European championships 2008

[wonit5times]

Cant believe nobody has started a thread on this. I know there is a thread for bets etc but nothing for discussion bout games.
So looking forward to these matches tomorrow and for the month of june.
Switzerland vs Czech Republic and then Portugal vs Turkey.

Some great footy to be played and hopefully we will see plenty of goals
and not both sides being too defensive.
The Czechs and portugal to win fr me tommorrow imo, but Turkey are fairly decent side with plenty of quality.
Its a pity that both host nations wil prob imo not get past the grop stages,
but would like to see Deegan have a good tournament.

Hopefully the refs wont be pretty good and let the games flow but they know
they are under pressure to stick to the rules

Happy watching:)

[Fowler-9-]

Home nation side generally have a good start so I fancy Switzerland Czechs to draw, Portugal to beat Turkey 1-0

[wonit5times]

Not too much in the way of interesting footy yesterday but watchable all the same.
Was looking for a few more goals to be scored but its always very tight in the opening games of the group stages.
I thought the portugal v turkey game was a bit more interesting, portugal
look very strong indeed and must have best attacking options of all
the teams.

Hopefully todays games will bring more exciting, attacking footy

[Martin88]

I enjoyed the Portugal game alright. Plenty of good attacking play from both sides. I'd rate their chances of going a long way in the tournament. Didn't see much of the Swiss-Czech game. Average enough, both teams setting out to not lose that to push on for a win. But the Czechs took their goal well and in fairness probably deserved it that bit more in the end. Looking forward to the Germany-Poland game later.

[Fowler's God]

Tricolour in the crowd at the Austria/Croatia game

[GaryMc]

nice start for me, backed Czechs yesterday and Croatia HT/FT today ....

[wonit5times]

Dont rate lehman in nets. He is looking quite dodgy for germany and he is prob their weakest link.
Who is their sub 'keepers??

[wonit5times]

Both favourites win again today... hope this is not a trend during these euro's, would be nice to see a few upsets
lokking forward to spainish game tommorrow @5 mite have
to bunk off work a bit early to catch all of this game ;)

[Molby Is a Legend]

Both favourites win again today... hope this is not a trend during these euro's, would be nice to see a few upsets
lokking forward to spainish game tommorrow @5 mite have
to bunk off work a bit early to catch all of this game ;)


Is the spainish game not on Tuesday????????? Hollands group tomorrow.

Good game this evening some quality Players on Show. Liked the Polish Right
winger that came on at half time Guerraro i think his name is.................

[Fowler's God]

Spain are on Tuesday, tomorrow's games are tasty though! Tonights game was the best game i have seen in a while in the Euros

[~Rebel~]

Spain are on Tuesday, tomorrow's games are tasty though! Tonights game was the best game i have seen in a while in the Euros

aye, probably in about the last 4 years ;)

something i posted on another forum, but figured was well worth posting here too;

Went down to watch the Spanish team train earlier today. Was pretty cool to watch, though their shooting practice was god awful! Marcos Senna was the only one to score fairly consistently. Interesting watch though, and Xabi got a peach of a volley with his left. Also noticed that he and Arbeloa hung around together for most of it. Iker and Pepe seemed the best of buddies as well. Iker seems a hilarious character, himself and Pepe hung around after the session ended taking pens on each other. Iker kept doing these big high pitched screams to put off Reina, and whenever he scored against Pepe he did a massive sprint and slide into him, screaming at him.

Took a few pics anyway, not great, all i had was my phone, but better then nought!

http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk73/paulovanhoran/07062008002.jpg?t=1212875732
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk73/paulovanhoran/07062008003.jpg?t=1212875785
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk73/paulovanhoran/07062008004.jpg?t=1212875825

Iker V Pepe
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk73/paulovanhoran/07062008010.jpg?t=1212875858
Pepe Wins!
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk73/paulovanhoran/07062008012.jpg?t=1212875896


Pepe V Iker
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk73/paulovanhoran/07062008013.jpg?t=1212875934
Pepe wins again!
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk73/paulovanhoran/07062008014.jpg?t=1212875963

[Martin88]

Thanks for sharing Rebel. Are you going to any of the live games?

