EC Day #5: Greece v Spain / Russia v Portugal (GDT)

Day five now, all the teams have opened up so we're starting all over again in group A

Standings in Group A (http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/football/europeanchampionship/standing/groupstage/groupa/full_standing.html)

Today's matches:

Greece v Spain

GROUP A
Venue: Bessa stadium, Porto
Date/time: Wed, 16 June, 1800 CET
Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia)
Team News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/3787467.stm


Russia v Portugal

GROUP A
Venue: Estadio Da Luz, Lisbon
Date/time: Wed, 16 June, 2045 CET
Referee: Terje Hauge (Norway)
Team News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/euro_2004/3787459.stm


******** Predictions **********

I finally scored some points yesterday!:

Portugal v Greece: 2-0 (Figo)
Spain v Russia: 2-1 (Raul Gonzalez Blanco)
Switzerland v Croatia: 2-1 (Frei)
France v England: 1-1 (Owen)
Denmark v Italy: 0-2 (Totti)
Sweden v Bulgaria: 1-1 (Berbatov)
Czech Republic v Latvia: 3-0 (Baros)
Germany v Holland: 1-2 (Ruud)

For a total of 12 points, still not very good.

Today:
Greece v Spain: 0-2 (F Torres)
Russia v Portugal: 1-3 (Pauleta)

1-0 for Spain
3-0 Portugal

Day 1

Portugal - Greece: 3-0 (Rui Costa) - 0 points

Spain - Russia: 3-1 (Raul) - 3 points

Day 2

Switzerland - Croatia: 0-1 (Prso) - 0 points

France - England: 1-2 (Owen) - 0 points

Day 3

Denmark - Italy: 0-1 (Totti) - 0 points

Sweden - Bulgaria: 1-0 (Ljungberg) - 6 points

Day 4

Czech Rep. - Latvia: 3-0 (Nedved) - 3 points

Germany - Holland: 1-2 (R. van Nistelrooy) - 3 points

Point Total so far : 15

Day 5

Greece - Spain: 0-2 (Raul)

Russia - Portugal: 0-2 (Deco)

Total of 30 points so far.

Greece 0-1 Spain (Morientes)

Russia 0-3 Portugal (Pauleta)

Day 1
Portugal 2 : 1 Greece (C. Ronaldo)
Spain 2 : 0 Russia (F. Morientes)
Day 2
France 2 : 1 England (T. Henry)
Switzerland 1 : 0 Croatia (A. Frei)
Day 3
Denmark 1 : 2 Italy (A. Del Piero)
Sweden 2 : 1 Bulgaria (H. Larsson)
Day 4
Czech Republic 2 : 1 Latvia (M. Baros)
Germany 2 : 2 Holland (R. van Nistelrooy)

Total points so far: 33

Day 5
Greece 1 : 2 Spain (F. Morientes)
Russia 1 : 2 Portugal (Pauleta)

27 points so far..

Greece 0 : 2 Spain (Raul)
Russia 0 : 1 Portugal (Pauleta)

Portugal - Greece: 3-1 (Pauleta)
Spain - Russia: 2-1 (Morientes)
Switzerland - Croatia: 2-1 (Frei)
France - England: 2-0 (Henry)
Denmark - Italy: 1-2 (Totti)
Sweden - Bulgaria: 1-0 (Larsson)
Czech Republic - Latvia: 3-0 (Rosicky)
Germany - Netherlands: 1-2 (Ballack)

Makes only 15 points so far...

Today:
Greece - Spain: 0-2 (Raúl)
Russia - Portugal: 1-2 (Pauleta)

(sorry BF, but these are the result I also predicted in another game, I did not copy them from you)

Day 1

Portugal 2:1 Greece (Pauleta)
Spain 3:1 Russia (Raul)

Day 2

Swiss - Croatia 2-1 (Hakan Yakin)
France - England 3-1 (Henry)

Day 3:
Denmark v Italy: 0-2 (Totti)
Sweden v Bulgaria: 2-1 (Larsson)


Day 4
Czech Republic 3 : 1 Latvia (M. Baros)

Germany 3 : 1 Holland (M. Ballack)

That is 18 Points in total

-------------------------------------------------

Day 5
Greece 0 : 2 Spain (Raul)
Russia 0 : 2 Portugal (Pauleta)

