Soccer (football) Nirvana

[The Lurker]

Set your recorders: Czech Republic v. Portugal! An important Group A match which should be enjoyable.

If the sport's goal is positive attacking football then it was good(if you like to see negative play backfire) to see Greece lose 0-2.

A good explanation why Ruud was not offside: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai.../sfnref111.xml

"The player was not offside because in addition to the Italian goalkeeper [Buffon] there was another defender [Panucci] in front of the goalscorer. Even though that player had fallen off the pitch, his position was still relevant for the purposes of the offside law. [He] is still considered part of the game. If we did not have this interpretation then what could happen is the defending team could step off the pitch to play offside and that is clearly unacceptable.

"We have to have the laws as simple as possible for the referee to interpret and for tactical use... if you introduce other interpretations. As a defender you're in play unless you have permission to be off the field."

Watching it right now-damn good match!. I'm pulling for the Czechs.

edit..so much for that. The last goal by Ronaldo/Quaresma was painful. The Czechs couldnt catch a break the entire match.

[metulj]

The Czechs couldnt catch a break the entire match.

They should have put Koller in 25 minutes earlier. Portugal is so small on the back line. That's a no-brainer. I am dumbfounded by their subbing out Plašil that late in the game. He must have asked to come out.

[The Lurker]

They should have put Koller in 25 minutes earlier. Portugal is so small on the back line. That's a no-brainer. I am dumbfounded by their subbing out Plašil that late in the game. He must have asked to come out.

Croatia-Germany is tomorrow...you watching it? That should be one helluva match with each one tied at 3pts (standings).

[metulj]

Croatia-Germany is tomorrow...you watching it? That should be one helluva match with each one tied at 3pts.

The score will be nil-nil.

[The Lurker]

The Turkey-Swiss (sounds like a sandwich) match is starting up shortly. Lots of bad blood between these two. I'd forgotten all about that brawl.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai...8/sfntur08.xml

edit: Turkey pulled that one out of their ass. Embarrassing loss for the Swiss @ home.

[Sager Bombs]

Portugal-Czech Republic was a fun game. Can't wait for France-Holland.

England looks even worse for failing to qualify over Croatia and Russia.

[Dewey Luster]

I am all in for the Dutch. They have played the most fluid and enjoyable football to watch to date. I agree with Andy Gray though and playing the best match first is not necessarily who will win, but it is a good way to introduce oneselves to the tournament

[Dewey Luster]

[QUOTE=The Lurker;238608]The Turkey-Swiss (sounds like a sandwich) match is starting up shortly. Lots of bad blood between these two. I'd forgotten all about that brawl.

The Turks are fanatics about their football. I have been to Turkey 6 times and several times have been on occasion of a big match. After one of these big matches, which they lost, there were reports of 8 or 9 suicides.

Either they are poor bettors or else they are very intense on the results.

[The Lurker]

Scolari was just hired as Chelsea's new coach today. Not sure if that will distract Portugal in their upcoming match or not.

[The Lurker]

Croatia is playing tough-early goal against Germany. This is one of the better matches in the tourney so far. If you are close to a TV turn this one on.