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dar
Indiana Jones IV
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:01 pm Posts: 1702
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ahmed salem wrote: dar wrote: ahmed salem wrote: dar wrote: ahmed salem wrote: Sauron wrote: Portugal -6 v Luxembourg-0 lol, too easy  Yes, that was a great game, I watched it. Pauleta's 1st goal ( Portugla's 3rd) was the best goal I've seen in quite some time. After that performance, I think reaching the quarter final of WC 2006 is the absolute minimum for Portugal. I don´t wanna quote "Pulp fiction"  , but I really don´t think a home qualification match against Luxembourg is really that significant. And I fancy Portugal´s chances a lot. Yes, this match isn't that significant. But if you consider this match, along with their matches in Euro 2004, and the first few matches of the WC 2006 qualifications, you'll find a very good and consistent team. And frankly, can you find 8 other teams that are better than Portugal at the moment? Well, Portugal played at home in Euro 2004. I know that is a double edge sword, but most teams tend to do really good in big championships, or at least almost as good as Portugal did. Hell, Korea got to Semis in 2002. I really like Portugal and I think they are one of the best teams in the world, yeah. But that doesn´t mean they will get to QF. Argentina didn´t pass the first round on 2002, don´t you think they were - are- one of the best teams too? Portugal, methinks, tends too underperform, quite as Spain does. They are going to need more than being their usual good, and there other factors like the draw, form of the key players, etc... don´t you think It´s a bit too early to make any predictions? Even if it´s fun...  Actually I made my predictions around 3 months ago.  I don't think it's too early, These are currently the best teams in the world. 1: Argentina 2: England 3: Brazil 4-8: Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, France (assuming Zidane does really really well)
I kind of agree, although I would rate Brazil higuer and England lower. And Germany? Hmmm... no. I´d put Spain instead, but I´m spanish, so don´t mind me!
In any case, these could be the best teams, but never, ever, the best 8 teams in the world make it into the last 8 in a World cup. Surprises abound, just from the top of my head, Korea and USA in the last World Cup.
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Sun Sep 04, 2005 8:41 am |
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asalem182
Cream of the Crop
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:44 am Posts: 2375 Location: Cairo, Egypt
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dar wrote: ahmed salem wrote: dar wrote: ahmed salem wrote: dar wrote: ahmed salem wrote: Sauron wrote: Portugal -6 v Luxembourg-0 lol, too easy  Yes, that was a great game, I watched it. Pauleta's 1st goal ( Portugla's 3rd) was the best goal I've seen in quite some time. After that performance, I think reaching the quarter final of WC 2006 is the absolute minimum for Portugal. I don´t wanna quote "Pulp fiction"  , but I really don´t think a home qualification match against Luxembourg is really that significant. And I fancy Portugal´s chances a lot. Yes, this match isn't that significant. But if you consider this match, along with their matches in Euro 2004, and the first few matches of the WC 2006 qualifications, you'll find a very good and consistent team. And frankly, can you find 8 other teams that are better than Portugal at the moment? Well, Portugal played at home in Euro 2004. I know that is a double edge sword, but most teams tend to do really good in big championships, or at least almost as good as Portugal did. Hell, Korea got to Semis in 2002. I really like Portugal and I think they are one of the best teams in the world, yeah. But that doesn´t mean they will get to QF. Argentina didn´t pass the first round on 2002, don´t you think they were - are- one of the best teams too? Portugal, methinks, tends too underperform, quite as Spain does. They are going to need more than being their usual good, and there other factors like the draw, form of the key players, etc... don´t you think It´s a bit too early to make any predictions? Even if it´s fun...  Actually I made my predictions around 3 months ago.  I don't think it's too early, These are currently the best teams in the world. 1: Argentina 2: England 3: Brazil 4-8: Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, France (assuming Zidane does really really well) I kind of agree, although I would rate Brazil higuer and England lower. And Germany? Hmmm... no. I´d put Spain instead, but I´m spanish, so don´t mind me! In any case, these could be the best teams, but never, ever, the best 8 teams in the world make it into the last 8 in a World cup. Surprises abound, just from the top of my head, Korea and USA in the last World Cup.
