Sunday, 22 June 08, 05:49 PM
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jlhgol
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Friday, 20 June 08, 01:17 PM
Better late than never. Here are my picks for the next round
Germany vs. Portugal: Does not count. Game already played. I would have picked Portugal which would have been wrong.
Italy vs. Spain: Italy has not played that well. Before the tournament, I would have picked Italy but now, it is Spain.
Croatia vs. Turkey: Despite Croatia hurt, they are playing well and winning. Good middle field. I will pick Croatia to continue.
Netherlands vs. Russia: Russia will be very tough but Netherlands will be tougher. This will be a squeaker but Netherlands will win by one
goal.
Semi Finals
Spain vs. Netherlands: Barn burner. Great hard fought game which will result in a Netherlands victory.
Croatia vs. Germany: Rematch. Germany had some challenges with Croatia's mid field. Gave Croatia too much room. Will learn from their lesson. I will pick Germany to
seek revenge.
Finals
Netherlands vs. Germany: Not picking these two teams because I am German and Dutch. I now believe this will be the final. I thought it would be the Netherlands vs.
Portugal but we know the result. A very exciting final will take place. I pick the Netherlands to be the winner of Euro2008.
It is so nice to have Euro2008 coverage. I have not been able to see the coverage since my vacation in Aruba in 2000. It was a exciting trip. If I was not enjoying the water sports, site
seeing, I was watching the Euro2000. A great experience back then and today. It has a World Cup Feeling.
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Tuesday, 17 June 08, 11:31 AM
1st leg is pretty much in the books.
I was pleased that Netherland Antilles had a draw against Haiti in Haiti. I wish it was a win but, now
the Netherlands Antilles are hosting. It's in beautiful Curacao. I've been there. Return leg on home turf should do the trick. Glad I was incorrect on this one. I think
Netherland Antilles will win the next leg. I had originally picked Haiti to win but I think it will be tough in Curacao. If Netherland Antilles
plays up to their potential, they can do it. Go Netherland Antilles. Gooool Netherland Antilles. I am cheering you on.
USA vs. Barbados: Finally US scores some goals. Well, it is against a weaker Barbados team.
No surprise between Panama vs. El Salvador as Panama is a team on the rise.
Jamaica vs. Bahamas: Ouch! Tough obstacle to overcome.
Costa Rica vs. Grenada: I hope Costa Rica can win the next one, I think they should. It will be at Saprissa's Stadium. Between the home
crown, the heat from the fans will left Costa Rica to victory.
Guatemala vs. St. Lucia: Guatemala should continue to roll.
Looking forward to the next round.
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Sunday, 15 June 08, 03:28 AM
I got some insight on the Netherland Antilles Team. A comment posted on oleole.com (This blog is imported to oleole.com) stated Netherland Antilles is in the rise. FIFA.com and CONCACAF's website states the same thing. The comment continued "he would be surprised if
Netherland Antilles pulls a a win from the Caribbean Super Power Haiti. Netherland Antilles relies on many foreign players mostly from the Netherlands". I also checked Haiti has been on a decline. Good news for Netherland Antilles. The Netherland Antilles is made up with several islands in the Caribbean,
Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Saint Maarten and St. Eustatius.
Netherland Antilles lost by one goal in a friendly to Venezuela.
See FIFA's article below.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=719831.html#the+antilles+serious
I can't wait until Sunday to see the match between Haiti and Netherland Antilles.
I will also tape the Euro2008 to view later, I am really enjoying the Euro2008.
Especially the Netherlands winning like they did yesterday against France and earlier vs.
Italy.
Most importantly, I need to cheer the US team when they play Barbados.
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Saturday, 14 June 08, 09:09 AM
Before the tournament, I would have picked France over Netherlands. After them thumping Italy, I picked this game as a draw. How sweet to be
wrong. Netherlands wins big again. I am cautiously optimistic. Nice game. Nice defense, some nice attacks. The trio from Real Madrid are really something. All three now have scored in Euro2008.
All along I would have picked the Netherlands to beat Romania. Next game. Still stands but I hope this time I am right. Netherlands over Romania. I picked Romania last before the tournament. I am
cheering the Netherlands to go all the way. I am stating "cheering not picking". It's going to be very tough.
