Klose destroying England, and their ex-players' reaction: <object width="480" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XqhaVm8OnMQ?version=3&hl=en_US&hd=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XqhaVm8OnMQ?version=3&hl=en_US&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
have you seen how they go about themselves as the greatest team to ever grace the earth. They have a sense of entitlement that I don't think that they should have (I support them btw). Their ego gets to their head and they haven't really performed at any big tournaments in recent memory.
only been watching soccer for a few years but i don't see this elite status for david villa from watching barca games, granted haven't seen too many of his international games. clearly benefits from playing with the 2 best midfielders in the game as well as the best overall player at barca but still was very good at valencia with david silva, who i think is the best midfielder in EPL right now. he's definitely very good but seems more like the ultimate poacher. a better version of chicarito comes to mind.
Rubbish! THEY are the ones that do that? I don't think they have a greater sense of entitlement than France, Italy, or Mexico. Their ego's aren't the problem either since most players have some semblance of one on the pitch. (But still possess the ability to play as a unit). The problem starts with the English press. The English team aren't in the papers calling themselves the greatest team(come tournament time). The press are usually the ones that belittle the various groups and teams in those groups that England end up in at the various tourneys. You're following what the English media says and chalking that up to the team. (I also support the Three Lions and know firsthand that they haven't performed well at any big tourney's in recent memory. The various exits are etched in my memory despite attempts to wipe them out). They're no more diva-ish than various African teams, Italy, Brazil or France for example.
He doesn't fit well with Barca imo, but he's been a complete BEAST for Spain and Valencia. He scored 50 goals in 80 games for Spain and 129 in 212 for Valencia, including 53 assists. Many think he was bad for Barca in his first year, but he scored 18 times and had 7 assists at the same time.
that's what I mean the MEDIA hypes everyone on their team as if they are god's greatest gifts and they let it get to their head. Explain to me why Rooney thinks he should get his ban reduced for kicking another player simply because he was frustrated as to what was happening with his father at the time. The players start believing in their own hype. Boy I hope they can get over this and play well because I do support them.
I get you. The English media is one of the main problems with the team(apart from the team's uninspiring play in most major tourneys). ( I will say I believe Rooney deserved to have his ban reduced though. Regardless of off-the field stuff. He's a petulant prat but I don't think the act warranted the lengthy ban. I'm in the minority I know.)
yeah the english media really pisses me off, they overhype and overpressure the team and put unrealistic expectations out. Hopefully they can tone it down.
You should have seen the Dutch team in 2002 (when we didn’t qualify for the WC). If any team ever had a diva complex it was that team. Hey do you really need to keep reminding of that. Klose is a great striker, maybe he is not a technical perfect player, but he is the ideal striker for the German team with very creative players around him. The teams who qualify are put in four different pots, every group has 1 team out of each pot. Pot one consists of the organising country (and in this case countries) with the teams highest on the fifa ranking. Because Both Poland and Ukraine organise this tournament both teams are in the first pot together with Spain and the Netherlands. Germany (who is third) is not in pot one but in pot two. And luck made sure that Group B got the best teams out of each pot (except for spain), and group A the worst.
I'm in Ukraine now for the holidays. ATW - don't get a hotel here, just rent a flat. Much better and much cheaper.
Hi SacTown, I was in Kiev a few weeks ago for the match Ukraine vs. Germany. Are you from Ukraine originally? I booked a hotel 70 km from Lviv for the two German matches there and one 5 minutes from the stadium in Charkov for Germany vs. Netherlands (that one was really expensive, like almost $ 1,000 for the one night, but it's like an apartment and we will be 4 people to split the cost). As a sidenote, I am concerned about security at the games in Ukraine. At that match Ukraine vs. Germany, it was a joke - people were pressing against the gates to get in, climbed the fences, and I think it was not far from a mass panic. They finally had to open the gates, by then some people were so aggressive that they started punching each other. Most people only got in after the match already started. And later, my buddy and I decided to walk around in the stadium, and without any problems, we got into a VIP lounge, the TV control room, the cheerleaders' cabins, the players' cabins and onto the pitch (this was all after the match, but when there were still people there). It was cool, but strange.
