2004-06-14, 08:45 | Link #102 | |
冤枉的小狗
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: South East Asia
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Quote:
Wonder if there will be another upset tonight again There were quite a few reports before the tournament saying Italy should be able to breeze through their group. But after the Portugal-Greece incident (reminding everyone of the World Cup), the media now starts giving cautious predictions |
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2004-06-14, 11:44 | Link #103 |
has big feet
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: UK
Age: 35
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you know in birmingham (thats in England by the way) there was mass rioting because of the 2-1 defeat. Near bull ring (main shopping centre) i could see people throwing toilet paper. So i was like okay thats not too bad. The next thing i see is glass bottles, even bar stools and bycicle tyres.
Freaking scary, so i did the only normal thing...ran as fast as possible to birmingham train station to go home. people were pissed(the angry version)...nuff said. |
2004-06-14, 14:56 | Link #106 | |
I pity the foo!
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Quote:
Since that time, it was nearly everything wins or draws. Do the math, my friend. (If you are portuguese, then tell me from where is your family from :P) |
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2004-06-14, 20:21 | Link #108 |
Ed & Winry? :O
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The Euro 2004 Football Championships. Danes seal deserved point by Graeme Bailey - Last Updated 14 Jun 2004 The opening game in Group C saw Denmark claim a well deserved point, as Italy struggled to find their feet in a 0-0 draw at The Estadio D.Afonso Henriques. The Danes had dominated the opening exchanges, yet Italy had the better chances to open the scoring - but the draw was a fair result. Italy never managed to get out of first gear as they struggled to find the momentum, which the Danes seemed to have from the start. Denmark, though, will be thankful to goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, who produced three world-class saves to make sure his side took something from the game. Italy's best chances revolved around their talisman Francesco Totti - but he could not forge a way through a stubborn Danish rearguard. Totti had the first real effort of the game after 13 minutes when his brilliant 30-yard free kick was parried wide by Sorensen - the first of a number of exchanges between the two. Thomas Helveg impressed throughout with his marauding runs down the right flank and he was allowed to run unchecked before firing wide with his left foot, as the Scandinavian outfit looked a lot more comfortable in the blazing heat of Guimaraes. Denmark were utilising the width which their wingers - Martin Jorgensen and Dennis Rommedahl - bring to their game and Italy were forced to fend off wave after wave of foraging attacks from each flank. Niclas Jensen's free kick almost helped his side open the deadlock as he swung a vicious left-footed effort into the area but Jon Dahl Tomasson could only get a slight flick and Martin Laursen was just too late arriving at the back post. Just moments before the interval and against the run of play - Italy could and should have taken the lead. For once the Danish defence stuttered and failed to clear as the ball fell for Christian Vieri and he managed to work the ball through to Alessandro Del Piero who fired an effort at goal only for Sorensen to parry brilliantly. The danger was still not over as Totti retrieved the ball and came back inside before firing at goal - the ball deflected off Laursen and Sorensen was forced to double back and produce a wonderful right handed save when he looked beaten. The Danes were not rattled by the Italians almost breaking through and they immediately broke with their usual pace and created a chance for Jorgensen, but he failed to make good contact with his shot and that allowed Gianluigi Buffon to get down well save. The second period saw the Italians come out a bit more positively and they carved out two very good chances early on. The first came through Totti as the Roma star played a wonderful through ball into the path of the on-rushing Gianluca Zambrotta - but he could only fire his left-footed shot wide from six yards. Zambrotta then turned creator as he whipped a right-footed cross deep into the Danish box for Vieri - who for the first time had found some room, but his header was brilliantly tipped over by Sorensen. Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni was not too happy with the way things were going and he introduced Gennaro Gattuso, Antonio Cassano and Stefano Fiore to try and add some much-needed spark to their play. The largely ineffective Ebbe Sand then headed wide from Jorgensen's cross and was immediately withdrawn for Charlton's Claus Jensen - who made a telling contribution to the play. Jensen was involved in Denmark's best move with 15 minutes left as he swept down the left and exchanged passes with Tomasson. He then cut back into the area and again found the Milan striker whose goalbound effort was parried brilliantly by Buffon. The clearance from the Italian keeper found Rommedahl just six yards out, but he could only fire back at Buffon - who this time cleared with his feet. The game was now opening up and Vieri headed wide when well placed, before Totti again saw a 30-yard free kick well saved by Sorensen. Like throughout the whole game, the Danes did not allow themselves to become flustered and carried on playing their football and going at Italy. The industrious Daniel Jensen had a stinging drive parried away by Buffon and the Italians were lucky to see the ball fall to one of their own players. The game was frustrating for Italy and their day was summed up when in the final minute Totti launched a terrible challenge on Rene Henriksen and was lucky to receive only a yellow card from referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez. Italy will be happy to have kept a clean sheet in their opening encounter - but that will be the only positive they can take from the game as they will know that Denmark had the better of the possession and looked the more likely to win. http://www.euro2004.com/ http://www.football365.com/ http://www.soccernet.com/ |
2004-06-14, 20:24 | Link #109 |
Ed & Winry? :O
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The Euro 2004 Football Championships. Five-star Sweden bury Bulgaria by Peter ORourke - Last Updated 14 Jun 2004 Henrik Larsson marked his return to competitive international football with two goals as Sweden swept Bulgaria aside 5-0 at the Estadio Alvalade in their Group C opener in Lisbon. Freddie Ljungberg gave Sweden the lead in the first 45 minutes before second half goals from Larsson (2), Zlatan Ibrahimovic and substitute Marcus Allback wrapped up victory for the Scandinavians, although the scoreline was a little harsh on Bulgaria. The scoreline propels Sweden to the top of Group C and leaves them in a strong position to qualify for the quarter finals. Sweden started brightly with Ibrahimovic having a shot blocked for a corner and Larsson just failing to get on the end of Mikael Nilsson's dangerous cross inside the box. Bulgaria had appeals for a penalty waved away by Mike Riley on seven minutes when Marian Hristov went down under a challenge from Teddy Lucic, but the English referee adjudged the defender had done nothing wrong. The Eastern European side were coming more and more into the contest and on 16 minutes created the best chance of the half, with Martin Petrov bursting clear down the left and crossing for Zoran Jankovic to fire his volley just wide of goal. Riley caused controversy two minutes later when he awarded an indirect free kick to Sweden inside the box for Ivailo Petkov's high foot on Ibrahimovic, but Bulgaria captain Stilian Petrov was quickly out to block Erik Edman's shot. Sweden went close three minutes later when Nilsson got free down the right and crossed for Larsson, at full stretch, to fire his shot just over the crossbar. Bulgaria almost broke the deadlock on 27 minutes when Dimitar Berbatov rose highest to meet Vladimir Ivanov's cross with a looping header and Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson needed his fingertips to keep out the Bayer Leverkusen striker's effort. Sweden went in front on 32 minutes with Arsenal ace Ljungberg scoring his fourth goal for his country. Ibrahimovic was the creator of the goal, springing Bulgaria's offside trap before racing into the box and unselfishly squaring the ball for Ljungberg to tap home into an empty net. Bulgaria tried to hit back straightaway and captain Stilian Petrov tried his luck from fully 30 yards with a volley which flew just wide. Sweden suffered a blow six minutes before the break when the out-of-sorts Lucic was forced off with Christian Wilhelmsson replacing him. The impressive Ibrahimovic had a half chance to double the lead on 42 minutes when Ljungberg picked him out at the back post, but under pressure he could not direct his header on target. Bulgaria came out for the second half in determined fashion and should have drawn level on 47 minutes when Martin Petrov crossed for Jankovic, but the big striker somehow managed to nod his header from close range wide of the target. A minute later Ljungberg was denied his second goal of the game when Ibrahimovic sent him clear with a brilliant backheel, but Zdravko Zdravkov stood up well to keep out his shot with his legs. Bulgaria came within inches of drawing level on 56 minutes when they caught Sweden napping with a quickly taken free kick which allowed Martin Petrov a sight of goal and he was unlucky to see his shot drift the wrong side of the post. Sweden made Bulgaria pay for the miss 60 seconds later when they swept upfield and Edman fired over an inch-perfect cross for the diving Larsson to brilliantly head home. The goal knocked the stuffing out of Bulgaria and Sweden put the game beyond them with Larsson's second within a space of a minute. Anders Svensson broke free down the right and crossed to the far post for Larsson to coolly finish from an acute angle and send the Swedish fans into raptures. Things should have got better for Sweden on the hour when Svensson picked out Ibrahimovic unmarked in the box from a free kick on the edge of the box, but with just the keeper to beat the Ajax ace contrived to head wide from six yards. Bulgaria could not contain Ibrahimovic and the skilful striker got through on goal on 72 minutes only for his final touch to let him down which allowed Zdravkov to spread himself and keep out his shot. Ibrahimovic did get his name on the scoresheet on 78 minutes when he converted from the penalty spot after Ljungberg was felled inside the area by Vladimir Ivanov. Sweden piled the misery on Bulgaria with Allback running onto Larsson's pass in stoppage time and firing emphatically home to cap a memorable night for Sweden. Sweden play Italy in Oporto in Friday and they will go into the game on a high while Bulgaria will have to raise themselves against Denmark in Braga. http://www.euro2004.com/ http://www.football365.com/ http://www.soccernet.com/ |
