I listened the Sweden-Denmark game through the radio. I think it was played fair and square and a fun attacking game with a lot of attacking end to end from both teams.

Larsson scored. Cassano scored. Sweden advance. My fantasy team got some precious pts. My dream scenario .

I watched the game last night and thought it was an excellent game and both teams were going for the win....except for the last 2 minutes of passing the ball among the defenders. After watching Totti in the last WC and a little in Euro 2004, I am glad the Italians are going home.

I am losing repsect for the Italians. They are already screaming about a fix in the Denmark-Sweden game to put them out.

From http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2004/italy/3832143.stm:

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Italian football federation president Franco Carraro is also facing action after echoing Buffon's doubts about the Denmark and Sweden result.

"There is no doubt that the way the Denmark versus Sweden game developed shows that the two teams were aiming for a draw," said Carraro.

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It won't happen, but UEFA should come down hard on Buffon and Carraro for this whine-fest.

Not that it matters, but in hindsight, the bookies had a 2-2 outcome at odds of 7 to 2... surely they would've been much longer if Italy hadn't cried foul before the game was even played.

This whining by the Italians is coming across as sour grapes from a side that failed to convert their scoring chances. They had so many chances to bury Sweden in the first half of that game that it wasn't even funny. Now they are paying for their own failures, and they don't like it.

In the Group D finale today:

Holland 3 Latvia 0. The Dutch are absolutely rampant. Van Nistlerooy should have scored more than the 2 he did. The Dutch needed the win to have a shot at the quarterfinals.

Czech Rep. 2 Germany 1. The Germans needed a win to advance. They didn't get it. They dominate the second half, but the Czechs score with about 15 minutes left and the Germans are left to look forward as hosts of the 2006 World Cup.


Quarterfinals:
Portugal vs England on Thursday in Lisbon at the Stadium of Light. Match A.
France vs Greece on Friday in Lisbon at the Alvalade Stadium. Match B.
Sweden vs Holland on Saturday in Faro-Loule. Match C.
Czech Rep. vs Denmark on Sunday in Porto at the Dragao Stadium. Match D.

Semifinals will be the winner of A vs C and B vs D on June 30/July 1.

Final will be July 4th in Lisbon's Stadium of Light.

I think Germany didn't deserve to advance, they are just not sharp upfront, and losing to Czech Rep. Reserve tells a lot about them too.

Meanwhile Holland was just awesome, looking forward to see Robben scalping opposition's right back in Chelsea shirt.

So I take it the England-Portugal match is a pay-per-view event? I've seen some of the matches on Fox Sports World, but I suspect they've been delayed.

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Every match is PPV if you want to see it live. FSW picks up games here and there and replays them at 8 pm on certain weekdays.

Last night they replayed yesterday's Sweden/Denmark game. They'll probably replay the quarters, semis, and final, but I don't know how soon after the matches.

I'll probably cave and pick up the PPV for the games that are on the weekend.

I would go ahead and pencil in England versus France in the finals but I am not sure England is going to get through Holland (I do think they are going to beat Portugal). Beckham and Owens are playing like CRAP as is Gerrard (this guy is supposed to be the next Roy Keane). Those guys need to step up.

I didn't realize there was a soccer contingent on TexAgs. I've been watching games on weekends and keeping up with live commentary at work. England and Portugal tied 1-1 going into extra time. Early goal for Owen and late equalizer for Postiga. Apparently some controversy as in the 90th minute Campbell heads home a winner after the initial shot hit the crossbar but had it disallowed due to a foul. The commentator on soccernet doesn't seem to buy it but I think he's British.

what just happened!!!!!!!!!!!! my gamecast froze up, right as the keeper was stepping up to kick for the win!!!!!!!! AAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhh help

Ricardo put it in...Portugal wins 6-5. Did anyone see the game. Was Campbell's goal legit?

The only thing that could have disallowed Campbell's goal was Terry's arm on the 'keepers shoulder. I think the goal was legit and it was a bad call.

It looked like a replay of England-Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.

Portugal was the superior team in the second half, and England was unlucky.

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Portugal wins 6-5.

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Wow, I'm shocked. I wish I didn't have to work!! Hopefully I'll be able to catch a replay on FSW.

To clarify cheese, it was 6-5 penalties and 2-2 and the end of extra time. If there is a replay, you have to catch it...and let me know when.

The replay of this game is either next Monday or Tuesday on FSW.

