Euro 2008

[Nina]

Today are the first two games of Euro 2008. The UEFA European Football Championship. The next 3 weeks, 16 lands try to be the champion of Europe.

Are you watching? Who do you support? Who will win?


The poules;

A
Czech Republic
Portugal
Switzerland
Turkey

B
Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland

C
France
Italy
The Netherlands
Romania

D
Greece
Russia
Spain
Sweden

Of course, I hope that The Netherlands will win .. but I think that Italy, France, Portugal or Germany will win.

[lee]

Well my team(Scotland) didnt make it but
I want Sweden to win(for Larsson) if not, then the Netherlands (for Hesselink).
I can see Germany minning it though.

[blue_peroxide]

I've been rooting for Germany in past years. (Although funny that when they were in World Cup finals with Brazil I was for Brazil shouting insults at German coach Rudi - to the TV-screen of course). But later my symphaties changed for some reason and I've been bit of a fan of German team. But let's see... In the course of Euro '08 I'll certainly find some new favourites too. My country didn't qualify (and probably never will ) so I'm free to choose new favourites as I go all the time

[holypotatoes]

Oh I will definitely be rooting for Deutschland!!!! *nods* I, for some reason, always root for them unless the U.S is playing them, then I sort of have to root for my home team but any other time, Germany for sure. I can't guarantee I'll see most of these games but I'll of course try to keep updated on what's going on.

[Nina]

Noooooh!

Our national team just lost Arjen Robben (Real Madrid), he can't play against Italy. I guess that we've to play with Dirk Kuijt instead.

[tangent]

I've gone for Portugal to win with the Czecs as dark horses.

As an England supporter I have to do something to maintian interest.

[Francy]

I hope Italy will win, of course... being my country and all. But if they don't make it (like I suspect), I hope Portugal will win, or Sweden (for Ibrahimovic). Anyway, any country winning is ok by me (except France, because we are rivals, sport-wise, and I just can't root for them!!! )

[NileQT87]

i've only watched one world cup game and it was the one where italy won over germany (i was in munich with an argentinian soccer fan as one of my europe trip adults--the world cup was quite a frenzy)... and then i had a nightmare experience (fog horns, engine revving and screaming until 4 a.m.) in lido di jesolo, italy when italy went bizerk over their win.

my one opinion was that the german team was actually better because it didn't cry constantly to get penalties.

and plus, a little love for my krauts. loved all the world cup hofbr?uhaus lion statues all over munich in 2006. those were awesome.

i kind of hate sports, though. and soccer is one of my least favorites... but since germany and austria are two of my favorite countries... i'll give this one to germany.

yeah, i'm still a bit grouchy about my beauty sleep getting interrupted (so much noise it brought me to helpless tears) the day of venice (which i loved).

[lee]

Well, Portugal and Czech rep got off to winning starts.

[Pandora's_Box]

I hope Italy will win, of course... being my country and all. But if they don't make it (like I suspect), I hope Portugal will win, or Sweden (for Ibrahimovic). Anyway, any country winning is ok by me (except France, because we are rivals, sport-wise, and I just can't root for them!!! )

My thought exactly!!!!
We stole the 2002 Euro Cup from you, you stole the 2006 World Cup from us.
Time for the final strike!
Jokes aside, I don't really care about football, I'll just be glad if France wins cause there will be joy and celebrations in the streets.
Good luck to everyone (except Italy )

[Cori]

Well I'm rooting for my country (Switzerland) of course although we had a really bad start. Realistically, I don't really expect Switzerland to win, that's why I'm also supporting Italy and Sweden because I have much respect and admiration for both teams. Of course if England played, I would totally support the English team as I always do but alas they didn't qualify.

I really really hope that neither Germany nor France will win. Sorry German and French fans!

[Revan]

Russia why?

Cause they've got Aussie Guus they can't lose !
We might have won the world cup if it wasn't fo the italians

France. The best team, the best style. And because they're not italy.
Oh and Turkey because I love kebabs!

Well I'm rooting for my country (Switzerland) of course although we had a really bad start.

My friend is swiss so I'm going for them as well. I had high hopes. But really you're screwed now how are you going to score without Frei?

[NileQT87]

if germany wins, they go celebrate at the hofbr?uhaus... and grouchy american tourists, who don't understand the big hubbub over the world cup, go to venice happy and well-rested.

now, if only somebody would explain to me why successful athletes, who one would assume were masculine guys (though i started to doubt it watching italy win in 2006), cried every time they seemed to get touched--for which they got the other team penalties for. part of the reason, imo, professional soccer will never go over well in the united states.

granted, our football players do little dances... and like to make 300-pounds-each man-piles on each other. i still have mental scars from being forced to watch football funnies/bloopers during rainy days at middle school p.e. (i'm quite girly.)

okay... i had a brief period of rooting for the san diego padres when they were... good.

[Cori]

Poor Austria, their start into the tournament was as bad as ours.

My friend is swiss so I'm going for them as well. I had high hopes. But really you're screwed now how are you going to score without Frei?

That's a good question and honestly I have no idea. That's always been the Swiss team's problem: we don't have enough good scorers and now with Frei gone due to injury, things are looking rather bleak. We still got Streller, Barnetta and Derdiyok so I'm refusing to give up hope. We have beaten Turkey before so I'll try to hope for the best for Wednesday.

I'm excited about the classic game Italy vs. Holland tonight! Forza Italia!

[Revan]

Nile Qt87

I am a pro-ish footballer and although I don't dive myself. Well not in that way (I'm a goalie) These people are desperate to win. It's not really viewed as cheating should be. It's acceptable, especially if it's in your benefit. And any advantage must be taken if you want to win. And your fans will conviently forget

Also as a player in football you will get sacked at any pro level now If you don't dive.

Basicly the problem is that it's acceptable if it's in your favour. ( And it's always in someones favour) And the pressure/stakes are so high to win. Sometimes it's your life!
That as a player you need to do it if you don't want to lose your job

[TheCharmed1]

I am so gutted that England isn't in it this year, but I suppose it was our own fault we had a rubbish manager.

Any way since England isn't in it I think I will be shouting for Italy to win, either them or Spain. I am not going to watch it until the quarter finals though.

[Cori]

France vs. Romania: 0 : 0!

The most boring game of Euro 2008 so far!

[holypotatoes]

France vs. Romania: 0 : 0!

The most boring game of Euro 2008 so far!

It was pretty slow. I came into it a little late so I wasn't sure which team was which so I took a wild guess and then they showed the little flags and I'm like well that's probably why Romania's yellow then. I'm not the brightest bulb on the tree, I'll state that fact right now. So who do we think will win the next match: Italy or Netherlands? I'm going with Italy on this one.

[blue_peroxide]

Yeah, cannot understand what's happened with France... boring indeed.
And they don't have Zidane and Barthez any more.
Anyhow, I'm much more hopeful regarding the next game - Netherlands vs Italy. Will be definitely rooting for Netherlands! (I have fond memories of them, I used to draw Ruud Gullit when I was a child )

[Cori]

LOL @ Stacy!

I reckon (and hope) that Italy will win against Holland tonight. Hopefully, this game will be a bit more exciting than the first one!