The England games will probably get a thread of their own but here's a thread to discuss all the other games in the competition starting with Turkey v Italy tomorrow night.
I drew Turkey in "The Fishy" sweepstake
When Leeds trainer Les Cocker was once told Norman Hunter had broken a leg, he asked: “Whose is it?”
Looking forward to it. Does anyone know if every match will have spectators? I know the ones in the UK will, but the matches are all over so I've no idea whether or not there will be people at all the games.
The England games will probably get a thread of their own but here's a thread to discuss all the other games in the competition starting with Turkey v Italy tomorrow night.
I drew Turkey in "The Fishy" sweepstake
Turkey are a very good side. As good as their 2002 if not better. Could get very far in the competition.
Looking forward to it. Does anyone know if every match will have spectators? I know the ones in the UK will, but the matches are all over so I've no idea whether or not there will be people at all the games.
Nice overview of that here (scroll down a little to the table):
I thought all had committed to a minimum of 25% capacity (which was why Ireland who either couldn't or wouldn't make such a commitment lost their venue) however Germany appears to be the lowest at 22%. Hungary, where Covid remains relatively low, is at full capacity.
Theoretically I imagine this could all change should there be a sizeable flare up anywhere, despite the commitments that have been made to UEFA.
I thought all had committed to a minimum of 25% capacity (which was why Ireland who either couldn't or wouldn't make such a commitment lost their venue) however Germany appears to be the lowest at 22%. Hungary, where Covid remains relatively low, is at full capacity.
Theoretically I imagine this could all change should there be a sizeable flare up anywhere, despite the commitments that have been made to UEFA.
Over the last few finals Denmark, Portugal, and Greece have all won. I think it's an interesting competition that although slightly biased to a bookie's favourite winning the outsiders have a chance. With matches spread over several countries then an outsider might win.
Being totally biased based on our sweepstake it has to be Spain or Scotland!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Come on England.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
Tonight’s game has the potential to be very good. Turkey looking like they did 20 years ago and assuming the Italians bottom themselves, they too have a good squad…
'the poor and the needy are selfish and greedy'...well done Mozza
Tonight’s game has the potential to be very good. Turkey looking like they did 20 years ago and assuming the Italians bottom themselves, they too have a good squad…
Yes Roberto Mancini has changed the look of the Italian side. From one of traditional defence it has become a more attacking side.
The England games will probably get a thread of their own but here's a thread to discuss all the other games in the competition starting with Turkey v Italy tomorrow night.
Agree but England probably edge Italy it in terms of overall ability. Just glad the Euros are finally here. Happy days .
If only we could have England’s front three (+ attacking options off bench + Chiesa), England’s full backs, combined with Italy’s central spine and keeper.
The main advantage Italy have is game management and nous. I just don’t trust us to defend a narrow lead in the same way.
Italy are France’s biggest danger (other than themselves or a COVID outbreak or some sort of Benzema blackmail ring part deux).
Agree but England probably edge Italy it in terms of overall ability. Just glad the Euros are finally here. Happy days .
Italy don't have a massive amount of standout players but seem to be a really cohesive unit these days. Really good technical midfield and they just don't ship goals. 7/1 on them is a decent price. Like the look of Portugal at 8/1. Dias, Cancelo, Jota, Bernardo Silva, Neves, Joao Felix, Fernandes and Ronaldo...you can't fit all that attacking quality in but that's an impressive group of players.
If they weren’t at home in all their group games I think they might not get out of the group stage.
But as they are they’ll probably get enough points (4 or 5) to qualify in 2nd behind France with Portugal going through in 3rd (again),
It’s hard to look past France for the title.
Belgium are ageing, especially in defence.
Spain are nothing special.
Germany the same.
Netherlands are useless.
For me the winners will come from…
France Portugal England Italy Turkey
And the smaller nations I expect to do well…
Denmark Scotland
Most likely to get 0 points…
Wales Czech Republic
I went through the groups to predict the tournament and I got the following Semi-Finals… Portugal/Italy v France England v Turkey
(Sorry, I couldn’t decide between Portugal or italy in the QF)
no chance
France to win it i Agree, Germany will surprise you, Turkey are nowhere near as good as your implying, and that'll be shown tonight when a resurgent Italy beat them, i dont think the Turks will get out the group
France to win it i Agree, Germany will surprise you, Turkey are nowhere near as good as your implying, and that'll be shown tonight when a resurgent Italy beat them, i dont think the Turks will get out the group
You say Turkey aren’t good but in qualifying they took 4 points off France.
Amyway, you don’t have to be that good if your path to the SF is kind. If Turkey finish 2nd in group A they will face 2nd in group B (Denmark or Russia?) in R16. If/when they come through that group C winners (Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria or North Macedonia) or a 3rd placed team in QF.
Turkey are better than all 4 of those teams in group C in my opinion.
Turkey have a lovely path if they can engineer themselves a 2nd placed finish.
And Germany are where they were in 2004. Between 2 generations with little in between. The last remnants of their 2014 World Cup winners with inexperienced young talent. Germany will be more competitive in 2022 and 2024.
France to win it i Agree, Germany will surprise you, Turkey are nowhere near as good as your implying, and that'll be shown tonight when a resurgent Italy beat them, i dont think the Turks will get out the group
Oh and tonight..
Italy under Mancini are totally different to the traditional Italy sides who scored a goal and then defended and took a 1-0 win. They will go for it from the first whistle. I expect Turkey to pick them apart on the counterattack. An entertaining game. 2-2 or 3-2 to either side.
Italy under Mancini are totally different to the traditional Italy sides who scored a goal and then defended and took a 1-0 win. They will go for it from the first whistle. I expect Turkey to pick them apart on the counterattack. An entertaining game. 2-2 or 3-2 to either side.
Italy have seemingly quietly become an attacking force. They’ve sort of slipped under the radar, so much so some of my Italian friends haven’t really taken an interest until recently.
Italy will either be excellent or just completely fall apart. I agree about the Germans too, they’ll be organised but ‘home’ advantage could be their saving grace. Benzema back for France is massive; he’s an excellent and consistent player, they’re my favourite but then I think you could genuinely throw us, Italy, possibly Portugal in to it…
'the poor and the needy are selfish and greedy'...well done Mozza
People forget that Portugal won Euro 2016 by only winning 1 of their 7 matches in 90 minutes.
Drew all 3 group games and scraped through to the knock-out round as the 3rd ranked 3rd placed team. They then beat Croatia in extra-team and Poland on penalties and were in the Semi-Finals. That was their 1 win within regulation time (2-0 against Wales). And then they won the Final in extra-time again.
4 draws 2 wins in extra-time 1 win in 90 minutes. 🏆 Champions of Europe.
You telling me Portugal were the best team in 2016? They weren’t. But they won the competition.
People forget that Portugal won Euro 2016 by only winning 1 of their 7 matches in 90 minutes.
Drew all 3 group games and scraped through to the knock-out round as the 3rd ranked 3rd placed team. They then beat Croatia in extra-team and Poland on penalties and were in the Semi-Finals. That was their 1 win within regulation time (2-0 against Wales). And then they won the Final in extra-time again.
4 draws 2 wins in extra-time 1 win in 90 minutes. 🏆 Champions of Europe.
You telling me Portugal were the best team in 2016? They weren’t. But they won the competition.
I've got Scotland in the sweepstake, I live in hope.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
People forget that Portugal won Euro 2016 by only winning 1 of their 7 matches in 90 minutes.
Drew all 3 group games and scraped through to the knock-out round as the 3rd ranked 3rd placed team. They then beat Croatia in extra-team and Poland on penalties and were in the Semi-Finals. That was their 1 win within regulation time (2-0 against Wales). And then they won the Final in extra-time again.
4 draws 2 wins in extra-time 1 win in 90 minutes. 🏆 Champions of Europe.
You telling me Portugal were the best team in 2016? They weren’t. But they won the competition.
More so than the World Cup, I’m not of the opinion, much like yourself that you have to be the best team in the euros. Ironically, the year Portugal were the best they got beat. Same when France won it, I’d still argue the Italy were equally as good…not sure Denmark were that good. Only with time do I think these teams become the best, rose tinted specs and all that…
'the poor and the needy are selfish and greedy'...well done Mozza
Pleased it's starting. World Cup 2018 seems a lifetime ago. So much has happened since. We're going to be spoilt (to quote PH) over the next 13 months.
'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson
People forget that Portugal won Euro 2016 by only winning 1 of their 7 matches in 90 minutes.
Drew all 3 group games and scraped through to the knock-out round as the 3rd ranked 3rd placed team. They then beat Croatia in extra-team and Poland on penalties and were in the Semi-Finals. That was their 1 win within regulation time (2-0 against Wales). And then they won the Final in extra-time again.
4 draws 2 wins in extra-time 1 win in 90 minutes. 🏆 Champions of Europe.
You telling me Portugal were the best team in 2016? They weren’t. But they won the competition.
A win in extra time is as valid as a win in 90mins, for me.
Italy don't have a massive amount of standout players but seem to be a really cohesive unit these days. Really good technical midfield and they just don't ship goals. 7/1 on them is a decent price. Like the look of Portugal at 8/1. Dias, Cancelo, Jota, Bernardo Silva, Neves, Joao Felix, Fernandes and Ronaldo...you can't fit all that attacking quality in but that's an impressive group of players.
Talk was among the pundits on Talk Sport last night that this Portugal squad was better than the side that won Euro 2016. I think Joao Felix could be dangerous .Heard a lot of good things about him from my Spanish friends.
Kilian Mbappe is probably my favourite player in the tournament. When Ive seen him for Paris Saint German on television this season his pace alongside reasonable skills make him so dangerous.
As usual, the hysterical appeals from the Italian players make me want their opponents to win. Absolutely no way in the world was that a handball shortly before half-time. I'd be embarrassed to appeal for it even a little.
As usual, the hysterical appeals from the Italian players make me want their opponents to win. Absolutely no way in the world was that a handball shortly before half-time. I'd be embarrassed to appeal for it even a little.
I've always thought the Italians and the Spanish are the biggest cheats in World Football.
Anyway ...Turkey 0-1 Italy.
When Leeds trainer Les Cocker was once told Norman Hunter had broken a leg, he asked: “Whose is it?”
Turkey have fallen to pieces since they conceded. No plan B now they can't just sit back and defend. If the Italians don't score a few, they'll have missed an opportunity.
France to win it i Agree, Germany will surprise you, Turkey are nowhere near as good as your implying, and that'll be shown tonight when a resurgent Italy beat them, i dont think the Turks will get out the group
Turkey look like they played a game at midday. The Italians of all teams running rings around them. Good countering teams might do well against the Italians they’ve have to be good at defending themselves.
Good point from Ferdinand (I think it was him?) after the game. An Italian team without a 'star' player who everyone is looking to for something to happen. Just quick passing, good movement, hard work and capable defending. They look a good team and not being reliant on one or two players means you're less likely to fall apart given an injury or two.
