Catch-all Euro soccer thread

[ScottYoshonis]

I'm going to go ahead and make a new thread specifically for European soccer, and will probably make a separate MLS one later, to replace the old "everything soccer" thread that had become too unwieldy.

Also, I didn't like the title. So sue me.

Anyway, we start off with Italy's seemingly annual embarrassment to the Beautiful Game, YET ANOTHER MATCH-FIXING SCANDAL!

Do the Italians just not get it? After decades of being one of the primary and more valuable contributors to the rich history and tradition and pageantry of the game, Italy has brought nothing but disrepute to themselves and the sport with the first cheating revelations (and blatant attempt by the perpetrators to be able to just get away with it), dragging the World Cup into the mud with their diving exploits, and now this.

If I were an Italian fan, I'd hide my face in shame over this. One cheating scandal is bad enough, but this just shows that the publicity from that, or the punishments handed down, did nothing to give any pause to further misdeeds. Something needs to be done to counteract the culture of impunity that seems to pervade calcio, before they tarnish the entire worldwide game any further.

Oh, and Man United sucks balls.

There, that should get things going nicely.

[robby241]

if topping the Prem and still being in for the treble is sucking balls then so be it.

[CFTV37]

Great idea Scott. When the new season starts in August I will start a seperate Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, and Premiership Threads just to keep the topics seperated. I'll probably start a Summer Transfer thread as well so all of the rumors and stuff can be kept in its own domain as well. Of course, I am sure there will be some crossover in topics and whatnot since everyone competes for different trophies and such.

The issue with Italy is with all the money involved in the game everyone at every level want their piece of the pie and are willing to grease the wheels a bit to get that piece. I just don't know why this country can't get it together. Does the country of Italy need an English Style ban from Europe to get their collective stuff together? Their stadiums aren't up to par with what should be the standard of all Top Flight Football throughout football. Their is corruption among clubs, refs, and even players. Maybe UEFA should just ban them for the next outbreak until they can get it together. Italian Soccer is a great game but the money has made it to where there is just a shady element to the game. I am glad that they didn't get the Euro's in 02 because they shouldn't be awarded for all the crap that has gone on the past couple of years in that country.

[ScottYoshonis]

if topping the Prem and still being in for the treble is sucking balls then so be it.

Held at home down the stretch by Middlesborough. So be it.

[CFTV37]

Man oh man, David Beckham delivered a perfect freekick into the box from the right channel about 35 yards away from goal that met the head of Sergio Ramos. Beckham had just been brought in as a sub just after the 60th minute of the game. Van Nistelrooy put Los Galacticos up 1-0. Former Madrid man Fernando Morientes got on the board for Valencia to draw the game even after a beautiful run and pass by Joaquin. Finally Beckham won a pentalty when he clattered into a Valencia defender on a 50/50 ball that the ref called a foul. Beckham dropped one of his trademark dipping shots towards the goal that could have either been a shot or a cross of sorts on Canizaries. Anyway, Ramos ran on it and hit a powerful header about 2 yards from the goalline.

I am eagerly awaitng his arrival in the States in July. I am sure that the freekick will make the ESPN Deportes Highlight Package on the overnight SportsCenter...............................

[waynewarrior]

West Ham beat Everton 1-0!!!!! We're not done yet!

[ScottYoshonis]

West Ham beat Everton 1-0!!!!! We're not done yet!

I just looked at the table, and all three teams in the drop zone are London clubs. I wonder if every relegated club from the top flight have all been London clubs, ever.

Who do the Hammers have in their last three games?

[waynewarrior]

I just looked at the table, and all three teams in the drop zone are London clubs. I wonder if every relegated club from the top flight have all been London clubs, ever.

Who do the Hammers have in their last three games?

Next week is Wigan away which is HUGE as we trail them by just 3. Then we have Bolton at home the next week and end the season at Man Utd so it won't be easy but we have a great shot. The next 2 games are pretty much must wins for us.

[robby241]

the championship is looking pretty interesting. i get the feeling Roy Keane and Sunderland may perform similarly to Reading. Keane will be a future United manager.

unfortunately cardiff has shot themselves in the foot on the way to the premiership.

[salgiacona]

Anyway, we start off with Italy's seemingly annual embarrassment to the Beautiful Game, YET ANOTHER MATCH-FIXING SCANDAL!

dragging the World Cup into the mud with their diving exploits, and now this.

Let me first say this... I couldn't agree with you more on the scandal stuff. I am ashamed. However atleast FINALLY someone is begining to clean this mess up and it might take a few years to get it done, but atleast the Italian FA is working on it.

Onto the World Cup, I guess we're just going to have to agree to DISAGREE 1000%. That in my opinion was the exact opposite of everything that is wrong in Italy. It was teamwork, passion and skill at it's highest level. My only regret was the Elbow that DeRossi hit McBride with. Other than that it was magical and far removed from all that other stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3vpSDoynO0

I hope that Italy meets England in the Euro Final because if there's one team that has been through as much bad luck(PKs, bad refs, Cristiano Ronaldo, ect.) as Italy, it's the English and I would to see them have their own moment because of how long it's been and how much they contribute to world football.

[ScottYoshonis]

Next week is Wigan away which is HUGE as we trail them by just 3. Then we have Bolton at home the next week and end the season at Man Utd so it won't be easy but we have a great shot. The next 2 games are pretty much must wins for us.

Pretty much, and it looks like you'll get Man United after they've clinched the title, so don't count out a result there if you need it as well.

Good luck. I'm pulling for West Ham, except against Fulham, who aren't out of the woods yet.