Rooney apparently hurt his ankle after a tough challenge in the 27th minute. He was taken to the hospital for x-rays. I wonder if it was a legit challenge or wreckless. Portugal seemed to suggest they were going to play him tough. Guess I can find out Monday or Tuesday.

England got hosed on the call that was disallowed. Terry was sandwiched when the keeper tried to get to Campbell and the ball. He never pushed. But that's the way it goes. It was a great match to watch, but I wanted England to win out.

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It looked like a replay of England-Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.

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That was the best match i've ever seen. that was the year Owen made his debut and had a great goal in that match where he made a great run all the way from midfield. i was depressed after watching the way Butt missed his penalty to lose it

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England and Portugal tied 1-1 going into extra time.

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To clarify cheese, it was 6-5 penalties and 2-2 and the end of extra time.

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I figured the two teams would be hard-pressed to net 9 goals in extra time...

England got just what they deserved. They went up 1-0 after three minutes and just went defensive as hell. GOing into extra time England only held possession about 37% of the time. The number of shots they took as compared to Portugal was laughable.

Did they not learn anything against France?

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England got just what they deserved

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Listen I question their tactics as well when you bring 9 players behind the ball so early in the game (I blame Erickson for that) but I don't give a flip about possession. Everyone preaches possession like its the end all be all statistic yet I've seen a number of games where the team with most of the possession did nothing with it (i.e US/Mexico in WC).

England should not have played so defensively but after seeing the disallowed goal, its hard to say they got what they deserved.

Possession when it is 52 to 48 or something like that. But when you pack your players in the box and just pray someone does not get a blast off and when you stop it you kick it down the field and let them recover only to come back after you is pretty lame. England played a tactically horrible game yesterday which makes me wonder about their talent level. I think they have a team full of world class players yet they nut up like no other.

I have not seen Cambell's goal but from what I have read Terry had a hold of the goalkeeper and would not let him move. If this is true then good call. I WANTED England to win.

I don't think we are disagreeing, I'm just not agreeing with you 100%, if that makes sense. For what its worth, I've seen the replay and thought the foul was harsh. Let's put it this way. The linesman was placed perfectly and after seeing Campbell nod it home, began to trot down the line for the restart.

All in all it was a great game, but I'm sure it stings more because England is my second favorite team and I can't stand Portugal. It is what it is...

They need to make some changes. First off, Sven probably needs to go. The English players are not used to playing that type of game so it is against their instincts.

Who is your favorite team? Please do not say France.

USA baby...I have family in England and have had the good fortune of seeing a game there. That's what sealed it for me.

For the record I'm not a France fan but I respect them...unlike Italy, Portugal, and Spain (to a lesser degree).

Holy cow...Greece just scored in the 65th minute and are beating France 1-0! Maybe the balance of power is shifting a bit. In the last WC everyone attributed it to the earlier start date but what's the excuse now? Italy, Spain, and Germany gone with France on the ropes.

After the excitement of Portugal & England yestday, Greece and France are a more dour game.
Charisteas gives the Greeks an unthinkable lead in the 65th minute. The French lay siege to the Greeks, but it does not matter. The defending Euro champions are out. Greece, who for the first time ever have advanced in a major tournament have now reached the Semi Finals. Amazing.

Tomorrow, Sweden and Holland meet.

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Tomorrow, Sweden and Holland meet.

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This game could rival England/Portugal for entertainment value.

It just seems Greece had nothing to lose, and Portugal played spirited at home, while England and France rarely looked inspired.

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I have to say the tournament so far has been stunning - I wouldn't have predicted any of the remaining 6 teams to make the final, much less win the tournament. Ok, maybe Portugal.

Good to see some soccer fans on here. What teams do you all support?

Saturday's Quarter Final:

Sweden 0 Holland 0 In a game that isn't particularly great, it opens up in extra time. The Swedes hit the post twice, and the Dutch have several good chances themselves. The game goes to penalties. It even goes to a sixth round. Sweden fails and Robben scores for the Dutch who finally get the shootout monkey off of their backs. 5-4 to Holland on penalties. The Dutch now face Portugal in the Semi Finals.

I have to say, Ljungberg's penalty (off the crossbar, off van der Sar's back, in the net) was the funniest thing. That was pretty exciting for a 0-0 game.

This has been an exciting Euro. I think Holland is going to take it home now.

England's window has closed. In 4 years Beckhamand Owens will be 4 years older, Scholes will not be on the national team and Rooney will be 20 pounds heavier. This was their last big chance for awhile.