Good point from Ferdinand (I think it was him?) after the game. An Italian team without a 'star' player who everyone is looking to for something to happen. Just quick passing, good movement, hard work and capable defending. They look a good team and not being reliant on one or two players means you're less likely to fall apart given an injury or two.
Yes, it was Ferdinand. It was an interesting point, very well picked up by your good self.
You don’t need your best eleven individuals on the pitch to win tournaments. You need your best team.
Think the format doesn't help. 24 teams down to just 16 means avoiding a heavy defeat gives you a chance of finishing third and qualifying in the group if you manage 3 points. Turkey looked happy to lose 1-0, and get their win in the next couple of games.
'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson
Think the format doesn't help. 24 teams down to just 16 means avoiding a heavy defeat gives you a chance of finishing third and qualifying in the group if you manage 3 points. Turkey looked happy to lose 1-0, and get their win in the next couple of games.
Yes think I preferred the old format. Top 2 two teams from each group qualify and go straight to the quarter finals.
Really impressed with Italy last night. As much as Turkey’s coach got his tactics totally wrong, Italy played at a high tempo and on the front foot. My only concern with Italy going forward is they didn’t protect the ball as well as you normally get with Italy & some of their decision making in the final third wasn’t great.
You could see how a better drilled team could really damage Italy by hitting them on the counterattack with pace against an ageing centre back pairing. For example France with Kante doing his thing in midfield and the pace of Mbappe. A bit like how Chelsea have beaten Man City 3 times under Tommy Tuchal.
Last night might be the first example of how so many teams having home advantage will skew results in the group stage with some non-hosts having horrendous itinerary (e.g. Switzerland playing in Baku, Rome & then Baku again)
Think the format doesn't help. 24 teams down to just 16 means avoiding a heavy defeat gives you a chance of finishing third and qualifying in the group if you manage 3 points. Turkey looked happy to lose 1-0, and get their win in the next couple of games.
You say 4 third placed team qualifying is an easy route to the knock-out stage, but have you seen the format for this years Copa America?
2 groups of 5. Top 4 in both groups qualify for the Quarter-Finals. 20 groups matches to eliminate 2 teams.
I think the Euros should be expanded to 32 teams (8 groups of 4 with the top 2 qualifying for the Round of 16).
Would only involve 12 additional matches. I think there’s enough quality in European football now that it wouldn’t adversely dilute the quality.
Oh and Italy should host Euro 2028. Nessum Dorma had me reminiscing about watching Italia ‘90 as a 9-year-old and falling even more in love with football than I already had by that point.
Would give Italy a chance and a reason to rebuild all their shitty old crumbling stadiums too.
Oh and Italy should host Euro 2028. Nessum Dorma had me reminiscing about watching Italia ‘90 as a 9-year-old and falling even more in love with football than I already had by that point.
Yes I saw the opening sequence as well. Very moving . Bono and Andrea Bocelli performance were quality. By the way you remember this . Official song of the Italia 1990 world cup. Really like this one .
Yes I saw the opening sequence as well. Very moving . Bono and Andrea Bocelli performance were quality. By the way you remember this . Official song of the Italia 1990 world cup. Really like this one .
You don’t get starting credits to TV coverage of football tournaments like this anymore…
You don’t get starting credits to TV coverage of football tournaments like this anymore…
That's beautiful and also the ITV one. Haven't heard that one in ages. Thanks for the share. I miss Desmond Lynam though. For me a very good presenter. Suave and professional . Interesting to note as well if your not aware that Luciano Pavarotti and Nessun Dorma helped increase the like for opera music at the time. Similarly I know the BBC have often used classical music for the opening football tournaments before eg Euro 1996 and world cup 1998. I think Desmond Lynam summed it up as well:
"Classical music reflects the beautiful game .It captures both the glories and disappointments from the winning goal in the 90th minute to the missed penalty".
I don’t think (being English) you can reminisce too much about USA ‘94 given that we were only represented there by half the Ireland squad, but both BBC & ITV had memorable starting credits…
1990 - Argentina lost first match. Got to Final. 1992 - Denmark didn’t qualify, then drew first match & lost second match. Won Euros. 1998 - Brazil conceded a goal against Scotland. Got to Final. 2004 - Portugal lost first match. Got to Final. 2006 - France drew first two matches. Got to Final. 2010 - Spain lost first match. Won World Cup. 2016 - Portugal drew all three group matches. Won Euros.
I’m not writing Turkey off quite yet, especially as they play their next 2 matches in Baku and they will apparently be de facto home matches given the amount of their fans who will be there.
1966 World Cup. England drew their first game 0-0. Did quite well in the final. West Germany won their first game 5-0. Did not do well enough in the final. 😁
England beat Germany 5-1 many years later. England tipped to do very well in next World Cup. Germany did much better than England.
1966 World Cup. England drew their first game 0-0. Did quite well in the final. West Germany won their first game 5-0. Did not do well enough in the final. 😁
England beat Germany 5-1 many years later. England tipped to do very well in next World Cup. Germany did much better than England.
Re: 2002…
Best 2 teams met in the QFs. England v Brazil. I felt then (and I still do) that whoever won that match would win the World Cup. And they did.
Germany had an unbeliveably easy route to the Final. 1-0 wins over Paraguay, USA and South Korea. But you can only beat the teams who you have to play. And Germany did.
Nice goal for Wales to equalise. My other thoughts from what I've seen of the game is to wonder if Bale realises he isn't playing walking football this tournament.
Without doubt the worst thing I have ever seen watching football. Quite how the match director thought it’d be good to show CPR and defribs happening live I don’t know.
Without doubt the worst thing I have ever seen watching football. Quite how the match director thought it’d be good to show CPR and defribs happening live I don’t know.
The BBC should probably have cut away earlier. I know they don’t control the cameras, it will be a central UEFA feed. The Danish broadcast was cut straight away for obvious reasons.
There is a picture of him sat slightly upright seemingly conscious on the pitch and is reported as alive and stable. In a sense he’s very lucky that it happened where it did with dozens of medics present. The initial seconds and minutes are critical.
It’s a funny one really. I am appalled that the broadcasters chose to keep it running live but I couldn’t not watch it. Seen a few tweets asking why they won’t show streakers but a distraught wife is great telly.
The fact he was conscious on the stretcher is hopeful I guess.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
There is a picture of him sat slightly upright seemingly conscious on the pitch and is reported as alive and stable. In a sense he’s very lucky that it happened where it did with dozens of medics present. The initial seconds and minutes are critical.
It’s a funny one really. I am appalled that the broadcasters chose to keep it running live but I couldn’t take not watch it. Seen a few tweets asking why they won’t show streakers but a distraught wife is great telly.
I have to agree, I had 40 years on the steelworks and it was said it was the best place to have a heart attack as the emergency services were with you in minutes.
My wife had a cardiac arrest but fortunately, she was in hospital when it happened. She collapsed just walking across the ward. I remember reading there's a 2% chance of surviving if you have one at home, but if you get prompt medical attention you can make a full recovery (as she did).
'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson
My wife had a cardiac arrest but fortunately, she was in hospital when it happened. She collapsed just walking across the ward. I remember reading there's a 2% chance of surviving if you have one at home, but if you get prompt medical attention you can make a full recovery (as she did).
Good to hear your wife made a full recovery.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
Yeah I did advanced first aid and defrib training in a previous job. The percentages of survival with a first aider doing cpr vs a paramedic with their kit are very different. Thankfully never had to do it myself and hopefully never will.
Are footballers given basic first aid? I know that there are paramedics and such at the ground but in times like this seconds are vital thankfully he’s doing ok.
I’m shocked they’re restarting the match. Presumably both sets of players have agreed to this. I hope so.
Yes it’s at the request of both sets of players. Now it looks as if he’s going to be ok (thank god) they must feel it’s the correct thing to do. Seems very odd to me as I’m sure in the same circumstances I wouldn’t want to, but there you go. So delighted he’s awake and responding to treatment because when I saw it I thought he’d died. Quite possibly he did mind you.
My wife had a cardiac arrest but fortunately, she was in hospital when it happened. She collapsed just walking across the ward. I remember reading there's a 2% chance of surviving if you have one at home, but if you get prompt medical attention you can make a full recovery (as she did).
Sorry to hear that. Hope she’s doing fine now.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Even a dull 0-0 would be entertaining with McCoist on comms. He sounds so happy to be doing the job and so does Tyldesley. The Dutch will be a good watch I think. Some good midfielders and a bit leaky at the back = entertainment.
Even a dull 0-0 would be entertaining with McCoist on comms. He sounds so happy to be doing the job and so does Tyldesley. The Dutch will be a good watch I think. Some good midfielders and a bit leaky at the back = entertainment.
Not the first folk to be leaky at the back in Amsterdam…
Seriously though, the Dutch are alright going forward but you’d fancy a France/Italy even England to tear them a new one defensively…
'the poor and the needy are selfish and greedy'...well done Mozza
I listened to the after-match comments and from the bits I could understand, not being Scottish, they believe Scotland played well. Their team have nothing to worry about and look forward to beating England.
They just overlooked the fact they lost by 2 goals to Czech Rep, who were not brilliant by any means but came away with a result. If hype was bulls hit then Hampden Park would be full, as they expect to beat both England and Croatia. I'm all for being positive and optimistic but somewhere the Scots have to be realistic.
What the Scots are very good at is distilling.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
After all the noise coming from the Scotland camp in the past few weeks (a lot aimed in Englands direction) it was lovely to watch them embarrassed like that
After seeing that, I’ll be very disappointed if we don’t finish with maximum points. Will watch the group of death with interest now as we’ll be playing one of them in the next round.
After seeing that, I’ll be very disappointed if we don’t finish with maximum points. Will watch the group of death with interest now as we’ll be playing one of them in the next round.
Interestingly, if England beat Scotland and assuming there’s a winner in the Croatia / Czech Republic game, we would be in a position to effectively opt to finish second by losing our final group game by a couple of goals.
Would we be that cynical? Southgate certainly put out a weakened side in our final group game at the World Cup; not sure if he’d be permitted to do so on this occasion given it wouldn’t be the dead rubber that the Belgium game was, but the path to the final looks fraught with difficulty should be top the group.
Interestingly, if England beat Scotland and assuming there’s a winner in the Croatia / Czech Republic game, we would be in a position to effectively opt to finish second by losing our final group game by a couple of goals.
Would we be that cynical? Southgate certainly put out a weakened side in our final group game at the World Cup; not sure if he’d be permitted to do so on this occasion given it wouldn’t be the dead rubber that the Belgium game was, but the path to the final looks fraught with difficulty should be top the group.
I don’t think our B team is that much weaker than our A team. Different strengths and talents. If we are in that position I would rather he played the remainder of the squad. Long way to go of course.
