Official Football/Soccer Thread

[MVS]

I was referrring to the strike, not him.

Thankfully, they caved.

[sggg]

I agree that he's pretty overrated. I also think that whole strike affair was daft. But the real problem for England is Owen is not going to play........ and the game is on PPV here. I'll be watching Canada v- Finland , er, or Hockey Night in Canada.

[spacecowboy]

Well, Euro 2004 qualifying tomorrow.

England v. Turkey
I don't know why, but I think that England is going to win this game without problem, despite the craziness and injuries that have dominated the past week.

Teams already through:
France, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Bulgaria

Teams guaranteed only a playoff:
Slovenia and Holland

My picks for the rest:
Group 2: Group 7:
Winner: Denmark Winner: England
Runner-up: Romania Runner-up: Turkey

Group 4: Group 8:
Runner-up: Hungary Runner-up: Belgium

Group 5: Group 9:
Winner: Germany Winner: Italy
Runner-up: Scotland Runner-up: Wales

Group 6: Group 10:
Winner: Greece Winner: Russia
Runner-up: Spain Runner-up: Switzerland

My upset hopefuls:
Azerbaijan draws Italy, allowing Wales to qualify automatically
Ireland beats Switzerland, allowing them to at least get a playoff

Anyone else have thoughts?

SC

[MVS]

What's up with Turkey hating England anyways?

I can't remember it always being that way, but, when United went to play Galatassary back in the late 80's/maybe early 90's, it was mental.

People throwing shit all over, fans rioting, and so on.

The Hooligans cause a lot of that, but why does Turkey say crazy shit like "We'll kill you if you come here" or "Were going to kill you on the field"?

I'm pretty sure England always gave Turkey a historical pounding, so where is the venom coming from?

Scotland have no hope, dude. No hope. Even my father, a Scotsman knows that.

I'd like to see Wales go, but they always seem to fuck things up as well.

I see the England game as a tie in the 92nd minute or something. England only ever do the minimum of what they have to do to get by.

Either a tie, or barely winning a Playoff match, then eliminated in the Semi-finals on a monumental goalie fuck up (The Shilton or The Porno Star) or missing Penalties.

That pretty much sums up the next 10 months for England.

[sggg]

My thoughts »»» I am thrilled Sweden and Czech are already through. I have my rooting interest already taken care of.

My single biggest hope right now is that Iceland has another miracle in them. I don't think they can beat Germany since Germany need the game to win... but you never know. Maybe Lithuania will do Iceland a favour and beat or draw Scotland. That's all they need! The real shame here is that Iceland gave so many points to Scotland themselves. Bah.

For Group 2, I am really hoping Norway can win and Denmark win or draw, which will get Norway in. Seems pretty possible. Thank goodness Denmark needs the points tow win the group or they'd play their u16 girls team just to keep Norway out.

....

Those are the two teams I care passionately about. For the rest of the groups my interest is more casual. I think England may struggle and botch it. Missing Owen is a huge blow. I am not sure who I am rooting for actually. I don't care much about Turkey, tho I did enjoy their WC run and I think Ilhan is the business. I have a love/hate feeling for the England team... hard to support any side with the scummy Mr Beckham featuring. So yeh, I dunno, but I think Turkey will win.

In Group 4 I'd like to see Latvia go through even tho they play Sweden. Barring that I'd like to see Hungary even tho I support Poland's keeper.

Group 6 should see Greece and Spain unless one blunders.

In Group 8 I really wanna see Belgium pull thru because a) Belgium is ok in my book and b) I do not like Croatia and their horrid kits. It could be a question of how hard Bulgaria plays, since they are already in.

In Group 9 I'd love to see Wales win the group but, er, not likely.

Last but not least, I'd really like to see Switzerland win the group and Russia come in second. I don't like Ireland at all. If Suisse wins I get my scenario. I think they can do it but it's a close match up.

...

Also, in the WWC, needless to say I am pulling HARD for Sweden and Canada, the two underdogs.

[MVS]

That last line reeks of some sort of Ken Park Masturbation To Tennis Scene...

[sggg]

What's up with Turkey hating England anyways?

It's been snowballing in the past few years. I think it all started 3-4 years ago when Arsenal played a Turkish team in the UEFA Cup final. Then a few years ago the 2 Leeds fans were killed. Reactions. Escalation. Etc.

I am not sure it started from "Turks hating England". I don't think the Turks are especially known for trouble except that it's intimidating to play there for nations and clubs alike. I don't remember the details but I'd guess it was probably kicked off by English fans on a rampage in Copenhagen that time. Fuzzy memory.

missing Penalties.

That pretty much sums up the next 10 months for England.

Naturally to the Germans! Watch Iceland beat Germany and Turkey beat England and we'll surely see an England-Germany playoff with the Germans going through on kicks.

That last line reeks of some sort of Ken Park Masturbation To Tennis Scene...

[spacecowboy]

Well a couple of early scores:*UPDATED*
Czech Rep 3-2 Austria (F)
Latvia 1-0 Sweden (F)
Scotland 1-0 Lithuania (F)
Germany 3-0 Iceland (F)
Poland 2-1 Hungary (F)
Georgia 1-3 Russia (F)
Swiss 2-0 Ireland (F)
Spain 4-0 Armenia (F)
Denmark 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina (F)
Norway 1-0 Luxembourg (F)
Greece 1-0 N. Ireland (F)
Cyprus 2-2 Slovenia (F)
England 0-0 Turkey (F)
Liechtenstein 0-1 Slovakia (2nd)
Belgium 1-0 Estonia (Half)
Croatia 0-0 Bulgaria (Half)
Netherlands 0-0 Moldova (1st)
France 1-0 Israel (1st)
Italy 2-0 Azerbaijan (1st)
Serbia & Montenegro 1-1 Wales (1st)

Some surprises, but we'll see what happens.
Fletcher scores for Scotland!

SC

[sggg]

Unsurprisingly Iceland didn't make it. They have only themselves to blame for giving all the points to Scotland. It's a shame they were so close. For WC02 they made it to the last day as well. Maybe they'll finally get over the hump for WC06.

For the rest of the results I am fairly satisfied. Norway and Latvia made the playoff and I am glad Switzerland won their group.

It will be really interesting to see the playoff draw. I hope Norway avoids the likes of Spain. The playoff teams will be: Norway, Latvia, Spain, Wales, Slovenia, Holland, Scotland, Turkey, Croatia, & Russia. I hope Norway make it most of all, obviously. After that I'd most like to see Latvia then Wales. I hope Scotland lose out since I am mad at them for taking Iceland's place. I also dislike Croatia and Holland. The rest of them just depends on how the draw goes.

When is the draw?

[MVS]

Why the love for Iceland, anyways?

Just an underdog thing?

I'm not a fan of Scotland, but they'll certainly make it more interesting than if Iceland go.

Same for Holland.