Euro 2004: Group D

[SanPellegrino]

If by mannschaftsdienlich you mean playing five meter security passes in front of your own defence and standing around with an occasional outburst just to foul someone I agree.

If not I don't get it. Have you seen the Hungary match (as just one of many)?

But MrPresident likes him. Which on second thought probably proves my point.

I haven't seen the Hungary match, but I guess all were bad. I agree, he doesn't play too spectacular, but well, he plays defensive midfield. OTOH I thought his passing quite good, at least he usually plays the ball in a direction where someone from his team stands and you can't say that about many members of the actual team.

 

[Stapel]

Quite correct, but only one of us is good at winning them.

Isn't it so that since 1974 there's been either Germany or Holland in at least the semi-finals of every World Cup? And also the EURO with the exception of 1984.

Not in 1994.

 

[Shabbaman]

It's not always good to play towards a team member. Gerrard could affirm this

 

[Stapel]

I guess that the Netherlands will beat Germany, but both teams qualify.

But then it will be the same procedure: the Netherlands will lose in 1/4 or 1/2, no matter which opponent, they will beat themselves, while we, playing poor and boring, advance to the finals

This indeed is not that unlikely. We really need to find the perfect balance yet. A win over Germany might have a bad side effect: over estimation, but it really would get as in good shape.

It is such a big if for Oranje, but if we find the right balance, we really do have a great time, with multiple players on several positions.

 

[Stapel]

It's not always good to play towards a team member. Gerrard could affirm this

Henry is not in Gerrard's team .

 

[Shabbaman]

Overestimation, like after the game v.s. Yugoslavia in 2000...

 

[Hitro]

Germany will most likely play a 4-5-1 system today, with Baumann as added defensive midfielder at the cost of a striker. Rudi seems to have missed the last three minutes of the England match...

 

[Stapel]

4-5-1.....

What we played in 1988, though that seems to be collectively banned from the Dutch national memory.

 

[Hitro]

Might have to do with the permanent absence of van Basten...

 

[Stapel]

Oh sure,

But today we have Van Nistelrooij. And VdVaart & Kluivert to fill the space behind him (not beside). Instead we will probably use some 2nd class wing attackers.....

 

[Hitro]

Well, first there will be Czech Republic vs. Latvia now. Go Latvia!

 

[addiv]

Indeed. Go Latvia!

 

[Garbarsardar.jr]

As long as they refrain from singing...GO LATVIA!!!

 

[Dell19]

I would like to see Latvia do well but since I would like to see the Czech Republic and Holland get out of the group...

Go Czech republic!!!!!

 

[Suppersalmon]

Latvia have just scored

 

[Inter4]

C. Rep. 0 - 1 Latvia at halftime...

 

[addiv]

YES!!! Sneaky bastards those Latvians!

 

[Suppersalmon]

I hope Latvia can hold out

 

[Hitro]

Czech Republic 0-1 Latvia at halftime.

The Czech defence sucks as one could hope for.

 

[stormbind]

Lots of textbook play from Latvia, and lots of good crosses. They may not have as much skill on the ball, but they have been very disciplined, very defensive, and very calculating.

I notice Latvia don't take set pieces seriously; they clearly expect to score goals the old fasioned way