Euro Cup 2004 Thread

**TripleRLtd** · June 7th, 2004, 01:17 PM

Now I am psyched!!! Got my England car flag in the mail today (THANKS GAZZAK, what a really nice thing to do

)!!
News, opinions, updates and such can go here if you would like. Titchski: give me a call about the match schedules.
This from my home town paper:

GROUP B
FRANCE

Coach: Jacques Santini

Best finish: Won in 1984, 2000.

Qualified by: Winning Group 1 at 8-0.

Key players: M Zinedine Zidane, F Thierry Henry, D Lilian Thuram, M Patrick Vieira.

Key game: June 13 vs. England. Clash of titans in opener.

Can win if: The talent plays up to form.

ENGLAND

Coach: Sven-Goran Eriksson

Best finish: Semifinals 1968, 1996.

Qualified by: Winning Group 7 at 6-0-2.

Key players: M David Beckham, F Michael Owen, M Steven Gerrard.

Key game: June 13 vs. France. Needs to make a statement.

The whole article can be read here:
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/inde...7821226680.xml

Also from this article something I found quite funny:

LATVIA

Coach: Alexander Starkov

Best finish: First-time qualifier.

Qualified by: Beating Turkey in a playoff.

Key players: F Marian Pahars, F Maris Verpakovskis.

Key game: Just happy to be here.

Can win if: Other 15 teams forfeit or fail drug tests.

**gazzak** · June 7th, 2004, 01:23 PM

Glad to oblige. How about a picture?

**TripleRLtd** · June 7th, 2004, 01:34 PM

BTW:
FRANCE SUCKS!!!

**TripleRLtd** · June 7th, 2004, 01:38 PM

How about one of these:

It would have to be Becks, though.

And here is what was sent to me from across the pond:

**TripleRLtd** · June 7th, 2004, 01:54 PM

This be the one.

**TripleRLtd** · June 8th, 2004, 11:55 AM

News update: ENGLAND

John Terry is facing a race against time to recover from a hamstring problem in time to play in England's Euro 2004 opener against reigning European champions France in Lisbon on Sunday.

But captain David Beckham has provided a boost after he trained with the rest of the squad after having an injection to cure a cyst in his back at the weekend.

Terry missed Sven-Goran Eriksson's men's first training session in Portgual, instead undergoing another workout with physio Gary Lewin in a bid to help him win his battle to be fit.

The 23-year-old Chelsea centre-back sustained the injury during England's penultimate Euro 2004 warm-up match against Japan in Manchester last week.

But, if he has to concede defeat in his fitness fight, then Liverpool utility player Jamie Carragher is odds-on to have to fill the breach having played in last weekend's 6-1 win over Iceland.

So, any more info on this?
Geesh, the back wall/defense, and the goaltending are crucial to England's chances. I would hate to see England forced to play offensively and get into a shootout with France.

**Garfield99** · June 8th, 2004, 04:52 PM

David Beckham had an injection before the iceland match on saturday because of the cyst from what i saw it didnt affect his performance, since then he's had an operation 2 remove the cyst (also known as victoria hehe) and has now fully recovered and took part in englands first training session.

Also according to the bbc euro2004 website

"john Terry trained with physio Gary Lewin as he attempted to shake off a hamstring injury in time to face the French.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "Everyone is fit and training in the first full session in Portugal apart from John Terry who will work with physio Gary Lewin towards playing at the weekend."

If he aint fit then Jamie Carragher will fill the gap with no problems and will link up well with Gerrard and owen on the pitch.

**gazzak** · June 8th, 2004, 05:15 PM

My gut feeling is that it's just to keep the French guessing, I say he'll be fit for the match on Sunday.

**Straight_Shooter** · June 8th, 2004, 10:26 PM

Yeah, keeping them guessing works, but this is keeping the fans guessing as well. Garfield, you say that Carragher should fit along well with his Liverpool teamates, but how about the ENGLAND teamates? From what I know, Liverpool really disappointed this year. But, I am an American, and I don't know enough.
SO: who is he and is he any good? Is he a capable replacement?

**TripleRLtd** · June 9th, 2004, 07:32 PM

So, now that Carragher looks to be in and Terry out, what are your fellings? I don't think I have ever seen him play. Any caps?
Is anyone else as worried about the defense as I am?

**Titchski** · June 9th, 2004, 07:39 PM

Ok Ok, I've been working in California since Friday so I'm only just catching up. I've had no internet access or cable tv since Friday (except for AOL and broadcast telly), Trip, we're on as far as I know for Sunday, barring tornadoes on the next street over of course. Bring your brewers tumour as we'll probably have a beer or two..

**TripleRLtd** · June 10th, 2004, 12:07 PM

So, now that Carragher looks to be in and Terry out, what are your fellings? I don't think I have ever seen him play. Any caps?
Is anyone else as worried about the defense as I am?

Anyone want to clue me in on Carragher? If the defense is suspect, does that mean this may become a high scoring affair? If so, I feel good about our attack, but can we match up with the Arsenal attact? Or, with such a big opening match, will everyone be a bit tentative, ending in a 1-1 draw or somesuch?
I take it Terry will be ready for the second fixture?

**gazzak** · June 10th, 2004, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by TripleRLtd

This be the one.

Trip, I just noticed something...

You are hanging that on the window, (window closed), and not on the guttering aren't you? Or am I joining -ed in a confused state? It just looks from the picture that it's hanging on the guttering!

**Straight_Shooter** · June 10th, 2004, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by gazzak

Trip, I just noticed something...

You are hanging that on the window, (window closed), and not on the guttering aren't you? Or am I joining -ed in a confused state? It just looks from the picture that it's hanging on the guttering!

It looks to me like you may have caught the confus=ed.

Right click on the pic and choose properties, and you'll see that the pic was an ad from the UK.
I guess if they drove off, that flag would end up in someone else's yard: Hopefully somewhere in France.

So: any comments on Callagher?