Group E - Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon

[Matteh]

Argentina were just as frustrating to watch tbh. Sure Messi appeared every now and again and dribbled past a few, but there was still only one goal.

 

[BoyBrumby]

World cup means a lot more, but, TBF, the standard of play has been a fair bit below Euro 08 so far. The Dutch didn't look a patch on the team they had back then.

Of the teams we've seen so far only Jerry looks a potential winner. Although Italy didn't ever really look potential winners last time and still managed it, so impressions can be misleading.

 

[Burgey]

AwtBrumbers tbh.

It's a professional game though, despite the rank amateur performance of our blokes. And this being the most important tourney there is, it's just all about the result surely?

The big teams surely would rather grind out a 1-0 win every match than lose 4-3? Just the reality of such a big sport I think.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

World cup means a lot more, but, TBF, the standard of play has been a fair bit below Euro 08 so far. The Dutch didn't look a patch on the team they had back then.

nevertheless, WC 06 > Euro 04. Swings and roundabouts.

 

[Furball]

And Euro 2000 >>>> any other finals tournament.

All the best teams playing great attacking football, packed full of a generation of wonderful players at their peaks.

 

[R_D]

World cup means a lot more, but, TBF, the standard of play has been a fair bit below Euro 08 so far. The Dutch didn't look a patch on the team they had back then.

Of the teams we've seen so far only Jerry looks a potential winner. Although Italy didn't ever really look potential winners last time and still managed it, so impressions can be misleading.

Agree on the standards but than if I worried about that ... I probably would only be watching champions league beyond group stages.

This world cup is not helped by the fact that alot star players from African teams have been injured just before the world cup.... Having them would only improve the standards..

Euros was won by Greece not so long ago......

 

[Pothas]

The World cup is just better because it is the World cup as far as I am concerned. Regardless of quality (there are arguments to be had both ways on that) the Euros will never be able to match it.

 

[silentstriker]

Why the Euros >>>>> World Cup for me, 2 utterly mediocre sides who have no right calling themselves one of the 32 best teams.

Quality of play, even if true (I have no basis to judge either way) is secondary tbh. Ideally you'd have both but it's the atmosphere and the excitement of teams facing each other from all over the world that means everything. If USA were invited to the European Cup for whatever reason, it wouldn't even make the tuesday night ESPN 2AM newsfeed here, and for good reason.

 

[Uppercut]

World cup means a lot more, but, TBF, the standard of play has been a fair bit below Euro 08 so far. The Dutch didn't look a patch on the team they had back then.

Of the teams we've seen so far only Jerry looks a potential winner. Although Italy didn't ever really look potential winners last time and still managed it, so impressions can be misleading.

Italy were really good in their opening game against Ghana last time, I thought. That tournament kicked into action early with a purple patch of great long-range goals then petered out a bit in the knockout stages. Hoping this one does the opposite.

 

[Uppercut]

Quality of play, even if true (I have no basis to judge either way) is secondary tbh. Ideally you'd have both but it's the atmosphere and the excitement of teams facing each other from all over the world that means everything. If USA were invited to the European Cup for whatever reason, it wouldn't even make the tuesday night ESPN 2AM newsfeed here, and for good reason.

Nah, it doesn't really work like that. The European Championships are a huge deal. No World Cup, but a huge deal nevertheless.

 

[Matteh]

ESPN America shows a load of football, them and Fox have a channel that shows a ridiculous load. Think Setanta is still going in the US too.

 

[Pothas]

Italy were really good in their opening game against Ghana last time, I thought. That tournament kicked into action early with a purple patch of great long-range goals then petered out a bit in the knockout stages. Hoping this one does the opposite.

They were pretty poor against USA though I think.

France also started horribly last time round before coming good.

Agree about the last World cup, group stages were great, knockout games were not bad though, good world cup on the whole.

Still loving this one but has not got into full swing as yet, looking forward to tomorow though Portugal v Ivory Coast probably the biggest game so far and there is always something exciting about Brazil's first match. (even when they wind up dissapointing like last time round)

 

[Burgey]

Was Euro 96 the tournament where Gascoigne scored that great goal when he knocked the ball over the defender's head with his back to goal, turned and volleyed it in?

That was a crazy goal tbh.

 

[GIMH]

Yeah, teams like Poland and Greece have really lit up the last couple of world cups with some fantastic play.

hehe ooooooh defensive

 

[Matteh]

Was Euro 96 the tournament where Gascoigne scored that great goal when he knocked the ball over the defender's head with his back to goal, turned and volleyed it in?

That was a crazy goal tbh.

Yeah. Poborsky lob in that tournament just as good imo.

 

[Pothas]

hehe ooooooh defensive

He forgot Ukraine and Switzerland to be fair, one of the worst games I have ever seen and I have seen Brentford play on boxing day.

 

[Burgey]

Yeah. Poborsky lob in that tournament just as good imo.

Tbh Gazza kicking a ball which the press rolled to him over his house and into the river then giving the assembled throng the two fingered salute before picking up his groceries and going inside probably the picl of the bunch

 

[silentstriker]

Nah, it doesn't really work like that. The European Championships are a huge deal. No World Cup, but a huge deal nevertheless.

I never said they weren't. A regional tournament still doesn't capture anything like a world tournament, with very few exceptions.

 

[GIMH]

He forgot Ukraine and Switzerland to be fair, one of the worst games I have ever seen and I have seen Brentford play on boxing day.

my god that was a shocker

nah fuller is right, i'm just up to no good

 

[R_D]

I never said they weren't. A regional tournament still doesn't capture anything like a world tournament, with very few exceptions.

Agree with this...