Portugal goes home by an obvious referee mistake

[deve]

The best team of euro08 goes home. What a pity. Ballack's goal is a clear foul. If Netherlands stumbles, looks like an Italy-Germany final again.

[eddierodriguez]

it was no foul, cause first ballack was pushed (like everyones pushed at corner or freekicks)

germany was " more clever"

[deve]

Perrera was closer to the ball. If Ballack hadn't pushed him he would have hit the the ball. No doubt it was a foul :). It's probably the last hi-profile international game that Swedish referee will see in his career.
I agree that Germany played clever. They always do.

[Drone]

looks like I'm out of the football pool. I had portugal heading to the final.

[eddierodriguez]

this is international standard.

portugal hasn´t lost because of the referee but because of their week game.

no matter if ballack made a foul or not. with still 2:1 the germans would have played more concentrated to keep the +1.

the 3:1 situation was the same as the 2:0, the germans were surprised of portugals weekness, they controlled everything from 0:0 to 2:0 and from 2:1 to 3:1. after 2+ they lost their concentration, got too relaxed and got a goal each time.

[Tommylicious]

Germany played a good match as a team, the Portugese found out way too late they actually have to play and attack to win...

Portugal could have won this if only the players weren't looking so much for their own solo actions. It's their own fault they are out imo.

More euro 2008 here;
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gear-...ro-2008-a.html

[tnjazz]

Originally Posted by deve

The best team of euro08 goes home.

You really think so? Wow. I don't think Portugal was even the best team in their GROUP.

Ballack may have pushed off a little, but face it - the Portuguese slacked off for much of the game. I can count on one hand the number of slashing dribble runs CR made in that game. He spent most of it standing offsides with that "whiny bitch" look on his face instead of actually playing the game with some heart.

The only time I felt bad for him was when he got his foot stomped on after the foul call in the second half. But even then I only felt bad for a moment.

I will say that the referee's calls did often seem to favor the Mannschaft rather than Portugal though. In the end I don't think it was directly responsible for Portugal's exit.

That was their own fault.


Turkey over Croatia today? Anyone with me on this?

[deve]

Yeah, When you look at the individual players, I think Portugal is the best team. But may be you are right. I should rephrase it as the team with best players. Having good players does not mean being a good team.
Turkey over Croatia?
Seems very difficult but I sure hope so. :) Croatia is the team that pushed England out the cup. They won all three games in their group including Germany. Very strong team indeed.

[deve]

Oh my!!! what a game