Euro 2008 Quarter Final Results?

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Another Dutchman here. As usual Germany defied all expectations. They remain a dangerous side. I hope The Netherlands stay firm and fiery, should we encounter them later on...

[Lethevich]

...yes...thats your first one blown...

That was the difficult one ;_:

[not edward]

I wouldn't be surprised if Italy upset Spain. They do tend to get better as tournaments progress, though I can't see them winning it without Cannavaro.

I've always thought the simple solution to the dive problem is, at the higher levels, post-match video replay: dive and get an opponent yellow carded = 2 match ban, dive and have the team score as a result = 3 match ban, dive and get an opponent red carded = 5 match ban (bans to be applied cumulatively).

Either that or just clone Pierluigi Collina. It was always striking how even the biggest divers figured there wasn't much point trying it against him.

[Brian]

TÜRKİYE! TÜRKİYE! TÜRKİYE!

[orbital]

TÜRKİYE! TÜRKİYE! TÜRKİYE!

I would like to see them go though as well. But currently being in Istanbul, the celebratory gunshots may actually become quite dangerous 

[ezodisy]

Relatively easy to predict:

Portugal will defeat Germany (the hardest to guess, but I am going this way, 2-1)
Croatia will defeat Turkey (odds on)
Netherlands will defeat Russia (duh)
Spain will defeat Italy (obviously, Italy aren't playing well - although there is a chance of Spain screwing up like always)

BTW, a sign that I am far too involved in internet matters - I am going to be watching the game via a random Portugese guy's webcam on Yahoo Live, despite owning a large TV myself... The commentry should be fun.

There are 3 golden rules in international football, Lethe.

1) never bet against the Germans in big games
2) never bet against the Italians in big games
3) if the Germans play the Italians, sit back and get some espresso and tiramisu

These 2 teams tend to show up for the big games and for that reason in spite of any poor form can never be underestimated. Otherwise pretty much anything can happen.

Two fascinating games to come:

Turkey/Croatia, very difficult to predict and I like both teams -- they both have great spirit, determination, and technical prowess (not to mention the wildest fans). I will hold with a Turkey upset.

Dutch/Roosky -- I definitely see an upset on the cards. The Russians are flying at the moment, their fullbacks bomb forward and they play with a lot of pace and understanding. A mistake or two from the dutch and they will definitely take advantage. On the other hand of course it could be a 4-0 Dutch whitewash, but I will hold with an upset again.

[Florestan]

I actively dislike both teams, but I think the final will be Germany-Italy. 

Though I hope that Holland and Croatia will stop them...

[ezodisy]

I actively dislike both teams, but I think the final will be Germany-Italy. 

Though I hope that Holland and Croatia will stop them...

well the Romanians were bloody close to sending Italy out and if they had played against France like they played agianst Italy then they probably would be through now. In any case it will be an Italian side without Pirlo and Gattuso (both suspended), without their captain and best defender, and with a dodgy striker at the moment. However I still see them beating Spain -- Spanish defense isn't looking particularly strong at the moment.

[Florestan]

well the Romanians were bloody close to sending Italy out and if they had played against France like they played agianst Italy then they probably would be through now.

Don't speak of the rope in the house of a hanged one... (I am Romanian)

We played bad against France, good against Italy and catastrophic against Holland. The Dutch invited us to win and did everything they could to help us score, but to no avail. It was a disgrace for us.

[ezodisy]

Don't speak of the rope in the house of a hanged one... (I am Romanian)

haha nice one. I know you're Romanian. By the way, I am reading your E Cioran now and he'd probably nod approvingly at that rope saying.

[Florestan]

haha nice one. I know you're Romanian. By the way, I am reading your E Cioran now and he'd probably nod approvingly at that rope saying.

Actually it's a Romanian proverb.

What are you reading by Cioran? How do you like it?

[Hollywood]

I am not much of a soccer fan but since I live here in Vienna I am surrounded by everything Euro 2008. I am cheering for Spain and Holland to be in the final. The reason for that is that I am half spanish (Gomez is my family name, father's side) and I have some Dutch blood from my mom's side.

Tonight Croatia plays Turkey and this particular match-up may end up in a bit of a riot in Vienna's 16th district where many Croatian and Turkish families live. They have added extra police coverage in this district to help keep the peace tonight. So far the soccer fans here have behaved themselves and I pray that the Croatia and Turkey fans here will not cause any problems. Fingers crossed...

