Oy_the_Great

...And run over the owners? ;) I also am not much of a fan of pulling pranks on employers. I'm luckily still a college student and I'll be in a position where no pitiful low-ranked boss can command me, only the not-so-pitiful high ranking boss. But even if they're [puncture]s, you just have a laugh about it with your colleagues, if possible. If you're a lonely clerk or something, I can understand blowing off some steam by somehow screwing them over, but you'll have to be man enough to face the consequences then.

It was a really crap ref, sure, but he had to give the foul to Spain a second before that phase, his whistle just didn't work well at first : And the header by Silva wasn't obvious, it was out of sight and I can't really blame all the refs for not having seen it. Spain was also denied a whole bunch of fouls, which means the ref is just not worthy to whistle these kind of games, he wasn't biased. I remember a phase where Mertesacker (or another German, didn't quite see it clearly) stepped on Fabregas when he fell down in a duel with him. It was obviously not by accident and it should've been red too. It wasn't even seen by the ref. I'm very glad Spain won, or actually I'm just glad Germany didn't.

No need to spam everytime, seriously. This is about football, remember?

Like how their opening match happened :lol: Italy is more of a threat than Russia will ever be Italy-Holland: 1-4 Russia-Holland: 3-1; no more proof is needed that they're doing extremely well. Sure, Holland had a bad day, but Russia is just awesome. It's not because a team hasn't got 15 star players that it's any less of a threat. I'm pretty confident Russia would have beaten Italy if they were to play against them in the quarters instead.

Yep, tournament of the underdogs indeed. Funny how all the self-proclaimed experts said that this time, there won't be too many surprises, the classic countries will go on. Just look at what's left of them: Germany and either Spain or Italy.

I've got this strange feeling of anger and respect for Guus Hiddink at the moment. I feel like praising him for the miracles he performs, yet I also wouldn't mind seeing him fail so badly right about now. [bleep]ing hell, the best team in the EC disgracefully kicked out by a country that's only half-European. Would be ironic if Turkey ends up playing the final against Russia, it would be an Asian EC final. The Dutch were obviously very nervous the entire match. The defense was afraid and intimidated 120 minutes long and whatever they did was mostly wrong. Not only Arshavin and Pavlyuchenko but even a left winger and various other players had no trouble dribbling them all. Ooijer left a poor impression today, the Russians with their agility and skill just mocked him. Even Gio, my favourite Dutch defender, was pretty lousy today. His bad timing and positioning created a lot of opportunities for the Russians. Their midfield was OK when attacking, although not convincing, but defensively they barely participated; the Russians were always able to set up a good attack from the midfield because they barely got disturbed. The Dutch attackers were fine, but the decision to substitute Kuyt proved fatal: the only attacking player who was any good at defending made a good impression today, but somehow Van Basten found Affelay a better choice. I think the game might've ended a lot differently if Kuyt was still on, at least he closed up the many holes in the defensive midfield. Oh, and the only Dutch players that were good today were, as always, van der Sar (flawless again) and van der Vaart. All in all the Russians won the game fair and square, although I am of course very disappointed with the result. The 3rd team to play their last group phase game with their B-players that's out, makes you wonder if it isn't better to play all games with the core players instead.

Not true, the majority of English people are in favor of the Queen and the Queen had heavy influence over decisions made by the PM. Where do you get that from? Belgium is also still a Monarchy and I don't really have a problem with that, our king doesn't have any significant power anymore, their heritage (castles, palaces, gardens,...) is largely public and nice to visit and the king always makes up a nice Christmas speech, let the man stay :) But I seriously doubt if the majority still supports them; I'm pretty sure a lot of people prefer seeing them gone, because they're no good in the little political/economical things (travelling abroad, convincing investors) they have to do. I don't know about the UK, but to say that the majority of the people are in favor of the Queen and that she actually has heavy influence over the decisions of the Prime Minister? Doubt that.

