Who will win EURO 2004 in Portugal?

[pitino]

:jump: Go GREECE !!!!!!
:bowdown: :bowdown:

WE DID IT TO THE FINALS!!!!!!!!!

Mr Figo here we come AGAIN!!!!

 

[Durty_Dog]

read this shit

Merk backs Meier


29/06/2004 - 08:28:26

Euro 2004 final referee Markus Merk has lambasted the way his fellow official Urs Meier has been treated by sections of the English press for his decision to chalk off Sol Campbell’s “goal” in the quarter-final with Portugal last Thursday.

Meier was vilified by sections of the English media when he penalised John Terry for impeding Portugal goalkeeper Ricardo’s attempt to beat Campbell to the ball but the referee was yesterday given full public support by UEFA’s refereeing committee while his fellow referees also queued up to defend him.

Merk, who was yesterday appointed as the referee for Sunday’s final in Lisbon, was furious at the treatment meted out to Meier who was retained as one of the last four referees in what is seen as tacit approval of his handling of the game at the Estadio da Luz which saw Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side eliminated in a penalty shoot-out.

Merk said: “We have to say in life that there are always some people who are responsible for such things and all the referees and officials are very angry at the behaviour (of certain English journalists).

“There can never be a perfect match and the sad thing is that it was a wonderful game of football.

“It is not even a question of whether a referee is right or if he is wrong - that is not the issue. It cannot be right for the press to harass a person who is trying to do his best and we can not accept that people follow him into his private life, follow him into the hotel – we are all very angry about it.”

Merk was joined in his criticism by another high-profile official Pierluigi Collina, the best-known referee on the planet, who also considered some elements of the media had exceeded the bounds of decency.

Collina, who never criticises other officials as a matter of policy, said: “I don’t want to make any comment [about the decision].”

However, he added: “The only thing that I want to say is that the difference between the public figure and the private person should be respected. The private life should be respected.”

Meier had earlier made it clear he could not understand what the fuss is about.

The Swiss official said: “I am mostly concerned that the whole world could see that I made the right decision and I am just disappointed that the English media does not seem able to see that.”

UEFA’s refereeing committee had thrown their full support behind Meier and produced a video analysis of the incident to support their view that the official had made the correct decision.

The committee’s German president Volker Roth said: “We are disappointed at the behaviour of some of your colleagues – as the German referees’ boss I sometimes I have to deal with the press, even the yellow (tabloid) press – it is not very nice.

“But in the case of the English press to blame Urs Meier for what was a correct decision was unacceptable. To go into his private life, show his wife, put an England flag on his house - this is really unacceptable – we are really unhappy.

“If the press reacts in this way we must reconsider and let’s say clearly and openly this is not a good way.”

He was backed by referees’ supremo Kenneth Ridden who said: “The referees committee discussed the matter thoroughly and we believe he made the right decision.

“The feeling of the committee after looking at the incident several times is to support the referee and his decision.

“Holding is an offence and must be punished according to the laws.”
from ireland online

Urs has got a huge ego looking at his home page, just sent him theis message Kommentar, "Fragen,... Home banker, call yourself a professional referee, your decision was as bad as Maradonna's goal against England which he scored with his hand, i find it strange that Sol Campbells goal was disallowed in 98 and now the same player has had a goal disallowed in Euro 2004 it was a good competition until you reffed the game. I am a fan who can except losing just not in a way like that, WHY NOT HAVE VIDEO REFS TO BACK UP YOUR DECISIONS LIKE IN RUGBY LEAGUE??????? All i can say is it's a shame Collina did'nt ref that game as we would be through now."

I still think this is wrong (link from sky news).


Tabloids have given Urs Meier the red card


REF GETS DEATH THREATS

The Swiss referee at the centre of England's disallowed goal controversy has been offered police protection after death threats were made by furious fans.

Urs Meier has been bombarded with hate messages on his telephone and website following his decision to disallow a Sol Campbell headed goal in the 90th minute of England's Euro 2004 match against Portugal.


The 45-year-old referee blamed sections of the media for stoking fans' fury in a "dangerous" way.

"I feel very sad about this reaction of the tabloid press, especially after a right decision," he told the BBC's PM radio programme.

"A reaction like this after a football game is never the right way."

Mr Meier, who was rated the third best referee in the world before the start of Euro 2004, has been demonised in the British tabloids.

