EURO 2020 Football Chit Chat

[dunover]

Saka was the best player the other night or was you blind to that ?

And that's exactly my point - a squad player thrown in at the last minute which demonstrates the shortcomings of the rest. Mount was allegedly the best player in the Croatia game, but international class? Nope.

 

[snorky510238]

Any manager that can’t see that Grealish HAS TO PLAY, should be fired. He is the one shining light in a fairly average group and he can unlock defences. Same as the World Cup, England’s only chance of progression will be due to other teams going through a spell of mediocrity.

 

[kennygamerboy]

And that's exactly my point - a squad player thrown in at the last minute which demonstrates the shortcomings of the rest. Mount was allegedly the best player in the Croatia game, but international class? Nope.

True true

 

[bowki]

Germany have no chance. With the squad they have, probably only 3 or 4 really good players who would be marketable, Goetzka, Sane, Gosen and Kroos. They have been and always will be limited under Löw in what they can achieve.

Corrected that for you ?

Seriously, I don't think the german team has a chance to win without some kind of a miracle. Löw should have retired earlier and let Hansi Flick build the next generation.

 

[kennygamerboy]

Corrected that for you ?

Seriously, I don't think the german team has a chance to win without some kind of a miracle. Löw should have retired earlier and let Hansi Flick build the next generation.

Germany were impressive against portagul wouldn’t write them off they will batter us next week if we get our tactics wrong and we can’t out score them either

 

[bowki]

I would love to watch that game live in Wembley. I love London and I love football.

But thanks to that fn virus I have to stay at home ?

 

[mack341]

Grealish is v.good but i get a feeling southgate is not using him well enough, modern football other than a few teams is hard to enjoy. Congested midfields and too much pressing, i'm sure there is a better explanation, but there seems to be no space or shape to the play. And my memory of fa cup finals was the huge pitch, looks smaller now, which favours defense and attritional games, unlesh grealish does a bit of magic. Italy have probably been the best so far for me, sharp and looking to attack.

 

[snorky510238]

The problem nowadays, from a spectators point of view is the game is predominantly based around the mentality of “If we don’t concede, we can’t lose”. Rather than the way it was generally, years ago. “If they score 3, we’ll score 4”. Entertainment wise there is no substitute for the latter approach.

 

[dunover]

The problem nowadays, from a spectators point of view is the game is predominantly based around the mentality of “If we don’t concede, we can’t lose”. Rather than the way it was generally, years ago. “If they score 3, we’ll score 4”. Entertainment wise there is no substitute for the latter approach.

England can though: 0-0 then lose on penalties.

 

[Jono777]

Not that I know much, however I predict early goals from England, maybe even a massive 2!.......

Followed by either a late surge from the Germans going one better, or the dreaded you know what, which most of the country is probably expecting

 

[bowki]

Two incredible games today ? Its games like that why we love football ?

 

[mack341]

Missed croatia vs spain, but swiss vs fr made up for it, hoping england and germany can put on a great contest too, maybe it's still the beautiful game.

 

[pereblue]

Spain vs Croatia... wow... one of the most amazing games as a spanish supporter I've watched... was a roller coaster "movie" with Happy ending (sorry Croatia). And next followed by another great match with one of the big surprises of the Tourney.

 

[dunover]

Well, the Germany vs England game is even more meaningful tonight - the draw that side you would expect the winner to go all the way to the final. Either of those, on paper, should beat Ukraine, Sweden or Denmark but with the crazy results like the Swiss last night, who knows?

 

[snorky510238]

Pride and passion seem to be winning the day I think………….That’s England knackered then.

 

[Welshy88]

Well, the Germany vs England game is even more meaningful tonight - the draw that side you would expect the winner to go all the way to the final. Either of those, on paper, should beat Ukraine, Sweden or Denmark but with the crazy results like the Swiss last night, who knows?

Last year Denmark come and beat England at Wembley in the Nations league.
And also England failed to win in Denmark in the return fixture .

 

[mack341]

Until yesterday i thought spain mustn't be in the euros as i haven't seen any of their 1st rd group matches

Obviously they are serious contenders and based on dun's post in the other side from england, so in likelihood spain vs italy is one of the semis, though i'm rooting for the swiss now in that side, I think their manager has got some good tactics and team belief behind them.

 

[YouTubeSlots]

Come on England ya bastards!!!!!

 

[News Hound]

 

[dunover]

Oh.......yesssss!

Sterling is the luckiest bloke alive - think 1-0 England, 8 minutes left, he passes to the opposition player on the half way line, who feeds Muller, who scores. 1-1 and England go on to lose on penalties, or in extra time, or to a late winner. He gets slaughtered on antisocial media, booed for the next 2 years when playing for his club.