Grealish, DCL and Sancho are worth over £200m collectively for instance.
That'd be quite an effort though. A fully changed 11 would still contain some quality players and it'd be against the Czechs - last time we brought in Phil Jones (probably) and it was against a Belgium side who beat Brazil a week later!
Interestingly, if England beat Scotland and assuming there’s a winner in the Croatia / Czech Republic game, we would be in a position to effectively opt to finish second by losing our final group game by a couple of goals.
Would we be that cynical? Southgate certainly put out a weakened side in our final group game at the World Cup; not sure if he’d be permitted to do so on this occasion given it wouldn’t be the dead rubber that the Belgium game was, but the path to the final looks fraught with difficulty should be top the group.
In what way do u think he wouldn't be permitted to play his chosen side for the final game of the group? Its entirely up to him and if a team has won the first 2 they are entirely in their rights to rest their entire first 11 and teams have done so in the past. Its the fault of the teams relying on other countries results if that doesn't suit them.
Interestingly, if England beat Scotland and assuming there’s a winner in the Croatia / Czech Republic game, we would be in a position to effectively opt to finish second by losing our final group game by a couple of goals.
Would we be that cynical? Southgate certainly put out a weakened side in our final group game at the World Cup; not sure if he’d be permitted to do so on this occasion given it wouldn’t be the dead rubber that the Belgium game was, but the path to the final looks fraught with difficulty should be top the group.
Why on earth would we want to finish 2nd?
I totally disagree that the path is easier if we finish 2nd.
If we win the group... R16 - Home match at Wembley against 2nd in Group F (Germany? Portugal? France?) QF - Winner of Group E or a 3rd placed team in Rome (Spain? Slovakia? Sweden?) SF - Group C Winner or 2nd from either Group A or B at Wembley (Netherlands? Wales? Switzerland? Denmark?)
In we finish 2nd... R16 - 2nd in Group E in Copenhagen (Slovakia? Sweden? Spain?) QF - Winner of Group F or a 3rd placed team in Saint Petersburg (France?) SF - Winners of Group A or B at Wembley (Italy or Belgium)
I think we'd be mad to want to be in a half of the draw that will likely include Italy & Belgium and will probably include France. Better to be in the side of the draw with the poor by their standards Germany, Spain & Netherlands.
If we finish 3rd (and are one of the top 4) we would have a 50% chance of facing the winners of Group C "the group of dearth"... R16 - Group C winners in Budapest (Netherlands?) QF - Runner-up from either Group A or Group B (Switzerland? Wales? Turkey? Finland? Denmark?) SF- Winner of D or E or Runner-up from F (Czech Rep or Croatia? Slovakia or Sweden? Germany or Portugal?)
I totally disagree that the path is easier if we finish 2nd.
I see what you’re saying but the pessimistic Town fan in me thinks, get through the group, hopefully beat Sweden / Slovakia and then worry about the problems that then develop from thereon.
Don’t think I’ve ever seen a Germany team hit so many bad passes. Loads of possession but just endless hopeful punts into the box. If we have to play them I would back us to win.
I tell you what, if Mbappe could stay onside occasionally he'd be brilliant.
He’s been watching Ross Hannah reels
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Watching the Italy/Swiss game the Italian goal was disallowed for handball. When you look at it the ball seemed to drop between the Italian and Swiss player and having nowhere to go hits the Italian hand, who then scores being the first to react.
I'm not sure it should have been disallowed as it was part of the play and not deliberate, not sure VAR got it right.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
Watching the Italy/Swiss game the Italian goal was disallowed for handball. When you look at it the ball seemed to drop between the Italian and Swiss player and having nowhere to go hits the Italian hand, who then scores being the first to react.
I'm not sure it should have been disallowed as it was part of the play and not deliberate, not sure VAR got it right.
The rule is that if you handle directly before the goal, as an attacker, it will be disallowed.
The rule is that if you handle directly before the goal, as an attacker, it will be disallowed.
Not watching the vid again its seems stupid as the attacker couldn't get out of the way ( F1 racing incident ). Still, as it is the same for both teams que sera sera!
PS thank you for enlightening me.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
Not watching the vid again its seems stupid as the attacker couldn't get out of the way ( F1 racing incident ). Still, as it is the same for both teams que sera sera!
PS thank you for enlightening me.
I think if the incident would have happened in midfield and Italy then went on and scored it wouldn’t have been disallowed.
The Italians are my favourites. Their work rate and commitment is far better than any other team. England would struggle against them
They dont have that X factor though in terms of a star player which could be their undoing . Kylian Mbappe for one with France looked so dangerous the other night which is why there my favourites.
That might be in part because these refs are working to UEFAs interpretation of VAR and not the dreadful one in use in England. Can’t think of any real errors any refs have made thus far.
Not conceded in 10 games either but then look at who those 10 teams are...
Italy are that boxer who's got a 20-0 record against substandard opposition. You think they might be brilliant, but you're just waiting for them to have to face France or Portugal or Belgium or England to see what they are actually made of.
They had a very weak qualification group and haven't played any team with a decent world ranking since facing Portugal in 2018. The highest ranking team they have faced since then are Netherlands who are currently ranked 16th in the world (1 place above Wales).
That's tournament football. Wales have been bang average for the last year or so and are playing brilliantly. Turkey looked like genuine contenders when you factored in the kind draw the 2nd placed team in Group A will receive and have been terrible.
If Wales finish 2nd they have an incredible chance to repeat their Semi-Final run from France 2016.
That might be in part because these refs are working to UEFAs interpretation of VAR and not the dreadful one in use in England. Can’t think of any real errors any refs have made thus far.
I know it's an old chestnut but I do see Goalies carry the ball over the 18 yds. line before kicking it. The Welsh goalie was guilty on several occasions last night.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
Probably because they have packed people in with no social distancing, particularly the stand behind the goal on the left. Covid, what covid as it doesn't appear to be in Denmark.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
Rumoured England team to face Scotland is as per Croatia but rotating the two full backs. Reece James and Shaw in.
If true, I had expected Southgate to switch Sterling to the right to occupy (and defend against) Robertson and Tierney and played Rashford or Grealish (if fit) in place of Foden.
But looking closer at Foden’s record he’s had Robertson on toast / tattie scone twice in the past 12 months when City have thrashed Liverpool 4-0 and 4-1.
North Macedonia first team to be eliminated, someone will be happy on the sweepstake
Not necessarily, there could still be a worst team in the group stages, if a team that lost their 1st game gets beaten heavily a couple of times. Plus North Macedonia might win or draw their last game.
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Not necessarily, there could still be a worst team in the group stages, if a team that lost their 1st game gets beaten heavily a couple of times. Plus North Macedonia might win or draw their last game.
arent even the worst atm, its the Turks, lost 2 scored 0 conceded 5
arent even the worst atm, its the Turks, lost 2 scored 0 conceded 5
I have a feeling that PP is getting a little confused. There is a prize for the first team eliminated on penalties in the knockout stage but the other consolation prize is for the worst team in the group stages, not the first team to be eliminated.
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I have a feeling that PP is getting a little confused. There is a prize for the first team eliminated on penalties in the knockout stage but the other consolation prize is for the worst team in the group stages, not the first team to be eliminated.
Yeah you are right Les, I misunderstood the criteria for the prizes
Thanks for clarifying again
When Leeds trainer Les Cocker was once told Norman Hunter had broken a leg, he asked: “Whose is it?”
It’s never as good or as bad as the reaction in the media (mainstream or social).
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Hungary beating France, of course France has had the most possession and most chances and the better chances but at times France has lacked quality going forward which is unlike them, still a long way to go mind
Not his biggest fan but you have to admire the lengths Ronaldo has gone to to ensure he’s still competitive at his relatively old age. You’d see players at our level struggle to make the run through the middle to get himself in the position to score. A great example to kids who are on the borderline between being good enough or not that hard work pays off. That goes for all trades, sports etc.
Really good first half. Don't know which team of the two I dislike the most, but think Portugal just edge it, so funny as fook watching them concede two OG's.
It looked a tough ask if we won the group to play the runner up of this group but France and Germany look levels ahead of us. Probably prefer a draw on Tuesday as it stands
Yes disappointed with them so far. Morata done ok though. I would of brought Traore on though who like Danny Murphy the BBC pundit says is dangerous one on one. Can't see this Spain team doing much though.
Traore just isn't tippy-tappy enough for Spain. A player who scares the living crap out of defenders when he's in full flow so you'd think he'd make a great plan B to come from the bench, but they'd probably prefer to lose than field less of a team for football-purists.
Traore just isn't tippy-tappy enough for Spain. A player who scares the living crap out of defenders when he's in full flow so you'd think he'd make a great plan B to come from the bench, but they'd probably prefer to lose than field less of a team for football-purists.
Hope Luis Enrique can change his mindset and bring Adama Traore on. I would love to see him get some minutes in a official tournament. Football necessity may change his thinking though. I certainly hope so as Spain are struggling now and need the points. What the Spain team of old done between 2008 and 2012 was breathtaking after so many years of failure. To win 3 international tournaments on the bounce which has never been done before serves as a lesson for all us that with hard work and belief in yourself and a bit of luck doors can open.
Don’t forget masses of talent and using intelligence Rick. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Don’t forget masses of talent and using intelligence Rick. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
Ive heard that accusation levelled at Luis Enrique in the Spanish press recently eg stubborn . Out there football coverage is probably more intense than it is here . They have predominantly daily football papers dedicated mainly to Real Madrid and Barcelona alongside the national side when it plays. Bit like Italy in many ways.
As a player I loved Luis Enrique though. Tough, tenacious and gave his all. I for one thought he would do better than what he has done so far in this tournament as manager. I hope he can still turn it around but Iam doubtful.
As you say they do have some ability in the team but for me there lacking energy and bite. I know the heat has played some factor but still disappointed at how things are going.
Traore just isn't tippy-tappy enough for Spain. A player who scares the living crap out of defenders when he's in full flow so you'd think he'd make a great plan B to come from the bench, but they'd probably prefer to lose than field less of a team for football-purists.
Ive heard that accusation levelled at Luis Enrique in the Spanish press recently eg stubborn . Out there football coverage is probably more intense than it is here . They have predominantly daily football papers dedicated mainly to Real Madrid and Barcelona alongside the national side when it plays. Bit like Italy in many ways.
As a player I loved Luis Enrique though. Tough, tenacious and gave his all. I for one thought he would do better than what he has done so far in this tournament as manager. I hope he can still turn it around but Iam doubtful.
As you say they do have some ability in the team but for me there lacking energy and bite. I know the heat has played some factor but still disappointed at how things are going.
Not the point I was making at all Rick.
What I was saying is that hardwork, self-belief and even good luck, will not be get you far unless you have the talent to start with and use it with intelligence.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
If Portugal lose against France they might well be out.
