***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (5 Viewers)

[NewlyRetired]

One of the worst games on the tournament. This is not going to help Spain's cause of everyone calling them boring.

Not sure the "boring" style is to blame here - they have been outplayed for stretches of the game. Portugal challenging up high and through the midfield forced a lot of bad passes and touches from Spain.

Two teams have played Spain straight up and both times Spain looked decidedly average. Hopefully more teams will pay attention to that.

 

[ffldrew]

wow - Renaldo won't even get a chance

 

[Slapdash]

What a shot from Cesc.

 

[gianmarco]

wow - Renaldo won't even get a chance

Amazing. Makes no sense.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Oh well, never too early

Italia, Italia, Italia!!

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I'm constantly stupefied by how coaches select their PK takers. This being an obvious example.

 

[The Gator]

Stupid ####### coach

 

[Spartans Rule]

Awful game. It's a real shame somebody has to win. I'd be 100% for throwing both teams off the field and calling tomorrow's game the final.

The group games for the most part were fantastic. The knockout games for the most part have sucked. Hopefully Italy will continue their positive play and we can get a great game tomorrow.

Agreed. The group stage was excellent. Maybe it spoiled us a bit.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

wow - Renaldo won't even get a chance

Amazing. Makes no sense.

It's not even like it's a minute possibility that he wouldn't get a chance. Utterly bizarre.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Oh well, never too earlyItalia, Italia, Italia!!

I think they have about as much a chance as Ronaldo had in the PKs

 

[NewlyRetired]

wow - Renaldo won't even get a chance

Amazing. Makes no sense.

It's not even like it's a minute possibility that he wouldn't get a chance. Utterly bizarre.

I was 12 the first time I had a pk shoot out in a tournament in Connecticut. I still remember the coach and assistant coach saying they must make the best shooters shoot first. And these were nothing more than "dads" using common sense. Mind boggling. I dislike Ronaldo so I am almost hoping it comes out that he asked to shoot 5th in the hopes of being a hero .

 

[Eephus]

Awful game. It's a real shame somebody has to win. I'd be 100% for throwing both teams off the field and calling tomorrow's game the final.

The group games for the most part were fantastic. The knockout games for the most part have sucked. Hopefully Italy will continue their positive play and we can get a great game tomorrow.

Agreed. The group stage was excellent. Maybe it spoiled us a bit.

I don't think there's any way around the fact that teams will tone things down in knockout stages due to the consequences of conceding a goal

 

[Slapdash]

I'm constantly stupefied by how coaches select their PK takers. This being an obvious example.

All four CBs

 

[NewlyRetired]

Oh well, never too earlyItalia, Italia, Italia!!

I think they have about as much a chance as Ronaldo had in the PKs

Probably true but at least it is a rooting interest. Shame it is against Germany, they are the only other team I like in the tournament.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Awful game. It's a real shame somebody has to win. I'd be 100% for throwing both teams off the field and calling tomorrow's game the final.

The group games for the most part were fantastic. The knockout games for the most part have sucked. Hopefully Italy will continue their positive play and we can get a great game tomorrow.

Agreed. The group stage was excellent. Maybe it spoiled us a bit.

I don't think there's any way around the fact that teams will tone things down in knockout stages due to the consequences of conceding a goal

That still has not stopped some knock out games from being excellent entertainment. Hard to call any of these excellent. Euro 2008 had 3 very fun games in the knock out stage IMO. The Germany Turkey game was fabulous.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Oh well, never too earlyItalia, Italia, Italia!!

I think they have about as much a chance as Ronaldo had in the PKs

That's what I thought in 2006. Never count out Italy.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Oh well, never too earlyItalia, Italia, Italia!!

I think they have about as much a chance as Ronaldo had in the PKs

That's what I thought in 2006. Never count out Italy.

They need to schedule more scandals around major tournaments

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I'm constantly stupefied by how coaches select their PK takers. This being an obvious example.

All four CBs

Maybe those guys really are good PK takers, given that they're fairly big. I can see a difference between being a good attacking player and a good PK taker. Maybe.But given the ridiculousness with CR shooting fifth, who knows. Bayern let their goalie take one.

