Lakenheath Old Boys

We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Euro 2012 - Day 5!

We're back to Group A for the start of the second round of matches. Greece and the Czech Republic kick us off at noon today. Greece were sluggish at the start of Friday's opener but came on strong and might have won it but for a penalty save by Poland's #2. The Czechs would rather forget Friday altogether and will need something today to survive in the tournament after getting roasted by Russia. Later today, we've got the historic match-up between Russia and hosts Poland. Both surprised people with their attacking flair, so I'm hoping for a goal-fest this afternoon. Bring it on!

418 Comments:

Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Morning, chaps! I'm back in Blue Devil HQ for the second round of matches after thoroughly enjoying Round 1 with UWS and family in Glenville over the weekend.

Lots of great content on the Guardian website this morning, including a video of AC Jimbo's European paper round-up. My favorite head-line was from a Belgian paper describing Denmark's shock win over the hated Dutch: Ego-land 0 Lego-Land 1. Nice one!

11:33 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Right, then - the team news for today's opening match:

Greece: Chalkias, Torosidis, Papadopoulis, Katsouranis, Holebas, Fotakis, Maniatis, Karagounis, Salpigidis, Samaras, Fortounis.

Subs: Tzoridis, Tzavelas, Melezas, Makos, Liberopoulis, Mitroglou, Gekas.

Czechs: Cech, Gebre, Sivok, Kadlec, Limbersky, Hubschmann, Plasil, Jiracek, Rosicky, Pilar, Baros.

Subs: Lastuvka, Suchy, Hubnik, Necid, Rezek, Petrzela, Rajtocik

11:42 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

So, the hero of Friday's recovery Salpigidis has got a call up today. And fair dues - the guy played on Friday as if his family had been kidnapped and tied up to a bridge loaded with dynamite. Cor!

11:44 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Way hay - the ESPN coverage has just started. Let's hope that Big Red has a nasty head cold.

11:45 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Good morning BD. I just got back from taking Sparky for a short walk and am back for the second round of group matches starting with Greece vs the Czech Republic.

11:45 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I agree. I have feeling that the Czechs won't be able to deal with Salpingidis.

11:46 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Some Asian World Cup updates that may not be of much interest:

Earlier today South Korea defeated Lebanon 3-0 and the Aussies drew 1-1 with Japan.

At halftime it is Iraq 1 Oman 1 and in the first half it is Iraq 0 Qatar0

11:48 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Yes - Lalas is out today. It's Kasey Keller, Double T, Fernando Palomo and Max Bretos back from exile.

11:48 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Morning, MUR - thanks for the update on the WC qualifiers. South Korea are the class of the Asian confederation as usual.

11:49 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I agree with Taylor Twellman that Samaras was useless vs Poland.He may do better vs a weak Czech team.Is Milan Baros the best the Czechs can do.

11:50 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Cheers BD. I am happy with the studio choices. Are Lexi and Bollocks getting a rest or was there plenty of viewer feedback?

11:51 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I expect a typical 1-0 victory for the Greeks. If that happens then the Czechs are eliminated from the tournament because head to head is the first tie breaker.

11:52 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I suspect that they may be back for the Group of Death matches tomorrow. Bollocks wouldn't miss the Germany v Holland fest.

11:53 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I hope you had a safe trip back home. I alluded to Shadow and Sparky having a barking contest on skype even though they were separate events in reality.

11:53 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Definitely true. I wonder if this may be the worst match of the tournament. Glad I had my morning cup of coffee.

11:54 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

It's Ian Darke and Robbie Mustoe on the mic this afternoon.

11:55 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

This like a home match for the Czechs as they are playing in Wroclaw just a few hours from the Czech border.

11:56 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Anthems now - I'm hoping for some action but I've got the coffee at the ready just in case. The Czechs will be hoping to survive in the tournament, while Greece were lively after falling behind.

11:57 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Czech fans have a shorter drive than you did last night.

11:58 AM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Will the Czechs have to hitchhike home if they lose? They haven't got far to go.

11:58 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Some changes in the Czech, but I fear it is all in vain. I expect the Greeks to win as Fernando Santos must be a better tactician than his Czech counterpart.

