Teams:
France, England, Switzerland, Croatia

Matches:
June 13th
Switzerland - Croatia (18:00)
France - England (20:45)
June 17th
England - Switzerlnad (18:00)
Croatia - France (20:45)
June 21st
Croatia - England (20:45)
Switzerland - France (20:45)

Obviously, the most expected game is France - England! :goodjob:

Can't wait for tomorrow evening!

Go England!

Yeah, go England!

Mon the Frenchies!!!!

Allez les bleus! :D

well, might as well throw a cheerful "Hopp Schwiz, Allez Suisse, Forza Svizzera" in :D

Come on England

I pray to god for an English victory today.
And I have 3 good reasons for that.
A.My street is inhabited exclusively by Millwall fans
B.I prefer my friends drunk and irritative, than drunk and depressed
C.I hope that if England wins 2004 the press will stop busting my ***** about the upcoming victory of Tim Henman in Wimbledon(don't forget:this is --again- Tim's year) :lol:

And the other game, who's going to prevail between Celts and Byzantines?

Go Switzerland!

And the other game, who's going to prevail between Celts and Byzantines?


Croatians are hardly Byzantines...
on topic now Croatians are totally unpredictable. I would vote for the Celts but for the undisciplined nature of the Croatian game....

When did the Swiss become Celts?

Brennus always looked cheesy to me :lol:

COME ON FRANCE!

:D

Brennus always looked cheesy to me :lol:

Other than that is there a reason to say that the Swiss should be called Celts?

Stinky England vs. Dirty France is going to have a great atmosphere. Even the neutrals are split on this one! I hope the players don't let us down. An easy victory for either side would be an anti-climax.

We have to beat Arsenal, I mean France. We just have too.

To be honest I wouldn't mind a draw as wins against Switzerland and Croatia would put us through anyway and if we were to get to the final, I would rather win against France then... Although a win would certainly be a nice way to start off the competition.

I don't see how England would beat France. Also, I don't see a reason why France would let England get away with a draw. But then again, it would be nice to see France lose... :p

ALLEZ LES BLEUS !!!

:D

I don't see how England would beat France.
I have generally found that scoring more goals is a good way of winning matches.

I think France has the most overestimated team of all. It's the same team as 2 years ago isn't it?????

Football has only 2 situations: Either you have the ball, or your opponent has it. All UEFA 2004 players know what to do in both situations.
The important thing is: the moment the situation changes. Especially when loosing the ball.
That is where in top football the difference can be made. You need players that can make the difference on that moment! The Czechs have Nedved & Galasek, The Dutch have Davids & Cocu, The Germans have 58 million people how can do this... (soory, group D ;) )

England has Lampard. France used to have Deschamps. But now????
I think this will make the difference.

Lampard is an attacking midfield more than a ball-winner. Gerrard is much more suited to that role. The French have Veira who in my opinion is the second-best midfielder in the world at the moment (behind Gerrard).

I have generally found that scoring more goals is a good way of winning matches.

My point exactly. Who's going to score for England? Michael Owen? I'd like him to prove me wrong though, no hard feelings. I'd rather see an interesting match as the boring match I expect.
Also, Campbell and Ledley King doesn't look like a defence that can stop Henry.

Lampard is an attacking midfield more than a ball-winner. Gerrard is much more suited to that role. The French have Veira who in my opinion is the second-best midfielder in the world at the moment (behind Gerrard).

I stand corrected on Gerrard/Lampard....

On Vieira (I was hopieng for your reaction):
He will indeed be great on those ball-changes-sides-situation 80% of all time. But not 100%. I really think that is why France won't do as expected.

BTW: You are premiership biased? Nedved easily outranks both, I think.

What's that with England winning ? ;) Sure France isn't the unbeatable team, but England ? Pfff... :D

Stapel, the French team has quite evolved since our defeat in 2002, thanks to a man called Santini, who isn't wise-looking (we all agree on that), who is gonna leave in one month, but who perfectly did what we wanted him to do : renew the team and the spirit. Just remember Santini was Champion of France with Lyons. There are many new players in our team, and some players can even play in 2 or 3 positions : tonight Thuram and Silvestre will play as central defenders (Desailly is out at the moment), which is nearly new (I can't recall such a combo except our last match against Ukraine last week : 1-0). New players include Rothen (Monaco), Saha (a forward player that I almost don't know, plays in England), Boumsong, Gallas (young defenders)... And poor Giuly (Monaco) couldn't make it, because of an injury in that damn champions League Final. We basically changed the replacement players, and the main players are more flexible.

About the players who are in charge to gain the ball, we have Vieira and Makelele ; I reckon they are a bit rude (that annoys me), but they're good, and if one fails, there is always this Pedretti who is a genius and who I think can replace one of these two.

Tonight Zidane is the French captain, and though I'm not sure of victory (the match would be annoying if I were sure of that), I really hope we will kick your English butt. :D And I don't pray for that, I just hope. God has nothing to do with sport, and really doesn't care.

Makelele is not even half of a Deschamps...

Makelele is not even half of a Deschamps...Well. We'll see in the end anyway. I've predicted France won't get through the group games so this way, I can't be desappointed ! :D

By the way Stapel, why didn't you play to my little prediction game ? :(
You can still participate if you want... but as we know a lot more about the group A than we did yesterday, please be honnest... don't predict the Greek victory for instance. :mischief:

It would be fairer to just not include those predictions and count the two group games as 0 points.

It would be fairer to just not include those predictions and count the two group games as 0 points.Yep you're right.

Other than that is there a reason to say that the Swiss should be called Celts?

yep, the helvetians were a celtic tribe

yep, the helvetians were a celtic tribe

Ah okay, thanks :)

Well. We'll see in the end anyway. I've predicted France won't get through the group games so this way, I can't be desappointed ! :D

By the way Stapel, why didn't you play to my little prediction game ? :(
You can still participate if you want... but as we know a lot more about the group A than we did yesterday, please be honnest... don't predict the Greek victory for instance. :mischief:

I don't like those games. You probably are the 48th person that asks me to join a poll....

I did put two bets however:

100 euros on Holland to reach finals. (2:9)
50 euros on Deutschland to reach finals (1:7)

Meaning that I can spend 450 euros on a black market ticket when Holland reaches the final, and 800 if it is going to be a Holland-Germany.

I consider the 150 euros gone.

Is there a specific reason wh you don't like these games?

Just remember Santini was Champion of France with Lyons.

He's also the new manager of Tottenham. *cough* Loser.
Originally posted by kryszctov
God has nothing to do with sport, and really doesn't care.
Mexico '86.
Originally posted by Shabbaman
Who's going to score for England?
Rooney.
Originally posted by Stapel
He will indeed be great on those ball-changes-sides-situation 80% of all time. But not 100%. I really think that is why France won't do as expected. BTW: You are premiership biased? Nedved easily outranks both, I think.
Nedved is no doubt a tremendous player but at the moment I think Gerrard is better, especially considering the side he is in. And Viera has proved for many years in the Premiership that he is a ball-winner, second only to Roy Keane in that respect.

http://www.3dflags.com/assets/XV21AE/gif/2/c/3dflagsdotcom_croat_2faws.gif Croatia vs Switzerland http://www.3dflags.com/assets/XV21AE/gif/2/s/3dflagsdotcom_switz_2faws.gif

CFC Average prediction : Croatia 1.4 - 0.7 Switzerland
Croatia picked as winner : 15
Switzerland picked as winner : 4
Deuce : 4


http://www.3dflags.com/assets/XV21AE/gif/2/u/3dflagsdotcom_ukeng_2faws.gif England vs France http://www.3dflags.com/assets/XV21AE/gif/2/f/3dflagsdotcom_franc_2faws.gif

CFC Average prediction : England 0.8 - 1.4 France
England picked as winner : 3
France picked as winner : 10
Deuce : 10


N.B. Those figures announce only CFC favorites and certainly not potential winners. No one predicted a victory of Greece on yesterday and they've still won.