 

[Spartans Rule]

In addition to holding back Ronaldo, the Bruno Alves/Nani fiasco was kind of amusing too. Felt kinda bad for Alves.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

FWIW, Ronaldo went first in the RM/Bayern shootout.

 

[GoFishTN]

I didn't see this posted yet:

Gareth Bale has signed a new four-year contract with Tottenham, tying him to the London club until 2016.

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/8101488/winger-gareth-bale-signs-4-year-deal-tottenham

 

[The Z Machine]

Missed the entire game due to work. Didn't sound like I missed much other than Torres riding the pine.

 

[Eephus]

I didn't see this posted yet:

Gareth Bale has signed a new four-year contract with Tottenham, tying him to the London club until 2016.

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/8101488/winger-gareth-bale-signs-4-year-deal-tottenham

I'm surprised he did this with the management and stadium situations unsettled

 

[GoFishTN]

I didn't see this posted yet:

Gareth Bale has signed a new four-year contract with Tottenham, tying him to the London club until 2016.

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/8101488/winger-gareth-bale-signs-4-year-deal-tottenham

I'm surprised he did this with the management and stadium situations unsettled

The rumor is the players already know that AVB has been hired, but he can't be announced until July 1st because of a clause in his compensation with Chelsea.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

FWIW, Ronaldo went first in the RM/Bayern shootout.

Well, sure. That was a game that mattered to him.

 

[Eephus]

I didn't see this posted yet:

Gareth Bale has signed a new four-year contract with Tottenham, tying him to the London club until 2016.

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/story/_/id/8101488/winger-gareth-bale-signs-4-year-deal-tottenham

I'm surprised he did this with the management and stadium situations unsettled

The rumor is the players already know that AVB has been hired, but he can't be announced until July 1st because of a clause in his compensation with Chelsea.

I'm still surprised in that case

 

[Good Posting Judge]

FWIW, Ronaldo went first in the RM/Bayern shootout.

Well, sure. That was a game that mattered to him.

But did he have a say in where he was shooting? Or maybe he prefers to shoot 5th (2006?) and Mourinho overruled him?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Can someone provide a rough translation for me? From what little I can make out this sounds like it is related to a combined Concacaf South America tournament we have long hoped for.

@ESPN_JorgeRamos: Copa America extraordinaria x 100 años se esta programando en conjunto entre #CONMEBOL & #CONCACAF. Si esta #Mexico o no... NO cambia nada"

@ESPN_JorgeRamos: Eugenio Figueredo "la relacion CONMEBOL - CONCACAF esta en comunicacion permanente"

@ESPN_JorgeRamos: Eugenio Figueredo "Blatter en su ultima visita confirmo que la #FIFA ya coloco en calendario Oficial a la Copa America extraordinaria."

@ESPN_JorgeRamos: Copa America extraordinaria 2016 "tendra organizacion de la #CONMEBOL en conjunto o no con la #CONCACAF " s/E. Figueredo vicepresidente

@ESPN_JorgeRamos: Copa America Extraordinaria 2016 "ya esta incluida en el calendario #FIFA " Contara con todos los jugadores de #CONMEBOL y de #CONCACAF" !!

@ESPN_JorgeRamos: Eugenio Figueredo "hemos invitado al Presidente y Vice de la #CONCACAF a la final de la Copa Libertadores para conversar temas pendientes"

 

[Eephus]

Can someone provide a rough translation for me? From what little I can make out this sounds like it is related to a combined Concacaf South America tournament we have long hoped for. @ESPN_JorgeRamos: Eugenio Figueredo "Blatter en su ultima visita confirmo que la #FIFA ya coloco en calendario Oficial a la Copa America extraordinaria."

Blatter is a corrupt old fart who will confirm this extrordinary Copa America event on the calendar once he takes his cut

 

[Sinn Fein]

Rough google translate:

@ ESPN_JorgeRamos: Copa America extraordinary x 100 years is programming in joint # & # CONCACAF CONMEBOL. If this # Mexico or not ... DO NOT change anything "

@ ESPN_JorgeRamos: Eugenio Figueredo "the relationship CONMEBOL - CONCACAF is in constant communication"

@ ESPN_JorgeRamos: Eugenio Figueredo "Blatter in his last visit confirmed that the # FIFA and placed on calendar to the America's Cup Official extraordinary."

