Macca

Spain won easily , France never threatened . It's looking like a Germany/Spain final unless something strange happens . Spain dominate possession so much that it's hard to see Portugal being able to compete . Germany have real goal scoring ability and should take care of England or Italy . England have a definite chance tomorrow against a not so great Italy . It's a toss of the coin though . Maybe England to go through .

Jeff Lorber's latest offering (pianist/keyboardist) Macca 3.7

Well that didn't happen ! (though it was 1-1 after an hour) Germany were far too accomplished , dominated possession and ended up winning 4-2 . Germany play the winner of the England/Italy game . Tomorrow's game sees Spain up against France . Spain will probably dominate possession and this should convert to a win (how's that for a conservative prediction !?)

Portugal are through after another Ronaldo goal . They'll face either Spain or France in the Semi's . They could defeat France but not so sure about Spain . Not sure if any team can get enough possession against the Spaniards ! Germany should win through to the semis tomorrow , but I reckon Greece will take it right up to them .

You've kept us entertained with those clips from SB NATION ! Classic . Well done to the Heat - I think they were my original pick ! Nah , in all seriousness , they were deserved winners and made all the big plays when it counted . OKC should bounce back next year but there are no guarantees in any sport hey ? It's been nearly 2 months of playoffs - I'm all NBA'd out ! Well done to King James - the Americans will need another "They haven't done it yet' type sportsperson or team . Where will the 'Heat' be focused on now !?

Yeah , having watched how Miami have closed things out , it seems it's all theirs for the taking . A lot of the chat is how James Harden has struggled . Yet , only a week or so ago the talk was whether Bosh could fulfill his role . Roles reversed in such a short space of time . And then we have 'Super' Mario stepping up with 25 pts today , effectively creating a (new) big 4 ! Miami have that real confidence as well now . I'd like this series to go to game 6 or 7 . Ya never know .

Well this thread isn't exactly 'HOT' ! Anyways ........... England and France go through after this mornings games . Sweden defeated France 2-0 but all a bit late . Quarter final match-ups QF1 - Czech Republic vs Portugal - 4.45am Friday EST QF2 - Germany vs Greece - 4.45am Saturday EST QF3 - Spain vs France - 4.45am Sunday EST QF4 - England vs Italy - 4.45am Monday EST Semi Finals are the winners of QF1 vs winners of QF3 and the winners of QF2 vs the winners of QF4 .

My idea of a twist is an extension to a 6th game ! I did read that since 1985 only 2 home teams have won all 3 of the 'middle' games of the 2-3-2 set up . Don't ya just love stats ! The Americans certainly do . All the momentum is with the Heat now .

Nice to see those high 5's hitting the mark ! OKC on the other hand , are missing the mark big time . They go out to a 17pt lead early in the game only to have Miami go on a 16pt unanswered phase that seemed to only last 3-4 minutes of actual playing time . I reckon the Thunder would be more than annoyed to go out in 5 games after playing so well for the majority of these playoffs . Miami , on the other hand , have stepped up to the plate when it has counted . It's theirs to lose now . James has been outstanding . Wade , Bosh and now 'Super' Mario (Chalmers) have been excellent . Do we have one more twist ?

Thanks 'Yossarian' , there's some excellent contributors to the thread . Need more though ! Here's another from the 'Neon Trees' to follow up from their hit 'Animal' . Macca 8.8 [media=]

Ha ha ! That must have been what it was - there's no other logical explanation . 5.5 on the Richter scale - Phil must be proud !

My house just shook ! Phil must have come down early , just jumped off the plane .

Careful , careful CB . We don't want the 'Daleks' to release the good Doctor !

Ah yes , good stuff JJ , time for some 'Aussie' bits . D Gen crew .........

Yep , a definite brain fade .

Ha ha ! The next game might decide things . If Miami win then I could see them winning game 5 (which is also at home) . Game 4 is the one I thought OKC could win . Fisher and Harden needs to do more if they're a realistic chance . They were both very good earlier in the playoffs .

