[Jc18star]

I know it is a touch late since we are into the second round of games in the group stage but there isn't anything going in the E&G forum the Euro's other than boot talk and being a fan of the sport not just the flash gear, I want to discuss actual play so far.

I always pick Holland to win every Euro because as a neutral I love their style of play and the skill they display, but it is always something I never place money on because of the fact that you can get the best football you have ever seen one match and then everyone hating each other and messing about the next with them. For whatever reason there seems to be a lot of squad unity and not so many ego's splitting the team(this was very obvious when after Henry scored, no one got flustered, they just marched down and scored in 40 seconds) I hope they actually win it all this time around because they are a nation who based on pure skill and ability they should have many more titles in their trophy room. I am a touch annoyed with the American broadcasting staff kissing so much Dutch a$$ now but their play has been exciting so I am glad these morons on tv here can understand the game enough to know they are playing in rare way right now.

I just hope this doesn't go like WC06 when I had the Argies as my pick and they looked like destroyers of worlds in the group, a team of fate after the Maxi volley and then fell in a match that should have been the final IMO.

My other views so far...Italy and France are way past their sell by date and so are almost all their big players (Henry, Thuram, Gallas and Zambrotta looked awful)...Benzema is still good, he just has moron teammates and a moron manager....Villa is and always has been a striker and a great finisher, where Torres is a great player and average finsher...The Ronaldo love from the announcers is overboard even though he is the best player there...Buffon did not intend to make a save with his hand and foot, it was luck, don't be swayed by Tommy Smyth...Beckenbauer still can't keep his mouth shut...So far barring the snooze session that Greece always manages to put out the football has been exciting and fun to watch...England's inclusion could had actually created 2 groups of death, in theory anyway...As usual the Euro's are better to watch than the World Cup because of the better all around standard.

[UVaGooner]

I'm always for the Dutch, but had no idea they'd be playing this well. Just beautiful to watch, though the central D still scares me. However, if they keep scoring like this, that won't matter. As a bonus, it's always nice to see RVP score. If Van Basten can get Ajax to play this well, watch out!

[joey8sg8]

The Dutch have easily been the most entertaining team of Euro 08 so far.

They have kept a 7-1 sheet over two games. Winning 3-0 over WC champs, and 4-1 over WC runners-up. They have had 6 different goalscorers over 7 goals. Winning "the group of death". Their passing has been remarkable, showing an understanding and unity that hasn't been seen in a dutch side for a long time. A perfect example was Rudd's flick to Robben resulting in a cross the would find RvP's foot for the second goal of the match.

Of course luck has been on their side a bit with the controversial Rudd goal in the italy match, which disallowed, could have changed the complexion of that game. However, If the defense can hold strong (We all know about the problems in central defense) it is tough to see the Dutch team not going far in this competition.

[Jc18star]

Not to totally turn this into a Dutch lovefest but I have been impressed with Khalid Boulahrouz, who I usually rank somewhere between Titus Bramble and Bobo Balde as a defender which isnt saying much. He held Henry in check and did well on the flank against the Italians too. If he can stay at this level this rest of the time he will be vital. Rudd's spin turn to set up Robben to RVP was nasty good, and people say all he can do is tap it in.

[m4k-10]

Its amazing how he steps up from being mediocre to the high level he is now, just by playing for his national team. Shame our england players lack that attribute.

[Case]

what are matches? U mean those guys in those snazzy boots are kicking the balls for a purpose and it;s not just a giant grass-covered catwalk???

[m4k-10]

what. a. game.

and koller is an absolute embarrassment to football.

[Skizz]

Good job he's retired from the nats now.

Well done Turkey. All credit to them.

[quixoticelixir42]

refs are being incredibly strict on heated emotions during the tournament. good thing is, they're actually being consistent! Both Schweinsteiger and Volken got red for pushing people around. Didn't like seeing it happen either time but the consistency is very nice.

But man what a comeback. One of the most exciting comebacks I've seen since the '04 ALCS [i like my baseball] and '05 CL final.

[Devil500]

Italy out good riddance