O/T Eurocup & Bisons Thread

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 1:53 PM EDT Comment 141 comments

Consider this a match thread for the semi-finals of the Eurocup, beginning at 2:30 this afternoon. Also, to keep it somewhat baseball related, we can follow Buffalo's game this afternoon which begins at 2 (Jeff "sure to win our hearts" Harris is on the mound for the Bisons). My two favorite teams got knocked out in the quarters (Netherlands and Croatia), so I've got no strong opinions on any of the remaining squads. It'd be fun to see Turkey beat Germany, but they've got so many guys out for today's match that I find that very unlikely. Russia's played very solid football, but I feel obliged to root for Spain. I hope Spain plays more animated football than they did in the quarterfinal matchup with Italy, which was extremely boring. Is that 75 words?

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i despise russia, but i like both turkey and germany. so i really just hope spain beats russia. I MEAN I FREAKING DESPISE RUSSIA PEOPLE

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 25, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

how very 1980’s of you

by DocNo on Jun 26, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

also! i am more excited about this thread than any recent Indians thread

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 25, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

boo top of the 1st

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

http://www.snopes.com/photos/advertisements/ballgirl.asp

Saw this viral video on the front of milb.com. I was pretty sure it was a fake and snoped confirmed it. Awesome video though .. wish it were real.

by Toxicadam on Jun 25, 2008 2:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, really. Thanks for sharing.

by ken from alexandria on Jun 25, 2008 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude, I saw it, rewatched it, and didn’t even consider it was fake. I don’t know why.

It's the Arizona talking, really.

by RD74 on Jun 25, 2008 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

who knew Matt Kata was hanging out in the Pirates farm system?

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why won’t my milb radio feed work?

Screw this temp job.

by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bryan Bullington used to sort of be a deal, right?

by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

1 pick wasn’t he?

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 25, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. #1 pick in 2002. Decent through 2005, struggled a bit since then between the AAA/MLB levels.

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A bit? That seems kind.

by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Had shoulder surgery and was out for all of 2006

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Every once in a while I see Jeff Harris’ line, think it’s Jeff Stevens, and get spooked.

by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Harris with the big K.

by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 2:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Schweinsteiger is a little frightening

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 2:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ESPN360 sucks. They tell me I can watch the game, but when I try t they say my provider doesn’t carry it.

by SuddenSam on Jun 25, 2008 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Turkey is taking it to Germany in the early going. If they score, it’ll make Germany’s life very tough!

by peter m on Jun 25, 2008 3:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Delayed in Buffalo.

by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

turkey looks really good

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 25, 2008 3:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Croatia completely outplayed them, except for the whole “putting the ball in the net” part of the game

by JulioBernazard on Jun 25, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Turkey!

by ASP on Jun 25, 2008 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

!!!

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ESPN’s game cast contains the following comment. It’s not just baseball fans who are irritated by on-the-air commentary!!

“The supposedly ‘great’ British commentator John Motson has completely lost the plot judging by the opening to this game. He’s spewing some right rubbish about.”

Love it!

by peter m on Jun 25, 2008 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

John Motson is borderline senile!...and you don’t even want to know about his joke of a colour guy. You guys have it good…trust me

by Luis (Tribe Fan in London) on Jun 26, 2008 4:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Turkey 1, Germany 0. WOW!!!!

by peter m on Jun 25, 2008 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Turkey has some kind of heart

by Roger Dorn on Jun 25, 2008 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

GER ties it.

by JulioBernazard on Jun 25, 2008 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Germany equalizes. 1-1. Not exactly the defensive struggle that was expected.

by peter m on Jun 25, 2008 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorry I’ve had to bail on this thread, but that was a great first half. I love the aggressive attacking from Turkey. And what’s not to like about staplers to the head?

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Surprising? I thought the under-manned Turks were going to pack it in and hope for kicks. Instead they’ve outshot the Germans 15-3.

by SuddenSam on Jun 25, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess they’re adopting the “what do we have to lose” approach. I like it. Although their entire defense just got outrun on that last play.

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Surprising? I thought the under-manned Turks were going to pack it in and hope for kicks. Instead they’ve outshot the Germans 15-3.

by SuddenSam on Jun 25, 2008 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do the Cavs have a pick in the draft tomorrow? I’ve become so accustomed to just viewing the team as Lebron, Z, and whatever veteran cast-offs Ferry can assemble throughout the course of the season/off-season.

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes – 19th pick in the first round. No pick in the second round. If anyone tells you they have a clue what Danny Ferry will do with the pick, they’re lying.

Free Andy Marte!

