Netherlands vs England U-21 [R]

[argh1]

Good game, what a way to loose though.

13-12 in PK's

I know somebody has to go on and somebody has to go home, but 25 PK's..........freaking amazing

[Guest Jeffery S.]

Think it was 32 penalty kicks, they did not all go in of course.

Holland drew it in the dying minutes with a bicycle kick close in, after Lafita had put England ahead.

Serbia handled Belgium well in the other semi, they are solid in defense. Think they are playing the final in Herenveen where Friend plays/ed, other matches also in other stadiums in northern HOlland.

[Guest speedmonk42]

That was nuts.

I watched the PK's, what a riot.

[john tv]

Now you guys know who the superior soccer players are,my all mighty Dutch.Never mind only kidding don't get excited, I watched that game yesterday and had a ball. So much fun,skill and great goals. Babel always has been my favourate player even playing for Van Basten. Anyway it is great for Dutch soccer and for Dutch emigrants as well.What a great future hey I am having it many ways, Canada and it's improvements, Toronto Fc and it's amazing succes and the Dutch and foremost that effen media that is finally coming to it's senses I believe.

[Alberto7]

Saw the final yesterday and was very impressed with the Dutch attack especially Drenthe. Loved the fast pace of the game. Too bad about the dreadful playing conditions.

[analyst]

Yes Drenthe was great in the final. Quite a convincing victory. Babel also took his chances well.

Its interesting that Countries which did well in the U21 European championship (Holland, Serbia, Belgium, England, Italy) aren't represented in the U20's. Thats not because the tournaments are at the same time, and players had to choose between one or the other. The U21's had 22 and 23 year olds in it, players who are too old for U20.

[amacpher]

quote:Originally posted by analyst

Yes Drenthe was great in the final. Quite a convincing victory. Babel also took his chances well.

Its interesting that Countries which did well in the U21 European championship (Holland, Serbia, Belgium, England, Italy) aren't represented in the U20's. Thats not because the tournaments are at the same time, and players had to choose between one or the other. The U21's had 22 and 23 year olds in it, players who are too old for U20.

[?] huh[?] As far as I know, the U-21s don't include any player over the age of 21.

Also, Portugal did well in both tournaments. But, yeah, that's about it.

[DJT]

quote:Originally posted by amacpher

[?] huh[?] As far as I know, the U-21s don't include any player over the age of 21.

Unlike in, say, the U20 World Cup, players have to turn 21 or younger during the year in which qualifying begins two years prior to the finals, making them as old as 23.5 during the finals. (The 2006-2007 tournament was a bit different because it was the first one after switching to an odd-year cycle. Players could still have been as old as 23.5 during the finals, but since qualifying was just one year ago they had to turn 22 or younger in 2006. Therefore, for this tournament the "U21" designation really had no meaning whatsoever. Things will return to normal for the next (2007-2009) tournament.)