- 19 Jun 08, 11:40 AM
Salzburg - 1,302 miles travelled
Greece's departure from Euro 2008 is as symbolic of the current European Championship as their unexpected victory in Portugal four years ago.
Back then, Otto Rehhagel's team caught the footballing world unaware when they lifted the Henri Delaunay Trophy with a 1-0 success over the host nation. It was a victory for tactical, defensive football, of organisation and a willingness to work hard.
Had they tried to play exciting, expansive football, no doubt they would have exited early, although in no way do I criticise the way they constructed their triumph.
But much as Rehhagel's achievement may have met with approval in technical workshops across Europe, it made for a poor spectacle as gifted teams were ground into the dirt. It was not the sort of football to make armchair supporters spontaneously throw their beer and popcorn all over the front room.
There was a touch of romance about it, but, a little bit like Love Story, you don't want to see it twice.
Thankfully, King Otto has lost his crown as defensive, stodgy football has given way to free-flowing action and a tournament that has restored one's faith in the international game.
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The group stage at Euro 2008 has been rich in quality and last-ditch drama. There have been seven goals in second-half injury time as teams have opted to pursue victory right to the end rather than settle for a draw.
Poland, the Czechs and Switzerland all saw their campaigns undermined after conceding late goals - the last two at the hands of Turkey - while Gianluigi Buffon's penalty save against Romania, combined with his team's dramatic win over France, have ensured that the Italians have also provided plenty to engage the viewer.
As for the Dutch, top scorers so far with nine goals, they have been a revelation, while Spain, who have been just as entertaining, have scored eight times.
But for all the thrills and spills, we still have a quarter-final line-up boasting most of the pre-tournament favourites, the crushingly disappointing French excepted. You look at the teams left and I'm not sure there are any real spoliers. There will be no dour but triumphant Greece this year.
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In Portugal, there were 64 goals in the group stage - compared to 57 this year - but just 13 followed in the seven knockout games. It resulted in a tournament that faded badly as a thirst for success succumbed to a fear of failure.
This year it could all be different. I really hope that the spirit of endeavour we have seen so far ensures that ties such as Germany v Portugal and Spain v Italy match their billing. We don't want bob and weave, more toe-to-toe, slugging it out.
If that happens, then we could have the best major tournament in a generation. Couldn't we?
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It could be the best Euros ever? Has there ever been a previous Euro Championship that has has so much flair, and attacking play with has enthralled so many of us? Certainly not after 1988 (which was first one I saw).
The Quarters have 8 teams all capable of taking the ultimate prize. I look forward to them with mouth watering anticipation. Let the flair reign over fear and Im hoping this will be remembered as the best Euros ever.
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Is it all the more entertaining because we don't have to watch a home nation try and fail to play the football we all want them to?
It certainly is for me.
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For the first time in the 21st century the attacking sides are rewarded for their play instead of the teams that play defensive or worse anti-football style.
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Th fact is all the defences are rubbish this year, so teams are being forced to attack rather than settle for a 1 nil. So the romantic thought that teams have taken stock of what happen four years ago gone out to attack and entertain has actually been forced upon them.
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Stapperspne... I totally agree. Without the nagging, acidic feeling in your gut that always comes with watching England in any major tournament, and the inevitable disappointment when we fail to deliver, this tournament is far more enjoyable!
But I certainly think that for once the flair teams, those willing to go and win a game, are reaping the rewards. Long may it continue!
Prediction:
Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia and Italy (unfortunately) through to semis.
Portugal to beat Croatia in extra time. The Dutch to win against Italy?
To be honest I can see the Oranje celebrating a week on Sunday. They have all the momentum...
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Salzburg! Fantastic city. Two things you must do, and their both slightly off the main tourist path.
1) The cemetery of St Sebastian's Church: One of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe (and I have visited a few). Plus it contains the grave of Paracelsus. You probably haven't heard of him but he was one of the most interesting characters in Late Medieval/Early Renaissance Europe. A bit of a cult figure: "Philip Theophrastus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim, or Paracelsus,16th Century medic on the border between the medieval and modern...wrote influential books on medicine, surgery, alchemy and theology, while living a drunken, combative, vagabond life."
2) The Augustiner Bräu at Mülln. One of the most interesting beerhouses in Europe. A modest doorway and a flight of steps lead to 3 cavernous beerhalls (formerly the monks' refectories) and to large beer gardens. A limited choice of beers (just the one!, except at Lent or Christmas), but it tastes wonderful when drunk from a genuine stein. Not far from the New Town - about 15 mins walk (westwards) alongside the river or take a bus.
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I'm going to go with Germany (Ronaldo will choke in the big occasion yet again), Netherlands (for the simple fact that they cannot stop scoring goals), Croatia (with their shear determination) and Spain (please, please, please beat Italy) to go through.
And i'd love to see the Croats win it in the end.