@ ESPN_JorgeRamos: extraordinary Copa America 2016 "will take the # CONMEBOL organization together or not with the # CONCACAF" s / E. vice Figueredo

@ ESPN_JorgeRamos: Extraordinary Copa America 2016 "is already included in the calendar # FIFA" will feature all the players # # CONMEBOL and CONCACAF "!

@ ESPN_JorgeRamos: Eugenio Figueredo "We have invited the President and Vice of the # CONCACAF to the final of the Copa Libertadores to discuss outstanding issues"

 

[Sinn Fein]

Seems like old news - this is from Soccer By Ives in February:

Conmebol's Copa America is the oldest international continental tournament in soccer, and 2016 will mark its 100th birthday.That could also be the year that many American soccer fans have a dream come true.According to Mexican outlet mediotiempo.com, CONCACAF president Alfredo Hawit said during a recent stop in Mexico that an 18-team tournament consisting of teams from CONCACAF and Conmebol is being planned for 2016.With no Gold Cup or Copa America scheduled for that year, officials are proposing the Copa America's centennial be celebrated with a tournament comprised of 10 Conmebol teams and eight from CONCACAF. There was no explanation on which eight teams would represent CONCACAF, but the United States and Mexico seem all but guaranteed to be included.There also was no further comment made as to what the teams would play for. Both regions are scheduled to have their respective regular tournaments in 2015, and those are typically the ones with Confederations Cup berths on the line.Hawit also said permanently inviting Brazil to future Gold Cups, starting with the one in 2013, is being contemplated.

Maybe just confirming the story?

 

[Slapdash]

Can someone provide a rough translation for me? From what little I can make out this sounds like it is related to a combined Concacaf South America tournament we have long hoped for. @ESPN_JorgeRamos: Copa America extraordinaria x 100 años se esta programando en conjunto entre #CONMEBOL & #CONCACAF. Si esta #Mexico o no... NO cambia nada"@ESPN_JorgeRamos: Eugenio Figueredo "la relacion CONMEBOL - CONCACAF esta en comunicacion permanente"@ESPN_JorgeRamos: Eugenio Figueredo "Blatter en su ultima visita confirmo que la #FIFA ya coloco en calendario Oficial a la Copa America extraordinaria."@ESPN_JorgeRamos: Copa America extraordinaria 2016 "tendra organizacion de la #CONMEBOL en conjunto o no con la #CONCACAF " s/E. Figueredo vicepresidente@ESPN_JorgeRamos: Copa America Extraordinaria 2016 "ya esta incluida en el calendario #FIFA " Contara con todos los jugadores de #CONMEBOL y de #CONCACAF" !!@ESPN_JorgeRamos: Eugenio Figueredo "hemos invitado al Presidente y Vice de la #CONCACAF a la final de la Copa Libertadores para conversar temas pendientes"

Sounds like its going to happen.

 

[The Z Machine]

Sounds like it's a one-off Super Copa América that includes CONCACAF and CONMEBOL teams.

 

[Steve Tasker]

No doubt. Smaller leagues than Wales already exist in Europe - the Faroe Islands field an international side and, IIRC, used to have only two teams in their league. Not sure what they have now.

I am fascinated by sport in smaller nations like this so I looked up the Faroe Islands Football Federation and they have 40 teams with a population of only 50,000. Amazing. Premier League champ BC36 Torshavn just drew Northern Islands' Linfield in the first qualifying round (a home-and-home) of the 2013 Champions League.If I could find those games to watch, I'm silly enough to do it.

