ESPN

Tommy Smyth

  (2:02 PM)

Hi everybody delighted to be able to spend some time with you. This has been a great tournament and I am really looking forward to the Semi Finals, I just want to say to everybody thank you for your support for our telecast it has be amazing and I am delighted that so many of you are on board today.

Barry (Orlando, FL)

Hi Tommy,It was interesting to hear your comment on how amazing the anthems were before the Turkey-Croatia game. I was in Stuttgart for Croatia-Australia in 2006, and standing among the Croatian fans while they sang the anthem was an incredible experience - no wonder they've never lost at home.And while many would say it has no bearing on the game, it was clear to me watching the teams stand for the anthems before the Italy-France game that the Italians were likely to win.Keep up the good work!

Tommy Smyth

  (2:06 PM)

I have always said it is an amazing moment when a sporting crowd rise for the national anthems if you cant play football after you hear your country men and women sing the nation anthems you will never play it.

Luis (San Jose,CA)

Does David Villa have a good chance of being the top goal scorer at the end of this Tournament??

Tommy Smyth

  (2:07 PM)

Yes the fact that he is in front and he is getting a oppertunity to play in a Semi Final he must have a great shot at it.

Mike (Cleveland, Ohio)

Who do you think is the team to beat right now in the tournament?

Tommy Smyth

  (2:08 PM)

Mike I am on record since the end of the last World Cup that Germany were the team to beat. I don't see any reason to change my mind now.

Fort Irwin, CA

Hey Tommy how is come there are so many upsets this year? Do you think that those crazy russians can run there way all the way to the finals. It reminds me of four years ago when greece did the same

Tommy Smyth

  (2:10 PM)

I think we are finding out that the playing field in Europe has become much more even when it comes to international teams . There is very little between them, and yes the Russians can go all the way.

Cory (Seaville, New Jersey)

Tommy, through out the tournement the officating has been... questionable. How deeply do you feel the tournement has been affected by officals?

Tommy Smyth

  (2:14 PM)

Cory, it seems like every tournament is affected by the officials but isn't that what makes soccer the sport it is. I think at the end of the day the calls all even themselves out. It's very unfortunate that sometimes a ref's decision is the deciding factor in a game. I don't know any other way Ref's are human and the games have become so fast, the ref's job in soccer is now the hardest job in all of sports.

Nick, Cleveland, Ohio

Tommy,This is a serious question, so please don't feel offended. In contrast to people like Andy Gray and even Paul Merson and Jamie Redknapp you have no real football credentials. Do you feel that your accent and ancestry endow you with the ethos the American public needs, and makes you credible? I'm aware that this question will probably not make it to the air, so I will leave my email address. Sincerely yours, and Sincerely curious,Nick.

Tommy Smyth

  (2:19 PM)

I don't think my accent or my ancestry has anything got to do with it. remember I am Irish we would hardly be considered a force in the World of soccer. In fact you would have to say I am much like the Irish team i have done allot with the experience I have. If you look at history Jose Mourinho, Arsne Wenger, are two of the top managers in the world. they never had amazing football careers yet in all I could go through the list and show you the names of many great football players who have been a absolute bust as a manager. If we all knew what it took to put people in positions where there were going to excell we could become millioners very quickly.

Ivan Precius Gros Islet St.Lucia

DID RONALDO PLAY UP TO HIS LEVEL OR WAS THE COMPETITION IN EUROPE JUS TOO BIG FOR HIM?

Tommy Smyth

  (2:21 PM)

I thought Ronaldo was fine. Sure it's very easy to pick on him because he plays so good week in and week out, I think Pourtugal as a team did not play well against Germany and that's the reason they are out.

Corey (Philadelphia, PA)

Tommy: Cassilas guessed right on all 4 penalties, have you ever saw a perfromance like that in a PK shootout?

Tommy Smyth

  (2:24 PM)

The think about this performance was that week in week out Cassilas does a great job for real Madraid he is in my opinion the best Goal Keeper in the World.

Steven (Toronto)

Should Fabregas be starting over Ineista for Spain?

Tommy Smyth

  (2:26 PM)

I think he deserves a start yes.

Corey (Philadelphia, PA)

Has Ballack just come alive in the last 3 weeks, and will this carry over with him at Chelsea?

