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EURO 2020 Championship

Discussion in 'Other Sports Forum' started by Claymore95, Jun 13, 2021.

  1. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Aus v Ita… Wonderful match IMO. Austria deserves full credit. Tremendous energy throughout the match. They never gave up. Never gave in. Italy were being run ragged at times and looked slow. Mancini panicking with mass subs. But probably saved them.
     
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  2. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    Yeah, makes you wonder it Italy's wins in their group flattered them because of weak opponents. There was really only looking like one winner in the 2nd half, but Italy's strength in depth finally got them over the line in extra time.
     
  3. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Austria played well and committed defensively. Italy's game was impatient at times and the second half left a lot to be desired, but ultimately Italy got the goal which opened up Austria even more. Italy's style of play performs best when teams aren't parking the bus. BEL or POR will be an exciting game with both sides creating attacking chances.
     
  4. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Austria pressed them for much of the game and the Italians didn't handle it well. Yes they won, but I don't see them advancing in their next match (Belgium v Portugal). Although Portugal might not press and Belgium are selective in it. Could be an interesting game actually lol.
     
  5. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Been thinking about this format and the WC format which is essentially the same thing (they have more teams and take the top 2 from each group, simple math). When you get to the Ro16... these matchups are terrible. And it lends itself to a surprise or two to make it into the QF, even the SF. The organizers probably want this and that goes to the whole political/corruption thing which is a topic for another thread :lol:

    But what I would like to see here instead of single elimination would be DOUBLE elimination. Have the losers been given another chance to win it all. Drop them into a losers bracket and see if they can play their way out. You would extend the competition probably by a couple of weeks (which I know would never happen) but it would be fun. More games to watch. More drama.
     
  6. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    Belgium-Portugal lived up to it's billing as probably the game of the round, especially in the 2nd half. First half wasn't great, but the Belgian goal meant Portugal had to go all out, and all out they did. Belgium were holding on for the last 20 minutes at least, but still could easily have got a 2nd with a counterattack but kept making an error when it looked liked they would score again.

    I want to say that the Czech Republic beating the Dutch was an upset, and it was somewhat even with the Dutch having De Ligt sent off, but the Dutch have always looked frail, especially at the back without VVD. And De Boer has shown why their fans aren't convinced by him at all as a coach, as they seemed lost with what to do when they went down to 10 men. The Czechs have shown they're no mugs too, and have probably been under-rated. Some of the intrigue in the last 16 is not really knowing how good teams are, as they might have been in tougher groups than thought, or looked great but were actually in pretty poor groups (Dutch probably fall into this category, and maybe the Italians too).
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2021
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  7. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    Don't know if I like the idea of a double elimination, but agree with you that some of the last 16 matchups aren't that great.

    Will be interesting to see what they do with the World Cup in 2026 in the US, Canada and Mexico. 48 teams involved for the first time, and I'm not sure if they've agreed yet how it will work, but think I read it would be 16 groups of 3 teams, with the top 2 going through to a final 32? There's going to be some pretty poor 2nd round games with 32 teams going through to the knockout stages.
     
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  8. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Italy such an easy group that included the team that just knocked out France.

    Great games today, crazy entertaining.
     
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  9. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    heh, shows how out of touch I am, I didn't even know the WC was coming here? Or that it was happening across the three countries. what the hell.
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2021
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  10. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    I think Switzerland caught France at the exact right time to beat them. I'm assuming both Lucas Hernandez and Lucas Digne were hurt and so they had to go with a back three? And that was a major issue in the first half for France. They looked completely lost until they switched to a back four and even then it didn't look right. But lets give the Swiss all the credit in the world for winning that game. What a day today?

    Unfreaking real. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it in a knockout stage on the same day, either WC or Euros. And to me the Euros can be better than the WC because the players know the style of competition. The teams are more even I think. You get these upsets at times. And both teams today, Croatia and Switzerland really went for it. Croatia are so deadly on the counter. And then they go down two goals, and it doesn't matter, they power thru it. Spain looking completely inept on defense up two. And this completely wipes the Spanish keeper off the memory banks for the howler that rivals the Slovakian howler earlier. 9 own goals this tournament. nine all Euro comps in history prior to this??? 4 by GK? how many missed pens? what on earth is happening? I think maybe it's the fans being back at the games. Since COVID, no fans, or hardly any... now you get the pressure of playing in front of a crowd (albeit mostly limited still)? I dunno. It's the only thing that makes sense of it all.

    And then you get the French... going up two... Pogba with a worldie. and you think there's no way the Swiss can pull a Croatia and come back two goals... but of course they can. The last goal to tie it was special. And of course Mbappe is going to miss the pen. Why he went last I have no idea. I guess you are assuming Llorris is going to stop one (he almost did). I still want Mbappe at LFC, it'll probably never happen lol. But he's going to need to take some time to get over this... it'll be a real test. But it's not a surprise that he missed, terrible form all tournament for him.

