twitter: 19th 8.30am still no phone or Internet. Will be in marina later so will spend couple hours catching up. Orla still not 100%
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Euro 2008 Open Thread

June 22nd, 2008 - Chris Marshall

Follow This Via The Comments This is an open thread and will be updated throughout the tournament.

Probably because England aren’t in Euro2008 I am enjoying the competition more than I thought I would and have been watching more games than I thought I would.

Highlight so far for me has to be the terrible defending by Poland in both games (sorry Mac), which has contributed to some very entertaining games and CONGRATULATIONS to Referee Howard Web last night for giving a penalty for shirt pulling in the box. Long over due and hopefully others will now follow. He deserves to be given the final to referee for that alone!!!

The Spanish game was good - although the excess of beer may have contributed to that impression, but a hat trick is always exciting and it was good to see them get off to such a strong start.

France and Italy are taking on England’s usual position of making their fans sweat the early results, not unlike England they are a) at Euro2008 and b) will no doubt get through their groups.

And (sorry to Roberto on this one) the Croatia result against Germany was amazing, and went some way to dulling the pain from their role in England not qualifying!!!

As and when I watch more games, have other comments to make I will update this ‘open thread’.


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This entry was posted on Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 at 9:00 am and is filed under Odds & Sods. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.



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    June 16th, 2008 at 11:34 am

    [...] Mobile Phone Addiction In Spain Euro 2008 Open Thread [...]

  2. Spain 3 Russia 0 | AlmerimarLife Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 3:45 pm

    [...] made it to the Mac I was greeted by a number of comments and emails. If you are following the Euro2008 Open Thread you will have seen them already, but in case you haven’t here are some examples: The best [...]

58 Responses to “Euro 2008 Open Thread”

  1. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 13th, 2008 at 2:20 pm Quote

    Uefa has backed English referee Howard Webb’s decision to award Austria an injury-time penalty in their 1-1 draw with Poland on Thursday at Euro 2008.

  2. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 13th, 2008 at 6:54 pm Quote

    The Romanian goalkeeper is playing a blinder!!!

    I can see Italy going out today :-)

  3. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 13th, 2008 at 8:44 pm Quote

    Oh so close!!! What a lucky save that was - well the first part was good, but knocking it onto his boot was pure luck.

    Still enjoyed the game, and is still the chance that both France and Italy could fail to get through the group stage!

  4. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 13th, 2008 at 10:41 pm Quote

    Holland 4 France 1 - like Holland of old, and good to see France struggling to go through the group stages.

    Went down to pick up a Chinese at half time and bumped into Richard (Dutch chap) who told me it would be 4-1.

    A very enjoyable game - again!

  5. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 14th, 2008 at 10:26 pm Quote

    Spain 2 Sweden 1. Hope you caught the live video stream. Pics and update to follow.

  6. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 15th, 2008 at 1:52 pm Quote

    English referee Howard Webb will continue to officiate at Euro 2008 despite being the subject of death threats from Polish fans. He will be doing the Greece v Spain match!

  7. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 15th, 2008 at 10:48 pm Quote

    Turkey v Czech Republic has to be the most amazing last ten minutes of football since Man Utd in 1999.

  8. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 17th, 2008 at 8:44 pm Quote

    Italy v France - boy this could be a perfect night if both went out!!!!!

  9. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 17th, 2008 at 10:51 pm Quote

    Ah well that was the most likely and least painful result - Spain get to play Italy now on Sunday in the Quarter final.

  10. jeremy Says:
    June 18th, 2008 at 7:46 pm Quote

    France unfortunately didn’t turn up this year. Italy was poor but did enough, hopefully Spain will knock them out.
    Croatia has impressed me as has Holland of course and Turkey ( that game they played vs Czech Republic was amazing)
    Tonight’s game is pretty well meaningless. Russia and Sweden fighting out for the privilege of being beaten by Holland in the quarters haha

  11. jeremy Says:
    June 18th, 2008 at 11:55 pm Quote

    Russia played brilliantly against Sweden an won deservedly 2-0 to qualify for the quarter finals. It is a pity that either Russia (now with their brilliant play maker Archavin) or Holland will go out of the competition :-( they are both fantastic

  12. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 19th, 2008 at 8:47 am Quote

    I favour Holland over Russia and Spain over Italy!!!