But tonight, the alternative universe scenario played out, somehow one of the world's best strikers inexplicably missed that unexpected gift shot. And England went on to win 2-0 and for the first time since the WCF in 1966, beat Germany in a knockout match.

 

[bowki]

A deserved win for England! It was a close one but in the end deserved. And now…

 

[The Dude]

First time I saw a stadium boo someone's national anthem. From that point I lost all respect for the UK football fans. And yeah I get it, the nationistic spirit is high during these games - but just imagine booing a national anthem during the Olympics.

But then - would you expect the fans to act any different.

 

[kennygamerboy]

First time I saw a stadium boo someone's national anthem. From that point I lost all respect for the UK football fans. And yeah I get it, the nationistic spirit is high during these games - but just imagine booing a national anthem during the Olympics.

But then - would you expect the fans to act any different.

Yeah I agree but England and Germany isn’t just about football it’s deep haha

 

[dunover]

First time I saw a stadium boo someone's national anthem. From that point I lost all respect for the UK football fans. And yeah I get it, the nationistic spirit is high during these games - but just imagine booing a national anthem during the Olympics.

But then - would you expect the fans to act any different.

Yes, that's quite mild considering England fans' past history. They booed the BS knee-taking nonsense too that even many black players are criticizing as pointless and past its sell-by date. The Jocks booed ours and England booed theirs in the England-Scotland match too. Sadly it's become normal now. But compared to the 1980's and 1990's, things have much improved as regards fan behaviour.

 

[kennygamerboy]

Yes, that's quite mild considering England fans' past history. They booed the BS knee-taking nonsense too that even many black players are criticizing as pointless and past its sell-by date. The Jocks booed ours and England booed theirs in the England-Scotland match too. Sadly it's become normal now. But compared to the 1980's and 1990's, things have much improved as regards fan behaviour.

Yeah the knees got to stop now ffs it’s run it’s course and hate politics being brought into sport

 

[Daavid63]

First time I saw a stadium boo someone's national anthem. From that point I lost all respect for the UK football fans. And yeah I get it, the nationistic spirit is high during these games - but just imagine booing a national anthem during the Olympics.

But then - would you expect the fans to act any different.

Well obviously you have never encountered football fans...just saying.

 

[bigbear]

Why do we have to have the National Anthem when England play? For the game against Scotland the Scots had Flower or Scotland played and we should have had something much more rousing,for example Jerusalem which is always used for the England rugby team.

 

[bamberfishcake]

Sat around my friends, defeated the minute we saw the team and could tell from the tactics my joke about Southgate planning 11 men on the goal line last week was not funny anymore. Even went to the shops early before half time to beat the rush because the game felt so flat.

When the first goal went in I was screaming what a brilliant manager he was lol just for fun of course, personally think we were lucky....or is Southgate really that tactically good?

Couldn't have wished for a better German player to miss than Muller, don't think he would have missed that 10 years ago.

In any case, Come On England! Playing poor (or did we ) and getting a result is never a bad thing.

Agree you should never boo an opposing teams national anthem but I dont think they have much place at a football match. Have boo'd many a fan for many reasons but its always with a laugh at the end, just to wind each other up so i'd be a liar if I said I would never have got swept up and boo'd my head off, but with a laugh and giggle, and hopefully a share of a pint after with them.

 

[Downsman]

Great result, Sterling played a blinder..onwards and upwards.

 

[mack341]

I got the distinct sense the fans were booing the players during parts of the match such was the lack of action, good result in the end but grealish, who is probably the hottest english property in the epl, shouldn't be getting splinters sitting next to gareth on the bench.

 

[cncas2123]

Cant see Ukraine causing any problems for England on Saturday, potentially the Czechs in the semi's who they've already beaten... big chance for England to get to the final, probably against Spain or Belgium and anything can happen in a final.

And as a Leeds fan for 45 years so proud of how Kalvin Phillips has played throughout the tournament, strong in midfield and can pick out a pinpoint pass when needed.

 

[ESCJAMIE]

I got the distinct sense the fans were booing the players during parts of the match such was the lack of action, good result in the end but grealish, who is probably the hottest english property in the epl, shouldn't be getting splinters sitting next to gareth on the bench.

As an West Brom fan, who hates villa and Diving Grealish, I must admit he has been fantastic for England he should start next game he does more coming on as a sub for 20 mins than most of the rest do the whole game. Putting rivalry aside he's 1 of englands best talents

 

[dunover]

Why do we have to have the National Anthem when England play? For the game against Scotland the Scots had Flower or Scotland played and we should have had something much more rousing,for example Jerusalem which is always used for the England rugby team.

