UEFA Euro 2024: Expectations?

[SCATT3R]

I'm really struggling to take this tournament seriously with VAR and their latest technology being what they are. One thing is to intervene when the ref's made a clear mistake, which is what it was intended for in the first place, but to bring out the microscope in search of an inch here or there and disrupt and delay the natural flow of the game is just ridiculous.

Take Lukakau, 2 games in and he's now had 3 goals taken from him on extremely marginal grounds. In neither case did he get any advantage from the situations, he'd have still scored regardless, and there were in fact no protests from the opponents either, which would indicate such goals are considered fair and part of the game.

And it becomes even more farcical when VAR chooses not to take action in situations like outright assaults, clear corners not given, you name it, which everyone except the ref have easily spotted. Some of these situations qualified for yellow cards, or would eventually lead to goals the other way, yet they are totally ignored by VAR, while this is subject to close review:

 

[mack341]

Remember though the offside rule was changed in 1990, meaning level was now onside. So it could be argued the attacking team have already had a major help given to them.

(I think there used to be more dribbling wingers with the old rules.)

VAR does ruin the excitement factor for the scoring team, but the other side get a boost when a goal is chalked off.

If a final comes down to 1 goal, such as lukaku's from last night, and instead they allow it to stand after VAR, not sure that will benefit the game.

Maybe the only option is to scrap VAR for close offsides, and TV mustn't examine it either in case they conclude afterwards the ref/linesman made a mistake there.

Tricky call for FIFA.

 

[Jono777]

Scrap VAR completely and leave it down to the ref as it has been for (prior to technology), well ever!

Decisions, correct, wrong or marginal will balance themselves out over a season / major competitions

 

[mack341]

On the actual tournament, I'm quite enjoying it though not watching every game (sorry albania and georgia).

Portugal and Roberto Martinez seem to be a very good fit, although I'm not convinced Ronaldo is worthy of a guaranteed place now and beyond criticism, he still has his moments though, but think it could cost them in the end. Jota if fit would probably give them more of an edge.

England, well still hoping but tactics and lineup will need changing if they want to win it.

 

[jasonuk]

Scrap VAR completely and leave it down to the ref as it has been for (prior to technology), well ever!

Decisions, correct, wrong or marginal will balance themselves out over a season / major competitions

These would be the same referees that seemingly can't tell the difference between a corner and a goal kick?

I can understand some of the venting with VAR - the technology itself works well in many other sports, so you come back to the human element (how they implement it, how they use it).

It was telling with the Netherlands game how much time was spent by the commentary berating VAR for "finding a reason to chalk it off", when the on-field decision was no goal and thus VAR are looking for a "clear and obvious error" that allows the goal (which they couldn't, and thus didn't). In that case, the only fault of VAR was the time taken - they weren't the ones that disallowed the goal.

And it becomes even more farcical when VAR chooses not to take action in situations like outright assaults, clear corners not given, you name it, which everyone except the ref have easily spotted. Some of these situations qualified for yellow cards, or would eventually lead to goals the other way, yet they are totally ignored by VAR, while this is subject to close review:

Comes down to the rules again, VAR has a very limited set of scenarios it can intervene (and often heavily restricted in how it intervenes, e.g. the wrongly disallowed goal scandal a while back) - I'd much rather have the Rugby implementation that the on-field referee can call on the TMO, have a conversation and look at video replays on the big screen, and then make a more-informed decision. Better that they take a minute or two and get the decision right, than either ignore the problem or worse review it and still get it wrong.

 

[pereblue]

an Update about Final Winner quotes ( spain):

Seems now France is the Fav... Mbappe Mask Included ..

 

[mcgameboy]

I can't believe that Spain are only joint 2nd favourites. The class of the field so far IMO.

If they figure out how to stop being so wasteful in front of goal, (like they were in the Italy and Albania games), then look the hell out.
But if they continue to be wasteful? There's plenty of teams who could punish them.

 

[jasonuk]

And the exchange prices... no real surprises here.

The more interesting one is the golden boot, given none of the big names have delivered yet.

Of the four leaders on two goals - Musiala and Fullkrug (both Germany) have already won their group, Schranz (Slovakia) and Mikautadze (Georgia) play their third match tonight or tomorrow.

Kane, Morata, Bellingham, Gakpo, Havertz and more are in a 53-way tie on 1 goal.

Sadly, Lukaku Disallowed (3) and Own Goal (6) are not eligible - as they'd both be ahead of the field.

(32/1 or 33.0 bar for the rest of the field)

 

[jasonuk]

England did what England does once again, and fell over the line to win the group.

Same couldn't be said for France, who having finished second switch to the other side of the bracket and their odds have drifted quite a bit as a result - England now 5.3 from 6.0, France now 6.6 from 5.1 earlier.

Spain, Germany, Portugal and France (four of the big five) are now on the top half of the draw. Of the next three, Italy is on the bottom side (with England), the other two to be determined. Whoever is on the bottom side of the draw has to be quietly hopeful at the thought of an easier run to the final...

Which leaves one question, how does England blow it this time?

 

[DreamRJ]

I think Spain will win it. England might be lucky to make it to semis but probably will not. Portugal are my second choice on who will win.

Southgate has to go what ever the outcome now. The talent we have he lacks the talent to take us over the line we need a manager that will take us over that line while we have great talent.

 

[mcgameboy]

England did what England does once again, and fell over the line to win the group.

Same couldn't be said for France, who having finished second switch to the other side of the bracket and their odds have drifted quite a bit as a result - England now 5.3 from 6.0, France now 6.6 from 5.1 earlier.

