Euro 2008 — Running Thread

Of note should the shootout be necessary today: The Czech Republic/Czechoslovakia have been involved in three penalty shootouts in major competition, all at the Euros. Not only have they never lost a shootout, they've also never <i> missed </i> in a shootout. 20-for-20, including 9 against Italy in the 1980 third-place game.

 

Now that's a fun fact!
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Remember, all the group matches from here on out are played simultaneously (starting at 2:45 p.m. EDT).

 

That Jan Koller is a beast in the air. What a weapon to have for the CR, a 6-7 guy who can win nearly every head ball in the box and put it on goal.

 

To be fair, if the refs don't wipe out a goal when Italy was clearly onside, they beat Romania 2-1 and have that win you're talking about. They got robbed that last game.

 

Great drama in the Turks-CR game. What a great finish.

 

Wow. Turks score to tie it at 2 with three minutes left in the game on a mistake by one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Might be headed to penalty kicks.

 

So much for penalties. Awesome comeback.

 

Nevermind about the penalty kicks. What a comeback. 3-2 Turks.

 

Thank God there isn't a Medellin cartel in Prague. Somebody otherwise would be getting a Bratislava bowtie.

 

That second half was awesome. 4 goals, 3 by Turkey, including 2 in the final three minutes. Cech, one of the best goalkeepers in the world makes a huge mistake and then Turkey finishes by having to use a field player to play goalie after their own gets a red card. Need anymore drama then that?