DAY 1: 3 points
DAY 2: 6 points
DAY 3: 3 points
DAY 4: 6 points
-------------------------
TOTAL: 18 points

Greece 2 - 2 Spain (Morientes)
Russia 1 - 1 Portugal (Pauleta)

=====================================
Spain 2 - 0 Russia (Raul) - 3
Portugal 3 - 1 Greece (Nuno Gomes) - 0
=====================================
France 1 - 1 England (Scholes) - 0
Switserland 0 - 1 Croatia (Pršo) - 0
=====================================
Denmark 1 - 2 Italy (Jon-Dahl) - 0
Sweden 1 - 1 Bulgaria (Larsson) - 3
=====================================
Czech Republic 2 - 0 Latvia (Nedved) - 3
Germany 1 - 2 Netherlands (Van Nistelrooy) - 3
=====================================
Greece 0 - 1 Spain (Raul)
Russia 1 - 1 Portugal (Pauleta)

DAY ONE
Spain 1 - 0 Russia (Vicente) 3+3 points
Portugal 3 - 1 Greece (Rui Costa) 0 points

DAY TWO
Croatia vs. Switzerland 1-1 (Frei) 3 points
France vs. England 1-1 (Owen) 0 points

DAY THREE
Denmark vs. Italy 0-1 (Vieri) 0 points
Sweden vs. Bulgaira 2-0 (Ibrahimovic) 3+3 points

DAY FOUR
Holland vs. Germany 1-1 (Van Nistelrooy) 3+3+3 points
Czech Rep vs. Latvia 2-0 (Nedved) 3 points

DAY FIVE
Greece vs. Spain 0-1 (Morientes)
Russia vs. Portugal 0-2 (Pauleta)

total points: 27

Greece - Spain: 0-2 (Raul)

Russia - Portugal: 0-1 (Figo)

After 4 days I have 12 points thanks to the Germany-Holland game:

Greece-Spain: 1-2 (Morientes)
Russia-Portugal: 0-3 (Pauleta)

Greece v Spain: 0-2 (F Torres)


Looks good.. i hope Torres will be given way more playing-time, i feel like his coach is underrating him. Fernando looks very impressive to me..

I think Portugal will lose today too.

18 so far...

Spain-Greece 1-1 (Raul)
Russia-Portugal 0-1 (Pauleta)

Looks good.. i hope Torres will be given way more playing-time, i feel like his coach is underrating him. Fernando looks very impressive to me..

I didn't want to give away too maby hints to those who picked Morientes (I've got some points to make up you know ;)) but from pretty good sources I'm 99% sure Torres will start in stead of Morientes, and Xabi Alonso instead of Baraja, that's why I picked him.

15 points so far.

Greece-Spain: 1-2 (Raul)
Russia-Portugal: 0-1 (Ronaldo)

embarrassing spanish fans, booed the greek anthem. the only booing i heard so far was on both anthems yesterday in the germany - netherlands game.
i wonder what the greek did wrong to deserve this. but maybe the anthem has a background, but i wouldn't be proud on the spanish anthem either.

ah, nevermind, let's hope for a good game.

I didn't want to give away too maby hints to those who picked Morientes (I've got some points to make up you know ;)) but from pretty good sources I'm 99% sure Torres will start in stead of Morientes, and Xabi Alonso instead of Baraja, that's why I picked him.

Damn my source :banghead: :banghead:

Anyway, Torres will still come on as a sub so he might still score.

marchena will be suspended next game against portugal because of his 2nd yellow card.
could cause some problems.

1-0 Spain...Morientes

Equaliser scored by Angelos Charisteas in the 66th minute of play

Greece could do some considerable damage down the road.

Otto Rehhagel. :handclap:

I didn't want to give away too maby hints to those who picked Morientes but from pretty good sources I'm 99% sure Torres will start in stead of Morientes, that's why I picked him.

Damn my source :banghead: :banghead:
Anyway, Torres will still come on as a sub so he might still score.

1-0 Spain...Morientes

quite hilarious. :)

SNA how are you watching this, you live in America. What station is this on?

SNA how are you watching this, you live in America. What station is this on?

I wasn't watching it...ESPN.com/soccernet has a GAMECAST...very useful

Well, that's the first time I have gotten the score right :)

sigh well my POS internet crapped out on me last night so I couldn't put my picks in, but here is what I had...