[~Rebel~]

ill be down outside the stadium for the 3 games in innsbruck (spain v russia, spain v sweden and russia v sweden) trying to get a ticket for each at a decent price from the touts. hoping they'll drop their prices a few mins before kickoff. If not, the Bergeisl skijump stadium is only a few mins away and has a 15,000 capacity where they let people in free to watch every match of the tournement on big screen tv's. Should be great atmosphere. Gonna pop down there for the 2 games tomorrow night, after a spot of snowboarding in the morning. Its a tough life i tell ya ;)

[~Rebel~]

ill be down outside the stadium for the 3 games in innsbruck (spain v russia, spain v sweden and russia v sweden) trying to get a ticket for each at a decent price from the touts. hoping they'll drop their prices a few mins before kickoff. If not, the Bergisel skijump stadium (http://www.travel2austria.com/i/bergiselinnsbruck2.jpg) is only a few mins away and has a 15,000 capacity where they let people in free to watch every match of the tournement on big screen tv's. Should be great atmosphere. Gonna pop down there for the 2 games tomorrow night, after a spot of snowboarding in the morning. Its a tough life i tell ya ;)

[Martin88]

ill be down outside the stadium for the 3 games in innsbruck (spain v russia, spain v sweden and russia v sweden) trying to get a ticket for each at a decent price from the touts. hoping they'll drop their prices a few mins before kickoff. If not, the Bergisel skijump stadium (http://www.travel2austria.com/i/bergiselinnsbruck2.jpg) is only a few mins away and has a 15,000 capacity where they let people in free to watch every match of the tournement on big screen tv's. Should be great atmosphere. Gonna pop down there for the 2 games tomorrow night, after a spot of snowboarding in the morning. Its a tough life i tell ya ;)

Sounds like it'll be great craic. Enjoy the rest of it.

[wonit5times]

Is the spainish game not on Tuesday????????? Hollands group tomorrow.

Good game this evening some quality Players on Show. Liked the Polish Right
winger that came on at half time Guerraro i think his name is.................

Your dead right!!!

[Gerry]

Kuyt done well tonight set up two, maybe should have scoed though, best game so far in the tournament how many would have backed the itallians to concede three goals !

[wonit5times]

Kuyt done well tonight set up two, maybe should have scoed though, best game so far in the tournament how many would have backed the itallians to concede three goals !

Yeah Kuyt was his usual self tonite worked hard and used the ball well.
Italy were unlucky wit the 1st goal horse-face was offside
but the dutch were magnificant, brilliant footy at times like to see
them go all the way

[Martin88]

Good game. Italy were a bit unlucky to concede the first goal but fair play to Kuyt. Excellent cross for the third goal.

[Aido82]

great game, dirk did well

1st goal - offside
2nd goal - great counter attack (great header by dirk) to set up scheider
3rd goal - dirk should have scored but great cross for van brockhurst to head in

[Maldjd23]

1st goal was onside apparently..panucci played him on...very bizarre, i assumed once a player was off the pitch he was deemed inactive...not so...

[James]

Dirk is a legend. F*ck this Spanish obsession I hope our number 18 gets a winners medal.

[reder]

http://www.rivalfish.com/rivalroom/uploaded_images/SwedishFans-787783.jpg

http://www.yorkshiresoul.org/fantasy%20football%20team.jpg

[Gerry]

nando is a class act he put it on a plate for villa one nil spain ! they look dodgy at the back though

[Fowler's God]

If any sign that was needed, Villa needs to be an acquistion this summer himself and Torres link up play is superb.

[sean]

nando is a class act he put it on a plate for villa one nil spain ! they look dodgy at the back though

Ya, that was something else from Nando alright. The lad will play the biggest part in how far Spain go in this tournament, though Puyol's dodgy defending might have a part to play as well!

You'd wonder how many goals Torres and Villa would get playing together in the league... ;)

[Martin88]

A hat trick from Villa...unbelievable quality.