The teams in group F have the advantage of playing last. They will all know what the minimum requirement for being one of the 4 third place teams are. It looks like 3 points and minus 1 GD might be enough, espically with the amount of goals Portugal have scored.
Losing by 2 goals will probably see Portugal through.
Well unless Hungary beat Germany & then Portuga would finish bottom if they lose to France.
What I was saying is that hardwork, self-belief and even good luck, will not be get you far unless you have the talent to start with and use it with intelligence.
I kind of realised the point you was making Kingston but its pure frustration on my part in seeing how Spain are doing this tournament so far after the dizzying heights they reached before especially as I have a bit of Spanish in me though more English .
Incidentally though I bought a copy of Euro 2020 which includes analysis of the players/managers covered by world soccer magazine. A lot of unfancied teams have players in the top leagues in Europe which creates more of a level playing field in the tournament probably more so than years gone by.
So it was just a random comment by you then Rick and had nowt to do with what I said, even though you replied to my post?
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Well done to Wales. Good result keeping Italy to one even if the Italians didn’t need to rack up more goals they are winners who always want to score more.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
So it was just a random comment by you then Rick and had nowt to do with what I said, even though you replied to my post?
Your overcomplicating it Kingston 😉
In a nutshell I got what you said but I further added to it by my frustration at most of the players lack of passion and bite. I don't think all the flaws lie directly with the manager. Players I feel sometimes have to step up and be counted as well.
Foden is on a yellow card and given that we look like we're missing two players [Mount & Chilwell] for the next round, Southgate doesn't want to take a risk on a third.
When Leeds trainer Les Cocker was once told Norman Hunter had broken a leg, he asked: “Whose is it?”
I’ve flip-flopped on this a bit but I’ve arrived at the opinion that we should try to put in a performance and win tonight - second place doesn’t necessarily guarantee us a significantly easier ride and I think after some criticism of recent performances the momentum will be beneficial.
On the balance of probability it would most likely be one of Portugal or Germany if we win the group, and Spain if we don’t. I can see why people want to avoid world champions France, but the way things are panning there’s not much else to choose between.
Think we've just seen why England will struggle to win this tournament.
They hit the post, then score a good goal. That's the point at which a France or a Belgium would take control of the game against also rans like the Czechs, but we concede possession and chances, giving the ball away and retreating. Czechs unlucky not to equalise after we scored.
We look good when we are attacking but the defence fills me with dread at times and we struggle to keep hold of the ball for long periods to take the sting out of the game.
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there is no direction from midfield for me.
ive seen Rice make 1 run and lay it off to Saka, and Phillips does his usual stick your foot in but none of them are making forward passes, Rice now if i see him point one more time encouraging players to play it back i'l chop his fkg arm off its like we are playing with 10 Men. I think having 2 of the same player is cancelling each other out for me, Bellingham or Henderson (although the latter can also be just frustrating with back and side passes) with either Phillips or Rice.
A bit better than Friday but same old tactical ineptitude. Never enough movement by players to receive a safe pass. When there is the player on the ball doesn’t look up and passes it someone with an opponent tight on him.
Too often players when faced with a bit of space to take it on turn and pass it back when approached by a Czech player.
Too many daft challenges.
The odd exciting run by Saka or whoever isn’t going to cut it against the top sides. Will be lucky to make the last 8 at this rate.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
I desperately want to be excited watching England and we started so well but then just look like we aren't bothered about killing the game off so we go super defensive. It's just so drab! I fear we will go out in the next round playing how we have been
Woeful tonight... We come up against Italy, Belgium, France, Germany we'll get our backsides kicked...not impressed at all with Southgate, never have been, never will be.
I understand what Gary Neville was saying. If you keep a clean sheet, it only takes one moment of quality to win you the match.
Uruguay did this brilliantly a decade ago. The back nine would defend and break up play, relying on a bit of quality from Suárez or Cavani / Forlán.
Ditto Portugal in 2016.
But both of those teams were capable of taking the sting out of a game by retaining possession further up the pitch. Plus their defences were better.
A good team will press our back unit when England are doing their deep, sterile possession manoeuvres. I realise it was a dead rubber but there were long periods where we hardly had any meaningful possession. It’s a risky strategy to invite pressure when your defensive unit and keeper are a little suspect.
If we concede the first goal you wouldn’t back us to get back into it.
I think our only chance this tournament is to 'do a Greece' and sneak through by the odd goal, whilst defending well. Not completely out the question, but unlikely.
Tonight, I thought we looked better with a barely-fit Maguire at the back, though we still allowed the Czechs a couple of reasonable chances despite the 6 defensive players on the pitch during the first half. Walker looks the strongest right-back and I suppose Shaw is OK despite the amount of wobbling that he does during slow-mo sequences...
Saka really good tonight and I wonder if he's done enough to get himself a starting spot ahead of Foden in the next game? Quicker and stronger than Foden and not without a good amount of skill. Probably not, but I'd definitely think he should be first choice off the bench for either Sterling (who has had a decent 30 minutes in each of the games) or Foden.
Kane a bit more like tonight than the other two games, but he's hardly tearing it up. If he gets injured, I'm not sure which way we can go as Calvert-Lewin is limited and Rashford is in poor form.
If we're going to do a Greece, we'll need better delivery from set pieces than we've seen so far this tournament. Perhaps we should have bunged Ward-Prowse in the squad? He wouldn't have done less than Henderson tonight as he's well off the pace.
Agree what others are saying in terms of, if we win, it’ll be a matter of a squeezing tight results out of games.
But the reality is we shouldn’t need to because we have one of the best squads in the tournament. Unfortunately, Southgate isn’t up to the job. He’s great at talking to the media but that doesn’t win you games. Tactics win you games. When was the last time we played with genuine conviction? Put a team under pressure after scoring and put them to the sword? Played with any tempo?
We play walking football and I struggle to see how we’ll ever put either Germany, France or Portugal under pressure. And unlike your Italy’s, Netherlands or Frances, we still don’t know England’s best team.
I try to be positive, but every tournament, watching England drains the life out of me.
Thought shaw had a good game tonight, as did sako, maguire, Sterling and grealish.possibly putting kalvin-Phillips into that category too (although the latter seemed nervous surprisingly). Pickford did what he needed to do and Kane and stones looked good. Rice and Walker will have better games!
Thought shaw had a good game tonight, as did sako, maguire, Sterling and grealish.possibly putting kalvin-Phillips into that category too (although the latter seemed nervous surprisingly). Pickford did what he needed to do and Kane and stones looked good. Rice and Walker will have better games!
Agree with this except I feel Kane isn't very effective this tournament and we're 3 games in. Unless he did something last night after the 75th minute (I fell asleep)
Agree with this except I feel Kane isn't very effective this tournament and we're 3 games in. Unless he did something last night after the 75th minute (I fell asleep)
He didn't and is totally out of form. Southgate kept faith with Sterling and was rewarded with 2 goals in 2 games. Unfortunately, Harry is not on form and nowhere near. It's time for Southgate to put him on the subs bench for the next game, beit not forever. On form he's brilliant.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
He didn't and is totally out of form. Southgate kept faith with Sterling and was rewarded with 2 goals in 2 games. Unfortunately, Harry is not on form and nowhere near. It's time for Southgate to put him on the subs bench for the next game, beit not forever. On form he's brilliant.
Kane’s not fully fit rather than off form.
The team and squad is set up to best utilise one of our few, and possibly only, world class players.
If Kane can still move, he will play, as he is the only option in that system.
The danger for me is that playing this style could easily end up in a penalty shoot out.
Can Kane last 120+ mins? Rashford is reliable from the spot Trippier would take one if he’s on the pitch
The rest are inexperienced at taking penalties for their clubs so I hope they have been practicing.
Grealish doesn’t take them for Villa despite their woes from the spot Ditto Foden and DCL, although the latter has taken one for England
You wouldn’t fancy us if a knockout match went to penalties.
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Coverage of football is baffling me at the moment..
Scotland are out of the competition having been beaten twice, have a goal difference of -4 and got a single point in a game that was more about local differences than international football. As usual they haven't made the second round. The media is all 'unlucky' and 'brave effort' and all the over used 'Braveheart' cr*p.
England top their group with 7 points, won 2 and a draw. Haven't conceded a goal. Not played like 1970s Brazil but who has? Beaten a Croatia side who embarrassed Scotland. Media coverage is like they've done what Scotland did and limped out of the competition, failing to deliver on their promise. Oh yeah, with a game at Wembley against one of Europe's top teams next week to come...
It's not the coverage of England that's baffling me (England have to win every game 6-0 and play like Brazil) but the failure of the media to say "Scotland? They were a bit sh*t really".
Miss Scunthorpe. Not a beauty pageant, just sound advice.
Coverage of football is baffling me at the moment..
Scotland are out of the competition having been beaten twice, have a goal difference of -4 and got a single point in a game that was more about local differences than international football. As usual they haven't made the second round. The media is all 'unlucky' and 'brave effort' and all the over used 'Braveheart' cr*p.
England top their group with 7 points, won 2 and a draw. Haven't conceded a goal. Not played like 1970s Brazil but who has? Beaten a Croatia side who embarrassed Scotland. Media coverage is like they've done what Scotland did and limped out of the competition, failing to deliver on their promise. Oh yeah, with a game at Wembley against one of Europe's top teams next week to come...
It's not the coverage of England that's baffling me (England have to win every game 6-0 and play like Brazil) but the failure of the media to say "Scotland? They were a bit sh*t really".
It's to be expected when these small nations manage to hold one of the big boys to a draw. It's a bit like Town holding Man Utd to a 0-0 really.
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I'm personally not buying into this 'let's 1-0 our way to the Trophy', I see it as us just not playing very well.
Southgate is playing a dangerous game by not making the most of our attacking threats, people have blamed fitness, out-of-form players etc, the fact is, we've played like this for the best part of 2 years now and it's painful to watch. Kane has 2 goals in his past 12 England games, in his previous 11 to that he'd scored 12 and it's directly linked to the sudden switch to stale performances under Southgate. Kanes not 'unfit' or 'out-of-form' he's playing with a dreadfully negative team who are quite clearly instructed not to break lines or stray out of position through fear of conceding. He's also been terrified of playing somebody like Grealish who came on and set up a goal, it's taken months for Southgate to finally cave and take what he see's as a risk and the rest of us see as plain common sense.
It backfired for us against Belgium and Denmark recently (almost did against Poland as well) and I don't think defensively we're good enough to do it. Although the fact we've not conceded a goal is a huge positive, but when we play one of the big boys next round, it's going to get a damn sight harder for us.
We have the worse 'progression with the ball' stats in the entire tournament, meaning we're slower than every team and moving the ball towards the goal, with one of the best attacking options we're had for many many years.
I've watched England at major tournaments since 1998 and this is close to being the most boring set of perfomrances we've put in with arguably some of the most exciting players.
