<p>yes, I unfortunately only get to catch the weekend games, coolweather</p>
<p>very poor performance from Ireland as well. Not that they should’ve gotten out of the group, but they should’ve been much better.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>And Xiggi never said that their attack was garbage. I corrected a statement that, even with Villa, they would have the best attack in the world. I also said that in the CURRENT edition, they do not have great attackers. This was pretty evident yesterday with a typical performance by Torres, and with a typical Spanish goal. And, fwiw, my other comments regarding the febrility of the defense were hardly diffused. </p>
<p>As far as the 8 goals in South Africa, it was related to the type of soccer they displayed in accumulating all those 1-0 victories. You can 1-0 results after entertaining games full of passion or a 1-0 with lullaby chants. Perhaps it was the noise of those darn vuvuzelas that added to the agonizing slow tempo, but I maintain that the WC 2010 was a horrendously insipid affair that crowned a “petit” champion. </p>
<p>To each his own!</p>
<p>PS The baby blue jerseys might have been chosen to please the Barcelona players who are used to experience new jerseys to depart from the traditional.
<a href=“http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS4rUBM3cU5dgMVpclBuuyVLDPGHaRH9xlnRRBsXCxmaCVZkaEx[/url]”>http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS4rUBM3cU5dgMVpclBuuyVLDPGHaRH9xlnRRBsXCxmaCVZkaEx</a>
The decision might also have to do with having to have an away jersey that does not conflict with any other teams. Perhaps there are UEFA rules that force teams to opt for unique choices.</p>
<p>France could not get a clear shot on goal today.
Ukrain got robbed a goal.</p>
<p>I was hoping for more from France. Tigerdad, I think the ball was over the line, but even before that, a Ukrainian player should have been flagged for offside.</p>
<p>So, France v Spain. Probably the 2 teams I most root for.</p>
<p>I’m glad there are no games tomorrow. I want the day off.</p>
<p>I want to see Greece beats Germany. An upward battle but it would be fun.</p>
<p>I agree with offside.</p>
<p>Spain’s uninspiring game in attack (compared to Barcelona’s) is not solely due to absence of Messi. It is also thanks to the Potato Man, Del Bosque, who stubbornly sticks to the defensive tactics—by fielding two defensive midfielders, Xabi Alonso and Busquets. That is the essential difference between Barcelona and Spain. They are so useless together it’s not even funny. In 2008, with Aragones, we played a much better football and scored 12 goals in 6 matches by emulating Barcelona (4-3-3 with one DM, who was Senna at the time). Plus I don’t care how many goals Torres and Navas scored, but they simply should not even be in the squad. They don’t fit the system. Period. </p>
<p>So far, in the last two tournaments, Spain is getting by players’ talent and a little bit of luck. In the World Cup it worked because the players were extremely motivated and had enough talent to pull it off despite the coach’s ineptitude. However, I am fairly convinced it is not going to work this time (mainly due to lack of equivalent amount of motivation), and we won’t even make it to the final.</p>
<p>also missing some guy named Villa… who has put up an obscene number of goals everywehre he has played.</p>
<p>Blanc tried a new formation for the Sweden game. Knowing that Urkaine had to beat England while at the same time, France lose by more than 2 goals for France not to progress, I think Blanc was willing to risk it. Against Spain, France is likely to use a more classical French formation, like the one used against Ukraine. That is not to say France will do better vs Spain, but the approach will be significantly different.</p>
<p>Top 4 prediction: PIGS</p>
<p>(G could be for Germany or Greece 
)</p>
<p>Nahn I think France is going to beat Spain. I agree that Germany, Italy and Portugal will also advance.</p>
<p>I went with a 1-1 draw today that the Czechs win on penalties. Who knows, might come true :P</p>
<p>2 down, 2 to go.</p>
<p>Could you please explain that to me, tigerdad?</p>
<p>I’m glad Portugal won. Enjoyed their play today very much.</p>
<p>Alexandre, I remember from WC that you are a big France fan. I hope Spain and France have a good game, but of course with so many family ties in/from Spain, I will root for La (Furia) Roja.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Did you really? I thought it was a snoozefest. Mostly because of the Czechs though.</p>
<p>^ That means you agree with me!</p>
<p>gloworm,</p>
<p>I meant 2 of my predicted semifinalists PIGS are in (because both Germany and Greece start with G)</p>
<p>A title for the french press – not the coffee pot! :)</p>
<p>L’IMPUISSANCE DES BLEUS</p>
<p>The performance against Sweden was not an accident. Ribery, just as his compadre Robben, did not do much better than in Munich. Active perhaps, but mostly imprecise and at times clumsy. The strange part is that the extremely weird placement of the defense in the first half almost worked. Almost because leaving the flanks unmarked did the French in as Spain scored a very atypical goal. Of course, any player with a higher work rate than Malouda would have considered marking the opposing defensive midfielder worthy of a small effort. A dismal show! </p>
<p>I really hope Portugal will try to win the game and not hand it to Spain without much of a fight.</p>
<p>France didn’t seem to care too much. At the end when Del Bosque was shaking hands with Blanc, Vicente seemed to have a look of pain for his friend.</p>
<p>^^ One of my posts was edited by a mod because I had Greek in it. I hope that yours will not be.</p>