[GaryMc]

Villa and Torres up front next season would be immense. I suspect though if Villa keeping playing like that we cost at least 30 million

[Aido82]

Villa and Torres up front next season would be immense. I suspect though if Villa keeping playing like that we cost at least 30 million

i think he will be to expensive for us

but yeap he is a class act - also silva looked good

[Martin88]

Imagine the attacking quality Villa or Silva would add to a side with a very strong defence-holding midfield (Carragher, Skrtel, Mascherano, Barry (hopefully)). That would be something special.

[wonit5times]

Torres didnt look too happy coming off, cant blame him
only got under an hour.
Torres and Villa look good together would be nice to see him at anfield next
year

[Aido82]

one nil to portugal

deco scores assist from slimeball

[Aido82]

1-1 sionko

headed goal from a corner

[Martin88]

Portugal through to the quarters. Great game from Ronaldo, a goal and an assist.

[titicamara]

Portugal looked good, if they just had a decent striker they would be real contenders. I liked the way they were letting Ronaldo go, Simao and Deco did a lot of tracking back but once they got the ball the 4 of them were going for it. I'd love to see them against Germany in the semis, but I can't see them beating them.

[Martin88]

Portugal looked good, if they just had a decent striker they would be real contenders. I liked the way they were letting Ronaldo go, Simao and Deco did a lot of tracking back but once they got the ball the 4 of them were going for it. I'd love to see them against Germany in the semis, but I can't see them beating them.

I agree. If they had a world class finisher Portugal would look very strong. They looked very lively on the counter attack. Admittedly the Czechs were pushing men forward, especially in the second half but in fairness Portugal exposed them well. Germany would be very unlikely to get opened like that at the back. If there's one chink in the German armor it's arguably Lehmann in goals so it could make an interesting semi.

[GaryMc]

No sign of our new signing at RB for the Swiss Roll tonight, think Turkey could beat them, Nihat is dangerous

[south]

Swiss 1 up

[GaryMc]

like a water polo match. The rain is making a balls of the match

[sean]

like a water polo match. The rain is making a balls of the match

Like a water polo match alright! Have to say its a bit more entertaining to watch now, you never know whats going to happen next.

[Rover 609]

The turks should of had those training sessions on the bosphorous!!

[wonit5times]

A bit of a shock here wit the croats winning 2-0 at the moment.
They seem to have a good record against the germans in competitions

[sean]

If the game between Czech Republic and Turkey finishes a draw after 90 minutes on Sunday it will go to penalties to decide who goes to the quater-finals. The two of them are effectively already in the knock out stage already.

[McGinty]

poland looking like second best against the Austrians but yet they're still 1 up.

Makes me sick thinking how ireland didnt qualify for this tourny looking at some of the sh1te thats in it, at least we would have put up a battle

[sean]

Makes me sick thinking how ireland didnt qualify for this tourny looking at some of the sh1te thats in it, at least we would have put up a battle

Erm, not sure what your basing that on mate! If we had qualified I reckon we'd struggle to finish in the top two of any group to be quiet honest. I agree that some of the football being played ain't like watching Brazil, but we certainly wouldn't add anything to this tournament football wise imo.

[Molby Is a Legend]

If the game between Czech Republic and Turkey finishes a draw after 90 minutes on Sunday it will go to penalties to decide who goes to the quater-finals. The two of them are effectively already in the knock out stage already.

Is this true? Hard to imagine a group game going to Pens?

[sean]

Is this true? Hard to imagine a group game going to Pens?

Have a look for yourself, page 9 of the UEFA Regualations rulebook for Euro 2008, rule 7.08 ;) It will be the first group game to ever go to penalties if it happens.

http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/19079.pdf

[redeagle]

first round of matches were pretty bad. Much better now, more players seemed to have relaxed. Croatia looked very good today.

I don't think there is a team thats an out and out winner for me. Everyone seems to have a weakness somewhere.

[Martin88]

I don't think there is a team thats an out and out winner for me. Everyone seems to have a weakness somewhere.

