June 23, 2004

First it was Spain, then Italy, now Germany are out of Euro 2004!: Germany lost to the Czech Republic 2-1 today while The Netherlands won in a rout to advance to the Euro 2004 quarterfinals. A huge fall from grace for the 2002 World Cup runners up.

posted by jasonbondshow to soccer at 05:21 PM - 8 comments

Coupeld with their performance at Euro 2000, this just shows what a huge aberration it was that Germany made the World Cup final two years ago.

posted by dng at 05:26 PM on June 23, 2004

Can I say that Germany and Italy are not the most beloved teams outside of their own countries? Both for their cautious, cynical style of play, and, especially in Italy's case, the pettiness (firing the Korean player at Perugia after his goal knocked out Italy in World Cup 2002), paranoia (implying Sweden and Denmark would fix their last group match to keep Italy out), and whining (almost all the time).

posted by worldcup2002 at 05:37 PM on June 23, 2004

I was jumping up and down cheering with delight when Baros scored the winner against the Germans. I'm afraid old enmities die hard.

posted by squealy at 06:14 PM on June 23, 2004

England, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Holland, in this order, have the best teams. I'm Portuguese but I have to say England or the Czech Republic most deserve to win, for consistency (the main quality), discipline and teamwork.

posted by Miguel Cardoso at 10:01 PM on June 23, 2004

Miguel is sleeping on France!

posted by gspm at 01:20 AM on June 24, 2004

England certainly are consistent - consistently terrified when they have a lead - anyone else notice how much better they played having gone a goal behind early on? And Milan Baros - couldn't hit a barn door with a cannon from 6 yards for Liverpool, but put him in a Czech shirt (pun flagrantly intended) and sudden'y he's Zico. What's next? Owen scoring for England? Sorry - I'm just being silly now.

posted by JJ at 05:41 AM on June 24, 2004

Miguel is just trying to put the hex on England for today's match-sorry old buddy but it won't work. Rooneymania Rules! Plus Beckham will finaly go over the edge after Figo makes a nasty comment about Posh and gets a red car for decapitation, which strangely energizes the rest of the England side, who go on to win. Figo will not play again for 12 months while Becks is committed to an asylum.

posted by billsaysthis at 10:30 AM on June 24, 2004

Rooney will get a red card tonight...

posted by StarFucker at 11:39 AM on June 24, 2004

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