On the Eve of the new Season...

[ChampionshipVinyl]

EURO 2008 predictions?
 Surprises?
 Who are you supporting?

[vansmack]

Originally posted by ChampionshipVinyl:
  EURO 2008 predictions?
 Surprises?
 Who are you supporting?

With England out, I'm rooting for the Dutch.
 
 I think the Portuguese and the Germans are going to be tough to beat in A & B and Spain vs. whomever gets out of group C alive in the other semi.
 
 I think the Portuguese win it all.
 
 And I think Greece and Poland will surprise some people.

[godsshoeshine]

with ireland and england not making it, and both newcastle players involved likely on the way out, i guess i have to support italy, although i guess i'm rooting for the beauty of the game more than anything
 
 i think croatia and turkey have fighting chances to surprise a few people
 
 i'll go germany over croatia, and italy over spain with germany winning
 
 i'll go with france to disappoint, just because

[godsshoeshine]

altidore to villarreal: http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/06/altidore-sold-t.html
 good move for him i guess

[godsshoeshine]

nobody wants to talk about the italians getting throttled yesterday?

[Barcelona]

So far awful games as usual, but great to see Italy losing like this.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  nobody wants to talk about the italians getting throttled yesterday?

I can talk about the Dutch all day long.  They looked amazing.  But yes, as Barcelona points out, the first couple of days haven't been the most exciting.  Part of that is two crappy host countries (although the Austrians were surprisingly strong going forward).  They wouldn't normally be in this tournament.

[godsshoeshine]

the swiss might have made it to be fair. but they would have been better off playing qualifying matches the past two years though
 
 i think the inevitable van der vaart to toon rumor was floated this past weekend. the english rumor factory loves to torture us magpie supporters this time of the year. he's exactly what we need  

[vansmack]

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  the swiss might have made it to be fair. but they would have been better off playing qualifying matches the past two years though
 
 

Sorry, yes, you are correct.  The swiss had a shot.  I was referring to Austria, but not very clearly.  But, without Frei, the Swiss might not score the whole tournament.  Or the world can finally meet Derdiyok. I'm going to enjoy watching Derdiyok, who could very well end up at Toon if he has a decent showing, or Arsenal if he has a great showing.

[godsshoeshine]

yeah, he's been in the press. actually, i was going to make my team the all toon target team in the fantasy league. supposedly team ash has made a real bid for gomis, though

[godsshoeshine]

stupid soccernet with their flash site. i totally remembered to drop emre for turan and then forgot once i got home tuesday. also, stupid work computer for not having flash

[Frank Gallagher]

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  i worded that poorly. if he plays for sunderland, he could continue to live in the same house

No he won't...if he moves from Toon to the mackem's he'll have to go into the police protective program.

[Frank Gallagher]

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
   

Originally posted by 47 YEAR OLD VIRGIN:
  What a  great week it's been for old mank!!!        
 
 
    <img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44687000/jpg/_44687321_munstertrophybody.jpg" alt=" - " />
 
 
 Munster became kings of Europe for a second time as a ferociously committed display saw them edge past Toulouse in the Heineken Cup final in Cardiff.
 
   http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7408444.stm  

so people will likely still be happy about this in 4 weeks or so in the province? [/b]

I would think so...in Munster they still talk about the day they beat the All Blacks like it was yesterday....only it happened in 1978

[godsshoeshine]

Originally posted by 47 YEAR OLD VIRGIN:
   

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  i worded that poorly. if he plays for sunderland, he could continue to live in the same house

No he won't...if he moves from Toon to the mackem's he'll have to go into the police protective program. [/b]

most times yes, but toon supporters would be over the moon if we get actual money back for him. guy hardly plays

[vansmack]

So let me get this straight.
 
 Scolari tells Ronaldo to go to Real because it's good for Cristiano.
 
 Scolari then denies Ferguson access to Portugal's camp to talk to Ronaldo.
 
 Scolari then accepts the Chelsea coaching job.
 
 Nice.