Spain 2 : 0 Greece (Raul)
Russia 1 : 2 Portugal (figo)


oh yeah I have 12 pts.

quite hilarious. :)

I had Raul originally so it didn't matter that much :)


If Raul would have finished that open chance Spain would have been qualified now, in stead they will face a tricky match against the Portugese...

Spain played pretty good. Joaquin was outstanding after a tentative first few minutes, I think he'll start the next game.
And Greece really is a tough team to move around, even though they weren't as deserving as the last match, they were quite lucky to escape with a point, but hey, who cares...

Nice to hear that Joaquin played well. Seems like the last round will be pretty interesting in that group... Spain can still miss if they lose against Portugal, and Greece is almost there.

Nice to hear that Joaquin played well. Seems like the last round will be pretty interesting in that group... Spain can still miss if they lose against Portugal, and Greece is almost there.

I don't get to see Joaquin very much, so mind my comparison, but he and Arjen Robben are quite a like from what I've seen. Both are fast, like to dribble alot, are blessed with technique and love to cut inside and make something happen.. Am I correct or does Joaquin usually play a different game?

I don't get to see Joaquin very much, so mind my comparison, but he and Arjen Robben are quite a like from what I've seen. Both are fast, like to dribble alot, are blessed with technique and love to cut inside and make something happen.. Am I correct or does Joaquin usually play a different game?
That sounds pretty much like what I've seen of Joaquin so far. I really hope he gets to play more in this tournament. Exteberria is just not as creative and technically adept. He's a tireless runner though (used to be a pretty good cross country runner when he was young).

How did the other Spaniards play?

How did the other Spaniards play?

Raul played like he's done the past few months, very poorly. I did believe he provided the only assist on Spanish side, a nice one too btw, but aside from that he was nowhere to be found. The Spaniards need to head more accurately though, they spoiled a few quality chances that way. But no, no one really stood out to me for except Joaquin..

Raul played like he's done the past few months, very poorly. I did believe he provided the only assist on Spanish side, a nice one too btw, but aside from that he was nowhere to be found.
Ironically, we was elected player of the game by UEFA. The comment at the end of a Marca article I just read was "did I se a different game"? :)

I'm at work until 4:30(3:30 right now), and am only able to follow the Portugal game on livescore.com

Seems like a few changes in the starting line-up for Scolari, and I'm glad Deco got the start over Rui Costa.

Anyhow, I saw Maniche's goal but was hoping people could describe the cards given so far.

16' Smertin(RUS)
21' Evseev(RUS)
24' Carvalho(POR)

Taping the game as we speak, so I'll watch it once I get home.

HOJE LUTAMOS... HOJE GANHAMOS!

WTF..

Red for the Russian keeper. Undeservingly I must add.. Yellow would've been more appropiate if a card at all.

WTF..

Red for the Russian keeper. Undeservingly I must add.. Yellow would've been more appropiate if a card at all.
Agreed. I did not see any intention, he even tried to pull his arm away. Terrible call IMO.

Agreed. I did not see any intention, he even tried to pull his arm away. Terrible call IMO.

This sucks.. The Russians deserve better. I hope they get through it and somehow still create some chances on one way or another. Either way, we are bound to see some more goals in the 2nd half, on which side is yet to be seen. But the Russians must get a point here or it's game over.

Oh well, at least Figo didn't score on the free kick.

From seeing the replays again, I'm not even sure that he touched the ball with his arm. Terrible indeed... That was a gift to the Portuguese.

From seeing the replays again, I'm not even sure that he touched the ball with his arm. Terrible indeed... That was a gift to the Portuguese.


He definately didn't touch it. But even if the ref didn't see that he didn't touch it, surely he must have seen that the guy was trying to get his hand out of the way and not the opposite.

Ridiculous.

OT: Hey Modano=Dud!

I just read your location. :lol:

Raul played like he's done the past few months, very poorly. I did believe he provided the only assist on Spanish side, a nice one too btw, but aside from that he was nowhere to be found. The Spaniards need to head more accurately though, they spoiled a few quality chances that way. But no, no one really stood out to me for except Joaquin..

Disagree on Raul, he was pretty good IMO, created alot of space by making the right movement at the right time like he always does, he's such an intelligent player.
Unfortunately he didn't get the goal wich would've put an end to the game, wich is similar to what has happened to him this season, he's just not on top form.
But the assist on the goal was a beauty though!