That's true. It's still very early but I'm impressed with Spain and Portugal's high tempo attacking style. They've looked very sharp on the counter attacks. Germany looked very shaky today but should be safe to get out of the group with just Austria left.

[wonit5times]

first round of matches were pretty bad. Much better now, more players seemed to have relaxed. Croatia looked very good today.

I don't think there is a team thats an out and out winner for me. Everyone seems to have a weakness somewhere.

The dutch seem to be in top form who'd of thougt they wud have hit the back of the net 7 times in 2 games against the world champions and the french.

They seem to be very good going forward and could afford to leave van persie and robben on the bench yesterday from the start. Then ofcourse they are missing babel prob wudnt have got a look in:eek:;)

They dont seem to be too hot at the back but if they keep on scoring it wont matter. Love to see them win it playing great footy and scoring plenty of goals, it makes a big differance from the boring greeks last time out

[Martin88]

Spain 2-Sweden 1. How much will that goal by Villa dent Liverpool's chances of getting him if his value keeps rising? Must be worth at least £25m by now.

[wonit5times]

Should be an interesting match this evening i think the czechs will be too good for turkey
Sionko has played very well in this euros so far looks to be a tidy player
Would prefer to see the czechs go into the quarters instead of the turks cos they play more attractive footy definetly more adventurous

[Molby Is a Legend]

Have a look for yourself, page 9 of the UEFA Regualations rulebook for Euro 2008, rule 7.08 ;) It will be the first group game to ever go to penalties if it happens.

http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/19079.pdf

Love it Sean Quoting the rule book and all Just like a poor mans Graham Poll ;););););););)

Should be an interesting 2nd half now turks have to attack

[Molby Is a Legend]

Spain 2-Sweden 1. How much will that goal by Villa dent Liverpool's chances of getting him if his value keeps rising? Must be worth at least £25m by now.

And the rest once the Mancs and Chavs show the slightest interest it will add another €5 mil on to his price :mad: :mad:

[Martin88]

And the rest once the Mancs and Chavs show the slightest interest it will add another €5 mil on to his price :mad: :mad:

According to today's Sunday World United won't have big funds available for the summer. i.e they'll have to sell before buying. Because Tevez is on loan his fee will cost £20m+ and striker wise they'd probably be looking at Berbatov or Huntelaar. But like you said any deal Chelsea look at shoots up by at least £5m straight away.

[Molby Is a Legend]

Now here is a tasty 15 mins, Would love to see this go to pens, Simply because it will be the first time ever.

[Alex Raisbeck]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, drats.
Both teams were 9/2 to go through on pens, was goina do it but obviously didnt.
B*lliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiix.

[Alex Raisbeck]

Well spank me baby, am happy i didnt now.

Some game eh!!!!

[lehaner]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, drats.
Both teams were 9/2 to go through on pens, was goina do it but obviously didnt.
B*lliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiix.

Your lucky you didn't do it by the looks of things!

[Alex Raisbeck]

Your lucky you didn't do it by the looks of things!

Yea, crazy game eh?

[Molby Is a Legend]

Shades of istanbul what a comeback

[lehaner]

Yea, crazy game eh?

unbelievable finish allright, cech messed up big time, would have been quality if it went to a peno shoot out with Turkey having an outfield player in goals!

[Martin88]

Yea, crazy game eh?

Absolutely. What a comeback.

[sean]

Super game to watch for the last 20 minutes, the Czech's will be sick as parrots for some while to come, especially when they think back to hitting the post when they lead 2-0. Did anyone see Baros about 2 minutes before he got booked, was throwing some hissy fit, wonder if it was at the manager for not putting him on?

[Gerry]

Italy have been really poor in the tournament but they could well put spain out, the suspended players could be a problem for them !

[marathonman]

Italy have been really poor in the tournament but they could well put spain out, the suspended players could be a problem for them !

Were 20/1 before tonight.They always are poor in group stages.

[wonit5times]

Were 20/1 before tonight.They always are poor in group stages.

