Euro 2004 play-offs

Personally I want the best teams at the Euro tournament and that means the dutch, turks (hopefully in our group) croats, rushkis and the spanish.

and Im gonna place the biggest bet of my life....Holland/Turkey 1.49. Thanks Mr Bookie

what sort of git would prefer to see ALPAY and co at the euro 2004 rather than Wales and Scotland?
Typical English attitude!

I think Matt is trying to wind up the Scots again, what a surprise there.

He is entitled to his opinion. I disagree with his opinion by the way. Surely the teams who qualify deserve to play in the finals.

I thought the draw was far from fair on Monday, and look out for some strange referees and officials come play off time. Uefa wouldn't want a smaller Nation turning over the so called bigger Nation. It's not in their best interests to have Spain, Holland and Russia not qualifying so why would they employ top class officials for the games. Look out for the Maltese officials in the Scotland/Holland game.

The way Uefa and Fifa run things make me sick. I think they're a bunch of overpaid clueless arseholes.

one of the joys of sport is seeing the underdog prevail every now and then, therefore I would love to see Wales, Latvia and Scotland at euro 2004.
Also, i would not be cheering on Russia or Turkey, so the underdogs would get me more excited about the championships.

Agree with MC that the draw was a sham, but also have to say that Matt loves winding up the Scots and Welsh, and if he is actually serious, he needs a good kick where the sun don't shine.

[Matt]

Agree with MC that the draw was a sham, but also have to say that Matt loves winding up the Scots and Welsh, and if he is actually serious, he needs a good kick where the sun don't shine.

I am on the wind up believe me.

Ive said before I would support anyone OVER Turkey, ANYONE!

By the way Irish TW, I felt exactly the same way towards the Irish, Welsh and Scottish fans supporting the turks over England, disgusting.

Then the scots in london had the audacity to complain when the England fans in trafalger Sq at the weekend burnt the huge Scotland flag.

All idiots all as bad as each other.

I wanted England to lose on Saturday but wouldn't go as far as burning flags. What good is there in burning flags, totally stupid if you ask me.

The thing is I'd love to have a go at the English but as they're through to the finals (deservedly so I might add) there is nothing to wind them up about, yet.

Realistically, we haven't a prayer of beating the Dutch over two legs although miracles do happen.

If we can play like we did against the Germans at Hampden I'd be happy whatever the result, as long as we are totally committed to the cause and have a real go at them. If it's not enough fine, I'll be happy that at least we had a go.

Oh, good luck to England in Euro 04.

Does anyone have a price yet for England being out after the first round?I sure as fcuk want a huge bet on that one!
This must be the worst England team I've seen in years.They seem to play for free kicks and penalties and don't score many in open play.

To be fair I wasn't cheering on Turkey Matt. I enjoy watching england play FOOTBALL as it's the players that I watch in the Premiership every weekend and I like to see them do well. (PS Rugby is a completely different matter though)

I can see why Scots and Welsh would want England to lose though out of natural rivalry. It's like when we have a chuckle at the state of Derby at the weekend etc Nothing to get too upset about though, unless it goes too far.

[GETT1NLOTS]

I heard on Sky Sports news today that Advocaat has said he will not play Ruud Van Nistelroy and Patrik Kluivert together again?

Have they had a bust up or something? This could be great news for the Scots.

Advocaat was saying he would pick PK - not Horse Head.

I only caught the back end of this report - anyone enlighten me or have I got this all wrong?

Advocaat says that they cannot play together and therefore he will not pick RVN again as long as PK is fit and playing international football and he is the Dutch manager.

Crazy decision but its a very very small glimmer for us Scots

[GETT1NLOTS]

I always wondered how Advocaat (Avacado - or however you spell it) got thae job in charge of Holland?

I mean he wasn't exactly brilliant at Rangers in a two horse race was he?

I mean he wasn't exactly brilliant at Rangers in a two horse race was he?

What do you mean two horse race. I would have called it a three horse race but Aberdeen have been underperforming for many years now. I think a return to form isn't far off now, we just need to get rid of those old firm refs we seem to get week in week out.

Actually, Advocaat is right - they cannot play together. They are much better of playing one of them with either van der Vaart or Makaay.

Personally, I would chose Pierre van Hoijdonk ahead of both Kluivert and van Horsenstein, but he simply cannot put Kluiv ert on the bench as he is a Dutch hero - record goal scorer and all.

