Euro 2008

[Annasfield]

Talking of Liverspain - has anyone seen this

advert?

Adios la - Brilliant :)-D

[mockney piers]

Liverpain is pretty much how I'm feeling after an Irish wedding last weekend!!!

Definitely supporting Spain, but then, you know, I was born there and stuff.

[Ted Max]

????, have a punt on how long it will take one of the Beeb pundits to state that when you look at the teams that are here, "I really think England could have won this tournament."

[Cassius]

What you mean a Beeb pundit like Steve McClaren?

[????]

Sven would have been good as pundit........

[SeanMacGabhann]

Well, that Holland v Italy match was almost worth having a tournament for on it's own. Anyone else catch it?

[citizenED]

Good to see that David's sweepstake side made such a convincing start. The Azzuri lulling everyone into a false sense of security. What's the betting they still get further than the Dutch. Didn't catch it btw, Sean.

[Ted Max]

I saw it.

Italy and France are continuing the form that saw they only just scrape out of Scotland's group.

Thought Italy were a trifle unfortunate - going a goal behind to a dodgy goal and then getting knifed twice on the break - but once ahead Holland gave an object lesson. Big Luca didn't really bring his shooting boots either, did he?

[david_carnell]

Yeah, rub it in.

World Champions my arse. Still, I have a feeling they'll either crash out or turn it around go all the way and beat the Dutch again in the final.

One can dream.

[Ted Max]

They'll meet the Dutch again the the semi final, if both sides progress.

[SimonM]

It was a cracker of a game - the Dutch seemed to keep putting on substitutes, each one more dazzling than the previous guy. Italy are notorious for "cold-starting" tournaments, but they now have an uphill task to get beyond the group stage. France v Italy looks like it might now be quite..er.. tense!

Currently feeling quite smug though as I backed the Dutch before the start to win the thing >:D<....early days I know! It could turn out to be like the '74 World Cup where the Dutch played all the dazzling and amazing football only to lose out in the final to (West) German efficiency..

[david_carnell]

Not be an annoying pedant but this thing about Italy "cold starting" was put to bed by the ITV commentators last night.

I would have thought this was fairly accurate but apparently in their last 15 opening matches of a big tournament (up until last night) they had won 10, drawn 4 and lost just one (to Ireland in USA '94). So really, they do quite well.

The French looked equally dreadful against the negative Romanians.

[Ladygooner]

I thought the dutch were awesome - nice to see some Arsenal and ex-Arsenal players doing well. Apparently the first goal was definitely onside due to the chap who was injured lying on the sidelines?

[zephyr]

www.myspace.com/londontowarsaw

Had an excellent evening at the White Eagle in Balham suporting Poland. The enthusiasum of the Polish supporters was excellent.

[Annasfield]

Fantastic game - Nice to see Dirk running his socks off and providing two assists. (tu)

[SimonM]

>>Not be an annoying pedant but this thing about Italy "cold starting" was put to bed by the ITV commentators last night.

I would have thought this was fairly accurate but apparently in their last 15 opening matches of a big tournament (up until last night) they had won 10, drawn 4 and lost just one (to Ireland in USA '94). So really, they do quite well. >>

I don't think the "cold starting" theory is any less valid despite the bare statistics. The thing is Italy tend to play better as tournaments progress - so they might have indeed won many first games but rather less convincingly then they win finals and semi finals. Against a team of real quality like the present Dutch outfit they lost - although admittedly without playing especially badly...

Anyway some of us remember North Korea v Italy in 1966! >:D<

[Keef]

Was a good game last night, and glad to see Romania (the forgotten team of that group) prove that they're not just there to give points to the others

Liverspain are kicking off this evening, come on Torres! >:D<

[mockney piers]

Spain have, in my experience, traditionally been either disliked or abused by English fans (dirty spaniards etc) in the Euros/World Cups.

I'm finding this sudden outpouring of support a bit odd frankly, but happy to enjoy it while it lasts.

[Keef]

Not saying it's not true what you say, but I've never heard of it... Then again I'm not Spanish.

[david_carnell]

*drapes St George flag around shoulders and adopts best Alf Garnett voice*

It's not that we (that's me and you know, all the other English) hate the Spanish on their own. We hate everyone equally. Frogs, Krauts, Eye-tais (sp?), Turks, all of 'em.

But since we ain't got no one to support - we'll pick one country at random to give our best wishes to. And since Spain are as good at penalties as we are...this year it's you. You should feel privileged guv'nor.

[mockney piers]

I mean in a football sense. I'm not convinced the English have much against the Spanish in a wider sense.

It is ironic for an English/liverpool fan to pick another chronically underperforming team. I mean you could actually stand a chance of supporting a winner if you go for Germany or Italy. (but not France, not this time)

As wholly impressive as Holland were last night, they'll still screw it all up.

[Ladygooner]

I think we just tend to support whichever team has one of our team's players in - although I see that Fabregas is being rested as we speak!

[Keef]

Damn you Torres, I was trying to pick between Torres & Villa for my top scorer at work, and my Liverpool loyalty made me go Torres, only for Villa to net a hatrick!!! :X

[????]

Holland always cock up FACT

[SeanMacGabhann]

???? - is that a statement or just the graffiti from your stag do?