2004-06-14, 20:32 | Link #110 |
Ed & Winry? :O
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The Euro 2004 Football Championships. Best of the day - June 14 We look at the best action from today's games in Euro 2004. by Graeme Bailey - Last Updated 14 Jun 2004 Player of the day - Henrik Larsson The Celtic legend showed why the Swedes were so desperate to get him back into the international fold. Two superb finishes helped Sweden to a comfortable victory over Bulgaria - the first of which was brilliant, but more of that later! The two goalkeepers from the opening match, Thomas Sorensen and Gianluigi Buffon, both produced tremendous displays in the opening game, but Larsson was clearly the Player of the day. Goal of the day - Henrik Larsson Larsson had been fairly quiet until just before the hour mark when he grabbed two goals in 60 seconds - the first of which takes our Goal of the day accolade. The move was sublime as Erik Edman broke down the left and crossed deep into the back post for Larsson to dive brilliantly to connect with the header and direct it towards goal. The goal was true magic and only a few players in the world could have scored it, luckily for Sweden one of those is Larsson. Save of the day - Thomas Sorensen Aston Villa star Thomas Sorensen was in the running for our Player of the day after a wonderful performance in Denmark's 0-0 draw with Italy. A host of saves made by Sorensen could have been named as our Save of the day. The one which we went for was his second in a brilliant double save he made in denying Alessandro Del Piero and then Francesco Totti. Del Piero tested Sorensen from 12 yards, and just moments later Totti drilled a deflected effort at goal - but somehow Sorensen managed to scoop his right hand behind himself and stop the ball from crossing the line. Pass of the day - Erik Edman The Heerenveen full back had a very solid game and he came up with the brilliant ball which turned the game. Sweden had been under pressure at just 1-0 up when Edman broke down the left and spotted Larsson on the back post. He crossed deep and with superb accuracy which allowed Larsson to dive and convert with great aplomb. Miss of the day - Zoran Jankovic Things could have been so different for the Bulgarians had Jankovic converted his great chance. The chance came at 1-0 and Bulgaria were very much on top. Martin Petrov created the opportunity and crossed for Jankovic, but he headed wide from just six yards - a miss that proved very costly. Dive of the day - Henrik Larsson Not in the normal sense of the phrase, our Dive of the day is actually a positive thing. This was not an attempt to win a free kick/penalty - rather it was Larsson's efforts in scoring his first goal, a brilliant full stretch dive to head home. Tactic of the day - Morten Olsen For once Mr Larsson misses out, the honour for Tactic of the day goes to Dane Morten Olsen. The veteran coach made a great choice in playing Thomas Helveg at full back and bringing Daniel Jensen in to play in midfield. Playing Helveg at full back added an extra attacking dimension to the Danes' play and Italy could not cope with his marauding runs. Celebration of the day - Henrik Larsson It could only be one man after his brilliant comeback for Sweden. Celtic fans will never again see Larsson in the famous green and white with his arms out accompanied by his big tongue - but the Swedish fans surely will! http://www.euro2004.com/ http://www.football365.com/ http://www.soccernet.com/ |
2004-06-14, 20:36 | Link #111 |
Ed & Winry? :O
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The Euro 2004 Football Championships. Czech Republic v Latvia - preview by Graeme Bailey - Last Updated 14 Jun 2004 Czech Republic will look to live up to their tag of one of the most feared teams in Euro 2004 as they open their schedule against Latvia on Tuesday. The Czechs face Latvia in Aveiro looking to get their programme off to the best possible start, knowing they face giants Holland and Germany in their final two group games. Latvia by the same token will be looking to shrug off their label of the weakest team to make it to Portugal, by providing a shock against their more illustrious opponents. Czech coach Karel Bruckner looks set to go with Milan Baros in attack - the man who normally always starts when fit - as he is preferred to Liverpool team-mate Vladimir Smicer. He will partner the giant Jan Koller in attack after he shrugged off an arm injury. The only other poser for Bruckner is in the centre of defence, where he looks set to go with Rene Bolf next to the established Tomas Ujfalusi. Marek Jankulovski - who operates in midfield for his club Udinese - will play at left back and his marauding