Soccer

by **gopherguy13** » Fri 6/08/12 2:17 pm

Spain is definitely a threat, and maybe it's just my dislike of that team clouding my vision, but I think they will falter. Puyol is a pretty big loss, but they are deep enough where they can overcome that loss.

I could see Croatia being somewhat of a dark horse, I think they could sneak out of that group ahead of Italy. Modric and Olic up front could be tough to deal with.

by **gopherguy13** » Fri 6/08/12 2:55 pm

Czechs are on the board!! :mrgreen:

edit: Russians have opened it up. That 4th goal was very nice!

by **Armadillo** » Fri 6/08/12 6:36 pm

USA scores 7:20 into their match with Antigua. It's the first World Cup qualification game for the US.

The US men are the only soccer rooting interest I have, by the way.

by **Slap Shot** » Sat 6/09/12 10:17 am

The Dutch will win it!

by **rowshkex** » Sat 6/09/12 10:30 am

Viking wrote:...Greek player sent off for 2 yellow cards before halftime. Neither was even a foul...

Sounds like a regular day of soccer to me...

by **gopherguy13** » Sun 6/10/12 10:01 am

I was surprised to find out that The Netherlands didn't score. Before I left for work they put on some great pressure, I was convinced that I would come home to see at least a 1-1 draw.

I love that all these games are on ESPN3. Watched the Germany-Portugal game last night, I thought it would be more offensive than it was, but still fairly entertaining.

Going to watch the Italy-Spain game later tonight, I'll be interested to see how Spain preforms with the injuries.

by **GrandForksGopher** » Sun 6/10/12 12:30 pm

Spain has been pushing hard since Italy's first goal. Threatening to take the lead

by **trixR4kids** » Sun 6/10/12 2:59 pm

Ireland must have like 33% possession or something it's ugly.

by **davescharf** » Sun 6/10/12 9:31 pm

trixR4kids wrote:Ireland must have like 33% possession or something it's ugly.

I DVR'ed the game and just finished watching it. They're a defensive team that looks like the left the defense back home...it was bad.

I only saw the 2nd half of Spain-Italy but that was a fun game to watch.

by **gobig6** » Sun 6/10/12 10:17 pm

The Spain-Italy game was a really good one I thought. There were plenty of good scoring chances for both sides.

by **gopherguy13** » Mon 6/11/12 2:11 am

Just watched Spain-Italy. I agree with what the commentators were saying early on, I think if Spain would have came out with Navas or Torres from the beginning, they may have won. They didn't seem to have a clear focal point to go to when they had all 6 midfielders in.

That being said, Torres was not good today. Buffon knew exactly what he was going to do on that first opportunity.

And Balotelli... WTF was he doing on the play when he was in all alone on the net??? He could have laid it off to Cassano (who had some room), or taken a great opportunity on Casillas. But instead he waits so long that Ramos comes all the way back and knocks the ball away. I can't imagine the Italian fans' reaction after that one :lol:

by **davescharf** » Mon 6/11/12 7:07 am

gopherguy13 wrote:Just watched Spain-Italy. I agree with what the commentators were saying early on, I think if Spain would have came out with Navas or Torres from the beginning, they may have won. They didn't seem to have a clear focal point to go to when they had all 6 midfielders in.

That being said, Torres was not good today. Buffon knew exactly what he was going to do on that first opportunity.

And Balotelli... WTF was he doing on the play when he was in all alone on the net??? He could have laid it off to Cassano (who had some room), or taken a great opportunity on Casillas. But instead he waits so long that Ramos comes all the way back and knocks the ball away. I can't imagine the Italian fans' reaction after that one

Torres hasn't played well for quite awhile. With Villa out, Spain is going to have to find a striker who can make enough noise yet finish a chance or two to open things up for the midfield if they want to win the tournament.

by **gopherguy13** » Mon 6/11/12 11:06 am

England vs. France. I get to watch it live! :lol:

England is very young up front without Rooney. 18 year old Oxlade-Chamberlain getting the start for England, talk about a thrill!

