Euro 2016

[John Arne]

Are we going to have just one big thread for Euro 2016, or perhaps separate threads for each group (although, they may not be a lot of interest in the likes of Group F).

https://gyazo.com/a1f456ace1bd8d1cac3bf367d59e3f7f.png

CONFIRMED (and prelim) SQUADS

Group A

France


Romania


Albania


Switzerland




Group B

England


Russia


Wales (Prelim)

https://gyazo.com/cd102663124530d3d2b142d9d09316c5.png

Slovakia




Group C

Germany


Ukraine


Poland


Northern Ireland




Group D

Spain


Czech Republic (Prelim)

https://gyazo.com/a67d47fb8a0c6c539bf2360ffa75ebed.png

Turkey


Croatia




Group E

Belgium

Goalkeepers: Mignolet (Liverpool), Gillet (don't know), Courtois (Chelsea)
Defenders: Alderweireld (Spurs), Boyata (Celtic), Denayer (Man City), Engels (don't know), Lukaku (don't know), Lombaerts (Zenit), Meunier (don't know), Vermaelen (Barca), Vertonghen (Spurs)
Midfielders: Dembele (Spurs), Fellaini (Man Utd), Naingolan (Roma), Witsel (Zenit)
Forwards: Batshuayi (Marseille), Benteke (Liverpool), Carrasco (Atletico), de Bruyne (Man City), Hazard (Chelsea), Lukaku (Everton), Mertens (Napoli), Origi (Liverpool)
Backups: Chadli, Ciman, De Bock, Gillet, T. Hazard, Sels, Mirallas.

Italy


Rep of Ireland


Sweden

https://gyazo.com/e9f1c7b1e308d649b058cd0490e3a670.png



Group F

Portugal


Iceland

https://gyazo.com/0ef62c8d4b0948ceda0d1e03c71efcaf.png

Austria (prelim)

https://gyazo.com/fec90b73cc3fe3fb09bd07b5b0d15085.png

Hungary (prelim)

https://gyazo.com/1b6262a062281d58898670a458734ab1.png

[Lee]

I was wondering about this a couple of weeks ago and, as much as I'd prefer a separate forum for major tournaments, we just don't have the membership for it now.

I can't wait for this. International tournament football pisses all over club football. I'll watch us pick the trophy up at the weekend then I'm just waiting for this. I'll watch some big games in between of course, but my full engagement in the season is now over with. :cool:

[Davgooner]

Can't wait. Beer, weather, a decent England side, the Welsh and Irish to bait, and all the while with the very really propect of being wiped out at any minute by a suicide bomber. :drool:

[John Arne]

Kick off times are pretty shit for me - but I'll be watching as much as possible. Tournament football is so fucking good.

Current odds;

https://gyazo.com/c7744d84c04e7af2ceaf6842d558237a.png

Northern Ireland to "do a Leicester"?

[Samadini]

I'm going to head over to Marseille, doubt I'll be arsed about a ticket, we'll probably all get killed before kick off anyway, as Dave says.

There's no excuse to not go down for this one really.

[Davgooner]

I've got three spots on ferries, and a few options on return flights. Worked out pricey but there's no way of getting a block of time off from work that'll cover the whole thing, so fuck it. It'll be quality.

[Reg]

I think there'll be enough for multiple threads. The World Cup had lots of posts, and there's pretty much the same member of posters as there was then.

I'd have Germany favourites with France second.

[SincereTheRebel]

Im going to pick a team at random, and somehow make it my duty to watch all there games.

Isnt there some type of prediction game or something that could be done here..

[Boydy]

Kick off times are pretty shit for me - but I'll be watching as much as possible. Tournament football is so fucking good.

Current odds;

https://gyazo.com/c7744d84c04e7af2ceaf6842d558237a.png

Northern Ireland to "do a Leicester"?

:nodd:

I'm gonna stick a fiver on them. Betfair has Albania at 500/1 if anyone's interested in that. NI are still 250/1 there.

[Weaver]

Kickoff times are good for me, but England vs Wales at 2pm in the afternoon on a Thursday is a bit of a ballache.

Austria are the dark horses this time. Really like the look of their squad and some of their players are pretty good as well.

[Lee]

I've taken half days off work to catch all the 2pm games. Probably going to head to the Paris fanzone with a couple of mates in the second Saturday if they don't let me down. I've managed to convince Lauren that a suicide bomber killing me isn't a certainty.

[John Arne]

Isnt there some type of prediction game or something that could be done here..

Is that such a good idea given your F1 predicting (or lack of) so far this season.... :D

[Raoul Duke]

I wouldn't bother with a sub-forum, but a thread-per-group/knockout fixture would be good to keep the discussion focussed.