Italy has not done that well in Euro2008, but that could change. Italy must win the next game or they are finished. Cio. Germany and Portugal will be extremely tough. You can not count out Croatia, they beat Germany yesterday. Croatia is hurt but could be dangerous. Sweden, I
am not convinced that they will do much. Good opening game but even if they make it to the knock out rounds, it will be just that, they will be knocked out. Spain has always under achieved with
all the talent. You can not count them out. Spain is currently in 1st place in their division. They have the talent to win it all too. I pick Spain to win their Division but will they disappoint their fans during the knock out rounds. Time will tell.
This will be a exciting Euro2008.
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Saturday, 14 June 08, 02:28 AM
I thought I would have some fun and make my picks for CONCACAF. I will include some Caribbean Island Teams as well. Time for a tropical drink, sit back and enjoy the
game.
Some games are easy to make based on the books, it appears to be a mismatch. Those can be the dangerous and embarrassing games too.
Grenada vs. Costa Rica: Costa Rica should win this match. They have some nice talent on their squad. I am concerned they may not qualify for World Cup but time will
tell. I would love to see them qualify. Costa Rica qualified for World Cup 2006 but did not produce results. Grenada is a small island in the Southern Caribbean.
Guatemala vs. St. Lucia: I have been in St. Lucia, along with Cricket they really enjoy their football. As we say in the US, Soccer. Guatemala has a good squad who
could qualify for World Cup. They are a rising team in Central America. Guatemala has played US tough recently.
Puerto Rico vs. Honduras: Puerto Rico is better known for it's baseball and Honduras has some good Futbol Clubs. I pick
Honduras to win this match.
USA vs. Barbados: USA better win this one. Much better team than this beautiful island nation. Some heat is on the US to produce better results. This should be a
mismatch but US better never take any team lightly. It appears we are still hurting in some positions but should still win this match. It's great that US defends the goal but needs to
attack more. Too wimpy on the attacks. USA drew againts #1 rank Argentina. US should have attacked even in that match. Stop being afraid even againts highly rated
teams. I have some issue with Bradley on his coaching. He has done some things well, but there are a couple of players I think should get more playing time so we can attack the
goal.
Haiti vs. Netherland Antilles: Aruba has their own squad but I have visited the ABC islands twice. Very nice places to visit. There are
other islands that make the Netherland Antilles. Anyway back to Soccer. Netherland Antilles love their football but with only a series of
small Islands, it is hard to get a decent squad. They love the Netherlands National Team. Anyway back to this game. Haiti is a much higher rated team. I am going on the
limb and pick Netherland Antilles to lose to Haiti. I hope I am wrong since I am part Dutch. Would love to see Netherland Antilles win this
one. Haiti has a better club.
Jamaica vs. Bahamas: Based on much higher ranking, I will pick Jamaica to win this one. I have not seen either teaml
play.
Belize vs. Mexico: I guess Mexico has to play Belize. It's a mismatch. This should be a easy one for Mexico to win under their new Coach.
Panama vs. El Salvador: Many people are saying Panama is a rising ball club. El Salvador has some decent ball clubs. El Salvador is ranked much lower than
Panama. I pixk Panama to beat El Salvador.
This is why I love the CONCACAF. So much variety. You have large countries like US, Mexico and Canada competing You have great Soccer Countries like Costa
Rica, Guatemala and Honduras. Then you have small Caribbean Nations like Jamaica, Barbados, Belize and many others competing. It maybe a mismatch but every Country deserves a
chance to compete for World Cup Qualifying. No matter how big or how
small.
I love Soccer at all levels too. From Big Ball Clubs in Europe to various ball clubs (larger & small) in Central America to the ball clubs in South America. This weekend I am looking
forward to watching some Caribbean Nations play for their nation. Two CONCACAF matches are on GOL TV. Haiti vs. Netherland Antilles and Jamaica vs. Bahamas. I can't wait. I will sit back, have
a fruit smoothy and enjoy the games. Don't laugh about the smoothy, trying to stay healthy and it is good.