For some reason, I have had a strange fascination with the Faroe Islands international team over the last few years. Not a joke. Welcome to the club.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Seems like old news - this is from Soccer By Ives in February:

Conmebol's Copa America is the oldest international continental tournament in soccer, and 2016 will mark its 100th birthday.That could also be the year that many American soccer fans have a dream come true.According to Mexican outlet mediotiempo.com, CONCACAF president Alfredo Hawit said during a recent stop in Mexico that an 18-team tournament consisting of teams from CONCACAF and Conmebol is being planned for 2016.With no Gold Cup or Copa America scheduled for that year, officials are proposing the Copa America's centennial be celebrated with a tournament comprised of 10 Conmebol teams and eight from CONCACAF. There was no explanation on which eight teams would represent CONCACAF, but the United States and Mexico seem all but guaranteed to be included.There also was no further comment made as to what the teams would play for. Both regions are scheduled to have their respective regular tournaments in 2015, and those are typically the ones with Confederations Cup berths on the line.Hawit also said permanently inviting Brazil to future Gold Cups, starting with the one in 2013, is being contemplated.

Maybe just confirming the story?

Yeah we talked about this in depth back in February in this thread. I was wondering if the recent tweets went beyond the speculation from February.

 

[NewlyRetired]

2016 is going to be interesting. In 2016, we have a bigger 24 team Euro, and the Summer Olympics. This Super Copa America will be tricky to schedule if it comes to pass.

But I think it will be an enormous hit if they format it correctly.

10 teams from South America

6 from Concacaf

Seed Mexico, US, Brazil and Argentina and run the normal 4 groups of 4.

This seeding would create numerous first round games that would draw well on US Tv (good on ESPN, great on Univision).

Did the Spanish tweets indicate where it may be played? If played in the US, this would be an incredible attendance draw looking at how well the Gold Cup did and how well Brazil and Argentina both draw here for basic friendlies much less meaningful games.

 

[Steve Tasker]

TFC beat the crap out of Montreal.

 

[Ursa M]

In 2016, we have a bigger 24 team Euro

Hardly worthwhile having a qualifying tournament at all. Sounds like the NBA / NHL system - if they might be able to stand up, let 'em in.

 

[NewlyRetired]

In 2016, we have a bigger 24 team Euro

Hardly worthwhile having a qualifying tournament at all. Sounds like the NBA / NHL system - if they might be able to stand up, let 'em in.

I believe they had 51 teams try and qualify for 2012. If no countries change, there will be 52 teams trying to qualify for 2016. (only one host in 2016)Will be a strange qualification format to say the least.

 

[NewlyRetired]

TFC beat the crap out of Montreal.

I missed this game but saw the score line. That was in Montreal I think. I think it was suppose to be Marco Di Vaio's debut for Montreal as well.

 

[The Z Machine]

2016 is going to be interesting. In 2016, we have a bigger 24 team Euro, and the Summer Olympics. This Super Copa America will be tricky to schedule if it comes to pass. But I think it will be an enormous hit if they format it correctly. 10 teams from South America6 from ConcacafSeed Mexico, US, Brazil and Argentina and run the normal 4 groups of 4. This seeding would create numerous first round games that would draw well on US Tv (good on ESPN, great on Univision). Did the Spanish tweets indicate where it may be played? If played in the US, this would be an incredible attendance draw looking at how well the Gold Cup did and how well Brazil and Argentina both draw here for basic friendlies much less meaningful games.

That's really giving the shaft to Uruguay IMO. The US shouldn't be seeded, but should be placed in any group but MEX's.

 

[NewlyRetired]

2016 is going to be interesting. In 2016, we have a bigger 24 team Euro, and the Summer Olympics. This Super Copa America will be tricky to schedule if it comes to pass. But I think it will be an enormous hit if they format it correctly. 10 teams from South America6 from ConcacafSeed Mexico, US, Brazil and Argentina and run the normal 4 groups of 4. This seeding would create numerous first round games that would draw well on US Tv (good on ESPN, great on Univision). Did the Spanish tweets indicate where it may be played? If played in the US, this would be an incredible attendance draw looking at how well the Gold Cup did and how well Brazil and Argentina both draw here for basic friendlies much less meaningful games.

That's really giving the shaft to Uruguay IMO. The US shouldn't be seeded, but should be placed in any group but MEX's.