runs could be one of the Czechs' most dangerous attacking options. The midfield is a lot more straight forward for Bruckner and he has a formidable four to call upon. Tomas Galasek will anchor behind a three-pronged attack-minded layer, which will consist of Karel Poborsky, Tomas Rosicky and the brilliant Pavel Nedved. One of Latvia's main benefits is that not many teams will know what to expect from the Baltic outfit, but having come through a play-off against Turkey to make it to Euro 2004 - they are unlikely to be underestimated. The Latvians look like having their first choice starting XI available to them, which will be a boost to coach Aleksandr Starkovs. Southampton's Marian Pahars has recovered from a thigh problem and he should partner the dangerous Maris Verpakovskis in attack. The Latvians' midfield maestro Juris Laizans is the only real injury concern within the squad, but he is being tipped to take his place in the Muncipal de Aveiro. Former English-based stars Igors Stepanovs, Alex Kolinko, Andrejs Rubins and Vitaly Astafjevs should all start, while Fulham's Andrejs Stolcers could also feature. http://www.euro2004.com/ http://www.football365.com/ http://www.soccernet.com/ |
2004-06-14, 20:42 | Link #112 |
Ed & Winry? :O
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The Euro 2004 Football Championships. Germany v The Netherlands preview by Peter ORourke - Last Updated 14 Jun 2004 Gp. D | Tue, 15 Jun 2004, 7:45 PM Old rivals Germany and The Netherlands go head-to-head in their first game in Group D in Oporto on Tuesday hoping to inflict a major blow on their rivals' chances of progression. The two European giants have an illustrious history and when they meet the games are normally a classic. It is the third meeting between the two at a European Championship with each side holding a victory. The Netherlands have the edge in recent encounters having won their last two meetings with the Germans and are unbeaten in the last three. Both sides are set to adopt a lone man up front at the Estadio do Dragao with Ruud van Nistelrooy leading the attack for Holland and Kevin Kuranyi set to get the job for Germany. Michael Ballack will be given the job of supporting Kuranyi breaking from midfield for Germany. Germany boss Rudi Voller has no real injury problems to contend with for the clash with Oliver Kahn in line to win his 70th cap on his 35th birthday. The Netherlands are sweating over the fitness of key midfielder Clarence Seedorf as he struggles to recover from a hamstring injury he picked up in their final warm-up game against Republic of Ireland. Should Seedorf miss out Wesley Sneijder likely to start in his place in midfield. Arjen Robben and Andy van der Meyde have both missed training over the last few days, but are expected to fill the wide roles for Holland. Edwin van der Sar has recovered from a finger injury which prevented him from training last week and he is set to win his 85th cap against Germany making him the country's second all-time most capped player. Dutch defender Wilfred Bouma celebrates his 26th birthday on the day of the game and he is set to partner Jaap Stam at the heart of the defence. Marc Overmars and Michael Reiziger are both available for Dick Advocaat having recovered from minor niggles. Germany's last European Championship win was the final of 1996, while Holland are unbeaten in six European Championship matches. http://www.euro2004.com/ http://www.football365.com/ http://www.soccernet.com/ |
2004-06-14, 20:50 | Link #113 |
冤枉的小狗
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: South East Asia
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Looks like the Swedes besides giving us Swedish Meatballs, have brought some excitement for us in the tournament Poor Bulgarians.
The Azzuris are as expected, held their defense even though they didn't play as well as they could. The Danes must be disappointed, having their fangs near the necks of their prey but letting them escape. Now to the Dutch-German matchup!!! |
2004-06-15, 13:53 | Link #115 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Age: 34
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We will win this tournamet (sweden) ... we got a very very good team
and against Bulgary it was just like magic.... Henrik Larsson was soo damn good.. I actually think that he is one of Europe's best player Henrik Larsson is my god.. he comes from my fave team (Helsingborgs IF) and .... don't even need to say it.. just watch the match bewere Italy.. we are gonna kick your ass Last edited by _Riku_; 2004-06-15 at 14:03. |
2004-06-15, 14:37 | Link #116 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
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One match cannot determine the entire outcome of the tournament. Remember that the Dutch were thinking the samething in 2000 after they won 6-1 against Yugoslavia in the quarter finals. We all know what happend after that.
Oh well Netherlands - Germany is starting... Dutch fans are also acting childish by whistling at the German anthem. |
2004-06-15, 16:34 | Link #119 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Quote:
I think you will be eating your words on a "far better" line-up. |
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football, soccer |
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