2012/13 Soccer Thread

I expected the Czechs to be much stronger, but they kept to defending while forgetting to put up a decent counterattack.

Strong performance by Ronaldo again.

Giroud and Podolski - still think RVP will be at the Emirates next season ?

Note - that's a genuine enquiry, not a 'we're buying RvP' shout. I don't think he's the sort of striker we need. I've still got my fingers crossed for an Ibra - Tevez swap.

davet010 wrote:

Giroud and Podolski - still think RVP will be at the Emirates next season ?

Right now my belief in him staying stems mostly from the fact that there is not many places he could go. Italy seems like possible destination but there will be price tag on him that might deter potential buyers - even Juventus might hesitate to shell out >25 million (plus substantial improvement on his Arsenal wages) on 29-year-old striker.

HAHAHAHA. I've just heard that Sven applied for Poland job.

Wonder why that is.
(mildly NSFW)

UCRC wrote:
davet010 wrote:

Giroud and Podolski - still think RVP will be at the Emirates next season ?

Right now my belief in him staying stems mostly from the fact that there is not many places he could go. Italy seems like possible destination but there will be price tag on him that might deter potential buyers - even Juventus might hesitate to shell out >25 million (plus substantial improvement on his Arsenal wages) on 29-year-old striker.

I agree. Can't see Wenger letting him go cheap aka less then what Nasri went for. Wenger might even get so stubborn/fed up that we keep him for the year un signed.

Getting ready for tonight...

IMAGE(http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/61061000/jpg/_61061796_cartoon_304.jpg)

Well, Germany are going to be interesting in this tournament, no matter what. I hope they make the final, that gives us the best chance of seeing a wonderful harum-scarum 4-4 farce.

I don't know which of the German defenders was responsible for letting 'Gorgeous George' score (because I couldn't be arsed watching it), but if they have any self-respect they should be committing seppuku in the changing room right now.

davet010 wrote:

Giroud and Podolski - still think RVP will be at the Emirates next season ?

Note - that's a genuine enquiry, not a 'we're buying RvP' shout. I don't think he's the sort of striker we need. I've still got my fingers crossed for an Ibra - Tevez swap.

Out of the frying pan into the fire? Why do you think that's a good idea?

davet010 wrote:

Interesting that goal-line technology is necessary when England are seen to benefit...but it wasn't in 2010 ?

Um.... no? Because 2010 was what made Sepp Blatter switch his position on that topic? It's not like the FIFA meeting on July 5th was initiated right after ENG vs. UKR or something.

Spunior wrote:
davet010 wrote:

Interesting that goal-line technology is necessary when England are seen to benefit...but it wasn't in 2010 ?

Um.... no? Because 2010 was what made Sepp Blatter switch his position on that topic? It's not like the FIFA meeting on July 5th was initiated right after ENG vs. UKR or something.

Errm - yes. 2010 on its own didn't make Blatter change his mind on it (see the comments from Gordon Smith, who was a member of the FIFA committee to review the matter, above). If he was really committed to it before now

(a) Platini wouldn't have been allowed to start his farcical '5th official' experiments.
(b) The technology would be in place by now

It remains to be seen how long it takes from this point (they've already nixed the chip in the ball idea, felt by many to be the better option) to adopt it, or whether he will override the Gallic Gonk and force it upon UEFA. That'll be an interesting power struggle.

Two conundrums solved:
Sifakis was the worst goalie of the tournament.
Baros was the worst striker. (Had Samaras in that spot until second half ;])

According to Arsene, RvP has been the 'best striker in the tournament' and Holland only went out because his teammates didn't pass to him.

Hmm, right you are, Arsene. That must be code for '£30m or forget it' in his world.

Pikey26 wrote:
davet010 wrote:

Giroud and Podolski - still think RVP will be at the Emirates next season ?

Note - that's a genuine enquiry, not a 'we're buying RvP' shout. I don't think he's the sort of striker we need. I've still got my fingers crossed for an Ibra - Tevez swap.

Out of the frying pan into the fire? Why do you think that's a good idea?

Hmm, in no particular order

(1) Ibra is a complete striker who can make goals out of nowt, and has done it in Spain and Italy.

(2) Despite all of his supposed contrition, Tevez is still a wanker and I want shut of him. Getting anything significant for him is a win-win.

