Spain deservd to win even after tonight's performance. What did you think of the euro 2008 final? 
Germany 0 - 1 Spain
Can't believe the Euro 2008 is over. I'll be back later. I'm going to Santa Monica beach for the rest of the day.Post a comment with your thoughts on the game or the final ceremony.Talk to you later,Monica
Even though the best are out. Only Spain as a favorite is still in 
competition. My starting 11 would include eliminated teams.
If not starting 11, best in the categories:
goalkeeper: Iker Casillas
defenders: Chiellini
midfielders: Deco
forwards: David Villa
- What's your ideal euro 2008 starting 11? Or best players in defense, midfield, forwards?
For me- Luca Toni.
I could say Cristiano Ronaldo but at least he scored 1 goal and had an ok game in Czech Republic-Portugal.
Toni as a striker, no goals. Had all the time in the world. Unfairly staying on the 90 minutes in all 4 Italy games. Missed opportunities galore. No one could have thought he was that out of shape coming into the Euro 2008.
I think Italy needed an 'Inzaghi' to come on and score when the team really needed it.
- What player(s) didn't play to his high standards in this euro 2008?
5 more days of Euro 2008 soccer. In the 4 weeks that I had this blog I found other interesting soccer blogs and bloggers. For instance,
of Euro 2004. So what team was the surprise this time? A team with not many well-known players but who played football against the big teams.
- Who do you think was the team that surprised everyone by getting so far?
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Euro 2008- 5 more days til the final. 2 days without any soccer match. I'm glad there's a break! Time to watch a little Wimbledon and enjoy the beach. The last games were at 11:40 am my time, Los Angeles, CA. Now I can practice the piano more hours in the morning. I'm also a tennis fan so this morning I saw some of the Wimbledon matches on ESPN, Federer and Andy Roddick. What are you catching up on these 2 days that there's no euro 2008 soccer?
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This 7 min video is a report from Portuguese news TV rtp. I was watching it on Youtube. You can see the team inside the plane just like if you're there. Also when they arrive in Lisboa, Portugal at the Aeroporto Portela. English translation of the report in Portuguese:
2 hours and a half. Despite the defeat that elminated Portugal, apparently it didn't ruin the good spirit of the team. The players didn't hide the disappointment but they showed they were relaxed.
This was the last trip of Scolari of Scolari as Portugal manager. When they arrived at Portela airport, the team had hundreds of fans waiting for them. The players left in silence. The manager Scolari had a nice gesture. Scolari stood up in the bus, called the players to get off the bus and approach the fans. (00:57)
Discreet reception
This time the reception was more discreet. Not as euphoric as when the team returned from the 2006 world cup. Nevertheless 250 fans were at the airport to see the manager and players. The contact with the public lasted only a few minutes. Thanks to manager the fans got autographs. Tired from the trip but aso because of the long journey sthat started a month ago.
Nani-- "We had the will, quality. We didn't get happiness yesterday. We were unfortunate to concede 2 goals in set pieces. They didn't play better than us. We were always superior."
Miguel---"We're happy for the team. Life goes on."
Nani and Miguel were the only players that talked to the journalists. The team and staff arrived in Portugal together but separated in Lisboa. 9 players went to Porto. They went on vacation. In September, when the Portugal start the qualifications for the 2010 world cup, the manager won't be Soclari anymore. He'll leave the team after 5 years to go train Chelsea in England.
- What did you like about the video?
I was watching this video of the Portugal players leaving today, 3 days after they're eliminated from the euro 2008. All in black suits, and even get to see inside the euro 2008 bus. When I saw the title 'Farewell of the Portugal natioanl team' I thought I'd see all 23 players. I was surprised to see that it was almost all Miguel Veloso. So used to it being all about Cristiano Ronaldo.
My favorite players who don't appear and that I like watching are Helder Postiga, Joao Moutinho, of course Ricardo Carvalho. The players who you DO see are:
June 20th- Portugal players leaving Hotel Beau Rivage and getting on the euro 2008 bus for the last time. They were eliminated the day before in the Portugal 2 - 3 Germany quarterfinal.
Getting on the bus
You see 00:00-00:20-Cristiano Ronaldo
0:20-Paolo Ferreira
00:38-Nani
00:45- Miguel Veloso.
