The Official Football/Soccer Thread: 2017-2018 Season
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Which team/teams will you be cheering on? What would be your Dream Final? Which team/teams do you hope fail miserably? Do you have a dark horse team that one shouldn't write off? (Team that could shock) Which player(s) do you think will shine the brightest in Austria/Switzerland? Are there any countries that failed to qualify that you wish had? Which EURO tournament was the first you remember watching? (What year?) Your all-time EURO memory.
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Which team/teams will you be cheering on? Spain and Germany What would be your Dream Final? Spain -v- anyone. As long as penalties against Germany is avoided! Which team/teams do you hope fail miserably? Portugal, Holland and probably Italy as well. Do you have a dark horse team that one shouldn't write off? (Team that could shock) They're the defending champs yet no one is talking about them. But I think Greece could surprise once again. Which player(s) do you think will shine the brightest in Austria/Switzerland? David Villa, Michael Ballack... and Henrik Larsson! Are there any countries that failed to qualify that you wish had? Scotland, mainly because of the Tartan Army. Best supporters in the world. I do wish there was a way Brazil and Argentina could compete, though. What player who will not be playing in the tournament will you miss the most? It's a shame the Brazilian-Croat Eduardo will miss out through injury. Will also miss Michael Owen as he appeared to have regained some of his old form back. Which EURO tournament was the first you remember watching? (What year?) 1980 in Italy. Your all-time EURO memory. -- England v Belgium halted for 10 minutes due to tear gas that had drifted onto the pitch after Italian police had fired cannisters at rioting English hooligans in 1980. -- Raul deflating the hopes of a nation by missing a penalty in the 89th minute in the 2000 quarterfinals against France. -- Cristiano Ronaldo crying like the baby he is after Portugal lost the 2004 final on home soil to Greece. -- Jimmy Jump running onto the pitch and throwing a Barcelona banner at Figo in the dying seconds of that 2004 final.
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And football does exist outside Europe. Copa Libertadores - Quarterfinals São Paulo (BRA) - Fluminense (BRA) .......... 1-0 , 1-3 Club América (MEX) - Santos FC (BRA) .......... 2-0 , 2nd leg tonight San Lorenzo (ARG) - LDU Quito (ECU) ........ 1-1 , 1-1 (3-5 penalties) Boca Juniors (ARG) - Atlas (MEX) ................ 2-2 , 3-0
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UPDATE: Club América (MEX) - Santos FC (BRA) ........ 2-0 , 0-1 Great game with Santos having lots of chances to equalize but America did well to hold out. SEMIFINALS Boca Juniors (ARG) -v- Fluminense (BRA) Club América (MEX) -v- LDU Quito (ECU)
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unclesox:
Do you have a dark horse team that one shouldn't write off? (Team that could shock) They're the defending champs yet no one is talking about them. But I think Greece could surprise once again.
That would be SWEET!
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unclesox:
No, I don't know those two you mention
Your introduction to Lavezzi may come on Saturday. He's been included in the Argentina squad to play Catalunya at Camp Nou.
okey, let's see this guy, but I hardly get surprised by a player, in my life I've only recall being amazed by Guardiola, Laudrup, Raul, Maldini, Baresi, Ronaldinho and Zidane.
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unclesox:
I don't believe much in coaches but in players, the Spanish have had all kind of coaches anyway... Which team/teams will you be cheering on? Spain, as long as they play well, and anyone that does it, that bring show to... the show. Maybe Holland and France... What would be your Dream Final? Spain against a very tough rival, probably Italy, it's the anti-Spain. Which team/teams do you hope fail miserably? The ones that will play miserably. I don't expect much show, there wasn't any in the last Euro Cup, very boring to me. Anyone who plays with all the midfielders so defensive that can't play the ball. It's ok if a defender can't play the ball but if a midfielder can't.... surely there are thousand of guys in that country that would do it better. Do you have a dark horse team that one shouldn't write off? (Team that could shock) Spain LMAO! Which player(s) do you think will shine the brightest in Austria/Switzerland? Lampard... wait, no... Raul, wait... mmm... Iniesta. Are there any countries that failed to qualify that you wish had? England! it's hard to say the Premier League it's the best league when England is not even in the quarterfinals, are Lampard, Rooney, Ferdinand, Terry and Gerrard really good or they just play well in that kind of football? of course Brazil and Argentina too, but then we would have the World Cup. Which EURO tournament was the first you remember watching? (What year?) 1984 Won by France over Spain at the final. A very strange free kick from Platini, this time he strangely shooted in a poor way, but, strange too, Arconada, Spanish goalkeeper did a horrible miss. Your all-time EURO memory.