(3) It's a cost neutral exercise that widens City's striking options and will scare the sh*t out of Premiership defences. City got 1 point out of Sunderland last season (I think they were the only team we didn't beat at all last season), but can you imagine the carnage resulting from the epic battle that is Ibra vs Titus Bramble ? Can you ?

(4) As you'll have noticed in the Euros, he's exceptionally annoying. Annoying players get you penalties. Penalties get you points.

May mean having to give up on Dzeko, but if BM want him, they can pay top dollar or get stuffed and then City can swoop for one of Danielle di Rossi (bye Nige), Javi Martinez (ditto) or Mats Hummels.

Just my ideas, City don't tend to do their transfer negotiations in the press anymore.. Press over here are reduced to making up targets (RvP), then offers (£20m..probably a fairer reflection of what he's really worth) then describing them as 'derisory'. Talk about a self-generating business model...make up things then 'report' on them.

(a) Platini wouldn't have been allowed to start his farcical '5th official' experiments.

UEFA != FIFA. Platini and Blatter are known to not share the same stance regarding the technology debate.

(b) The technology would be in place by now

Because the FIFA is world-famous for being both flexible and quick?

Anyway.

In 2010 Blatter did actually apologise for the German goal and insisted that it was time to "re-open the file of technology" as a result.

Unfortunately the matter was left off the agenda of the next meeting of international football bodies, much to the chagrin of the English, but since then there have been moves to introduce the technology, and there were trials at England's friendly with Belgium before Euro 2012.

It doesn't matter whether GG and Blatter share opinions or not. FIFA is the world governing body and can dictate to all of the regional associations what technology is adopted. If FIFA was going to adopt goal-line technology any time soon, Platini's opinion on it would be totally irrelevant.

Never thought I'd see a French team, with those players, decide that the best way to win was to play anti-football from the McLeish handbook. I think they had one shot, and that was from Cabaye's freekick.

I'll whisper it in case jowner hears, but I reckon Portugal could do these. The way to get to Spain is to challenge their ropy defenders, not allow Xavi, Iniesta et al to walk about with the ball at their leisure.

Final predo - Portugal v Germany.

EDIT - If that's Laurent Blanc's level of tactical genius and the squad is as divided as is being stated, then I do hope he goes to Tottenham

FIFA is the world governing body and can dictate to all of the regional associations what technology is adopted.

They're not trunning the Euro, the UEFA is. When it comes to significant changes, the FIFA strategy is usually in line with the World Cup rhythm. Again, the FIFA is not a body that moves quickly. Feel free to keep the "everyone vs. ENG" vibes going, but it's pretty much a given that WC2010 is one of the main reasons that technology is being discussed in early July.

That was dross. Spain were happy to suffocate the life out of the game after they scored, and France were absolutely AWFUL.

Yep, I was looking forward to this game and was underwhelmed. Hoping tomorrow is a better game.

whispa wrote:

Yep, I was looking forward to this game and was underwhelmed. Hoping tomorrow is a better game.

Get ready for two teams playing like France.

I'm guessing 1-1 and penalties.

That's pretty much what I expected from France. Good players, average team. I hope Italy wins tonight (or England somehow starts playing entertaining football) - that would mean two really interesting semis.

Not watching tonight, as I expect the most boring display so far.

dejanzie wrote:

Not watching tonight, as I expect the most boring display so far.

Well, not worked out that way so far.

Young and Parker are just goddddd awwffulll.

the diving from ashley isn't the only one happening, but that second yellow he caused was despicable. less dives, more passing to TEAMMATES.

Announcer just said "A Hart stopping moment" I know "Hart" sounds pretty much the same as "Heart," but you can hear the smugness that comes from coming up with an awful pun.

Has anyone seen Jordan Henderson ? Apparently he replaced 'Super' Scottie Parker at some point.

England have just completely run out of steam, and options. Quite how you can leave Pirlo on his own time after time is quite astonishing.

Never saw that coming.

well good thing italy went through, cause germans are gonna be sweating now and make for a better tourney. that plus england did not deserve to go through whatsoever.

That has got to be the worst match of the entire Euro, my god...I knew both ENG and ITA weren't up to their best, but that was just a sad display.

I think everything's shaping up to be SPA-GER for the final. POR might surprise, doubtful, but I think that's a more likely surprise than ITA upsetting GER. They just simply have no game whatsoever, and GER is doing great.

Anyone know why on earth they decided to bench DiNatale and keep Bolatelli the entire match? The man is awful, I don't get it...