Is there a specific reason wh you don't like these games?

Yup

When it is only aboput predicting win-draw-loose, it can be fairly ok.
But many polls want you to predict exact scores, which is ridiculous: how to predict a bad decision of a linesman?????
Many polls even need exact scores of 1/4 and semi finals.............

Even the win-draw-loose systems are bad. What if the ref doesn't give Greece a penalty?

Nedved is no doubt a tremendous player but at the moment I think Gerrard is better, especially considering the side he is in. And Viera has proved for many years in the Premiership that he is a ball-winner, second only to Roy Keane in that respect.


Vieira simply has his moments in a game that he doesn't...

Would you rather join Hitro's dreamteam competition then?

Mexico '86.

Well, surely part of why I never liked Maradona, and Argentina in football by the same occasion. If some feel it was a genius action, I think it was all crap. BTW I get irritated when many sportsmen do their religious sign in front of the camera, before entering the playfield. This is ridiculous, and if it could help them in a way, at least couldn't they do that in private ?

Anyway, France, France, France. Damn, I'm excited ! We can't lose. Maybe it'll be a draw ?

I think what the Swiss just tried was the worst offside trap ever. :lol:

Even worse that Croatia didn't score out of it.

Anyway, I want to see Klasnic. :mad:

And Viera has proved for many years in the Premiership that he is a ball-winner, second only to Roy Keane in that respect.

You think Keane is better than Vieira? Even now?

I think what the Swiss just tried was the worst offside trap ever. :lol:

eheheh I saw that one, one player forgot to go :lol:

The game is going very clumbsy....The two teams...

I hope for better second half.

Do you see the great stadium? the ppl that are there? just the Best ;) Like the Euro Icon We love The Euro :)

Swiss player sent off for second yellow :crazyeye:

That was good news for both England & France.

It seems like the Swiss are trying to get through the group stage with straight draws :crazyeye:

I don't mind defensive, but it's only going to work if they can move quickly on the break, which they cannot.

That bald Croatian up front played really bad. He must have been drugged, because it's not normal for international players to make so many goofy fumbles.

0-0 it is. Quite a deserved result. Congratulations to the Swiss for defending the draw with just ten players. Croatia was disappointing and I can't understand why Baric didn't bring Klasnic in a game like that.

That bald Croation up front played really bad. He must have been drugged, because it's not normal for international players to make so many goofy fumbles.
Well, at least he (Mornar) was the only guy who tried anything.

In any way it should be a walkthrough for England and France.

Well, I didn't watch it all. I wasn't even aware that Switserland had a man sent off until I read this thread.. I cannot really say much. Croatia had many chances to win, and they kept making silly mistakes like the two headers - that was bad team play (not enough communication between forwards).

Not the most exciting game in the tournament... Probably the best result for France and England though.

Everybody is talking about tonight's game as if it was the clash of the titans.
I still cannot understand why England qualifies as a big or great force in national teams level.
Their biggest success in the past 30 (after the "modern football"was introduced by the Dutch in Europe)years was to take part in a world cup semifinal.(1990) Sweden,Bulgaria,Croatia,Turkey reached the same stage and they don't go around bragging that they are fotball superpowers...
By the same criterion (that is results, not player wages) there are some teams "bigger" than England:

These are the european cup finals for that period:

1972 Germany 18.06.1972 in Brussels (Belgium) Germany 3 - 0 Russia
1976 Czech Republic 20.06.1976 in Belgrade (Serbia & Mont.) Czech Republic 2 - 2 Germany (2 - 2) a.e.t. 5 - 3 a.p.k
1980 Germany 22.06.1980 in Rome (Italy) Germany 2 - 1 Belgium
1984 France 27.06.1984 in Paris (France) France 2 - 0 Spain
1988 Netherlands 25.06.1988 in Munich (Germany) Netherlands 2 - 0 Russia
1992 Denmark 27.06.1992 in Stockholm (Sweden) Denmark 2 - 0 Germany
1996 Germany 30.06.1996 in London (England) Germany 2 - 1 Czech Republic (1 - 1) 2 - 1 a.e.t
2000 France 02.07.2000 in Rotterdam (Netherlands) France 2 - 1 Italy (1 - 1) 2 - 1 a.e.t

England has never reached the final.

And these are the World cup finals for the same period:

1974 Germany 07.07.1974 in Munich (Germany) Germany 2 - 1 Netherlands
1978 Argentina 25.06.1978 in Buenos Aires (Argentina) Argentina 3 - 1 Netherlands (1 - 1) 3 - 1 a.e.t
1982 Italy 11.07.1982 in Madrid (Spain) Italy 3 - 1 Germany
1986 Argentina 29.06.1986 in Mexico City (Mexico) Argentina 3 - 2 Germany
1990 Germany 08.07.1990 in Rome (Italy) Germany 1 - 0 Argentina
1994 Brazil 17.07.1994 in Los Angeles (USA) Brazil 0 - 0 Italy 0 - 0 a.e.t 3 - 2 a.p.k.
1998 France 12.07.1998 in Paris - St. Denis (France) France 3 - 0 Brazil
2002 Brazil 30.06.2002 in Yokohama (Japan) Brazil 2 - 0 Germany

England still is nowhere to be seen.

So if results and not aspirations make a team Great,in a international level the great european teams are:

Italy,France,Germany,Netherlands,Czech Republic,Denmark,Spain,Russia and Belgium



I hope that after Euro 2004 England will also be part of the club (on grass and not on paper ;)) :)

England have great playes!! :)

However... their great liability is Beckham and not for any lack of footy skills, which are overrated anyway, but because he actually managed to depress and demoralise the strikers: i.e. Owen.

1. Beckham v.rarely passes to Owen, or anyone outside his domestic team*
2. Beckham takes penalties... thinks he has a better chance of winning the Golden Boot? :crazyeye:
3. It's impossible to have confidence in an idiot. Maybe this affects intelligent players more.
4. He knows nothing about psychology or how to strengthen a team. He always says the wrong thing.

* This may be improved now that he plays in Spain, but not sure atm.

England were much better under Shearer. If anyone remembers that? They didn't win then either, but they were strong contenders. They also play better under Owen (when Beckham is out).

Everybody is talking about tonight's game as if it was the clash of the titans.
It doesn't matter. Even when England lose, they manage to impress spectators :thumbsup:

England have great playes!! :)



Only the English think so....

English think the Neville brothers are great players :crazyeye: .