I'm personally not buying into this 'let's 1-0 our way to the Trophy', I see it as us just not playing very well.
Southgate is playing a dangerous game by not making the most of our attacking threats, people have blamed fitness, out-of-form players etc, the fact is, we've played like this for the best part of 2 years now and it's painful to watch. Kane has 2 goals in his past 12 England games, in his previous 11 to that he'd scored 12 and it's directly linked to the sudden switch to stale performances under Southgate. Kanes not 'unfit' or 'out-of-form' he's playing with a dreadfully negative team who are quite clearly instructed not to break lines or stray out of position through fear of conceding. He's also been terrified of playing somebody like Grealish who came on and set up a goal, it's taken months for Southgate to finally cave and take what he see's as a risk and the rest of us see as plain common sense.
It backfired for us against Belgium and Denmark recently (almost did against Poland as well) and I don't think defensively we're good enough to do it. Although the fact we've not conceded a goal is a huge positive, but when we play one of the big boys next round, it's going to get a damn sight harder for us.
We have the worse 'progression with the ball' stats in the entire tournament, meaning we're slower than every team and moving the ball towards the goal, with one of the best attacking options we're had for many many years.
I've watched England at major tournaments since 1998 and this is close to being the most boring set of perfomrances we've put in with arguably some of the most exciting players.
I'm similar to you. My first major England memories are from 1998 and I don't miss a tournament game but I debated watching Scotland instead last night.
I didn't but I spent most of my time doing something else last night because it was so mind numbingly boring. I want to be entertained!
I'm personally not buying into this 'let's 1-0 our way to the Trophy', I see it as us just not playing very well.
Southgate is playing a dangerous game by not making the most of our attacking threats, people have blamed fitness, out-of-form players etc, the fact is, we've played like this for the best part of 2 years now and it's painful to watch. Kane has 2 goals in his past 12 England games, in his previous 11 to that he'd scored 12 and it's directly linked to the sudden switch to stale performances under Southgate. Kanes not 'unfit' or 'out-of-form' he's playing with a dreadfully negative team who are quite clearly instructed not to break lines or stray out of position through fear of conceding. He's also been terrified of playing somebody like Grealish who came on and set up a goal, it's taken months for Southgate to finally cave and take what he see's as a risk and the rest of us see as plain common sense.
It backfired for us against Belgium and Denmark recently (almost did against Poland as well) and I don't think defensively we're good enough to do it. Although the fact we've not conceded a goal is a huge positive, but when we play one of the big boys next round, it's going to get a damn sight harder for us.
We have the worse 'progression with the ball' stats in the entire tournament, meaning we're slower than every team and moving the ball towards the goal, with one of the best attacking options we're had for many many years.
I've watched England at major tournaments since 1998 and this is close to being the most boring set of perfomrances we've put in with arguably some of the most exciting players.
2010 was a shocker. Outplayed by USA, bar the first 20 mins, stifled by Algeria and dull against Slovenia. Thankfully Germany knocked us out before we stunk out the tournament any more.
In fact, there have been very few great England performances in my lifetime.
Euro 96, we were terrible against Switzerland, we only turned up for 20 mins against Scotland, (admittedly) played well against Netherlands, would have lost to Spain if VAR existed and played the gallant loser well in the semi-final.
I don’t think Southgate is the problem. He doesn’t tell players to not move into space to make themselves available for passes. He doesn’t tell them ‘when you have the ball and an opposition player is a 2-3 metres away turn and pass it back’. This is a gaping hole in the competence of English footballers. They can do some amazing things with the ball at their feet or head, but their situational awareness and tactical acumen are very poor. It’s been like this got a very long time. Different players, same old problems.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
I'm personally not buying into this 'let's 1-0 our way to the Trophy', I see it as us just not playing very well.
Southgate is playing a dangerous game by not making the most of our attacking threats, people have blamed fitness, out-of-form players etc, the fact is, we've played like this for the best part of 2 years now and it's painful to watch. Kane has 2 goals in his past 12 England games, in his previous 11 to that he'd scored 12 and it's directly linked to the sudden switch to stale performances under Southgate. Kanes not 'unfit' or 'out-of-form' he's playing with a dreadfully negative team who are quite clearly instructed not to break lines or stray out of position through fear of conceding. He's also been terrified of playing somebody like Grealish who came on and set up a goal, it's taken months for Southgate to finally cave and take what he see's as a risk and the rest of us see as plain common sense.
It backfired for us against Belgium and Denmark recently (almost did against Poland as well) and I don't think defensively we're good enough to do it. Although the fact we've not conceded a goal is a huge positive, but when we play one of the big boys next round, it's going to get a damn sight harder for us.
We have the worse 'progression with the ball' stats in the entire tournament, meaning we're slower than every team and moving the ball towards the goal, with one of the best attacking options we're had for many many years.
I've watched England at major tournaments since 1998 and this is close to being the most boring set of perfomrances we've put in with arguably some of the most exciting players.
The commentator made an interesting point last night - apparently the England coaching team have analysed tournaments over the last few years and can see that winning them needs a conservative approach and a tight defence.
I agree with you about playing it out from the back, when you put Maguire under pressure he reverts to being an old fashioned centre half whose second touch is a tackle.
The biggest frustration for me was Walker's reluctance to take the opposing defender on or slide the ball forward to a wide man on his side. He constantly checked and cut inside which led almost every time to the ball going backwards. The bloke can catch pigeons but he's not using his pace (or not being allowed to ).
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...........”if we draw 0-0 with Man United”. They should be so lucky. In the 1930s or 40s we scored 10 goals against them in 2 consecutive day over Christmas.
I've watched England with a sense of humour rather than any sort of seriousness ever since that night against Croatia in 2007, seeing Steve McClaren manage England with that umbrella failing to qualify for Euro 2008. They had so many chances handed to them from the other teams in the group to qualify despite being awful but still could not manage it with it all coming to head on that hapless night at Wembley. I think 1990 and 1996 are the only years when I genuinely thought that England were contenders.
I'll save my football misery for Town and Town only.
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2010 was a shocker. Outplayed by USA, bar the first 20 mins, stifled by Algeria and dull against Slovenia. Thankfully Germany knocked us out before we stunk out the tournament any more.
In fact, there have been very few great England performances in my lifetime.
Euro 96, we were terrible against Switzerland, we only turned up for 20 mins against Scotland, (admittedly) played well against Netherlands, would have lost to Spain if VAR existed and played the gallant loser well in the semi-final.
That Netherlands game was probably the most complete performance from an England side in my lifetime, we were superb. I was lucky enough to be there that day, as I was for the other 2 group games. We also conceeded late on in the Netherlands game which meant that Scotland were knockout out too. If we'd have kept a clean sheet then they would have gone through too.
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That Netherlands game was probably the most complete performance from an England side in my lifetime, we were superb. I was lucky enough to be there that day, as I was for the other 2 group games. We also conceeded late on in the Netherlands game which meant that Scotland were knockout out too. If we'd have kept a clean sheet then they would have gone through too.
You got lucky Les. I saw all of the 3 group games in South Africa and we had peaked after 4 minutes.
The atmosphere at the Algeria game was the most poisonous I have ever experienced at any level of football.
That Netherlands game was probably the most complete performance from an England side in my lifetime, we were superb. I was lucky enough to be there that day, as I was for the other 2 group games. We also conceeded late on in the Netherlands game which meant that Scotland were knockout out too. If we'd have kept a clean sheet then they would have gone through too.
You say that but Netherlands had more shots, more chances and more possession than us.
This was a poor Dutch side (Jordi Cruyff!) who were fortunate to draw against Scotland the week before. Everything we hit in that second half either went in or deflected into the path of an England player.
We probably played better in the two SF defeats to Germany or the rearguard ten man display against Argentina in 1998.
Actually, Euro 2004 when we lost to France with two late Zidane goals was up there. If Beckham hadn’t missed the penalty at 1-0 and Silvestre would have been sent off...!
You say that but Netherlands had more shots, more chances and more possession than us.
This was a poor Dutch side (Jordi Cruyff!) who were fortunate to draw against Scotland the week before. Everything we hit in that second half either went in or deflected into the path of an England player.
We probably played better in the two SF defeats to Germany or the rearguard ten man display against Argentina in 1998.
Actually, Euro 2004 when we lost to France with two late Zidane goals was up there. If Beckham hadn’t missed the penalty at 1-0 and Silvestre would have been sent off...!
Maybe the result has blinded me as to the performance, but I just know that I enjoyed that game far more than I have most England matches.
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Love how the SCOTLAND HEROES return home with a single point, yet England absolutely slated for making it through as group winners without conceding a goal. Yeah, it's been uninspiring but let's wait until we see how we go out before they get properly lambasted for me. France and Germany wins tonight mean we face Germany in the second round, I fancy us in that.
I’m with you Les. Easily best England performance I have ever seen.
After being 4-0 up relatively early in the game we sat back job done so no wonder the Dutch had possession and a few shots.
Statistics don’t always tell the full story, we were superb that night.
Just hope we are due another one 25 years later!
My abiding memory of that game is Alan Shearer standing in acres of space in the box with his arms aloft and Teddy Sheringham unselfishly giving him the ball to score after Gazza had dazzled the Dutch defence.
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My abiding memory of that game is Alan Shearer standing in acres of space in the box with his arms aloft and Teddy Sheringham unselfishly giving him the ball to score after Gazza had dazzled the Dutch defence.
And Shearer actually miss hit/sliced the ball into the top right hand corner when he was aiming for the top left, Shearer still won't admit it though
When Leeds trainer Les Cocker was once told Norman Hunter had broken a leg, he asked: “Whose is it?”
My abiding mempry of that game is Alan Shearer standing in acres of space in the box with his arms aloft and Teddy Sheringham unselfishly giving him the ball to score after Gazza had dazzled the Dutch defence.
As a 14 year old, it was one of those summers where the sun seemed to shine every day too. Similar to 2018.
Sexy football. Three Lions. The smell of copydex on the back of the 9X. Dolly the Sheep. Tracksuited parents at the school gates. Where’s Enzo Gambaro? I thought your Dad was at work. Is it meant to look like that? The summer of Andy Love. Happy times.
As a 14 year old, it was one of those summers where the sun seemed to shine every day too. Similar to 2018.
Sexy football. Three Lions. The smell of copydex on the back of the 9X. Dolly the Sheep. Tracksuited parents at the school gates. Where’s Enzo Gambaro? I thought your Dad was at work. Is it meant to look like that? The summer of Andy Love. Happy times.
Jumpers for goalposts...
Miss Scunthorpe. Not a beauty pageant, just sound advice.
As a 14 year old, it was one of those summers where the sun seemed to shine every day too. Similar to 2018.
Sexy football. Three Lions. The smell of copydex on the back of the 9X. Dolly the Sheep. Tracksuited parents at the school gates. Where’s Enzo Gambaro? I thought your Dad was at work. Is it meant to look like that? The summer of Andy Love. Happy times.