[DeepBlueDevilFish]

OK I'm going to put my neck on the block and predict Scotland to go through over the two legs. I think the first match at Hampden will be a draw 0 - 0. The dutch will be quite happy with this and Scotland won't be too upset either. I think Berti Vogts will be concentrating on Scotland not to lose at Hampden. This will then suit their (and Vogts) "pickpocket" mentality to nick a result over in Holland either 1 - 0 or even on penalties. Having got a result in Scotland the dutch will be thinking the job is done in the return match and will probably be overconfident ....

Might sound far-fetched but psychologically it's a strong approach for Scotland.

I think your looking at this match through rose-tinted glasses (or maybe half-full whiskey glasses!!). scotland have little chance i'm afraid.
having said that, I also have a feelng about the 0-0 in the first leg....but only if the dutch don't turn up

[MickeyPaul]

I'd be absolutely amazed if Scotland can keep a clean sheet. I honestly don't think our defence is up to it. Much as I hate to say it, I think our only chance is to employ the same tactics as Hearts at Bordeaux as Holland are so superior we can't rely on them simply playing shite and hoping for the best (God, I really hate saying that ). We're going to have to swamp midfield and defence and try and catch the fckers on the break (sob). We're gonna need tons of luck too. And I'm a bloody optimist! If Crawford is in he's gonna have to get the finger out as he's been the weak link in the side the last few games imo. He can't seem to keep possession at all. Sort it Stevie.

Here's hoping........... Bah! I hate being so negative. 2-1 to the Scots then. Woooo haaaaa!

[swampster]

In every one of Russia's last 9 Home games, their first goal came under 30 mins. In over half of their last 9 aways, their first goal came after 70 mins.

conclusion: everyone open a Spread Betting Account immediately and sell the time of Russia's 1st goal in the first leg, and buy the time of Russia's first goal in the away leg. Or else do it on Betfair...

Is there anyone who can give me a good reason why not backing the Croatians at home against Slovenia???

With an excellent price around 1.6 at most bookies this looks a great bet to me : If Croatia is able to defeat Belgium and Bulgaria at home they should be able to beat a team with less quality then those two easily...

Scotland v Holland

When the draw was first made I thought "Ahh, sh!te!" - were emptied here. But then as is usual with me and Scotland I start to build up hope. I look at the Dutch squad and compare them with ours and hope that Van Der Vaart forgets to turn up for the game but then I wonder who Oooiijjerr is and think Van Der Sar is just a lanky big streak of pish and he's sold the pies for Fulham and maybe just maybe.....

At the moment I am thinking about a draw, maybe. It would be wise to discount everything I say after today (if you don't do so already ) as I am now starting to lean over towards jam packed Hampden, big noise, big effort maybe sneak a 1 goal win and I am starting to feel really "up for it".

Come 10am Sat morning I will be on the way to the pub, popping into the bookies and filling out 2-0/3-0 correct score bets for Scotland as I will be truely convinced were getting a result today. Come 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon I will be on my way to the game, popping into the bookies and filling in 4-0/5-0 Scotland scorecast bets with the Cheeky Boy getting the first one. This is what alcohol and a good sing song in the pub does to you

Come 5pm, I don't think I will be collecting any money from the bookies.

Seriously wouldn't surprise me to see these two games following the same pattern as the Germany games. They score first at Hampden, we equalise, final score 1-1. 2nd leg they go 2-0 up and we sneak one back but never look like getting the equaliser. Ohh and our players kick fcuk out of them in both legs, possibly a sending off - just to keep Da Han happy

Wouldnt have it any other way

What is the spread on Dutch players being sent to the emergency room over the two legs?

:b :b :b :b :b (wednesday)
Bit early, but I couldn't help noticing Russia are at 8/13@bet365. I would expect this price to drop as most other bookies have them at around 1/2, and Ladbrokes are 4/9.
Wales are without Bellamy and Davies(definately), pembridge is doubtful, while Savage has been suffering from hamstring problems lately so may not be fully fit.
Russia on the other hand have won all four of their qualifiers at home, playing (half)decent teams such as Switzerland and Ireland. After a dodgy start to the campaign the Russians have found some form over recent months, Wales, on the other hand haven't been getting results recently.
It would be cool if Wales could get through, but I think they'll lose the first leg.