England should have Agadoo-doo-doo by Black Lace.

 

[The Dude]

Well obviously you have never encountered football fans...just saying.

Ha ha - I didn't say I was surprised - but yeah, unsportmanslike conduct in international games should never be condoned. Imagine booing someone's national anthem at the Olympics - you'd be tossed to the curb, I'm sure.

 

[KasinoKing]

I was as disappointed with the "defensive looking" selection as anyone at the start of the match... But I have to give credit where it is due - I thought every single England player was totally superb!
Definitely one of the best England performances I have ever seen

And the manager was spot on as well - bringing Grealish on fresh when the Germans were starting to tire was the turning point in the match.
After 55 years of hurt can we finally dare to dream...?

Probably not!

KK

 

[cncas2123]

As an West Brom fan, who hates villa and Diving Grealish, I must admit he has been fantastic for England he should start next game he does more coming on as a sub for 20 mins than most of the rest do the whole game. Putting rivalry aside he's 1 of englands best talents

I dont know if Grealish is 100% fit, if I remember correctly he has his own specific training regime which to me would suggest he hasnt fully recovered from his injury earlier in the season.
I think that what Southgate is doing with Grealish is perfect, he is bringing him on when he can do the most damage and I dont know if he would be as effective playing from the start as he has so much energy for the last half hours and most defences cant cope with that.

 

[News Hound]

Ha ha - I didn't say I was surprised - but yeah, unsportmanslike conduct in international games should never be condoned. Imagine booing someone's national anthem at the Olympics - you'd be tossed to the curb, I'm sure.

Football is a different animal when it comes to the crowds it attracts. You can't compare the crowds that football attracts to the Olympics, Tennis, Rugby or many other sports. As Dunover points out, it is a lot better than it was in the 70's 80's and 90's. Not condoning the booing of a side's national anthem, but like with crowds at boxing events it is sadly to be expected. On the flip side, the passion shown by fans at football, is hard to match by any other sport.

 

[mack341]

It's not something i'd do, but then remember eurovision, the whole of europe gave us nil pwa, which probably upset a lot of brits who watch that sh**e, sorry musical extravaganza

 

[mack341]

Sorry it's happened again, but just the 1 repost this time

 

[ChopleyIOM]

Yeah I agree but England and Germany isn’t just about football it’s deep haha

Yeah the knees got to stop now ffs it’s run it’s course and hate politics being brought into sport

 

[mcgameboy]

England deserved to win the game. Pickford was my MOTM, closely followed by Grealish.

But if Muller doesn't fluff his lines in the way Mbappe had done the night before, we might well be having a different conversation today.

England have a great chance to reach the final now, but there are still some hurdles.
A lack of supporters for the Ukraine game in Rome being one of them.

And then there are the Danes (if England and Denmark both win their QFs).

I don't know what it is, but the journey they have been on has been quite the roller coaster.
And they are very much on the crest of the emotional wave at the minute.
A definite threat to play the role of party poopers.

The way this Euros has gone, I can't help but feel that there is still a shock result or two somewhere in the pipeline.
I mean, who honestly thought that the Group of Death would have no representation in the QFs?

 

[pereblue]

Added a poll final match prediction..

 

[orion]

We are still alive !

 

[Steviedoo]

Viva Italia…

now the favourites to win it all….

 

[kennygamerboy]

My prediction for the final is Italy v Spain I hope we can do the business but it’s just our luck to get dumped out by Ukraine

 

[orion]

Italy and Spain cannot go both to the final since they are facing eachother in the semi.

my prediction (days ago) was - and still is- final Italy Denmark

these two teams are NOT the best teams of the Tournament, but for some reasons they will get the final.

 

[kennygamerboy]

Italy and Spain cannot go both to the final since they are facing eachother in the semi.

my prediction (days ago) was - and still is- final Italy Denmark

these two teams are NOT the best teams of the Tournament, but for some reasons they will get the final.

I’m a dummy didn’t realise. Well England have a chance too if we beat Ukraine tonight I’ll start believing haha

 

[mack341]

Kane and dane rhyme so i predict on that basis there will be a future tabloid heading, also a mocked up pic of harry wearing a viking helmet, which can only mean the semi will be eng vs den, that's how I analyse it

 

[cncas2123]

Thought I would pop this in - courtesy of Schick and I am hoping Harry Kane can hit the back of the net later. Nothing better than a free 50 quid.

 

[cncas2123]

Get in Harry Kane