11:59 AM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Lucky for them that they didn't have to travel. A mini vacation for the Czech fans.

12:00 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

And we're off from Wroclaw.

12:00 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Twenty goals in eight matches coming into today for a ratio of better than two goals a game. Not bad for a major tournament.

12:02 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! And there's another one. Juracek slips his marker and finishes left-footed past Chialkis.

1-0 Czechs!

12:03 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL !!! 1-0 CZECHS AS THE GREEKS FELL ASLEEP AT THE BACK. GREAT FINISH AND THERE WAS NOT MUCH CHALKIAS COULD DO.

12:03 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Great finish by Jirasek, but the Greeks failed to concentrate and Jirasek did, under pressure from a Greek defender.

12:04 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The Greeks are certainly proving to be slow starters in this tournament. They were under the cosh for most of the first half in Warsaw the other day. And they seem to be still in the dressing room again now. Juracek was allowed to wander through unmarked there. Great ball through from Hubschmann, though.

12:04 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! It's another one for the Czechs! They're on the rampage. Great move down the right and when the ball came in from Selassie, Pilar was able to get some part of his body on it to bundle it over the line.

2-0!

12:06 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL !!! 2-0 CZECHS AND THE GREEKS SCORE AN OG AS THE CZECHS WENT DOWN THE RIGHT AND IT WAS PUT IN THE RIGHT SPOT BY SELASSIE.

12:06 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

So that's our two goals per game quota already and we're barely five minutes into this one. No need for the strong coffee yet.

12:07 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

And now Katsouranis gifts the ball to Samaras. Wow!

12:07 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I think the Greek number 21 beat Pilar to the ball and put it in for an OG. It's hard when you are facing your own goal under pressure.

12:08 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

No. It was Puilar. So, Hubschmann threaded the eye of the needle for Jirasek to score then Selassie with a superb run put it in for Pilar to bundle it home.

12:09 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Pilar now joins Djagoev and Sheva on two goals in the tournament. I had thought that the Croatian Mandzukic might have two but I notice that UEFA have awarded his second goal to Shay Given unlucky bonce. It's an o.g. in the books.

12:10 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Those two goals are the earliest goals in this tournament unless that first Croat goal was, but all three goals conceded by Greece were in the first fifteen minutes. That makes it difficult for any time.

12:10 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I had thought it was a Given O.G. too.Great catch by Cech off the free kick. He sees those all time in the Prem.

12:11 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - Torosidis put a great ball through to Samaras who wasn't able to get anything on it.

12:12 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Do you think Chalkias should have done better with the second goal? He could have pushed it away far better than he did.

12:12 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Have you noticed that the Czechs are having lots of joy with those basic through balls? The Czechs sure did their homework on the Greeks.

12:13 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Now Plasil is down after a tough challenge. Hard, but fair.

12:13 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Definitely poor keeping by Chalkias on the second goal.

12:14 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Hard to say - once the left back Holebas had lost his man Selassie and allowed him to overlap and get to the by-line, I think a goal was somewhat inevitable. If not Pilar, one of the defenders probably would have knocked it into the net.

12:14 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Another desperate long free kick from the Greeks and some numpty is offside

12:14 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I still blame Chalkias as he should know to firmly push it away if he can't catch it.

12:15 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Pilar wins a Czech corner.

12:15 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I remember that Poland also got a lot of joy out of Holebas down the right. That's where their goal came from and a lot of other earlier chances.

12:16 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Gordon Bennett.. just back from lunch and it is already 2-0!!
I am going to see if any link works from school. I have the next 45 minutes off!

I am being a little selfish here but I wish BD was still in my living room watching the matches with my boys!!

12:16 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Chalkias catches the corner from Rosciky, but had a tough time, Fumbling what should have been a routine play.

12:16 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Hello UWS. I am sure you all had a great time. Wish I was there.

12:17 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Useless Greek free kick and it is easily cleared.Then Samaras flicks on a header intended for Papadopolis, but it goes to Cech.

12:18 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - Pilar had a good chance but dragged his shot wide left.

