8) Speaking of hooligans...there are some countries where thuggery is actually an important part of their culture and drinking is the real national sport. Let's talk about Russia: http://www.thescore.ie/russia-poland-euro-2012-flags-hitler-youth-484745-Jun2012/ As you can see, the Russians aren't a bit sorry about killing all those Poles over the last several centuries. In fact, they quite enjoyed it. Waving "Russian Empire" flags against the Czech Republic and today waving black "Hitler Youth" flags against Poland, the Russian fans have been drunk and disorderly since they got off their planes. This morning, they "marched on the stadium" which is usually seen only in Engish football. When they got there, they unfurled a gigantic flag, so threatnening, as to leave no doubt in any Polish citizen's mind what the Russians really think of them... <object><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VSxMjKt34Fk?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VSxMjKt34Fk?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object> Just in case you think the Russians are only like this when they travel, here are the fans of Spartak Moscow, at home, in a league game, taunting their rivals. Warning: this is sexually graphic! <object><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/v5TxuPdce4M?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/v5TxuPdce4M?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object>
I watched the final today, and while I don't pretend to understand the nuances of football...It was pretty clear that Spain is a great team. Their passes were so crisp and when they got an opening they scored. Also I don't understand why Italy had to play with 10 men when they had substitues ready to play on the sidelines.
I also watched the final. Spain certainly deserved the win. I have the same question as Terry. They took an injured Italy player off the field. Why was Italy not allowed to replace him?
Hey, remember the guy who said this? As for Italy's situation.. I didn't see all of the game, but when they said they were being forced to play with 10 players I assumed that they had already burned their allotment of subs for the game. I don't know that to be fact, but if they used their 3 subs and a player got injured, then they'd be stuck with who is left on the field. It's also a strategic tactic in extra time matches when you may want to get a better penalty kick taker on the pitch but don't want to risk your defense.. you'll see them put their better scorers in the game right before the end of extra time.. but it's a risk because you only get so many moves.
So when a guy comes out of the game, he's done? They can put players in and out like in American Football?
:idea: In this case, Italy substituted and minutes later, the substitute got hurt. You can't substitute for a substitute. Spain looked so fast against Italy that I'm curious to see how long they can keep this up. The next World Cup (2014) will be in Brazil. They won't run past the Brasilieros like that or the Argentines either...especially in South America where no European team has ever won the WC.
Spain has now won the last two European Championships and they are the defending World Cup champions having taken the Cup in South Africa. In that World Cup, Argentina was blown out of the water by Germany 4-0 and Brazil was beaten by Holland 2-1. (both in the quarterfinals). Spain's players will be in their early 30s at the oldest. One team that should be a concern is Germany. While I was dismissive about their chances in Euro2012, I think they will be one to watch come World Cup time. Their performance was considered a let down in Euro2012, but if you look at their ages, I think it was a case of youth. Take a look at the ages of their top players and goal scorers from this past tournament: Sami Khedira 25 Mesut Özil 23 Marco Reus 23 Philipp Lahm 28 Lukas Podolski 27 Lars Bender 23 Mario Gómez 26 Thomas Müller 22 Mats Hummels 23 André Schürrle 21 Now JOCO does make one very stout point... something crazy happens down in South America.. the Euros don't do well there historically.
All of the Euros will be walking into a buzzsaw. It will take a Germany or a Spain to survive. Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile...not to mention the best Mexican team of all-time. It will be a hot time south of the border...
I agree.. Interesting, since 1966 Germany has finished 3rd or better every single time except for 3 (Argentina 78, United States 94, France 98 ). There's been 19 World Cups..for obvious reasons, Germany is a no show for the first 4.. In the 15 World Cups since 1954, they've racked up 3 World Cups, 4 2nd place finishes, three 3rd place finishes and one 4th. (That's 11 of 15) Most countries would kill for that type of consistent production on the world's biggest stage in sport. (Brazil has 10 such top 4 finishes all time, Italy 8, Argentina 4 etc etc)