Some are in the previous matches. Spain winning Malta 12-1 in 1983. They needed to win with an advantage of 11 goals to Malta to qualify instead of Netherlands, and they did. I've never seen any team attacking so much. There was anxiety to recover the ball. Another game in the previous. Spain 9-Austria 0. The most brilliant game I've seen on any team. It was an official match and anyway it happened. 4 goals of Raul, he was the best, but everyone was great. The famous Van Basten volley in that final. The penalty that Hierro hitted in the bar in the quarterfinals in Wembley against England. The ball went back to the midfield, and Spain out. Michael Laudrup and its genius in 1996. And Zidane in 2000. The super-boring Euro 2004.
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Hey, Manchester has won the Champions League, yes, we know it... I heared that before the game there was a match of famous retired players and Michael Laudrup was still the best. you know I've never liked Anelka? well, except Belletti no-one shoot the penalties well, so all could have been stopped. And it was very special to see the fight between Essien and Cristiano Ronaldo. Essien couldn't defende Cristiano headings and Cristiano can't defence so Essien was the most dangerous Chelsea player playing as a full back.
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(yes, another post, last one) What team would you bring with you to win the cup? (European players only, and into the FIFA system) Casillas Sagnol, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Grosso Iniesta Lampard Pirlo Gattuso Raul Cristiano Ronaldo
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I just heard that the Chelsea manager has been sacked for not winning anything this year. That's tickled me for the day.
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21st Century Paul:
unclesox:
No, I don't know those two you mention
Your introduction to Lavezzi may come on Saturday. He's been included in the Argentina squad to play Catalunya at Camp Nou.
okey, let's see this guy, but I hardly get surprised by a player, in my life I've only recall being amazed by Guardiola, Laudrup, Raul, Maldini, Baresi, Ronaldinho and Zidane.
Argentina defeats Catalunya 1-0... Lavezzi the lone scorer. Albeit a lucky goal. But he had a great chance to score in the first half when Messi put him through but he could only hit the side netting. Only 42,000 at Camp Nou but the Argentina support looked strong, as usual.
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21st Century Paul:
Some are in the previous matches. Spain winning Malta 12-1 in 1983. They needed to win with an advantage of 11 goals to Malta to qualify instead of Netherlands, and they did. I've never seen any team attacking so much. There was anxiety to recover the ball.
That game has come under a lot of scrutiny because Spain only led 3-1 at halftime. Some compare it to Argentina's controversial 6-0 win over Peru in the '78 World Cup.
21st Century Paul:
Michael Laudrup and its genius in 1996.
Two things wrong in this sentence... 1) Denmark won in 1992. 2) Michael Laudrup didn't play in that tournament because he had differences with the coach Nielsen during the qualification rounds where they initally failed to qualify. Even when UEFA allowed them to take Yugoslavia's place Michael refused the call up.
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unclesox:
21st Century Paul:
Some are in the previous matches. Spain winning Malta 12-1 in 1983. They needed to win with an advantage of 11 goals to Malta to qualify instead of Netherlands, and they did. I've never seen any team attacking so much. There was anxiety to recover the ball.
That game has come under a lot of scrutiny because Spain only led 3-1 at halftime. Some compare it to Argentina's controversial 6-0 win over Peru in the '78 World Cup.
21st Century Paul:
Michael Laudrup and its genius in 1996.
Two things wrong in this sentence... 1) Denmark won in 1992. 2) Michael Laudrup didn't play in that tournament because he had differences with the coach Nielsen during the qualification rounds where they initally failed to qualify. Even when UEFA allowed them to take Yugoslavia's place Michael refused the call up.
