Thread: Spankings

Anyone just watch Wales deliver some spankings?

gg

Haven't seen the match yet. But was hoping we would be playing against them. Nothing against Belgium, mind you. But it's great to see these small teams get up there. Of course... it has to stop on the next match.

Saw the game this morning.

There are Cinderella stories are there are Cinderella stories. Iceland is a charming team, but Wales is the real deal football. I had only seen them play Slovakia and wasn't impressed, despite their victory. So after this game I skimmed through Northern Ireland, England and Russia and this time was impressed. They have a terrifying recover ability on both the middlefield and defense and move into counterattack at lightning speed. Like Belgium, Portuguese defense is a complete disaster and while our middlefield and attack has a strong hold on the ball, it's inevitable that we will be facing their fast run ups.

I would say at this point that I would have much preferred facing Belgium in the next match, instead of Wales, if it was not for the fact Wales also collects yellow cards as if they were gift cards. So two of their most important players will be out for next match. So... "Bring it on Wales! We haven't won a match yet and I'm dumbfounded how we got here, but you'll start our redemption."

The end of Italy-Germany was ridiculous.

gg

Too bad. I was rooting for the Icelandic underdogs. I guess there's still Wales to root for

gg

Originally Posted by Codeplug

Too bad. I was rooting for the Icelandic underdogs. I guess there's still Wales to root for

err... <cough>

Rooting for the underdog eventually payed off. We'll see if they can do it again on Sunday

gg

Joker. But fair enough, Portugal's climb to the final hasn't been exactly shinny. But good news on France. Although I was expecting Germany in the final, France was a secret desire.

We have an old score to settle. From way back in 1984, also in France, when in the semifinals we went from a 2-0 win to a 2-3 defeat. And since Michel Platini was our executioner, and Ronaldo has just equaled his record of 9 goals total in European final tournaments, this game may take the sweet, sweet, taste of cold served revenge.

Well, that's done.

Some doubted of course. I did too. Couldn't understand the process of a team that went through the final tournament by only winning 1 game in the normal 90 minutes period. Ironically, the same thing happening also in the final. But like Italy in a world championship some years ago, there's more to football then the appearances. As a wise French journalist warned before the match, this is also a team that hasn't lost a single official game in the last 2 years. Not even one. And that has won every single qualification game without even so much a draw. He warned that Portugal is a difficult, if not impossible team to beat.

I was doubtful for a while. I confess. But that game against Croatia was the moment I saw we could get there. When a coach can completely change the tactical disposition of a team, not once but two times in a single game and while the players are playing without performing any substitution, is a thing beauty. And shows the players discipline and team work, like no other team this year in the Euro. I'm sorry to those that may think we didn't deserve this win, but we totally did.

You are right. He was definitely wrong. And I do remember that game now.
2 months short of 2 years is still 2 years. But Portugal did lose one of the qualification games.