Your EPL Weekend Highs

Hi all,

After the weekend’s games shown, tell us what you think of the teams or players who left you with a high.

Keep it to 200 words as usual, and sign off with your name, age and occupation.

Cheers

Ernest Luis, The Postman, The New Paper

Your Sun EPL 1st impressions

Hi all,

After Sunday’s games shown live, tell us your first impressions of the English Premier League teams featured. And what are their prospects in the coming month.

Keep it to 200 words as usual.

Cheers

Ernest Luis, The Postman, The New Paper

Your Sat EPL 1st impressions

Hi all,

After Saturday’s games shown live, tell us your first impressions of the English Premier League teams featured. And what are their prospects in the coming month.

Keep it to 200 words as usual.

Cheers

Ernest Luis, The Postman, The New Paper

 

 

Match React: Germany v Spain

So this is it. The final game of Euro08. The winner will take all, while the loser goes home with their tail between their legs.

Germany has stuttered through Euro08 after a blistering qualifying campaign, losing to Croatia in the group stages and struggling to beat Portugal and Turkey in the knockout rounds. But history is on their side though, as the three-time champions have the big-match temperament and experience to win them the first European title since 1996.

On the other hand, Spain has been a revelation in this tournament, brushing aside all opposition en route to the final in Vienna. Along the way, they put to bed their “underachievers” tag, smashed their 22 Jun and penalty shootout jinxes, and broke an 88-year winless record against the Italians. Puyol marshals the solid defence while Iniesta, Silva and super-sub Fabregas make up the dynamic midfield; and the Torres-Villa strike combination strikes fear in opponents’ hearts. Even with Villa injured, the mercurial Fabregas is at his creative best in the 4-2-3-1 formation, directing play behind main striker Torres to great effect.

So will this be Spain’s year of reckoning, or will it be as Gary Lineker says: “Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes, and at the end, the Germans win”?

Podcast Euro08 Preview

Children of the podcast,

Enhance your weekend with this aural delight.

Ernest and I discuss the semi-finals just gone and the big one about to arrive.
Possibly the most exciting pair of teams to get to a tournament final for some time.
It’s Germany v Spain, baby.

Why will the Germany squad withstand a nuclear blast, can you feel a team and are the Turkish team names all made up by Ernest.

Plus a homework request.
Rude sounding names of Euro08 players. We have Zhirkov and Arshavin.
If you know of more, add them to the comments list.
Yes its childish, but we never claimed to be anything else.

Enjoy the podcast HERE

or scroll down and to the right is the BOX application where you can stream it.

See you after the final

JonRob

the pod host

Match React: Russia v Spain

Russia have done well on the European stage this season, with Zenit St Petersburg being the first Russian team to clinch the Uefa Cup. They may have struggled early in the group stages without their mercurial playmaker Andrei Arshavin, but everything has fallen in place for the Russians since the Arshavin’s return from suspension.

On the other hand, Spain seemed strangely subdued against Italy, after a blistering start in the group stages. The watertight Italian defence provided no avenues for the red-hot strike combination of Torres and Villa, and while Spain would hold the psychological advantage over Russia, having thrashed them 4-1 in the opening match, Russia’s form and Arshavin’s return will make this re-match a really interesting one to watch.

Match React: Germany v Turkey

Hi all,

Germany has grown from strength to strength after its group stage defeat against Croatia, while Turkey has been plagued with a multitude of injuries and suspensions, leaving Fatih Terim only 14 fully-fit players to choose from for this semi-final match.

However, the Turks have sealed their status as comeback kings in this tournament, fighting back from adversity to clinch games at the death. So will the Turks make it four times in a row tomorrow morning, or will the Germans steamroll a weakened Turkey side? Share your thoughts with us and your fellow readers by clicking on the “comments” tab above and type away.

Please keep your entries to 100 words though, and sign off off your posts with your full name, age, occupation at the bottom of every post. Start the ball rolling by clicking on “comments” above.

Cheers,

Lim Say Heng

The Postman’s Web Director

Match React: Holland v Russia

This match is set to be a mouth-watering clash between the tournament’s form team and a team that has been revitalised by the return of its playmaker.

The immensely talented Dutch players have seemingly put aside their infamous infighting to play as a team, and how terrifying they are when they are on song. Reigning world champions Italy were torn apart in the first match, former world and Euro00 champions France were obliterated in the second, and a second-string Dutch side ripped Romania apart in the third.

Match React: Spain v Italy

The knockout rounds have certainly produced some surprising results so far, with favourites Portugal and Holland packing their suitcases earlier than most expected.

Spain has been another early favourite, winning all three group stage games on the back of the great chemistry between strikers Fernando Torres and David Villa.

On the other hand, Italy has bounced back in the face of adversity. The world champions lost their inspirational captain Fabio Cannavaro before the tournament and started it in a horrid fashion, losing 0-3 to Holland. They did not fare any better next by drawing against Romania, and prevented an embarrassing early exit by sending France home instead.

But don’t discount the Italians though. Like a wounded animal, Donadoni’s men may just “bite” back by throwing Spain out of Euro08, making it three for three in terms of quarter-final upsets.

Will Spain join Germany, Turkey and Russia in the semi-finals, or will they share the “underachievers” tag with Portugal AGAIN? Share your thoughts with us and your fellow readers by clicking on the “comments” tab above and type away.

Match React: Croatia v Turkey

IT is the battle of the underdogs.

While some may have expected Slaven Bilic’s men to make it to the quarter-finals, few would have known that they would do it with such style, sweeping all aside – including pre-tournament favourites Germany – to clinch the top spot.

On the other hand, Turkey’s passage to the knockout rounds have been hard and gritty, causing fans and punters alike countless skipped heartbeats and sleepless nights. The late comeback against the Czechs will go down in tournament forklore, like how Manchester United fought back in 1999, and Liverpool in 2005.

But that fairytale has to end for one team tomorrow morning.

Will Bilic’s rock stars get to work their magic in Euro08, or will the relentless Turks be the Greece of this tournament? Share your thoughts with us and fellow readers by clicking on the “comments” tab above and type away.