I thought Spain played pretty good like I said. Not great but better than most teams I've seen thus far.

Vicente played a bit different from the last match, coming inside very often to avoid the double cover on the flanks, but there wasn't much space there so he didn't really have a good game.
Morientes was invisible except for his goal, even though he worked pretty hard.
Baraja and Albelda were there usual solid self, even though I feel Baraja is suffering a bit of a lack of confidence his passing is sloppier than I'm used of him.

The defense still worries me. Pujol played good, and even Bravo was good today I thought. But Marchena and Helguera... Marchena needed a lot of fouls and couldn't win many air duels. He could have been sent of with the number of fouls he had. And neither of them is too fast either

Oh and when Valeron came on, Spain played better IMO, he could be another starter next time around, maybe in stead of Raul?

And Torres was nearly invisible as a late substitute.

From seeing the replays again, I'm not even sure that he touched the ball with his arm. Terrible indeed... That was a gift to the Portuguese.

He did touch it.. With the inside of his elbows, or at least near it. But that was when he was trying to avoid touching it in the first place, so it was clearly intentional. Besides, he so barely touched it that it likely wouldn't have made a difference anyway. The refs was in a totally different position though but regardless, this was a huge mistake. Too bad.. poor Russians..

OT: Hey Modano=Dud!

I just read your location. :lol:

And it's the ******* truth, I'll tell ya.. ;)

I've had it with his dumb decisions, but I'm giving him one more try against the Czech's before I personally chop his head off..

Spain played well but just can't put the ball in the net. In two games they probably had 10 clear cut chances and just put two in the goal. After today's game when Greece didn't do much and still manage to get something out of the game, I start to wonder if there will be an upset for Spain on sunday.

Disagree on Raul, he was pretty good IMO, created alot of space by making the right movement at the right time like he always does, he's such an intelligent player.
Unfortunately he didn't get the goal wich would've put an end to the game, wich is similar to what has happened to him this season, he's just not on top form.
But the assist on the goal was a beauty though!

I am used to an entirely different Raul than the one I saw this evening, he didn't impress me whatsoever. IMO he didn't play much different than how Kluivert has been playing all year long. A few nice moments here and there but far, far away from playing up to potential..

Phew.. Russia escaped there..

Spain played well but just can't put the ball in the net. In two games they probably had 10 clear cut chances and just put two in the goal. After today's game when Greece didn't do much and still manage to get something out of the game, I start to wonder if there will be an upset for Spain on sunday.

Portugal beating Spain would hardly be considered an upset, my friend.

Phew.. Russia escaped there..

What happened!?!

DAMNIT, I'M FREAKING OUT! ALL WORDS AND STATS, NO DAMN TELEVISION AT WORK!

Portugal beating Spain would hardly be considered an upset, my friend.

Not an upset in the sense of Cyprus/Brazil, but the Spanish are the clear favorite in that game..

What happened!?!

DAMNIT, I'M FREAKING OUT! ALL WORDS AND STATS, NO DAMN TELEVISION AT WORK!

Portugal went on an odd-man rush (3-2), played it our perfectly but Figo's shot (from 7 meters orso) got tipped by the goalie and onto the post. Forget who it was, but another Portugees forward got a good chance on the rebound (open net, but difficult side) but shot it way too high, Seedorf style..

Portugal has yet to impress me at this tournament. Granted its only 2 games, but if you're having trouble controlling the play and creating chances against teams like Greece and a 10-men Russia, something is wrong. Very sloppy play right now..

Time to bring in some fresh energy, Christiano Ronaldo anyone?

How has Deco looked?

How has Deco looked?

Actually, he was the one that shot it over the top on that open net oppertunity. He's had a few more decent shots, but hardly been a difference maker.. Very involved offensively though, seems like every attack goes through him or ends by him.

Oh F' me.. Ronaldo comes in and immidiately embarrases his opponent.. Why isn't he as effective for United?

Edit: Deco just got a yellow card..

Rui Costa!

2-0 Portugal!

PHEW!

Portugal beating Spain would hardly be considered an upset, my friend.

This is not what I meant. I meant that because Spain should be already qualified tonight, it could be an upset for them as I -as you- can see Portugal send them packing on sunday. Sorry if this wasn't clear in the first post.

