REL Quake

i think some people here have deep freudian issues that need working out.
cheers


julian

 

Some of the "revelations" in this thread certainly explain a lot about the frequency and the content of some members' posts.

 

Nine feet tall? In your dreams

 

Envy can get ugly... :JPS:

 

Hats off to the boys in red and green and all but if you meet Czech Republic you are likely to leave disappointed. NedVed is a machine.

 

We already went further than I hoped, particularly after the lousy start, its 50% chance games so anyone can win... :MILD:

 

Pah, you might as well have forwards called "Rel" for all the firepower they posess

I am supporting the Dutch and Czechs, both deserve to win the tournament IMO

 

Unless you play the Czechs

 

The Czechs are looking very strong and if the final is Portugal vs Czech Republic then it will be pretty tough. But the Dutch? They've scraped their way through and don't look like a side to be reckoned with. They'll have to seriously raise their game to have a chance against Portugal IMO.

Of the sides remaining, Portugal and the Czech Republic should definitely be the ones in the final.

Michael.

 

Having rubbed my crystal ball, my prediction is Holland 1 Portugal 1, Holland to win on penalties.

-- Ian

 

Holland have a very poor record on penalty shoot outs. It's unlikely they'd win 2 in a row . I reckon Portugal will win 2-1 during the 90 mins.

Michael.

 

Nah, I get better odds on betting for the Dutch, which is, after all, the only thing that matters.

-- Ian

 

I think you'll be proved right. Portugal look very good, great possession, quality first touches, intelligent movement - Deco, Ronaldo, Rui Costa and Nuno Gomes are all strong. However, a shakey central defence and limited goal scoring talent may lead to a pleasant looking but ineffectual performance. The Czechs however look comfortable in possession, demonstrate very effective defence and have at least three world class players. Any team with a player who can score an arrowlike goal from 40 yards with either foot has to be taken seriously and to win all three group games including a victory against Germany by their 2nd choice team has to be fancied. Nedved is European footballer of the year for good reason - they started as an unproven squad but may rule Europe for a generation (I'm now sounding like Andy Gray ).

 

Sorry Michael, but from the UK, I have been unimpressed with the Portuguese. I suspect the euphoria generated by nationalism and the media is leading people to have a different view over there. IMO, they were dire in their first match, average against Spain and lucky against England. I just don't see the finished product. Lots of fancy farting about but no real ammunition.

The Dutch look like they have the firepower, it's only a question of whether they have the heart.

 

Portugal were dire in their first match - I'll grant you that. But since then they've got better and better. The backbone of the team (since their 2nd match) has been the backbone of FC Porto (Carvalho, Costinha, Deco, Maniche) and that's one of their great strengths, they know how to play as a team. I don't think the Dutch are playing as a team and they're not passing well either. In their game against Sweden, both sides were playing "let's lob it up the pitch and hope something happens", something that England learned doesn't work a long time ago.

Michael.

 

You know they don't. They never do. They're far too intelligent and well educated to have anything like a "heart".

 

You are sick Merlin... :chunder:

The only team that deserves to win the tournament for their playing so far is the Czechs, the Portuguese also deserve for the heart shown in the last two games, but any of the remaining teams has almost equal chances now...

 

<< "let's lob it up the pitch and hope something happens", something that England learned doesn't work a long time ago. >> England have come a long way. Their present tactic is "let's lob it to the opposition, stand on our 6 yard line and hope they get bored".

 

Sorry Merlin but England were poor against Portugal and at least they made a game of it in the 2nd half (with some risky substitutions) and reaped the rewards.

However, Portugal haven't looked overly convincing; Deco has been pretty poor given the hype, Figo has been awful and playing a single striker up front doesn't exactly scream 'goals'. They don't exactly inspire confidence over 90 minutes. With a few games under their belt they have managed to gel a bit better but is it enough to beat the Dutch ?

Technically excellent and armed with a barrel load of top-class, attacking players, the Dutch look far more likely to score. I reckon Arjen Robben will net a much deserved goal.

If Portugal score early they have a good chance. They just have to realise that attacking is the name of the game @ Euro 2004 (Sven knows.....NOW ) and teams that have sat back have been punished.

I do however reckon that the Czech's will go all the way as they appear to be the best 'team' in the competition; a great keeper (Cech), a stunning midfield playmaker (Nedved) and a young, pacy striker determined to prove his worth (Baros).

Now, why is no one rooting for the Greeks ?

 

Put that way, England really are the only existentialist team left.
I know which team Albert would choose to goalie for (although it's not really a matter of choice).