The Euro 2008 Blog

2008-09-10T06:59:57-04:00

The Euro 2008 Blog

2008-06-05T22:40:22-04:00

2008-09-10T06:38:35-04:00

2008-06-11T11:38:07-04:00

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Notorious O.T.T.

Hattiesburg 437245

Either way, I'm done talking about Italy, We will see what happens the rest of the group stage. But I will say this, If they make it out, they will probably be in second. Check the seedings I believe that this means that they will have to play spain, If all goes according to plan, in the quarters. This is not good for Italy, because obviously they struggled with the dutch counter attack and after the countering clinic the spanish put on yesterday I don't suppose that the Italians can be too happy about the prospect. Either way I think we can all agree on this.....Thank god sweden beat greece yesterday because the greek display of negative soccer was ugly and sad. 1955352

2008-06-11T11:33:33-04:00

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Notorious O.T.T.

Hattiesburg 437245

hahaha whatever Garibaldi....1) yes, the Italians played more open than expected, bravo, for 3 ressons. first, because they decide before the game to try and take advantage of a supposedly weak dutch defense that has sent out a player who had played midfield all year in Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and a guy who hadn't even been on a team since like last october in bouharouz, it was a good call. But if you notice after toni missed the early header they seemed to sort of abandon the strategy and play back. Until the questionable and lucky nistelrooy goal, toni was often the only italian player on the dutch side of the field. Secondly, and this ties into the first, is that they wanted on the board so that they could play the style of football they have the most success with, which is defensive. With a lead they would have figured to sit back and absorb the dutch attack. Yes, normaly they defend first and attack 2nd the reversal was smart it just didn't work out. But the essense of the Italian game was still the same. Lastly, after the first goal the reason they went more open is obvious, YOU CAN'T PLAY DEFENSE WHEN YOU'RE LOSING. The openess of their play was to try and catch up. 2) If you check again I did not get EVERYTHING wrong as you say. Again I thought they would play more defensively they didn't, but they did have a lot of mental collapses as I predicted and their old legs hurt them as predicted...did you see zambrotta get circles run around him? Yes, as with any score prediction I got lucky but I reiterate the analysis of the team psychologically was correct. 3) you can place the blame wherever you want, even though at this point you are splitting hairs, a lot of your analysis is correct and I agree with a lot of it, but the fact is that they got unlucky in some respects but they mostly got stomped. The dutch counterattacking game could seemingly have scored goals at will in the second half. 4) I don't know how my typo is related to my knowledge of european history but I'm quite familiar with garibaldi, namely because as a latino I learned about his help during the uruguayo independance movement. Howeve, I'm know that garibaldi is often reffered to as the Italian Otto van Bismark for his work in the creation of the modern Italian republic. I'm sure you will find yet another way of questioning this but it doen't matter. 5) since you are so keen to ask pointed questions let me ask you one. Are you an Italian or just a fan of Italian soccer? And if you are Italian, are you really Italian? Do speak Italian? Have you been to Italy? Or are you just another guy with a vowel at the end of his last name and a "gotti Blowout," haircut who fancies himself as the hottest Italian export since Monica Bellucci? 1955274

2008-06-10T13:50:22-04:00

Garibaldi

Oreland 438385

Wow, you sure answer quickly, you must live on these boards. How sad. You got EVERYTHING wrong in your "analysis", and got lucky guessing the score. A chimp might have done as well. Instead of a closed Italian Catennacio contest as you predicted, Italy featured a non-existent defense (except for Buffon) that made Holland looked unopposed, and the attack was truly unlucky not get a least a goal in the second half. They did not fold up put played an open game. Possession was 50-50 in the end. Of course it was a rout, but it was also sparked psychologically by an unlucky break on a questionable call (don't start with the BS the Austrians put out, they're just covering their rears; Panucci did not voluntarily step out of bounds). So well done, Oranje. PS it wasn't a typo I was pointing out, but your ignorance of european history. 1947118

2008-06-10T00:30:32-04:00

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Notorious O.T.T.

Hattiesburg 437245

haha first of all calm down sweetheart. 1) I don't hate the italians at all, never haver never will. But I do hate the way they play soccer and as you so vehemently stated in your reply THEY DON'T PLAY WELL WHEN THEY ARE THE FRONT RUNNERS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T HANDLE IT MENTALLY....which exactly what I have been saying all along, not the front runner part, but the fact that they were not mentally ready for this game or tournament. So yes my score prediction was a GUESS, but it was a D*** good one based on the analysis I made of the Italian team. 2) yes the italian team played well at times and made a lot of chances on which they faltered. But the shots on goal don't matter if the score shows zero...and check the break down btw because all of their vaunted shots on goal happened in the second half when holland was sitting back to hold a 2-0 lead. They had exactly 2 shots on goal in the first half..holland had 8. 3) the dutch definetly fauled a lot too, they often do in big games ( SEE: portugal v. holland '06). But how many of them came from pissin' and moanin' at the refs??? 4) so I'm sorry mr. Garibaldi (jeez crucify me for a type-o) that your pride was hurt today. I genuinely hope your right that this helps them improve because after what I saw of France and Romania I really don't care to see either one of those teams continue with any of that bull**** any further. 1942752

