Now, let's talk some SOCCER!

Hmm.... I wouldn't be thát sure if I were you...(remember WC 2002?)
What about the Portugues? (and let's not forget the outsiders...the Czechs!)
So Detox, don't panic yet!

grtz
slam

 

More info for the uninitiated.(like me)

http://www.wsoccer.com/cups/eurocup2004/index.htm

IMHO group C looks like the toughest division.

My Italian friends also agree. (of course)

Maybe someone out there with much more knowledge than me can say if they agree with this.


snowbound

 

Does that not apply to most things in life...? Important, and nice thing is to be/stay enthusiastic (for anything!)

cheers
Slammer

 

Well, I'm modest enough to question wether I have that much knowledge , but I will shine my light on the groups:

In my opinion all groups have very interesting matches scheduled to look forward to:

Group A: Neighbours Spain vs (hosts) Portugal (YUM-YUM), with Russia as the always uncertain factor, and outsider Greece.

Group B: The 'clash' between arrived football giant France and good ol' "we-are-always-so-trying"- England; the tough Croats, and outsider Switzerland.

Group C: Neighbours steady-Sweden and always happy Denmark; former (?) legends Italy and (very dark horse) Bulgary

Group D: Neighbours and classic rivals Netherlands vs Germany (!!!), the very solid Chech Repuplic (my secret forecast to do very well...) completed with weakest link on paper: Latvia.


Weak groups: there aren't any, these are the finals!
Toughest group:....... future will tell

(@ Paul Wilders Soccer, the most important trivial business in life )

grtz
Slammer

 

!!! thanks for reminding me: I really must go to bed, hahaha

As for Germany.... yeah I fear I can't argue with you on that statement....but not before 'we' (Dutch) have beaten the sh*t out of them in the first round! HA!
LOL

grtz
Joris

(edit: there there.... mind your language Slammer... who didn't want this to become a crude shouting contest again?(....)
No (real) offense intended / kein Anstoss im Absicht )

 

FIFA World Ranking Top 10 (May 2004):


1. Brasil 838 points
2. France 819 "
3. Spain 784 "
4. The Netherlands 744 "
5. Argentina 741 "
6. Mexico 738 "
7. Turkey 737 "
8. USA 724 "
9. Germany 723 "
10.Czech Republic 720 "

For the entire ranking of all 204 associated countries click HERE.

(@ Cochise: England currently ranks 12th, @ Snowbound (& Marianna): Canada currently ranks 93th; Italy 11th.)

In 1993, FIFA introduced a ranking system for senior national teams.
Over the years some improvements were made to come to some sort of 'reliable'* measure for comparing national A-teams. This system makes it possible to publish comparisons of the relative strenghts of international active teams at regular intervals.
Taken into consideration for the ranking are all international-A match results over a time span of the last 8 years:
* World Cup Final matches
* World Cup Preliminary matches
* FIFA confederations cup matches
* Continental championship final matches
* Continental championship preliminary matches
* Friendly matches

The ranking list is produced by a computer program which assigns a team points for every match, according to clearly defined criteria. The factors taken into consideration are:

1. Winning, drawing and losing
2. Number of goals
3. Home or away match
4. Importance of the match (multiplication factor)*
5. Regional strength (multiplication factor)*


* Because this ranking often is being argued/disputed whether it really shows an accurate actual ranking of relative strength, you may want to take a look at the criteria & calculation details, and judge for your self by clicking: here.

 

Thanks Slammer,

I appreciate all your teaching ... hopefully it'll sink into my nogg'n ... I've learned the basic rules etc.

so ... HUP ORANGE HUP ... looking forward to watching my adopted TEAM.

I assume it will be televised in Ont., Right fellow Ontarians? ... Sportsnet, TSN, or CBC?

dog -

 

Don't mention it: You're welcome!
It's a joy for me. And I hope (and pray...) your newly adopted team will not let you/us down...
If broadcasted overthere in Canada, make sure you're present at the very beginning - because this time, in stead of other tournaments where one can grow into topform to meet the topseeds, the climax (or should I say game of the tournament??) may come right at the start; concerning the Dutch vs the Germans.

I have big faith for that first game; biggest fear (out of experience, alas...) is that after that big one, team may get cocky or negligent and it may be harder to stay sharp for the following games....

Yet, I could be wrong (hopefully) and teamspirit is boosted after that one!
We will see...

As a matter of fact; slowly but steadily the so called orange-fever is building up.... the suspense , the anticipation... can't hardly wait!

Reagrds & enjoy

Slammer

 

Hi Dog

I assume it will be televised in Ont., Right fellow Ontarians? ... Sportsnet, TSN, or CBC?


I am in B.C. - but I already had looked it up in TSN - here is a link:

http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/euro/feature.asp?fid=8185

HUP HOLLAND HUP - laat de leeuw niet in zijn hemdje staan

 

Circle June 12 on your calendar.



snowbound

 

and take the day off June 15 !!!!

 

I wonder how many people will actually go to work that day in the Netherlands.(or in Germany for that fact)


snowbound

 

they are calling in telling they are SICK

 

Is not necessary, because I already know who is the winning team:

 

The match is at 07.45 pm local time

 

Wow - great timing - beer is COLD - chips and cheese on the table

 

And especially the dutch people take a fine joint!

Ciao,

Smokey​

 

Hi Marianna,

Thanks for the info ... I'll be watching

what does this translate to in english BTW - "laat de leeuw niet in zijn hemdje staan"

dog -

 

Hi dog

is a bit hard to translate as it is from a "soccer song" (Voetbal Wilhelmus)
"Hup Holland Hup" is the "Soccer National Anthem" of the Netherlands

It goes:

Hup Holland Hup:


Hup Holland Hup
Laat de Leeuw niet in z'n Hempie staan
Hup Holland Hup
Trek 't Beessie geen Pantoffels aan
Hup Holland Hup
Laat je uit het Veld niet slaan
Want een Leeuw op Voetbalschoenen
Kan de hele Wereld aan. (2x)

Well a VERY FREE translation could read:

don't leave the lion in his shirt
Hup.....
don't put slippers on the beast
Hup......
don't get distracted
because a Lion in soccer shoes
can tackle the entire world.

Unfortunately I can't find the music to it

With a little bit of "phantasy" you get what I mean??

 

Thanks Marianna,

That's Great ... Thanks Do they sing this song like a chant at the stadium? Or is more like pep rally song, for before the game ... or any time between games or seasons ... etc. (sorry, I don't know how to word this better) - like a feel good, fan pride thing.

A little OT, I sure wish the Leaf's had a song like this!

Thanks

dog -

dog -

 

If Marianna isn't sure i'll bet one of the Netherlands gang will fill us in!


snowbound

 

They sing this during matches en between the matches. However this a an old fashioned song. I have on my desk here the songs for 2004 and HHH is not on the CD, 16 other songs are. Even some with an English title like:
Always look on the bright sight of life
We are the champions
You'll never walk alone

 

Hi Gerardwil,

Is there any place on the net we could listen to Hup Holland Hup? I'd love to hear it.

dog -