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Euro 2000 will still be the peak of international football for me. Even the World Cup 2006 had, in my opinion, more quality and excitement in the group stages than Euro 2008, before becoming defensive in the knockout stages. Teams always get cagey in the knockout games.
Oh, and Spain will lose to Italy.
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I actually think the refs are to blame for the more fluent play, they don't blow their whistles too fast and give preference to the game being played, very good reffing actually
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well_spoken - A shame I did not get your message earlier as I would have tried to check those out.
As for Euro 2008 - weaker defences, better refereeing, the fact England aren't there.... Above all of these is, I think, the fact that teams really are playing to win rather than avoid defeat.
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HELLO MR FLETCER I WANT TO ASK U WHERE ENGLAND IS IN EURO 2008 BECAUSE MY TEAM GREECE WAS..GREECE EURO 2004 CHAMP..
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Love Story, a film unrepentant in its atheism, would never be greenlighted by a Hollywood studio today. How things change.
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I believe any of the remaining 8 teams have the potential to win because they all have strengths and weaknesses. T
he team put as rank outsiders would be Turkey, but if they get a chance when the opposition is tired, they will punish you like against the Czechs.
Holland, probably the favourites, are great upfront but may have peaked too soon and I doubt they'll keep the goals flooding through. If they dry up upfront, they will be on the losing side.
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Without the gut churning worry of praying for a clean sheet and maybe nicking one from a set piece or a bit of Owen opportunism (or someone to 'win us a penalty'), I'm enjoying this tournament more than any other one i've seen.
It's a joy to watch the Dutch in particular, as they string together results and performances that make you wonder if we might not potentially be looking at one of the greatest Euro Champ teams ever (although i do think they have to win it to be considered for this, not fail bravely)
I feel blessedly free of the ferocious marketing and hype (please buy something!) of 'our boys', of red-tops doing down our next opponents, of being robbed, of stories of our fans involvement in crowd trouble, of our players talking themselves up and gurning for glossy mags before the tournament and playing like a disperate bunch of scared individuals when it matters. Free of all the cr@p and the hype that go with Ingerlands involvement in a tournament we can just get on and enjoy the actual football!
The quality of some of the attacking play is excellent. England's fearful, stodgy, muddling 'style' would have looked pretty ruddy awful by direct comparison - perhaps we've saved ourselves some blushes!
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LEPAP21 - Now then, I hope you're not taking matters the wrong way. It was great in many, many ways that Greece won Euro 2004 and I was delighted for them. This year, though, I want the focus to be on attacking football.
England aren't at Euro 2008 because they weren't good enough in qualifying. Simple.
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"I'm going to go with Germany (Ronaldo will choke in the big occasion yet again),"
Like he choked in the champs league final scoring a great header?
Fool
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Ronaldo did coke in champs league final? he fluffed his penalty.
bigger fool!
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"Ronaldo did coke in champs league final?" A revelation surely?!
Mutu would be proud.
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RowlandC, spot on with your assesment of England not being there. Being a Scot, I've been used to this for 10 years now. In all honesty, I wish we were at these tournis, but you've just got to put up with what's put in front of you.
I've mentioned before to Fletch that you get a totally different perspective of games as you aren't caught up in the headlights. You can see teams/games for what they are. Get past the initial shock of not qualifying this time and you can really enjoy the footy. In hindsight it hasn't done you any harm not qualifying this time, because it will make you realise that you don't have the god given right to be there on reputation. You have to earn the right.
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Portugal 2004 - 7 knockout games, 13 goals. Austria and Switzerland 2008 - one knockout game so far, 5 goals. A classic on the cards?
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Agree entirely with the comments about England not being there and being able to enjoy the football and the tournament as a result.I'm actually taking my son over to Vienna next weekend for the final and we're planning to watch the game in the fanzone - both hoping for Holland in the final and winning it.I'll be in my Argyle top and my son in his Everton one so perhaps you will be able to pick us out Fletch.All the best to PNE for next season by the way.
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has anyone else noticed that the balls in this tournament seem much lighter than usual. how many long range shots have gone in rather than flying over the bar? decent players with the ability to shoot successfully from distance have regularly skied it. with the exception of Ballack's how many other long range shots have found the target? Oh the wonders of modern technology!
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Choker!!!
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Possibly the most exciting Euro's in the modern era. 1976 was the reason why the European Championship's was expanded. The four games in Yugoslavia were tremendously exciting (still can be seen on ESPN Classic now and then).
Then UEFA ballsed up with Europa 80 by removing the Semi Finals, but Euro 84 was superb and Euro 2000 came close.
Ironically, the two best tournaments, 1976 and 1984 didn't feature England.
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11 in 3 knockout games thusfar, this is shaping up very well.
And having seen most of the sides, I don't want to be harsh, but England would not have exactly bought a lot to the party. Fancy, thinking that losing out to Russia after tonight was some travesty!
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