OMG, they didnt let you run away. And yet you don't call the French fatasses. Just because 25% of our adults are fat doesnt mean you can say I'm fat. Do you even bother to read the stuff people write?

Haha, it's fun to see the difference between a stereotypical Aussie, European and American here. The stereotypical American is so proud of his nation and people (granted, there are some good reasons to be proud of it, too) that he's incapable of showing a little self-mockery. A joke about the weight of the Americans (even a lame one), is enough to make him leap up and bombard the responsibles with sad attempts of heavier insults. The stereotypical Aussie reacts and tries to calm the heated situation with some diplomatical skill. They don't even care they're the fattest country in the world, and why would they? It's not worth caring about what some idiot 10,000 miles away is calling you. Then there's the European, who ignores the problem and just carries on with the topic. It's like a microcosmos of what's happening in international politics these days. Chuck in some hard-working but ignorant Asians, some power-hungy Russians, some poor and corrupt Africans and South-Americans and we have ourselves a world depicting the stereotypes of every culture.

Exactely! I was the only one saying that while watching the game with some friends, not even the analysts in the aftermath mentioned it. They fired like 15 shots that didn't even come close to just being on target and they didn't seem to care for a decent build-up towards a real chance. I regret Portugal being out of the tournament, but the way they f'ed up chances like that was just proof that they're not good enough to go through. Oh, and yeah, Turkey should have never gotten to the semi's; they were extremely lucky in the qualifiers and now there even more lucky in the games that matter most. The Switzerland game, the Czech game and now the Croatia game. I'm starting to believe Allah may exist after all.

Yeah, I said I knew it was a small area, but I also know that industrial pollution stretches a lot further than just the area they're digging oil in. Read everything I said to know what I mean here. Also, you didn't answer my question about whether you care more about the price of oil or the change of our climat. Personally I use as little energy as possible, I don't drive a car although I can, I do not turn up the heat whenever I feel a little cold etc. I also believe that there are other, more important people, that are concerned about the climate at least as much as I am. Al Gore is one of them, and I don't think he's spent years of research, investigation and asking many a specialist's opinion about the matter just for the sake of getting better from it. I truly think he cares for the continuity of this world, just as millions and millions of others do.

Is that a joke, or do you not know what happens when Dutch people take a penalty? :)

No we should move away from short-term solutions and start looking at long-term, cleaner and renewable energy sources. We're just going to screw the world up more if we keep using Oil. Also 4 dollars a gallon is quite cheap when compared to other countries, be happy you only pay 4 dollars. Even if a spill doesn't occur a [cabbage] load of Co2 is released into the air furthering the effects of global warming, shouldn't we consider the future world I.E our children, their children etc in these choices as these choices essentially decide what their world will be like. Exactely. I thought Americans were so in awe by the movie your President, I'm sorry, would have been President, Al Gore made? Well, I don't see a lot of that. I bet most people (not just Americans, I'm not that kind of an anti-America lefty) would still happily consume and consume carbon-based energy until they die of everything that will happen in the long term. And only then they'll notice that paying a little more for nature-friendly energy sources might have been better than digging their own graves by polluting non-stop. Even if there is an unlimited and extremely cheap supply of oil and all of its derived products, then it still only should be used as little as possible, for certain plastics perhaps. I'm actually not unhappy about the fact that oil prices are soaring these days, it's the only reason why people will think twice about taking the car everywhere they go or putting the heating higher when it's getting colder instead of wearing a sweater. From reading this entire thread, I conclude that jackattack has the most knowledge of the oil-digging business, but apparently doesn't care about its effects. It kinda scares me that such people, who are apparently not idiots, scarcely think further than what the minimal cost per barrel oil might be given the circumstances. No offense jack, but would you not rather be a little poorer but still live on a planet not on the verge of becoming uninhabitable for about 50% of all the people in this world? edit: I did a little research about the infamous possible drilling area in Alaska, and I do agree that it would be beneficial for all oil-consuming people to start drilling there, although it surely won't be environmental-friendly. Firstly all the infrastructures required (not just the operating factory, also roads, distributing facilities etc.) would destroy a large part of the ANWR, second the energy required to transport it to the other states would be pretty vast too. The area is only 3.13 sq. miles, but I'm sure its influential sphere would stretch a lot further.

