::Euro 2004::
Gooooooooooooooooooooooool!
[7.25.04]
So it's all over. I didn't get to update any more and plus I think I was too sad to anyway because all of my teams were out. I blame the scooter ad! Blast you, Adidas! :( Yep, that and just press releases in everything. Hahah or it could just be that Greece delivered and the other teams did not. Congrats Greece, you've earned it. Wow, a couple of weeks ago, I wouldn't have been able to say that!
I'm sad to see the championships go, but it was definitely great and not worth trading for anything, no matter how many disappointments there were! Next up, Champions League! I don't know if I'll be covering that or not, but I'll definitely be watching.
:)
[6.27.04]
Czech Republic won! I was worried because Denmark seemed formidable, but the Czechs pulled through. This comes after Friday's defeat of les Bleus by Greece. Be glad that I didn't update. It was pretty bad... I was in the worst funk over their loss. But it did make me feel better that the other power houses were out and the truly well played teams were still in (as much as I don't like to admit it, France was not playing at their best). [OT]I'm starting to like Pires more, especially since I just found out that he was around in 98 and played during the Saudi match where Zidane got red carded. He was so young and cute![/OT] One of the commentators today blamed it on the Adidas scooters ad. It was pretty funny because I was thinking the same thing (kinda). Anyway, back on target, Baros proved himself worthy again with two stunning goals. At least they sounded stunning over the internet live stream (thank you BBC five live!). I think that he's definitely the man of the match, in my book. Pavel was showing nice colors too, so finally he got some action. I found out that he walks so funny because is knee caps are split in three instead of just one plate, or whatever you call it, like a normal person. It also helps him keep control of the ball better or something. I'll check on that one and post what was actually said. I guess he was born to play football! :)
Once pictures are up, I'll post. And probably by the time the tourney's over I'll have some featured footballers up. I want this page to look good... no matter how much time it will take! More to come soon, I hope...
[6.24.04]
It's been a while! The internet has been down at my place for the better part of the week, so now I finally have a chance to update. And now for the update:
My friend Tiffany came by yesterday and we watched the CzRep v. Holland from Sunday (?, might have been monday...). So much better football was being played there than all the rest we've been seeing. I was really calm throughout the game... maybe it's because I wasn't attached to either team too much (unlike France ["You MUST win!"] and Italy ["You have the best players, WHY AREN'T YOU WINNING?!?"])... It was good that I wasn't as disappointed when any side did something wrong. They did well and Pavel got some good time, even though he spent most of his time rolling on the field. As did most of the CzRep side. It was the story of their lives. It was so bad that T^2 and I would yell "bouncing Czech!" whenever there was a man down and "Pavel, please don't fall on this one!!!" as P. Nedved crashed to the pitch (he has a carrot on top of the last 'e' of his name!). There was one red card that was definitely uncalled for, but it gave me the opprotunity to see Pavel up close. Granted, he was pretty upset, but I was still happy to get to see what he looked like in real life. I was also impressed by the Dutch side (as always) but especially with Edgar Davids (Juventus?). It was also my first time seeing him play live on the field and I was impressed. He's supposedly the shortest player in the tourney. His playing style is so flowing and awesome. It was nice to watch (and not have to scream at the TV"nononono! what are you doing?!?").
Here are some funny things from euro2004.com Off the Ball segment.
[6.19.04]
I didn't get to watch the games today, but it seemed like things were interesting. I'm really happy that the Czech Republic won because they have a good team (namely Pavel!!) but I really want the Dutch to win because they do have a fairly fantastic squad as well. Things aren't looking very good for them, though, because out of their group they only hrave one point, trailing Germany (2) and CzRep (6). Latvia is tied with them fo one point. Greece v. Russia is tomorrow and it'll be surprising to see who wins that one. Greece has been the surprise this tournament, but sadly Russia isn't looking too bright, which is unfortuante because they really have potential. That game is being broadcast at the same time as the Spain v. Portugal match, which I really want to see because I have not seen Figo or Raul (<3s!) play in a while... At least a year because the last Real Madrid game I saw was in 2003 when they played Juventus (and lost). That's when I still thought that Figo's name was Frigo. hehe
Well, I've found some fine footballing commercials to share. Follow the links!
Nike - Thierry's House Ball and Ronaldo/Figo Pre-game fun
Adidas - Road to Lisbon
[6.17.04]
Today was beyond disappointing. Not only was the game not up to my expectations, but unfortuantely Fox Sports World (FSW) had horrible reception and most of the time we couldn't tell what team was which or where the ball was. It was nice, however, to see the action on the field instead of over the radio.
I'm really upset over France's performance. Croatia was playing well today, but France should have done better! *sigh* I did like Croatia's goalie and their goals were very good, but it's so sad that (I'll say it again) France could have won 2-0. This just really worries me for when France plays Switzerland on the 21st. Time will tell, I guess.
Giovani Rosso and Dado Pr�o (Croatia) celebrate
Giovani Rosso (Croatia) and Zizou (France)
Player of the Day:
Dado Pr�o (Croatia)
(Profile coming soon...)
