UEFA EURO2012

[krajcher]

3 weeks filled with football matches from now. What a feast!

[oxy60]

And we all hope that everything will go well. Let's not have the tournament spoiled by questionable calls or other ugliness.

In the US we're barred from betting sites so does anyone know the latest line?

[costicina]

The Russian team impressed me  : great start!!!!!

[austinarg]

Finally, the Euro is here... in two weeks our football season ends, I need something more to watch.

By the way, which team are you rooting for?

Go Serbia!!!! 

[krajcher]

What happened today in "group of death".

The Netherlands must have theirs back to the wall considering that they surprisingly lost with very well organised Denmark.

And Germany, as always, won (with Portugal).

As Gary Lineker said: "Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win".

[oxy60]

I almost fell asleep. 180 minutes and only two goals. Imagine the value of all those stars in group B. Did you see the Madrid coach in the stands watching over his most valuable player?

After seeing these games I wonder if it is all about staying healthy so the players can go back to their big paying jobs in the fall.

[costicina]

After seeing these games I wonder if it is all about staying healthy so the players can go back to their big paying jobs in the fall.

I subscribe every word...but still I hope in the 'surprise' team of virtual unknown players that give a  lesson to this bunch of spoiled celebrities....

[krajcher]

After seeing these games I wonder if it is all about staying healthy so the players can go back to their big paying jobs in the fall.

Sorry, I don't agree. I saw in these matches will to fight; the players care about good appearrance, because for many of them it is a chance for better contract, but it is not the only reason.

Some of them don't care about money (because they already have a lot ); they just desire to win prestigious tournament to become immortal.

[oxy60]

End of the first half. Now I see a little more passion. Iker Casillas earned his pay check, especially with that last save.  I haven't seen these players for 6 months and they look a lot older/tired. With all those good tries we should have seen a goal from either side.

[costicina]

Spain vs Italy: it wasn't that bad!!!! 

[krajcher]

Spain vs Italy: it wasn't that bad!!!!  

I agree but I had an impression that Spaniards didn't have proper ball feel.

What is associated with spanish team: short passing and movement, working the ball through various channels; it went wrong. I heard they complained that grass was too dry.



Amazing trick by Balotelli from yesterday's match :

[oxy60]

Spain vs Italy: it wasn't that bad!!!! 

I knew Italy wasn't as bad as you thought. The fact that Spain put something together without Ronaldo and with Torres on the bench was a big surprise.

[costicina]

England-France: so BORING!!!!!!! 

[thalbergmad]

Almost beat the Frogs, but it was not to be.

Thal

[ahinton]

Universal Edition Forsakes Austria? Mon Dieu! Whatever next? Boosey fans ruin match? First Schotts are own goals?

UEFA like it or you don't, I suppose...

Best,

Alistair

[oxy60]

I doubt that anyone would have thought that at this stage we would see these teams as the leaders of the four groups.

[krajcher]

Did you see Ukraine-Sweden? I am impressed of Shevchenko's appearance. To be honest I thought he is finished. What a surprise .

[costicina]

Oh yes, it was almost moving: he (but Ibrahimovic, too) played a gorgeous game!!!! 

[starstruck5]

Be glad when club footie returns -International football is so dull -well it is if you are Welsh and have one of the crappiest teams on the planet -

[ahinton]

Oh yes, it was almost moving: he (but Ibrahimovic, too) played a gorgeous game!!!!  

Give me Ibragimova any day in preference; I know that she doesn't play "that" game, but who cares?!...

Best,

Alistair

[austinarg]

By the way, what did you guys think of the opening ceremony? I was in a hurry, so I could only catch a guy with a giganormous piano playing a bit of Chopin 25/11!

[krajcher]

England-Sweden 3:2

And amazing goal by Welbeck.

[costicina]

Italy, why, why you must always spoil everything??? 

[krajcher]

Italy, why, why you must always spoil everything??? 

Not always , do you remember World Cup 2006?

[thalbergmad]

Goodbye Holland.

Would have had a better chance if the players had worn clogs.

Thal

[oxy60]

Goodbye Holland.

Would have had a better chance if the players had worn clogs.

Thal

It was theirs to loose.

[costicina]

Good by Italy, too? Maybe they deserve it, nonetheless hope is hard to die 

[krajcher]

The problem for Italy is that the score 2:2 in the match Spain-Croatia makes that two teams play in quarterfinals. It is funny, because they were in the same situation in EURO 2004 (and they dropped out, because the match Sweden-Denmark ended with a score 2:2).

[costicina]

YEEEESSS!!!!! Italy is in!!!!! The team didn't deserve it, nonetheless I'm HAPPY 

[oxy60]

YEEEESSS!!!!! Italy is in!!!!! The team didn't deserve it, nonetheless I'm HAPPY 

I'm sure you will be watching today. I have a split screen possibility which I tried out yesterday. Maybe somebody can watch two games at the same time but it's not for me. Which will Italy play, England, France or the Ukraine? All will be clear in a few hours...

