Euro 2004: now France lose

[muriel_volestrangler]

to Greece. That's the last of the 'big' countries out. Who'd have thought it? Germany, Italy, France, Spain and England all out before the semi-finals.

[Renew Deal]

1. Go Greece

I saw the game. They were great. I still think Portugal is a big team because of their home field.

[fizzana]

2. Watch Holland

If they put it together they will be hard to beat. It's great to see all the favored teams go out even though my English team is gone. England didn't deserve to win anyway. Portugal outplayed them.

[T_i_B]

3. I don't know about you lot

But I'm currently sticking up for the Czech Republic.

[Ottmar]

8. I think you're right

The Czechs don't care if they have to make up a leeway. That's the way champions are playing. They remind me of Ajax in the 90ies.

[T_i_B]

9. And the great thing is...

...they always seem to go behind, and they have to make a game of it as a result! I'd love another Czech Republic v Holland game in the final.

[Awsi Dooger]

4. France lost to Greece as a 1/6 favorite

Several friends of mine are stunned. They took France at 7/2 to win the Euro and were looking great with all the other big guns already ousted.

Las Vegas now lists homer Portugal as the favorite at 8/5, followed by Holland at 5/2.

[tkmorris]

5. There went my pick

I don't get it either. How the hell does a team with France's firepower lose to Greece? I'm not all that familiar with Greece but I cannot mentally make a team of Grecians that belongs on the same field with France. Yet obviously they do. Could someone who watched the game fill me in here?

[Kellanved]

6. good Teamwork

The French did not look as if they wanted to win it. They just did not play together well and did not give their all.

On a player-by-player basis Greece should have had no chance - many players are not even first-choice in the Greek league. The upside is that by this they got a lot time to train together.
The teams made up from star players usually meet for the first time mere days before the competition kicks off - by far not enough time to get a working team formed. (The clubs are to blame for that; they don't like to give expensive players to the national teams, as there is no re-compensation, but a huge risk of injuries)

[dudeness]

7. I am fuckin devastated

france lost to greece..no way