the game starts ar 12:40, so that would be right on time here.

[united]

Lampard has been left out of the England side for the first time since October 2007, with Parker getting the start. That is pretty surprising.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by united

Lampard has been left out of the England side for the first time since October 2007, with Parker getting the start. That is pretty surprising.

Fatty Frank's always been heavily overrated.

[d_phaneuf]

for Chelsea he has been great, for England a massive dissapointment

looks like a 4-2-3-1 with Parker/Barry holding and Theo/Downing/Young behind Rooney

hopefully this is the end of Franks england career, with JT and Gerrard not far behind

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Carvalho has been the best defender at Chelsea or Real Madrid for the past 5 years

Bruno Alves plays in Russia

That's your argument? Really?

Not even mentioning that their performance at a club level is different than national side, but do you think Carvalho would be at Madrid if a certain someone wasn't behind the bench?

I can't say I've seen too many Zenit's games and only watch a handful of Madrid's games lately, but when I see them, playing for Portugal and I've watched nearly all their games for the last 10 years(thank you interent), Bruno Alves has been the better defender. To me, it's not even a question.

Carvalho was awesome at Euro 04, WC 2006 and Euro 08.

[united]

It still boggles my mind that Eriksson actually thought putting Paul Scholes on the left to accomodate Lampard and Gerrard was a good idea. We all know how that has turned out.