*Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Haven't seen on of these, if so could somebody bump the old one and I'll have this one locked.

Lots of big games tomorrow as the group stages wind down. I'll hopefully get to catch parts of,
finland-poland
norway-greece
turkey-hungary
germany-romania
czech rep-ireland
ukraine-italy
england-russia
france-scotland

also, tomorrow night in non-euro qualifying mexico takes on brazil in new york(i think)

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

The Portugal vs Serbia game is a huge match for both teams. If Portugal ties or loses this game they will basically have to win all of their remaining matches to qualify.

The Mexico vs Brazil friendly is actually in Foxboro.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

2-2 in Norway after John Arne Risse strikes from about 30 out on the left side. upper 90 at the near post. sick goal.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Looks like we'll have a good shot at winning this game and taking over the lead in our group. Greece haven't looked dangerous at all except on freekicks and corners.

And yeah that goal was sick [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

If we manage to keep up the pressure in the 2nd half we'll probably win. And wow, that Riise goal was beautiful, not only the strike itself, but the play leading up to it. Gogogogo!

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

[ QUOTE ]
england-russia

[/ QUOTE ]

Feeling confident about tonight, based solely on the simulated match I ran the most accurate simulator available in the world, Nintendo World Cup. 40-1 would be a perfectly adequate scoreline.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

shouldn't this be in "health and fitness" ? it's not really a sport. With all the diving and flopping it could almost go into a forum about acting.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

[ QUOTE ]
shouldn't this be in "health and fitness" ? it's not really a sport. With all the diving and flopping it could almost go into a forum about acting.

[/ QUOTE ]
Did you come up with that all by your self? If so, I applaud you good sir! That's some really clever stuff right there. I especially liked the last part there about acting. Really good imo.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

so rigged, Czech-Ireland isn't on sopcast [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

It makes me happy that Michael Owen is still scoring for England. Michael Owen is HOT HOT HOT!!!

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

[censored] Czech up 1-0

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Wow England just got away with one there. From the behind the goal camera angle it looked like it clearly went of the russian players chest. Should be 1-1 imo.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

I was watching the Netherlands v Albania match during lunch. Looked like it was close to boiling over. The Albanian's are dirty players. Lots of blatant fouls and diving. Pretty pathetic.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

very exciting game in Paris. Scotland's keeper has made some great saves so far in the second half.

Portugal and Spain both with crucial early goals. Ukraine desperately trying to score some points now down 1-0 to the Italians.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Shevchenko strikes 1-1 with about 20 mins to go

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

HOLY [censored] GOAL FOR SCOTLAND!

goal of the week for sure. Off a goal kick McFadden controls unmarked in the center of the field turns and strikes of the keepers glove from a 30 out.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Being an Irish soccer fan is no fun [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

RUUUUUDY

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

When Rio Ferdinand scores, you know you can turn over safely

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Whhheeeee...Scotland might do it...huge result for this groups qualifiers

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

[ QUOTE ]
shouldn't this be in "health and fitness" ? it's not really a sport. With all the diving and flopping it could almost go into a forum about acting.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh and please die sir, thanks

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

YYYeeeeeessssssss...!!!!!

1-0

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Woo ho England win three nil let the over reacting commence.
It’s a nice score line but it kind of glosses over the fact that Russia dominated for large periods, We scored all our goals will the help of poor marking or for Ferdinand’s goal awful goal keeping and that the left wing is still a problem Joe Cole cuts inside [censored] every time.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Scolari punched a serbian player, niiice. Other than that he's a moron and he managed to lose two points in the last few minutes again.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

So proud to be Scottish tonight.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

[ QUOTE ]
Scolari punched a serbian player, niiice. Other than that he's a moron and he managed to lose two points in the last few minutes again.

[/ QUOTE ]

Piss poor 2nd half performance from Portugal. The Serbian goal appeared to be offsides but it was close either way.

The Serbian player came running up yelling something at Scolari or a Portuguese player and when Scolari put his hand up the Serbian player grabbed it. After he did that Scolari tried to slap/punch him. He will face a multiple match ban for sure.

Portugal can still qualify if they win all of their remaining matches, but with the way they've been playing I can't see that happening.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d4...008_xaf801.jpg

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Sorry too late to edit my post... here is the Scotland goal:

Goal!!!

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

wow....


I wonder what Henry has to say after that match. I don't recall what he said verbatim after the first match, but it was something to the effect that in the end Scotland will be Scotland (ie suck).

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

TSC,

http://www.marca.com/fotogalerias/20...l/fotos/08.jpg

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

[ QUOTE ]
Portugal can still qualify if they win all of their remaining matches, but with the way they've been playing I can't see that happening.

[/ QUOTE ]

only two points behind second place and one game still to play, we're not in horrible position but we are playing scared. Trying to defend a one goal lead against Serbia and Poland, wtf?