As long as they keep thinking so, English football will never really matter.

Everybody is talking about tonight's game as if it was the clash of the titans.

Outside England? :confused:
I still cannot understand why England qualifies as a big or great force in national teams level.
Because they say so.

Well, maybe they at least justify it for today, I'd really like to see a good game after the two last ones...

Outside England?

You're right but at the moment I am very much inside.... :lol:

English think the Neville brothers are great players :crazyeye: .
Schoals (or whatever his name is) is the player I think is worse than the Nevilles. He may have good stats in the league, but it's because...

1. Get the ball, shoot!

That is all he ever does! I mean, with 60 or so matches per season, and every touch going near the goal or at least into the penalty area against mediocre players, he is going to get points... but he still sucks.

He lacks ideas, and he lacks discipline. This is bad at the highest level because he wastes more chances than his one tactic ever creates, and the few he does create are less effective because the standard is higher.

First impressions.
English national anthem:Absolute silence...Beckham seems to know some of the lyrics...
French National anthem:English noblemen booeing throughout...

Good start by French in opening minute, but then England had an excellent attack of their own. Clever first time passing put Owen in the penalty area but Gallas read the play very well and went across to stop Owen.

0-1 :wow: Lampard. great cross by Beckham.

I was gonna pick Lampard but Dell said not to. Dell sucks.

But England rocks! :yeah:

Very good defence by england. Henry is invisible...

One ball on the goal in 45 minutes...

If Germany would do this people would call it dull and boring. :p

But England plays exactly like you have to play against France and although it is visible that France is potentially better they can't really live up to it. They should finally decide upon doing something else than playing through the center for once.

0-0 would be the deserved result, though.

45 mins till glory.

Perfect first half by England. Midfield is playing excellently. Good shape. Good possession. Rooney and King outstanding.

You're watching the two best teams in Europe ;)

Angletterre!! Angletterre! :yeah:

Rooney, Lampard, Beckham and King are pushing the French off the ball all over the show.

French National anthem:English noblemen booeing throughout...That's not nice, but supporter numbers are disportional which will make the English boos worse :(

I'm very sceptical about the referee. I always am when France plays, as I've never thought they were good and that one world cup felt bought. England is playing defensively and the combination makes a tense atmosphere.

Vierra has made up for poor English supporters, by pushing, diving and tripping. Both countries have not very nice citizens ;)

I notice Beckham still passes the Scholes too often, and never to Owen. Some things never change.

27 minutes: Scholes targets the moon. What did I say before? :p

Very tense atmosphere, and still Owen hasn't seen the ball. He has had maybe two or three touches and every time it in trying to take the ball from the French. Why does nobody ever pass to him? :confused:

Set pieces have obviously been very heavilly practiced. France 0 - 1 England :smug:

Owen is a poacher and feeds of balls from the centre of midfield. He doesn't have to get the ball that often to play well. ;)

If Germany would do this people would call it dull and boring. :pYeah, especially after the beating England gave Germany (in living memory) ;)

Owen never wants the ball to feet. His role is to look beyond the back four forcing the French to defend deep and so create space for Rooney and the midfield. Look for him when anyone else shoots to tap in the rebound.

Owen is a poacher and feeds of balls from the centre of midfield. He doesn't have to get the ball that often to play well. ;)
He scores when he gets the ball. He's damned good at it. Why do the English players hate him scoring? :p

WOOOOOOO Go Rosbifs!
:clap: :band: [party]

If Germany would do this people would call it dull and boring

If Germany would do this it would be boring... ;)


I really wonder if the French can change their game.Nobody seems to pay attention to what Zidane is doing, Pirres is more predictable than something very predictable on a predictable day, Trezeguet is egomaniac...

It's time to bring on Darius.

Told you. :p

Oh my, still no swiss victory for switzerland in an em-game :( I have to say though that they played really good (by our standards), if I hadn't known better, I wouldn't have noticed that they have a player missing :)

and I think sending Vogel off was a bit a harsh verdict, but that might just be nationalism talking :D

bastards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Bugger..
Noooo, were gonna lose

GOAL !!!!!!

:D :D :D :D

And again :P ehehehe

may they all die a painful death

That's it lads, time to smash the place up.

GOAL !!!!!!
AGAIN !!!!!

:D :D :D :D

In Your Face You Brit !
Hahahaahhaaaahhaaaaa !!

Super Zizou!!! :D

Oh my god, you lucky french **** **** ***** (times by 100)

We deserved that game...

Beckham you idiot.
Heskey you idiot.
Gerrard you idiot.

Perfect.I wish you were in London.The silence is so loud, you can hear it...

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I hate those %^&$#$ french :cry: :mad::twitch: [pissed]

I'm going to beat the crap out of the nearest French person.

Time to activate all the hooligans that we let through just in case this happened. ;)

Oh, the french boy at school is gonna get so pounded tomorrow. He better bring a dozen bodyguards or he'll walk into a classroom ambush..

And now:
Live coverage of fine English hooliganism from Lisboa!

Are they hooliganning ?

I think that was the best result possible for the English. It takes the pressure off and makes us feel wronged (which we were). We can easily beat the Swiss and the Croatians and get to the next round. From there I reckon we'll make it to the final and beat the French.

Penalty appeal for Henry, the French scream blue murder.

Scholes returns the favour to Vierra. Not pleasant, but Vierra had spend the match asking for that, so I'm not surprised.

English player should have been given a yellow card. He could have been sent off. He receives only a stern warning.

Henry's dangerous flailing feet hit give Neville a bloody head. He should have got a yellow card for that, you can't carelessly throw your feet above your shoulders when players are clumbed together!

French goalie gets a bloody nose, but that was self inflicted.

Beckham misses a penalty. Again. Why does he do this? Why does he not let a striker take the shot? I complained about this before the match so nobody can accuse me of having seeing things clearly only in retrospect. At least this will result will stop the French whining.

French player should have been given a red card for that foul. It doesn't happen. That more than cancels the claim against England's earlier foul.

Zidan scores from a free kick. Zidan scores from a penalty. France 2 - 1 England. Should have been 2 - 2 but we have Beckham (-1) before the game begins ;)

Beckham should have a long look at Zidane's penalty, thats how they are meant to be taken.

But to be quite honest, we were robbed. The French were just lobbing balls in for the huge height of Henry and Lizarazu to head in. We were safe apart from Heskey and Gerrard attemting to defend.

:( :sad: :o :cringe: :mad: :undecide: :aargh: [pissed] :shakehead

Beaten like Bayern :D

Vive la France ! (until they play us that is)

yearstaday four English hooligans were arrested, please dont incite violence!!!

Good old James though, he cleaned Henry. That was the right decision.

Beckham should have a long look at Zidane's penalty, thats how they are meant to be taken.
Beckham should stop taking penalties. End.

Greedy man. He is always the same, and it's always bad for the team.

Lucky as usual.
England deserved a tie.

The English are traditionalists! They have never won their opening game in a European cup :D

Crap!

Theres only one extra time victory that I want to see again and today wasn't it... :(

We've never won the European Championship either.

Good game though... Nice to see some accurate passing and crosses that actually reach a player on the same side...

ALLEZ LES BLEUS !!!
ALLEZ LES BLEUS !!!
ALLEZ LES BLEUS !!!