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am hoping for one of the Kansas guys, Rush or Chalmers

by Roger Dorn on Jun 25, 2008 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want someone who can shoot the pill. These doodz would foot the bill.

by JulioBernazard on Jun 25, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

fit the bill

by JulioBernazard on Jun 25, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

2 of the top defenders in this draft as well

by Roger Dorn on Jun 25, 2008 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kelvin Diaz is the Crash Davis of the Dominican Summer League

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Can he come over yet?

by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m assuming not. He’s kicking the crap out of the DSL for the 3rd time I believe, so I assume he still has visa issues.

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t get it. How hard can it be?

by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was a nice opportunity for the Germans

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 4:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this is irritating. the game is still on-going, right?

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Smoke Em Brian Slocum.

by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 4:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

this is nice. both teams are gunning.

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 4:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

not again….are you kidding me?

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think we missed a goal

by Roger Dorn on Jun 25, 2008 4:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Klose for ze Germans

by Roger Dorn on Jun 25, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

SOB

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fire lightning

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 4:25 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

How many Turkey cable workers have been stabbed already? Not a very patient group of people

by Bernie19Kosar on Jun 25, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You think the Germans are? You’ve clearly never waited in line with a bunch of Germans.

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would pay $500 for Tommy Smyth to describe a goal as “Magically delicious!”

by Bernie19Kosar on Jun 25, 2008 4:29 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs

This is the funniest thing I have read on this site in ages.

Free Andy Marte!

Pronk Needs You

by woodsmeister on Jun 25, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Turks will not die

by Bernie19Kosar on Jun 25, 2008 4:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Unbelievable!

by Roger Dorn on Jun 25, 2008 4:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Turkey is probably toast now

by Roger Dorn on Jun 25, 2008 4:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Asdrubal just made some baller defensive play.

by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, you have to admire a team that plays so well despite missing so many key players. If you know what I mean.

by SuddenSam on Jun 25, 2008 4:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Another baller defensive play out of the ‘cab.

by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 4:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

he better. that 0-4 today dropped his average to a pathetic .426.

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

great now i have to pray for spain to shock russia.

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 25, 2008 4:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

would that really be a shock?

by APV on Jun 25, 2008 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, no, not really. but spain looked really bad against italy.

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 25, 2008 7:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

to be fair, most teams would have looked bad against an Italian team that determined to defend a 0-0

by Luis (Tribe Fan in London) on Jun 26, 2008 4:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bisons lose!

by afh4 on Jun 25, 2008 5:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What an unbelieveable finish to the Germany v Turkey game!! It was amazing that Turkey got a taste of their own medicine but you had to feel sorry for them.

Moment of the night though was definitely the staples to the head…I mean..what?! really? is that normal?

by Luis (Tribe Fan in London) on Jun 26, 2008 4:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It was a great match. I really wish the television feed hadn’t kept cutting out.

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had to wait to catch this on Classic at night. What a fantastic game. I honestly cannot figure out why football does not catch on over here. That upset would have made Fresno State pale in comparison. Turkey ended up just being outclassed by the Germans (Schweinsteiger’s goal was especially impressive) but that was the kind of tournament of which dreams are made.

Proud supporter of the Cleveland.

by fwembt on Jun 26, 2008 9:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

maybe because I just haven’t been exposed to it enough, but I have a hard time following league soccer. but national tournaments like the EuroCup and WorldCup, I absolutely love.

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Try watching the English Premiership. It’s the best league in the world right now and usually provides some pretty exciting watching.

Proud supporter of the Cleveland.

by fwembt on Jun 28, 2008 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually think football IS starting to catch on a little. There’s noticeably more coverage in the media of events like the World Cup and the EuroCup and I think more Americans can name a few of the big time international players than would have been true in the past (Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Thierry Henry all come to mind). There have been good analyses of why it’s unlikely to supplant one of the existing national sports here (just as it hasn’t in places like India or even Australia where other sports dominated popular attention). But, I do think it’s getting more attention and might achieve at least the level of popularity at the national level that NHL hockey does (not local—some cities are really focused on their hockey team).

by peter m on Jun 26, 2008 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love national tournaments. MLS, not so much.

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 26, 2008 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

MLS is ok. Sure, if you watch a Euro match and then an MLS match you can see an almost hilarious difference in quality, but honestly that’s not all that important to me. I don’t root for my team because they’re the best, I root for them because they’re my team, dammit. Otherwise I’d be a #$@%* Red Sox fan.

One way to enjoy MLS a lot more is to only watch games that are broadcast from DC, Toronto, or Houston, because the fan support makes those games a lot more fun to watch.

by still ill on Jun 26, 2008 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

but i just don’t have a reason to adopt an MLS team.

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 26, 2008 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I ended up just semi-randomly picking one, and I’m glad I did.

by still ill on Jun 26, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t. It’s like adopting a retarded puppy. At first you love your little puppy and it just seems like the greatest thing there ever was. Then, one day, you go to the park and see other puppies. They chase frisbies, come when they are called and generally just act cute. Your puppy trips on its own feet and plays in his own feces. Suddenly you realize that your puppy kind of sucks. That’s the MLS.

