That anthem is terrific, "Ukraine has not yet perished, at least so far. It's early doors. Schevo scored, yet the sword may fall. Any given 90 minutes may be our last. Perhaps we will be remembered. Or do we pray, o do we dare hope, that we emerge from the group stage unshamed with our heads and our bodies still connected, however tenuously."
What have we got today? Greece and Czech Rep? Czechs, please. Poland v Russia? Come on you Polandses.
How about a Greece v Spain final before the entire Euro project tumbles into the abyss? If they fail to score, even in penalties, we can send Angela Merkel out with bags of cash and declare them joint winners.
How about a Greece v Spain final before the entire Euro project tumbles into the abyss? If they fail to score, even in penalties, we can send Angela Merkel out with bags of cash and declare them joint winners.
For the win! haha
Too bad Greece played as well as their Economy is doing.
Last edited by Blue Train; June-12th-2012 at 12:59 PM.
"There are two kinds of music. Good music, and the other kind."
- Duke Ellington
“Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.”
- George Bernard Shaw
"As iron is eaten away by rust, so the envious are consumed by their own passion."
Poland v. Russia is looking like it's going to be intense. They're expecting 20,000 Russians to attend and 5,000 are supposedly going to march to the stadium. It's also Russia Day.
"There are two kinds of music. Good music, and the other kind."
- Duke Ellington
“Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.”
- George Bernard Shaw
"As iron is eaten away by rust, so the envious are consumed by their own passion."
Chelsea Football Club Does Not Fire Manager
Monte Smith Sports News
Chelsea Football Club was left in disarray yesterday when it was announced that caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo would not be fired in the aftermath of winning the Champions League and the FA Cup. Supporters were in a state of shock that the successful manager would be staying.
"A club needs consistency and stability," said one local fan in Singapore. "This is no time to show loyalty."
Indeed, Di Matteo becomes the first manager not to be fired by Chelsea since 2007.
"I'll get my coat...WHAT? I'm staying?!"
On his missile-proof yacht hovering above Gstaad, Switzerland, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was enjoying his magnanimity. "Horror show," he told an assembly of gun-toting stooges.
Plucky Chelsea skipper John Terry was quick to defend the not-leaving Di Matteo. "I'm glad that Bobby is staying," said Terry. "He's the man that we need to build on the many successes that I have made possible."
Fernando Torres was also interviewed for this story, but most of his responses went wide of the mark.
The bookies were making former Barcelona man Pep Guardiola and Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez early favorites to replace Di Matteo before reading this article and now they don't know what to do.
Though I picked Germany to win this thing , yesterdays game Spain v. Ireland made me think two things. 1st. Spain is only going to get better as this tournament progresses. They were actually getting pissed off when Ireland took the ball away for the two minutes out of the 90. 2nd , Ireland , really didn't have any business being on the same pitch with them, it was almost an exhibition match. The Irish fans were awesome through it all.
EDIT:
I wasn't able to see the Spain v. Italy match. But I was put into a mild shock yesterday when I saw the Italians line up with a 3 man back line. Shit does happen.
I didn't see the whole of the Spain v Ireland match, but I did see enough. Enough was a look that crossed John O' Shea's face after the third goal. Ireland ain't United.
Not wanting to get carried away but it was encouraging to see the Youth of England score those goals. As identical as the first goal was to the goal that was scored against France , bravo to Carol , that was a man's goal , a hard goal , my only hope is that Gerrard and Carol don't do that for Liverpool.
Again I don't want to get carried away . But all credit to the manager . This amalgamation doesn't look lost. Maybe the best thing that has happened is not having to force a Lampard - Gerrard combo in the middle.
Walcott was very good as a substitute. He's perfect to put in after an hour with that great pace. His goal was direct and uncomplicated, but his making of Wellbeck's goal was as courageous a piece of play as I've seen from England. Very encouraging. However, there were a few real chances squandered at the end. This could have been a 4-2 game. Good fight back from England.
I can't help but saying it again. This has been one hell of a great tournament. Maybe I don't remember correctly , but I don't recall the dynamics involved for advancement for every group being decided on the last day. I could very well be wrong about this but even my friends and the people I watch the games with are saying the same thing. It's been great.
I can't help but saying it again. This has been one hell of a great tournament. Maybe I don't remember correctly , but I don't recall the dynamics involved for advancement for every group being decided on the last day. I could very well be wrong about this but even my friends and the people I watch the games with are saying the same thing. It's been great.
Don't worry, there is nothing that EUFA get right that they cannot ruin very easily. The next tournament will be expanded to 24 teams so that the quality is watered down and the bigger teams will get through the first round easier.
Regarding England - the quality just isn't there, but things bode well for the future, with the likes of Welbeck certainly surprising with his maturity. Great to see them do better than expected however they will come apart as soon as they play a decent team.
How about a Greece v Spain final before the entire Euro project tumbles into the abyss? If they fail to score, even in penalties, we can send Angela Merkel out with bags of cash and declare them joint winners.
How do you like Germany vs Greece for a quarter final, Monte? I am gonna root for the Greek but imho they need a lot of luck to win it.
Starting tomorrow is when the rubber hits the road.
Chex v. Portugal. Portugal by penalties.
Germany v. Greece. This game has so many different angels to it. It has the makings of an upset written all over it. As little as the Greeks score , they don't give up many goals either. In the end Germany.
France v. Spain . Spain. Not because Spain has been so overwhelming , but I don't think France can match the intensity of Croatia.
Italy v. England. The British press is acting like it's so much easier to play against Italy as opposed to Spain. I don't see it that way. In the end I think England wins. Like Germany , the Italians are a great tournament team.
This fucking FIFA. And worse yet is Platini at UEFA.
I still don't understand what that line ref. is there for. If there was one time that a ref. could , should have made a call , it was that goal for the Ukraine. Even without the benefit of slow motion , that was easy for the naked eye to see.
I don't like the idea of tech. being part of the game. But they put those guys there for something and in this case they failed. In the course of a 38 game season these things may work themselves out. But in a one off game.............. it leaves a lot to be desired.
At PT today they had soccer on. These players fake injuries so blatantly that it's impossible to take these games seriously. I realize it's the world's most popular sport but what the hell, rap is the most popular music these days.
At PT today they had soccer on. These players fake injuries so blatantly that it's impossible to take these games seriously. I realize it's the world's most popular sport but what the hell, rap is the most popular music these days.
Grrr. clint is the third American I have heard in two weeks claim that soccer is a sport horribly disfigured by cheats who fake injuries. I honestly don't know what to say. These critics seem to see a game where faking injuries is so common that only a fool couldn't see it. I don't see it. I ask for a specific example and they wave their arm broadly against the game in general.
Portugal didn't show a lot today in beating the Czechs. Either they raise their game by a lot or I don't see them beating anything but an equally dispirited team in the semis.
Tomorrow--the markets are spooked--as it is a sure thing that either Germany or Greece are leaving the Euro(s) zone.
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Originally Posted by Monte Smith