BARTHEZ SUPERSTAR !!!
ZIZOU SUPERSTAR !!!

Beaten like Bayern :D

:lol:

Yeah, almost as great as in 1999. :D

Higher justice punished their 11 men defence in the end. Not that France's uninspired game (when will they actually use their wingers?) deserved a win, but great to see that Catenaccio only works for Italy. :goodjob:

Super Zizou !
A tie would have been just enough against a pretty good England team...
But this Captain was HUGE !

First I was afraid
I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live
without you by my side
But I spent so many nights
thinking how you did me wrong
I grew strong
I learned how to carry on
and so you're back
from outer space
I just walked in to find you here
with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed my stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I had known for just one second
you'd be back to bother me

Go on now go walk out the door
just turn around now
'cause you're not welcome anymore
weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye
you think I'd crumble
you think I'd lay down and die
Oh no, not I
I will survive
as long as i know how to love
I know I will stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
and I'll survive
I will survive

LA LALA LA LA !!
LALALALALALA LALA LA LA !!

No need to gloat Marla. Its not like you deserved to win..

To be quite honest, France's strategy was crap. Toss it in the air to your strikers, when they are clearly bad in the air and we have King and Campbell 6 inches higher than them.

No, England's strategy was much better. Typical French luck, i hope you get your commupance and lose to the swiss..

No need to gloat Marla. Its not like you deserved to win..

Maybe not, but England most certainly didn't. How often did they shoot at the goal actually? I recall the goal they scored and the penalty, hardly anything remotely dangerous beyond that.

I'm looking forward to Baddeil and Skinners take on things.

England get knocked out of World Cup 98: "Football is ****"

3 big mistakes. James didnt have a shot to save in open play.

Beckham missed the pen
James let a goal in on the side he's supposed to cover
Gerrard blundered in the last minute. James should have been sent off of course.

So near and so disappointing but there's nothing to fear from the other two teams in the group.

Hé, Marla, tu es vraiment bon chanteur !
Ayons le succès modeste, c'est une victoire à la Pyrrus....

No need to gloat Marla. Its not like you deserved to win.Oh Yes it is !
I had to bear brit dunkards during all the game and I was already hearing you in this forum making fun of me !

If there's one time when I'm allowed to be happy, it is RIGHT NOW !

And by the way, don't tell me YOU deserved to win with your 8 defenders in the penalty area during the whole game and your sole attempt to strike being on fault or corner !

ALLEZ LES BLEUS !!!

Maybe not, but England most certainly didn't. How often did they shoot at the goal actually? I recall the goal they scored and the penalty, hardly anything remotely dangerous beyond that.

For the first half we were probably the better team, in the second we gradually lost control. Then we got a deserved penalty that could have won us the game but after that we began to ultra defend and then France got supremely lucky.

No not Luck, Dell. In the end we made more mistakes than they did. You have to take your chances when you get them.

Hé, Marla, tu es vraiment bon chanteur !
Ayons le succès modeste, c'est une victoire à la Pyrhus....Quelle victoire à la Pyrhus ? Tu m'expliques ce que les anglais ont fait pour la mériter plus que nous ?

Une victoire à la Pyrhus, non.
Un hold up, C'EST CLAIR !!! :D

Scoring two goals in 3 minutes is lucky. Man United were lucky against Bayern. Sometimes luck goes in your favour sometimes against...

Yeah !!! :D Never lose faith. There was some luck in this match, but should we have lost, I wouldn't have thought that England actually deserved to win this match. I almost lost my voice in those last 5 minutes. This is orgasmical ? orgasismical ? organississimicanical ? Nevermind, 2 goals by Zizou, we just can't lose now.

Just tell Beckham to practice penalties now, and you will be able to win against us.

GO FRANCE !!!

Scoring two goals in 3 minutes is lucky. Man United were lucky against Bayern. Sometimes luck goes in your favour sometimes against...


Luck rewards those who look for her.

Quelle victoire à la Pyrhus ? Tu m'expliques ce que les anglais ont fait pour la mériter plus que nous ?

Une victoire à la Pyrhus, non.
Un hold up, C'EST CLAIR !!! :D

No speaking French :p Its against the rules... :mischief:

3 big mistakes. James didnt have a shot to save in open play.

Beckham missed the pen
James let a goal in on the side he's supposed to cover
Gerrard blundered in the last minute. James should have been sent off of course.

So near and so disappointing but there's nothing to fear from the other two teams in the group.
Quite an objective analysis. You might however include Heskey's unneccesary foul that led to the free kick. And I don't like it if keepers are sent off additionally to a penalty because technically that would have to be so every time then, as pretty much every foul they commit in the area is connected to a clear chance.

You're probably right about the other two teams, though Croatia might improve a bit. It will be interesting to see if England is actually able to make the play itself instead of mere defending.

Quelle victoire à la Pyrhus ? Tu m'expliques ce que les anglais ont fait pour la mériter plus que nous ?

Une victoire à la Pyrhus, non.
Un hold up, C'EST CLAIR !!! :D

RIGHT !!!! An holp up !!!!
those English weren't so good inattacks, but Campbell did a great game.
I said, a tie would just have been my wish....!

Fresh from the Guardian
What the hell happened there? England's players have just trudged off shaking their heads and looking shell-shocked, as well they might. France dominated possession, particularly in the second half, but that was the cruellest defeat you can imagine. Far more cruel than Man United's mugging of Bayern in 1999. They've got to bounce back on Thursday, and Sven will have to earn some of the fat wad he trousers. Oh dear, oh dear. That was absolutely incredible. Cruel, and in many ways, highly amusing. Good night. Especially if you're French.

Meh..
I agree with Dell. We defended well. We got chances. Our loss was merely down to one player's brilliance.

Your team display was lacklustre at best. A hiphotch team of star players may gain you victories against lower quality sides, or lucky victories, but your display today relied on two chances that you were lucky enough to get in consecutive minutes.

I admit Zidane is a brilliant player, and i commend him for his strikes today.

But France the team today?

*snip* unfair comment. They did play well. But they still didn't deserve to win.

*Unfair comment*

The draw would have been fair... but football isn't fair. Well we can all edit posts...

Yea, i edited out that part after i realised it was an unfair comment. I was just a bit pissed...

France did deserve a draw, but a win was too much given the way they played.

I edited it because i realised it was a stupid comment :rolleyes:
Here it is again 'They deserved nothing'
That was an unfair statement so don't get mad at me for editing my post. I am not ashamed of saying it, but i realise that it was a ridiculous comment from anger, not judgemental thought.

No speaking French :p Its against the rules... :mischief:

I hear English troops just landed on the beaches of Normandy. We'll be pissing on the Stad de France before Autumn! :yeah:

[party] [dance] :lol: :clap: :D :thanx:

YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!

I'm so happy. :D


In Your Face You Brit !
Hahahaahhaaaahhaaaaa !!

You beat England, not Britain...there are millions in Britain very happy tonight. :D


I think that was the best result possible for the English. It takes the pressure off and makes us feel wronged (which we were).

:lol: Rubbish! :lol:

At least England actually get to major competitions...

Oh Yes it is !
I had to bear brit dunkards during all the game and I was already hearing you in this forum making fun of me !