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

I really don't like him much anyway.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Your brilliant scottish referee Douglas destroyed the match for Hungary. [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

Sent off a hungarian although the turkish goalie should have been sent off, and not allowing the hungarian goalie to be substitued after injury. [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

We have a new public enemy. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

It should have been 1-0, not 0-3

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

LOL @ France. If Scotland and Italy will win the rest and France will lose points just once than Scotland and Italy can put out France by drawing the final match. I want to see Domenech get a heart attack!!!

Van Basten is the luckiest manager ever so far. He absolutely sucks and as long as he is our national team's manager we won't amount to anything. Please get fired ASAP you useless sack of [censored].

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Top 2 or top 3 advance?

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

7*Top 2 + Austria + Switzerland = 16

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Did anybody else see the footage of the explosives going off in Albania. Crazy stuff. They even showed it here in the states on espn.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

[ QUOTE ]
7*Top 2 + Austria + Switzerland = 16

[/ QUOTE ]k, thanks.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Here is my assessment of each team’s chance of qualifying:

Fans Can Make Travel Arrangements

Germany- The most consistent team in qualifying. Germany could lose every game and possibly still qualify. One win from 4 matches (or draw against the Irish) will do it for sure.

Czech Republic- Following its 1-0 victory over Ireland, the Czechs need only one more victory from 3 games because they own the head-to-head tiebreaker.

One Foot In the Door

Greece- The champs still need some points from October clashes at home to Bosnia and away to Turkey, but it would take some unexpected results to keep them from defending their crown next summer.

Croatia- The group leaders are in a good position, 5 points clear of third place, though a slip up against Israel would be costly because a November fixture in England awaits.

Sweden- 3 points ahead of third place with a game in hand. If Sweden can capture full points from October meetings with bottom-feeder Lichtenstein and rival Northern Ireland, they should be through.

Looking Good

Netherlands- The Dutch could even slip up at Romania and still go through if they take care of business at home against Slovenia and away to Belarus.

Romania- With two difficult matches remaining, home against Netherlands and away to Bulgaria, they aren’t there yet, but they do have a 2 point cushion with a game in hand.

Still Work to be Done

Poland- The Group A leaders still have to host Belgium and have a match away to Serbia, but look in good position to qualify.

Finland- With matches away to spoiler Belgium and rival Portugal, the odds are still against the Scandinavians to qualify.

Portugal- Late goals to Serbia and Poland mean Scolari’s men have to earn maximum points in remaining fixtures to guarantee a berth. It could have been so different.

Serbia- The November match against Poland could prove crucial. Serbia are unlikely to qualify, but still maintain hope.

France- Oh Putang. Victory in Paris could have moved Les Bleus on the brink of qualification, but instead defeat has left them with more to achieve. Depending on Scotland’s results in October, a November clash in Ukraine could determine their fate.

Italy- The World Champs are in good position to attempt the rare double. An away match to leaders Scotland appears to be the only stumbling block on the way to the tournament.

Scotland- Sometimes it’s better to be lucky (very) than good. Somehow, they gleaned 6 points from the French, despite domination, and sit atop the group. Still, home tests against Ukraine and Italy remain.

Turkey- An away clash to Norway might determine their fate.

Norway- Their direct, attacking style will by tested by Turkey’s November visit, a match that may well determine second place in the group.

Spain- Victory over Iceland would have been nice, but still the Spaniards sit in good position with three tough matches left, although two of them are at home. Rivals Northern Ireland and Sweden visit while a trip to Denmark awaits.

England- With 6 points from their last two games, the Three Lions are flying high, but a tough test on the plastic in Moscow with likely determine their fate.

Russia- Victory over England in October is a necessity in order to advance. Despite an apparent 3- nil thrashing in London, they played well enough to ensure an exciting rematch.

On the Outside Looking In

Israel- With a trip away to Croatia and home to Russia, the “Asian Europeans” have their work cut out for them and require some help following a 3-0 drubbing in London.

Bulgaria- A late fixture with Romania could be the difference, although it would be unlikely for them to pip group leaders Netherlands or Romania for qualification.

Denmark- Victory over Spain is a necessity and then the Danes must survive a trip to Northern Ireland in order to make an appearance next summer.

Northern Ireland- Away trips to Sweden and Spain (as well as a home match against Denmark) will likely provide the upstarts with only consolation following zero points gained in two winable September matches.

Ukraine- With difficult matches remaining (away to Scotland and home to France) they must win out in order to put pressure on group leaders.

Living Vicariously through the Lives of Other Teams

Everyone else.


Final Prediction-

Poland, Portugal, France, Italy, Turkey, Greece, Czech Republic, Germany, Croatia, England, Sweden, Spain, Romania, Netherlands.

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

NORN IRON BLEW IT [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Re: *Official Euro 2008 Qualifying Thread*
 

Scotland will beat the italian divers tomorrow and all will be well. I don't care about any of the other games except Norway but I don't particulary want our [censored] team to qualify anyway.

Tomorrow is going to be amazing!