    So many players have impressed... some I've never heard of until now, some I know quite well. Varane is special. I thought Zuber was a real threat today, I had never really heard of him. The Danish wonderkund to replace Ericsen... Mikkel Damsgaard is quite the player. We know Kante is special. Croatia always seem to churn out special players to replace their outgoing... Mislav Orsic (well he's 28, so he's not young lol), they really missed Vrsaljko today... Caleta-Car is a unit.

    Damn... was looking forward to France playing Croatia. I got two of those wrong in my predictions lol...

    And now we have Germany / England... ugh... I don't think my heart can take a close game... if you don't hear from me ever again, you'll know why lolzzzz... And Sweden / Ukraine should be decent... but considerably boring compared to today's games... what a tourney... and we're not even to the QF yet.
     
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  11. Alex13

    Alex13 Tua Time !!! Club Member

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    5 more hours until England vs Germany.....LETS GOOOOOOOO
     
  12. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Yeah yesterday was absolutely nuts. My stream froze when France was 3-1 and I didn't even bother or really notice as I was at work. Next thing I know its 3-3! WTF just happened? Croatia did it, and now Switzerland? Insane day.

    I don't like Mbappe, but he's way better than what he showed this tournament. Why France took off Griezman is beyond me. He presses, plays box to box, and in my opinion would've helped France preserve the lead. Going to an unfamiliar back three formation regardless of player availability in the knockout rounds is a bad look on Deschamps. Pogba is pure class - what a goal.

    What the F was Spain doing up by two goals? Their defense was non existent. Glad Morata got the game winner after fans sent him numerous death threats to him and his family earlier.
     
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  13. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    Yeah, Mbappe's been very disappointing this tournament, great player who just hasn't shown up for whatever reason.

    Today's games have got to go some to even get close to living up to yesterday's games in terms of entertainment. And you could quite easily see both of them be defensive 0-0 draws that go to penalties. Hopefully not, and all 4 teams have been inspired by the games yesterday.
     
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  14. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    The thing about the sport is there can still be beautiful soccer in a 0-0 game, but we've definitely been spoiled. There were 108 goals all of last Euro tournament, and this tournament already has 118. That being said I don't think there is a chance today's games can deliver the same excitement, or any two games ever again for that matter.
     
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  15. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    I hate Mcmanaman on ESPN. He is so negative towards England. Always has been. Says Southgate is too defensive in trying to match 343. I actually like the lineup today. Altho i would have gone Hendo for Rice. Lots of options on the bench to change the game. Eng are hoping to get behind the back three with Sterling and Saka. Think Germany have shown some weakness there in this tourney.

    now i get to hear Ian Darke spout off about England and how they shouldnt win this match for 90 plus minutes. At least Macca and Darke arent on at the same time. England could go on to beat Germany and they would downplay it. We fear Germany they say lolz.

    i think u have to play to your strengths and the opponents weaknesses. Shaw and especially Trippier to cross to Kane helps our “best” player. Can Kane get the better of Hummels?
     
  16. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Darke: the atmosphere terrific but very very tense. Such a ****er
     
  17. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Booing the national anthem of Germany. Lol. Never forget WW2. :lol:
     
  18. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    Lol, you'd love BBC's coverage of the tournament then, it's been "Ingerlund, Ingerlund!!" all the way through, even in all the other games. Just about all of us in Scotland would gladly swap ESPN's coverage for that :laughy:
     
  19. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Both teams think the first goal decides it. They might be right.
     
  20. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    I dont understand the Ingerlund reference. heh. Is that a Swedish thing?
     
  21. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Both Phillips and Rice on yellows is not good. Doubtful we sub both off. Want to see Hendo in for Rice.

    lets hope Kanes sniff at goal gets him going. Otherwise he is a non factor.
     
  22. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Congrats Paul!! England were simply better today. Kane finally netting one is huge for the team as well.
     
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  23. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    To my German friends I say Good Bye. :lol:

    that is a reference to a certain movie.

    Anyway it was interesting. I wanted a pitch invasion at the end. Fine margins perhaps. I had to wait on both goals to truly celebrate. Waiting for var to clear the offsides. That is how we celebrate now in this age of review. Clearly moving Sterling off the left to get Grealish and Shaw crossing on that side was the secret to break thru.

    i have to say Goretzka is a unit. But Grealish has two units as legs, what does he do, squats all day? Ffs

    And Kane is off the schneid now. Oh another German reference. lol. Sorry Alex but this is 55 years of frustration.
     
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  24. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    I really thought Muller scored BTW. There was about two seconds when I realized he had missed!
     
  25. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    Sorry, bit of a piss-take of the way England fans song "England".

