RiG

I'm off to Albufeira at the end of August so I'm delighted I won't be missing a Home (league) game.

Round 2 Croatia 2 v 1 Germany Austria 1 v 1 Poland Stunning win for Croatia last night against a very unhappy German team who looked at odds with each other. This is a big result as it means that Germany look likely to play Portugal in the Quarter Final. Never saw the Austria v Poland game. Went to the gym and played football instead :001:

Round 2 Czech Republic 1 v 3 Portugal Switzerland 1 v 2 Turkey I have Portugal in the sweep at work so I'm happy with that result though the Czechs ran them close. If only they had a striker they (Portugal) would be a good bet for the title. With Germany losing yesterday it looks like they will come up against each other int he next round. Tasty! They will need to improve dramatically if they are to progress beyond that. Czech v Croatia will be a nice tie as well if that's how it works out.

I'll say it again - we will not be getting Jackson from Saint Johnstone. Unless ICT are prepared to bid well over ?100k for the guy we have no chance. His contract has another 2 years to run. We would not be able to get him on the cheap.

I cannot believe I took him out...... ......for Baros :017: I am tempted to resign from the league for piece of lunacy. Needless to say I've made a few changes to my team - *link which probably won't work*

Spain 4 v 1 Russia Villa has been outstanding. Some brilliant finishing showing why the biggest teams in Europe want him. Iniesta seems to have struggled to shake off the virus that hampered his preparation for the game. Ridiculous amount of "bumming up" of Torres and Fabregas by Lawrenson and Pearce at the minute. Russia have been a huge let down. Missing Arshavin badly. As I typed that Russia score and cost me points for my dream team! Good header there. Spain have gotten a 4th with a Cesc header.

I know. They'll be nearing administration again soon at this rate.

I think Panucci is anything but "live" here :015: : If the linesman had given offside I wouldn't be surprised to see him backed in his decision regardless. I think this is one decision that could run for a while yet. I can see both sides of the argument now. At the time I thought it was easily offside but now I'm not so sure. Both camps have grey areas in them as the thread on P & B is proving. How did the Romanian result "shock" the Italians? We are talking about a side here who drew with and defeated the Dutch in qualifying. I doubt anyone is overly shocked by it all.

Good to see The Courier getting their news from this site now.

You'd almost think we didn't have that many other targets...

He is rubbish and yes he left Motherwell early from his loan deal. He didn't like the commute so Malaps, unimpressed with his conduct and attitude, terminated his loan deal.

What an odd thing to say given that, in an earlier game in the tournament (might even have been Romania v France), an attacking player clearly walks off the pitch after a scramble in the box to take himself out of the game as his team attack the goal so he isn't given as offside.

Romania 0 v 0 France France were shocking against Romania. They had the better of the first half and Ribery appeared to be their most potent threat. One day Anelka will bother himself to score a goal. What a waste of a jersey Malouda was/is. Why did he stay on the pitch? Makelele should have been sent off for a disgusting challenge. Obviously getting tackling tips from Essien. Romania were much improved in the second half. Looked more threatening on the counter attack as France stumbled in the second period. I thought Contra was brilliant for Romania. He completely nullified Malouda and got forward to support his winger too. marius Niculae came on and I couldn't help but laugh when he mentioned ICT! It was a strange sight to see - going from playing against Andy Millen and Richie Byrne to coming up against Lilian Thuram and Will Sagnol :015: He didn't do much apart from smack Makelele when he was on the ground but given the aforementioned tackle I say good on him for doing so! Italy 0 v 3 Holland The most shocking offside decision you will ever see turned this game. Holland had looked more likley to score prior to the 1st goal but that was a huge break to get. However their 2nd goal was wonderful counter attacking football. Gio from clearing the ball at one end to spraying it wide to Kuyt (:015:) who nodded it in to Sneijder who had no right to beat Buffon at his near post in such a manner. It was a magical finish from the midfielder and I am delighted as I had him in my dream team! italy had chances to pull goals back. Di Natale, Del Piero, Pirlo and Toni all had chances to get at least one goal back before Holland killed the game with another well worked counter attack. The Dutch gave a fantastic account of themselves last night and I was really impressed with them. Although Italy lost Frances draw against Romania means that they could still find themselves going through. If they can defeat Romania and avoid defeat to France in their final game this could see them through.

