Euro 2008 — Running Thread

Unfortunately for Spain, it looks like Villa will miss out on the final:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=551955&cc=5901

They could play Guiza up front with Torres, but I think Aragones is nuts if he doesn't give Cesc a starting nod.

 

I like Fabregas coming off the bench. He adds a whole new element to the game as a sub. He has helped spark the team when he is in. I wouldn't want to mess with that because it has worked with him coming off the bench. I would start Guiza up front with Torres. Two natural forwards has worked with Spain. Then sub in Fabregas at halftime or early in the second half.

 

Now it appears Ballack may miss out:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/euro_2008/7363545.stm

 

I think that might be a bigger deal than Spain missing David Villa for a couple of reasons. One is that Spain has a lot deeper and more talented bench than Germany does, especially attacking players. The other is, that although Ballack has been inconsistent this tournament, he is a leader for that team in the middfield. Germany will miss that a lot. He has a presence in the middle that his teammates look for and that the opposing team has to account for. You can kind of look at how lost the Germany team was in 2002 when it lost to Brazil in the WC without Ballack.

 

Ballack is going to play. That is big for Germany. I am really looking forward to an entertaining game. I am kind of sad though because this is the last game of a great tournament.

 

Well, you know the tradition: If you don't show up, the Germans will come and get ya. [/FamilyGuy]

 

This is my introduction to this ABC announcing team, having only caught the highlights of Euro 2008 up until now. I think it's a courageous move to go with a non-English speaking color commentator.

 

Lovely - the local ABC affiliate is out on DirecTV right now. I'm watching the silent "Rai Uno" feed online. I don't even know what Rai Uno is.

 

TORRES!!!!!

 

No way he should have gotten to that ball.