Are you thinking of the same Italy as I do? If there are two things Italy is known for then it's good defense and sturdy and pretty constant play. They sure aren't as volatile as you make them seem. I also feel a little sorry for Sweden, although they looked very poor today, I really wished they could face Holland in the quarter finals.

Yeah, how Domenech lasted that long as a coach I will never understand. He's on bad terms with the star, Thierry Henry, he doesn't let other good players play (Trezeguet, who played a great season at Juve, Mexès, as mentionned, Flamini...) and he just makes the wrong decisions so often. I'm pretty confident France would have had a much better run with a coach like Wenger, but yeah, that won't happen too soon, seeing how great he's doing at Arsenal. Unless he combines both tasks, which is unlikely. Ah, and I hope all the critics that said Holland would not play half as good as against Italy and France are silenced now. Holland is in superb form, even the B-team is better than most other teams still in the tournament. If the confidence and good spirit stays in the team, I don't see them losing any time soon. Go Holland! : :thumbup:

Yeah, if their goal difference is better, that's what matters.

Or maybe they have a cunning plan, Baldrick-like... They want to lose all the games to look like the underdog. Interesting... btw, I am joking here And the penalty couldn't be given, because a foul is only awarded with a free kick (or penalty, in this case) if it had something to do with the action on the pitch, with the ball. If, for example, I punch someone on the field, but the ball is nowhere near me, I should just get a red card and a possible suspension, but there won't be a free kick.

Yeah, although Valencia has had a horrible season (10th in the Liga, but they usually are the 3rd or 4th team in Spain), I find it a little awkward many people are so surprised about David Villa. He's a first class striker that would be a star player in any team. IMHO he's just as good as Torres, better in dribbling, even faster, but not quite as tough and not good in the air either. With the right approach and the right backup, Villa would do excellent in the EPL for sure.

Yep, this is what TIF should look like, good job!

How can you even say that Holland wasn't better? They clearly, clearly were better in both games. And you can be sure Holland will play a fair game against Romania, the Dutch players have all reacted on that, and none of them want to let them have an easy time. I am also certain that Van Basten, a good coach as he is, is smart enough to realise that a loss, no matter if it's wanted or not, would severely sting the morale amongst the players AND the (huge) fanbase. My bet is that Holland will play with about 5 B-players, like Huntelaar, Affelay and Bouma and still beat the Romanians fairly easy. 2-0 and dominant Dutch play is my guess. Players like Robben deserve some rest, as he's still uncertain about that injury, but strongholders like Sneijder (so far the man of the tournament IMHO) should play, so that they keep up their fabulous winning streak.

I believe in Descartes quote 'cogito ergo sum'. But in what form, or if all this what we perceive is real, that's something we can't be sure of, although a scenario like ÃÆÃâÃâàla the Matrix seems highly doubtable to me. If it was true however, and I would not know, I wouldn't care either. I'm living the good life, if I'm serving as a battery or if I don't know the real truth doesn't matter to me.

Bit of an odd question, isn't it? Mentally I feel good when I notice people I like really like me too, it's a simple as that. Hanging around with friends that are true friends, not just... amusement partners. Being with the girl you love, on the condition that she truly loves you too is probably the only thing that tops that. Physically feeling good: sporting can be a real relief, amongst other physical things.

? I personally like sudokus. When I'm reading a newspaper and stumble upon one of them, I can't resist solving it.

Wow, that kid is obviously a nutter. I thought it was a simple AK-47, a shotgun or perhaps an MP-5, but that?? They should just put him on the chair, he's a menace for society.

You would expect them to of done the correct market research to know what the average bandwidth usage would be and to set their original prices accourding to that. They definitely did, 5 years ago, when streaming videos and downloading wasn't nearly as popular as it is now.