Italy are shite all tournament, toni is a bleedin donkey how many chances did he have tonite and messed the up
heard he scored loads of goals in germany last year but its hardly the premiership is it?????
Spain shud fancy there chances wit pirlo and gattuso suspended,villa and torres to run amok:D

[red1965]

Were 20/1 before tonight.They always are poor in group stages.

ye rember usa 94:)
should be easy now for spain

[wonit5times]

Who wud have thought that only croatia and the dutch wud have a perfect record so far.
It takes a good side to do that, usually when teams win the first two games they send out a weakened team for tha last game and get beat.(portugal)
just goes to show ya the lads in the squad really trying to break into 1st XI

[MrsStevieG]

Well done to the Russians tonight. Thought they were outstanding and delighted to see them go through. Especially considering they are such a young team aswell. Might be a good outside bet to win the cup?!

[Bren100]

Anyone see Alsono's shooting tonight, he was close a few times. Some great shooting.

[sean]

Anyone see Alsono's shooting tonight, he was close a few times. Some great shooting.

I bet it won't be a patch on Barry's finishing next season...

[Martin88]

Was anyone watching the Germany-Portugal match? What a finish. I was sure after Portugal pulled one back that the great escape could be on. It wasn't. They went down 3-2 but still a great game.

[GaryMc]

Great game, Portugal probably better team but let down by set piece defending

[Martin88]

Great game, Portugal probably better team but let down by set piece defending

That, along with too many shots from distance. It could make for an interesting rematch if Croatia beat the Turks and face the Germans again.

[Shamrok]

Delighted to see the end of the Ronaldo show tonight.

[redeagle]

fantastic game tonight. Really sums up what football is about sometimes. Well done turkey.

Contrast at the end between the turkish and croatian players was unbelievable, they must have been seconds from going through, jumped out of my seat when Turkey scored.

class stuff.

[sean]

Amazing stuff from Turkey alright, even more amazing to hear that they are in the semi-finals depite only leading in games for a total of 3 minutes in the whole tournament!

Germany will really be fancying themselves in this one, the amount of suspensions and injuries that Turkey have accumulated is unreal.

[ianmahony1977]

terrific finish to the game, fair play to the turks, they have shown great heart
to reach the semi-finals.

there was only ever one winner in the pens, couldn't believe the attitude of Bilic after the final whistle. i know he was sick but surely it's situations like that where a manager earns his corn.

modric and rapatic lokked like frightened schoolboys taking their pens.

[SUPERFAN]

i hope that never happens to Lpool,the Croatia Fans/Players must be Sick as fcukin Pigs....

[south]

i backed russia today at 16/1 to win it out.my first bet so far

[SUPERFAN]

goin to check out what the Odds are on Turkey and Russia getting to the Final.
it'd be Worth Sticking a Flem on...

[maloneavic]

think turkey could do a greece in this tourament, so far there luck they have had etc is unreal.

[sean]

goin to check out what the Odds are on Turkey and Russia getting to the Final.

Hope you stuck a few euro on that earlier today cos the way its going its a distinct possibility that it will be a Turkey v Russia final :eek:

[JAMIE500]

its a germany and italy in the final .i have italy at 18/1 to win it

[Gerry]

The turks just do not give up, have to admire the spirit, how bad was lahm for the goal?

Note lahm has just made up for his schoolboy defending

[sean]

Great game to watch (when we didn't lose the picture) and feel a bit gutted for the Turks.

Anyway, did anyone else notice the amount of hot German women in the crowd tonight?!

[mypost]

Another Dunphy coc-up:

All German goals in Euro '08 have been scored by players who play or have played for FC Bayern Munich. Nevertheless, Bayern are a "mickey-mouse" side :D :rolleyes:

[irishroey]

Another Dunphy coc-up:

All German goals in Euro '08 have been scored by players who play or have played for FC Bayern Munich. Nevertheless, Bayern are a "mickey-mouse" side :D :rolleyes:

wat a idiot

[GaryMc]

Come on El Nino, have him first goal tonight. Come on SPAINNNN!!!!