You might enjoy this link: https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2012/matches/index.html

BTW: your English is quite good, much better than the English teacher who lived in the same building as I did in Rome! In those days only ex-pats spoke much English.

[costicina]

England   ....It's going to be very very hard, I'm afraid we don't have many chances to win. But who knows?  

P.S. I whish my English were much better...Anyway, at least I'm able to chat with you, having so much fun!!! Thank you  

[austinarg]

England   ....It's going to be very very hard, I'm afraid we don't have many chances to win. But who knows?  

P.S. I whish my English were much better...Anyway, at least I'm able to chat with you, having so much fun!!! Thank you  

Don't fear, costicina, because Italy is facing the most overrated national team in the history of football. I foresee a good result for the squadra azzurra 

[thalbergmad]

If England win, I will eat my banjo and post the photos here.

They have no chance.

Thal

[ahinton]

If England win, I will eat my banjo and post the photos here.

Which banjo? You're surely not trying to tell us that you possess only one such?

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

Which banjo?

It certainly won't be the one that safely arrived from Minneapolis yesterday morning.

Bloody V A T.

Thal

[costicina]

Austin, Thal, I hope soooo much you're right!!!! But the Italian team can't be trusted: too discontinuous, and they too are spoiled and overrated. Nonetheless, GO ITALY!!!!!!

[oxy60]

It certainly won't be the one that safely arrived from Minneapolis yesterday morning.

Bloody V A T.

Thal

Ah yes, they got you too. The only way they collect is when they see it shipped in. As if the UK has a Banjo industry that needs to be protected...

On some items the VAT exceeds the cost of a return airfare.

Austin, Thal, I hope soooo much you're right!!!! But the Italian team can't be trusted: too discontinuous, and they too are spoiled and overrated. Nonetheless, GO ITALY!!!!!!

I see the England game with Italy as even. It may even go to penalty kicks.

[austinarg]

I see the England game with Italy as even. It may even go to penalty kicks.

Do you think so? Italy is going to throw their football history at the face of England, thew will probably wet their shorts and lose miserably.

[oxy60]

Yes and I'm not alone. Check www.bet365.com. I do give a slight edge to England because they have groups of players from the same clubs. I thinks it helps to know your fellow player.

[krajcher]

I hope Italy-England will be interesting match because both teams have great players, however they haven't shown anything special on this tournament so far.

But german team is very promising. It is my bet.

[costicina]

I whish to see another Italy-Germany match  like the mythical ones of the past....
Anyway, Germany has been so far the best team, better than Spain. The deserve to win the cup.

But tomorrow: Italy,  please, please, do your best against England!!!!! 

[starstruck5]

I whish to see another Italy-Germany match  like the mythical ones of the past....
Anyway, Germany has been so far the best team, better than Spain. The deserve to win the cup.

But tomorrow: Italy,  please, please, do your best against England!!!!! 

I am a bit torn who to support -Rooney, Young and Welbeck play for my team Manchester United -but the fans sing 'God Save The Queen' which send me into fits of despair and anti England sentiments - -as I am so anti-royal -All in all this Welsh guy wants Italy to win -but I want the United players to play well -

[austinarg]

Austin, Thal, I hope soooo much you're right!!!! But the Italian team can't be trusted: too discontinuous, and they too are spoiled and overrated. Nonetheless, GO ITALY!!!!!!

See? 

[j_menz]

If England win, I will eat my banjo and post the photos here.

They have no chance.

Thal

Damn!! I was soooo looking forward to those photos. 

[krajcher]

If England win, I will eat my banjo and post the photos here.

They have no chance.

Thal

Nevertheless it was risky, penalties are always a lottery.

But it is good that England lost, because they SUCKED.

[costicina]

.....

Anyway WE did the match, and deserved to win!!!!!

Thal, your banjo is safe, but post a photo of you drinking gallons of ale to celebrate 

[oxy60]

Congratulations Italia!

How about that slow ball by that older player that fooled the English goalie. I couldn't see his name. His back was only shown for a moment.

[starstruck5]

That fancy penalty taker was Pirlo -plays for Juventus -if they ever want to sell him to Manchester United -we wil take him!


Yep no doubt Italy deserved to win -it would have been very unjust if they had lost the penalty shoot out -

[costicina]

Pirlo was the best player in that match. I whish he'll be so inspired in the next, hard proof against Germany. Honestly, they are better, yet I can't help rooting for the Italian team. Am I a lousy nationalist? 

[starstruck5]

Nationalism in Football is fine I reckon -if Wales had a decent team I would be flying the flag -Hope Italy go on to the final now and beat Spain or Portugal -though there is much to admire about the Portugal side -Ronaldo is some player -Nani has his moments.