If there's one time when I'm allowed to be happy, it is RIGHT NOW !

And by the way, don't tell me YOU deserved to win with your 8 defenders in the penalty area during the whole game and your sole attempt to strike being on fault or corner !

ALLEZ LES BLEUS !!!

I am with you Marla :P all my family to, we were hoping for France victory and it happened :)

And the reason? the violence of hooligans, they already made disturbs after the game in Lisbon, in Fun Park, spiting at french women!!!! they dont have respect for women????

And the reason? the violence of hooligans, they already made disturbs after the game in Lisbon, in Fun Park, spiting at french women!!!! they dont have respect for women????

Not all English people are like that... Most of us would like to get rid of the hooligans as well., its something that ruins football for England when even if we win there can still be trouble. :(

At least England actually get to major competitions...

That helps England how, exactly?

Not very much, I don't think. Didn't you see the score? :lol:

Note: I'd just like to point out, in particular to non-British citizens, that while I may seem to be gloating a little, you don't know what it's like to be a non-English person in the UK when England are succesful (at any sport, and we already had to live through them winning the Rugby world cup)...

Not all English people are like that... Most of us would like to get rid of the hooligans as well., its something that ruins football for England when even if we win there can still be trouble. :(

Yeah its sad, most of English pay because of the hooligans, but there are somethings that should end with English Fans, they drink beer all day, they arrive at airport, have beer imediatly, thats a problem for me, and one of the reasons for violence, they are always drinking!!!!

Note: I'd just like to point out, in particular to non-British citizens, that while I may seem to be gloating a little, you don't know what it's like to be a non-English person in the UK when England are succesful (at any sport, and we already had to live through them winning the Rugby world cup)...
It sucks to be anybody else if England are successful. At least as long as you have contact to any kinds of English media and people. ;)

That helps England how, exactly?

We still get to play against Croatia and Switzerland... If we start winning then we might even get to play France again in the final. Unlike Wales who aren't playing anyone...

nice game with a happy end ;) ok, both teams didn't deserve the win, but it was a very bad idea for England only trieing to defend the 1-0 especially vs. strong french offense.

but I really feel pity for the people of Lisboa, I guess they should get every man out of the bed now that is able to hold a bat. and what about that rooney guy? :lol: he looks like he is one of those english who will get arrested tonight.

but I really feel pity for the people of Lisboa, I guess they should get every man out of the bed now that is able to hold a bat. and what about that rooney guy? :lol: he looks like he is one of those english who will get arrested tonight.
:lol:

Yeah, he's probably leading the mob right now. :D

By the way, did you hear Beckenbauer's comments? I mean, it's nothing new that he's talking sh*t but this time he really got insane. England playing attacking football... :crazyeye:

before you think of the finals you should think of Croatia, they are quite strong and haven't showed their best today

By the way, did you hear Beckenbauer's comments? I mean, it's nothing new that he's talking sh*t but this time he really got insane. England playing attacking football... :crazyeye:

sorry, no. seeing Beckenbauer or Netzer is usually the signal for me to go to the toilet or get something to drink

sorry, no. seeing Beckenbauer or Netzer is usually the signal for me to go to the toilet or get something to drink
If only I had done that...

We still get to play against Croatia and Switzerland... If we start winning then we might even get to play France again in the final. Unlike Wales who aren't playing anyone...

1. I don't think you quite got the message of my post.

2. You act as if it's news to us...well Wales has never played at a major tournament in my life, we aren't expected to. It's not as if we are stunned or depressed at not being at this one...

Roughly translates to: WE DON'T CARE! WE DON'T CARE!

FRANCE! FRANCE FRANCE!

:lol:

Huhuhu :D

Quite happy. Well, happy we won.

But most than anything, I'm just dying to see the tabloids in England eat their hat, after the tsunami of french bashing and warlike rhetorics they spat during the week :D

Although i am still annoyed that we lost in such a way, and should of had a draw, i am interested in the English tabloids.

What will the Sun say, who earlier this week beamed a 40 ft england flag onto the Arc De Triumph :lol:

Question for Frenchman/woman.

Is the thing the sun did offensive, ie, is the Arc De Triumph somehow holy, or sacred, due to History and the flame of the unknown soldier?

If only I had done that...

these old stars would annoy me to no end, if they were not so laughable. but I heard a bit from Beckenbauer saying that Beckham shouldn't have shot the penalty and this one time he was probably right...

I don't know why French are always bashed for what they do. I mean, they're a good team, right ?

About the Sun, well I'm too happy. Before the match I was thinking of that, and thought that such stupidity and crap would never be seen in France. Such bad spirit represents all the "beauferie" (a French word designing the stupid people (well it's very hard to explain)) that can be seen in England. That and the hooligans. I really didn't care about that (didn't feel offensed), because tabloids are just toilet paper.

And, to quote some guys at Realms beyond Civilization : "Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good". Though France were better than England tonight, even slightly. I mean, you can defend well and rely on your defense, but England was too defensive tonight, I couldn't believe it. Another great team in Europe relies on that too : Italy. Just see what we do to such teams now. :D ;)

I don't know why French are always bashed for what they do. I mean, they're a good team, right ?

yes, they are and I guess they will win again this time


great team in Europe relies on that too : Italy. Just see what we do to such teams now. :D ;)

I know it from the last time: you must break the nose of the Italian keeper and then let the same guy who did this score the goal... ;)

Though France were better than England tonight, even slightly. I mean, you can defend well and rely on your defense, but England was too defensive tonight, I couldn't believe it. Another great team in Europe relies on that too : Italy. Just see what we do to such teams now. :D ;)France was better; they had complete control of the mid-field and England's goal just dropped out of thin air. But to say England was defensive :eek: ??? No, they weren't.

before you think of the finals you should think of Croatia, they are quite strong and haven't showed their best today

Yeah I know... Will have to see whether Croatia can raise their game and whether England can bounce back.

France was better; they had complete control of the mid-field and England's goal just dropped out of thin air. But to say England was defensive :eek: ??? No, they weren't.English strategy : 2 forwards in front during 90 minutes.
8 players in the penalty area during 90 minutes.

To be totally honnest, English players were great tonight. Their strategy was a lot more clever than the one from France. Obviously they knew their defenders were slower than the french forwards so they've cleverly decided to stay behind. I think Eriksson was looking for the deuce today, hoping that Beckham would take his chance on free kicks and corners (England was superior in the air).

However, the bad thing when you get rid of the midfield is that you let the ball to your opponents. There's no doubt it's an awful hold up to have scored twice in the last minutes. However, I would have been totally depressed if France didn't have scored at all. France have been lucky today, but France haven't been lucky during the World Cup 2002. The curse from WC 2002 is over.

Sent a letter to Bush, informing him that the Federation Internationale de Football Association is a terrorist organisation harbouring Osama bin Laden. They are interfering with the English way of life!

It is based in Paris, right? :)

Sent a letter to Bush, informing him that the Federation Internationale de Football Association harbouring Osama bin Laden.

It is based in Paris, right? :)Geneva, Switzerland.