    I think the tournament has been great so far, a lot of goals for a change and not the ’same old’ teams doing well.

    I think it has also shown how poor England are!!!!

    Didn’t see the Russia v Sweden game, but caught some highlights at the end of the night and it certainly seemed better than the drab Spain game I watched.

  13. jeremy Says:
    June 19th, 2008 at 8:01 pm Quote

    Believe me Chris, Russia put on a stunning display. It was thoroughly entertaining as well as brilliant. The score flattered Sweden, it could easily have been 5 or 6.

    Italy has no chance of beating Spain barring a Chelsea-like fluke

  14. jeremy Says:
    June 19th, 2008 at 11:00 pm Quote

    Now that Portugal is out, let’s see what Ronaldo has to say. In my opinion this is a good result for United in that it may bring him down to earth and realize that he is only human and needs to stay where it is best for him!

  15. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 20th, 2008 at 9:52 am Quote

    Italy has no chance of beating Spain barring a Chelsea-like fluke

    In theory I agree, but the thing with Italy, Germany etc is that they have a habit of playing poorly through the group stages and then winning the knockout games.

    I have a feeling that both Spain and Holland may fall into that camp - great group stages, but then the wheels come off!!!

    I think Ronaldo will leave - amazing footballer that he can be, there is something about the way he comes over (very arrogant, feels like he is always hard done by etc) that I don’t like , and I am a Man Utd fan!!!

  16. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 20th, 2008 at 11:34 pm Quote

    What an amazing end to the Turkey v Croatia game!!!!

  17. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 21st, 2008 at 1:26 pm Quote

    Am really looking forward to the Holland v Russia game tonight!!! I reckon this could be the game of the tournament so far based on what I have seen of Holland and what Jeremy had to say about Russia!!!

  18. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 21st, 2008 at 11:15 pm Quote

    Well I got that wrong!!!

    Russia where wasteful, and Holland didn’t really wake up early enough. Amazingly brave (and correct) referring to overturn the 2nd yellow card!

    The best team won though, and yet again a team that dominated in the group stages ‘peaked too early’

    As omens go though not good for Spain as arguably the three underdogs have won the quarter finals so far.

  19. jeremy Says:
    June 22nd, 2008 at 9:21 am Quote

    Archavin steered Russia to victory. If they can sort out their marking on set-pieces, I think they can go all the way.

    I hope that Spain comes up with the goods tonight, though history says that they are serial ‘bottlers’.

  20. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 22nd, 2008 at 9:51 am Quote

    Funny I just said pretty much the same to Sands when we were having a cup of tea on the roof. Could be a classic case of complacency after excellent group games.

    Italy just have so much experience of ‘doing enough’ ……

  21. Pete Hammond Says:
    June 22nd, 2008 at 5:18 pm Quote

    How I wish we were in Almerimar tonight to watch Spain beat
    Italy. A few beers and a Steak at Al Ruz being the perfect venue with free champagne if they win, who could ask for any more.I agree with one of your earlier comments Chris I’m enjoying it more with England not being in it but the £10 I put on Spain 3 weeks ago has given me even more reason to support Spain.
    Innes has promised to save me a T Shirt for when were next out in July “FANTASTIC” Come on SPAIN

  22. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 22nd, 2008 at 6:39 pm Quote

    The question is …… would you fly over to watch if they made it to the final???

    Keep an eye on the Live Streamed Video in the sidebar as I will be shooting some clips later :-)

  23. Pete Hammond Says:
    June 22nd, 2008 at 7:33 pm Quote

    Don’t you think I’ve looked at the flights already, only problem is we have friends staying in our apartment till next Sunday. We could always sleep on the floor!!

  24. jeremy Says:
    June 22nd, 2008 at 11:56 pm Quote

    football was the winner this evening. Apart from an appauling game, we can say goodbye to probably the most negative side in the world given it’s skill level. Oh how I detest Italian football.