Germany has been doing quite well lately, and playing at home will definitely help them., that's why I think they will do well.
Of course surprises can happen, but IMO Korea reaching the semis in 2002 was not a surprise, it was a conspiracy. Gamal El Ghandour, the referee of the quarter final match between Korea & Spain butchered Spain. The same thing happened in the Italy-Korea match in the last-16 match. I hope the same things will not happen next year.
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Sun Sep 04, 2005 9:15 am |
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Sauron
Star Trek XI
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 10:26 am Posts: 345 Location: in front of my pc
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well it really isnt the best game to judge Portugal, but if they continue to play with this quality i think they can make a good performance in the WC 2006.
The game with Russia is going to put Portugal in Germany  .
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Sun Sep 04, 2005 9:16 am |
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dar
Indiana Jones IV
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:01 pm Posts: 1702
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ahmed salem wrote: Germany has been doing quite well lately, and playing at home will definitely help them., that's why I think they will do well.
Of course surprises can happen, but IMO Korea reaching the semis in 2002 was not a surprise, it was a conspiracy. Gamal El Ghandour, the referee of the quarter final match between Korea & Spain butchered Spain. The same thing happened in the Italy-Korea match in the last-16 match. I hope the same things will not happen next year.
You know, It´d be too easy to accept that conspiracy theory. I think refereeing can decide a match that´s really even, but in a Korea Vs. Spain (Or Italy), I just don´t buy it. They are supposed to be vastly superior teams to Korea, they should have proven it, dodgy referee decisions or not.
By the way, Germany lost his friendly against Slovakia this weekend. 
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Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:27 am |
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asalem182
Cream of the Crop
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:44 am Posts: 2375 Location: Cairo, Egypt
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dar wrote: ahmed salem wrote: Germany has been doing quite well lately, and playing at home will definitely help them., that's why I think they will do well.
Of course surprises can happen, but IMO Korea reaching the semis in 2002 was not a surprise, it was a conspiracy. Gamal El Ghandour, the referee of the quarter final match between Korea & Spain butchered Spain. The same thing happened in the Italy-Korea match in the last-16 match. I hope the same things will not happen next year.
You know, It´d be too easy to accept that conspiracy theory. I think refereeing can decide a match that´s really even, but in a Korea Vs. Spain (Or Italy), I just don´t buy it. They are supposed to be vastly superior teams to Korea, they should have proven it, dodgy referee decisions or not. But Spain & Italy indeed proved they were better. Spain scored a goal that wasn't counted ( one of the biggest jokes in the histoty of football IMO), and I can't really remember, but wasn't Totti sent out half an hour into the game? dar wrote: By the way, Germany lost his friendly against Slovakia this weekend. 
Do you think a friendly game against Slovakia is the best way to judge? 
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Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:46 am |
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dar
Indiana Jones IV
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:01 pm Posts: 1702
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ahmed salem wrote: dar wrote: ahmed salem wrote: Germany has been doing quite well lately, and playing at home will definitely help them., that's why I think they will do well.
Of course surprises can happen, but IMO Korea reaching the semis in 2002 was not a surprise, it was a conspiracy. Gamal El Ghandour, the referee of the quarter final match between Korea & Spain butchered Spain. The same thing happened in the Italy-Korea match in the last-16 match. I hope the same things will not happen next year.
You know, It´d be too easy to accept that conspiracy theory. I think refereeing can decide a match that´s really even, but in a Korea Vs. Spain (Or Italy), I just don´t buy it. They are supposed to be vastly superior teams to Korea, they should have proven it, dodgy referee decisions or not. But Spain & Italy indeed proved they were better. Spain scored a goal that wasn't counted ( one of the biggest jokes in the histoty of football IMO), and I can't really remember, but wasn't Totti sent out half an hour into the game? dar wrote: By the way, Germany lost his friendly against Slovakia this weekend.  Do you think a friendly game against Slovakia is the best way to judge? 
No, but apparently you do
Seriously, a not counted goal against Korea (In fact, there were too of them!) doesn´t mean much. If you are that superior, you have to prove it. Spain were better, yeah, but not "better" enough. I expected more and was dissappointed with those performances. Methinks that if Brazil had gotten four dodgy decisions against them, no matter what, they would have still beaten Korea. When there is such difference between teams, no excuses are valid.