Tommy Smyth

  (2:28 PM)

Keep in mind that Ballack had a serious injury that kept him out for a long time. Righ now he is excately the leader that Germany needs. I would feel that yes this form will carry over into the new season in England.

freddiefootballer (sunnyvale, CA)

Which player in the tournament really helped put himself in a good position for transfer opportunities with his performances?

Tommy Smyth

  (2:33 PM)

Pavlyuchenko, Zyrianov, Arshivan,Podolski,Ardaturan. I would say they have all helped themselves.

Josh (Asheville, NC)

I can't recall how many Turks are going to miss the game with the Germans due to cards, but is there any way that Turkey can get by Germany? I still can't believe Turkey is still alive. I thought it was over when Croatia scored with over a minute left of overtime. Thanks.

Tommy Smyth

  (2:36 PM)

Josh, If there is a will they is always a way, and the Turk's have certainly shown they have a will. However I think this is a bridge to far. Germany just seem to be rounding into form and they should advance to the final.

Frank (Seattle)

Have you heard any news about Didier Drogba? I heard he was fielding offers from other clubs and on his way out of Chelsea.

Tommy Smyth

  (2:37 PM)

The rumors continue that Drogba will be gone and that Etoo, willbe his replacement. i see allot of changes happening at Chelsea. Big Phil will want to build his own team.

gil(philly-yo!)

Tommy, why is Aargones subbing Torres?? Clearly he is better than Guiza and he and Villa have meshed well. Would you take the 2nd leading scorer in the EPL out of the game?

Tommy Smyth

  (2:41 PM)

This is really nothing new , in fact if you look at what Aargones has done almost 50% of the games that Torres has played he has been subbed.Aargones has his own idea about strikers and players. How else would he leave Raul out of his team. It seems like for whatever reason that Torres gets isolated and at times is just not involved in the game.

Hugh (Hermosa Beach, CA)

Tommy, I'm originally from Salthill Galway. What is the future of our national team? We need Jackie Charlton back! "we're all part of jackie's army, we're all off to Italy ..."

Tommy Smyth

  (2:45 PM)

Hugh, I spent many happy days in salt Hill. That was my official headquarters when going to the Galway races. In answer to your question , its not the coach that's the problem. I think Ireland needs to develope some new players. Trapp will have a tough time getting this team into the worls Cup Finals. It's not a easy group. The one man that is really going to have to step up is Robbie Keane.

Peter (Madison, WI)

Tommy, I heard you say that you know one of the Jonas brothers? You are my daughter's new hero! I've two questions: 1) Does Turkey have any chance against Germany with all their absent players, and 2) why have there been so many goals scored after the 85th minute? Is it a result of better (or inferior) conditioning? Thanks!

Tommy Smyth

  (2:47 PM)

Peter, I will take fans anyway I get them. You mean if I knew the three brothers I might have three new fans. About Turkey I already said they have a very very tough road ahead. As for the conditioning question, I think that it may be more a mental let down than a physicial let down.

Tom New York New York

Tommy, what are Russia's chances versus Spain in the Semifinal? They certainly brought down the Oranje this past Saturday.

Tommy Smyth

  (2:52 PM)

I think the Russans have a great oppertunity to become heros. Spain are without a doubt a great team. I think that if the Russians use there speed down the middle, they could cause all kinds of problems. Puyol looks beaten up to me, and it might be a oppertunity for Arahaven to run at them and create good oppertunitys for Pavlyuchenko.

David (Charlotte)

Tommy, with more and more Americans playing overseas - i.e. a handful at Fulham - will this experience translate for a more successful World Cup appearance in '10 than in '06?

Tommy Smyth

  (2:56 PM)

The more players you have playing at a higher level the better your team will be. To have players playing overseas is a very positive situation. It will certainly help the US team.

damian new york

tommy, what on earth is going on with Ronaldinho? Do you think he will end up staying in blaugrana?

Tommy Smyth

  (3:00 PM)

That right now is the$64,000 question. Here is a player who went from being the best player on the planet to not even being named on Barcelona's team i don't have any inside information as to what went on behind the sceans. It's a shame to see a player waiste so much talent. maybe a move to a new club might help.

Charles (NY)

What about Shevchenko? Is he totally washed up or would a switch to a different environment (or back to old AC Milan) rejuvenate his career?

Tommy Smyth

  (3:01 PM)

Sheva has gone through a bad time with Chelsea . I think now he realises now he made a mistake leaving Milan. It will be a tough tough time for him to get his career back on the rails.

katherine (sharon, ma)

i thought we were asking questions about euro 2008!! tommy, tell us what you think about spain's chances against russia? who are the players to watch on the spanish side? any changes in line ups coming?

Tommy Smyth

  (3:03 PM)

Katherine, I thought we were talking about football. If you read some of my earlier answers you will see that I feel Spain will have their hands fun. I feel that Fabregas, may get a start, but i am tipping Russin to go to the Final.

AE, Berkeley, CA

Tommy,Don't you think your TURKEY jokes are a little derogatory; 'German's do not mind a little TURKEY served...' You should know, you are Irish and you are, as a nation, at the other end of the silly jokes by English. Time to drop the cheap jokes and, maybe show some respect. What do you think?

Tommy Smyth

  (3:05 PM)

AE, the day we loose the ability to laugh at ourselves as we the Irish have done for years then we are in real trouble. I have never shown Turkey anything but respect. I think they have done a great job in Euro 2008 and before. In fact if your a fan long enough you might remember I picked them to beat Brizel in the World Cup semifinal.

Evan (SF, CA_

First time Euro watcher Tommy. How important is it to have an elite crosser in this tourney placing the ball in the 6-yard box? It seems Hamit Altintop and Podolski have consistantly done this for their sides, producing great oppertunities from afar and swtiching the momentum of the game when their side is not performing well or the defense is stacked against them.

Tommy Smyth

  (3:08 PM)

Evan, we are delighted to have you aboard, there is no question a man who can deliver pin-point crossd into the box is worth his weight in gold. remember David Beckham's ability at this.If you have a player inside who can take advantage of it, this is a part of the game that can get you allot of goals.

Ted (Boston, MA)

Come on Tommy! Answer my question about McBride returning from international retirement to help lead the U.S. to (and possibly through) the World Cup!

Tommy Smyth

  (3:09 PM)

Ted, I am sure it's a possibility especially if he comes back to play in the US. McBride is a great player I feel he has allot to offer at international level.

Paul (Albany, OR)

Tommy, why such little discussion over the Ballack foul that basically clinched the game over Portugal? I thought his shove clearly gave him the advantage. Why in the world would the officials not position themselves to see the jostling going on in the middle? Thanks.

Tommy Smyth

  (3:11 PM)

Paul, clearly it was a foul. I think it was just a case that the Ref didn't see it. I am sure if you have ever stood outside of the box on a coner kick you realize how it could be missed. Things change so quickly sometimes the ref's view is blocked.

JP (NY)

Hey Tommy, how many minutes are in an overtime period in the Euro?

Tommy Smyth

  (3:13 PM)

JP, The official time is two fifteen minutes periods, and as usuail whatever the ref feels is necessary to add on for stoppages.

Chris (Europe)

Tommy,If I can only attend one game should I go to Ger vs Tur or Spain vs Russia? Why?

Tommy Smyth

  (3:14 PM)

I would say Spain Vs Russia, I have a feeling it will be a more open game, and I also feel it will be a very close game.

stefan (seattle, wa)

My impression of the 2002 WC and 2006 WC for the US that the US did very well in 2002 because of their fitness levels. In 2006, they seemed to believe the press and didn't have the same fitness/drive/athleticism. What do you think explains the step back the US team took in 2006?

Tommy Smyth

  (3:16 PM)

Stefan, I don't think they took any step backward in 2006. They happen to find themselves in a very tough group. A Group that did produce the eventual winner.

Taha (Appleton, WI)

Tommy: any way we can get you to say "Smarty Jones" during your next broadcast? Seriously, are you slated to attend the final or will you be calling it from the studio?

Tommy Smyth

  (3:18 PM)

Taha, i just said Smarty Jones did you hear me!!! Actually I will be on studio duty for the Semi Finals and the Final, so you will get to see my pretty face Ha Ha!!!!

DH(Houston,Tx)

I'm going to coach Soccer for the first time(ever) what is your advice?

Tommy Smyth

  (3:19 PM)

The first thing you have to do, is know excately what kind of talent you have. If it's kids your coaching teach them how to be good on the ball and teach them to be good sports. It's as important to be a good looser as it is to be a good winner. good Luck with your Career.

Tommy Smyth

  (3:21 PM)

Thank you all so much for all your great questions. So Sorry I can't get to them all but we will catch up again. in the meantime enjoy the rest of the tournament. Thank you for your company.