European Tribune - Comments - Euro 2008 knockout stage

Euro 2008 knockout stage | 57 comments (57 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 1)

Well, I got the order in two groups right and only had one team in the quarterfinals that didn't make the cut (the Czechs, who were dissapointing but almost made it, instead of Turkey). Not too bad.

But the rest of my predictions are in tatters, so here are the new ones.

Portugal - Germany: 2-0
Croatia - Turkey: 3-1
Netherlands - Russia: 3-1
Spain - Italy: 2-1

Semis:

Croatia beat Portugal
Netherlands beat Spain

Final:

Netherlands wins.

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 08:31:19 AM EST

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 0)

What he said.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 08:32:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 0)

Migeru:

Group A: Czech Republic, Portugal.
Group B: Germany, Croatia.
Group C: France, Italy.
Group D: Spain, Russia.

I was disappointed by CZ (I thought they'd win!) and I was impressed by the Netherlands.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 08:35:13 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 0)

Me, too.

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 08:39:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 0)

I agree with your predictions except that the cynic in me predicts Italy 1-0 or even 0-0 going through in penalties.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 08:41:00 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 1)

Italy's defense is far from perfect, so I see Spain at least scoring one. Plus, Pirlo is out and he was the only constantly good player in all three matches aside of Buffon. Gattuso is also out and he was quite good in the last match.

Spain should avoid getting a red card. Better to let Italy score one.

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 08:50:17 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 0)

brilliant..

And Spain fails in QF... ej ejje

A pleasure

I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude

by kcurie on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 10:38:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 0)

Interesting that only I pick Turkey vs. Croatia. But Croatia failed to impress me. Meanwhile, Fatih Terim corrected his biggest lineup mistakes from the first match (except for playing Emre Aşık), Arda is great, Rüştü should be no worse than Volkan, and no way this team will be shaken by being behind.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 09:18:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 0)

You know, I find lots of satisfaction in Croatia doing well because it shuts up all those idiots who were decrying the fact that they qualified over England. I bet they're more entertaining to watch.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 09:21:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 0)

There were idiots decrying the fact that Croatia qualified over England? Not Russia?

About more impressive play, I am ambiguous. England today has not much to provide for impressive play beyond Rooney (the much decried Beckham at least made an art of long passes, underappreciated at home). However, Croatia can combine impressive ball control with abysmal brutality. And they had some notable bad matches recently (drawing with Russia 0-0 twice, or the 1-1 preparatory match against Hungary with Nico Kovać scoring for both sides...).

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 09:28:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 0)

Yes, Croatia and England were in the same qualifying group.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 09:38:49 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 1)

Croatia, England and Russia were in the same group. Croatia was in the lead, the question was whether Russia or England will finish second. Russia was against the wall, then lost to Israel, but Cratia 'saved' them by beating England in Wembley. For which reason, many commentators said that Russia was only lucky and some speculated that a superior Croatia drew against them but beat England on purpose. I hear of England fans' low views of Croatia's capabilities for the first time from you.

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 09:50:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 0)

Hmm, I forgot about Russia. But the thing is, England was playing Croatia at home in Wembley and lost 2-3. The last game by Russia was a victory in Andorra.

Somehow, that's the impression I got from watching some of the Euro2008 coverage on BBC: they asked the Croatian coach about England, but they didn't ask Hiddink.

I was not really paying attention to the qualifying so I assumed when Croatia beat England they were competing for a qualifying slot, when clearly they were not.

Oh well.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Migeru (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 10:12:45 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 1)

Croatia 1st (29 pts), Russia 2nd (24 pts), England 3rd on goals before Israel (both 23 pts). Croatia also finishes 1st in the group with 9 pts (admittedly, the weakest of the groups). At some point you have to recognise that they don't lose a lot of matches.

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 09:53:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (4.00 / 2)

Croatia have a very good defense. They only allowed one goal and that was IIRC Podolski firing in a volley from outside the penalty box and through a forest of legs. I predict that Turkey will try playing it with heart and will run into a well-set trap.

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 09:45:51 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 1)

So, you think Croatia the new Italy?

However, the most attacking football Croatia has been faced by in Group B, IMO, was (surprisingly) from Austria, and I think only nervousness near the goal prevented Austria from scoring. That defence trap could collapse like Greece's (and Sweden's).

*Traitor*, n.
A benighted individual who perceives an illusory distinction between serving his nation and abetting the criminals who govern it.

by DoDo on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 10:05:23 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Euro 2008 knockout stage (none / 0)

Well, Greece really overdid it by putting up 5 defenders in their first match. If you have a good defense, you don't need 5 defenders. Croatia plays 4-4-2 with two attacking midfielders. So I don't think Croatia is going to play purely on the counter. I do think that they are going to play cautiously.

by nanne (zwaerdenmaecker@gmail.com) on Thu Jun 19th, 2008 at 11:15:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Euro 2008 knockout stage | 57 comments (57 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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