Spain, Germany, Portugal and France (four of the big five) are now on the top half of the draw. Of the next three, Italy is on the bottom side (with England), the other two to be determined. Whoever is on the bottom side of the draw has to be quietly hopeful at the thought of an easier run to the final...

Which leaves one question, how does England blow it this time?

As far as the last 16 goes, England will face the Netherlands OR whoever gets 3rd from Belgium/Ukraine/Slovakia/Romania *.

And it depends on whether Hungary progress or not. If they do, England face the Dutch.
If they don't, England face the third place team in Belgium's group.

Hungary progressing comes down to who out of Turkey, Czechia or Georgia comes third in their group.
Basically, Hungary want to see two draws tomorrow. Or any combination that sees Turkey finishing second.

The QF is very clear cut. If England progress, they face Switzerland or Italy.

If England blow this, it will be because of Stalemate Southgate's lack of balls and tactical nous.
Mainoo, Palmer, Gordon, Watkins and Bowen should have had a lot more minutes on the pitch at this point than what they have been given so far.

But because Southgate is the sort that wears a lifejacket when going out to the garden to water his plants or armbands while he is having a bath, they will get short-changed.
Opposing defenders will be delighted with such gutlessness from the Wastecoat.

He is wasting quick, aggressive attacking players who want the ball.
Players who will at least test defenders and have them panicking a little bit.

England going out on penalties has an air of inevitability about it. AGAIN.

 

[Jono777]

These Euros are doing my head in, it seems their RTP has also been shaved and the football is being taken out of the game

Dodgy VARS (expected of course)
Penalties that aren't penalties
Faultless goals chalked off
1-0 suddenly becomes 0-1 and oh the hosts get to gain from this

I'm no expert but I do know the basics and like slots they're ruining the experience.

Oh.... and who is this American "expert" woman who has to voice over every match and decision, never heard of her but apparently she is the Guru

 

[jasonuk]

The person ranting about VAR for 20 minutes? I think that was Ally McCoist

The former FIFA referee is

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- did a few years of the US soccer circuit and a few (mostly friendly) international matches. So she'll know her stuff, certainly more than Ally running his mouth so often he can conflict himself in the same breath

I do agree with what you are saying about the second game though, it's basically being ruled by those decisions - again it's not the technology itself, but it is exposing some of the more recent rule changes and it feels like the referee has been losing control.

At least we've had a game compared to the first - Italy were awful and it felt like only one team showed up!

 

[SCATT3R]

This tournie is when I finally fell out of love with football. Technology overruling the charms and flaws of the beautiful old game is not what I signed up for and it's a sad thought that we'll never have iconic moments like Hand of God or Was it in or not? again.

That said, it was again a joy to watch Germany play. I hope they go all the way! It's real hard to accept they didn't end up on 3 goals tonight, though! Two disallowed goals, first one was fair enough, but not sure about Wirtz' 3:0 goal. And what an incredible save by Schmeichel in the 95th to deny my bet slip!

 

[ollygarch]

I would usually expect to find a bet on 365 or Betfair. But it has been thin pickings throughout so far. Roll on next season for Europe major leagues.

 

[jasonuk]

It's telling that a lot of the promotions have been on bet builders this tournament. Even with the boosts, bet and get, or similar... the underlying odds are so bad that even with the promotion there's only marginal value in the players favour at best.

One example of late, the expected bore draw of Slovakia v Romania - exchanges had Romania to win at 4.4, WH headline price was 3.8, WH Bet Builder (win + o0.5g, i.e. any win) was 3.0

So you win, and you've lost 41% of your winnings on the simplest of bets... no wonder they (and everyone else) can offer win boosts like confetti on these markets!

 

[kou187]

I love Ally Mccoist and he's always seemed like a really nice bloke.

But by god he needs to just stop talking and listen sometimes and think before he talks.

Yesterday's game he was doing my head in!

 

[mack341]

Ally's also got that sean Connery way of pronouncing 'shh' instead of 's'

I think ITVs halftime/post match studio segment is better than the BBC's, other than the fact they're standing all the time, also not sure Ange postecoglou is that riveting a guest. But Wright, keane and pougatch are okay whereas on the beeb shearer is the only decent regular I can listen to.

 

[Jono777]

Predictions for the upcoming England Game guys n gals????

Mine's an England win but a very narrow/close one 1-0 or maybe 2-1.

The National team do like to make us fans sweat it.

 

[mcgameboy]

I'd love to see Slovakia score first just to see how England (and more importantly, Southgate) react

 

[mcgameboy]

Someone is getting a red card in this game. The ref is throwing yellows around like confetti.

 

[kou187]

I'd love to see Slovakia score first just to see how England (and more importantly, Southgate) react

It's coming, I'm sat here just shaking my head watching it. Just the same as every other game so far this tournament. England scared and slow as always.

Just waiting for Slovakia to score...

 

[DreamRJ]

3 players booked within first 18 mins, not looking good for England right now

I really hope those 3 do not get another yellow because they will be off

That ref also feels very strict and I am not even sure all 3 should have been a booking either. Questionable

 

[mack341]

Thought it might be 2-1, but I suspect 2-0, giving southgate a bit of help in the pr dept and us overconfidence for the QF, where we'll be beaten in extra time.

Unless he seriously changes the team's tempo, and gets them clicking together.

 

[mcgameboy]

Thought it might be 2-1, but I suspect 2-0, giving southgate a bit of help in the pr dept and us overconfidence for the QF, where we'll be beaten in extra time.

Unless he seriously changes the team's tempo, and gets them clicking together.

If England don't raise their level, they will be lucky to see extra time against the Swiss.
The Swiss are dangerous and a serious dark horse to win it all.