Geneva, Switzerland.
Doh! That's no good :(

Is the thing the sun did offensive, ie, is the Arc De Triumph somehow holy, or sacred, due to History and the flame of the unknown soldier?Honnestly ? We don't care at all ! We've seen a lot worse than that from anglo-saxon newspapers. The hatred is sad, that's all. :(

Actually the quality English newspapers have been predicting France to win all week. Most of your players play in the Premiership here, so they are pretty well known.

Plus it usually a safe bet that England will throw it away.

We didn't against Argentina... Actually thats what we seemed to be trying to do in the second half, copy the game we played against Argentina, it didn't work out this time around.

why dell?!?!? why not this time too?!?!?! :gripe: :cry:

Because France are a better team than Argentina?

Because James is a worse keeper than Seaman?

Because James is a worse keeper than Seaman?
No that can't be it.

England put on quite a good show, I thought. They deserved a point in my opinion as France had sunk into a bit of a malaise for most of the match and weren't playing to their usual high standards while England looked like less of a pub team than normal.
I really didn't expect England to even be in with a shout of winning this match. But they battled hard against the threat of the awesome firepower and game breaking technical skills that the French carry only to be undone at the end.
On the upside for england, the swiss and croats look like cannon fodder. :)

Zizou > Ronaldinio

the end.

Ericson is trying to mould England into a new Italy. But they lack Italy's mental toughness and big game experience, a good goal keeper too.

Ericson should be fired after the world cup, all of England's talents being wasted like this is un-bearable. England should play like they did in 98 and early 90's, even they lost, at least it was glorious and respectable.

So near and so disappointing but there's nothing to fear from the other two teams in the group.

Good, that's what we want you to believe... :satan:

The Sun said this morning :



HELL ZID ... Zidane hits winner from spot

FRANK LAMPARD promised last night that the France players will be made to pay after their dressing-room celebrations rubbed salt into England's wounds.
(http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/sporttop/tm_objectid=14330922%26method=full%26siteid=50143% 26headline=lampard%2d%2dwe%2dcould%2dhear%2dfrench %2dcelebrating-name_page.html)

Filthy french! Not only they win ,but they celebrate too... :crazyeye:

So near and so disappointing but there's nothing to fear from the other two teams in the group.

I agree with this. Otoh, neither France, nor England showed the football (yet)that is needed to win the tourney.

France had a bit more control (just a bit), but couldn't use that to really get good opportunities. I thought England had more unexpected and dangerous attacks, and think the 1-0, though a bit against the control of France, was deserved.

The only great thing about the game was the superb class of Zidane. He didn't hit a ball right for the whole game, and then, out of nothing, simply scores in a superb way.

Both teams couldn't really control the midfield. That might be a problem in the next round.

Ericson is trying to mould England into a new Italy. But they lack Italy's mental toughness and big game experience, a good goal keeper too.
Premiership is not big game experience? European Champions League? Many of these players are also veterans from World Cups and European Cups.
Ericson should be fired after the world cup, all of England's talents being wasted like this is un-bearable. England should play like they did in 98 and early 90's, even they lost, at least it was glorious and respectable.
Early 90s was Shearer? The highest goalscorer of the Premiership. Statistically equal to Henry. He lacks mental toughness; he quit international play!

Owen and Vassal are both very good and capable of making a mockery of most defenses, but Beckham isn't going to pass the ball if it means losing the cammera's attention.

Beckham is the one who needs kicking, not Ericson.

Is the thing the sun did offensive, ie, is the Arc De Triumph somehow holy, or sacred, due to History and the flame of the unknown soldier?
I find it somewhat offensive, as it's showing a total lack of respect just out of hooliganism, but more than anything, I find it childish and puerilistic. I feel more pity than grudge on this one.

More from the dressing room:
"A lot of us have never felt that way after a defeat and we could hear them singing French victory songs in the dressing room after the game. It was a bit harsh, a bit premature and I don't think we would have done the same thing had we won the game."
that is Lampard speaking, there must be a psychiatric term(paranoid delusion?) to describe his condition... :lol:

Beckham is the one who needs kicking, not Ericson.

Absolutely.

Question for Frenchman/woman.
Is the thing the sun did offensive, ie, is the Arc De Triumph somehow holy, or sacred, due to History and the flame of the unknown soldier?

No, for me, I don't care.
This is just a symbole, thanks to Napoléon...
Equals to The Tour Eiffel , or to BigBen....

But always take attention that Paris IS NOT France in its whole complexity....

France had a bit more control (just a bit), but couldn't use that to really get good opportunities.


That's what struck me as well. Of course, England was defending good, but I noticed the same in their friendly v.s. the Netherlands (not exactly known for their top defenders). France kept on trying to pass the ball through the center, and halfway the second half those balls were high balls, easily headed by the english defenders.
France needs to figure out how to feed good passes to their forwards, otherwise they're in trouble.

The Sun is just France-Soir gone worst.You shouldn't pay attention to pamphlets of the sort...

Yesterday was not the best day for England in terms of sport!
Football team defeated without surprize :rolleyes: by France, and rugby (world champion) team scored 3 points against the Blacks. what happen?
http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=169&nav=news

The greatest is the hidden one

That's what struck me as well. Of course, England was defending good, but I noticed the same in their friendly v.s. the Netherlands (not exactly known for their top defenders). France kept on trying to pass the ball through the center, and halfway the second half those balls were high balls, easily headed by the english defenders.
France needs to figure out how to feed good passes to their forwards, otherwise they're in trouble.

Or simply trust on a few brilliant moments of ZZ.

I don't think we would have done the same thing had we won the game."

Yep they would have sat in silence, immediately thinking about the next game...

:lol: how is singing victory songs AFTER the game premature ?

:lol: how is singing victory songs AFTER the game premature ?
Perhaps they were singing that they had won the tournament? :confused:

Or, perhaps they were singing "Go Home England", which would be well out of order given the closeness of the game.

My guess is he actually said "immature".

Englands tactics worked well, barring a couple of serious errors at the end, quite fankly, I have no idea what Heskey is doing in the squad, let alone on the pitch, and God only knows what was going through Gerrards mind.

France played well, though created little, ZZ is clearly the best player in europe and proved it.

Beckham needs a kick up the backside, he was barely in the game.

If James should have been sent off, then so should the French defender who hacked Rooney.

England need to concentrate on the positive aspects of the game, forget about the result and regroup in time to beat Switzerland and Croatia.

So far Spain look the most inspiring.

Yesterday was not the best day for England in terms of sport!
Football team defeated without surprize :rolleyes: by France, and rugby (world champion) team scored 3 points against the Blacks. what happen?
http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=displayNews&newsArticle=169&nav=news

well England did do something well by setting the record for the fastest crossing of the English Channel by an amphibious vehicle. Link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/coventry_warwickshire/3805275.stm)

Won the cricket too, and timed the winning runs perfectly, so that we could watch during half time of Switzerland v Croatia.

Englands tactics worked well, barring a couple of serious errors at the end, quite fankly, I have no idea what Heskey is doing in the squad, let alone on the pitch, and God only knows what was going through Gerrards mind.

France played well, though created little, ZZ is clearly the best player in europe and proved it.

Beckham needs a kick up the backside, he was barely in the game.

If James should have been sent off, then so should the French defender who hacked Rooney.

