| Welcome to Soccer Futbol Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Euro 2008- Knockout Rounds (R); Quarters, Semis & Final | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Jun 18 2008, 09:19 AM (1,656 Views) | |
| Manzanares | Jun 20 2008, 09:44 AM Post #16 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Portugal were a mess defensively as Germany had too much power for them. I also thought Cristiano Ronaldo had a subpar game when his team needed him the most but Portugal's biggest deficiency was their defense and goalkeeping. It is what kept them from advancing at least as far as the semifinals for the third staright tournament and for a 4th time in their last 5. I'm looking forward to what Croatia and their skillful passing game does against the battling Turks. These two teams and Russia have been the revelations of the tournament. |
![]() |
|
| Don Balon | Jun 20 2008, 09:53 AM Post #17 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I am of course already thinking ahead to the Spain-Italy game on Sunday. There has been some talk here about how Italy always beats Spain but this generation of players is one which has been successful at the club level, has shown good determination and most important has the speed and skill to play Italy. I say keep with your same lineup Aragones and let them run at Italy and use Spain's advantage in quickness. It is going to be a tough game, you don't expect anything else at this stage but it is now or never for Spain in my opinion and time for this group of players to make it's mark internationally! About last night's game, well I agree with those comments praising Germany's lineup change and how effective they were changing from defense to attack. Plus Portugal's defense was really exposed in that match and Ricardo made several big blunders. Having said that, if the ref calls that foul on Ballack's goal, they go to extra time! Tonight's game will be won by Croatia I think. There are this tournament's Greece (in a good sense.) They are well organized defensively, have creative midfield play and put away their chances in front of goal. Plus they look to be a really unified team who play well collectively. |
![]() |
|
| Simon | Jun 20 2008, 01:44 PM Post #18 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Croatia 1-1 Turkey aet - Turkey win 3-1 on pens Haha, what can you say about that? That was seriously one of the worst, most boring, lifeless, flat and badly-played two hours of football I've ever had the misfortune to sit through, and I come away from it feeling I've been richly entertained!! That's because all the drama was packed into the last minute of extra-time as Rustu, who looked hesitant and edgy all night, takes the outrageous decision to follow Modric out to the side of the 18-yard box when there was no danger. Modric crosses past him into the middle, Klasnic heads in. Thank you, good night, Croatia on their way to the semi-finals ... except that that for the third time in this tournament Turkey clearly hadn't read the script! Rustu punts the ball down the pitch, it breaks for Semih and he fires it in with the last kick of the game! Croatia's heads were then all over the place, as with the Brazil-Argentina Copa America Final a few years back, they miss 3 pens, Rustu goes from hero to villain with his save and Turkey march on! In a sense, Croatia got what they deserved. Everyone was looking to them to make the running, especially as they all had a rest in their final group game whereas Turkey were doing their Lazarus routine against the Czechs. We know how well Croatia are capable of playing but we've only seen it in one of their four games, the one against Germany. Here, they were back to their performance against Austria - keeping the ball well in patches but really offering no goal threat at all. In fairness they did make a couple of chances including one or two great ones for Olic but he had his Luca Toni boots on! I've spent a lot of time in this tournament watching teams who don't seem capable of scoring goals and I was hoping that would be done with by the time the quarters came round, but no. For 119 dreary minutes we saw every corner hitting the first man, we saw crosses and through-balls sailing all over the place, Turkey passing the ball backwards all the time, bloody hell I was tearing my hair out! But, you just can't keep Turkey down. They have scored 6 goals in this tournament and 5 of them have been ultra-dramatic late goals. Here's a remarkable stat - they are semi-finalists but have been in the lead for a grand total of 2 minutes across their four games!! Great story, but surely all those injuries and suspensions mean Germany have a bye through to the final? |
![]() |
|
| Mr. Pither | Jun 20 2008, 02:34 PM Post #19 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Wow, how am I going to get to sleep after that exciting finish? Simon has summed the game up well but I will say I thought the first half was exciting as both teams were snapping at each other's heals in midfield and going all out. From the second half on out it was less thrilling and much more cautious but certainly no less nervy. Rustu did it all, looking edgy at times like Simon wrote, he made that horrible error which led to Croatia's goal but he also produced a top class save on a free kick in the 2nd half then made the match winning penalty stop. Just incredible drama, you feel for the Croatians but they had their opportunities and couldn't put Turkey away. And what can you say about the Turks? I'm shocked about Simon's statistic that they have only been in front for 2 minutes in the entire tournament! Germany obviously will be the favorites but how many times do we have to be shown that you cannot count Turkey out to the final whistle? I don't care how many players they'll have missing, they'll have 5 days at least to get ready for the semifinal and Mehmet Aurelio will be back from suspension and maybe they'll catch a break and Volkan's suspension will be reduced a match. After my record in predicting games in these knockout rounds, I'm going to stop right now as my predicted semifinal of Portugal-Croatia obviously will not be taking place! I'm just going to sit back and enjoy these games. |