12:19 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I agree BD. Holebas was probably kept in the starting lineup due to the strong finish vs Poland, but may not start vs Russia.

12:19 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Well wide by Pilar from long range,

12:20 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Afternoon, UWS - hope school is going well. How was Tom's game last night?

12:20 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Poor clearance by Chalkias. He was not under pressure. No excuses for that.

12:20 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

That's it for Chalkias. Is he going off injured?

12:21 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

That's a sad comment that this team is one of the last things that Greeks have to believe in right now with the economy in the dumps.

12:21 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

It appears to be the case and may explain the poor first half. That's it and Kotsapolis is on for Chalkias.

12:22 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Looks like Chialkis is going off. Sifakis is coming on. More problems for Fernando Santos - he must wonder what he did to deserve this punishment.

12:22 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Actually, Silkias is the sub keeper.

12:23 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Correct BD. It's Sifakis.

12:24 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I guess that will mean two minutes plus of stoppage time.

12:24 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Blimey - that was a decent free kick toward Samaras, but Georgie only managed to clear the ball out!

It's the large rectangle at the end of the pitch you're aiming for, son!

12:24 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Half way through this first half and the Czechs are looking rather comfortable. This puts some perspective on Friday's results. Russia are now looking better and better. If the Poles can get a result out of them later, it'll come down to the last day's match between Poland and the Czechs for the second spot.

12:25 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I hear trumpets playing, but the brass band is banned. Is that political by UEFA?

12:26 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Karagounis is down as if he's been shot. High boot from Rosicky, who gets a yellow for it.

12:26 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Ab it of an ouchie for Karagounis from a high challenge from Rosicky. a bit of a cut , but he should be okay.

12:27 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

That should have been a booking for the foul on Sleassie as the Greeks appear to be losing their discipline. Fernando Santos will need to address that at the half.

12:28 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - Rosicky pulls the trigger and draws a good save out of the sub keeper Sifakis.

12:28 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Great save from a long range effort by Rosicky.

12:28 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Samaras heads away the corner from Rosicky and Rosicky wildly blasts it wide.

12:29 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Rosicky and Karagounis are still reminiscing about their summer holidays out there. No love lost.

12:29 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A third Czech goal and this one is done and dusted.

12:30 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Samaras looks to be more adept when clearing the ball away from goal. Why don't they play him as center back and bring in a proper striker?

12:30 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Fernando Santos should have plenty to say at the half and will need to do just as well with the adjustments as he did vs Poland.

12:31 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Salpingidis has been offside several times already. Is there too much pressure on him after Friday's heroics?

12:31 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Another Czech corner. As always Rosicky to take and Samaras heads away.

12:32 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I was thinking about that ,BD. Other than the offsides , he's done naught. Definitely not the performance from Friday.

12:33 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Not a bad run from Holebas but now he's out of position.

12:33 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Torosidis, your Red Card boy, picks up a yellow again. I think he had one on Friday as well but sadly not two.

12:34 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Now Torosidis is booked and that's probably for cumulative team infractions rather than the actual foul. The ref is starting to lose patience with the Greeks and rightly so.

12:34 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

He may do so if he continues to be undisciplined.Fernando will need to address that at the half.

12:35 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

And now it's Jiracek, the goalscorer, with a yellow.

12:35 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Now Jirasek is booked for a foul on Maniatis, who is making a meal of it.I guess the Greeks are resorting to this behavior out of sheer desperation.

12:36 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Oh - Fortounis played a lovely ball in toward Salpingidis. It's too high for him but he was offside again!

12:36 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A decent idea for the Greeks, but the cross was just too high for Salpingidis ,who was flagged offside.

12:37 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Barros is called for leaning in off the goal kick, but it was a and ram grab.

12:38 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I just realized that this is rematch of the 2004 semis. The Czechs are on track to exact revenge.

12:39 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Greeks have a goal called back for offside.

12:41 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Greeks get one back! No - it's ruled offside. Fotakis nodded home but he was off.

12:41 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A great cross from Torosidis was headed in by Salpingidis , but he was flagged offside. He may have been on this time. Harsh on the Greeks.