England need to concentrate on the positive aspects of the game, forget about the result and regroup in time to beat Switzerland and Croatia.

So far Spain look the most inspiring.

I hardly couldn't agree more!

The most antecipated match of the tournament so far brought excitement in the last minute, but also a lot of boring tactics and coaches. Especially Santini, what a looser! He can thank Zizou and the Virgin Mary for what happened, cause even if England was even more boring (italianesque way of playing), and France didn't deserve to loose, Santini did.
France started well, but then ran out of ideas when Pires lost his gas. France played a too conservative line-up, with excess of age in some of their players imo. Firstly, they only had right flank, but Gallas for chrissake? Where's Sagnol? The left flank was useless. I wonder if it is because they only had a 34 years old left back there... :rolleyes: This was painful to watch in the 2nd half, when France had no wings. they insisted and insisted in combinations in front of the England box. That's the easiest possible task for any defence. Then Santini switched Pires to the left. But then he lost the right flank. Zidane and Henry also tried to fill that gap, but if they go there, we loose France looses the greatest central midfielder and the greatest striker in the world. And with as the minutes passed and France was lost of ideas, what was Santini doing? Nothing! He took off a winger for another winger (and Wiltord it was. Why did he all Rothen then?) and took off a CB for a RB! My God, can there be a more conservative coach? maybe only Scolari. But then, all is well when it ends well right? In two minutes Zidane reversed the score and the Man Utd fans now know how did it feel to be a Bayern fan 5 years ago.

As for England, they didn't do much offensively apart from Rooney, but then Sven took him off to place Heskey and there wasn't much more to fear from England's attack. It looked good ol' Italy disguised as England for mos part of the game. Especially as Gerard was nowhere to be seen and in the end messed up royally to give France the victory.

As for the other game, very bad, though I only watched the 2nd half.

http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads7/becks2big.jpg

Thursday is going to be hell for me - the house is split into 2, zurichuk is english (despite the picture above), mrs zurichuk is swiss, the tension is already building, i will not be able to survive the in-laws / friends if the worst happens

Lets just hope that England can get the necessary win... Its not going to be much fun if England don't get the result here...

[IMG]*snip*

Hahahaha! Brilliant!

http://www.civfanatics.net/uploads7/becks2big.jpgIs there a dutch translation ?

Ah, well, it's obvious that Beckham has been under the dutch influence lately...

I wonder who will take our next penalty?

i think it will proberbly be Beckham again :rolleyes:

Yeah it probably will be... I guess Owen could take them instead, then he might actually have some influence on the game...

Yeah it probably will be... I guess Owen could take them instead, then he might actually have some influence on the game...

Well Owen taking a penalty is unlikely to have a positive influence on the game so maybe he's best just left as he is...

I've read on a newspaper the French Federation compiled a tape with Beckham's penalty and Barthez worked on it during a long time. (Source : an interview from Barthez)

I've read on a newspaper the French Federation compiled a tape with Beckham's penalty and Barthez worked on it during a long time. (Source : an interview from Barthez)

I didnt need to read, its obvious, because of the time Bartez and Beckham were togheder in Manchester United.

It was a rubbish penalty, though. Hell, even David James could have saved it.

Don't you think most of his penalties aren't that good?

If he weren't captain, I don't think he'd be taking them...

Has he ever missed one before? He has certainly scored some crucial ones in the past for England. Owen has missed about 50% lately so he isnt a viable alternative. There arent too many candidates stepping forward as penalty taker.

I recall him missing one in a crucial qualifier against Turkey. England won later, but still...

I recall him missing one in a crucial qualifier against Turkey. England won later, but still...You've watched an England - Turkey ? :confused:

Except French games, we don't see other qualifications game in France ! :lol:

You've watched an England - Turkey ? :confused:

I've watched worse things.

He may not have missed that many but he hasn't really taken that many penalties either... The main reason why he takes penalties is that we dion't have anyone else who is famous for taken penalties...

I've watched worse things. :lol:
No that wasn't my point. :)
I was actually making fun of our French chauvinisim ! :D

We only see England games here on standard TV although there is always Eurosport that tend to show some other games...

I won't say it's chauvinism but a simple matter of ratings. Football always works here and so they often broadcast other matches from the Germany group as well as single ones from other nations who people here are interested in, like Holland or England.

And Pay TV currently shows a whole lot of South American qualifiers for the World Cup.

Yes, I've watched Peru-Paraguay a few days ago. :smug:

I won't say it's chauvinism but a simple matter of ratings. Football always works here and so they often broadcast other matches from the Germany group as well as single ones from other nations who people here are interested in, like Holland or England.

And Pay TV currently shows a whole lot of South American qualifiers for the World Cup.

Yes, I've watched Peru-Paraguay a few days ago. :smug:Sorry, I've been wrong. :(

Actually, most of other games are broadcasted on cable TV. However, I don't watch that much Cable TV. :D

Moreover, it's a blasphemy to consider France loving less football than Germany. We're both similar about it. And we're both better in national games than in club games by the way.

Sorry, I've been wrong. :(

Actually, most of other games are broadcasted on cable TV. However, I don't watch that much Cable TV. :D

Moreover, it's a blasphemy to consider France loving less football than Germany. We're both similar about it. And we're both better in national games than in club games by the way.
I think it is safe to say that football has more importance in Germany than in France. In France people (at large, not single individuals of course) only care about it as long as the national team of some French club are playing an important match or tournament with the chance to win.
In Germany people care much more about the league(s).

I think it is safe to say that football has more importance in Germany than in France. In France people (at large, not single individuals of course) only care about it as long as the national team of some French club are playing an important match or tournament with the chance to win.
In Germany people care much more about the league(s).No that's wrong. You have obviously never seen the frenzy of such games like Marseille vs PSG.

I'm sorry to say so, but it's very equal between both countries.

No that's wrong. You have obviously never seen the frenzy of such games like Marseille vs PSG.

How would that not prove my point?

How would that not prove my point?French people are as much passionated (if not more) about the championship than Germans are about the bundesliga.

French people are as much passionated (if not more) about the championship than Germans are about the bundesliga.
This is a pretty pointless discussion but just for fun I'll do the unthinkable and quote the English about football, particularly from this site (http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn.htm).

According to that site the average attendance of a Germany league match in 2003/2004 was more than 36.000, while it was less than 20.000 in France.

Not that this really proves anything, but still. ;)

This is a pretty pointless discussion but just for fun I'll do the unthinkable and quote the English of football, particularly from this site (http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn.htm).

According to that site the average attendance of a Germany league match in 2003/2004 was more than 36.000, while it was less than 20.000 in France.

Not that this really proves anything, but still. ;)Yeah but that's because we have really small team in the Championnat (like Guingamp or Ajaccio). Next year, there will be Le Havre and St Etienne. For instance, the average attendance for St Etienne in Ligue 2 was 40,000. :)

Yeah but that's because we have really small team in the Championnat (like Guingamp or Ajaccio). Next year, there will be Le Havre and St Etienne. For instance, the average attendance for St Etienne in Ligue 2 was 40,000. :)
According to that site it was 22.000, not 40.000, but anyway, this is really nothing to argue about.
As you long you beat the English with an almost shameful amount of luck I have no problems with French football.