Apart from being at home, I don't see why France are the favourites. Their squad is patchy and it feels like a couple of years time would be better for them. Germany to walk it for Jogi Low and his weird doppelgänger

[SincereTheRebel]

Is that such a good idea given your F1 predicting (or lack of) so far this season.... :D

Iits your fault. Ive just done my F1 predictions for the next races. Get something lined up for the euros.

[SincereTheRebel]

Given leicesters heroics and inspiration, you really should be all over england winning this.

[Raoul Duke]

Not whilst Rooney's still getting in the team.

[Vim]

Apart from being at home, I don't see why France are the favourites. Their squad is patchy and it feels like a couple of years time would be better for them. Germany to walk it for Jogi Low and his weird doppelgänger

Kante-Matuidi-Pogba midfield. :drool:

[Lee]

Kante's going to be player of the tournament. He's that good.

[Baz]

Sweepstake? :henn0rz:

I've had a little flutter on Italy.

And yeah, 2PM games can suck my fat one.

I don't watch international football at all, except for the Euros and World Cups, so I am looking forward to it.

This (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/weekend-9th-10th-july-best-7714152) got me extra excited too.



Saturday July 9

British GP qualifying
Wimbledon Ladies final
Euro 2016 3rd/4th place play-off
Fury vs Klitschko II
UFC 200 feat. Cormier vs. Jones II

Sunday July 10

Silverstone Grand Prix
Wimbledon Men's final
Euro 2016 final


What a weekend. :drool:

[bruhnaldo]

Fuck that's a tasty weekend.

[Pepe]

Don't forget stages 8 and 9 of the Tour de France.

[SincereTheRebel]

Don't forget stages 8 and 9 of the Tour de France.

http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/excitedkid.gif

[Vim]

I like the look of Croatia. Modric, Mandzukic, Rakitic, Perisic, Kovacic, Brozovic (this guy is awesome), Kalinic. They've got a far better team than Italy without Marchisio.

[Lee]

Austria will go far. Last eight where it could be them versus England.

[Giggles]

Tour de France :D Cycling :D

This one will be shit for me. We won't even score, let alone get a point. I'd take an England win if it meant the northies getting embarrassed though. Must be close to what selling the soul feels like.

[Pepe]

Better than bloody Heavyweights.

[Giggles]

Better than bloody Heavyweights.

That late night brawling, all weights, can get to fuck too. Keep it to real sports at least.

[Kikó]

Hurling isn't a real sport.

[Pepe]

Women's sports aren't real sports.

[Giggles]

Hurling isn't a real sport.

Not among the masses but qualifies better than either of those shithouses.

[Josh]

Sweepstake? :henn0rz:

I've had a little flutter on Italy.

And yeah, 2PM games can suck my fat one.

I don't watch international football at all, except for the Euros and World Cups, so I am looking forward to it.

This (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/boxing/weekend-9th-10th-july-best-7714152) got me extra excited too.



What a weekend. :drool:

I thought 3rd/4th place play-off doesn't exist for Euros?

[niko_cee]

What are the prospects for a foreign tour TTH meet then? I'm going to be over there for the two semis (3rd to the 8th I think) with a few random destinations on the way/in between.

[phonics]

If anyone wants 2 Portugal v Italy tickets in Lyon, send me a message. A friend of mine has to go to a wedding the same week and can't get the time off work. I've also got access to a couple of Albania tickets but really now.

[ItalAussie]

Italy are a bit sad at the moment. :(

I'd take Totti, and play him. Why not, right?

[Kikó]

When is this Portugal Italy game?

[-james-]

Italy are a bit sad at the moment. :(

I'd take Totti, and play him. Why not, right?

I have an Italian mate so I've watched quite a few recent Italy games. Thought they looked alright against Spain in March.

Feels like Conte has no idea what his best side is though, that team he put out vs Germany was very odd.

[Weaver]

Gundogan 'set' to miss Euro 2016 with a dislocated kneecap: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36229512

Kompany is going to find out if he'll be fit on Monday, Oxlade Chamberlain is out (although I didn't think he was going to be in the squad anyway) and PSG are 'managing' Verratti as he's carrying a groin injury.

[Foe]

If anyone wants 2 Portugal v Italy tickets in Lyon, send me a message. A friend of mine has to go to a wedding the same week and can't get the time off work. I've also got access to a couple of Albania tickets but really now.

Portugal aren't in the same group as Italy.

[Spoonsky]

I'm arriving in London on July 9 and I think I'm going to take the train to be in Paris during the final, and come back the next day. How stupid is this idea?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not that stupid, as long as you don't mind finding a load of indifferent Frenchmen with baguettes stuffed up their arse when you get there, rather than a throng of jubilant humanity.

[niko_cee]

You'll be better off watching England win it in London.

[Weaver]

Kompany is out, and Welbeck is 'a doubt' - Wenger mentioned a meniscus tear in his post-match interview, although I'm guessing that was just his feeling rather than a confirmed injury.

