This thread is for Futbol (Soccer) fans out there. The Tournament is 10 days away and I can't wait. There are some mouth watering games in the group stages like France v. England and Germany v. Netherlands. Personally I am a Netherlands fan but as a soccer fan, I am excited to see these great matchups. It only comes along every four years which makes it even more special. My perdiction is that the Netherlands will win as they have a good blend of young talent and veteran leaders. Van Nistlerooy will be ready to dominate and score like crazy as he had to miss the 2000 tournament with injury. What are some of your perdictions/thoughts? Here is a link to the official site: Euro 2004 Official Site
Germany will win the final vs. Italy. Semifinal matchups: Italy-France (Italy 2 - France 1) Germany-England (3:3, Germany wins on penalties)
I like the Oranje, but they're just too damn inconsistent. I personally support England, but I think it'll come down to either Italy or France, with the French winning even though I hate them. Semis: France 2 Holland 1 Italy 1 Spain 0 Final: France 1 Italy 0
I'm with Holland, but I'm dying to see France-England, that will be a great game. I think Holland go all the way, taking out Italy in the Final. They'll claw their way to the Finals with mediocre performances and luck, then put on a show to put a 3-0 whooping on a Maldini-less Italy.
I am leaning towards France on this one. Dude I'm glad no rednecks are bashing this thread yet. you know what I'm talking about, the classic "soccer sucks cuz I don't understand it!" Anyways, I saw a game on ESPN2 the other day, it was the AC Porto and some other team i don't remember, i was flipping between Soccer and the food network. There should be some games on ESPN2 unless they decide to show people playing cards or bowling, or better yet, doing some tricks on a pool table. Seriously, I hope they show some games.
I am just kidding about the whole redneck thing, I know there are a lot of people out there that don't like soccer, that's cool for you if you don't like it. I personally think it's the best sport in the world but many people don't like it. I forgot to add this in my last reply. Don't wanna offend anyone out there.
from what I understand not one of the games will be televised live unless you pay for them. You might possibly get to see the game on delay,but that's it. Here in vegas the only place allowed to show the games is the crown and anchor. One of the casino's tried to get the whole euro package to get more people in to the sportsbook during the lean summer days and some A**HOLE in san francisco wouldn't sell the package for any price, he didn't need the casino's money. As far as who will win I'm going with Spain/Portugal over France. Since no team has ever repeated as champs I have to go with history and say les blues will not do it again. the azzuri will somehow find a way to explode internally or externally. if people are putting their hopes in holland because of Ruud,they might be disappointed. He's a poacher at best and not the pure striker people make him out to be. he can't create for himself and this year at united proved it. England is always overhyped and they are seriously lacking at goalkeeper. the german public doesn't believe that their side can make it past the 1st round. but they never give up. Spain's weakness is their defense and 1st choice keeper casillas hasn't been that dependable for real madrid. but they are loaded in the midfield and up front, only France has more fire power. Portugal is at home and they are pretty strong all around and they have a hot GK in vitor baia. don't forget that WC tickets go on sale next Feb. so get your CC ready. If you are in vegas and want to watch the euro cup the crown and anchor is charging 20 bucks to get in. no drink specials no nothing.
When I was in Houston, there was a bar on Richmond called "Richmond Arms" or something like that where they had a giant dish and had European TV stations, so they were able to televise soccer games. Don't know if that bar still exists.
I feel blessed. I don't know what the hell I'd do if I could'nt watch these games!! Not that I watch them at home anyway, lol... Hubbly-bubbly/hooka is a MUST during soccer games in this country. Not while you're playing, but while you're watching . Regarding Van Nistelrooiy, I really dislike him myself, and understand all the criticism. Like Vieri, he can't dribble for **** and has the ball control of a 5-yr old. But like Vieri, he just KEEPS finding ways to score, I don't know how, but he just keeps doing it. Everyone says he plays well off the ball, but if you watch him closely, he really doesn't. He does it subconsciously or something, because if you watch, you can tell he has no clue where the hell he's going on the pitch, haha. But that's not the only thing I'm counting on. I'm counting on Kluivert taking out his frustrations, as well as Van Der Vaart blowing up in this tournament. This guy is such a tremendous talent, I think he's giong to carry Holland to victory.