Copydex on the back of the 9X?......strange place to be making collages. You'd have to be careful with the scissors when the bus went over some of those bumps on Scartho Rd.
Miss Scunthorpe. Not a beauty pageant, just sound advice.
Copydex on the back of the 9X?......strange place to be making collages. You'd have to be careful with the scissors when the bus went over some of those bumps on Scartho Rd.
Maybe the result has blinded me as to the performance, but I just know that I enjoyed that game far more than I have most England matches.
On paper we had a very bold, attacking team in Euro 96.
In some matches we had a midfield 3 of Gazza, Platt and Ince, combined with McManaman and Anderton wide. You wouldn’t think that would work. No double pivots there.
As a 14 year old, it was one of those summers where the sun seemed to shine every day too. Similar to 2018.
Sexy football. Three Lions. The smell of copydex on the back of the 9X. Dolly the Sheep. Tracksuited parents at the school gates. Where’s Enzo Gambaro? I thought your Dad was at work. Is it meant to look like that? The summer of Andy Love. Happy times.
You never got the point of gluesniffing did you 😆
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Can anyone please explain who will play the 4 teams that finish 3rd in their respective group.Obviously it’s not England as we’re playing 2nd from F.
I’ve just spent some time trying to work it out. It’s a little bit tricky due to how it works, but provided the third placed team in Group F finished with either 4+points or a better gl difference than Finland’s -2 then it will be:
Belgium v 3rd place from Group F Netherlands v Czech Republic (confirmed) Sweden v Ukraine Winner of Group F v Switzerland
Here are the permutations for who England will face based on the results from this evening’s games:
France win / Germany win: Germany France win / Germany draw: Germany France win / Germany lose: Hungary France draw / Germany win: France France draw / Germany draw: Germany France draw / Germany lose: Hungary France lose / Germany win: Germany France lose / Germany draw: France France lose / Germany lose: France or Hungary (depending on GD)
If I’ve worked it out correctly, we cannot face Portugal. Germany seems the most likely, both in terms of how many times they’re thrown up by the permutations and the likelihood of the results. In the event that Hungary win, it’s highly likely they’d finish second - that’s obviously the ticket everyone wants but their odds are 28/1 so seems unlikely.
In the big scheme of things, Germany wouldn’t be a bad draw. 13th in the world compared to France (2nd’) and Portugal (5th). I think that’s quite likely, and I wouldn’t be too unhappy with it on reflection - particularly with another quarter final against Sweden (or Czech Republic) as the prize.
We just need those cheese eating surrender monkeys not to pull a fast one!
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Not sure I like the idea of playing Hungarians (possibly drugged) who have managed to survive a group of the World champions, European champions and Germans.
Why are referees so easily taken in by players diving, no way was it a foul for the French penalty, but we also see players diving/ falling all over the place and they usually in 90% of the time “ win” a free kick, Jack Grealish is an obvious example. Surely when they are on training courses they are shown video clips so they know what players and situations to be aware off.
Why are referees so easily taken in by players diving, no way was it a foul for the French penalty, but we also see players diving/ falling all over the place and they usually in 90% of the time “ win” a free kick, Jack Grealish is an obvious example. Surely when they are on training courses they are shown video clips so they know what players and situations to be aware off.
The decision for the French penalty was a shocker.
I like the fact that after all the painstaking analysis of our possible opponents, the main conclusion is that we cannot play Portugal. Who we might well get. 🤔
Ive spent so much time in Germany as a kid, and they are amongst the kindest most caring folk i’ve ever met. Spoilt me like i’ve never known. Stayed in Leipzig and Dresden so ive got a little soft spot for them
Bring em on. To win outright you have to beat them all. Positive positive positive
'I walked in the dressing room. The window was open and I thought that a sea fret had got in. Then I saw smoke billowing from a pipe in the corner of the room...it was my centre-forward. He looked seven stone wet through. He went on to score thirty-odd goals that season.' Lawrie McMenemy on encountering the legend that was Matt Tees.
Ive spent so much time in Germany as a kid, and they are amongst the kindest most caring folk i’ve ever met. Spoilt me like i’ve never known. Stayed in Leipzig and Dresden so ive got a little soft spot for them
England Germany Wembley
I made friends with a German man through a mutual friend a while back. He was such a good humble human being and better for the knowing. Sadly passed with cancer now.
'I walked in the dressing room. The window was open and I thought that a sea fret had got in. Then I saw smoke billowing from a pipe in the corner of the room...it was my centre-forward. He looked seven stone wet through. He went on to score thirty-odd goals that season.' Lawrie McMenemy on encountering the legend that was Matt Tees.
I love this game . Watching a documentary on Netflix presently called becoming champions which looks at the reasons and takes each country in turn who has won the world cup. Something I liked was by Lilian Thuram the now ex French defender who won the world cup with France in 1998. "Football is a metaphor for life ,you dont know what's going to happen next ". The game tonight between France and Portugal and the Hungary v Germany game encapsulated that view brilliantly. Who would of thought Hungary would of pushed all three teams so hard. Respect to them.
They’d have got through if Viktor Orbán believed there was a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow
🌈
More than a pot of rainbow .National pride for wearing his teams jersey with honour and prepared to give their all collectively in the process which allowed them to punch well above their weight this tournament.
I bet Jogi Löw is bricking it at the thought of the PCR test to enter the country.
That nasal swab’s going to pick up scrotal sweat, urine and faecal matter. Never mind the Omega variant, he’s going to be bringing in the O-smegma variant. The testing lab’s going to think the samples been mixed up with the crusty bedsheets of a Berlin brothel.
I bet Jogi Löw is bricking it at the thought of the PCR test to enter the country.
That nasal swab’s going to pick up scrotal sweat, urine and faecal matter. Never mind the Sigma variant, he’s going to be bringing in the smegma variant.
Hands. Crotch. Face.
Jogi Low has done well though as German manager. Been with them since August 2006 😮.
My grandad was German came to England when he was two years old in 1878.
That year rings a bell.
The Congress of Berlin. Bismarck presents himself as the ‘honest broker of Europe’. Borders in the Balkan’s settled for a generation. Serbia independent. Russian power limited. Britain snaffles Cyprus as a side order, giving it a strategic position in the Eastern Mediterranean.*
That is what you meant Pete?
* thanks to Mr G Taylor, history teacher at Lindsey School, that stuff is still crammed in my head after 42 years. 😁
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
There's something in all of us Pete. Hardly anyone if at all is Anglo Saxon now .
Strictly speaking, in DNA terms, hardly anyone was. Ever.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
There are many views as to the best starting 11 for England. And the team that Southgate will pick.
Is it worth doing a free competition for fun xon here to guess the actual starting 11? We could select say the first sub, then 3 subs and the timing of the first sub as tie-breakers.
Somebody could refine the rules.
I will go with the 11 players who started the 2nd half (we need the experience of Henderson) but with Reece James in instead of Walker. James releases the ball quicker when attacking and puts in good crosses. He was excellent against City in the high-pressure CL final.
Foden as first sub for Saka. 72 mins. Other subs Rashford, Bellingham and Sancho. (Despite needing experience Southgate might throw in a wildcard and start with Bellingham. He would be playing against players who are wary of him).
The German wingbacks were very good against Portugal. We need to find ways to nullify them. I watched that game live and Portugal had some very good chances early in the game.
I wouldn't be so sure about Spain, they haven't exactly pulled up any trees and Luka Modrić is still at the top of his game, even at 35.
Yes my view as well. Nothing is certain in football although having said that they did gel a bit more and the changes Luis Enrique done did have a positive affect against Slovakia.
Denmark look 5 times better than England from what I've seen in the last couple of games.
Wales deserve to lose but the ref has done them no favours. Definite foul leading to their second. Moore booked for not much at all and the sending off was very soft.
Takes nothing away from Denmark though. They have been superb.
Heard it from a few pundits now but I can’t see how this is a tournament to remember for Wales. The won one game against the worst team in the tournament, got beat by one of the better team’s reserves and got tonked tonight.
How many times are we going to hear, "Wales looked tired but it's no excuse."
I agree and the people who say it forget the payers are professionals on £1,000's per week and Bale on £100,000's. I can't think of any occupation where you turn and don't do your job because you're too tired.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
I agree and the people who say it forget the payers are professionals on £1,000's per week and Bale on £100,000's. I can't think of any occupation where you turn and don't do your job because you're too tired.
You can be paid as much as you want but when you’re traipsing across Europe, to different time zones and climates without a proper base, it will take its toll. Particularly when you factor in all the extra stress of Covid testing and additional rules.
Most of the key Welsh players missed large chunks of the season and aren’t fully fit - Bale, Ramsey, Allen - so they do have a point.
You can be paid as much as you want but when you’re traipsing across Europe, to different time zones and climates without a proper base, it will take its toll. Particularly when you factor in all the extra stress of Covid testing and additional rules.
Most of the key Welsh players missed large chunks of the season and aren’t fully fit - Bale, Ramsey, Allen - so they do have a point.
I have never accepted not being fully fit. You can play (fit) or you can't (not fit). The travelling across Europe was known to the welsh before the tournament began so they should have prepared for it and all teams had the covid testing, not just them.
I was pleased to see them in the last 16 and they showed the Scots up. But alas they were not good enough against the rampant Danes.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
Just thinking about where the linesman doesn’t raise the flag immediately for offside, allows the game to proceed for a few more seconds, but every now and again they raise it straight away, as the offside law is so simple nowadays could someone please enlighten me as to when it goes up and when it doesn’t?
Also watching Italy and Austria, with English ref Anthony Taylor, how come he’s allowing things to continue when players fall over, but in the premiership he blows for a foul every time?
Italy look very ordinary. People have been raving about them since they won the group of dearth, but as I said t'other night, they haven't played anyone with any threat yet.
Austria look a half decent side but hardly world beaters.
The Ostriches are causing the Italians a few problems.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
They’re not even controlling the ball very well, knocking it off for throws.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Schlager in Austria’s midfield reminds me of a girl I once pulled in Pier 39.
The sort of straw like ponytail you could use to escape a second floor window.
Hope he scores as well!
“Schlagermusik!” Headline in tomorrow’s Linz Abendstelegraf!
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Italians doing a mass Hancock after the second goal.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Of all the players I've seen so far in this tournament I still rate Kylian Mbappe the most. Hasn't disappointed me. Frightening pace with decent skills. France are lucky to have him.
This Dutch-Czech game is like a British game. Very end to end. High tempo. Lots of misplaced passes. Good atmosphere.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
I’m not saying my ITV player feed is on a long delay but Patrick Kluivert has just knocked out Scotland. 😀
What a player he was. On a serious note though for such a small nation the Dutch have produced some fantastic talent over the years with Johan Cruyff the cream of the crop.
