Didn't make it through to the championship.stupid question - where are Netherlands?
That was two world cups ago, in 2010. IIRC that was a bit of a Cinderella run as it is.It feels like really recently (the last one?) they were in the finals of the World Cup.
Music and passion are always in fashion there, I hear.Not so good for ya @Bubble181. At least it wasn't a horrible hand ball like the Brazil-Peru match at Copa.
i was nosy enough to look it up, two years ago they were 3rd!!!!That was two world cups ago, in 2010. IIRC that was a bit of a Cinderella run as it is.
Yes, with a good drawing, some luck, a lot of other teams who were tired because of the early date in the year where other teams' players all played in ongoing competitions where the Dutch had mostly already finished, and as one last hurrah of the last generation - and even so they over-achieved.i was nosy enough to look it up, two years ago they were 3rd!!!!
That pass from Bonucci for Giaccherini's goal was nothing short of pornographic.Yes, with a good drawing, some luck, a lot of other teams who were tired because of the early date in the year where other teams' players all played in ongoing competitions where the Dutch had mostly already finished, and as one last hurrah of the last generation - and even so they over-achieved.
The Belgians yesterday did exactly as expected (I prognosticated a 0-1, myself, but still). Our coach simply can't get his players to play together as a team, and despite all the effort, we still can't manage against a team that defends. We can play great football if the other side plays offensively, as shown at the WC against America, but a good, well-defending team paralyzes our unimaginative offense and a single good blitz can pass by our defenses, as Italy showed twice.
We'll win against Ireland, I guess, but I'm far from sure Sweden won't manage a tie or a win - Ibrahimovich is just the player for that "one quick flash".
Yup. Though now we're back into "the Red Devils are Saints and Wilmots Can Do No Wrong" and I don't understand. yes, we played a better match and, most importantly, won, but the first half sucked and we didn't accomplish anything until Ireland started playing and stopped defending. Italy defended the whole match, and every game we've played in the last 3 or so years has shown the same. We can win if the other guys play ball, but we can't if the other side hunkers down and waits for a counter opportunity. We're one big Ronaldo.Bubble, hope you are okay with what I'm sure is lots of wild celebrations with the Belgian win today.
I was really hoping that Iceland could have held on for the win against Hungary, but Hungary finally started just putting the ball on goal to get something to happen.
Portugal-Austria is on now, Rinaldo already looking like the whining is going to be EPIC today.
Ronaldo is, talent-wise, in the top 3 players of the world. His attitude and way of dealing with things is why he'll never be the player Messi is, though. Seriously.I really dislike Ronaldo.
He's got talent, that's a given but he's a punk ass bitch. He still acts like a spoiled child and he's in his 30ies now.Ronaldo is, talent-wise, in the top 3 players of the world. His attitude and way of dealing with things is why he'll never be the player Messi is, though. Seriously.
Oh, I don't know, look at the classy, mature way he deals with a journalist asking him if he was completely ready before the final group game.He's got talent, that's a given but he's a punk ass bitch. He still acts like a spoiled child and he's in his 30ies now.
Well, they won. Not really deservedly, but they won. Now onwards to Poland!Point stands, happy he played great in the last game, they needed it.
Croatia vs Portugal though, gonna be hard.
Well, Portugal vs Wales would be Ronaldo vs Bale, pretty much. I'd root for Wales in that match-up. Though I'd rather see Belgium kick Ronaldo's pretty boy ass back to PortugalSomehow I can picture Gareth Bale dragging Wales all the way to the final.
The way we were playing, they would've. Ugh...Hugs, @Bubble181. At least it wasn't Iceland that knocked y'all out, eh?