I think France will win today. Nasri and Ribery on the wings and Benzema up front is tough to deal with.

by **gopherguy13** » Mon 6/11/12 11:34 am

England up 1-0 on a header from Lescott!

by **Snowcool08** » Mon 6/11/12 9:23 pm

Did anyone see this guy during the Sweden game? It flashed for a split second and it's going to haunt me for a while.

https://twitter.com/ChrisMottram/status ... to/1/large

by **h8red** » Mon 6/11/12 9:35 pm

Snowcool08 wrote:Did anyone see this guy during the Sweden game? It flashed for a split second and it's going to haunt me for a while.

https://twitter.com/ChrisMottram/status ... to/1/large

Holy

I'm going to have to sleep with the lights on tonight after seeing that creepo

by **gopherguy13** » Tue 6/12/12 12:22 am

Snowcool08 wrote:Did anyone see this guy during the Sweden game? It flashed for a split second and it's going to haunt me for a while.

https://twitter.com/ChrisMottram/status ... to/1/large

Yeah that was f'd up :lol:

by **gopherguy13** » Tue 6/12/12 11:07 am

2 goals in the first 6 minutes for the Czechs!!

by **GrandForksGopher** » Tue 6/12/12 7:47 pm

An excellent strike by Poland's Jakub Blaszczykowski. His last name is one of the few Polish names that is harder to say than mine

by **Border Gopher** » Tue 6/12/12 9:22 pm

GrandForksGopher wrote:
gopherguy13 wrote:
Viking wrote:
GrandForksGopher wrote:My girlfriend literally bumped into Cristiano Ronaldo today at a buffet in San Antonio and was sitting at the table next to him...and didn't even get me an autograph.

How long was he rolling around on the floor??

Classic

What the hell is Cristiano Ronaldo doing in San Antonio?

Not sure, she said he was with a friend. Her brothers friend owns the restaurant and my girlfriend had no idea who he was (Not surprising) until her brothers friend told her and she saw a couple people get autographs.

Interesting considering he was with the Portuguese National Team training in Portugal that day.

:roll:

by **gopherguy13** » Tue 6/12/12 11:21 pm

That goal by Polish Player Guy was awesome. Dzagoev's goal for the Russians off the set piece was a dandy, too!

Group of death plays their second games tomorrow. Should be interesting!

by **gopherguy13** » Wed 6/13/12 12:28 pm

Ronaldo continues to disappoint on the national stage.

He was not effective in the first game, and I've only been watching since halftime today, but I haven't seen much out of him today either.

edit: Ronaldo in all alone on goal and fails to score.

Commentator: "Did his brother somehow find a way onto this team in his place? I can't believe he didn't convert!" :lol:

by **gopherguy13** » Wed 6/13/12 12:47 pm

Varela in the 87th minute! Can't believe how much he got on that ball.

by **gopherguy13** » Wed 6/13/12 2:26 pm

Super Mario is 3/3 so far this tournament!

3 shots, 3 goals.

by **Reg Dunlop** » Wed 6/13/12 3:57 pm

Deutscheland uber alles!!

by **gopherguy13** » Wed 6/13/12 4:00 pm

Well, the Netherlands FINALLY score a goal. 1 goal in 2 games is not acceptable with attackers like they have!

They were outclassed by the Germans today!

by **Slap Shot** » Wed 6/13/12 4:16 pm

And the Orange crap the bed in another tournament. :anger:

by **Viking** » Wed 6/13/12 4:34 pm

Slap Shot wrote:And the Orange crap the bed in another tournament.

They're not out of it yet.

by **gopherguy13** » Thu 6/14/12 11:40 am

Beautiful FK goal from Pirlo getting the Italians on the board.

by **gopherguy13** » Thu 6/14/12 12:23 pm

Soccer is funny. PA announcer had to tell the fans (in multiple languages) to "Please refrain from throwing fiery objects onto the field" :lol:

by **davescharf** » Thu 6/14/12 1:06 pm

Viking wrote:
Slap Shot wrote:And the Orange crap the bed in another tournament.

