Holy Pratfall, Hellas!

2008-09-10T06:59:47-04:00

2008-06-14T18:09:39-04:00

2008-09-10T06:38:34-04:00

2008-06-15T09:05:43-04:00

Arisrules

Agawam 440603

JDO, In theory you are correct, but we already seen the defense exposed to a degree that should worry people speaking to the return of Total Football...both Italy and France were in positions to score much more than they did. Russia will probably beat Sweden, especially with Arshavin back. Rechangel used the wrong strategy against Sweden (Greece should have been much more offensive with the 4-3-3). What is odd about this Greek team is that offensively during qualifying they were not bad at all. You have two fullbacks in torosidis and seitaridis who are able to get up field and whip balls in (especially seitaridis). You have a group of strikers that is decent (charisteas, amanatidis, gekas, samaras, lymperopoulos), a deep lying playmaker who has come into his own over the past couple of years in spain (basinas), a marauding midfielder who can unleash the long range bomb (karagounis), and a composed midfielder who covers a lot of ground (katsouranis). So why Rechangel abandoned the 4-3-3 in game 1 is beyond me. If anything beating Sweden was the key match, as Russia combined with Hiddink were probably the favorites to get the second spot. 1983264

2008-06-14T23:19:13-04:00

JDO

nowhere 206263

Arisrules, Over the course of a long league season I'd agree, the defensive deficiencies of Holland and Spain would ultimately be their downfall. However, in a tournament/cup competition, a weak defense, or a weak offense as in Greece last year, can be compensated for in the short term. And Euro 2008 is short term by definition. 1982093

2008-06-14T22:15:40-04:00

Nick.C

No City 440642

Hiddink can already name his price for his next job. In fact he names his price for the Russia job, because he's paid by Roman Abramovich! This is a guy who coached Holland to the World Cup semis in 98, South Korea to the World Cup semis in 02, PSV to the Champions League semis in 05 and Australia into the knockout rounds in 06. He refused the Chelsea job a couple of weeks ago. He refused the England job 2 years ago when they requested he come for an interview. I'm backing Russia to beat Sweden this week, on the back of Arshavin returning. They'd make an entertaining match with the Dutch in the quarters too. 1981948

2008-06-14T22:08:20-04:00

Matt L - Detroit

Pinckney 432505

One thing to remember about Holland's backline is they hide it a bit by pushing the ball to the other side so much. If another side could keep consistent pressure on them I think they would break down, but you only get sporadic chances, and you need to make sure you capitalize on them. 1981942

2008-06-14T21:41:53-04:00

Arisrules

Agawam 440603

And just to point out one additional aspect of this tournament that nobody ever talks about. The dutch and spaniards have shown to have extremely porous defenses that will be exploited. The Dutch have one of the worst backlines in this tournament, and probably will not last despite all that offensive firepower they have at their disposal. Portugal as well still cannot defend corners. I do not understand it, especially with Pepe and Carvallho there. In the end it all comes down to their pathetic goalie. In the end the greeks had their chances today and didn't take them. 1981867

2008-06-14T21:38:56-04:00

Arisrules

Agawam 440603

One thing nobody ever talks about is how similar the triumph of Greece in 2004 was to the US success in 2002 (both unexpectedly beat portugal, were both outplayed and tied in the second game 1-1, destroyed in the third game, but saved by Portugal's result). Of course Greece was able to go on further, defeating some fantastic sides than the US, but I always have found the path taken in the group stages remarkably similar. Now should Greece be receiving all this criticism? I doubt it. Italy always was methodically defensively, but I never saw anybody question their right as winners. of any tournament. What it all comes down to though is if Charisteas scores that goal today, and Nikopolidis does not have the gaffee of the tournament the allure of Hiddink would have ended. 1981820

2008-06-14T20:29:15-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/365/74/thumb/sp11.jpg 1571 CA

Big Chaco

Los Angeles 36694

I'm really intrigued to the Czech-Turkey clash. I expect an intense, pulsating match 1981746

2008-06-14T20:23:20-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/358/040/thumb/LEAH_punk.jpg 63 OR

TonyofAnfield

Corvallis 358480

the most interesting is France Italy. No Zidane and (likely) no Materrazi though. Still vote for the Italians, especially if they score first. Russia Sweden is intriguing. Would miss Zlatan though if he is really hurt. Greece is a disgrace. I am glad the Greeks are done. Could they have done better with a different tactic (and a different coach)??. Are they of the best 16 teams in Europe. What does this say about England? 1981699

2008-06-14T19:55:53-04:00

djzim

Brooklyn 440552

For sheer dramatic payback, the next match to watch has to be France vs. Italy. One can only hope that Zidane is in the crowd somewhere. djzim 1981661

2008-06-14T19:10:33-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/203/449/thumb/mizzou-logo.jpg 120 CA

Smoothkaos

Sacramento 203749

Also, good riddance to the Greek side. That is some AWFUL futbol that they play! 1981569

Five thoughts after Russia’s 1-0 win over defending champion Greece in Salzburg: • Good-bye Greece. Don’t let the door hit you. Nobody can take away the Greeks’ 2004 European championship (even though I find myself wondering more than ever how they won that thing), but they were deservedly bounced from Euro 2008 by a better team today. At least Greece came to play a little bit this time, and if it weren’t for a couple of badly missed chances by Angelos Charisteas they might have gotten a result. Somehow it seemed appropriate that Charisteas was the one to miss, since he was the same guy blessed by fate in the Euro 2004 final (when he scored the game-winner on Greece’s only shot on goal). • We’ve got three delicious match-ups looming in the next four days. How’s this for drama? Three of the last eight first-round matches will pit teams on the same number of points, with the assurance that (at least) one of those teams is going to be eliminated. On Sunday, it’s Turkey (3 points) vs. the Czechs (3 points) for the last spot in Group A. On Tuesday, it’s France (1 point) vs. Italy (1 point) for a chance at the last spot in Group C (though Romania can clinch it with a win over Holland). And on Wednesday, it’s Russia (3 points) vs. Sweden (3 points) for the last spot in Group D. Few things are more fun than watching good teams in desperation. • Your four group winners are already set. Here they are: Portugal, Croatia, the Netherlands and Spain. The biggest surprise is the Croatians, though not many predicted that Holland would win Group C so convincingly before the tournament. • The Russians won’t be favored against Sweden, but they’ll have a shot. Remember, Russia’s best player, creative midfielder Andrei Arshavin, will be back from suspension for Wednesday’s make-or-break showdown with the Swedes. The Russians have created lots of chances already without him, but his addition should help even more. But will Russia be able to finish those chances? Forward Roman Pavlyuchenko was extremely wasteful against Greece. As for the Swedes, questions will be flying about the health of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the two-time goal-scorer who went out at halftime with a bum knee against Spain. • If you thought Dutch coaches were already popular as mercenary hires, then you haven’t seen anything yet. That’s my prediction for 2010 World Cup qualifying (and the Cup itself) after seeing the success of Holland coach Marco van Basten, Russia coach Guus Hiddink and (to a lesser degree) Poland coach Leo Beenhakker in Euro 2008. If Hiddink can get the Russians to the knockout rounds he’ll be able to name his price on his next job. Which final group game are you most excited for? Please post your comments below, and check back on Sunday for the latest Euro 2008 Power Rankings ... 1331 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/194/315/thumb/wahl_grant.jpg 11 MD

Grant Wahl

Baltimore 194615