    Congrats on the win though, thought it was going to extra time at 0-0, but 2 good goals won it for you. Amazing defensive record for England, no goals conceded in 4 games. That's the kind of record that tend to win trophies, you usually take the defensive team over the offensive team when it gets to the latter stages.

    I was the same when Muller was through, when it went past Pickford I cheered, lol, then wondered why the goal wasn't bulging!
     
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  26. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    Peebles, Scotland
    Sweden-Ukraine now in the last game of the round, with winner playing England in the quarter finals.

    And, have to comment after seeing all the stadiums in the tournament, what a dump Hampden is. It's not even the best stadium in Scotland, and the SFA should have replaced/rebuilt it years ago. I've been to it a few times, and the facilties belong in the last century.
     
  27. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Well Sweden with a giant letdown. I guess u have to give credit to Ukraine. It will be warm in Rome even at night. Ukraine coming off a 120 min game. England should win. But lest we forget Iceland.
     
  28. Lloyd Heilbrunn

    Lloyd Heilbrunn Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Now you tell me, LOL!

    Enjoyed watching my 2nd favorite team after the US, England, beat my 3rd favorite team after the US, Germany.:beer:

    My ancestral teams are England, Germany, and Russia\Ukraine (the story, one of my my grandfathers was from Russia in the part that is the Ukraine now).

    My pick to win it is Belgium, especially the way some of the other big teams have been knocked out.
     
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  29. Lloyd Heilbrunn

    Lloyd Heilbrunn Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    The most ridiculous commentary moment that match was when Kane blew his first chance at a goal because of a horrendous first touch, that Stewart Robson called a good one....
     
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  30. Claymore95

    Claymore95 Working on it... Club Member

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    Yeah, coming off an energy sapping 120 min game, and with a few injuries that will keep players out, it's hard to see Ukraine being able to beat England. I imagine England will be remembering Iceland and not wanting a repeat too! One thing you can say about Ukraine is they're well organised so you never know, been enough upsets that you can never count out any teams in this competition...tempting as it is to bet the house on an England win.
     
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  31. Alex13

    Alex13 Tua Time !!! Club Member

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    Berlin,Germany
    Better ? they were lucky that germany once again missed out on their big chances, no one could have complained if germany would have won 3-2...coulda shoulda woulda...the best news of all of this...Löw is finally gone as a manager....better times are ahead.
     
  32. Alex13

    Alex13 Tua Time !!! Club Member

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    Berlin,Germany
    would not surprise me at all if Ukraine beats England
     
  33. Alex13

    Alex13 Tua Time !!! Club Member

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    when he was running with the ball from the right to the left I was screaming at the TV "foul him""****ING FOUL HIM"...they didn´t listen to me.....and I think the whole world did hear me scream after Mueller missed that free run to the goalie....yikes
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2021
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  34. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    You guys missed on your big scoring chances that's on you. England created just about as many but converted theirs. Next time create more and finish the game defensively. Luck had nothing to do with the final result. England were the better team on the pitch.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2021
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  35. Lloyd Heilbrunn

    Lloyd Heilbrunn Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    The fact that England is good enough that they can win without playing Sancho is pretty scary...
     
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  36. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    :lol:...:sidelol:...:console:

    The better team on the day won Alex. I think if you line them up and play 10 times, it's probably pretty close to even. But on this day (yesterday) England played better. They took advantage of their chances. Germany did not. You can't say Werner was unlucky on his chance. That's a great save by Pickford. And I think the Kane missed chance at halftime cancels out the Muller miss. If Germany is up 1-0 and Kane misses that chance, and that's the final score, that is the only highlight we are going to see from England. Some will say it's unlucky. Some will say Kane choked. I would be in the choke category. You obviously like Muller so you say it's unlucky that he missed. I think he choked :lol:
     
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  37. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    see now you're just being sour grapes Alex. Enjoy your whine... want some cheese?
     
  38. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    Yes Southgate has stuck to his guns for the most part, certainly after the Scotland game, and played Saka instead of Foden (or Sancho for that matter). Also, Mount is now out of the picture, which has helped as well. How does the saying go? It's not the best eleven, it's the right eleven that gets you thru. I'd still play Henderson for Rice and probably leave the rest as is.
     
  39. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

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    It'll be interesting to see if Southgate "rests" anyone vs Ukraine. I doubt he would, he's pretty conservative in that respect. But he should consider it. Now that Kane has scored, I'd doubt he subs him off. Same with Sterling of course. You could always bring them off the bunch for a run in no matter the score. Trippier was a little dinged. I'd consider sitting him. Maybe Stones as well. Would expect England to have the bulk of the possession. The three centerbacks shouldn't be needed. You can drop a six into that CB role on a counter or whatever. Of course, you don't want to rest half your team and disrespect the opponent, but certainly, you should be able to beat Ukraine regardless of who is starting. SHOULD.
     
  40. Tone_E

    Tone_E Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Speaking of Sancho...

     

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