The red tops branded him a "reffin' half-wit" for ruling that John Terry and Campbell had fouled Portugal's goalkeeper Ricardo. The goal would have taken England through to the semi-finals.

Instead, the game went into extra time and then penalties, which England lost.

Mr Meier refused to accept that the tabloids' criticism was a harmless joke.

"To me it's not a joke," he added, speaking from Switzerland.

"A lot of English supporters and fans they are heated over and it's really dangerous."

Mr Meier received backing for his decision from other referees, but was not invited to referee subsequent games in the football championships being held in Portugal.

I herad that David Ellery said the goal was fine, is it just and English mentatlity that the goal should have stood.
By the way Pitino i want Greece to win it now i'm glad they beat the Checzh's :glugglug:

 

[sonny forelli]

well done to the greeks :hatsoff:


:nanner: C.MON GREECE :nanner:

 

[BeefMan]

LMAO ... Yes he made a bad call and it cost us the game ( and trust me working with 2 people from Portugal I never heard the end of it ).

But what about Beakhams shot from the spot. it wasnt even close, and James couldn't even save a chipped shot :eek: , but we can't do anything about it now, but mark my words WORLD CUP 2006 all will fear ENGLAND.

 

[Mantaroth]

ELLADARA OMADARA )))))))))

GOGOGOGOO GREECE
its unbelievableeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[pitino]

LMAO ... Yes he made a bad call and it cost us the game ( and trust me working with 2 people from Portugal I never heard the end of it ).

But what about Beakhams shot from the spot. it wasnt even close, and James couldn't even save a chipped shot :eek: , but we can't do anything about it now, but mark my words WORLD CUP 2006 all will fear ENGLAND.

I don't think that Becham's confidence or bad shots have to do
with referees or anything else...if England will be the same in 2006 then the story will repeat....

 

[sonny forelli]

I don't think that Becham's confidence or bad shots have to do
with referees or anything else...if England will be the same in 2006 then the story will repeat....

I WILL SAY IT AGAIN
ENGLAND SHOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH TO THE SEMI-FINALS
IT WAS A GOAL, FUCKING SWISS REF
AND WHEN ENGLAND PLAYED THE ARGIES IN WC98
IT WAS A GOAL, THE FUCKING REF DISALLOWED IT
ENGLAND WAS ROBBED TWICE

I HOPE GREECE WIN BECAUSE PORTUGAL SHOULD,T BE IN THE FINAL

 

[Durty_Dog]

Greece will beat Portugal, i said they would beat the Czechs and they did, they stop other attacking sides from playing their fluent style of attacking football, they close other teams down in defence and midfield, i think they will beat Portugal 2-1 or 3-2 i think it will be an amazing final.

 

[joe_swe]

Greece will beat Portugal, i said they would beat the Czechs and they did, they stop other attacking sides from playing their fluent style of attacking football, they close other teams down in defence and midfield, i think they will beat Portugal 2-1 or 3-2 i think it will be an amazing final.

I said that I hope Greece would win but im not sure now...
Portugal play much funnier football than Greece.. for that reason I like Portugal, but on the other hand it would be the strangest victory ever in the football history if Greece win (denmarks gold in 92 was a surprise but would not compare, they had at least big stars like Schmeichel and Laudrup brothers, Greece have no real star).. thats maybe a reason enough to prefer them, for the different thing in it (if you understand what I mean)

 

[sonny forelli]

:nanner: C.MON GREECE :nanner:

 

[ÆGEAN]

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREECE!!!!!!!! YEAH :nanner: :nanner:

 

[Union Jax]

GREECE WINS EURO 2004!!!!


:eek:

 

[pedropolo]

shit

 

[Jacksson_77]

HELLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :nanner:
Time for som Ouzo now... :glugglug:

:hatsoff: Jackson

 

[BNF]

:hatsoff: Complimenti, Grecia.

 

[Union Jax]

Who saw the guy run on the park and run into the goal?

That was funny as hell!!

 

[Mantaroth]

here is like hell mire than 150.000 people GREECE IS THE CHAMPION

 

[Anonymous2]

Congrats, mantaroth!

To me, Greece winning it all is as surprising as if the Netherlands suddenly became a nation of alpine skiers

 

[Mantaroth]

i know you are right but i think we played very good football
i hope the pic i post will be online soon

 

[cogito]

AHAHAHH Greece wastn even one of the option, they showed u!!