Of course, if you have a hometown team, that may not matter.

Proud supporter of the Cleveland.

by fwembt on Jun 28, 2008 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Toronto FC fans are ridiculous. Closest thing to Europe you’ll ever see in North America.

by supermarioelia on Jun 26, 2008 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What does the US national team look like these days? I saw part of a “friendly” with England a little while back and they looked pathetic, but I don’t know if that was their A team.
Any really talented players on the rise?

by DocNo on Jun 26, 2008 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They looked terrible against England, iffy against Spain and suddenly pretty dang good against Argentina in a two-week stretch earlier this month. They’ve just started the easier part of WC qualifying so they’ll be seeing a lot of Guatemala, Cuba, and Trinidad & Tobago for the next five months.

Freddy Adu, who you may recall being hyped to death as a 14-year-old, is now 19, playing in Portugal, and starting to look like the real deal. MLS also just sold a beastly young striker, Jozy Altidore, to Villareal for 10 or 12 million bucks. These guys should both be on the U-23 team at the Olympics this summer.

by still ill on Jun 26, 2008 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Went to college with Charlie Davies who is a future star for the US as well

by Roger Dorn on Jun 26, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I should also have mentioned that midfielder Michael Bradley scored approximately one million goals for Heerenveen this past year, but he’s usually used as a more defensive midfielder with the US for some reason.

by still ill on Jun 26, 2008 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks for all the references . . . I did some brief checking and it does look like there are some young players to be excited about.
And Michael Bradley can even hold his own in Dutch! (barely, but still)

by DocNo on Jun 26, 2008 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They are the best team in North America, one of the best in the Americas and probably not even to 20 in the world. Still remarkably inconsistent and without any real threat (Dempsey aside) going forward. They struggle to play anything even vaguely resembling compelling football.

Proud supporter of the Cleveland.

by fwembt on Jun 28, 2008 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the future is at least a bit brighter with Adu and Altidore, though I admit even though I live in the US I really have limited knowledge of the men’s national team and the MLS..I’m a big European guy. All I know is, with the US’ terrible backline every single game, if we didn’t have a world class keeper we’d be so, so, so bad.

And I don’t really care for Bob Bradley, though I think he’s a ton better than Arena.

by ASP on Jun 28, 2008 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boooooooooo snobs, all of you.

The Red Sox play compelling baseball. Jacoby Ellsbury has “pace.” I think they’re the team for you.

Also Mexico just hired a European coach who used to manage England (which is like, the capital of soccer from what I hear), so I think you’d probably like to root for them, too, at least once Sven gets them to start playing that compelling European football.

I’m sticking with my retarded mongrel teams.

by still ill on Jun 29, 2008 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what.

by ASP on Jun 29, 2008 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe he compared cheering for an English team to cheering for the Red Sox. I would say that it is like cheering for the Indians over the Lake County Captains. Ah well, I’m English anyway so what do I know.

Proud supporter of the Cleveland.

by fwembt on Jun 29, 2008 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

can we just make this the open thread for today’s game too? thanks BOOO RUSSIA GAZPROM POLLUTES

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 26, 2008 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yes…and the Aeros are playing right now

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

After getting no hit through 6, the Aeros tied it up at 2 in the 7th, thanks in part to a Stephen Head HR.

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 2:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Luis Perdomo’s in Akron…when did that happen?

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 2:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

that means we can officially start paying attention to him as a potential Indians reliever

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

who?

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 26, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This guy. He’s got 155Ks in 127IP, while only allowing 7 HRs and 73 Hs. A year ago he was doing this at Lake County as a 23-year old. Now he’s in Akron as a 24-year old. That’s the kind of development I like to see.

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

While the knowledge that Andy Roddick is engaged to Brooklyn Decker does not make me happy, the frequent camera shots of her looking “concerned” over his play is quite enjoyable.

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If you’re waiting for the game to start there’s a kicking Andrew Jackson documentary on history channel. H.W. Brands showing he’s the man as a historical commentators.

by afh4 on Jun 26, 2008 2:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m a Henry Clay guy

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 26, 2008 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pedro Gomez is now covering the soccer beat with Bonds blacklisted? Ugh.

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 2:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A second sac fly for Hodges gives Akron a 3-2 lead going into the 9th

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Are you ready for some football?

by afh4 on Jun 26, 2008 2:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Prediction: 2-1 Spain

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 2:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i hope so

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 26, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Enough with your white on white racism.

by afh4 on Jun 26, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like the Spanish side a lot.

by afh4 on Jun 26, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Adam, what’s your opinion on the AA-AAA difference? I’ve always ‘heard’, though I’ve never seen it all that well sourced, that AA is probably as good as AAA and in some instances better.