Fixtures Round 1 Spain v Russia Greece v Sweden Round 2 Sweden v Spain Greece v Russia Round 3 Greece v Spain Russia v Sweden Results Spain 4 v 1 Russia Greece v Sweden Spain - it's their year again surely? Looking at their squad you would have to think so. One of the best keepers in the world, a tough tackling rear guard who weigh in with their fair share of goals, a midfield who could pass their way through a cheese grater and a front line which normally only appears in Football Manager games. Expect a midfield three of Xavi, Senna and Fabregas. Senna will protect the back four while Cesc and Xavi will have licence to push forward and support the front three which is likely to start off as Torres, Iniesta and Silva. Both Iniesta and Silva can drop back to return to the midfield and pack it in as a five man midfield should they come under pressure but they will be the ones to look for as Spain counter. Silva especially is one to look out for. If Torres misfires then David Villa will come on to add to the goal threat. The holders, Greece, arrive having topped their group in qualifying. I'm not even going to pretend I know anything about the Greeks because I don't. So if anyone does then feel free to clue us all in :003: Russia qualified at the expense of England ( ) and will fancy their chances of getting through to the next round. The well known Arshavin is suspended for the first two games so it remains to be seen of Hiddink plays with two up front in his 3 - 5 - 2 formation or if another player replaces in Arshavin in the same withdrawn forward role that he typically occupies thus making him essentially a 6th midfield man. Sweden were boosted with Larsson deciding to come out of international retirement and he is likely to partner Ibrahimovi? up front. Tobias Linderoth will act as the anchor man in midfield with Wilhelmsson and Ljungberg providing the attacking threat down the side with K?llstr?m completing the 4 man midfield. Recent Juventus Mellberg will command the back line and I think Sweden look a good beat to reach the 2nd round.

Fixtures Round 1 Romania v France Italy v Holland Round 2 Italy v Romania France v Holland Round 3 France v Italy Holland v Romania Results Romania 0 v 0 France Italy 0 v 3 Holland The best group in terms of the big teams involved. No mistake - this is the group of death and one of the big names will be going out and maybe even two if Romania can spring a huge shock. You would have to fancy two from France, Holland and Italy to go through but which two? France were victorious against Italy in the qualifiers and aren't the team they once were. Top players are struggling for form (Henry and Malouda) but when you take a look at the squad you would be a fool to write off their chances. Exciting players in the form of Nasri and Benzema are coming through and the latter will likely partner Henry up front when they kick off their campaign against Romania on Monday if Va Va Voom can recover from injury. The inspirational Ribery may be ugly as sin but he is quality footballer and I would say that it is he and not Henry who is the key figure for Les Bleus. Holland arrive with as good a chance as they ever have done in recent years of winning the trophy but will have to be at their best to escape from this group. Right through their squad their is quality. The hugely experienced Van Der Sar commands a back line with the ever reliable Mathijsen likely to start in the centre of defence. Melchiot is out of the opener so I would expect Ooijer to start at right back. Van Bronkhurst and de Cler will fight over the left back slot. The Dutch conceded just 5 goals in qualifying but scoring was a problem. Van Nistlerooy will start up front but I hope to see Huntelaar come on and get a game. His scoring record is outstanding. Robben is also injured but there will be a potent threat from midfield with the likes of Van Der Vaart, Van Persie and Sneijder all likely to get in on the scoring. Italy suffered a big loss with Cannavaro being clattered by Chiellini in training. The same player then binned Cassano which led to a furious bust up between the Sampdoria forward and Donadoni. If Cassano could channel his anger into his game he could be a fantastic asset to the team. As a result of Cannavaros injury the mad Marco Materazzi and sturdy Andrea Barzagli will form the spine of Italys team in defence. A Milan trio of Pirlo, Gattuso and Ambrosini could feature in a midfield devoid of creativity especially if players like De Rossi force their way into the reckoning. While this restricts the oppositions chances of scoring Italy will be looking to the forward line of Toni and Del Piero to get the goals with Camoranesi filling the right hand slot of the three pronged attack. I'm not sure if they can score enough to get the wins they will need to get through but with their solid defence they might sneak through by virtue of not losing to the big guns when they come up against them. Romania - no one cares about them! :016:

