That guy was a far cry from what we had this season. Either way, you all have tweaked my appetite. Can’t wait to watch.

John, I was thinking the same thing about Deco…Seriously, who would sell such a player? Totally ridiculous. He just needs a better midfield scheme (before you blow a gasket, note I didn’t say a better midfield) and a little bit more flexibility in his positioning. While Moutinho was “invisible” that’s sort of exactly what he was supposed to be doing. Xavi plays that role effectively for Barcelona and then everyone flips their shit when he’s so good for Spain. You can’t have it both ways. With Marcos Senna behind you, you have all freedom in the world to create nonstop.

Glad a madridista agrees with me on my Euro picks. That makes me feel…well, slightly dirty? Just kidding, John. Club and country are two totally different things.

Iniesta’s feed of Torres yesterday was also top quality stuff. I had expected a bad game out of him, given his supposed food poisoning issue and the fact that he usually doesn’t play that great against big Norther European teams (see his Champions League performances).

john, I agree with your anti-Portugal and pro-Spain sentiments. However, I can’t really see Spain winning, given their shaky defense. I also like Holland and Italy, too.

And speaking of transfer targets, did anyone else see Scolari scream at Quaresma when the winger tried some fancy business rather than just play the ball forward? Good stuff. It’s nice to see some of these ‘players of the moment’ get brought back down to earth.

Anyhow – Team I like but don’t want to: Portgal.

Team I want to win more than anything: Spain.

Team I wouldn’t mind (too much) if Spain loses to: Netherlands. (But I’d still mind. A lot.)

Teams I pray get the national pride beat out of them: same list as Isaiah’s, minus Greece (I like their tactical savy), and with Germany at the top (sorry Gonzalo, if you’re out there).

Hey, that was fun. Everyone should try it!

I also am with you on the Ronaldo thing, I would love to see that as well.

That way, I have something to do with my evenings after I’m done suffering on the bicycle. I love the DVR.

I think that Deco understands that he’s on display, as are a lot of players rumored to be in play, so to speak. Not that he would have had much difficulty finding a new home, but a good performance at Euros would certainly raise someone’s price by a mill or two.

Part of me hopes that Ronaldo goes to the EE. I think that he’s going to unsettle that locker room.

Abidal is the latest to mention the lackluster attention paid to fitness at Barcelona. I still say, when I watch teams train, when I watched a practice session at the Nou Camp, I couldn’t beLIEVE how little they were doing, and how easy it all was. For us, training is often harder than racing. Then racing seems almost easy. Look at NFL teams, who do two-a-days to get ready for the season. I believe it’s one reason we had so many injuries last season.

Part of Guardiola’s manifesto that he presented to board was upgrading of training and the team medicos. He has to follow through on that one.

Meanwhile, he and Txiki are knocking heads over Sergio Garcia. Guardiola wants, Txiki doesn’t. The winner of that battle will almost certainly be Guardiola. They can’t say no to him so soon.

David Villa is back on our radar. And hell, after yesterday, he’s probably on a lot of other radars. And I’m going to blaspheme here, but if someone told me Eto’o for Villa, I’d do it in two seconds. And the first second would be spent closing my astonished mouth.

Hell of a strike from Ibrahimovic, too. One of the most beautiful goals I have seen in a while, and what a shot.

I’m really worried about Euros. My Bleus look like doo-doo, and other sides (Holland, Spain, Portugal, even Germany) look so magisterial. I dunno. Then again, we looked like dung right up until it counted in World Cup.

Llobster, I am SO going to the Chivas game. It will make up for my not being able to get to Barcelona this season for some Gamper/Liga action.