They're not out of it yet.

no they aren't, but I think it's fair to say the fat lady is starting to hum. They can control their destiny to an extent but they still need help from the Germans.

by **Reg Dunlop** » Thu 6/14/12 1:14 pm

Viking wrote:
Slap Shot wrote:And the Orange crap the bed in another tournament.

They're not out of it yet.

Maybe not, but the priest is ready to give last rights.

by **Viking** » Thu 6/14/12 1:30 pm

davescharf wrote:
Viking wrote:
Slap Shot wrote:And the Orange crap the bed in another tournament.

They're not out of it yet.

no they aren't, but I think it's fair to say the fat lady is starting to hum. They can control their destiny to an extent but they still need help from the Germans.

Germany still needs at least a draw to guarantee they advance and I don't see them playing for a draw. That is all the help the Dutch need from Germany.

by **gopherguy13** » Thu 6/14/12 1:50 pm

Going to be a long day for the Irish. Already down 1-nil to Spain. Torres gets the start and the early goal.

by **GrandForksGopher** » Thu 6/14/12 6:27 pm

Ireland looked so bad today it was indescribable. Spain had a 78-22 possession advantage or something like that

by **trixR4kids** » Thu 6/14/12 6:29 pm

Ireland is not a good team. Only real threats are aging strikers like Keane who get no space or time to work with the ball.

by **davescharf** » Thu 6/14/12 9:29 pm

Viking wrote:
davescharf wrote:
Viking wrote:
Slap Shot wrote:And the Orange crap the bed in another tournament.

They're not out of it yet.

no they aren't, but I think it's fair to say the fat lady is starting to hum. They can control their destiny to an extent but they still need help from the Germans.

Germany still needs at least a draw to guarantee they advance and I don't see them playing for a draw. That is all the help the Dutch need from Germany.

If you want the Dutch to advance you'd better hope Germany wins. Even though the Dutch are talented enough and desperate enough to pull it off, beating Portugal by 2 or 3 won't do you much good if Germany takes less than the full 3 points.

Ireland has been really awful. Obviously they left their defense at home and in a group of this quality that just means an early trip home. I really thought they could be the sleeper, but maybe it will be Croatia.

by **gopherguy13** » Fri 6/15/12 12:39 pm

This France-Ukraine game is great. There was an hour weather delay so it is in the 40th minute right now.

Still 0-0 but a lot of quality chances and some great saves by the keepers.

by **Viking** » Fri 6/15/12 3:59 pm

Quite a good game between England and Sweden. I thought England was out of it when they gave up those 2 second half goals. They looked deflated and defeated. Nice comeback for them. The goal from Welbeck was brilliant.

by **gopherguy13** » Mon 6/18/12 12:08 pm

Van der Vaart's goal yesterday was a thing of beauty. About the only bright spot in the whole tournament for Oranje. Talk about a disappointment.

Oh well, go Germany! (Or anybody but Spain!)

by **Jaykay3** » Tue 6/19/12 3:11 pm

Ukraine has just been screwed by UEFA's refusal to use goal line replay, should be tied.

by **Viking** » Tue 6/19/12 4:10 pm

Jaykay3 wrote:Ukraine has just been screwed by UEFA's refusal to use goal line replay, should be tied.

Ukraine was offside.

by **trixR4kids** » Tue 6/19/12 6:03 pm

The offside was really close there, it really depends at what moment you think he played the ball. One second he's off and the next he's on.

by **Viking** » Tue 6/19/12 6:55 pm

trixR4kids wrote:The offside was really close there, it really depends at what moment you think he played the ball. One second he's off and the next he's on.

It wasn't even close. He was 2 yards offside.

by **davescharf** » Tue 6/19/12 7:26 pm

Viking wrote:
trixR4kids wrote:The offside was really close there, it really depends at what moment you think he played the ball. One second he's off and the next he's on.

It wasn't even close. He was 2 yards offside.

