Comments on: Conspiracy Theories in Euro Group B

By: Laurie

Laurie — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 21:03:30 +0000

I’m seeing a couple of unsourced articles that list the date for the draw as Nov. 25th. (I should be on top of this, but I’ve been focused on the Euros.) When I find something definitive, I’ll post it.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:53:23 +0000

No draw as yet. (And this is me, leaving this comment to rush out and check my facts.) We’ll keep you informed, though.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:37:45 +0000

Sorry if I wasnt specific before, I pretty much knew that part about the groups and the 13 qualifiers. When is the draw for those groups and when do the games start was what I really wanted to know?

By: Laurie

Laurie — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:35:43 +0000

Oh, yeah, Ryan. Sorry, I forgot to respond to your question! Europe currently sends 13 teams to WC. In ‘06 it was 14 because the host country (germany)automatically qualifies. Eight qualifying groups of 6 or 7 teams. My memory is saying ten teams advance automatically and three more through a playoff system I’ve never paid much attention to so don’t ask me for details.

The Euro competition is every four years, two years before/after WC. Different competition altogether.

By: Ezio

Ezio — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:08:04 +0000

Ryan, European teams qualify for the world cup through qualifying groups, much like the teams in the other continental federations.

I believe that the foul was called because of the Scot defender raised elbow, in what would have otherwise been a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge that should have gone in favor of the defender. If you look at the replay, the defender slows down and lifts his right elbow just as the Italian player is about to run into him. The foul was called by the linesman, who was just a few meters away, and who saw the action from the front, as opposed to the ref who saw it from further away and from behind. You can see the linesman pointing the flag straight to the right giving the foul to Italy. Now, was it a weak call? Yes. Had the referee and the linesmen been consistently bad all game long? Yes. Did Scotland deserve to be eliminated based on this game alone? No. Would I have preferred, together with 100% of Italian fans, to have Italy and Scotland qualify for the Euro and send the Frenchies crying home? Absofuckinglutely. But Scotland didn’t lose their qualifying chances with this game, but rather with that loss against Ukraine, that forced the Italy game to be a do-or-die match. I very much respect the Scottish team and fans, who should be held as an example to the whole world for peaceful passion. It is possible to be a passionate supporter without having to resort to violence. I wish the fans in Italy would realize that, and the authorities would decide to actually do something, so that we wouldn’t have to endure the shame and embarassment of having a World Champion team with the worst supporters (at club level at least) of all.

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:39:56 +0000

Italy didnt deserve the win in the second half scotland had them pinned to the wall after we scored true all be it a goal that was offside. That free kick decision was shocking and the referees should be punished. Thats why Ive started a wee poll to send to UEFA true they will probably turn a blind eye to it but at least they will at least see how the bingling ref screwed us out of our rightful place in the EURO 2008 Tournament.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/sack-bungling-referee-manuel-mejulo-gonzalez.html

By: shehan

shehan — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:32:55 +0000

mejuto gonzalez is notorious for botching big games.

the most notable being the one in istanbul, milan v liverpool 2005.

italy deserved the result, but not all the fuss surrounding it.

mejuto gonzalez is a first class Cunt, with a capital C.

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:54:50 +0000

This was a terrible call, and if you listen hard, you can actually hear part of me dying when that goal goes in, but it really was a poorly officiated game from start to finish, on both sides. Both sides should have had an extra goal (bad offside call on Italy and bad penalty non-call for Scotland). It really does even out. I’d prefer to think about the campaign as a whole, and the upcoming WC draw, than dwell on one bad ref decision.

By: Bernd

Bernd — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:29:53 +0000

Explain the foul differential: 29 to 20. Guess who was called for less fouls? And they weren’t less physical by any means.

Plus if you took the time to analyze the work of Manuel Mejuto González, you’d see some alarming patterns and inconsistencies.

By: Inara

Inara — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 22:57:58 +0000

The day France ever thanks Italy for something…