2008-06-09T23:04:33-04:00

Garibaldi

Oreland 438385

Notorius, "Mr. Girbaldi" was out for a little while participating in life. But I stopped in and said you were right, now you want props? For guessing right? I congratulate Holland and its fans on a beautiful game that was fully deserved and then some, but I'm not sure where you fit in the picture, or what credit you deserve. YOU GUESSED. That's all. And you admitted it. So congrats for guessing based on your dislike of an ethnic group and its stereotype. Now, rather than blather away here you should go out, find an Italian guy your size, and tell him to his face that he has no courage. BTW, Garibaldi had it in spades; I don't know about Girbaldi though (Hello? Education?) How???s that for props? Now on to sport. The only thing you got right was that Italy sorely missed Cannavaro, and Buffon was out chasing butterflies. Incredible. Even Pirlo was trying to make up for the defensive lapses. However, no one can say Italy created no chances, or that they just gave up; the total number of on target shots was about the same by the end if I???m not mistaken (except that Holland couldn???t help but sink them. Van Der Sar was plenty busy and he had a good night. And speaking of tantrums, I believe the Dutch commited twice as many fouls, look it up. So as an Italy fan, I would say maybe adjust the line up (Ambrosini instead of De Rossi? WTF), etc. But really, Italy needs to lose any trace of cockiness their status as champions brings. Contrary to N???s cowardly insult, they only seem to do well as underdogs with low expectations (WC82, Euro 2000, even the weight of scandal in 2006). Zoff kept them humble in 2000, Lippi kept them humble AND motivated in 2006...that???s what they thrive on. And maybe a little luck wouldn???t hurt. 1942319

2008-06-09T22:47:55-04:00

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Notorious O.T.T.

Hattiesburg 437245

and yes france romania was horrible...absolutely horrible football and I see much of the same for Italy romania...Italy will be keen to not give up anymore goals and romania will do the same. 1942107

2008-06-09T22:36:31-04:00

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Notorious O.T.T.

Hattiesburg 437245

yeah as far as the rule goes I'm not as well versed as you so I'll take your word for it.,,,And I didn't say that the two goals weren't well earned they were brilliant, the 2nd especially was the definition of a counter-attack. What I stated is that holland played well but they weren't great by any stretch of the imagination. They played good solid soccer and had some great luck on opportunities. The Italians played well for most of the game and we very lively indeed and had opportunities also but my whole point is that they imploded when it counted. All it took was one nistelrooy goal and suddenly they couldn't even make a simple pass for like 5 or 6 minutes and then another goal. Yes they have a lot of veterans and yes they played good football from time to time but when they broke down it was total collapse. I'm sure they will play better defense but I don't see them scoring too much on teams like france and romania that play truly negative soccer. 1941951

2008-06-09T20:28:42-04:00

tzeBob

No City 437766

Notorious; Just a little correction, the call on Holland's first goal was absolutely not a bad call. I think you will see a pressrelease on this yet but the rulebook clearly states that a defender leaving the field of play without a referee's permision is to be considered as standing on the goal line. I listened to all the commentators blundering along that one but I am sure clarification will follow for those that are not clear on the rules. The only comment you could make on that goal is that maybe for the sake of good sportsmanship the Dutch should have aknowledged the fact that there was a player down and stopped the play. I really don't think anyone had time enough to realize anything like that and I don't fault them for that. I disagree that the goals produced on the counter should be somehow discounted as "not well earned". Transition play is crucial and the Dutch put on a clinic in that regard. I also thought the Italians did not play negative soccer as some are often quick to critisize them for, Negative soccer we have seen enough of sofar in the tournament. The Italy I saw today played a more exciting game than the French or the Romanians and I think we shouldnn't be too quick to count them out. The France Romania game; now that was a snoozefest.... 1941052

2008-06-09T17:56:37-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/436/805/thumb/chargers218_51441.jpg 155 MS

Notorious O.T.T.

Hattiesburg 437245

wow, suddenly very silent from my italian friends....no more snide remarks from mr. girbaldi. 1940094

2008-06-09T17:33:04-04:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/436/805/thumb/chargers218_51441.jpg 155 MS

Notorious O.T.T.

