Euro 2016

Murray wrote:This is the dullest tournament ever. We've had 18 games so far, and nobody has managed to score more that 2 goals yet.

Well, part of it could be due to 3rd place teams have chances to advance and most teams play defensively and happy with a draw, especially against the big guns.

Overall its strange...i wasn't hyped for the tournament at all, and the first week doesn't have me care much more. Quiet a contrast to 2014 where I couldn't wait for the tournament to start!

What do you prefer then, France 4-0 up against Albania? Tbh I dont think its that bad considering the many weak teams. Will get alot better in the knockoutfase for sure.

It's been okay, some nice goals, nobody disgracing themselves (on pitch, at least). None of the big teams firing on all cylinders but we could be in line for good KO games.

with more groups and the big teams spread out, it was always going to be a bit slower coming to the boil.

debaser wrote:It's been okay, some nice goals, nobody disgracing themselves (on pitch, at least). None of the big teams firing on all cylinders but we could be in line for good KO games.

with more groups and the big teams spread out, it was always going to be a bit slower coming to the boil.

It's been fine and I don't even mind the fewer goals. Although we could do with a few more clear chances in games to spice it up.

Fey wrote:What do you prefer then, France 4-0 up against Albania? Tbh I dont think its that bad considering the many weak teams. Will get alot better in the knockoutfase for sure.

But there are usually fewer goals in the knockout stages.

England earned the win they could of caused lots more problems if the coach allowed our full backs to get behind there back lines there was many opportunities to exploit the width and only did it at predictable times, Walker and Rose then could of placed min better crosses. Against Italy's 5-3-2 they would of got slaughtered. Hodgson is a little too conservative in this department and needs to brave up somewhat if he wants his side to make the best use of teams that sit back on them and defend waiting for a counter.

There haven't been many goals but if 98% of this tournaments clear-cut chances have fallen to the head of Giroud then what do you expect ?

If he does come home, I hope he flies Virgin as a tribute to the desperately sad c**t who started this:

http://www.goal.com/euro2016/en/article/bring-sterling-home---england-fan-starts-fundraiser-to-fly-winger-back-from-france/1fl3qzboxhue91xxp0l23100t8

Croatia look pretty good. Could be contenders if the draw falls nicely.

Interestingly, the runner-up in group D (very likely Spain/Croatia) will play the winner of group E (almost certainly Italy). That'll be a tasty 2R match.

Croatian fans just set off a ton of flares and threw them onto the pitch, some more crowd trouble, then some sort of flash bang went off next to a steward.

Croatia fans only got themselves to blame here. Looked like they were gonna see it out comfortably till the interruption.

Proper power penalty there.

Croat fans cost their squad the match 2-2

Croatia looked really good, I dunno what their fans were thinking.

Fey wrote:Croatia looked really good, I dunno what their fans were thinking.

Apparently there's a block that wants to embarrass the team and FA so the manager and board are fired. Morons.

Turkey got dicked big time. Spain also looks really good. Keep Europe honk-free

Excellent performance from Belgium, their line-up made sense now.

They looked like a lot of pressure came off once they got ahead. Expectations obviously high. They got a straight KO game against Sweden now.

Ireland could still sneak through as they'll probably be up against Italy's B-team, but they look dodgy defensively. Clark's not having a good tournament.

What worries me about Belgium is that all their goals came from their EPL playstyle, hit them fucking fast on the counter. That wont work against the better teams, or perhaps it will.

Anyway, I think Belgium are through already.

Ooh Ronaldo...anyone saw how he was standing on his toes during the teamfoto..he is so sad sometimes.

Antarion wrote:

Yup that was bad refereeing. Belgian defence is a bunch of c**ts. Lucky c**ts too.

Very enjoyable to see Ronaldo fail so immensely

France-Swiss has friendly draw that suits both teams written all over it

Yeah this group is done, perhaps France wants to make a show out of it but doubt it.

Oh Albania. Just missed the best chance they'll ever have

Romania are awful. Albania should be 2 or 3 up if only they could shoot.

Fair play Albania. Deserved this. Good defence and got their tactics spot on. But I don't think they will make it through on 3pts with negative GD.

Romania v.v. disappointing. Gave the ball away so many times and thoroughly deserve to go home.

No im sure they are out. France tried to score at least. Were a bit unlucky in the finishing..should have brought Benzema

Henderson's delivery is painful. Clyne's been good, and Lallana again, but always with him the frustration that he is not convincing in front of goal.

Suspect we'll see Rooney before long and then Rashford for the last half hr.

Wonder if Slovakia will make a bit more effort to go forward 2nd half. They got no danger of Russia overtaking them now but a draw and 4pts will almost certainly get them through so they may not wanna risk much.

Usual story. Fail in the games we should win in groups and end up with a harder draw - we'll be going out to France in QF if we get that far.