Off topic - football thread - European Cup 2012

So are we seeing the greatest team of all time? Or the greatest player? Or both/neither?

I would say, since 1992 anyway, both.

Lionel Messi scores five in Barcelona Champions League win

Would agree with you SMT. The current Barcelona team is the best team of recent times and could be at the top of a all time list.

I don't think you can compare in all honesty. The game now has changed so much in terms of speed, power and fitness levels. Also, pitches, kits, nutrition and eqipment has changed so much.

I'd say without a doubt we're watching both the greatest footballer ever and greatest footballing side. That's not to say other players (Pele, Maradonna, George Best) etc and other clubs wouldn't have been as good had they been playing now.

James

It is true that soccer has changed a great deal but should you check your soccer history ...

Many would suggest The Wanderers (the teams from Bolton and Wolverhampton were named after them) but ...

I would suggest that the Huddersfield team of the early 1920's was the best team ever ... not very fashionable but for their day they sustained being the very best of the very best ... period.

This period of glory culminated in their victory in the last pre-Wembly cup final in 1922.


Confession of possible bias

One of my Uncle Joe's ... my dads older brother, not the guy who made the mintballs or the general secretary of the CPSU, had a trial for them in 1921.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...e-sol-campbell


Of boobs, tubes and soccer violence in Horistan


Were they not the same group that earlier this year, protested outside Indian Mission in their country ? And, from the BBC video it would seem that some KKR fans, getting beat up by them fanboys.

My good friend, Yuri; an astute social scientist says, former soviet colonies, and Warsaw Pact nations are not exactly paragons of racial and social harmony in the post Cold War realities of their puny economies. Decades of oppression under repressive pro-Soviet regimes; and sudden collapse has led to two ugly manifestation of economic malaise - Soccer Violence & prostitution. Never in the past was there a linkage.

[WARNING: Parental Advisory in effect: Adult material lurking around. Not suitable to certain groups and ages..]

A English press lovechild at the moment NYC (weird given one of their players has been charged with racial abuse), but yes rampant racism on the terraces is a problem..
As for your friend Yuri well he's not far off the mark as we found out in Sofia, when the police slapped and kicked a young Black deportee, waiting for his flight. Well until three huge Tanzanians stood up and shook them down, I almost applauded...But since the cop were still waving a gun around I decided not to.

Back on topic, just two days until the big event, three weeks worth of the beautiful game....Ribery, Robben, Ronaldo, Rooney, Iniesta, Nani......Can't wait and I don't start work until 1st july whoop whoop

Hup Holland Hup

Yes, thats just what the doctor ordered for us insomniacs in India.
Cant wait!

not long now....

Yep, getting excited now. What I love about these tournaments is that any game can turn out to be a classic, even something as seemingly dull as Poland-Greece. Although I've probably jinxed that one now.

First tournament for Ireland in 10 years as well, not the easiest group (Croatia, Spain and Italy), but we normally manage to pull out a surprise result somewhere along the line. With Trappatoni in charge I wouldn't bet against a result against the Italians.

Hoping for a Germany victory in the end.

Yo SMT
Obviously I'm hoping for a Dutch victory, cause the party would be great..IF they escape the group of death I reckon they can go far..

Spain, Germany, The Netherlands are all contenders I think...And with the football these three produce who could deny them a victory..

I'll be shouting for Ireland too SMT until they meet the Netherlands of course.

Lets get beyond the Rascism and political posturing let's see the beautiful game at it's very best..

Today's Odds: POland-Greece = Poland by 1; Over-Under 3 Russia-Czech - Even; Over-Under 2.

One of my friend asked why aren't Brazil and Argentina playing?

And one clever reader commented in some website that had PIGS countries been in a group that would be called group of debt. Pretty neat that.

I am all excited now!!

To be fair, group C isn't far off it

Hey SMT did you watch those football vids I sent you??

Tomorrow at Meadowlands. At the Giant's Stadium.