Oops- I was wrong...

...Andy Gray does hate referees- he spent a fairly large part of the Euro final criticizing the referee and his assistants.  However, he was right in almost all of his comments.  The ref made a large number of questionable calls and the game seemed on the verge of spinning out of his control.  The only two times Andy agreed with the ref was first on a play that looked like a hand ball by the Spaniards but wasn't called (good no call), and then when the Germans were called for a foul when they were threatening the Spanish goal- and this time both he and the ref were wrong as there was clearly no foul and a good German chance was whistled down.

I ask again- why don't the authorities insist upon full-time professional referees at this level?  This guy is director of a hospital during the week.  The NFL has the same penny pinching approach and it is crazy.

I Like

Andy Gray.  His accent is a bit thick, but he knows the game.  I get no anti-ref bias from him.  The ref missed the foul by the Turks on Lahm and he said so.  The rules (especially offsides) have to be looked at to ensure tha attacking football is paramount, but I think you are too sensitive here.

i hate

Andy Gray... no not my Uncle Andy... but Andy Gray the new jackass at ESPN... he thinks all the referees are against having a beautiful game..

he needs to be cut just as tommy smyth should be from espn.... they are just negative against the game not highlighting the good but just the bad...

now espn's feed has been cut.. stupid

Howard Webb has.....

OK so to round up the finish of the 2nd round of group A one has to say that the commentators for once were right. Let me say I like the White Turkey uniforms as I much prefer the white meat over dark. The pool that doubled as a soccer pitch in the first half gave the Swiss the benefit because the Turks are used to such technical play. The deflection on the 2nd goal would deflate and probably did deflate the whole Swiss nation. Its too easy to make comparisons to swiss cheese so Ill leave those be. Portugal is through as expected, yet they could have a hell of a 1st knockout game facing the runner up of Group B.

Has anyone thought of a re-seeding knockout round? Because the 2nd day of action for Group B saw Germany lose to the Croatians. Lackluster is the best one could say of the German attack. Podolski’s left foot is the only thing that is keeping Germany alive at this point. And no worries he has no Polish passport for that country to take back, look into google news if you haven’t heard the story. Anyways because Croatia now has the run of the group they will most likely win, that means the likely runners up – Germany, will go against Portugal. Which is unfortunate for Portugal but very fortunate for me, the viewer. Schweinsteiger got the red. I have no issues with it either, no place for that kind of pushing.

Back to Howard Webb, yes he has a pair. So two things about the Poland v Austria game. He was the 12th center referee of the tournament, the last one to get his chance. They have already given some 2nd game assignments obviously but it will be interesting to see if any referee is sent home after one game. I also wonder if any center referee will not get a game because of an AR messing up a call, they are a team right? Poland’s goal was offside, someone tell me I’m wrong and Ill be fine with that too, hate going against a FIFA referee. Anyways, Howard Webb has balls. Great PK call and I wish more of a standard like his would be set for that kind of shirt holding in the box. He had just warn the players against being stupid yet Poland decided they wanted to be stupid and settle for a point.

Vastic now receives a lifetimes supply of free beer for Austria’s first goal of the tournament.

Euro 1

Ok so no one has taken the lead so I will

Euro has been very entertaining so far. Only one 0-0 draw so far. And the subplots have been great. Germany v Poland is always interesting and right now as I write Turkey are playing the Swiss in a downpour and one can only hope a mass brawl doesn’t start on the slick n slide that is the field.

Group A has had by far one of the most impressive teams in Portugal. They scored two easy goals against Turkey in the opener and then came back and put their only real competition in their group, the Czechs, to shame with a 3-1 win. While the Czech probably deserved a point from the game, Baros seemed out of form in front of the net. C. Ronaldo opened up his account with both a nicely slotted goal, a great assist in stoppage time that actually showed his maturity by passing up the shot, and multiple chances on long range shots. You better savor my plaudits for his play cause it wont happen again anytime soon. Teams that Progress: Portugal and Czechs

Group B has the power Germany. Podolski had two great goals. And you have to admire his non-celebrations due to his polish heritage. I don’t know how to spell and never will Scweinsteiger needs to not have bleached hair you could see him when he subbed on, all over the pitch from the tv. But he still had a hell of a crack on net from distance. Croatia got the deserved penalty, it was stupid by the Austrian player to commit that foul. Although you have to admire the Austrians for pressing the entire match. Teams that Progress: Germany and Poland

Group C-arnage has had the controversy that isn’t a controversy. I have been told by more than a few national referees that it was not offside for Mr horse-y face RVN. It has sparked a lot of discussion and I can email you the discussions I have had with other referees if you need clarification. And I played devil’s advocate at that too. The dutch played great counter attacking football and their left back played probably the best individual game of the tournament so far. France has left a lot to be desired and it should be interesting to see how they attack the Dutch. One thing about Italy and maybe this is haunting them is that they have an old team. I know it might be mean but they had only one player under 30 on their roster. New Blood might be needed for the world champs. Teams that Progress: Netherlands and France

Group D has had some great goals. The first hat trick of the tourney with David Villa was very impressive and the partnership of him and Torres has paid off, for him at least. I wonder if Guus has another 4-1 drubbing to either Sweden or Greece he would still be up for the Chelsea job. Sweden’s first goal by Ibrahimović. Yes I went to the website to get that name right. Greece needs to attack a little bit more because they just didn’t get enough set pieces. Teams that Progress: Spain and Sweden.

Overall the teams that should be the contenders all won their first games: Portugal, Germany, Dutch, Spain. After the 2nd set of group games Ill give my final prediction. Its cheating but we will see.

Now referees! Overall no one should be complaining. Cards have been warranted and not overused. Offside has been called properly and it’s not FIFA’s fault that not everyone is educated. The only offside issue could be David Villa’s 3rd goal against Russia, I believe when the shot was taken and originally saved he was in an offside position. But no one for Russia was complaining because they we leaving a lot to be desired. If you want to argue RVN’s goal against Italy go ahead, you will lose.

Good stuff let me know your thoughts and hope Europe keeps entertaining everyone