Inside the bus:
01:18- Miguel, you can see the nice lake from the window,
01:23- Miguel Veloso,
At the airport
01:42- Nani and all the players getting on the airplane. Jorge Ribeiro, Cristiano Ronaldo with their carry-ons in the airplane. The view as seen from the plane window when it took off.
video: Despedida da Selecção Nacional- www.tudoportodos.com
- What did you think of the video?
2 'powerhouses' should be able to 'wrap it up' in regular time. But no. Extra time and penalties. Like the chant of the Spain fans said "El dia 22, Italia dice adios." Super Chiellini, and Grosso were the best Italy players. Disappointing- Aquilani.
starting lineup- no Camoranesi, No Del Piero.
changes too late- Luca Toni 90 minutes all 3 euro 2008 games? He would always be marked by 2 Spain players.
Did Cassano and Aquilani need to be replaced earlier?
Spain- the best were Valencia's David Silva, and Carles Puyol. Why did Aragones replace Torres and not Villa? Torres had a better season than Villa at Valencia. He
- What did you think of the Spain - Italy game?
The way Germany played against Portugal. How they came from winning unconvincingly to scoring 3 goals to the Group A favorite. My prediction for the Euro 2008 final:- Your prediction for the Final, of the Euro 2008?
My dream's gone- Portugal's out. Now I think the final will be Germany - Italy. We'll worry about that later. Now I'm thinking of tomorrow's game, Spain- Italy. I really hope it ends in 90 minutes. I don't want to go through the agony or lottery of penalties.
For Spain- I predict at least one spectacular goal from a midfielder, either Xavi or Iniesta.
Final score: Spain 2-3 Italy
First it was Peter Cech, and the ball slipping
Then, today Van Der Saar against Russia, conceding 3 goals.
Will Gigi Buffon survive and go the Euro 2008 final?
How many goals from Spain will he concede?
- What's your prediction for the Spain - Italy game?
Dois dos treinadores mais conceituados do Mundo pronunciaram-se sobre a possibilidade de Portugal não passar à próxima fase do Euro2008. Luiz Felipe Scolari, que já afirmou há poucos dias querer a Taça, confessa que a eliminação precoce de Portugal seria horrível. José Mourinho fala dessa hipótese qualificando-a de ridícula. E qual é a sua opinião?
(2 of the most known managers in the world have had their say about the possibility of Portugal not going through to the next stage of the Euro 2008. Scolari, that a few days ago said he wanted to win, confessed that the early elimination of Portugal would be horrible. Mourinho says that not going through the group stage is 'ridiculous.')
"Portugal won't qualify for the next stage because it will lose against Czech Republic and draw with Switzerland, which would make me very sad. On the other hand, it would be accurate because of the lack of humility of some players and also because of the excessive euphoria of portuguese. Won a game and it looks like we were champions."
- Do you think Portugal has the necessary game, forwards, to go through the group stage?
I can't believe it. I'm at a loss for words. Later I'll watch the game. I say 'lost' 3 points because it's safe to say most people knew Italy could win this. Even I thought they would yesterday. At this point, France's journey is a bit easier. That means if France scores at least 2 next time without conceding... 1st place in Group C is theirs. No way around it.Now I really believe Portugal has more of a chance to get to the final. Of course, Italy has that tradition of starting weak in the tournaments and ending strong. Even in the 2006 World Cup.
I saw the Romania - France live on ESPN. I pressed the mute button and put the radio commentary online from RTL.fr . ESPN doesn't need to narrate every detail because the image is on TV. I like to know every move with some analysis from France followers- so that's why I rather put the radio on......... What a surprise! Today Nil nil draw 0-0!
What France needed to win- The 2 forwards to get into the area and score. More understanding between the 2 Benzema and Anelka. Not to rely only on Ribery. On the left, incursions by Malouda, or Abidal. On the right, Sagnol to save the day, score and be decisive. After the match, former France player Lizarazu, said that so far there are no solutions in the front. To hear more opinions on the France match in French: Les Bleus tenus en echec par la Roumanie. I agree with what he said.
Let the wingers, Ribery and Malouda to play freely not caged in a box in their side. Free to go to the middle, switch sides, sort of like the 2 Portugal wingers: Simao, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
1st half- Strict 4-4-2. Not the usual France. Ribery and Malouda stayed in their respective flanks. They didn't go forward, weren't free to go in the middle and give service to the 2 forwards. Benzema and Anelka were too isolated in the front. Rarely had the ball.