[STEVE1978]

Oh yes, will b headin d local for a couple of arthurs 2 watch it!!

[sean]

I have a sneaky suspicion that Russia will sneak this one tonight. Was looking at some stats today and saw that their captain has run over 50km so far this tournament and the team as a whole have clocked up the most mileage. If they keep that up tonight I see Spain struggling and with the added threat of Arshavin up front since the last time they played Puyol could be shown up big time. Hope I'm wrong though...

[Martin88]

Good performance from Spain but it was very poor by Russia's standards. Really looking forward to the Spain-Germany final.

[GaryMc]

Roll on Sunday, I am booking myself a Holiday if Spain win....

[sean]

I have a sneaky suspicion that Russia will sneak this one tonight

So much for my sneaky suspicions :D Very disappointed by the Russians tonight, hard to tell why they can play so well against the Swedes and the Dutch and then turn out that sort of performance tonight.

Anyway, roll on Sunday.

[Fowler's God]

My €20 bet is getting closer...Viva Espana!!!

[STEVE1978]

Thought nando played extremely well 2nite, unlucky not 2 score.Takin off, savin him 4 final i suppose.Just hope he in good shape 4 start of season.

[liverbird!!]

The Final will be where Nando shines! Opening goal and winning goal 78min!:D

Got spain in the mates draw at the start guaranteed €60.00 for second or €100.00 for winning. Espana, Espana, Espana!!:D

[sean]

The Final will be where Nando shines! Opening goal and winning goal 78min!:D

You must be joking, do you honestly think Aragones will leave Nando on the pitch long enough so he can score in the 78th minute!!

[liverbird!!]

You must be joking, do you honestly think Aragones will leave Nando on the pitch long enough so he can score in the 78th minute!!

Have faith is all i'll say!!:D

It's all part of his cunning plan!:eek:

[Pimboli]

Have faith is all i'll say!!:D

It's all part of his cunning plan!:eek:

The guy is clueless. Torres will get his usual 65-70m run out then off. Against Italy Villa didnt do a tap and Torres was working his socks off yet who gets taken off. Its quite well known that Aragones doesnt rate the EPL or any Spanish player in it. How else do you explain Fabregas on the bench all the time despite being Spains player of the tournament imo.

[liverbird!!]

The guy is clueless. Torres will get his usual 65-70m run out then off. Against Italy Villa didnt do a tap and Torres was working his socks off yet who gets taken off. Its quite well known that Aragones doesnt rate the EPL or any Spanish player in it. How else do you explain Fabregas on the bench all the time despite being Spains player of the tournament imo.

The guy maybe clueless but spain are in the Final.

He'll not look so clueless now because the final team will have Fabergas in it with villa missing, and imo Nando will play the full game.

[irishroey]

The guy is clueless. Torres will get his usual 65-70m run out then off. Against Italy Villa didnt do a tap and Torres was working his socks off yet who gets taken off. Its quite well known that Aragones doesnt rate the EPL or any Spanish player in it. How else do you explain Fabregas on the bench all the time despite being Spains player of the tournament imo.

maybe he was talking to rafa and got a few tips on his roration bullshit

[STEVE1978]

Here here mate!!!

[Molby Is a Legend]

Super Finish By Nando, if there is to be more goals i hope nando gets the winner

[red1965]

Super Finish By Nando, if there is to be more goals i hope nando gets the winner

hope so ive got him10/1 to score 2 or more

[Block102]

hope so ive got him10/1 to score 2 or more

Same here....

[Molby Is a Legend]

hope so ive got him10/1 to score 2 or more

Super Price i would have jumped on that if i had of seen it

[RedMurph08]

Congratulations Spain! Well done Nando! Viva la Costa Del Mersey

[keystone]

Nice to see the 4 reds together......celebrating

now if only Alonso wud stay!!

[Martin88]

Nice to see the 4 reds together......celebrating

now if only Alonso wud stay!!

+1. Great stuff from Spain tonight.

[Tilly]

wat a day for me!spain winning fernando scoring first goal winning by one and most of all a new baby boy born today at 11.00 tis morning, a future pool striker!!!!!