Where we he offside? Granted the angle on the sites I saw the replay from weren't the greatest but the play looked onside and the goal should have counted.

by **gobig6** » Tue 6/19/12 7:52 pm

The original pass from back in the defensive zone was way offside. He curls back in to the onside position, but the ball had already been played and he was in an offside position at the moment the pass was made.

by **davescharf** » Tue 6/19/12 8:07 pm

gobig6 wrote:The original pass from back in the defensive zone was way offside. He curls back in to the onside position, but the ball had already been played and he was in an offside position at the moment the pass was made.

Ok, that part I haven't seen. I'll have to go find a highlight because that ball was already played when I saw the highlight

by **trixR4kids** » Tue 6/19/12 10:31 pm

davescharf wrote:
Viking wrote:
trixR4kids wrote:The offside was really close there, it really depends at what moment you think he played the ball. One second he's off and the next he's on.

It wasn't even close. He was 2 yards offside.

Where we he offside? Granted the angle on the sites I saw the replay from weren't the greatest but the play looked onside and the goal should have counted.

Like I said it really depends when the ball was played. And that video doesn't really show that. You'd need a replay where they stop it the moment the ball is played. You can be in an offside position just not while the ball is being played.

gobig6 wrote:The original pass from back in the defensive zone was way offside. He curls back in to the onside position, but the ball had already been played and he was in an offside position at the moment the pass was made.

If you have a good vid that shows it I'd like to see.

by **trixR4kids** » Tue 6/19/12 10:39 pm

Looks like he's off you're right.

by **Snowcool08** » Thu 6/21/12 2:42 pm

This just in, Cristiano Ronaldo is really good at soccer. He gets the lone goal as Portugal beat Czech Republic 1-0 in the quarters.

by **davescharf** » Thu 6/21/12 2:45 pm

Snowcool08 wrote:This just in, Cristiano Ronaldo is really good at soccer. He gets the lone goal as Portugal beat Czech Republic 1-0 in the quarters.

All that time in San Antonio must have helped him get into form for the jump from Club to Country level competition. :lol:

Not to start the list of overuser cliches, but that is really what you'd call a 'goal scorer's goal'. It's just REALLY well struck and placed.

by **Reg Dunlop** » Thu 6/21/12 7:00 pm

Actually I saw Ronaldo after the game this afternoon at Edina CC pool giving diving lessons.

by **gopherguy13** » Fri 6/22/12 1:19 pm

Snowcool08 wrote:This just in, Cristiano Ronaldo is really good at soccer. He gets the lone goal as Portugal beat Czech Republic 1-0 in the quarters.

You just knew it was going to happen eventually, he had gotten very close a couple times before that. Could have easily had 3 goals yesterday.

by **gopherguy13** » Fri 6/22/12 1:22 pm

I just saw a replay of the play where Karagounis got sent off for diving against Russia. What a terrible call. I saw worse dives at least a couple times yesterday. It's a real shame that he'll have to sit out today.

I'm rooting for Germany, but I want to see the Greeks get out to an early lead to make Germany work for it. Although I do not think that will be the case.

by **gopherguy13** » Fri 6/22/12 2:45 pm

Pure domination from the Germans through the first half.

by **Snowcool08** » Fri 6/22/12 2:50 pm

I'm thoroughly amazed by the vision and touch of Ozil. I think he makes more passes off the outside of his foot than the inside and they frequently work.

by **gopherguy13** » Fri 6/22/12 3:05 pm

Ozil is a real talent. He's going to be very good for a long time. I think he's the next Xavi.

Great counter attack from Greece! All tied up!

by **Snowcool08** » Fri 6/22/12 3:08 pm

Greece scored too soon. There's no way they could hold on for 30 more minutes plus extra time.

And just like that they give up the go ahead goal.

by **Tee09** » Fri 6/22/12 3:08 pm

That poor Greek goalie. Not much you can do about that one.

by **gopherguy13** » Fri 6/22/12 3:18 pm

Tee09 wrote:That poor Greek goalie. Not much you can do about that one.

