[WorldCup_Fanatic]

There are so many countries playing friendlies, I simply can't keep up. Yes, I know there are probably threads in each country's forum, but some of the (clubs and) countries' fans are often so territorial and trepidatious about new or visiting posters, it's simply not worth it sometimes.

So, I thought we could use this thread to post about the various matches involving the 16 countries that'll be participating in Euro2008.

Wasn't able to stream the Nederland-Denmark friendly, but just read up on it today. It was a 1-1 draw, and RVN scored for the hosts.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080529...pt7_1_EoHHOrgF

I may also miss the Portugal match happening tomorrow, I think. Post here if you follow up on it.

Please post your thoughts, news, etc. on as many of the matches as you can, before Saturday, June 7.

Thanks for participating.

[WorldCup_Fanatic]

Czech Republic beat Scotland 3-1 in today's friendly
match. That's surprising; thought the scores would be closer. Not sure what happened there. Will have to read up on it, and maybe get a torrent of the game.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080530...On0yO9pvTHOrgF

[WorldCup_Fanatic]

Austria beat Malta 5-1.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldF...57289320080530

Switzerland won 3-0 over Liechtenstein.
http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kin...s+hosts+morale

[WorldCup_Fanatic]

Germany defeat Serbia 2-1.
http://en.euro2008.uefa.com/news/kin...rmany+comeback

[WorldCup_Fanatic]

Portugal wins 2-0 against Georgia.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/...al-Georgia.php

"Croatia held in dull draw. Nico Kovac was both hero and villain for Croatia as he scored both goals in a dull 1-1 friendly draw with Hungary on Saturday."
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/rep...634604,00.html

"Romanians coast, French struggle in Euro warm-ups
PARIS (AFP) — Four-goal Romania were the most impressive of a slew of Euro 2008 qualifiers Saturday as many of the top sides qualified for next month's finals went through their paces in warm-up games.
While 2000 champions France laboured to a goalless home draw with Paraguay the Romanians blasted four goals without reply against hapless Montenegro."
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5...m0qWKZcVlRBudA

[Hrvat]

Originally Posted by WorldCup_Fanatic

"Croatia held in dull draw. Nico Kovac was both hero and villain for Croatia as he scored both goals in a dull 1-1 friendly draw with Hungary on Saturday."
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/rep...634604,00.html

Kovač also did something I've seen for the first time I think. His header hit the crossbar and was deflected into the post and out.

[Monica 08]

Portugal 2 - 0 Georgia Saturday, May 31st, Viseu-
- Long 3 page discussion in the 'Portugal, national team' thread, section of the forum.
- Highlight was who Scolari would put as striker in front of Cristiano Ronaldo and the other winger Simao. Nuno Gomes like always or Manchester United forward Nani. It was obvious to everyone that Nuno Gomes needs to go to the bench. Nani was convincing with many shots on target.
- Quaresma as one of the wingers or Simao. Quaresma proved himself.
- Penalty was awarded to Portugal and the Scolari's 1st option taker, Simao Sabrosa scored.

On Internat'l Herald Tribune: Portugal beats Georgia 2-0 in Euro 2008 warmup
Opinion on my blog: Moutinho, Nani and Quaresma proved they belong in the starting 11- after the Portugal- Georgia friendly. Midfielders score, not forwards.

[WorldCup_Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Hrvat

Kovač also did something I've seen for the first time I think. His header hit the crossbar and was deflected into the post and out.

By the way, will Da Silva, the Premier League player whose leg was broken not long ago, be able to participate in the Euro? Last I heard he was recovering nicely.

[WorldCup_Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Monica 08

Highlight was who Scolari would put as striker in front of Cristiano Ronaldo and the other winger Simao.

Penalty was awarded to Portugal and the Scolari's 1st option taker, Simao Sabrosa scored.

Did you watch it? Did Cristiano seem exhausted? The two pictures I saw he didn't look too happy. Didn't want to draw any conclusions from that, of course.

I always found Simao to be very competent, and he seems to rise to every occasion where he's been given a chance. He, Cris (most of all), Ricardo the goalkeeper and Carvalho are my favorites on the Portugal team.

[Smoga]

Poland ties Denmark today 1:1. Goals: 29 min Vingaard, 43 min Krzynowek. Missed penalty Zurawski 38 mn.


Polish starting squad from today will probably start against the Germans, other than the injured players (Zewlakow, Blaszczykowski) who were watching the game from the stands.

Poland: Artur Boruc - Marcin Wasilewski, Jacek Bąk, Mariusz Jop, Jakub Wawrzyniak (46. Paweł Golański) - Dariusz Dudka, Mariusz Lewandowski, Jacek Krzynówek (77. Łukasz Garguła), Euzebiusz Smolarek (77. Marek Saganowski) - Tomasz Zahorski (46. Wojciech Łobodziński), Maciej Żurawski (46. Roger Guerreiro)

Denmark: Thomas Sorensen - Lars Jacobsen, Per Kroldrup, Anders Moller Christensen, Martin Jorgensen (46. Thomas Rasmussen), Dennis Rommedah, Christian Poulsen (78. Thomas Augustinussen), Martin Retov (64. Jesper Christiansen), Martin Vingaard (68. William Kvist), Nicklas Bendtner (90. Dennis Soerensen), Morten Nordstrand (46. Kenneth Perez)