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Tell us your views, comments or news about Euro 2004, from wherever you are.
Read the latest emails here
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Updated Tuesday, June 29, 2004; 11:15 BST
It's Only Fair
Bruce Crumley misses the point and indeed the story about England's exit from the Euro 2004 tournament and that is that the English fans behaved, the team has matured and new talent has emerged. The match started off perfectly well with Owen's creative goal in the third minute and until Rooney's foot was broken in the 26th minute—which apparently the Swiss referee did not think was much of a foul—England were in a commanding position.
FIFA should institute a TV replay rule for critical calls as too many missed fouls and judgement errors occur. It is not bad sportsmanship to argue or complain about decisions.
I do not see how Campbell's goal could have been disallowed as the goalie obviously ran into Terry to receive the foul. If that’s the rule then goalies will just run into other players to negate goals. Bruce should mention the interpretation of the rules in this case as it's fairly fundamental to England's failure to proceed in the tournament; whinging fans did not make the call after all.
Now we can't wait for the World Cup in 2006 as we fancy our chances to win the big one again! As all England fans know, its been too long!
Budd Margolis
London, UK
Making Matters Worse
The unsporting foul committed by Italy's Francesco Totti — a blunder also against his teammates and the team's fans — made the Italian team the least amiable team in the cup. So unpopular that in the game against Bulgaria a penalty against them was given on very shaky grounds. Later Italy did not get a penalty when there was good reason for one. The inexcusable mistake from Italy's coach Giovanni Trapattoni's part not to send Totti home but to keep him in the team was a factor enhancing the team's disqualification — a mistake which further added dislike of the Azzurri. This was a sad episode for a team which, for sure, deserved to stay in the cup for longer and which played surprisingly well, that is, without Totti.
Maurizio Lainati
Helsinki, Finland
You Missed One
Before I start; I'm Swedish, thus biased. Then again, in football there's hardly any place for in-betweens. I read your article on "Rising Stars" in Euro 2004. You mention some very good and promising players there but you've missed one of the most exciting ones. In the 2002 World Cup he was a cocky, arrogant, extremely talented, individualist. Now, he is emerging as a cocky, arrogant, extremely talented TEAM player. There's only one Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Where were you guys?
Clas Gorman
London
What About Us?
Hi , just read your article, and it made me sad! After the last time you wrote my country (Welcome to Braganca TIME magazine, October 20, 2003) about the Brazilian prostitutes, I was hoping for a little bit more. Like more references about the Portuguese team and the math we always have to do to qualify, or how the referees are under pressure. But I still enjoyed it. I'll give you a pointer, we've built 10 new stadiums in 10 months, when our economy is the lowest it ever has been. More than loving football we're crazy about football
Carlos Vaz Monteiro
Portugal
All In The Game
Ruud van Nistelrooy's goal against the Czechs certainly looked suspicious, and yes it should be illegal, but it isn't. Of course he explots the rule but that's strategically sound. In any case, the un-whistled mugging of RVN by a Czech defender was not only penalty worthy, but probably constitutes a marriage proposal in some countries.
Jonathan Katcher
New York, NY
Be Afraid!
It's completely obvious that the Italian fear of a Scandinavian conspiracy is a reflection of their own corrupted sporting mentality. Sportsmanship and honour does not seem to feature much in Italian football. They made the Swedes prefer a 2-2 draw instead of victory over Denmark. However, the simple competitive spirit and the will to win will drive both Denmark and Sweden to play for a win — not a draw. Italy should be more concerned about beating a Bulgarian team looking to save their pride, and what would be a bigger honour than beating Italy.
Johan P
Dubai
Got something to say? Tell us your views, comments or news about Euro 2004, from wherever you are.
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 Brand it Like Beckham [Apr. 27, 2003]
England's captain on keeping his life in balance: "Never say never"
Players Behaving Badly [Jan. 14, 2002]
More English footballers wind up in the courts, prompting questions about discipline off the pitch
Home-Field Advantage [Feb. 27, 2001]
Are some foreign football stars playing for European teams with the assistance of bogus passports?
Back to the Bad Old Days
[Oct. 14, 2002]
English fans were at their worst at last week's Euro 2004 qualifying match against Slovakia
No Money, No Kickoff [Aug. 25, 2002]
Reality bites, and Italian teams are forced to take drastic action
Pink, Proud And Scoring [May. 14, 2001]
Spain's Alav s proves soccer success doesn't always require big bucks
In The Football Business [Sep. 7, 2003]
The true cost of a kick in the grass
Play and Pay [Jul. 30, 2001]
European soccer's big leagues are eager to recruit Japanese players and not just for their ball skills
Search all issues of TIME Magazine
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