Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on June 14, 2008, 12:56:05 PM
Thanks, Stinger.  So the Turks and Czechs might go to PKs (OT first, or straight to PKs? the rule was unclear), but not Italy-France.

1-1 at halftime of Spain-Sweden.  The lousy officiating continues, as Sweden was cheated out of a PK just before the half.  The defender body-slammed the Swede going for a header right in front of the goal; since the defender hit him from behind and seemingly made no attempt at the ball, it probably should have been a card as well, but no call at all.  Unbelievable!

Hoosier Titan beat me to it. Spain got cheated out of the PK.

And oops for me...it was David Silva who was fouled on that play, not David Villa!   

sac, see reply 1286.

Russia holds on 1-0, so Spain wins the group and Greece is eliminated.  Russia and Sweden will go h-to-h for runnerup, with Sweden having the tie-breaker +1 vs. -2).

Just to be contrary, I'm rooting for Nederland to win by exactly 3 and France and Italy to tie - I wanna see the hair-pulling when they have a 3-way tie that can't be resolved by any of the first 6 tie-breaks!

So what teams are people supporting?  I, too, would normally be supporting England.  I assumed that I'd be for Spain, since four Liverpool players are on the squad, but Fernando Torres is the only one to see much action so far.  And with Dirk Kuyt playing a major role in Holland's success, my allegiance is going to be divided very soon, I think. 

I absolutely hate the slow paced Spanish game.  Purists, forgive me.   

Thanks, Hoosier Titan and cawcdad - I catch fouls better than the ref, but since I don't even recall which team is which, I guess I'd better stick to being a critic rather than grabbing my whistle!

[On the other hand, my 'integrity' would be unchallenged - I could take a bribe, then cheat the wrong team! ]

LOL Ypsi--your integrity might be unchallenged, but you might have some angry guys coming after you with baseball bats!   

I thought that was generally a very poorly officiated match--he called very ticky-tack stuff at first, and then missed that penalty.  I'll be surprised if he works another match in this tournament.

I don't have a team (my son is a rabid Italy fan, but even he is getting fed up with their style of play), but, of the games I've seen much of, I think the Dutch and Portuguese are playing the most entertaining football.

[I'm pretty sure I correctly remembered which teams I liked! ]

Having played, coached and refereed soccer, I usually give the guys with the whistles and flags a break. But I have to say that the officiating in Euro 2008 has been less than stellar, especially concerning offsides calls. Guys offside and not called, but especially guys that were onside and got flagged for off. Several goals have been taken away that should have counted. I say if it is close let them play and open the game up a bit.

QuoteJust to be contrary, I'm rooting for Nederland to win by exactly 3 and France and Italy to tie - I wanna see the hair-pulling when they have a 3-way tie that can't be resolved by any of the first 6 tie-breaks!

I'm with you on this!

QuoteSo what teams are people supporting?  I, too, would normally be supporting England.  I assumed that I'd be for Spain, since four Liverpool players are on the squad, but Fernando Torres is the only one to see much action so far.  And with Dirk Kuyt playing a major role in Holland's success, my allegiance is going to be divided very soon, I think. 

I absolutely hate the slow paced Spanish game.  Purists, forgive me.   

Ditto on the Spanish game. Let's just play keep away.

I usually pull for the Germans. Franz Beckenbauer was my hero in my early playing days. Am I showing my age? But the Dutch are playing exciting and incredible futbol right now.

So am I, Ypsi, so am I! 

Turkey-Czech Republic: draw
Switzerland-Portugal: Portugal

Poland-Croatia: Croatia
Austria-Germany: Germany

France-Italy: Italy
Netherlands-Romania: Netherlands

Russia-Sweden: Sweden
Greece-Spain: draw

signed,
Stevie Tosh and Keith Gibson

MacLeod,

Don't know how Tom plans to score the picks, but as a group final game when they are tied on the first five tie-break criteria, the Turks and Czechs cannot draw.  If tied at the end of regulation, they go to PKs.

Quote from: Old School.... (Tom Doebler) on June 06, 2008, 04:56:13 PM
Two points for a win, one point for a tie:  If you pick Switzerland to win and they do, you get 2 points.  If they tie, you get 1 point.  Fair enough.  Of course, if you pick them to tie and they tie, then you get the full 2 points.  0 for a loss, of course.  I suppose if you pick them to tie and they win, you only get 1 point.

Does that sound good?

Make sure you state your picks clearly, especially if you are picking a tie.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  Just remember, golf's a Scottish game and lowest score wins. 

Sorry for my lack of, ahem, clarity regarding round 2, the Romanians and Italians.

signed,
Ukio Bankas

Sunday

Czech and Portugal to win

At halftime:

Czechs 1, Turks 0.

Portugal and Switzerland scoreless (though Portugal probably did score - it was called off on a very close, very questionable offsides call).

Swiss 2, Portuguese 0 (but changes nothing).

But the only game I could watch (and then missed what my older son described as the most intense 30 minutes of futbol he has ever seen) was Czech Republic - Turkey.  CR up 2-0 after 70 minutes, and drilled one off the right post which would have made it 3-0.  Turkey scores in the 75th, 87th, and 90th minutes to win!!

During those minutes there were 4 yellows and (what may doom Turkey against Croatia next round) a red against Turkey's keeper.  During stoppage time(!) he shoved Koller to the ground - there had been no physical contact that I saw in replays, so, yet again, it seems an old pro let an opponent get so into his head that he did something truly stupid.   [Turkey may be fortunate that it didn't cost them immediately - having already used their 3 subs, they had to move a field player to keeper for the remaining few minutes.]