Can that possibly be true? And if it is, why isn’t Hodges just in the majors already?

by afh4 on Jun 26, 2008 2:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I also tend to diminish the difference between AA and AAA. But probably more than I should. My sense is that you have more big-time prospects at AA and a lot more veteran ML-backups in AAA. I’m sure if you scan through BP, THT, or BTF you’ll find detailed studies of it. I think one of the challenges is that the competition any individual player faces between the two leagues is pretty variable depending on which teams they actually face and who is currently on that team. When I used to read John Sickels blog regularly he would do a feature called the AA-transition monitor, looking at what he saw was the biggest transition a prospect faced (aside from the promotion to the bigs), the transition from A to AA.

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When I used to read John Sickels blog

I’m in that boat too!

Yeah, I should pay for a BP subscription. Isn’t it incomprehensible I don’t have one?

Anyway, your sense is the same as mine. I wonder how MLE’s calculate AA to MLB and AAA to MLB. Seeing that math might help.

by afh4 on Jun 26, 2008 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m pretty sure they just do a regression analysis lumping together how players fare at the various levels, taking into account issues of age, competition, etc…

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I know. But there’s got to be some kind of multipliers that the system spits out, right? Maybe not.

by afh4 on Jun 26, 2008 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here’s some words from TangoTiger on MLEs and a long discussion on the subject

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice bad puns

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 26, 2008 2:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Spain looks like a totally different team than the match against Italy so far. Which is a good thing.

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 2:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nice chance for spain early

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 26, 2008 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I forgot Cleveland plays tonight. Ugh.

by afh4 on Jun 26, 2008 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What time’s the draft?

by afh4 on Jun 26, 2008 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Great defense.

by afh4 on Jun 26, 2008 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it wrong that all the Spanish players remind me of that guy from Unfaithful?

by afh4 on Jun 26, 2008 3:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

oh come on …

by Gradyforpresident on Jun 26, 2008 3:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Fun suggestion: Imagine Eric Wedge as a soccer coach, complete with suit and complicated glasses frame.

by NickFantana on Jun 26, 2008 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lippi taking over for Donadoni in Italy again. Thank god.

by ASP on Jun 26, 2008 4:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

had to step out….has Spain been in charge?

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’d say so..Russia has shown nothing in the second half

by ASP on Jun 26, 2008 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well that just about raps it up.

by ASP on Jun 26, 2008 4:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Spain up 2-0. Nice goal, too. That probably does it. Are we for Spain or Germany? I think Spain.

by peter m on Jun 26, 2008 4:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Now 3-0.

by ASP on Jun 26, 2008 4:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

English/Scottish announcers are so great.

by ASP on Jun 26, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition

by APV on Jun 26, 2008 4:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

David Villa will miss the Final, though. Blow for Spain.

by ASP on Jun 26, 2008 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Guiza has looked fantastically pacy so far but even he won’t be a ble to fill in for Villa. Guiza just doesn’t have the skill/pace combination that it is going to take to unseat Metzelder and Mertesacker in the back. I do think Torres could really give Lahm fits on the outside. I think Podolski and Klose will have enough going forward to win it for Germany. Call it 2-0 Germany in a pretty dry match.

Proud supporter of the Cleveland.

by fwembt on Jun 28, 2008 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fabregas looked pretty darn good filling in for Villa against Russia, though. I think Germany squeaks one out, possibly with a goal in extra time. 2-1.

by ASP on Jun 28, 2008 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He really did. I was actually somewhat surprised at how fluid Spain stayed with him in there. Not that there is anything wrong with him, but usually the loss of a starting XI striker slows you down a bit.

Proud supporter of the Cleveland.

by fwembt on Jun 28, 2008 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

true. I mean, sure Villa had that great opening game, but it’s not like going to Fabregas is a real downgrade. He was arguably the best player in the Premier League the first quarter of last season.

by ASP on Jun 29, 2008 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, so much for that prediction. Spain was just too fast all match.

Proud supporter of the Cleveland.

by fwembt on Jun 29, 2008 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’d say your line about Torres and Lahm was one hell of a prediction!

by Luis (Tribe Fan in London) on Jul 1, 2008 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had forgotten about that one. I wish I hadn’t followed that up by predicting that Klose would do anything. Of course, that kick he took would slow just about anyone.

Proud supporter of the Cleveland.

by fwembt on Jul 1, 2008 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now that Euro 2008 is all over I stuck some thoughts on it up on the SB Nation soccer site, Global Futbol, as a FanPost. If anyone wants to add their two cents then feel free because I thought it was a really good tournament this year.

by Luis (Tribe Fan in London) on Jul 4, 2008 3:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs