Euro 2008

I hope he's not first choice four days from now. He played well today but even then he had some scares when he played with it in the back.

 

Ack! I know better than to trust headlines. I guess that quote does leave the 2010 WC open for him in two years eh Don!

 

As a big fan of Torres, I was glad to see him get the only goal in the match. And to quote Andy Gray, "And what a goal it was!". That goal just oozed confidence and class. Too bad he had to play second fiddle to David Villa, who imo only had one good game - the HT against Russia.

It didn't even look like the Germans knew they were playing in the Euro 2008 final until about the last 10 minutes. I wouldn't be too excited if I were a German supporter right now. I think they did just enough the entire tournament and it finally caught up to them in the end. They probably should have been out in the Group stages, and DEFINITELY got lucky against the Turks.

/endrant

 

Two years from now, retired Oliver Kahn will STILL be a better goalkeeper than Jens Lehmann.

Spain controlled every match they played and Xavi was (deservedly IMO) named player of the tournament.

 

Agreed. I liked how Andy Gray kept calling him "Little Xavi". He may have been small, but he was tenacious. His goal showed that much! My kind of playing style. Hover around and just find yourself in the right place at the right time.

 

Andy likes calling players "Little _____." Little Xavi, Little Nihat... I'm sure there were others.

 

You are such an obvious wind-up!

 

You are an obvious wind-up also, Don.

Lahm let up a little bit on that Final goal, as he saw Lehmann come flying in. And Lehmann was guessing Torres was going further towards the end line. All in all it was the fantastic sight and aim of Torres that led to that very good goal. Too bad your hate of the Germans, and strange vendetta against Lahm, doesn't allow you to see that, Don.

And Lehmann was not out of line to call out the Italian/Spanish Referee on not calling the head-butt, and stopping Germany when they were threatening in the box towards the end of the match. Not to say either would have changed the outcome necessarily, but it is a shame to see two very important calls or no-calls go against the same team.

 

FFCinPCB. Dude - you are wearing some seriously rose colored glasses.

Lahm - gave up 2 goals against Turkey, "redeemed" himself by scoring one against them, and then gave up the goal against Spain. I wouldn't want him at Fulham, let alone the Euro Best XI.

Ref in Final. The headbutt was a good non-call. The Germans have a habit of playing dirty, trying to get players kicked off, when they're down (I lived there for 15 years and have been watching the Euros since the 80's). Podolski placed his forehead against the Spanish player, who then "pushed" back - good non call. Plus, speaking about missed calls, what about Lehman's hand ball on the edge of the box?

Sorry, dude, the Germany was not only thoroughly outplayed by Spain, they were very, very fortunate to get past Turkey.

 

Oh yeah,..................


Baird-lover.

 

Oooh, that's a low blow. Worthy of a straight red in my book.

 

That is an out and out case of FUSA member baiting!

 

I am willing to cut Lahm some slack for the play against Torres because I believe a special player made a special play. For the most part Lahm did what he was supposed to do and put himself between Torres and the ball. Lehmann came out exactly like he was supposed to but in the end Torres beat them both. If we are being honest Torres made more than 1 or 2 very good players look bad this year and I think he did the same against Lahm.

What I cannot cut Lahm slack for was his defending against Turkey. His defensive performance was poor and only his game winning goal helped redeem him. If Turkey had found a way to win that match Lahm would have been the German goat.

 

Didn't say Lahm did not get burned against Turkey, nor did I say he deserves to be named to any Tournament team.

What I DID SAY, was that Torres goal was a very good one, and not worthy of the blame against Lahm that Don was heaping on him. My Brother, BP, backs me up on that account.