No, I'm not wrong. Denmark won in 1992 not 1996, and did it without Michael Laudrup, sure. But I remind Laudrup playing in 1996. I don't know about Malta. In the end of the game the players of Malta seem like not playing... but not at the beginning... Anyway Spain scored the goal 12 in the last 5 minutes.... and the goalkeeper of Malta seemed very angry all the second half... I don't think it was faked but who knows.
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21st Century Paul:
unclesox:
21st Century Paul:
Michael Laudrup and its genius in 1996.
Two things wrong in this sentence... 1) Denmark won in 1992. 2) Michael Laudrup didn't play in that tournament because he had differences with the coach Nielsen during the qualification rounds where they initally failed to qualify. Even when UEFA allowed them to take Yugoslavia's place Michael refused the call up.
No, I'm not wrong. Denmark won in 1992 not 1996, and did it without Michael Laudrup, sure. But I remind Laudrup playing in 1996.
He played, but what did he do that was so "genius"? Denmark drew against Portugal in their first game and were hammered 3-0 by Croatia in their second game. By the time they played Turkey they needed help from Croatia to advance, and the Turks had nothing to play for and thus didn't put up a spirited effort. Besides, his brother, Brian, had a better tournament than he did.
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unclesox:
21st Century Paul:
unclesox:
21st Century Paul:
Michael Laudrup and its genius in 1996.
Two things wrong in this sentence... 1) Denmark won in 1992. 2) Michael Laudrup didn't play in that tournament because he had differences with the coach Nielsen during the qualification rounds where they initally failed to qualify. Even when UEFA allowed them to take Yugoslavia's place Michael refused the call up.
No, I'm not wrong. Denmark won in 1992 not 1996, and did it without Michael Laudrup, sure. But I remind Laudrup playing in 1996.
He played, but what did he do that was so "genius"? Denmark drew against Portugal in their first game and were hammered 3-0 by Croatia in their second game. By the time they played Turkey they needed help from Croatia to advance, and the Turks had nothing to play for and thus didn't put up a spirited effort. Besides, his brother, Brian, had a better tournament than he did.
What did he do Laudrup that was "genius"? Well, for me, almost everything, you know is my fav player ever, not many people join my opinion. He did his usual things, the best passes that can be done, breaking the defence. Getting the ball from the midfield and put it ready to be shoot on target. Seeing everything on the field, doing what no-one expects to do, find the space no-one thought existed. All this with the ball very close to his feet so they can't take it away from him and all this with the head up not looking to the ball, so he can see anything around (and not around) and don't just run and dribble but let the ball do the job for him. The master. Besides that, nothing special I guess. Laudrup is so great that even when he plays now it's a show.
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21st Century Paul:
unclesox:
21st Century Paul:
unclesox:
21st Century Paul:
Michael Laudrup and its genius in 1996.
Two things wrong in this sentence... 1) Denmark won in 1992. 2) Michael Laudrup didn't play in that tournament because he had differences with the coach Nielsen during the qualification rounds where they initally failed to qualify. Even when UEFA allowed them to take Yugoslavia's place Michael refused the call up.
No, I'm not wrong. Denmark won in 1992 not 1996, and did it without Michael Laudrup, sure. But I remind Laudrup playing in 1996.
He played, but what did he do that was so "genius"? Denmark drew against Portugal in their first game and were hammered 3-0 by Croatia in their second game. By the time they played Turkey they needed help from Croatia to advance, and the Turks had nothing to play for and thus didn't put up a spirited effort. Besides, his brother, Brian, had a better tournament than he did.
What did he do Laudrup that was "genius"? Well, for me, almost everything, you know is my fav player ever, not many people join my opinion. He did his usual things, the best passes that can be done, breaking the defence. Getting the ball from the midfield and put it ready to be shoot on target. Seeing everything on the field, doing what no-one expects to do, find the space no-one thought existed. All this with the ball very close to his feet so they can't take it away from him and all this with the head up not looking to the ball, so he can see anything around (and not around) and don't just run and dribble but let the ball do the job for him. The master. Besides that, nothing special I guess. Laudrup is so great that even when he plays now it's a show.
It sounds like you're just generalizing. "He played beautifully with Real Madrid and Barcelona, so he MUST HAVE done it at EURO 96 too". That's the sense I'm getting from you. Whatever he did, it apparently wasn't enough and most reports say Brian had a better tournament.