Hattiesburg 437245

yeah don't bet on big brown and go green. 1939965

The last time I reported on the European soccer championship for SI, in 2004, Greek captain Theodoras Zagorakis was in the underbelly of Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz asking me and a few other journos if we wanted to touch the championship trophy after the biggest upset triumph in the history of the tournament. Finally, improbably, Hoosiers had come to the Continent. This time around? I’ll be on my couch in Baltimore. But fear not: Over the next three weeks I’ll be writing a blog for SI.com on Euro 2008, providing thoughts on what I consider to be the highest-level international soccer tournament around. Yes, in many ways the Euro is even better than the World Cup, not least because we don’t have to endure one-sided matches involving the Togos, Chinas and Saudi Arabias of the world. In the Euro every team is legit--England didn’t even survive qualifying this time around--and the soccer is the real deal. Better yet, after years of having to track down Euro games on pay-per-view and in soccer-friendly sports bars in the States, every single game of Euro 2008 will be shown live on the ESPN networks, with the majority available in HD (which helps soccer more than any other sport). What does all this mean? Thanks to the time difference Americans will have yet another daily sporting event to drain millions of dollars in production from our office-workers on weekdays. As we get ready for co-host Switzerland to meet the Czech Republic in the Euro 2008 opener on Saturday, here are five things on my mind: • Will entertaining soccer be winning soccer? As shocking as Greece’s ’04 triumph may have been, it was the result of dour tactics and a victory for negative soccer in general. Italy, too, played a maddeningly conservative style in Euro 2000 on its way to final, which is why we’re hoping to see more eye-popping stuff this time around from the likes of Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and the Italians (who’ve been more fun to watch of late under Roberto Donadoni). Why, even the conservative French coach Raymond Domenech has dumped his one-forward formation recently in favor of two strikers (Thierry Henry and rising star Karim Benzema), a positive step for Les Bleus in their first major tournament of the post-Zinédine Zidane era. • Can Cristiano Ronaldo live up to the hype? In recent days I’ve seen Argentina’s Lionel Messi being called the best player in the world in some publications, but that’s impossible given the season that Portugal’s Ronaldo has just completed, leading Manchester United to the English Premier League and Champions League titles. But the talk of Ronaldo’s potential transfer from Man United to Real Madrid has so taken over the news in the Portuguese camp that I fear it could have a negative impact on the Lusitanians. Needless to say, coach Luiz Felipe (Big Phil) Scolari has to turn his team’s attention on the games, although Portugal’s somewhat weak Group A foes (Czech Republic, Switzerland, Turkey) should make things easier. • Which team is this Euro’s Greece? The real answer: nobody (not even the Hellas themselves, who are in Group D). What Greece did in ’04 may not be repeated for decades. But if I have to pick a couple of surprises that could get to the quarterfinals (and have a shot once they get there), I’ll go with the two teams that kept England from qualifying: Croatia, which has been on the upswing under coach Slaven Bilic (and has one of the least-difficult groups in Poland, Austria and Germany) and Russia, which Dutch master Guus Hiddink has turned into a formidable side. See what oil money can buy you these days? • What sort of antics will Marco Materazzi get involved in this time? I’ll admit it: I have a soft spot for The Matrix, whom I spent time with in Milan for a <a href="http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1105387/index.htm" target="_blank">profile in SI last year</a>. Yes, he can be a thug, but he’s an amusing thug in the tradition of Dennis Rodman during his NBA glory days. (Like Rodman, Materazzi has a shtick that overshadows his skills; remember, this guy scored in a World Cup final.) But wouldn’t you know it: Italy has yet another showdown coming with France on June 17, and while Zidane won’t be on the field we still can’t wait to see that one. • Can Germany seal the deal? If Portugal’s Scolari looks just like Gene Hackman, then German coach Joachim Löw is a dead-ringer for Kyle MacLachlan. For many insiders Löw (the top assistant to Jürgen Klinsmann at World Cup ’06) was the brains behind Germany’s run to the semifinals, and he has such a wealth of talent in the middle (Michael Ballack), at outside back (Philipp Lahm and Marcell Jansen) and up front (Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez) that he may have to find a spot for Lukas Podolski on the left wing. The tournament-favorite Germans have an easy Group B, too, with Austria, Croatia and Poland, but we think the pressure will get to them in the semis against a ready-for-prime-time Portugal side. I’m no big fan of predictions, but what the heck: Quarterfinals: Portugal beats Croatia, Germany beats Switzerland, Italy beats Russia, Netherlands beats Spain. Semifinals: Portugal beats Germany, Netherlands beats Italy. Final: Portugal beats Netherlands. Check back in the coming days for updates and reactions to the games! 1351 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/194/315/thumb/wahl_grant.jpg 11 MD

Grant Wahl

Baltimore 194615