What a player he was. On a serious note though for such a small nation the Dutch have produced some fantastic talent over the years with Johan Cruyff the cream of the crop.
Very much so. Fortunate to have seen Gullit at Blundell Park. A team of 11 Gullit’s would beat virtually any other teams of one player (if that makes sense). Maybe only Paul Groves comes close.
Van Basten. Had everything apart from today’s protection from referees.
Very much so. Fortunate to have seen Gullit at Blundell Park. A team of 11 Gullit’s would beat virtually any other teams of one player (if that makes sense). Maybe only Paul Groves comes close.
Van Basten. Had everything apart from today’s protection from referees.
Didn't realise that about Gullit. Thanks for that. My favourite Dutch player is probably Edgar David's. I loved the way he played. Had bite and played with hunger. No wonder he was nicknamed the pitbull.
He's so dangerous though . When I've seen him play for Chelsea on the TV his pace and skill causes problems for the other teams. Done well against Real Madrid in that semi final I thought.
Davids played at BP as well. Although not very successfully.
Thanks . May of been ageing by then though 😉. I've got a highlights DVD of the France 1998 world cup and he was listed as one of the standout performers. My sort of player though. Hungry and tenacious .
He's so dangerous though . When I've seen him play for Chelsea on the TV his pace and skill causes problems for the other teams. Done well against Real Madrid in that semi final I thought.
He certainly did. He plays better on the left of a three but Germany usually play him through the middle (as did Chelsea originally). I’m more worried about Havertz. He was pretty average last season due to a new country, league, Covid but he’s developing a bit of a nasty streak and he’s going to be a real thorn in the future.
Thanks . May of been ageing by then though 😉. I've got a highlights DVD of the France 1998 world cup and he was listed as one of the standout performers. My sort of player though. Hungry and tenacious .
It’s no coincidence that the Dutch make such great pundits. They are so confident and outspoken (which has caused problems on and off the pitch in the past, contributing to their relative lack of silverware) and their English and technical knowledge is impeccable.
He certainly did. He plays better on the left of a three but Germany usually play him through the middle (as did Chelsea originally). I’m more worried about Havertz. He was pretty average last season due to a new country, league, Covid but he’s developing a bit of a nasty streak and he’s going to be a real thorn in the future.
Germany do have some talent though . I know Toni Kroos is ageing but is still a very good player. Has been a stalwart of the Real Madrid team alongside the likes of Luka Modric for a while now. I know it didn't work out at Manchester City but I also think Leroy Sane is dangerous.
Germany do have some talent though . I know Toni Kroos is ageing but is still a very good player. Has been a stalwart of the Real Madrid team alongside the likes of Luka Modric for a while now. I know it didn't work out at Manchester City but I also think Leroy Sane is dangerous.
Sterling is talented but Sané is in a different league. I don’t know why but several successful managers haven’t fancied Sané now. There must be a reason. He has everything but at that level a lot of it is in the head (I’m not suggesting Sané is weak mentally by the way, we are all different).
It’s no coincidence that the Dutch make such great pundits. They are so confident and outspoken (which has caused problems on and off the pitch in the past, contributing to their relative lack of silverware) and their English and technical knowledge is impeccable.
Thing is Knut's I remember a parent went out to Holland for a youth tournament from England and he said to me the facilities were excellent. Likewise if it wasn't for the Dutch there's a good chance Spain may not have won their first world cup. Johan Cruyff changed Barcelona with his total football philosophy which in turn benefited the Barcelona youth teams and thus the Spanish national team .
Thing is Knut's I remember a parent went out to Holland for a youth tournament from England and he said to me the facilities were excellent. Likewise if it wasn't for the Dutch there's a good chance Spain may not have won their first world cup. Johan Cruyff changed Barcelona with his total football philosophy which in turn benefited the Barcelona youth teams and thus the Spanish national team .
Interesting what you were saying earlier on Knut about the Dutch confidence. Agree it can be a double-edged sword. They completely lost their heads in the second half of their game.
Hope Belgium do it in the second half. Just too many memories of diving and whinging from the Portuguese.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Portugal displaying the dirty side of their game now. De Bruyne off injured. Cynical. They’re the Cheltenham of the Euros.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Only difference is there's no value in cynical time wasting like Cheltenham do.
In this case I was referring to cynical fouls. And going down.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Belgium relying on holding the 1:0. That break just then only the 3 forwards then a big gap. Lucky to get a free kick there.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Belgium didn’t half make it hard for themselves. Going for the clever pass too often rather than the sensible pass and keeping possession. Then lazy passes when they could have killed the game. Got a bit lucky in their box. And that mad backheel in their own box - got away with it. But crikey.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Portugal crocked KDB, had most of the game after that and achieved nothing. Belgium squandered three or four breaks when it was 3 vs 2 or better. This tournament is wide open. Noone should fear anyone else.
Belgium could not buy a pass to a teammate at the end. Portugal dirty at Times. Portugal had tough run of games: France, Germany and Belgium.
The player that always tends to catch my eye in this tournament and the last European Championships for Portugal is Renato Sanchez. The guy plays with so much energy and you can clearly see in that Portugal shirt he gives his all. You see it sometimes at club level football as well where some players in nearly every game are turning in performances of at least 90% or more. Admirable to watch.
The player I have enjoyed watching the most so far is Beloti the Italian number 9. Perpetual motion right through the Austria game. Not the cleverest but he would be a Hurst favourite, the way he defends from the front.
“If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.” ― John Stuart Mill, On Liberty."
The player I have enjoyed watching the most so far is Beloti the Italian number 9. Perpetual motion right through the Austria game. Not the cleverest but he would be a Hurst favourite, the way he defends from the front.
Yes the striker . From that Italian side I liked how Domenico Berardi played in the game against Turkey. High energy with good skills.
Fair play to Austria though for pushing Italy hard the other night. I think there could still be yet a few twists and turns.France should beat Switzerland but there struggling with injury's. Maybe another tight game ?.
The player I have enjoyed watching the most so far is Beloti the Italian number 9. Perpetual motion right through the Austria game. Not the cleverest but he would be a Hurst favourite, the way he defends from the front.
Do you mean Belotti or do you mean Immobile?
Belotti only played the last 36 mins of the Austria match.
The player I have enjoyed watching the most so far is Beloti the Italian number 9. Perpetual motion right through the Austria game. Not the cleverest but he would be a Hurst favourite, the way he defends from the front.
When I first heard them mention him I thought that they were talking about Bill Oddie.
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Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Spain dominant. Commentary that Spain have faced the fewest shots of all teams. Next second they concede the longest own goal seen. Game on now. Croatia lead 1-0 when Spain have had clear chances.
Croats confidence brimming now after being under so much pressure
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Spanish player went down clutching his face like he’d been hit with a baseball bat. All he got was a gentle finger tap on the shoulder. Cünt
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Wo-hoooo! I’m gonna be late for my swimming slot! Good fight back.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Cheating get fell over there. Taking over from Portugal as the Cheltenham of the tournament
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
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There was reports of discontent in France squad about Mbappe ego. Not the first time the French implode on themselves. Switz look OK but France aren't exactly up for it.
French look surprised that they haven't walked into the lead. Barely a player in their team looked arsed in the first half. Let's see if the changes make a difference to them as the Swiss have looked pretty comfortable since their goal.
Was about to say France will get a second in next 5-10, and before I could write it, they’d already scored. That penalty miss so deflating for the Swiss
Well that was a breathless few minutes. From nearly being 2:0 down to 2:1 up
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Rubbish Swiss penalty leads to a big turnaround in fortunes. First goal one of those situations where Benzema benefits greatly from being miles offside before a new phase of play puts him on. Great finish, mind. Good skills for the second but the Swiss defence was all over the place at the time. Let's see if they can come back.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
(Fully expect 2 0-0 draws tomorrow and an England shootout reminiscent of ours v Wrexham)
Well it is 11pm
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
The team that inspire the most confidence and score freely lost their first 2 games and have been without their best player (plus other injuries). Denmark also play with great spirit.
The team that inspire the most confidence and score freely lost their first 2 games and have been without their best player (plus other injuries). Denmark also play with great spirit.
I can see Denmark being a tough game for everyone. There not a bad side and have been buoyed by what happened to Christian Eriksen and want to do him proud. In their last game against Wales they looked good.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Yesterday needs to be a lesson to Southgate that sitting back and hoping for a 1-0 win can quite easily turn into a disaster. France created absolutely nothing for large spells last night whilst the Swiss got the ball up the field and looked threatening.
Really nervous for tonight, especially if the 'rumours' on the lineups are correct
Extra time was like a scene from Saving Private Ryan
Which one? The one where they make a sticky bomb out of Zinchenko’s socks?
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
I see fans based in both England and the Ukraine will not be able to attend the nations’ UEFA Euro 2020 quarter-final in Rome on Saturday due to Italian quarantine requirements.
"England fans with tickets to the match blasted quarantine rules that will stop them from going despite being double-jabbed or testing negative for Covid-19. Supporters living in Britain can enter Italy but will be ordered to self-isolate for five days, meaning even if someone flew in this morning they would not be allowed out until Sunday - after the match is over."
When Leeds trainer Les Cocker was once told Norman Hunter had broken a leg, he asked: “Whose is it?”
I see fans based in both England and the Ukraine will not be able to attend the nations’ UEFA Euro 2020 quarter-final in Rome on Saturday due to Italian quarantine requirements.
"England fans with tickets to the match blasted quarantine rules that will stop them from going despite being double-jabbed or testing negative for Covid-19. Supporters living in Britain can enter Italy but will be ordered to self-isolate for five days, meaning even if someone flew in this morning they would not be allowed out until Sunday - after the match is over."
Bloody foreigners......taking back control.
Miss Scunthorpe. Not a beauty pageant, just sound advice.
Even if they get through, I think most teams would be confident of getting a chance or two given the soft goals they've shipped in the last couple of games.
Whoever wins I don't think their next opponents will be quaking in their boots. Very poor, Swiss can't finish and Spain is nowhere near the team that conquered the world.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
Over 5 mins into extra time and Lee Dixon talks about the quality of the Spanish team. If they had any quality they would be in the dressing room and not into extra time.
You can please some of the forumites some of the time but not all the forumites all of the time
Verratti always reminds me of Thiago. Both brilliant players and technically superb but they tend to upset the balance of the midfields they play in. Italy look better with the energy of Locatelli or Pessina in there.
Verratti always reminds me of Thiago. Both brilliant players and technically superb but they tend to upset the balance of the midfields they play in. Italy look better with the energy of Locatelli or Pessina in there.
Verratti’s a red card waiting to happen. Lucky when he impeded KDB and nearly caught Doku then
Excellent at times. Good game. If the Italians hold on they’ve got to be favourites for the tournament.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Excellent at times. Good game. If the Italians hold on they’ve got to be favourites for the tournament.