I am surprised by the difficulty that teams have to finish off games when they have the lead.
Apart from Sweden, none of the rest managed to take the chances to secure easy wins.
Deco was excellent tonight but why he so often ends up with silly yellow cards? This may be costly later in the tournament.
There is a bit of Paolo Maldini in Riccardo Carvalho and sadly a bit of Lilian Laslandes in Bulikyn. ;)

What the hell was Maniche doing there???

He gets a free kick, the Russian player kicks the ball at/to him (not really soft, but not very hard either), he catches it easily in front of his waist, then suddenly drops to the ground, screams and holds his face. This was the worst "acting" I have seen since Rivaldo in the 2002 World Cup...
Absolutely pathetic... :shakehead


The way the Russians played today, I don't think they can beat Greece. That means that either Spain or Portugal would be out after the first round.

LETS GO GREECE!! Hopefully we'll have an easier time against the depleted Russians...!!!

Sanderson,
That acting was beyond pathetic, yup. The weird thing is that the players don't think more highly of themselves and think they go away with their foolish act (goes for Mrs. Totti too).

Sanderson,
That acting was beyond pathetic, yup. The weird thing is that the players don't think more highly of themselves and think they go away with their foolish act (goes for Mrs. Totti too).

Totti is such a disgrace. Tipped to be one of the star of the tournament, he has blamed Nike for not playing well against Denmark then the following day we realised that he spent the game spitting to a danish player anyway. Really disappointing considering the talent he has got. :banghead:
The funniest about Maniche is that Alenitchev plays in the same club as him, Porto!

Oh F' me.. Ronaldo comes in and immidiately embarrases his opponent.. Why isn't he as effective for United?

He's getting better and better for United as well. I had my doubts earlier in the season but he's proven me wrong. This kid is going to be special...or wait, he already is special.

He's getting better and better for United as well. I had my doubts earlier in the season but he's proven me wrong. This kid is going to be special...or wait, he already is special.

Am I the only one to think that his body has developped since he moved to Old Trafford? When he signed, he really look like slim fragile footballer and now he looks a bit more like a power guy.

Terje Hauge :shakehead

Totti is such a disgrace. Tipped to be one of the star of the tournament, he has blamed Nike for not playing well against Denmark then the following day we realised that he spent the game spitting to a danish player anyway. Really disappointing considering the talent he has got. :banghead:

As a Real Madrid fan, I am glad that Florentino Perez chose a different Galactico to bring in this summer and not Francesco Totti. Samuel fills a huge need for us on the back-end and I consider him to be a Galactico signing. However, Perez has hinted that Madrid is not done and will get their '04 Galactico after he is re-elected in the club presidency elections. Beckham last year, Ronaldo the year before, Figo, Zidane, etc... I'm always excited every summer to see who Madrid brings in.

Having the benefit of watching two games in this group, it would be an upset in my mind if Portugal can get three points against Spain. Both teams have had trouble in the final third but i like Spain all over the pitch more than i like Portugal. From the net out, i like Casillas over Ricardo.I think the backlines are fairly even in all aspects. Spain has both quickness and toughness in midfield, but if Joaquin starts he will give Valente fits down the right. Morientes and Raul are far more formidable than Pauleta or Nuno Gomes. Figo is no longer a cutting edge player, Deco lacks a soft touch. Ronaldo is a wild card, Scolari seems to prefer him for 20 minutes and it may well work if the can keep the game tied until the end. Spain also have a good bench. I like Spain to get a 2-2 tie in the final game. Greece should be able to win 1-0 and win the group. Wouldn't that be something!

LETS GO GREECE!! Hopefully we'll have an easier time against the depleted Russians...!!!

I don't see anyway Russia could win against Greece. All I ask from them now is score a GOAL! :shakehead

LETS GO GREECE!! Hopefully we'll have an easier time against the depleted Russians...!!!


Don't jinx it buddy.
Russia will play well.
If Greece plays as they did against Spain, we have a problem.
We haven't played our best soccer yet, and this is not a joke.
The only thing that is working is the defence. We have much better offence then this. I want to see that young phenom striker Papadopoulos go in. Nikolaidis should start as well, he doesn't like being a sub.
Tsiartas will start in the place of Giannakopoulos next game since he got injured (out 10 days). Tsiartas is awesome.

Go Greece!