[Florestan]

I am cheering for Spain and Holland to be in the final.

That's not possible, unfortunately. If Holland beats Russia and Spain beats Italy they'll meet in semifinals.

[Hollywood]

That's not possible, unfortunately. If Holland beats Russia and Spain beats Italy they'll meet in semifinals.

I told you I wasn't a soccer fan so I am not framiliar with all of the play-offs rankings and who plays who.  Anyway I still want to see Spain in the final. 

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I told you I wasn't a soccer fan so I am not framiliar with all of the play-offs rankings and who plays who.  Anyway I still want to see Spain in the final. 

Spain? Why not go to the Dutch side of the Force, and you will rule the Universe.

[Christo]

I actively dislike both teams, but I think the final will be Germany-Italy. 
Though I hope that Holland and Croatia will stop them...

Agreed. The logic of a tournament like this points towards a final with both teams with meagre results in the first round, but with enough reserves to do better. In that case, the Italians will first beat Spain and then have their revenge on the Netherlands, while the Germans will have their revenge on Croatia.

But both the Croats and the Dutch might overcome either of them in the semifinals and play the finals against the other candidate. The Spaniards, Russians and Turks are the outsiders in this scheme. Most likely finals then, in order of probability:

1. Germany - Italy
2. Germany - Netherlands
3. Croatia - Italy
4. Croatia - Netherlands
5. Germany - Spain
6. Croatia - Spain
7. Germany - Russia
8. Turkey - Italy
9. Turkey - Netherlands
10. Croatia - Russia
11. Turkey - Spain
12. Turkey - Russia

(Predicting is really easy 

[Lethevich]

Dutch/Roosky -- I definitely see an upset on the cards. The Russians are flying at the moment, their fullbacks bomb forward and they play with a lot of pace and understanding. A mistake or two from the dutch and they will definitely take advantage. On the other hand of course it could be a 4-0 Dutch whitewash, but I will hold with an upset again.

The Russians are annoyingly good this year. I've never seen them look so able to create an upset (although I don't think they will, especially as their GK seems to be a weak link).

[Hector]

There are 3 golden rules in international football, Lethe.

1) never bet against the Germans in big games
2) never bet against the Italians in big games
3) if the Germans play the Italians, sit back and get some espresso and tiramisu

These 2 teams tend to show up for the big games and for that reason in spite of any poor form can never be underestimated. Otherwise pretty much anything can happen.

Two fascinating games to come:

Turkey/Croatia, very difficult to predict and I like both teams -- they both have great spirit, determination, and technical prowess (not to mention the wildest fans). I will hold with a Turkey upset.

Dutch/Roosky -- I definitely see an upset on the cards. The Russians are flying at the moment, their fullbacks bomb forward and they play with a lot of pace and understanding. A mistake or two from the dutch and they will definitely take advantage. On the other hand of course it could be a 4-0 Dutch whitewash, but I will hold with an upset again.

Wise words, mate!

Have the Dutch peaked to soon?

I hope not, Arjen Robben is a genius!

Turkiye have a number of players out because of yellow and red cards (how can anyone be able to push Jan Koller over - joke?).

Watching Germany I thought of 'Atonement,' the book not the film: We feared the whine of the dive bombing Stukas and Schweinsteiger coming in fast on the wing. He is worth supporting Germany, alone. Brilliant and so...German!

However, my favourites have been the elegant Spanish but I have a sneaky feeling that the Italians will turn them over. I always tip Italy as a good outside bet, anyway.

Gus Hiddink has a tremendous record and could he swing the big one with the "improving" Ruskies?

Champions, however, can only be...Croatia. They kept us out and their best players play in the EPL so, stands to reason dunnit.

I am quite happy to eat my words on any of the above, by the way, as football is a funny old game

[ezodisy]

Actually it's a Romanian proverb.

What are you reading by Cioran? How do you like it?

Short History of Decay. So far so brilliant. I've only just begun -- the tone and structure I have a lot of affinity for. I will get back to once I've finished.

Turkiye have a number of players out because of yellow and red cards (how can anyone be able to push Jan Koller over - joke?).

bloody hell I forgot that Volkan is out. He was in the running to be GK of the tournament until that moment of madness at the end

[Renfield]

Actually it's a Romanian proverb.

Greek proverb, too. I wonder who stole it from whom.

As far as the Euro goes, I was just satisfied that our team got served like they deserved to; no pun intended.

The rest of it can play out however it wants, I don't mind.