    I still fancy Russia given that they have the only player that can undo the opposition.

  25. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 23rd, 2008 at 12:08 am Quote

    @Peter - accommodation isn’t an issue. If the situation arises just come over!!!

    @Jeremy - am amazing night!!!!! Agree it was a poor game, but the reality is most ‘knock out’ games are!!! Was a great night though!!!!!!

  26. jeremy Says:
    June 23rd, 2008 at 1:44 am Quote

    The other knock out games weren’t bad.

    It is the Italian way to be negative ( apart from their semi vs Germany in 2006 which was a truly fabulous game ).

    I’m glad that the Spanish have put that 88 year “monkey on their back” … er off their back. At least until the next time

  27. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 23rd, 2008 at 8:14 am Quote

    No reason Spain can’t beat Russia ….. again!!!

  28. jeremy Says:
    June 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 pm Quote

    True, but Russia is now at full strength whereas in the first game they didn’t have their playmaker in the team.

  29. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 24th, 2008 at 10:12 am Quote

    I thought they had a few suspensions?

    I agree that they are stronger, and have no doubt that they will score and that Spain will need to be a lot better in front of goal!!!!

    I have a sense here thought that they are so happy to have got the Italy monkey off their backs that they may not be that bothered!!!!

  30. Pete Hammond Says:
    June 24th, 2008 at 6:46 pm Quote

    It won’t be an easy game against Russia I was very impressed by a couple of there team against Holland, but it’s more about Spain playing well on the night.Best flights out are from Birmingham at the moment but if Spain win on Thursday I’m sure the prices will go up.

    Festivities last night looked great.

  31. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 24th, 2008 at 6:55 pm Quote

    I agree. It will depend on Spain being as good in front of goal as they where in the group stages. If they are as poor as they were against Italy then they have no chance.

    Should be a good night.

    And yes, last night was a very enjoyable night - a little quieter than previous years possibly.

  32. jeremy Says:
    June 24th, 2008 at 11:47 pm Quote

    I think that Russia’s energy and creativity gives them the edge, in spite of their naive defending.

    However, that is only the prelude to the final. Can either of these teams beat Germany, who will surely conquer the decimated Turks?

  33. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 9:44 am Quote

    I think either Russia or Spain could beat Germany - they don’t really impress me that much. Very up and down, and recently with a bit of a history of falling at the last fence.

    Whoever wins between Spain and Russia would be my favourite.

  34. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 25th, 2008 at 10:41 pm Quote

    Germany 3 Turkey 1. What a great game, and how very very lucky Germany where. Turkey by far the better team, but that is the way it goes!

    Neither Spain nor Russia should be at allworried about playing them in the Final.

  35. jeremy Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 12:28 am Quote

    You do Turkey an injustice, it was 3-2.

    It is easy to say that Turkey was the better team, I too thought so, but for Germany to have won 3-2 they must have got something right.

    Come on Russia!!

    I hope that Fergie will buy Archavin. What a player.

  36. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 7:42 am Quote

    Woops, sorry Turkey!!

    Archavin wants to play for Barcelona - has done since he was a boy, and I think is talking to them.

    What is this ‘come on Russia’ thing!!!!!!!!

    Go Spain Go :-)

  37. jeremy Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 8:50 am Quote

    I heard an interview with him on 5 live yesterday where he said he’d not yet decided between Spain and England.

  38. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 9:08 am Quote

    That would be cool. The interview they showed on the BBC before the match had him saying Barcelona.

    We shall see ………

  39. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 3:17 pm Quote

    Barclona make Move For Arshavin

  40. jeremy Says:
    June 26th, 2008 at 7:18 pm Quote

    I heard that today too :-( :-(
    Mind you I heard that they’d offered a pityful

  41. Tina Gleed Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 10:42 am Quote

    What a game. Go Spain Go! We know you can win it. Lets hope he puts Fabregas on at the start.

  42. jeremy Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 12:56 pm Quote

    The best team won without doubt. It just shows that if my man Archavin doesn’t play well, they are pretty ordinary. He was anonymous. Spain however played really well and produced some lovely goals.

