Dutch Favors?

[NickyViola]

But on the other hand, I think, Grosso did purposefully dive over Neill and in that, I question if this is good sportsmanship and what the rules say about that.

This matter has never been cleared up, perhaps one of those gray areas in the rules of soccer.

I think all of the technical attacking players do that. You go in and juke out the defender in order to draw a foul, just as guys do in basketball. Perfectly acceptable, in my eyes.

[RibbyBollywood]

I think all of the technical attacking players do that. You go in and juke out the defender in order to draw a foul, just as guys do in basketball. Perfectly acceptable, in my eyes.

And by the same token, if Holland decide to lay down tomorrow, maybe perfectly acceptable as well.

It is interesting to think, what other teams, namely Italy and France might do in the same situation as Holland's, er, Netherlands I mean.

[NickyViola]

Totally agree. MVB's only obligation is towards Holland and what he thinks is best for them.

[RibbyBollywood]

I don't believe that even with a Romanian loss, Italy would be the qualifying team.

I read Gazzetta, L'equipe, Fanatik, all of them. L'equipe is making a big deal out of this match.

[FNU]

I don't believe that even with a Romanian loss, Italy would be the qualifying team.

I read Gazzetta, L'equipe, Fanatik, all of them. L'equipe is making a big deal out of this match.
Which would mean a France win or a 0-0 draw, is that what you're saying?

[RibbyBollywood]

http://www.lequipe.fr/ It's the Grand Final.

That's all I am saying to all my friends!

Anyone of these teams is in trouble when the quarterfinals begin.

[VCFan]

http://www.lequipe.fr/ It's the Grand Final.

That's all I am saying to all my friends!

Anyone of these teams is in trouble when the quarterfinals begin.

If you say that Italy and France are in trouble if they make it through to the quarterfinals, then I'll just have to conclude that you've been asleep for the last 60 years of footballing history. France and Italy know how to win when they're past the group stages.

MVB would have to be mentally ill if he doesn't try to throw the match in some way or another. But as an Italian, I just want to see us beat France in regular time.

[Tetsuo]

If you say that Italy and France are in trouble if they make it through to the quarterfinals, then I'll just have to conclude that you've been asleep for the last 60 years of footballing history. France and Italy know how to win when they're past the group stages.

MVB would have to be mentally ill if he doesn't try to throw the match in some way or another. But as an Italian, I just want to see us beat France in regular time.

yeah France and especially Italy have a history in playing poorly in the group stages and then very good in the knock-out stages. MVB realises that but i don't think he will throw the match. he will put in some reserves and i think he will tell them to play beautiful football and try to prove they deserve a chance for the first 11. he won't care too much about the result. if we (the romanians) are good enough we will win if not, then it means we don't deserve to go on since we couldn't beat a weaker and less motivated dutch team. and in that case i will be the first to congratulate the french or italians.

[Tetsuo]

why did VCfan received a red card? :confused:

[RibbyBollywood]

Doh! everyone and their dog knows this, everyone also knows that they haven't been to every Euro: and are still just more teams, even with superb performances. And it's a lot longer than 60 years, me thinks maybe you're the one who has been sleeping.

Whomever it is that advances, Romania, France and Italy won't be around long, Spain able to handle two of them right off.

Please save the abusive tone of your voice for other places and not bigsoccer.

If you say that Italy and France are in trouble if they make it through to the quarterfinals, then I'll just have to conclude that you've been asleep for the last 60 years of footballing history. France and Italy know how to win when they're past the group stages.
MVB would have to be mentally ill if he doesn't try to throw the match in some way or another.But as an Italian, I just want to see us beat France in regular time.

<Snicker> I'm sorry if you will be waiting longer, well, I'm not sorry.

[NickyViola]

I don't see it.

[Tetsuo]

I don't see it.

yes i see it's gone now. maybe it was a moderator mistake...

[VCFan]

why did VCfan received a red card? :confused:

Hmm, I'm kind of new here... did I receive a red card? For what? :confused:

And RibbyBollywood, the tone of my post was never abusive. Historically speaking, my point is far more valid than yours. If you can't accept that, then there's no help to be had, I'm afraid. And you're betting on Spain to beat Italy or France in the quarters? The burned hand teaches best with Spain.

I never said that Italy would beat France or that we would cruise past the quarterfinals. If a fan can't voice his or her deepest wishes (in this case, beating France in regular time), then life as a fan would be incredibly boring, wouldn't you say? ;)

P.S. There used to be a time when only 4 teams actually qualified for a Euro... forgive me for saying that not qualifying for every single Euro isn't exactly a disgrace in that light.

[Tetsuo]

Hmm, I'm kind of new here... did I receive a red card? For what? :confused:

it was there for 5 minutes. i think a moderator made a mistake and then repaired it. anyway yes i think you're entitled to hope for a victory with France. i think Italy played better than France until now. but you never know, France also has some good players that could erupt anytime. :) i think it will be agreat match. i will see it in replay because i will be watching my NT's game :D

[canzano55]

Netherlands will rest some players for the Quarters but come out trying to win. But it should be expected that the Italians start their conspiracy theories about being screwed, as if Netherlands and Romania didn't prove to be better sides so far.Whatever buddy.

Porkchops are all riding high for the Gaynaldo & co. until they crash and burn.

At the end of the day I got 4 stars on my jersey, how many do you have?

[VCFan]

it was there for 5 minutes. i think a moderator made a mistake and then repaired it. anyway yes i think you're entitled to hope for a victory with France. i think Italy played better than France until now. but you never know, France also has some good players that could erupt anytime. :) i think it will be agreat match. i will see it in replay because i will be watching my NT's game :D

Do you happen to know which channels will show the Holland - Romania game? It's times like this when I'm glad I've got two TVs in close proximity to each other :D

And yes, you're absolutely right about France being a very dangerous team. In fact, underneath all the talk about Holland and match fixing, some of the more knowledgeable (or experienced) Azzurri fans quietly worry that we aren't focusing enough on the France game and treating the French like we've already beaten them. I think on quality and form alone, Italy may hold a slight advantage over France, but I honestly wouldn't be too surprised if the French demolish Italy.

[NickyViola]

I can't remember the last time Italy beat France.

[VCFan]

I can't remember the last time Italy beat France.

Geez, you're just asking to have all the freakish things that have happened at these Euros quoted back to you.

We've got to have faith, Viola lover :D

[RibbyBollywood]

P.S. There used to be a time when only 4 teams actually qualified for a Euro... forgive me for saying that not qualifying for every single Euro isn't exactly a disgrace in that light.

Well, I've said nothing about a redcard myself.

Italy did not go to the 1992 Euro Cup http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_1992 , France did not go in 1988 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_1988 , well after the four team format was taken away. Even reknown football countries do not always field teams able to make the tournaments.

[NickyViola]

Geez, you're just asking to have all the freakish things that have happened at these Euros quoted back to you.

We've got to have faith, Viola lover :D

Just sayin'... ;) France, Croatia and the USSR seem like the teams that have (historically) been the toughest for Italy. The numbers may not prove me right but that's just the way it seems to me.