Group of Death Match Thread

[Manwell Pablo]

But Denmark drew 1-1 with them before the Wales game, so Denmark are the best in the World actually.....

Great game, but were Italy cursed or something today, they never miss so many chances. The Danish commentators called up the Danish Champions League ref, and he said the first goal was NOT offside, as the defender outside still counted. The rule is make, so defenders are NOT able to cause offside by stepping outside the field. Stupid rule in this case, but I don't mind, I like the Dutch.

Domenech should be shot for letting France and their amazing talent play such a piece of crap footie, it was pure Megson.....

Bit harsh blaming Domenech although I find his style of management baffling at time (Abidal, Malouda, even Anelka)

The Romanians will do that to better teams than France. They're the most organised team in the competition if you ask me, The worry for them is their going to have to keep it up against two very good teams and, at some point, they're going to have nick a goal from somewhere in order to progress.

[Finnegan]

But Denmark drew 1-1 with them before the Wales game, so Denmark are the best in the World actually.....

See this is the best bit of playground logic.

*Fingers in ears.* Nananananana. I can't hear you.

[Asha]

See this is the best bit of playground logic.

*Fingers in ears.* Nananananana. I can't hear you.

This is where the normal lads look at you in an amused way before kicking you very hard in the bollocks.

[lildave3]

This is where the normal lads look at you in an amused way before kicking you very hard in the bollocks.

You'd better listen Finners, this lad speaks from experience.

[Number 6]

Apparently the goal was a fair one: article 11.4.1. of the refereeing code that states "an opposing player cannot be offside when one of the last two defenders has left the field of play. sorry to bring it up again.

[Jonezy]

See this is the best bit of playground logic.

*Fingers in ears.* Nananananana. I can't hear you.

Damn you......

[davieG]

Apparently the goal was a fair one: article 11.4.1. of the refereeing code that states "an opposing player cannot be offside when one of the last two defenders has left the field of play. sorry to bring it up again.

'left the field of play' sounds a bit open ended - in this instance wasn't he lying there injured. if a quick thinking physio had been there attending him would he still have been 'in play'?

Also in the past attackers have been deemed not to be off side when they have left the field of play

[Number 6]

'left the field of play' sounds a bit open ended - in this instance wasn't he lying there injured. if a quick thinking physio had been there attending him would he still have been 'in play'?

Also in the past attackers have been deemed not to be off side when they have left the field of play

I'm confused. I certainly think it's a bit of a grey area.

[Manwell Pablo]

Pretty sure off the field of play means the player is considered to be actively taking part in the game but has somehow wondered off the field.

If what that rule says is right then whenever a player goes off to be treated then the offside rule is thrown out the window which can't be right.

[act smiley]

Off the field of play means any player that has left the pitch without getting the referee's approval. You're right in that its mostly to prevent people running off the pitch to make someone offside and being carried off the pitch by momentum changing things. When players get treatment though, its usually okayed by the ref when they leave the pitch and therefore not offside-altering. In this case, as he ended up there during play its no different than if they'd kept playing with him down on the pitch. I don't see what the fuss is about.

[davieG]

Off the field of play means any player that has left the pitch without getting the referee's approval. You're right in that its mostly to prevent people running off the pitch to make someone offside and being carried off the pitch by momentum changing things. When players get treatment though, its usually okayed by the ref when they leave the pitch and therefore not offside-altering. In this case, as he ended up there during play its no different than if they'd kept playing with him down on the pitch. I don't see what the fuss is about.

Except as I said attackers in the past have been deemed to be not interfering with play when they've deliberately run off the pitch - I know that's no longer the case because the rules about interfering with play have changed but running off the pitch was once a legitimate way of avoiding being off side.

[Ric Flair]

Good to see Mark de Vries got a game in midfield for the Dutch last night. Thought he had a decent game as well.

[MC Prussian]

Good to see Mark de Vries got a game in midfield for the Dutch last night. Thought he had a decent game as well.

Mark DeVries disguised as Orlando Engelaar - the job of a century!

[Jonezy]

Bit harsh blaming Domenech although I find his style of management baffling at time (Abidal, Malouda, even Anelka)

The Romanians will do that to better teams than France. They're the most organised team in the competition if you ask me, The worry for them is their going to have to keep it up against two very good teams and, at some point, they're going to have nick a goal from somewhere in order to progress.

You got to admit, that Domenech is a safety first guy in a massive way. I had forgot how boring they played during the WC, and it just came back to me, when I saw that poor excuse of a football game yesterday. Romania didn't do anything either I know, but look at the players France can pick from.....

[shen]

Off the field of play means any player that has left the pitch without getting the referee's approval. You're right in that its mostly to prevent people running off the pitch to make someone offside and being carried off the pitch by momentum changing things. When players get treatment though, its usually okayed by the ref when they leave the pitch and therefore not offside-altering. In this case, as he ended up there during play its no different than if they'd kept playing with him down on the pitch. I don't see what the fuss is about.

That's absolutely correct. The rules confirm the goal was legitimate. It was just very unfortunate for Panucci. Unless he was somehow fouled, the fault lies with him/Buffon.

Except as I said attackers in the past have been deemed to be not interfering with play when they've deliberately run off the pitch - I know that's no longer the case because the rules about interfering with play have changed but running off the pitch was once a legitimate way of avoiding being off side.

Having said the above, it's still being debated a lot. Two Danish International referees (Claus Bo Larsen & Knud Erik Fisker) have diverging opinions. Larsen thinks that the goal should count without exception, as thats what the rule states. Fisker argues that the defender was neutralised as a consequence of the collision and thus should not have been ruled 'active' in play, which would have made RVN offside.

[Leicester's 12th Man]

I can't see France getting out of the group would love to see Romina create a suprise but honestly I do think Italy and Holland will do it.