[Martin88]

a new baby boy born today at 11.00 tis morning, a future pool striker!!!!!

Exellent news. Congratulations.

[Block102]

wat a day for me!spain winning fernando scoring first goal winning by one and most of all a new baby boy born today at 11.00 tis morning, a future pool striker!!!!!

Congrats - you'll have to call him Fernando after that....

[Tilly]

Congrats - you'll have to call him Fernando after that....
tanks all,i wanted to call him fernando but the wife intervened and we settled for rhys instead.

[sean]

tanks all,i wanted to call him fernando but the wife intervened and we settled for rhys instead.

Congrats - you at least have to get in there with his middle name being Nando!

On the game I'm obviously delighted at the outcome and its a victory for attacking football. Like Dunphy said tonight, imagine if that had been a Germany v Italy final :eek:

[redeagle]

tanks all,i wanted to call him fernando but the wife intervened and we settled for rhys instead.

lol.

[Fowler's God]

Flippin delighted for a few reasons....(1)The best team in the competition won the title from the outset, attacking and suprisingly defensive as a unit Spain were above the rest. Most importantly passion which hats off too Aragones in that regard he knitted them all together, Basques, Catalans and Madrista's. 44 years and waiting they finally lived up to the expectations of their fellow Spanairds. (2) Fernando Torres showed his class and his goal won the competition for the best team in Europe. (3) Along with Torres, his fellow redmen Arbeloa, Reina and Alonso contributed too the cause in making history for their country. (4) and the best of all on the day they played their first match before they kicked off against the Russians, i placed €20 at 5/1 in Paddy Powers, tonight El Nino won me a €100 squids gracia por favor Fernando and Co! The women is delighted now i have to treat her to a meal next weekend in La Palma in Waterford :)

Viva Espana! Roll on pre-season and the transfer window! What an enjoyable Euro's this year i have to say.

[STEVE1978]

Super!

[pam]

Delighted to Spain win it - best in competition -worthy winners, and fernarndo Torres liverpools no 9;) la la la la la la

[liverbird!!]

Well done Spain, excellent stuff.

Well my prediction that this would be Nandos game was correct!!!
And €100 for me, for winning the tourney!!

[GaryMc]

Have to say I am little depressed, the best football touranment in recent history is over. to say I have been lucky in this tournament would be under statement. Spain winning last night was the biggest ever amount I won on anything.

Last weekend I was second bottom our fantasy football league with a group of mates. A tastey pot up for grabs. Thanks to banking on Spain players and the legend as captain for the final, I finished joint top, so get half the pot.

Cheers Fernando, and well done Xabi, Pepe and Arbeloa.

Espana, Espana!!!!

[GaryMc]

Great celebrations going on in Madrid, reminds me of 2005. Reina is enjoying himself.

[Rover 609]

What about Xavi Hernandez getting the UEFA player of the tournament?
I remember reading some post on here from a gobshite who reckoned he would be a great addition to our squad because of his midfield creativeness.Of course the idea was quite rightly shot down in some quarters whats goin on there???

[megager]

Are you serious?? Xavi is a top class player and bossed the midfield in all of spains game. Personally I think he was their most consistent player, although I also thought Torres was excellent (despite only scoring twice, he ran his socks off and made so much room for Villa) The poster suggested that if Alonso was sold, then Xabi would be a better replacement than Barry and he was right. It will never happen as he is a barca legend and will never leave. Id personally keep Alonso (he looked very good when he played I thought) and I maintain Alonso at 70 % is as good if not better than Barry, Alonso firing on all cylinders is brilliant. Sure he didnt do amazingly last season, but still was brilliant against chelsea and was hampered by injuries.

[Badman]

What about Xavi Hernandez getting the UEFA player of the tournament?
I remember reading some post on here from a gobshite who reckoned he would be a great addition to our squad because of his midfield creativeness.Of course the idea was quite rightly shot down in some quarters whats goin on there???