The 2 instances where France could have scored. Minute 32- Anelka, a header right in the box, went over the bar by a little. Minute 42 Karim Benzema- a shot outside the area, over the bar by little too. Surprised the Romani defense with that shot.
2nd half- Ribery played more freely. Spent most of his time going forward, near the box, crossing balls into the penalty area. The most decisive shot on target came when Ribery was in the box.
The man of the match for me was Ribery in the 2nd half.
Romania's game- Former France player, Bixente Lizarazu, was a commentator on the radio after the match. He was saying that Romania didn't really play. They spent most of their time stopping France. Slowing down the rhythm. To the point of make a substitute change in injury time.
Post-match opinions of former France player Lizarazu: After the game, he said that the key for France in the Euro 2008 will be Ribery. "I prefer Ribery to play more freely. Malouda to play less offensive, more defensive for the team. " Do you agree with Lizarazu?
Will Domenech keep the same starting 11 in the next game? Sagnol instead of Diarra? Anelka instead of Nasri? - What did France need to win?
Romania - France- 
I'm going for France I wonder if Lassana Diarra will be in the starting 11. Here's a picture I took of him last summer in a Chelsea pre-season training camp at UCLA in Los Angeles, CA.
France- a euro 2008 favorite. According to L'Equipe (French sports paper), Domenech won't put Henry yet. He has to decide on Monday. (For me in L.A. it's still Sunday) He might put 2 forwards, Anelka and Benzema. I hope Benzema does what he's best at in a high pressure match. I think it's his first match in an international tournament.
I hope Portugal gets to the euro 2008 final. I also follow closely Italy and France. Tomorrow at 8:30am it will be- France game on ESPN on mute! Hear the French narrators online at RTL.fr. If only the goals can be called with much more enthusiasm. I like Andy Gray's comments more than the ones on ESPN Deportes.
In 
Netherlands - Italy 
- My money's on Italy.
- What are your predictions for tomorrow's Group C matches?
Wow! Germany is one of the favorites for the UEFA EURO 2008. What happened? I think Germany will beat Serbia at the end, 2-1.
Sub21-
Holland 2- 0 Portugal. What happened here? Not even 1 goal? Oh boy.
France, 3) Germany. Outsiders likely to win but not as strong as these 3: Germany, Spain, and Portugal.
I'm a fan of the Portugal national team and hope it at least gets to the Final. My soccer friends are staunch supporters of the 2 blues: Gli Azzurri Italy and les Bleus France. They keep teasing me
A blog about Portugal's Viseu training for EURO 2008, don't waste your time
Portugal win the EURO? ppleease Monica! Be serious
You know Italy is the favorite- Luca Toni, Buffon, siamo i campioni del mondo [we're world champions]
France is going to win, we're runner-up World Champions! L'experience.
If Portugal had Figo, then I'd give them a small chance...
Portugal just faced Italy this February in a friendly. Italy won 3-1. Quaresma was the man of the match of Portugal for me. Here's a video clip of the goal highlights
Second 00: Luca Toni's goal, his celebration, the fans, instant replay
Minute 1: Italy's 2nd goal by AC Milan's Andrea Pirlo
Why do you think Portugal won't win the final game?
Or how far will it go in the EURO 2008?
What is Portugal missing to be a favorite like Italy and France.
Italy/ France has strikers/ experience/ leaders/ not just 1 star/ ______ and Portugal at this moment doesn't.I'd like to know your opinion,
Who are your favorites to win the UEFA EURO 2008?
What outsiders do you think can go very far? (Spain, Portugal...)
The runner-up of EURO 2004 is Portugal. The reigning European champion, Greece. Their national jersey:
was the big surprise last time. Will Greece get to the final again? I don't think so.
Their group, Group D has Russia, Sweden, Greece, and Spain. Spain will definitely, inevitably, go through, with Torres getting experience at Liverpool, he's stronger than in the 2006 World Cup.
Greece just had a friendly where they lost 3-1.
I asked this in Yahoo! answers, and here are 2 answers I got so far:
no idea... but thats the joy of euro!further than england i guess
no i don't think so. hard to do this again
How far will Greece go this EURO 2008?
Will they go through as a winner or runner up of Group A to the Quarter Finals?
Will Greece reach the final again to defend its title? Ahead of Italy, France, Germany or Portugal?
I think it just luck in EURO 20004 that England, France and Spain left way too early. Only that way was Greece able to get to the final. Portugal had no excuse to draw and not win the whole game too.