I´m with you, though: whish It doesn´t happen again in the WC, but dodgy favours to home teams occur very often in this kind of championships... guess we´ll have to see.
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Mon Sep 05, 2005 5:20 am |
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Bodrul
All Star Poster
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 11:21 am Posts: 4694 Location: Cambridge, England.
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ahmed salem wrote: But Spain & Italy indeed proved they were better. Spain scored a goal that wasn't counted ( one of the biggest jokes in the histoty of football IMO), and I can't really remember, but wasn't Totti sent out half an hour into the game?
Wasn't that where Totti took out the players legs, then spat at him?
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Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:17 am |
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asalem182
Cream of the Crop
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:44 am Posts: 2375 Location: Cairo, Egypt
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hans wrote: ahmed salem wrote: But Spain & Italy indeed proved they were better. Spain scored a goal that wasn't counted ( one of the biggest jokes in the histoty of football IMO), and I can't really remember, but wasn't Totti sent out half an hour into the game?
Wasn't that where Totti took out the players legs, then spat at him? No, Italy vs Korea WC2002 summaryI think the match you're talking about is the Italy vs Denmark match in euro 2004 (0:0) BTW dar, the summary of the Spain vs Korea match is quite interesting too. It also talks about a conspiracy theory. Quote: Four minutes after the restart and a Spanish goal was disallowed. Hard to see why; unless you believe in conspiracy theories.
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Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:57 am |
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Bodrul
All Star Poster
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 11:21 am Posts: 4694 Location: Cambridge, England.
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So who do you guys think will be next years surprise packages?
Last year we had Greece,
2002 - S. Korea, Turkey, Senegal
2000 - Turkey, Romania?
1998 - Croatia?
My pick - Ukraine, and possibly Australia if they can qualify.
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Mon Sep 05, 2005 12:27 pm |
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dar
Indiana Jones IV
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:01 pm Posts: 1702
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ahmed salem wrote: hans wrote: ahmed salem wrote: But Spain & Italy indeed proved they were better. Spain scored a goal that wasn't counted ( one of the biggest jokes in the histoty of football IMO), and I can't really remember, but wasn't Totti sent out half an hour into the game?
Wasn't that where Totti took out the players legs, then spat at him? No, Italy vs Korea WC2002 summaryI think the match you're talking about is the Italy vs Denmark match in euro 2004 (0:0) BTW dar, the summary of the Spain vs Korea match is quite interesting too. It also talks about a conspiracy theory. Quote: Four minutes after the restart and a Spanish goal was disallowed. Hard to see why; unless you believe in conspiracy theories.
I love a good conspiracy theory!  But I can not shake the feeling that, if we had been a little bit better, and actually played well that game instead of having only 4 or 5 chances in 120 minutes against Korea...
BTW, congratulations on Egypt´s victory. Any chances of qualifying?
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Mon Sep 05, 2005 1:22 pm |
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asalem182
Cream of the Crop
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:44 am Posts: 2375 Location: Cairo, Egypt
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hans wrote: So who do you guys think will be next years surprise packages? Last year we had Greece, 2002 - S. Korea, Turkey, Senegal 2000 - Turkey, Romania? 1998 - Croatia?
My pick - Ukraine, and possibly Australia if they can qualify.
I pretty much agree on Ukraine.
Maybe Czech? They were great in Euro 2004, but they are average at best in the WC qualifications. Anyway, Baros needs to get his act together.
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Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:28 pm |
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asalem182
Cream of the Crop
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:44 am Posts: 2375 Location: Cairo, Egypt
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dar wrote: I love a good conspiracy theory!  But I can not shake the feeling that, if we had been a little bit better, and actually played well that game instead of having only 4 or 5 chances in 120 minutes against Korea... BTW, congratulations on Egypt´s victory. Any chances of qualifying?
Thanks dar, but unfortunately not, we can't qualify  , we were basically out because of Ivory Coast. They best us 2-1 & 2-0. Drogba scored 3 of these goals. Anyway, our next game vs Cameroon is important, at least to Cameroon. They need to beat us to qualify, if not, then Ivory Coast will be the team qualifying from the group.