I AM that gobshite...and stand fully by what i said. But then how dare i formulate an opinion before consulting your omniscient footballing intellect first. I was under the illusions that individual thinking was par for the course on sites like this. I think the boy is class, still do!

[Fowler's God]

Xavi Hernandez is class end of...but the chances of any club not only Liverpool signing him are remote.

[Rover 609]

I AM that gobshite...and stand fully by what i said. But then how dare i formulate an opinion before consulting your omniscient footballing intellect first. I was under the illusions that individual thinking was par for the course on sites like this. I think the boy is class, still do!

Not from were im sittin mate.The gobshite i had in mind is azzkikr and posted his view on "next year will be our year" thread.Sorry for any misunderstanding.

[arklowred]

Quality commentary from the RTE @ Euro 2008

Souness - "Croatia were a little bit tippy tappy for me".

Gilesy on Ronaldo - "Marilyn Monroe was the greatest star in the world but she was never known as a great actor. Ronaldo is like that."

Bill - ""Those two defenders are known as the twin towers. And they were destroyed there"

Bill - "what do you think of Group B gentlemen?" (the group with Germany, Austria, Poland and Croatia) Souness - "Looks a bit like World War II, Bill".

Dunphy - "Real Madrid are offering ronaldo €250,000 a week after tax, he has a model girlfriend, he's 23, he's good looking, I hate him"

Dunphy again - "Sergio Ramos is a headbanger, he's like Paul McShane on steroids".

Jimmy Magee - "and the ball is passed wide to Ricardo Ronaldo"... Mark Kinsella too polite to correct him, then a min later Jimmy realises...'I've just promoted the Portuguese goalkeeper to the wing'.

Jimmy Magee again: "This must be the most attacks by an Italian team in an international match in the first 16 minutes than anyone can remember"

Mark Kinsella after 15 minutes of the match between Austria & Germany..............

"I see what the Austrians are tryin to do here, they are tryin to stop the Germans playing football"

Mark Kinsella after lahm had been fouled (which resulted in ballacks stunning freekick)..........."he really needed to make that tackle........doesnt matter bout the free kick lahm was on a good run".............ballack riffles one home.........."ya see needless freekicks cost ya

Jimmy again: "klasnic has scored for poland, they lead one nil" then it shows the replay and he realise it was a goal against poland and he says " of course that was Klasnic of croatia who got the goal"..........

Bill: - "Just one interesting point. Italy have now qualified for the quarter final with 4 points ,when last time they failed to qualify with 5 points....whatever that means........i actually don't know" ..... que laughter from Gilesy and Brady..

With some classic back and forth from the panel

Souness - "I agree with Liam......"
Dunphy - "Its Eamon"
Souness - "Sorry, whats your name....haha....good job Liams not here"

Dunphy - "Holland look good but they haven't played a proper team yet" Brady - "They beat Italy 3-0 and France 4-1, two WC finalists. what do you mean a proper team?" Dunphy - "Sweden"

Brady: "The games at five o'clock have been inferior."
Billo: "For what reason?"
Brady: "Well, I think it is cooler at night, Bill."
Billo: "Hold on, we're only talking 23 degrees. That's what it was like in Dublin today."
Brady: "Still hot. Still hot. I was playing golf today. I found it hot."
Billo: "Did you shoot a good score Liam?"
Brady: "No, not really."
Billo: "And were you as indolent as they (Romania and France) were?"
Gilesy: "You try playing golf at night Bill."

And best of the tournament

Souness unimpressed with Thierry Henry's bravery for the Italian second
goal:

"He's got his hands down protecting his downstairs area and sticks his foot out like a nancy"?

Eamo: "If you don't mind me saying Graeme, the shot was a bit low to have affected his downstairs area."

Cue Gilesy mumbling: "You don't know with these lads, Eamon."

[Molby Is a Legend]

Dunphy - "Real Madrid are offering ronaldo €250,000 a week after tax, he has a model girlfriend, he's 23, he's good looking, I hate him"

You gotta hand it to foreskin face he does come out with some corkers :D:D:D:D:D:D