According to that site it was 22.000, not 40.000, but anyway, this is really nothing to argue about.
As you long you beat the English with an almost shameful amount of luck I have no problems with French football.Don't be that bitter Hitro. :(

I'm sure Germany will reach the quarters... I'm actually more sure Germany will do it than France will do it. I'm quite superstitious when it's getting about my team (especially after Korea :cry: )

Don't be that bitter Hitro. :(

I'm sure Germany will reach the quarters... I'm actually more sure Germany will do it than France will do it. I'm quite superstitious when it's getting about my team (especially after Korea :cry: )
:confused:
What are you talking about? I don't really care if Germany reaches the quarters. They can drop out if they take the loud-mouthed Dutch with them. ;)

:confused:
What are you talking about? I don't really care if Germany reaches the quarters. They can drop out if they take the loud-mouthed Dutch with them. ;)

Leaving the Czech republic and Latvia? :mischief:

I get all the games for free! :D. It's funny, on cable no channel broadcasts all the game...

(there's a national sports channel called Meridiano TV)

Leaving the Czech republic and Latvia? :mischief:
Yeah, Latvia against Bulgaria! :yeah:

bah. :p

And by the way, did you have 1,500,00 people spontaneously going at the Brandenburg Gate to celebrate the German victory at the World Cup in 1990 ?

We got that in 1998. And I was in it. And I've kissed everyone on the mouth (well, not all the million and half). :D

To change the topic, there's been 21 threads about the Euro in the last 5 pages of the sport forum... and 1,339 posts !! :eek:

And the worse is that all teams played only once for now ! :lol:

I get all the games for free! :D. It's funny, on cable no channel broadcasts all the game...

(there's a national sports channel called Meridiano TV)Of course all games of the competition are broadcasted freely. I was talking about the qualifications.

I'll get them for free too..:mischief:


EDIT: I got confused...Anyway..I got to watch Italy's games, but via CABLE.

To change the topic, there's been 21 threads about the Euro in the last 5 pages of the sport forum... and 1,339 posts !! :eek:

And the worse is that all teams played only once for now ! :lol:

It helps that we have had plenty of 'discussions'... :mischief:

Talking about football is our national sport.

Talking about football is our national sport.
Apparently not in France... :mischief:

Apparently not in France... :mischief::hmm: did you decided to piss me off ?

http://www.eecg.toronto.edu/~lemieux/soccer/wc_hiq.jpg
July 12th 1998 (0:00) and July 13th 1998 (16:00)

:hmm: did you decided to piss me off ?
:lol:

No, not really... ;)

So was that a huge discussion round there on the Champs Elysee?

So was that a huge discussion round there on the Champs Elysee?You're so jealous ! :lol:

You're so jealous ! :lol:
No, thank you. ;)

The national team has nowhere near the importance of the club team for me.

No, thank you. ;)

The national team has nowhere near the importance of the club team for me.And when did a french club have reached the final of the champion's league ? Of the UEFA Cup ?

Tell me more about German clubs. :D

Obviously it's the game of "who'll be the last one to stop answer and go to bed"... Well, there's still a difference between you and me. I respect Germany and you despise France. And if you do so, it's simply to piss me off. So stop that now, or I'll get once again the anti-german girl I used to be in High School.

Tell me more about German clubs. :D


We won the double this year, that's everything that matters to me. :D
I said it then and I stand by that statement that I wouldn't really care how Germany does in the EURO if that should happen.
Well, there's still a difference between you and me. I respect Germany and you despise France.
Since when do I despise France (again)?

Actually I've never been as positive towards the French team as I am these days. For my sake they can win the championship, something I did not think in 98 or 2000.
Obviously it's the game of "[...]go to bed"...
So stop that now, or I'll get once again the anti-german girl I used to be in High School.
:hmm: :mischief: groucho

bah. :p

And by the way, did you have 1,500,00 people spontaneously going at the Brandenburg Gate to celebrate the German victory at the World Cup in 1990 ?

We got that in 1998. And I was in it. And I've kissed everyone on the mouth (well, not all the million and half). :D

That just shows the French are glory-hunters. I'll tell you what true support is. True support is having Graham Taylor as your manager.
Originally posted by Hitro
Since when do I despise France (again)?

Well, you do seem to invade them a lot.
Originally posted by col
Owen has missed about 50% lately so he isnt a viable alternative. There arent too many candidates stepping forward as penalty taker.
That's the problem. I would have thought Lampard or Gerrard would be viable alternatives but they aren't. Apparently not many footballers consider penalty-taking as a vital skill.

I hope the little Franco-German spat has come to an end. I wouldn't want to have to mention that England have by far the most supporters in Portugal, as well as the most hooligans.

That's the problem. I would have thought Lampard or Gerrard would be viable alternatives but they aren't.

Why do you say that? I'd say Lampard should take England's penalties.

Does Lampard take the penalties for Chelski?

They surely have a high-paid foreign mercenary for that.

But anyway, what do people here think will happen tomorrow?

I think France will improve and beat Croatia. In the England game it will either be a clear and convincing victory for England or they will get in major trouble.

Both France and England will win convincingly in their next two games.

Both France and England will win convincingly in their next two games.

Hopefully...

Just to prove that I am the boldest predictor in CFC I predict that France will lose against Croatia by one goal.

Just to prove that I am the boldest predictor in CFC I predict that France will lose against Croatia by one goal.
Will happen if they play as bad as against England. And Croatia should play with Klasnic...

I can see Switzerland holding England to a draw. England rely on French charity to scrape through in the last match :lol:

Rumour has it that Croatia are planning to rest their top players against France and save them for the England game.

Col, you're joking - right? :confused:

They see France as unbeatable, and England as a tough nut? :hmm:

If Croatia (lacking their own unique strengths) wants to win this, they should attack France and defend against England -- giving like for like against their respective opponents, and refusing to fall into the traps of either.

Croatia can kick England's ass. England is almost as overrated as Holland!

It wouldn't be too suprising if Croatia didn't play to their best against France as that is no longer the important match, playing against England is, since the winner would probably go through.

If England beat Switzerland they have 3 points. If Croatia lose against France they have 1 point. That means England would only have to draw in the final match against Croatia to go through. However if Croatia beat France then they would only have to draw against England. Therefore it is in Croatia's best interest to go for the win against France, especially considering it doesn't make a difference if they draw or lose.

I think thats the point, victory isn't that likely against France and a draw wouldn't change the situation so they may as well go for the win against England instead. Although I'm sure they will still try to win against France...

I respect Germany and you despise France. And if you do so, it's simply to piss me off. So stop that now, or I'll get once again the anti-german girl I used to be in High School.
Wow.

And I thought it was men who went ballistic about football ^^

I think thats the point, victory isn't that likely against France and a draw wouldn't change the situation so they may as well go for the win against England instead. Although I'm sure they will still try to win against France...
I don't see that. I think Croatia have a much better chance against France than England. Their attack, whilst very good, is predictable and their defence looked much worse than England's. I think if Croatia nick a goal and defend they could come away with a win.
Originally posted by Akka
And I thought it was men who went ballistic about football
From my experience a woman interested in football is more passion than a man interested in football. It's just less woman than men are interested.