Well that's it for Holland - out with zero points . Portugal were good though , Ronaldo stepped up . Portugal now play the Czech Republic in one QF whilst Germany (who topped the group) get to play Greece in another QF . Tomorrow's games are Spain (4pts) vs Croatia (4pts) and Italy (2pts) vs The Republic of Ireland (0pts) . If Spain and Croatia draw 2 all , 3 all or 4 all etc , they will both go through to the QF'S regardless of the Italy/Croatia result . If teams are level on points at the end of the group stages then placings are decided on how these teams went against each other . It can extend to the most goals scored and finally on how each team fared in the group (overall) A more likely scenario is both Spain and Italy win thus ensuring both go through to the QF's . SBS 2 offer a highlights package at 5.30pm daily .

Yeah , the Russians are out - well done to Greece . They won the whole thing in 2004 so who knows ? The Czechs are no total surprise and they can be dangerous . Not sure this was that strong a group - the Russians should achieve more but they often don't . Tomorrow's games are fascinating . Anything could happen really but you'd expect Germany to win or draw to keep top spot - they will play Greece in the QF's if they finish top . Holland are nowhere near their best but if they click they could win by the 2 goals required . Of course , they will need Denmark to lose as well to go through to the QF's . Portugal will need to win to get through if Denmark upset Germany . The games are played at the same time so there will be at least 3 teams trying to win . Should make for some entertaining games . The runner-up in this group will play the Czech Republic in the QF's .

Perhaps the Internet boards equivalent back in 1919 was in the Pubs between 5pm and 6pm 'monoccular' . Would have got nice and lively around 10 to 6 in the midst of the swill ! Great post WJ .

Ha ! I vaguely remember hearing a few months ago that overall 'hits' and 'home runs' had decreased in numbers since the late 1990's and early to mid 2000's . Hard to find actual figures but there is a bit of talk in the States that scoring is now lower and pitching 'era's' are lower as well . They say that low scoring games are great for the people at the games but not so much for the tv audience . I tend to get really interested during the playoffs but will watch the odd regular season game . Red Sox / Yankees games get my attention . Like the Red Sox , those White Sox need to get on a winning streak .

Another from master jazz guitarist Ronny Jordan Macca 3.6 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH65e4nf2gI

Hey 'GTG' , pardon my ignorance but what is the difference between a no-hitter and a perfect game ? Is it simply that in a perfect game , nobody gets to 1st base in any way ? Does an error effect a perfect game ? By the way , it seems in part , in the post 'roids , HGH and EPO era , scoring and especially home runs has dropped .

Yeah , I agree 'JT9'. As an example , every game in the last round of the group games has something riding on it . Sweden and Ireland are out , but both teams can shape their groups . England came from behind 1-2 to beat Sweden 3-2 in the end . France defeated the Ukraine 2-0 , but the last round of games will be very interesting . Ukraine at home against England will be no pushovers . A draw be will enough for England but you never know in this sport . Tomorrows games see Greece (1pt) vs Russia (4pts) and the Czech Republic (3pts) vs Poland (2pts) . Poland win and they're through to the quarter finals .

Ha ! Your tip is back on track JJ ! All the Heat have to do is win their next 3 games (at home) . I reckon they'll win 2 of them . They need their big 3 to step up and that can happen . James has been great in these playoffs . I reckon there might be some strange twist to come in the next few games - maybe an injury ? The games have been quite clean up until now . I'm always surprised that there aren't more injuries around the key .

Yep , the Dutch have now lost their opening 2 games , however if Germany beat Denmark (as expected) then Holland have a chance if they can defeat Portugal by 3 goals or so . Wouldn't put it past them but they're not playing their 'total football' brand in this tournament (so far) Spain (1pt) are up against The Republic of Ireland (0pts) tonight as well as Croatia(3pts) against Italy (1pt) . Croatia will wrap up a quarter finals berth if they win . I reckon Spain should win but maybe a draw in the Italy/Croatia game . There was talk of changing the group matches for this tournament and the next , but why would they want to change a tried and true method of teams advancing ?