|
P-I-T-H-E-R ...as in Brotherhood, but with PI instead of the BRO and no HOOD | |
![]() |
|
| raconteur | Jun 20 2008, 02:48 PM Post #20 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Turkey are like the monster in a bad horror movie, just when you think they're dead, they spring back to life ready for more destruction! An amazing comeback when it would have been so easy to have dropped their heads following Croatia's late goal. I thought it was a very even game and it did look destined for penalties midway through the 2nd half. Thereafter neither team looked really likely to score until that final few minutes. I am in agreement with Mr. Pither, Germany will be the favorites but don't ever count Turkey out. |
![]() |
|
| shelsoccer | Jun 20 2008, 03:23 PM Post #21 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Gotta admit that I came close to dozing off during this game. The early on-slaught from Turkey, while not productive, was entertaining. Then, Croatia reponded, particularly with Olic's unfathamable miss. From there, things kind of settled in. Turkey perked up in extra time, and then we got the dramatic final minute. It's tempting to count Turkey out vs. Germany, given all their suspensions. But, who can count out the Turks after three displays of pure determination like that? |
![]() |
|
| dafyd | Jun 20 2008, 03:37 PM Post #22 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I actually did doze off, missing half of the first half, and all of the second. Woke up just with minutes to go in the 2nd half, and almost wish I would have slept through till the excitement at the end. While Rustu did look shaky, he also managed to come up big when he needed to. He had a couple of decent saves during the game, and came up with the final save during penalties. Not only that, but had the two shots that Croatia had put wide had been on target, it looked to me like he had them covered. After Turkey's last three games, Germany had best be ready for a battle. |
| Leper In A Stange Land | |
![]() |
|
| Pique | Jun 20 2008, 07:36 PM Post #23 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I thought both teams neutralized the other pretty well. It may not have been pretty but I found it very compelling viewing. Maybe Turkey's coach needs to tell his team they're trailing at the beginning of a match? That way they'll get it in gear from the very beginning! Seriously, Turkey's ability to make so many late comebacks is astounding. Anybody recall another team doing that three times in a single tournament like the Turks have? |
|
Esas son las leyendas de futbol mexicano, En todo Mexico hay un Chiva hermano! | |
![]() |
|
| valenciano | Jun 20 2008, 10:42 PM Post #24 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I don't want to sound like a broken record but what incredible drama and amazing determination from Turkey. Pique is right that both teams neutralized the other but Olic had the chance of the game in the first half but hit the cross bar. You know Croatian fans will be thinking about that one for years to come. Does Turkey still have any miracles left? I think Germany has to be happy about playing them instead of Croatia no matter how many games Turkey have pulled out at the last minute. |
![]() |
|
| Hector | Jun 21 2008, 12:09 AM Post #25 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I don't think Turkey-Croatia was as bad as some thought. A very tactical game that is certain but also because of the nature of the event, a very tense game. I can't add anything else to the game description which has not already been typed but Turkey have really captured a lot of fans hearts with their incredible comebacks. I like the reference to a horror movie monster always coming back to life when you think it is dead! That has been how Turkey have been in this Euro 2008. A lot of teams could learn from their spirit and indomidability. On to tonight's game and the meeting of the Dutch coaches. Like many fans around the globe I am hoping Holland didn't start off too strong and will fade. They didn't show any signs of that so far but note how both the group winners from Groups A and B have already been eliminated in the quarterfinals. So no complacency should be permitted by the Dutch. If Russia can duplicate their play against Sweden they will give Holland a very good fight. I do wonder though if Russia's defense can handle the speed and mobility of Holland's attackers. Spain caused those defenders so many problems in their first game. And on to Sunday's game, it is that speed and mobility which I also think will be Spain's greatest asset against Italy. Much has been made of Spain not beating Italy in a competitive match in 88 years but honestly the two countries have rarely played. And don't forget it was Spain who knocked italy out of the 2000 Olympics too! Without Pirlo, Italy's service to Toni, their best weapon against Spain's defense will I think be limited. |
| iPuerta amigo, Sevilla esta contigo! | |
![]() |
|
| historyman | Jun 21 2008, 12:13 AM Post #26 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I had a similar feeling. When Turkey scored their last gasp equaliser I just sat and stared at the screen for a few minutes, trying to take in what I'd just witnessed. How must the Croatian players and Slaven Bilic be feeling? From the ecstasy of winning the game to the despair of conceeding that unbeleivable goal at the end. In hindsight Bilic's on field celebrations with his players after their goal looks rash and unbecoming for a manager. A contrast with Swen-Goran Eriksson? I thought that Croatia looked a beaten side before the penalty shoot-out. Their body language spoke volumes, whereas the momentum was with the Turks and it showed in their spot-kicks. Does anybody seriously think that Turkey can defeat Germany in the semis? Four key players are suspended, and my worry is that Turkey may try and play a spoiling game in order to win the match and get to the final. Whatever happens, Fatih Terim and his squad have played a large part in making this a tournament to remember. Who cares about the first few cagey games now? |
![]() |
|
| gaviota | Jun 21 2008, 06:23 AM Post #27 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