12:42 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

A great cross from Torosidis was headed in by Salpingidis , but he was flagged offside. He may have been on this time. Harsh on the Greeks.

12:42 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Jiracek receives it again on the right but slices his shot wide.

12:42 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Greeks will need to do more of the same is they are to have any chance of getting anything from this match.

12:43 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

If the Greeks were offside on that goal decision then it was really tight.

12:44 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Some warning signs in the area for the Czechs as the first half winds down.

12:45 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Never a foul by Selassie on Fortunis.

12:45 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

One minute of stoppage time. I thought it would be more.

12:45 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Just one minute of extra time? That makes no sense. There were two goals and a significant delay as Chialkis came off. Perhaps the ref is dying for a pee?

12:45 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

And that's it. Half time. The Czechs will be delighted with that early work. They risked letting the slow starting Greeks back in toward the end. All to play for in the second half.

12:47 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

It's 2-0 to the Czechs at the half and the Greeks should have done better with their last possession, but they took too long to get the shot off and the Czechs ran out the clock.The fans applaud as the Czechs are basically the home team.

12:47 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Just one comment before the bell rings.
Did you see the article about how BBC's coverage is worse than ITV's for the first time since 1970
BBC has Savage and Calamity giggling like school girls and not being professional. I do see the BBC going that way with radio. Savage has gotten too big in too short of a time

12:55 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

The article was from The Guardian... I think!

12:56 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Interesting...



Demetrio Albertini has admitted he was the man who asked for the pitch not to be watered before Italy's Group C opener with Spain. A number of Spanish players complained about the state of the pitch after the 1-1 draw, Cesc Fábregas describing it as "lamentable". The head coach, Vicente del Bosque, insisted that supporters would have seen a better game had the surface been watered 15 minutes before kick‑off. Under Fifa rules the pitch is watered if both teams agree. Italy did not

12:58 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Bell just rang...of to teach!

12:59 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Interesting tactics from the Italians. A same to see BBC decline . Great points, UWS.

1:00 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Czechs have made a change and Kolar is on for Rosicky. A sham,e as Rosicky had a great first half and we're underway form Wroclaw.

1:02 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

We're off again at Wroclaw with Greece really having to chase this one.

1:03 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I wonder if that change was due to injury. That would really hurt the Czechs.

1:03 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Chaos in the Greek defense off the cross from Selassie, but Barros committed a foul

1:04 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Sounds like excuses from the Spanish waiters. Nice post, though UWS.

I disagree about Robbie Savage, though - I like his stuff on 606.

1:04 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Baros had a split second chance there but let it run by him.

1:05 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Jirasek goes down too easily from a minor push from Holebas, who needs to be more careful. It all began as an innocent tussle.

1:05 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Di you see that Rosicky was subbed?

1:05 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Rosicky must have picked up a knock. The Gooner won't be pleased as he's had a history of injuries at Arsenal.

1:06 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

As long as it is 2-0 , I think the Greeks have a chance. Who was the last team to throw away a two goal lead in the Euros?

1:06 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

It must have been and a shame for the Czechs.

1:07 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Samaras went down like a house of cards from that challenge from the wee midfielder.

1:08 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Definitely a tug by the right back and not sure why the Greek player is complaining.

1:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Howler from Cech!

1:10 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

GOAL! Oh - it's a complete howler from Petr Cech! What was he thinking?

Gekas has the easiest of chances then.

2-1 Game on!

1:10 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

GOAL !!! THE GREEKS PULL ONE BACK AS THERE WAS A HORRIBLE MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN CZECH AND A DEFENDER AS THEY COLLIDED AND GEKAS HAD THE SIMPLE TASK OF PUTTING IT INTO AN EMPTY NET.

1:11 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I don't think he can blame anyone but himself. It doesn't matter who's about. If you're a goalkeeper, you come and claim and clear everyone else out.

1:11 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

So who was the last team to throw away a two goal lead in the Euros?

1:11 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Afternoon, Red Devil! How are you, mate?

1:12 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Agreed, BD and especially one of his caliber.

1:12 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

That's a good trivia question. I don't honestly remember.

1:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This has the makings of a good final 30 minutes, with a traditionally cagey, defensive Greek squad forced to chase a result against a Czech team that can break quickly.

1:12 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Good afternoon Red Devil.

1:12 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Papadopoulis has picked up a yellow card for a hack.

1:13 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

So does anyone want to attempt to answer my trivia question???????????

1:13 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Agreed, Red Devil. That goal was exactly what the neutral was looking for.

1:13 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Naughty by Samaras on Selassie.

1:13 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Another booking. Salpingidis now into the book. This ref is as card happy as the Spanish bloke in the first match.

1:14 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Now Gekas is booked and the Greeks will need to be more disciplined if they want to continue the comeback.

1:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks, BD, I am well, but finding out that my mother-in-law has not yet mastered the use of her DVR. At least I can download the matches to get to the parts that I missed (such as the first 20 minutes of this game).

1:15 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I think that booking was deserved as it was a rash challenge.

1:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Was it the Netherlands who gave up the lead?

1:16 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

England?

1:16 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I seem to remember some heroics by the Turks in Euro 2008 but I'm not quite sure about the match. Am I close?

1:16 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Poor by Samaras . He was playing as a holding middie, then was going on a Sunday stroll, failing to ruin into the box waen a cross was put in from the right.

1:17 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Sorry to hear that, Red Devil. Definite yellow card offense for your mother in law. ;-]

1:17 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I don't really remember. They did the same thing in the 2006 World Cup if memory serves. Was it the Czechs?

1:19 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I second that, BD. Shocking behavior from mum-in-law as that is a football no no and that was the best part of the match up to this point.

1:19 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Correct BD. Well done. will the Czechs do the same today against the Turk's political rivals? I don't think Turkey was part of the 2006 tournament in Germany.

1:20 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Czechs had two 2-0 defeats in 2006.

1:21 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Baros cames off for Pekhart. The Czechs definitely have to freshen things up. They're looking much more sluggish in this second half.

1:21 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Thomas Pekhart is on for Barros, who was fading. A good change.

1:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ah, but she is not mean-spirited, simply incompetent.

MUR, that Czech Republic vs Turkey game was great excitement, and I saw it in one of the biggest Turkish cities in the world: Berlin. It was a madhouse!

1:22 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

First touch for Pekhart is a shot wide left.

1:22 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Dragged wide by Kolar, who has done little since coming on for Rosicky and is now booked.

1:22 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Fair point, Red Devil. Maybe she can be let off with just a verbal warning.

1:23 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I heard the ref is shopping for Father's Day Cards and officiating at the same time.

1:23 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I'm quite liking the look of this Selassie bloke on the right. Are you watching, Cap'n Birdseye?

1:23 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I bet it was an awesome atmosphere, Red Devil.I saw it in the living room while eating a Father's Day Dinner.

1:24 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Selassie is a great player . I wonder if a team like Sotton, Reading, Wigan , or the Hammers might be interested,

1:25 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Samaras is looking even less effective wide left. He's about as mobile as a statue.

1:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

BD, I probably just need to take matters into my own hands, and leave less up to the others. A warning to mother-in-law would produce remorse, but no greater understanding of how the technology works.

1:29 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Mitroglu came on Fortunis as this match has become really scrappy.

1:29 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Mizoglu came on for Fortunis as this match has become really scrappy.

1:30 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I agree, Red Devil. I have been in similar situations and have had to learn the hard way.

1:31 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The cross was too high for Petroglu, but am not sure why he was called for a foul.

1:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Though they are not really that similar-looking there is something about the toothiness and shagginess of Samaras that reminds me of one of my all-time favorite hard-men, the Wolfman, Trifon Ivanov of the Bulgarian squads of the 1990s.

1:32 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Useless cross from Samaras , but at least he held ion this time.

1:32 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

I meant to say Cech held on.

1:33 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

High and wide by Pilar.

1:33 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

If I remember correctly , Ivanov had a beard , but did the dirty work in midfield. He did his job better than Samaras does his if I am thinking of the correct player

1:34 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That 2008 match featured all three Turkish goals in the last 15 minutes. Anything is still possible. Let's see what the Men of Troy still have in them (besides billions of euros of debt).