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I don't know when Laudrup has not played his way...I don't care much about reports... Laudrup was never a Golden Ball, I think the year that he was closer he was the 7th player in votes, 1992. Guardiola said that he was very far away from the rest of players in the world... Actually Laudrup is only rated as the best by football players not by journalists. Brazil team of 2000 World Cup said he should play with Brazil (well, that's true... or with Spain). Iniesta has him as his idol, you know. Cruyff as his successor, and he said too he was the best by far in the Dream Team. Who knows more about football, football players of journalists? It reminds me of music.
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21st Century Paul:
I don't know when Laudrup has not played his way...I don't care much about reports... Laudrup was never a Golden Ball, I think the year that he was closer he was the 7th player in votes, 1992. Guardiola said that he was very far away from the rest of players in the world... Actually Laudrup is only rated as the best by football players not by journalists. Brazil team of 2000 World Cup said he should play with Brazil (well, that's true... or with Spain). Iniesta has him as his idol, you know. Cruyff as his successor, and he said too he was the best by far in the Dream Team. Who knows more about football, football players of journalists? It reminds me of music.
Everything you said there is true. And I'm not saying Laudrup was not a great player. He definately was. But not at EURO 96. At least, I don't remember him doing anything noteworthy at EURO 96. For example, in the 1998 World Cup he made this outstanding pass to Ebbe Sand against Nigeria which made the score 3-0 and pretty much sealed the win.
, @ 3:48 of video My question is: What significant contribution did Michael Laudrup make for Denmark at EURO 96? Yes, he's a great player. But what did he do at EURO 96... At the 1996 European Football Championships in England. Not at the 1986 World Cup. Not in 1992. Not with Barcelona. Not with Real Madrid. Not in 2000. What did he do at EURO 96 with Denmark? Answer: He did NOTHING. Denmark crashed out in the first round. Brian Laudrup scored three goals, but Michael Laudrup had a very forgettable tournament. He did nothing of relevance. Nothing at EURO 1996 in England. Unless you have a video somewhere you can link me to. Are my questions really this tough to understand? : -
What is tough for me is to think that Laudrup did nothing on a football field... I don't know, maybe it's true... that kind of pass is not outstanding but usual for Laudrup... he does a lot of thing in the matches that are not very highlighted... you know he's not gonna appear in the highlight unless he scores (strange) or he gives the last pass (strange too in Denmark, is not Barcelona or Real Madrid). I haven't find any link... even of the best thing of Laudrup ever. There are mostly goals... and his goals was not his best part at all. I'm just seeing the video link of that game. The first goal is the shit, there's nothing dangerous in the attack, then Laudrup sees the empty space where he must go and he predicts what pass he's gonna do when defenders come to let the striker score. He makes it all seem easy. Now, the 2nd goal, the runs and dribble, they make him a fault. And then he does that thing in the free kick, that's Laudrup. The best. Now the 3rd, the typical Laudrup parabole pass, somehow predictable this time. I still remember I said then "Up Laudrup, the way is up!" and he did... "predictable" cause he was looking there as he usually did that looking elsewhere.. And I remind Nigeria beated Spain some days before. I knew Laudrup will show Nigeria was not so good. And he's 34 in that game. 34!.
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21st Century Paul:
I knew Laudrup will show Nigeria was not so good.
Just like in 1986 when Denmark and Laudrup defeated Uruguay 6-1 and West Germany 2-0. And then Spain and Butragueno showed that Denmark was not so good. Or maybe Nigeria 1998 and Denmark 1986 just had off days, which is more likely. By the way, first it was Aragones, and now UEFA hasn't shown every Madridista's favorite son Raul any luv either. uefa.com's Equipo de la Liga 2007/08: ------------------------ Casillas Sergio Ramos -- Capdevila -- Coloccini -- Cata Díaz ------------- Guti -- Iniesta -- Jorge López ------------ Güiza -- Luis Fabiano -- Agüero Equipo revelación: ------------------ Diego López Pepe -- Cáceres -- Bruno Saltor -- Filipe Luis ------------- De la Red -- Granero ------ Diego Capel ------------------ Sisi ----------- Bojan -- Álvaro Negredo