For 118 minutes I was having flashbacks to Italia 1990 with that game but like others that incredible ending made me forget about the dreadful minutes before and had me celebrating such an exciting and dramatic finish. At some point Turkey's luck is going to run out and against Germany they will need more than just luck. Problem is Turkey will be missing so many players. I do hope the disciplinary commision will have some pity on them and allow Volkan to play but I don't expect that to happen. If it was a German or Italian player the suspension would have been cut but I don't think they'll do it for a Turkish one. Missing Tuncay and his energy and skill in midfield and the wing play of little Arda Turan will be blows for Turkey in that semifinal. At least they will have almost a week to prepare for the game and rest after this strainful game but Germany might be too much for Turkey to handle. |
| CHAMP13NS | |
![]() |
|
| Simon | Jun 21 2008, 08:15 AM Post #28 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I keep thinking I'm the last person around who still isn't completely enamoured with Slaven Bilic. It's still too easy to remember his many suspensions as a hard-knock defender, and the fact that he plays a guitar hasn't quite overriden my disgust at his horrible dive to get Laurent Blanc a red card in the 1998 World Cup semi-final! But his team are outstanding on their day, and it's a shame for the tournament that they were only once able to play to their potential. Having said that, a fit and on-form Eduardo playing in place of Olic would surely have put Croatia through yesterday. Bilic says Luka Modric is the second-best player in the world behind Kaka. Praise indeed, and he's clearly a fantastic talent. I do hope this evening's game will be a lot better though. I don't know what to make of Russia. Once England got onto a belated run of form in qualifying I felt confident we'd be able to out-finish the Russians especially as we still had to play them twice. We then beat them 3-0 at Wembley and totally outclassed them, and once Rooney's great goal had given us the lead in the away fixture I thought we'd be okay but of course the Russians can still be dangerous in Moscow and scored two goals in quick succession to nick a 2-1 win. Normally that's no disaster but earlier bad results had left us with no margin for error and we all know what happened next. What surprised me was that Russia, from this winning position, lost in Israel and then only beat little Andorra 1-0 to scrape into the finals. This, plus their mauling in a friendly in Bucharest, left me thinking they'd be one of the weakest teams at the finals and I kind of felt confirmed in that view when they offered such feeble opposition to Spain in their first game. I thought they were average against Greece and I didn't see them against Sweden when apparently they played much better. My impression of them from what I've seen is that Holland must be major favourites tonight, but maybe I'm missing something? Still, England's has been the only qualifying group to produce two quarter-finalists, so maybe that is some source of comfort! |
![]() |
|
| Merengue | Jun 21 2008, 09:59 AM Post #29 |
|
Administrator
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I always got Bilic and Stimac mixed up from that Croatian team back in 1998. And thanks Simon for bringing up that incident between Bilic and Blanc back in the semifinal, it was disgraceful. I will say this though, both Bilic and Turkey's coach Fatih Terim were quite entertaining to watch on the sideline. Like so many others here I also wasn't entertained until the final minutes of yesterday's game yet came away feeling exhilirated! The drama of this sport in knockout competitions can be incredible. I am looking forward to this Holland-Russia game as I feel these are two teams which can both put on a good show of one touch passing. Simon and our other English posters will recall fondly that one of the rare opportunities where Hiddink didn't have much success in an international tournament was in 1996 when his Holland team were wiped out by an inspired England. But other than that his track record is phenomenal in tournaments. But now he'll be facing a very difficult test against Holland. And it isn't just because they have more Real Madrid players on their roster than Spain but I do want to see Holland advance in this competition. I'm guessing van Basten will stick with the lineup that worked against Italy and France but you know we'll see both van Persie and Robben come in early in the 2nd half. Does Russia have anybody they cna bring in who can change the match around like those two Dutch players? |
| http://twitter.com/#!/SocrFutbolForum | |
![]() |
|
| shelsoccer | Jun 21 2008, 01:36 PM Post #30 |
|
Advanced Member
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
So, is Arshavin any good or what? Whatever club in the West ends up with him is a getting a top-shelf player, and Andrei can start counting his money soon. For much of the game, the Dutch only looked threatening on free kicks, something the Russian back line is going to have to deal with better. I thought the Dutch really only got into the game when Semshov tired and was subbed. That freed up van der Vaart and Sneijder. Unlike Croatia yesterday, Russia had time to regroup after giving up a disappointing late goal. They took the play to Holland in extra time. As they had throughout the game, their pace, quickness and technical ability enabled them to get behind the Dutch defense. It wasn't long balls over the top, but rather quick combinations through the box. They were particularly adroit at splitting the gap between Boulharouz/Heitinga and the center backs, with Arshavin exploiting that again and again. Russia may be the youngest team in the tournament and many, Hiddink included, thought this was a tournament too soon for them. But their confidence has to soaring right now and I don't see them backing down from anyone in the semis. |
![]() |
|
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · UEFA · Next Topic » |





![]](http://z1.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)



5:04 PM Jul 10