lots of gr8 comments here, still i think russia should have gone through, dont like teams scoring 1 goal then playing with an 11 man defence, my opinion only
I agree Musty. But, Greece won, so I guess they deserve it on that alone, though, I hate their game plan.
Think it should be consistent through all competitions, they are run by the same organisations so the goal difference should be the next determiner. Though the rules of the competition are known beforehand so I don't think that anyone from the the countries knocked out are complaining.
Think that goal difference, for many reasons, should be the criteria for progressing. I think that Russia were unlucky but I'll take it as Greece is my team in the draw and at least I'm getting a run for my money. Only Germany to worry about next up. No problem. Frustrate them with a massed defence then one breakaway and a set piece should set up a 2-1 win. Nice to dream but it could happen.
Those who criticise weaker teams' game plans should really think again. In many ways they are the cleverer sides. They, like Chelsea, understand that they can't compete player for player so their game plan has to be different. If matches were decided on the basis that the best team always wins it would make for a very predictable sport, whether you're talking about internationals or club games. It would also mean that there would be no hope for the minnows of this world.
There's a thousand ways to win a football game , each way important to the team implementing it . I'm thinking Croatia will beat Spain today & it won't be because Croatia have better players
It's not criticising the smaller teams as we are one of them, but the whole point of playing football is to score goals whether it's by being completely dominant at the match or by scoring from the one attack you have against the run of play. Though that it should be points being the primary determiner, followed by goal difference as it is in all other competitions that are decided by mini tables. Can't remember now but is the world cup the same ?
Defending is highly underrated . The thought of a club team going an entire season without losing a game & getting relegated speaks volumes to me . The attacking , rich teams ( be it rich club teams or rich national player teams ) got their advantage years ago by receiving 3 points for a win instead of two , that's enough .
The idea of Russia & Greece being tied after the group stage & Russia going through although Greece beat them is preposterous
Why in all other competitions Russia would have gone through ? It should be consistent through all championships
So in answer to my question the world cup is on goal differences after points http://www.skysports.com/football/world-cup-2010/tables/0,27310,,00.html
You mean that if this was the same conditions in the World Cup & Greece & Russia were tied on points & Greece beat Russia , Russia would go through ? ..... If a team is tied with another on points , it should go to what happened between those 2 teams . There should be no way one team loses to the other in such a scenario but still go through ... it just wrong , even if your right valley !
Crackerjack the world cup tables are decided on goal difference if the points are tied, the same for euro 2012 qualifying , the champions league and Europa league. It appears that euro 2012 is the only one that goes on teams beaten
Think most of us prefer the goal difference method even though it's not ideal, but I can understand the arguments for doing it this way too. I agree that whatever they decide it should be consistent. But all the teams knew the rules prior to the tournament starting so they knew exactly what they had to do and it's the same for everyone.
I know that knackered but why are the euros different to every other competition ? Why the anomaly ? Just can't figure it out
I don't understand this at all. Coming up to half-time Croatia are drawing with Spain and Italy are 1up against Ireland. Table looks like this; TEAM-----------GD-----------PTS Italy------------ +1 -----------5 Spain----------- +4 -----------5 Croatia--------- +2 -----------5 Why are Italy top? They drew with Croatia and Spain and have inferior goal difference. If they all draw and all beat Ireland surely the 2 teams who beat Ireland by the most goals goes through?!?!?
Spectacularly stupid. Bit like the 2 referees last night. Must be because they want the big teams to go all out for goals when they play each other, rather than settle for a 0-0. I would suggest that all it has achieved is confusion and risks injustices, smaller nations only chance is to play for draws against the big boys and hope they go through via goal difference.