ATW - I'm not from Ukraine originally but I've worked and lived here and my wife is from here. I was here for 5 months in 2010 in a smaller city outside of Kiev so I'll try to give you some tips. If the people know you are a westerner, they will rip you off. You have to negotiate - if you take a cab, ask up front how much it will be before you get in, and then if the cabbie tries to say it's much more when you arrive, take out your cell phone, tell him that you are friends with the "police boss" and like you are making a call - then pay him what he originally quoted you. It sounds like you paid too much for that apartment/hotel, but then again they have jacked up the prices around here due to the Euro 2012. For example, you can use these types of sites (http://www.kievrent.net/a_result.php), call them, communicate with them and tell them what you need - then they will find the flat for you, it's similar to a realtor service. It won't be 5 star but you'll have a kitchen, bed, and bathroom - just appreciate the experience and don't expect much luxury. The outsides of the buildings are horrible and gray and soviet - but the insides are usually nice. Security? LOL. In general, there isn't much here. The "police" are usually early 20's boys who just go around harassing and accepting bribes. When on the street, try to blend in. Wear a black jacket, boots, a beanie, and look miserable. Don't talk English too loudly and just do your best to bend in. I know they have ramped up security lately for the 2012 because Ukraine wants to get into the EU so they are trying to make a good impression - and what you said about fighting and throwing punches. That's normal here. The guys get in a good fight, then shake hands and walk away. I see it all the time. You have to understand that this is a very poor country and the people here don't have much. They will try to get money out of you any way they can. If you are looking to meet women (which by the way this place has more hot women than anywhere in the world) then you can find some really good ones and some really awful ones so just be careful. If they approach you, then they are probably scammers. If you approach them and they are shy then they are probably good. There is no in between. Be careful if a woman wants to take you to a nightclub. This usually means that she is working for that club's owner and you will go in, she'll order drinks, then she'll disappear and you'll be left with a $500 tab - with some big Ukrainian men staring you down until you pay it. And there are prostitutes everywhere, but you'll know that when you see it. All in all it's an OK place and the people in general here are good, they have just lived a tough life. I wouldn't worry too much, just be a little bit cautious and I'm sure if you stick with the Euro 2012 crowd you'll be much safer than if you were off the beaten path - like I said they are trying to look good. Like for example they killed off thousands of stray dogs for the 2012. Let me know if you have any more questions, I'm sure there is more - I just can't think of it all right now. It's a crazy, interesting place - so try to have fun. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraines-stray-dog-slaughter-ends-6263997.html
SacTown, thanks for the post. Yeah, I agree, the women are really hot, but that country also seems to be a hotbed for STDs, unfortunately. It kind of sucks how the German matches are situated - first in Lviv, then 5 days later in Charkov, then 5 days later again in Lviv. Only like 1,000 km or so between Lviv and Charkov. My buddies and I were thinking of renting a car and driving from Lviv to the black sea after the first match, and from there to Charkov. On the way back, maybe stop in Kiev. When I was there, it was already winter, rainy and cold. I think it must be very nice during the summer. Looking forward to it. I'm not too worried about security myself. We'll be four pretty big guys, I doubt people will want to mess with us too much. Also, agree with what you said about them wanting to look good. But how they treat Julia Timoschenko is a shame. She is basically a political prisoner that is being treated horribly. Sorry, don't want to let this get into D&D territory, but that's not what I imagine a free democracy to be...
Good luck with that but this isn't really the type of country where you just go to an Avis and rent a car and drive around. The roads are in horrible condition and most people just take the trains and buses. You can look into it, but I would seriously recommend for you to just take the trains to the cities - and it's a cool experience cruising around on the trains. They are slow and fairly uncomfortable, but not too bad.
It's no different from anywhere else. The prostitutes do have a high HIV rate here, but the regular girls are no different from any sexually active girl in the US. You're going to be out of the country, on vacation and if a sexy Ukrainian girl wants you to take a swim in her pool, then put on a condom and dive in bro.
Just three more months. I'm looking forward to it. especially after seeing the great players of Germany and Spain play last week in the CL (and ofcourse Robben). It will be an epic group stage game between the Netherlands and Germany.