1:34 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

A little less than fifteen minutes for the Greeks to get a priceless goal. A draw here would keep them in the hunt in the third match.

1:35 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Why is Samaras playing so deep and acting like he's out at a picnic?

1:35 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

They are playing more like the men of debt then the men of the famous empire.

1:36 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

MUR, absolutely. He was one of those players who is always near the action, fouling and getting fouled constantly. Then with those incredible deep-set eyes of his, he would look imploringly at the ref for sympathy: "it wasn't me."

1:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

MUR, absolutely. He was one of those players who is always near the action, fouling and getting fouled constantly. Then with those incredible deep-set eyes of his, he would look imploringly at the ref for sympathy: "it wasn't me."

1:37 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Useless again from Samaras.

1:37 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

To be fair, half of the sides in this tournament are holding billions in debt. However, the Greeks are a special case.

1:37 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Sounds about right, Red devil. He was more serious about his footie than Samaras.

1:38 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Good point, BD.

1:38 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

More phantom whistles from the crowd during this one. It's been one of the features of the tournament.

1:38 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

This Greek side seems to have run out of ideas unlike their political foes from 2008.

1:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Does the Greek (Portuguese) coach have something of Gordon Brown about him?

1:39 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

More updates from Asia :
In Group A it has finished Iran 0 Qatar 0.
South Korea is firmly in control

In Group B it has finished Iraq 1 Oman 1. The Aussies and Japanese are firmly in control

1:41 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Perhaps a little, Red Devil.

1:41 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

He does indeed, Red Devil. Wonder if he's got Gordo's right hook?

1:42 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Plasil wins a Czech corner.

1:45 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The Czechs take it short, running down the clock then concede a free kick.

1:45 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

BLOW UP REF!I'M GOING INTO A COMA.

1:47 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The impressive Hubschmann comes off late on. No - it's Kolar, who came on at half-time.

1:47 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Hubschman is on for Kolar as we enter stoppage time.

1:48 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

It hasn't been that bad, has it MUR?

1:48 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

Horrible pass from Pappadopolus intended for Samaras, who for once made a decent run.

1:48 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

The second half has. The first half was good.

1:49 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

In the last minute of stoppage time and a Greek attack ends with yet another foul.

1:50 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Good flick on by Samaras to keep that move alive. But it's not enough.

The Czechs have pulled out a 2-1 to bounce back from their opening defeat. They jump up to second spot ahead of the late match. 3 pts and -2 GD.

1:51 PM  
Blogger manunitedrules said...

That's it and the Czechs hang on for a 2-1 victory and three priceless points. Tough for the Greeks who must defeat the Russians in order to advance. A tall order for the Greeks.

1:52 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Max Bretos is reporting on some trouble among Russian fans ahead of the late match and skirmishes with police. Looks a bit nasty.

I'm off to do a few errands ahead of the late one.

1:52 PM  
Blogger United We Stand said...

Russia should lose hosting the World Cup!!

ENGLAND IS READY TO TAKE OVER



That sort of punishment should stop the fans doing this

2:05 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

I totally agree with you, UWS. The London Olympics are going to show FIFA how a tournament should be organized. I'd ban Russia for what's happened already in this tournament. English fans have always had a reputation but the reality is that it's been decades since the last problem with England fans.

2:25 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

Some chatter about Joachim Loew's possible change for tomorrow's match, replacing SuperMario with Klose. Interesting.

2:25 PM  
Blogger The Blue Devil said...

The team news out of Warsaw this evening:

Poland: Tyton, Piszczcek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Dudka, Palanski, Blaszczykowski, Murawski, Obraniak, Lewandowski.

Subs: Sandomierski, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski, Matuszczyk, Rybus, Wawzyniak, Sobiech.

Russia: Malafeev, Anyukov, Berezutski, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Shirokov, Denisov, Zyryanov, Dzagoev, Kerzhakov, Arshavin.

Subs: Akinfeev, Sharonov, Izmailov, Pavs, Kombarov, Kokorin, Granat.

2:34 PM  

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