He f'd up on that 3rd goal. Germans in full control now.

edit: And we're officially into a full on slaughter. Reus makes it 4-1

by **Tee09** » Fri 6/22/12 3:20 pm

Germans are going to score 10.

by **Chris83** » Fri 6/22/12 3:35 pm

Running time!!!! :rotflmao:

by **Reg Dunlop** » Fri 6/22/12 4:11 pm

Good game by Deutschland. Started out strong and kept a good pace all game with their A- team.

by **davescharf** » Sat 6/23/12 9:09 am

gopherguy13 wrote:Ozil is a real talent. He's going to be very good for a long time. I think he's the next Xavi.

Great counter attack from Greece! All tied up!

The Germans haven't had a midfielder like Ozil for a very long time. Put a guy with that type of creativity and skill in a lineup that's as good technically as the Germans are and the next 10 years are going to be very promising.

I think the thing that could trip them up though is the goaltending. I'm not convinced that Neuer could outplay someone like Buffon or Casillas if it came down to a shootout or needing a really big save.

by **Viking** » Sat 6/23/12 11:13 am

davescharf wrote:
gopherguy13 wrote:Ozil is a real talent. He's going to be very good for a long time. I think he's the next Xavi.

Great counter attack from Greece! All tied up!

The Germans haven't had a midfielder like Ozil for a very long time. Put a guy with that type of creativity and skill in a lineup that's as good technically as the Germans are and the next 10 years are going to be very promising.

I think the thing that could trip them up though is the goaltending. I'm not convinced that Neuer could outplay someone like Buffon or Casillas if it came down to a shootout or needing a really big save.

Maybe it was just because they were so far forward with Greece content to defend and counter, but there looked like some real concerns with the German back line. Also Schweinsteiger had a horrible game.

by **Snowcool08** » Sat 6/23/12 1:27 pm

I will not be shocked if France beats Spain today.

by **GrandForksGopher** » Sat 6/23/12 1:37 pm

Haven't been on GPL much lately, been too caught up in work :anger:

Anyways, I'm expecting to see Spain win by a goal today but wouldn't be surprised to see France pull it off either.

by **dxmnkd316** » Sat 6/23/12 1:42 pm

Spain's national anthem sounds too much like the the Star Wars theme.

by **GrandForksGopher** » Sat 6/23/12 2:04 pm

Spain takes the lead on a header by Alonzo. Great play and set up by Spain on that goal

by **Reg Dunlop** » Sat 6/23/12 6:34 pm

Another French surrender.

by **gopherguy13** » Sun 6/24/12 9:41 am

Saw the highlights from the game last night. Malouda really went to sleep on the goal from Xabi Alonso! He wasn't even in the picture when he headed it!

by **GrandForksGopher** » Sun 6/24/12 1:31 pm

England and Italy about to start. Should be a good one! Immediately following that my Sounders take on Portland in the Cascadia rivalry! I'm so pumped for today. It was a must that I wear my customized authentic Sounders jersey today :mrgreen:

My last name is so long that it literally makes a half circle around my back

by **gopherguy13** » Sun 6/24/12 1:41 pm

I was going to watch Spain-France and England-Italy tonight after work, but I absent-mindedly turned Sports Center on in our motel last night and saw the score of the Spain-France game :lol:

At least I can still watch England-Italy later tonight!

I think England will take care of business.

by **Armadillo** » Sun 6/24/12 1:45 pm

GrandForksGopher wrote:England and Italy about to start. Should be a good one! Immediately following that my Sounders take on Portland in the Cascadia rivalry! I'm so pumped for today. It was a must that I wear my customized authentic Sounders jersey today

My last name is so long that it literally makes a half circle around my back

"Gopher" isn't THAT long of a name! :mrgreen:

by **GrandForksGopher** » Sun 6/24/12 2:20 pm

Armadillo wrote:
GrandForksGopher wrote:England and Italy about to start. Should be a good one! Immediately following that my Sounders take on Portland in the Cascadia rivalry! I'm so pumped for today. It was a must that I wear my customized authentic Sounders jersey today

My last name is so long that it literally makes a half circle around my back

"Gopher" isn't THAT long of a name!

It is when you add a polish flare to it. Gopherszewski (Ironically that has the same amount of letters as my last name)

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