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Friday, 13 June 08, 01:04 PM
There were a couple more surprises for me. Germany losing to Croatia today. It was my understanding Croatia had some injuries. I thought (still
can happen) Germany will win the whole Euro 2008. Great players. I thought Croatia with the injuries, Germany would win this one. I am still shocked with Sweden's win over defending champion
Greece. Greece, one of the top teams in the World losing to Sweden who has struggled over the years.
Italy vs. Romania: Good match. Italy is under some heat. I will pick Italy to win this one. They mabe adging I
still think they have what it takes to win.
Netherlands vs. France: Sorry France, I am cheering on the Netherlands. I am part Dutch. I did pick France over
Netherlands but I hope the Netherlands prove me wrong. This could end in a draw. Does this seem to be a polititian answer? I will go againts my original pick and will pick this game to end in a
draw.
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Friday, 13 June 08, 12:34 PM
Here are my picks for the South America World Cup Qualifiers for this weekend.
Uruguay vs. Venezuela: Venezuela is a rising team. They proved that with a friendly win against Brazil. Uruguay is a good ball
club. They are hoping to do better than the first round. I will pick Uruguay to win. They are a good ball club and will come out to play.
Peru vs. Columbia: Peru didn't play very well in the first round. Columbia has a pretty decent squad. I will pick Columbia to
win this match.
Brazil against first place Paraguay: Brazil won of the top teams in the world will come out hungry against a good Paraguay
squad. Brazil which had a shocking defeat in a friendly game against Venezuela. Brazil will come out hungry with full guns loaded. It will be a good squeaker game, I pick Brazil to edge Paraguay.
The heat is on Brazil's coach.
Argentina vs. Ecuador: Number 1 team in the world against struggling Ecuador. Ecuador has a new Coach, it will be interesting
to see the results. Argentina is coming off a shocking draw against the US. I don't think Argentina took US seriously enough not to take anything away from our draw. Argentina has some of the
best players in the World on their squad and should beat Ecuador.
Bolivia vs. Chile: Last place Bolivia against Chile who has struggled. Chile has the better ball club which I think Chile will
win this match.
Uruguay vs. Peru: Uruguay has the better ball club. Peru has not played that well. I pick Uruguay to win this
match.
Bolivia vs. Paraguay: Worst against the best in the standings. Bolivia is not strong enough to handle Paraguay. Upsets can
happen, I think Paraguay will come out as I do pick Paraguay to lose to Brazil. Paraguay to beat Bolivia.
Ecuador vs. Columbia: Nice match but Ecuador has not played that well. The heat will be on. Columbia is a fine club and will
win this match.
Brazil vs. Argentina: What a smoker. Super Classic. Both teams fully loaded. I will actually pick this game to end in a draw as
it will be a hard fought match on both sides.
Venezuela vs. Chile: The rising ball club Venezuela against Chile. I think this will be a hard fought game and will end in a
draw.
I am making these picks without knowing who is hosting. I do know Bolivia is hosting Paraguay. I saw an article regarding the condition of the
playing field.
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Wednesday, 11 June 08, 12:17 PM
I was not surprised that Spain had beaten Russia. Spain has a stronger team, some elite players on elite teams. Russia has been on the rise.
I was pretty surprised that Sweden had beaten Greece. I felt Greece had a stronger squad. They are defending the trophy. Sweden came out to prove that they should get some respect. I picked Sweden to
finish last in their division. Time will tell if I am way off. Greece will come back. They have a good squad. I felt this match did not have many attacks. Very cautiously played game. I dosed off
at one point. Greece had more time of possession but the result was different.
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Wednesday, 11 June 08, 02:30 AM
Spain againts Russia: Spain will win this match. Better ball club. Russia is on the rise but Spain is a much better team. Spain is ranked number 4 and Russia is ranked number 24.
Greece againts Sweden: Sweden is not as good as they have been in the previous years. Greece is in the top 10. A rising national team. Greece will win this match.
Other than Spain, I have not seen the other Teams. I have to go by history, ranking and what I have read.
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On Wow!Brazil looses friendly to Venezuela??