Get this in the Group B Chat thread! :008: :016:

Fixtures Round 1 Austria v Croatia Germany v Poland Round 2 Croatia v Germany Austria v Poland Round 3 Austria v Germany Poland v Croatia Results Round 1 Austria 0 v 1 Croatia Germany 2 v 0 Poland Another game and another win for the "form team" in Croatia who were left hanging on at the end against Austria who were far from the walkover many had predicted - including 10,000 of their own fans who apparently wanted them to pull out of the tournament! An early penalty for a crude challenge was converted and proved to be all that separated the teams. Spurs new boy Modric showed flashes of why Tottenham have splashed out ?14 million on him with some good passing but Austria gave them a fright and had some glorious chances to equalise right up until the final whistle. While I have a couple of Croatia defenders in various dream teams I was willing Austria to go on and get that equaliser they probably deserved. With a winnable game against Poland next up for Austria they have to take that spirit into the next round. Croatia meanwhile face a stern test against Germany with the loser likely to take the runner up spot and, you would imagine, a tie against Portugal in the knock out stages. Next up - Germany v Poland. Looking forward to seeing Gomez who should be starting with Klose up front. Previous strike partner Podolski has been utilised on the left win by Germany so we might see him appearing there tonight. A revitalised Ballack in midfield along with a strong defence and you can see why Germany are tipped by many to have a successful tournament. They look a well organised team indeed and have the ability to score goals. Currently sitting at 2 - 0 to Germany who have been far from their best against a useful looking Polish team at times. Metzelder has been thoroughly unconvincing and appears to be suffering from his long standing foot injury. That said Klose has been a threat up front and Gomez seemed decent when he was on. Podolski however has gotten the goals from the left flank including a belter of a finish from a Polish mix up and a scuffed shot/pass from Klose that nearly took the net apart. Ballack has been wonderful in midfield tonight. EDIT: Finished 2 - 0 Germany.

Fixtures Round 1 Switzerland v Czech Rep Portugal v Turkey Round 2 Czech Republic v Portugal Switzerland v Turkey Round 3 Switzerland v Portugal Turkey v Czech Republic Results Round 1 Switzerland 0 v 1 Czech Rep Portugal 2 v 0 Turkey Wins as expected for the Czechs and Portugal. Czech Rep. were very much below par and a shadow of previous sides that we have seen. They are desperately missing Rosicky and they were made to battle all the way by a Swiss team who were better than I gave them credit for. The loss of Frei before half time was a big blow for Switzerland and they didn't look quite as dangerous in the 2nd half. A smart finish from Sverkos secured the win. Portugal had a routine victory over Turkey but struggled at times with the lack of an out and out goal scorer evident in their team. The have a solid back line and a good creative midfield with plenty of creativity to call upon in the form of Ronaldo, Moutinho, Simao, Quaresma, Nani and Deco but Nuno Gomes cannot cut the mustard and this is where Portugal could get found out. Pepe looks a solid player and Mountiho looks certain to win new admirers this summer. I have Portugal in the sweepstake at work so I am quite happy with that but I would like to see Almeida play up front in the next game and see how he does.

Portugal haven't got a striker as was shown up again last night. Looked good in defence and midfield but a lack of presence up front might be their undoing.

Ask Motherwell what they think of Baynes attempts at tackling :004:

Gow is rubbish.

euro2008.com Wee piece on Nicuale, Romania and ICT.

*Article Here* Least we are one of the front runners (supposedly).

RE: Snodgrass - he has been linked to ~ 8 clubs in the last week.

Can you try and track that site down Alex - even look in your history if possible - I would find that very interesting reading.