In case you missed them...

Portugal 3-0 Wales
Norway 1-0 Italy
Sweden 1-1 Spain
Denmark 2-2 Belgium
Germany 2-2 Czech Rep.
Malta 1-2 England

and how about this for a shocker...

Hong Kong 4-2 Yugoslavia!!!

For a side that has been built up to be contenders in Euro 2000, what has gone wrong there?

Hmm, a narrow English victory against Malta -doh! Either Wright gave away a penalty or scored an OG (two conflicting teletext reports...), he certainly gave away another penalty that was missed as well... But then we did win - the same couldn't be said for Yugoslavia (OH MY GOD!!!)

It was actually quite unbelievable. Last week in the playoff final Wright saw a shot hit the bar, hit him and go in. This week it was a penalty that cracked a post and went in off the back of his head. Two OGs by a Keeper in Two Games? Is that a record? He did indeed concede two pens - first one he went to save a ball, mistimed it completely, missed the balkl and cracked the player. Second time he missed the ball again, bringing the forward down in the box. This time though, he avoided embarrassment and saved with his legs. Definite plus point is Nick Barmby. He simply has got to start - he was dropped after scoring against Moldova in 1996 when he was out of favour with Hoddle, and who knows how we might have done with him in the team. He was lively and made the Heskey goal. Heskey again looked good, showing that the people who think that to do well you have to have two out-and-out scorers are completely wrong.

Norway played really well. That couloured striker (Charew?) is damn good.
And we lost Buffon!!! After Vieri our starting goalie is out as well. For the second straight tourney Italy can't play their no.1 goalie. Gratefully Toldo is a fantastic keeper as well, but given their dismal performance today, this is another blow to the moral of this team.

I'll tell you now, if John Carew gets his move to Tottenham to partner Rebrov, he will be a massive success. He is made for the English game, and has the potential to be one of the best players in Europe.

I saw part of the game Portugal-Wales and was happy with the score. Wales is not as easy as it looks. (Nice to see some Welsh supporters too! Didn't expect - few but good!)

Now with Buffon out, who are Italy's goalkeepers?

Toldo (first class keeper, almost 2 meters tall)
Abbiati (plays the U21 finals tomorrow, very very good young keeper)
Antonioli (medium-good keeper, just slipped into the team because Peruzzi didn't want to be 3rd keeper)

Well, I gotta tell you. Either that result looks REALLY good for the Czech Republic, or REALLY bad for Germany (being at home and everything).

Myself, I am hoping it's the first, as we are in the (arguably) toughest group in EU2000.

Go Czechia http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/smile.gif

lol, i'd say the 3-2 victory looks good for germany..

Sorry, Drinky but Carew (Rosenborg) has already signed a 5-year long contract with Valencia a long time ago, I believe..but he will finish this season with Rosenborg and after thet he will make his move.

This is what I have heard a long time ago...

About the Sweden-Spain game:

Spain wasn't so great that I would have thought but on the other hand they didn't use RAUL cuz of a lighter injury, and MENDIETA only player 45 min, damn he is good..( as we all saw in Champ.League..)

But Sweden did a quite good game though and shouldn't be counted out...but as a Swede I will keep a low profile about my expectations...

Sweden controlled the last 20min when Yksel Osmanovski (BARI) and Henrik Larsoon (CELTIC) came in..then Sweden could have scored a 2-1...but a fair result in the end.

BTW, both goals were scored on penaltys.
1-0 Guardiola
1-1 R. Nilsson

And another thing: Hedman (COVENTRY) is a first class goalkeeper!!! He did som really great saves out there and will be one of the most important players in Sweden.

[This message has been edited by Neo_9 (edited 06-04-2000).]

Hey, I thought this might be interesting: What are the bookmakers' opinions in your countries about EURO 2000? Here in Greece, regarding the winner of the tournament, they are:

1) Holland - 4,00
2) Spain - 6,00 3) Italy - 6,00
4) France - 6,50
5) England - 10,00 6) Germany - 10,00
7) Chechk republic (spelling) - 15,00 8) Belgium - 15,00
9) Portugal - 18,00 10) Sweden - 18,00 11) Norway - 18,00
12) Yugoslavia - 20,00
13) Romania - 25,00
14) Denmark - 40,00
15) Turkey - 50,00
16) Slovenia

At 18-1, Portugal are worth an each-way punt. England are over-rated again though http://www.soccergaming.com/ubb/frown.gif

In response to Game Rod...
I watched the Portugal-Wales game, and certainly I didn't expect us Welsh to win because many players were out injured (including Giggs - surprise surprise!) and did well only to lose 3-0...
Mind you, the first goal was a bit lucky as it took a deflection.

Still, it's a team that is having to be rebuilt and no doubt will be a "difficult" team to play in the future.

Drinky - England are always overrated by the bookies over here (even Welsh bookies !?!?!) - they are always confident of them winning, but I doubt it...