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Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:33 pm |
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Bodrul
All Star Poster
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 11:21 am Posts: 4694 Location: Cambridge, England.
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ahmed salem wrote: hans wrote: So who do you guys think will be next years surprise packages? Last year we had Greece, 2002 - S. Korea, Turkey, Senegal 2000 - Turkey, Romania? 1998 - Croatia?
My pick - Ukraine, and possibly Australia if they can qualify. I pretty much agree on Ukraine. Maybe Czech? They were great in Euro 2004, but they are average at best in the WC qualifications. Anyway, Baros needs to get his act together.
But I wouldn't be surprised if they done good. They have been performing good consistently over the past few years.
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Mon Sep 05, 2005 5:43 pm |
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dar
Indiana Jones IV
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:01 pm Posts: 1702
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ahmed salem wrote: dar wrote: I love a good conspiracy theory!  But I can not shake the feeling that, if we had been a little bit better, and actually played well that game instead of having only 4 or 5 chances in 120 minutes against Korea... BTW, congratulations on Egypt´s victory. Any chances of qualifying? Thanks dar, but unfortunately not, we can't qualify  , we were basically out because of Ivory Coast. They best us 2-1 & 2-0. Drogba scored 3 of these goals. Anyway, our next game vs Cameroon is important, at least to Cameroon. They need to beat us to qualify, if not, then Ivory Coast will be the team qualifying from the group.
I actually find it surprising that only one in the group can qualify... there should be at least a possibility for the second to face other team in a final round, like the second in the european groups.
Sorry about that. At least we will get to see Drogba or E´too in the WC.
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Mon Sep 05, 2005 5:44 pm |
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asalem182
Cream of the Crop
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:44 am Posts: 2375 Location: Cairo, Egypt
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hans wrote: ahmed salem wrote: hans wrote: So who do you guys think will be next years surprise packages? Last year we had Greece, 2002 - S. Korea, Turkey, Senegal 2000 - Turkey, Romania? 1998 - Croatia?
My pick - Ukraine, and possibly Australia if they can qualify. I pretty much agree on Ukraine. Maybe Czech? They were great in Euro 2004, but they are average at best in the WC qualifications. Anyway, Baros needs to get his act together. But I wouldn't be surprised if they done good. They have been performing good consistently over the past few years.
Yes, you're right. But actually, I'll be suprised if Czech reached the semis or even the final. I guess reaching the last 16 is pretty much a lock for them, and reaching the quarter final is aslo a possibility.
Anyway, I'm not expecting a surprise as big as Greece winning Euro 2004, or even Liverpool winning The Champions League.
Last edited by asalem182 on Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:12 am |
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asalem182
Cream of the Crop
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:44 am Posts: 2375 Location: Cairo, Egypt
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dar wrote: ahmed salem wrote: dar wrote: BTW, congratulations on Egypt´s victory. Any chances of qualifying? Thanks dar, but unfortunately not, we can't qualify  , we were basically out because of Ivory Coast. They best us 2-1 & 2-0. Drogba scored 3 of these goals. Anyway, our next game vs Cameroon is important, at least to Cameroon. They need to beat us to qualify, if not, then Ivory Coast will be the team qualifying from the group. I actually find it surprising that only one in the group can qualify... there should be at least a possibility for the second to face other team in a final round, like the second in the european groups. Sorry about that. At least we will get to see Drogba or E´too in the WC.
There are 5 groups, and the winner of each group reaches the world cup. In Egypt we're kind of used to not reaching the world cup. We only played in 1934, and 1990.
And you're right, it would be good to see E'too or Drogba in the WC. But IMO, the most exciting thing will be seeing Shevchenko, he REALLY deserves it.
