Euro 2008 - quarterfinals set

[FQDawg]

With Comrade Hiddink pushing Russia in to the quarters the knock-out rounds are set.

Portugal vs. Germany
Croatia vs. Turkey

Netherlands vs. Russia
Spain vs. Italy

Some pretty interesting match-ups. Anybody have any predicitions? I see Portugal and Croatia in one semifinal and the Netherlands and Spain in the other with Portugal playing the Netherlands for all the marbles. The Netherlands-Spain semi could be a classic.

 

[patdog]

You could potentially have two round-robin re-matches in the semis when it could have just as easily been set up so you wouldn't meet the other team from your group until the finals.

I don't follow European soccer all that much, but I have seen some of Euro 2008. Your predictions look pretty good to me. Who'd have ever thought that the Netherlands not only would win their group, but just destroy it like they did? I think I'll pull for them to win it all.

 

[Uncle Leo]

You could potentially have two round-robin re-matches in the semis when it could have just as easily been set up so you wouldn't meet the other team from your group until the finals.

That's how it used to be. Not sure why they changed it this time. jsireland suggested it was to prevent the co-hosts from meeting in the final. First of all, that was never going to happen with Switzerland and Austria hosting. Secondly, I'm not sure why that would be a bad thing. But that's all we could think of.

As for predictions...
GER
CRO
NED
ESP

GER
ESP

ESP

I'm pulling for the Dutch, though.</p>

 

[seshomoru]

I think Germany can pull this one out, but they are going to seriously have to get their heads straight. What the hell, I say they do. And as much as I've enjoyed watching the Turkish comebacks, there's just to many injuries and suspensions.

Germany
Croatia
Netherlands
Spain

Croatia
Netherlands

<font color="#FF9900" size="7">ORANJE!</font>

 

[woofdwoof]

will throw in my 2 cent predictions:

Finals: Croatia vs. Dutch

Champ: Croatia, but I too am rooting for the Dutch team.

my darkhorse: Russia (youngest team in the tourney)

 

[seshomoru]

Afternoon soaps and an office full of females sucks hard.</p>Although, whoever is typing the stuff is decent:

Ballack went down as if shot. He wasn't. Though perhaps he should be for services to the acting profession.

 

[davatron]

Link

 

[FQDawg]

You know, I'm not necessarily surprised that Germany is winning but I certainly didn't expect this. Ballack got away with a nice little shove on his goal.

 

[seshomoru]

Denied!

I don't even think I DVR'd the thing.

Matchcast is reading like the Portuguese are playing Laker style defense.

 

[FQDawg]

I realize we in the US have a surfeit of very good goalkeepers, but Portugal's GK is not very good at all.

And as I type, Portugal scores - don't call it a comeback.

 

[jsireland]

just got back from the public viewing. great match. total insanity. people dancing in the streets, throwing flares, hanging out of cars. and still two matches to go.

anyone catch ronaldo's acting job on the sidelines? took him two seconds to realize he was hurt, after looking around for a bit. ****.

AUF GEHT'S WEISSE!!!!!

 

[FQDawg]

anyone catch ronaldo's acting job on the sidelines? took him two seconds to realize he was hurt, after looking around for a bit. ****.

I can't stand that guy... He is supremely talented, but spends more time writing around on the ground in phantom pain than he does actually playing. The phrase "petulent little *****" is thrown around a lot by the Irish guys I sometimes watch games with.

 

[cb6228]

The announcers were calling him (and the rest of the Portuguese) out over and over again. There is reason I hate every South/Central American team, the Portuguese, Spanish, and #%#%#%% I-Tais....they are all little bitches. Stand up and play like a man.