[6.16.04]
So, picking up where I left off two years ago, this is the first big international competition (of sorts) that i've gotten the chance to witness (and be fanatical about) since the 2002 World Cup. Even though it is only the first round, France (my favorites) have played quite well and, in my opinion, continue to do so. The other teams are putting up formidible challenges and, if I do say so myself, there are many surprises in each of the games played so far. Tomorrow is France v. Croatia (and England v. Switzerland). I will hopefully be able to watch it on TV (it's coming on Fox Sports World) and not huddled beside my computer, ear pressed earnestly up to the speakers, trying to imagine the action through the eyes of the BBC5's plucky and formidable sportscasters. :)
So, what I hope to accomplish here in this space is similiar to what I did for the Cup in '02, that is post results, player bios, interesting articles, as well as my daily picks and comments on how the game's progressing. I think I'll try the layout a bit differently than last time, but I haven't figured that out as of yet. Stay tuned, I'll hopefully be updating every game day!
Oh and P.S. I got another France jersey! Pictures to follow (as well as name and number screening; you know I don't know what name and number to put on it... any suggestions?). =P
So here's to today's first article!
Portugal restore home pride
by Adrian Harte from Est�dio da Luz
Hosts Portugal restored their UEFA EURO 2004� hopes as goals at either end of a thrilling encounter from Maniche and Rui Costa gave them a hard-fought win and ended Russia's dreams of reaching the knockout stages.
Improved Portugal
Maniche seized on his FC Porto team-mate Deco's pass after seven minutes to fire in the first goal before Rui Costa converted fellow substitute Cristiano Ronaldo�s cross one minute from time as Portugal bounced back from their opening match defeat by Greece with a much-improved display. Russia had to play for over 45 minutes with ten men after goalkeeper Sergei Ovchinnikov was sent off on the stroke of half-time for handling the ball outside the area.
Bulykin dropped
Both starting lineups revealed surprises. Russia's two enforced changes were no shock with Dmitri Loskov and Aleksei Bugaev coming in for the expelled Aleksandr Mostovoi and the suspended Roman Sharonov. But Georgi Yartsev's decision to drop Dmitri Bulykin and play FC Zenit St. Peterburg youngster Aleksandr Kerzhakov in attack supported by his fellow 21-year-old Marat Izmailov raised eyebrows among the Russian minority at the Est�dio da Luz.
Porto quintet
Luiz Felipe Scolari provided yet more surprises. The decision to introduce Deco for Rui Costa in the playmaking role was expected but the defensive cull that saw Paulo Ferreira, Rui Jorge and Fernando Couto supplanted by Miguel, Ricardo Carvalho and Nuno Valente was less predictable. The net effect was the Portugal had five players from UEFA Champions League winners Porto lining up against club colleague Dmitri Alenitchev.
Maniche strikes
That Porto combination worked to wonderful effect for Portugal after just six minutes. The ball was worked to Deco from a Lu�s Figo free-kick and Porto's adopted son drilled a dangerous low ball into the box. Club colleague Maniche controlled superbly before firing into the bottom corner beyond Ovchinnikov for his first ever international goal.
Smertin booked
Russia were rocked and pinned back in their own half, their frustration heightened when defensive linchpin Aleksei Smertin received a booking after 16 minutes ruling him out of Russia's final Group A match against Greece. Minutes earlier, Russia had briefly lifted the siege on their goal but Alenitchev was crowded out in the area after fine approach play from Loskov and Kerzhakov.
Triple stepover
Portugal were struggling to translate their lion's share of possession into chances but upped the tempo approaching the half-hour mark when Carvalho headed over and then Pauleta narrowly failed to reach Figo's cross, delivered after the Portuguese captain had delighted the crowd with three stepovers. Then after 31 minutes Deco volleyed wildly over from close range and, seven minutes later, Maniche and Deco almost played in Pauleta only for a fine interception by Bugaev.
Ovchinnikov off
Portugal were quite literally given a helping hand on the stroke of half-time when Ovchinnikov was sent off after handling outside his area as he raced from his goal to deny Pauleta. The talismanic goalkeeper was expelled and Evgueni Aldonin was sacrificed as reserve keeper Viacheslav Malafeev came in but Russia escaped further censure when Figo curled the resultant free-kick wide.
Stubborn Russia
Malafeev was forced into action five minutes after the restart when he dived full length to his right to turn away Nuno Valente's powerful drive. But Portugal were struggling to exploit their numerical advantage and the increasingly influential Andrei Kariaka flashed an effort across the face of goal and then stung the fingers of Ricardo with a fierce shot as Russia refused to accept their fate meekly.
Malafeev magic
Nuno Gomes and Rui Costa replaced Pauleta and Sim�o Sabrosa as Portugal sought greater urgency and the changes almost brought instant reward after 64 minutes. An excellent move saw Nuno Gomes forward Deco's pass to Figo but his shot was brilliantly turned on to the post by Malafeev with Deco seizing on the rebound only to fire the ball over the bar.
Deco drive
Russia pushed hard for an equaliser but failed to threaten Ricardo's goal even after the introduction of Dmitri Bulykin. Instead Portugal exploited the increased space and their own late replacement Ronaldo crossed for Rui Costa to score and seal a deserved victory.
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