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Tue Sep 06, 2005 3:19 am |
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guti
Voted Member of the Year
Joined: Sun Jun 26, 2005 11:19 am Posts: 416
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FORZA AZZURRI
btw its eto'o not e'too
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Tue Sep 06, 2005 4:36 pm |
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dar
Indiana Jones IV
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:01 pm Posts: 1702
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ahmed salem wrote: dar wrote: ahmed salem wrote: dar wrote: BTW, congratulations on Egypt´s victory. Any chances of qualifying? Thanks dar, but unfortunately not, we can't qualify  , we were basically out because of Ivory Coast. They best us 2-1 & 2-0. Drogba scored 3 of these goals. Anyway, our next game vs Cameroon is important, at least to Cameroon. They need to beat us to qualify, if not, then Ivory Coast will be the team qualifying from the group. I actually find it surprising that only one in the group can qualify... there should be at least a possibility for the second to face other team in a final round, like the second in the european groups. Sorry about that. At least we will get to see Drogba or E´too in the WC. There are 5 groups, and the winner of each group reaches the world cup. In Egypt we're kind of used to not reaching the world cup. We only played in 1934, and 1990. And you're right, it would be good to see E'too or Drogba in the WC. But IMO, the most exciting thing will be seeing Shevchenko, he REALLY deserves it.
Yep, but somehow I think Shevchenko is not the formidable player he used to be anymore. Still very good, but It looks like a cruel irony that Ukrania qualify NOW for the WC when he is not at his best anymore.
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Tue Sep 06, 2005 7:14 pm |
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asalem182
Cream of the Crop
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:44 am Posts: 2375 Location: Cairo, Egypt
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dar wrote: ahmed salem wrote: And you're right, it would be good to see E'too or Drogba in the WC. But IMO, the most exciting thing will be seeing Shevchenko, he REALLY deserves it. Yep, but somehow I think Shevchenko is not the formidable player he used to be anymore. Still very good, but It looks like a cruel irony that Ukrania qualify NOW for the WC when he is not at his best anymore.
I completely agree. But as you said, he's still very good, I would put him in my top 15, even in my top 10. In the 2001-2003 era he was easily in my top 5.
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Wed Sep 07, 2005 4:22 am |
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Anonymous
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1:1 against Malta, and moronic fans made a brawl. Thrashing, throwing seats...ugh.
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Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:05 pm |
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Sauron
Star Trek XI
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 10:26 am Posts: 345 Location: in front of my pc
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Russia-0 Portugal -0
it was a kinda weak game, Portugal went there for the tie, i hate when they do that......well germany is 3 points away, i guess its safe to say Portugal is in.
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Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:48 pm |
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Bodrul
All Star Poster
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 11:21 am Posts: 4694 Location: Cambridge, England.
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That bastard Sven has to go
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Wed Sep 07, 2005 4:49 pm |
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dar
Indiana Jones IV
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:01 pm Posts: 1702
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Final results
Saturday, 03 September 2005
Iceland v Croatia 1:3
Scotland v Italy 1:1
Wales v England 0:1
Sunday, 04 September 2005
Egipt v Benin 4:1
Wednesday, 07 September 2005
Belarus v Italy 1:4
Russia v Portugal 0:0
Spain v Serbia & Montenegro 1:1
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Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:51 pm |
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dar
Indiana Jones IV
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:01 pm Posts: 1702
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1. Shad 42 + (1-1-2-2-2-5-1): 56
2. Nebs 38 + (1-5-2-5-2-2-1): 56
3. Hans 29 + (2-1-5-2-2-2-5): 48
4. Dar 17 + (2-5-2-2-2-5-1): 36
5. Ahmed 0 + (2-0-2-2-2-1-0): 11
This round
1. Hans 19
1. Dar 19
3. Nebs 18
4. Shad 14
5. Ahmed 11
Overall
1. Shad 56
1. Nebs 56
3. Hans 48
4. Dar 36
5. Ahmed 11?
Tie in the lead!
Ahmed, I added you in case you wanna keep playing. If so, I guess there would be no problem in adding the lowest score overall till this round (that is, my former 17 points) to your score this round so you are not that much behind. That way you would have 8 points and would be more in contention. At least, as much as I am, which is not a lot, but hey... 
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Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:03 pm |
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dar
Indiana Jones IV
Joined: Sat Nov 06, 2004 9:01 pm Posts: 1702
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hans wrote: That bastard Sven has to go
Was it that bad?
Spain was just, as usual, very, very frustrating...
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Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:04 pm |
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