Yeah, you would think so. Thought the Belgians would win the tournament and would have too much for Italy tonight, but the Italians have been brilliant.
Yeah, you would think so. Thought the Belgians would win the tournament and would have too much for Italy tonight, but the Italians have been brilliant.
They deserve to win this game.
You can’t win a tournament with a back three of Vermaelen, Vertonghen and Alderweireld.
Super spreading event going on there in the crowd with the players. 😆 might find they have an outbreak of the St Petersburg Variant* in the squad now.
* if there is one
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Both Italian goals a result of defensive errors. Italy had other chances as did Belgium. Maybe Spain could seriously challenge them. I hope so.
Hopefully a brutal game that goes to extra time and penalties. So they’re knackered when they play the Danes in the final 😉
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Quite apart from anything else whilst on the floor like that he could have got in the way of Italy’s goal scoring opportunity. C*nt
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Delighted for Luis Enrique and the Spanish team getting through to the semi finals. More so as Luis Enrique lost his 9 year old daughter to cancer recently and this joy would of helped a bit in dealing with the pain of that .
The Euros have been very exciting with good football, outstanding goals and numerous records broken. Started with the terrible collapse of Eriksen. Denmark then lost their first 2 games, despite being in complete control in their first game against Austria.
Denmark then became the first team in Euro history to reach the knock-out stages after losing their first 2 matches. This was despite losing their best player and other key players to injury. Denmark then became the first team in Euro history to score 4 goals in consecutive matches.
Holland were the first team in the Euros to win their 3 group games and then beaten in their first knockout match. (Contrary to what Gary Lineker said yesterday that only Italy and Belgium had won all their group matches).
There have been more goals in the knock-out stages than the whole of the last tournament.
Ukraine reached the knock-outs with a negative goal difference. Only beating the massive North Macedonia by 1 goal.
No goals scored from a direct free kick. England were good from set pieces in the World Cup. Not in this tournament.
Most top teams could have easily gone out of this completion. Eg, Italy would have gone out to Austria probably if their goal had not been fractionally offside. Belgium had to bring top players on at HT after being a goal down in a game they were strong favourites to win.
2 top teams lost 2 goal leads near the end of games. France said they respected the Swiss then turned up with an appalling display. Got back in with a clear lead - then lost.
The group of death. The 3 top teams all failed to to reach the quarter finals. Hungary were 8 mins from qualifying. England were in an easy group allegedly. 2 teams made the last 8. Croatia were very unfortunate not to make it 3 teams in the last 8 from our group. This might mean that our 2 group wins should be seen in a better light retrospectively.
The Swiss won with 5 excellent penalties. They then lost on pens to Spain with very poor penalties.
England: Ukraine first. Only ranked 30 in the world in one major football analytical site.
We finally beat the Germans. Worries before the tournament about our defence and lapses in concentration. No goals conceded in 4 games, Only one other team has achieved this in Euro history. . England also did this at the start of the 1966 World Cup.
We have very good attacking players. Ironically, we have only scored 4 goals. England have done very well to date without key players not featuring or only limited time on the pitch. TAA, Foden, Mount, Sancho, Grealish, Rashford, Henderson and even Maguire. Kane has also been off form.
The only team to stop us winning is Scotland. A country beaten be very minor countries in recent years. A team with 2 CBs playing out of position, 3 Championship players and a 20 year old Chelsea squad player making his international debut. And running the game. (Now at Norwich on a season loan). A team whose goalkeeper went walkabout up the pitch and we know what happened next.
Italy has some blatant and cynical time wasting last night. This distracted from fine attacking football against the best ranked team in the world. Also not sure why one of their players was running around in his underpants.
The Euros have been very exciting with good football, outstanding goals and numerous records broken.
Good post TownSNAFU5. For me what I love about the European Championship and world cups is it it brings so much happiness and joy especially if you win and brings people together and gives people something to look forward to. I feel club football cant compete with it. For players winning the world cup is the pinnacle of their careers by far.
Some of the firsts in the competition are because more teams were allowed to qualify for the knockout stages, with third place no longer meaning you were out.
Good post TownSNAFU5. For me what I love about the European Championship and world cups is it it brings so much happiness and joy especially if you win and brings people together and gives people something to look forward to. I feel club football cant compete with it. For players winning the world cup is the pinnacle of their careers by far.
However much the industry tries to destroy international football, it still creates memories like nothing else in football.
The likes of Rice, Stones and even Kane, will hardly be remembered in 20 or 30 years’ time based on their club careers (other than at their clubs). If they win a tournament in an England shirt they will be remembered for generations.
However much the industry tries to destroy international football, it still creates memories like nothing else in football.
The likes of Rice, Stones and even Kane, will hardly be remembered in 20 or 30 years’ time based on their club careers (other than at their clubs). If they win a tournament in an England shirt they will be remembered for generations.
Yes Ive heard similar from Xavi Fernandez as well the majestic ex Barcelona midfielder. He said none of the champions leagues winners medals paled into comparison with winning the world cup with Spain. That was on another level and an experience he will never have again.
What does he think of every other international tournament up to this one. Ersewipe.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Spain look to be pretty much in control of this game at present. They are playing better than I expected. Have they got somebody to stick it in the net, though?
The Italians seem to be committing a lot of fouls so they'll start picking up cards soon if they aren't careful.
Spain look to be pretty much in control of this game at present. They are playing better than I expected. Have they got somebody to stick it in the net, though?
The Italians seem to be committing a lot of fouls so they'll start picking up cards soon if they aren't careful.
Bookings got wiped after the Quarter Final so the only way a player can miss the final is if they get sent off tonight.
I’m trying to figure out why Laporte wasn’t rebranded Millenium-Chemicals. Or even Lindum.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Hope so. And through the whole team to settle it. Us or the Danes will need every percentage gain.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Bookings got wiped after the Quarter Final so the only way a player can miss the final is if they get sent off tonight.
I wasn't thinking about potential suspensions. More a case that, once a player is booked, the Spanish players are skilful enough to target them.
Surprised that Italy haven't offered more of a threat so far but this Spanish keeper has got mistake in him every time I've seen him play, so it might only take one chance.
I wasn't thinking about potential suspensions. More a case that, once a player is booked, the Spanish players are skilful enough to target them.
Surprised that Italy haven't offered more of a threat so far but this Spanish keeper has got mistake in him every time I've seen him play, so it might only take one chance.
Not watched much of Spain this tournament but he certainly looks like he's being controlled by someone in the stand pressing triangle on their controller.
Trouble is they will have an extra days rest anyway to probably compensate.
That’s what I mean. Level it off a bit.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Shitehousery about to commence. I like the look of Chiesa. Always looking to shoot and generally hits the target. I remember watching his Dad play for Parma on Football Italia back in the late 1990s which ages me somewhat!
Shitehousery about to commence. I like the look of Chiesa. Always looking to shoot and generally hits the target. I remember watching his Dad play for Parma on Football Italia back in the late 1990s which ages me somewhat!
Yeah. His Dad was a fine player, particularly alongside Mancini at Samp.
I'm old-fashioned and would prefer them to wear their first strip as there is no clash. Unless you've somehow got a 30 year old black and white TV hitched up to a digital box.
I'd sort of like to see Traore on for Spain because he scares the living crap out of defenders. Only problem is that Spain tend to dominate the possession so he rarely has the space to run into which makes him so dangerous.
The Spanish players are so whiny. They just moan about everything. They’ve moaned at the end of both halves that Felix Brych has blown for the break when they were starting an attack but the referee can end the half whenever he wants if the time is up.
Spain only have themselves to blame with the chances missed. Some poor penalties as well.
I thought Italy were slightly fortunate tonight as they let Spain take control of the game too easily and then struggled to get back into it. They did look a lot less impressive than in previous games, however. Perhaps the loss of Spinazzola has weakened the team a lot more than you might think?
Spain only have themselves to blame with the chances missed. Some poor penalties as well.
I thought Italy were slightly fortunate tonight as they let Spain take control of the game too easily and then struggled to get back into it. They did look a lot less impressive than in previous games, however. Perhaps the loss of Spinazzola has weakened the team a lot more than you might think?
Spinazzola plays so high that he is their out ball every time. The system relies on him really.
Italy are unbeaten in 32 or 33 games. What was the level of the opposition? They did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Italy must be tired for the final after ET. Spain had more than 500 passes more than Italy.
Anyone remember the play-off final at Old Trafford a few years ago? I think between a Peterborough and Huddersfield. The point being one of the teams had got to the final going more than 30 games unbeaten. Clear favourites. They lost 3-0.
England need to play smart and maybe improve again. Starting tomorrow tonight.
Spain only have themselves to blame with the chances missed. Some poor penalties as well.
Spain have missed Ansu Fati real bad. Had he been fit I think Spain would of finished off some of these earlier games and possibly the semi final easier?.
We’ve got the ‘small matter’ of the Danes first. They will have the motivation of the Scots but with more skill.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
We’ve got the ‘small matter’ of the Danes first. They will have the motivation of the Scots but with more skill.
Denmark have performed admirably after what happened at the beginning of the tournament. Had the game not been at Wembley, I think most of the crowd would be Denmark fans for the night.
Anyone remember the play-off final at Old Trafford a few years ago? I think between a Peterborough and Huddersfield. The point being one of the teams had got to the final going more than 30 games unbeaten. Clear favourites. They lost 3-0.
Huddersfield drew about 107% of those games though.
A side with the lack of cutting edge of Spain is always very vulnerable against half decent opposition. I think Italy will be very very tough in the final, whoever they play, especially with the extra days rest. I would of thought they would be firm favourites whoever they play but,if its England we'd definitely have a chance as they don't seem as good without spinazolla
I can see it being a tough one. The players want to do it for Christian Eriksen.
Aside from the Eriksen situation, they are a stubborn lot, and will take a very methodical approach to the game.
Through the door there came familiar laughter, I saw your face and heard you call my name. Oh my friend we're older but no wiser, For in our hearts the dreams are still the same.
Glad Italy went through last night, very good side but that Spain side are insane. Their passing is the best I've ever seen, if they just had someone who could score they'd walk this euros in my opinion... But they're out and all eyes are on England toniight. Come on boys!
I'm OK with that. We usually look better with a back 4 and Walker's pace is going to cement his place ahead of Trippier. I suppose that Shaw's crosses from the last game have got him the job for set pieces.
I think Saka's pace will be useful. Foden or Sancho the obvious options to come off the bench for him in the second half as required.
I'm OK with that. We usually look better with a back 4 and Walker's pace is going to cement his place ahead of Trippier. I suppose that Shaw's crosses from the last game have got him the job for set pieces.
I think Saka's pace will be useful. Foden or Sancho the obvious options to come off the bench for him in the second half as required.
I hope Southgate tells Saka to run at Vestergaard at every opportunity. Even during the anthems.
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