Euro 2008 Austria/Switzerland Official Thread

[Square Ball]

some classic Euro goals here.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/euro2008/2008/06/football_focus_needs_you_with.html

[Gabriel_Hurl]

Are we running a Fantasy competition on the board for Euro 2008?

I can set one up if you want

[Niall Quinn]

Are we running a Fantasy competition on the board for Euro 2008?

I can set one up if you want

There's one on the go Gabe:

http://gaaboard.com/board/index.php?topic=7795.45

[Shortso79]

Holland to beat the Czechs in the final

[Billys Boots]

Bad blow for Italia!

From uefa.com:
Italy lose captain Cannavaro by Paolo Menicucci from Milan

The Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has been ruled out of UEFA EURO 2008™ after rupturing ligaments in his left ankle during the Azzurri's first training session at their base in Modling, Austria yesterday. Coach Roberto Donadoni reacted by calling in the ACF Fiorentina defender Alessandro Gamberini.

Chiellini tackle
The 34-year-old Real Madrid CF centre-back, capped 116 times, sustained the knock following a tackle by fellow defender Giorgio Chiellini and was carried off the field on a stretcher. Italy doctor Paolo Zeppilli said he feared that the injury was "not minor" and so it proved as hospital tests confirmed the extent of the damage.

Big boots
Gamberini joins up with the squad having won two previous caps. The 26-year-old may have big boots to fill – Cannvaro skippered Italy to FIFA World Cup glory in 2006 – but the former Bologna FC defender can take confidence from a consistent season during which he appeared 40 times in Serie A and the UEFA Cup for the Viola.

[ONeill]

Poland crank it up.

[Chrisowc]

Poland crank it up.

That's pretty shocking stuff

To think that the English media were being criticized for their xenophobia at the beginning of this thread regarding their coverage/lack of coverage.

[lurganblue]

they are starting to get very nervous over here about Sunday and quite a few people are talking about hooligans and the high possibility of trouble...
What you think? would be much of a possibility of trouble at a big major event these days (considering rangers arent in it, and the big screens will most probably work)

[Doogie Browser]

Poland crank it up.

That's pretty shocking stuff

To think that the English media were being criticized for their xenophobia at the beginning of this thread regarding their coverage/lack of coverage.

That was me Chris, didn't think my comments would have gone so far!  That is shocking from the Polish press though and I see Benhakker apologised for this yesterday. 

Back on topic, I am plumping for Portugal, dark horses for me are Sweden (though have to meet Group of death opponents in QF).

[lurganblue]

thought i´d post some pics i took of the Fan Mile in Vienna today.  There wasnt all that many people about yet but i´m sure there will be in an hour or so









and the biggest Austria supporter around...

[Shortso79]

Good photos - lurgan blue - keep us updated on the banter

[doire na raithe]

i absolutely despise mark bright

[lurganblue]

right lads so i took a walk down to the fan mile tonight to watch the two games.  There is obviously a lot of turkish support already in the city (vienna) but the croats, germans and polish had all arrived which made for a good atmosphere during the games. i took a few pics...

the all important beer stall. first stop




the turkish fans singing and dancing, they always have one person leading the party for some reason?







the atmosphere was good tonight but i´m expecting it too be a lot better tomorrow as the games are actually in Vienna.

On the games themselves tonight i thought switzerland were at least worth a draw if not more but portugal were well worth their win.  Still i think it was a quiet enough start to the tournament

[The Real Laoislad]

I thought Portugal were excellent tonight,You'd think by Ray Houghton they were brutal...
Some lovely passing moves and a great first goal especially for a centre back! what was he doing that high up the pitch..Imagine Paul McShane starting a move and scoring like that..Great goal

[Norf Tyrone]

Quiet enough start as Lurgan states.

The Swiss were a wee bit unlucky, with Cech saving one or two of their efforts. The Portugese were very good, although it'll be interesting to see how poor Turkey are as they looked dire tonight. My main interest was Bosingwa's performance. Thought he looked good going forward, but would need to see a good left winger at him to make up final judgement.