    Now that they are favourites for the cup, I wonder how they will get on. Germany seems to like being the underdog for a change. If they play like they did against Turkey and the Spanish play their normal game I see a rout. Viva Espana

  43. Mum Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 3:03 pm Quote

    Spain played very well 2nd half and I’m sure you had a good time at Al-rruz. I think they should win on Sun as Germany’s defence is weak and has not really been tested and they should be able to capitalize on Lehamm’s poor judgement.

  44. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 4:31 pm Quote

    I heard that today too :-( :-(
    Mind you I heard that they’d offered a pityful

    Well he didn’t do much last night to increase his value!!!!

  45. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 4:32 pm Quote

    @Jeremy @Tine @Mum - I agree with you all.

    Spain will win if they play as they did last night.

  46. jeremy Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 5:03 pm Quote

    Write Germany off at your peril. If they can get their midfield sorted out… With Schweinsteiger and Ballak they have potential match winners

  47. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 5:41 pm Quote

    Well that is true. Is fair to assume that both sides have a chance. The questions are:

    1. If they both played to their full potential who would win, and
    2. Who is most likely to play the better.

    On current form etc etc I go with Spain on both questions.

  48. Pete Hammond Says:
    June 27th, 2008 at 11:17 pm Quote

    Didn’t manage to watch the match last night I had other commitments that couldn’t be canceled.
    Reports from all at work today agree with yours, Spain were by far the better team and deserved to win.
    Won’t be able to make it over, to much going on at work next week to miss a day or two, but I will be glued to the telly on Sunday shouting Spain on.
    My monies on Spain, Germany just don’t deserve it they haven’t played well at all and I think Spain will play them off the park.

    ‘COME ON SPAIN’

  49. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 28th, 2008 at 9:02 am Quote

    ¡vamos España! for sure - has been a great tournament so far. One more win would make it perfect and they have a great chance.

    Shame you can’t make it over :-( Am sure you will have fun wherever you are!!!!

  50. jeremy Says:
    June 28th, 2008 at 9:38 am Quote

    I’ll see only the end of the game, as I play footy on sunday evenings!

  51. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 28th, 2008 at 10:19 am Quote

    I cam see it going to extra time so you may get to see more than you think :-)

  52. Tina Gleed Says:
    June 30th, 2008 at 9:11 am Quote

    Morning all

    Fantastic, wonderful, magic, marvellous, great, stupendous- what more can I say, oh yeah, impressive, phenomenal, excellent, sensational, WELL DONE SPAIN!!!!

    Hope everyone in Almerimar had a awesome night.

    Tina

  53. Pete Hammond Says:
    June 30th, 2008 at 9:24 am Quote

    GOOD MORNING ALMERIMAR

    Hope the headaches arn’t to bad!!

    But It’s got to be worth it, what a great game.
    Spain deserved the win and out played the Germans.
    With such a young and talented team their sights will
    be firmly set on the next big one ‘The World Cup’.

    CONGRATULATIONS

    The best team won

    Woops nearly forgot must go down the betting shop and pick up my winnings

  54. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 30th, 2008 at 4:25 pm Quote

    A good night was had by all ….. I have only just got up!!!

    Off to write it up, including a long video and a lot of photos :-)

    Thanks for all the contributions to this thread!!!!

  55. jeremy Says:
    June 30th, 2008 at 6:53 pm Quote

    I saw only the last 20mins of the game. Pete says thar Spain out-played the Germans. From what I saw, the Germans weren’t playing at all! They had no fight in them.

    Spain was definitely the best side in the tournament over all. They played consistently well, and their passing and movement was really good.

    I’m pleased for all of my Spanish amigos (though I did want Germany to equalize to create a bit of excitement in what was a pretty dull affair)

    Well done to the Spanish boys, and thanks for setting up this thread Chris :-)

  56. Chris Marshall Says:
    June 30th, 2008 at 7:31 pm Quote

    Spain where all over them like a rash!!!!

    Thanks for taking the time to comment so much :-)

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