You did not understand my post. In no way was I saying that US was better than Uruguay. My split of Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and US is done for business reasons only. If the tournament is to happen, it will need the US tv money to be large and for that to happen you have to maximize first round game draws. To maximize the first round games that will draw on US tv, the 4 teams I listed should be seperated into their own groups. And it would be pretty easy to sell the 4 teams I listed as the 4 seeds. Seeing that South America got 100% of its teams in and Concacaf got in 15% of its teams in this format , it would not be out of this world to throw a bone to Concacaf to give them two seeded teams out of fairness.I have seen enough draws to know it would not be hard to seed US and then magically Uruguay ends up in that group.

 

[Texas Football]

Read this on the LFC board. I am fairly drunk, but I don't think it is the worst idea ever.

Personally I'd make penalties best of 11 rather than best of 5.

- At least 6 of the team would have to take one.

- One one miss wouldn't necessarily cost the game.

- Any team down to 10 men would be at an immediate disadvantage and would effectively have to win the shootout by 2 - otherwise they'll run out of players.

 

[Ursa M]

Read this on the LFC board. I am fairly drunk, but I don't think it is the worst idea ever.Personally I'd make penalties best of 11 rather than best of 5.- At least 6 of the team would have to take one.- One one miss wouldn't necessarily cost the game. - Any team down to 10 men would be at an immediate disadvantage and would effectively have to win the shootout by 2 - otherwise they'll run out of players.

The system already allows for ties after every player has taken a kick, regardless of how many players a team has. When I was refereeing years ago, a game was finally settled on the 26th PK when a guy missed. We were on the second time around. Every PK before that was scored even though one of the teams had only 10 men at the end of extra time. It was nearly dark when we finished, almost three hours after the kickoff.

 

[Mjolnirs]

The three teams still alive in Euro 2012 are all undefeated through qualifications, group stage and knockout to this point. Regardless of Thursday's winner, the finalists will both be undefeated.

Germany 14-0-0 43:11Italy    9-5-0 24:4Spain   11-2-0 34:7

 

[Eephus]

In 2016, we have a bigger 24 team Euro

Hardly worthwhile having a qualifying tournament at all. Sounds like the NBA / NHL system - if they might be able to stand up, let 'em in.

I believe they had 51 teams try and qualify for 2012. If no countries change, there will be 52 teams trying to qualify for 2016. (only one host in 2016)Will be a strange qualification format to say the least.

Scotland might even qualify

 

[Ursa M]

In 2016, we have a bigger 24 team Euro

Hardly worthwhile having a qualifying tournament at all. Sounds like the NBA / NHL system - if they might be able to stand up, let 'em in.

I believe they had 51 teams try and qualify for 2012. If no countries change, there will be 52 teams trying to qualify for 2016. (only one host in 2016)Will be a strange qualification format to say the least.

Scotland might even qualify

Not unless they let all 52 in.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Read this on the LFC board. I am fairly drunk, but I don't think it is the worst idea ever.Personally I'd make penalties best of 11 rather than best of 5.- At least 6 of the team would have to take one.- One one miss wouldn't necessarily cost the game. - Any team down to 10 men would be at an immediate disadvantage and would effectively have to win the shootout by 2 - otherwise they'll run out of players.

The system already allows for ties after every player has taken a kick, regardless of how many players a team has. When I was refereeing years ago, a game was finally settled on the 26th PK when a guy missed. We were on the second time around. Every PK before that was scored even though one of the teams had only 10 men at the end of extra time. It was nearly dark when we finished, almost three hours after the kickoff.

From wikiThe current world record for the longest penalty shoot-out in a first class match is 48 penalties during the 2005 Namibian Cup when KK Palace beat Civics 17–16 However, the record for the highest score in a penalty shoot out was set in the 1988 Argentine Championship, when Argeninos Juniors beat Racing Club 20-19 after 44 penalties.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Wow, the Opta stats are depressing from today's game.

120 minutes of play and the teams combined for 4 total shots on net.

4.

:(

 

[Good Posting Judge]

CR wanted to go fifth, then says "the luckier side wins" in a PK. Ok.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3284/euro-2012/2012/06/28/3205335/cristiano-ronaldo-i-agreed-to-take-the-fifth-penalty#