From what I understand only 2 companies have the rights to the games and one of them is Setanta. Here is what I got from the site: Home Use: Euro 2004 is available through local cable companies and through small dish providers. The price for Euro 2004 for home use is $179.00 for the package of all the games or $19.95 per game for the first round, $24.95 per game for the Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Final. For more info, please call you local cable or satellite operator. Setanta Sports Ruud is not the only Dutch player that is really good, here are a few more names: Egar Davids, Roy Makay, Cocu, Overmaars, Sneijder. The problem with the dutch is that they are so talented but always dissapoint in the major tounaments. Hopefully this time they will "show up". All in all, it should be fun if you are a fan of soccer b/c of the great teams in it. Peace.
YEAH BABY i love the fact that alot of people here are a fan of Holland. But can you explain to my why you are? just curious. I really hope holland wil win, but i fear the worst. The biggest problem with holland is there arrogance. that is why they didn't even qualify for world championship 2002. And why they almost didn't qualify for this euro championship. Because alot of young people are getting playing time (sneyder, van der vaart) they are less arogant, atleast i hope. The fact that the first match is versus Germany makes it better for holland. because there is no team that holland dislike losing from then germany.Holland has alot of good players. but they need to play like a TEAM to become champion. I hope holland will play with van Nistelrooy and Makaay as strikers and kluivert starts as a sub. Sane you are so right with your opinion on van der Vaart. he is such a talent. the last 2 years he hasn't shown it because of injurys. But damn that boy is talented.
Personally, my favorite team is Brazil, but a close second is Holland. I usually route for Holland when they play Brazil b/c Brazil has won 4 World Cups already. I am a Holland fan b/c my uncle lives in Holland. He's not Dutch but moved there and has lived there almost 20 years. I became a Dutch fan b/c my bro went to Holland brought back tapes of Holland games with the team that had Ruud Gullit, Van Basten, Ricaard and others. Those were great players and some argue Van Basten could have been one of the best ever if he didn't have to retire at 30 due to injury. Asides from all that Holland is a Beautiful country, my Bro is actually there now visiting and is going to try and go to Portugal to see a game. Peace.
were does your uncle lives? and were is your brother? Van basten is one of the greatest soccer player in the history of holland, only Cruyff is considered better. Rijkaard and gullit were great also. ofcourse Ronald Koeman was also great in that time.
My uncle lives in Leiderdorp, small city near Leiden. My bro is staying with him and will be visiting Holland and hopefully some other European cities like Spain and portugal. I've been to Holland 3 or 4 times and it's really beautiful, especially the ladies man there are some HOT women there!!! The people are really friendly and most speak really good english. I take it you are from the Netherlands? What part?
Ok, the reason I'm a Dutch fan is because I loved the Milan team of the early 90's - Riijkaard, Gullit and Van Baasten. I especially loved the way Rijkaard was always laid back and Van Baasten was so damn devastating. I only loved that Milan team because my brother did though. However, later on, I became a huge fan of the Ajax team that included all the stars - Kluivert, Davids, and Seedorf. I thought it was going to be the same all over again. I always cheer )for Iran first (coutnry of origin), U.A.E. second (country of birth/nationality), then Brazil (I love the samba in their game), then Holland because I love most of their players. I think Van Der Vaart will surprise a lot of people, did you see his goal in the other day's friendly? Such an effortless well-placed shot. His control and technique is just tremendous.
my biggest hope... Germany would not advance to the next round... I hope Czech Rep. (Nedved, Rosicky, Ujfalusi, Koller) will take care of atrocious Germany and send them packing
like my signature shows, i'm indeed from holland. I lived for 19 years in Breukelen, a small town between amsterdam and utrecht(20 minutes to amsterdam and 13 minutes to Utrecht). My parents still live there, now i study in Wageningen. a city ( a very small city) in the east of holland, about 30 minutes from Utrecht. Most dutch people speak english very wel. atleast compaired to other countrys (like French). i'm not to sure we are that frienldy. but i gues that depends on were you are in holland. About the ladys, in Breukelen and utrecht and Amsterdam there are alot of hot womans. alot are kinda slutty but if that is your taste. In Wageningen the woman aren't so hot. the only hot girl in Wageningen is my Girlfriend Sane i saw that goal it was great, did you see a goal from an der vaart in a match with Ajax were he scored with the back of his feet over his head? that was unbelievable. he is a great talent. The ajax with Kluivert and rijkaard and davids and seedorf had some great players. I think that it is important for hollandthat Van der vaart shows us that he is the talent we think he is. After Bergkamp didn't want to play for the dutch team, we lacked a creative player who played behind the strikers, van der vaart is perfect for that role. lets hope he plays good. If holland Beats Germany my EK is already a succes. but i really hope that holland wins it al this year. but i think they will not. i think they will lose in the semi finals
