EURO 2012

'e looks like some fookin' guy off the street innit? 'e's less smug than ronaldo's adam's apple

(sorry)

ah c'mon yr changing the rules midway

i don't even know the rules : /

if i recall my wdylls well enough i think andres bears a bit of a resemblance to our own darraghmac.

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmst720WL61qe41us.gif

eh only baldness and maybe pallor tbh merdey

that gif is scary more than smug but i guess he needs the money

thoughtful balls, tho xp

Sir, – Is it just a coincidence that the four countries which reached the semi-finals of the European Championship were all ruled by fascist dictators during the middle third of the 20th century? Or did this experience somehow instil unshakeable ethnic self-belief, invincible national pride and a disciplined determination to defeat the opposition?

On the other hand, of the 16 qualifiers, Ireland is the only country that has enjoyed an unbroken history, since the mid-20th century, as a democratic republic – and we finished a dismal last! What do we need to change: our players, our manager or our political system? – Yours, etc,

http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/bob.dunning/giles2.jpg

I look smug as fuck every time I eat an ice cream, to be fair.

Yeah nothing says invincible national pride like La Liga.

And I challenge anyone on earth to score the winning goal in the last minute of extra time in the world cup final and then not look at least a little pleased when caressing it an hour later.

Ireland is the only country that has enjoyed an unbroken history, since the mid-20th century, as a democratic republic

Wow, that is ages

Managing to avoid fighting the Nazis in World War II kinda helped there

I think the high ground's being taken over 'republic', rather than lack of national government.

Oh, well, they're right then!

I love Spain. http://sickmouthy.com/2012/07/02/spain-2008-2012-the-greatest-football-team-ever/

Because y'know, god forbid Ireland be lumped in with Sweden

They definitely won me over last night (xp)

There is a downside to last night, and it's that parking the bus is *still* the best way to play against them.

Em and I have been watching them closely since the 2008 WC now. They're the only international football team she gives two figs about, and Barcelona are the only club team (other than her genetic and geographic Man Utd-ness). I've actually found the ire directed towards them recently really upsetting, heaven knows why, because I shouldn't have any emotional investment in them by typical standards and contexts; I just love to watch them play, and thing they are a. good. thing. ideologically.

xpost: that's true, but you can't blame Spain for other teams playing unimaginitive all-men-back tactics.

Last night was the best final to an international competition that I can remember.

think not thing

We also shouldn't blame Spain for the coming explosion in (shitty) teams playing without a centre forward next season

Holla.

No, blame Scotland for that.

A prophet is without honour in his own land

Actually we can probably thank Scotland for the invention of tiki-taka, going all the way back to that first game against England where England did nothing but dribble and the damn abominable Scots passed the ball to each other like heathens or communists.

Some kinda metaphor goin' on

SM is a passionate individual iirc

BARCELONA 4-0 SOUTHAMPTON 12-5-1998
De la Peña (2), Mario, Luis

Barcelona: Baia, Reiziger, Nadal, Couto, Roger, Amor, De la Peña (Xavi), Mario, Oscar (Ferron), Sergi (Jofre), Pizzi (Luis).

Southampton: Jones, Warner, Benali, Richardson, Dryden, Lundekvam, Basham, Saberski (Bridge), Hirst (Sarli), Palmer (Gibben), Beresford.

carlton palmer was the crucible the debutant xavi was forged in

Carlton Palmer and David Hirst. Fucking hell.

Carlton Palmer was the proto Patrick Vieira.

england players!

when he went out, carlton palmer kept a shirt in his boot to change into if there was a fight.

Spot the odd one out

Euro 2012 team of the tournament: Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Ita), Iker Casillas (Spa), Manuel Neuer (Ger)
Defenders: Gerard Pique (Spa), Fabio Coentrao (Por), Philipp Lahm (Ger), Pepe (Por), Sergio Ramos (Spa), Jordi Alba (Spa)
Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (Ita), Steven Gerrard (Eng), Xavi (Spa), Andres Iniesta (Spa), Sami Khedira (Ger), Sergio Busquets (Spa), Mesut Ozil (Ger), Andrea Pirlo (Ita), Xabi Alonso (Spa)
Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Ita), Cesc Fabregas (Spa), Cristiano Ronaldo (Por), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Swe), David Silva (Spa)

Gerrard ahead of Mountinho? Crooksy is that you?

Gerrard and Ibrahimovic both failed to get to the semis. Zlatan didn't even get out of the group stages.

you've seen teams of the tournament before? you know they're not just based on how the team that player played in did?

e.g. gerard hit over 3 good crosses in nearly 400 mins of football so he clearly deserves his spot

and they were both standouts in fairly crap teams tbf. Gerrard got three assists in four games which i'm sure is up there

Iniesta got player of the tournament btw

yeah i don't think either inclusion is ludicrous tbh. it's a big (and wholly imaginary) squad.

Lol at both the Golden Boot winner and the dude he narrowly edged out both failing to make the squad.

I would say the inclusion of Balotelli is somewhat debatable. Though i'm not sure who you would put in his place

Samaras, clearly.

Actually Greek right sided frwd who came on as sub in first game, scored and who set up Samaras goal vs Germany? Was also good vs Russia iirc.

Or Madzukic.

I was just spotting the odd ones out.

Gerrard's probably the only one who can only speak one language.