I was thinking we would take Rooney, Sturridge, Kane, Vardy, Welbeck and Walcott, and have the latter two as 'wingers' and use Rooney as a #10, so if Welbeck misses out, Sterling?

[SincereTheRebel]

Defoe takes Sterling

[Shindig]

Albania on shorter odds than Northern Ireland is distressing.

[niko_cee]

Walcott barely gets a game for Arsenal and is a complete fraud of a footballer. There is literally no point in taking him. What is he going to do? Would probably, in all seriousness, rather take Andros Townsend.

Not that Sterling has set the world on fire of late/for a while/ever.

I guess they can always fall back on sticking Jimmy Milner out there. At least that sorts the corners.

:sick:

[CJay]

Sterling has been terrible this season. Did you see him when he was presented with that chance towards the end of the first leg against Real? He was like a rabbit in the headlights.

And without wanting to sound harsh, I enjoyed the headlines that Oxlade-Chamberlain was going to miss the Euros. As in, did he even have a chance if he was fit? He's been at a standstill as a footballer for at least 3 years now.

Bring Defoe. :drool:

[Bartholomert]

Will be going to Turkey's group-stage games to watch them get wrecked. Very little hope this year but hey, at least they made it for a change.

[Raoul Duke]

If Rooney gets injured between now and the start of the tournament I think we'll win it. Kane and Vardy FTW

[Sam]

If Rooney gets injured between now and the start of the tournament I think we'll win it. Kane and Vardy FTW

We can but dream.

[SvN]

Trying not to get caught up in the "This is our year" hysteria, but it's the most encouraged I've felt about England since 2004.

[Sam]

Trying not to get caught up in the "This is our year" hysteria, but it's the most encouraged I've felt about England since 2004.

Just wait for Woy to announce the squad to have all the optimism disappear.

Playing the Welsh on a Thursday at 2pm though should be fun.

[phonics]

Welbeck out is going to fuck us a lot harder than we think. Means Sterling or Walcott out on the wing :sick:

[Samadini]

Townsend should be going ahead of the likes of Walcott and Sterling. He's been the best player on the pitch in almost every game since Newcastle became not shit. He's no world beater, but the other two have had awful seasons.

[phonics]

Townsend should be going ahead of the likes of Walcott and Sterling. He's been the best player on the pitch in almost every game since Newcastle became not shit. He's no world beater, but the other two have had awful seasons.

Although a fair point, we had an entire generation of losers already, can we keep Newcastle as far away from this lot as possible?

[Josh]

Trying not to get caught up in the "This is our year" hysteria, but it's the most encouraged I've felt about England since 2004.

Then you remember we have Roy Hodgson in charge.

[phonics]

Then you remember we have Roy Hodgson in charge.

Where is this Woy bashing coming from? He's won literally every game at a canter and we're playing some of the most high tempo pressing football we've played in 2 decades.

[SvN]

Then you remember we have Roy Hodgson in charge.

You have to assume that it's his management that's responsible for the optimism in the first place.

[Josh]

You have to assume that it's his management that's responsible for the optimism in the first place.

It isn't though, well certainly not with me. It's the fact we have Kane and Vardy who are scoring freely and Spurs playing attractive football in 2nd place in the premier league with a lot of English players. They are the main reasons for optimism. It's rare that we have English players in such form before a tournament.

[phonics]

It isn't though, well certainly not with me. It's the fact we have Kane and Vardy who are scoring freely and Spurs playing attractive football in 2nd place in the premier league with a lot of English players. They are the main reasons for optimism. It's rare that we have English players in such form before a tournament.

Vardy has played a friendly and a 70 minutes versus Lithuania... He won't even start. He's not even that useful in an England team that'll spend most of it's time with 11 men in front of them.

edit:

May as well pick my predicted team:

Hart

Rose (Should be Cresswell) - Cahill - Smalling - Clyne

Dier - Wilshere - Alli

Rooney - Kane - Sterling

[SvN]

We've had good English players loads of times though. The performances over the past year are the reason I'm optimistic, not because of the individuals.

[Josh]

Where is this Woy bashing coming from? He's won literally every game at a canter and we're playing some of the most high tempo pressing football we've played in 2 decades.

We also qualified fairly comfortably in 2014 and look how that turned out.

[Josh]

We've had good English players loads of times though. The performances over the past year are the reason I'm optimistic, not because of the individuals.

I see Roy playing the same old team (or similar) and therefore I have no reason for optimism due to him. I think we have the players who are only likely to play small parts who would be more exciting and give us more of a chance.

I hope I'm proven wrong though!

[phonics]

We also qualified fairly comfortably in 2014 and look how that turned out.

And now the Golden Generation is dead and buried where it should be. Look at that team.

http://i.imgur.com/g7V1i8i.png

If we'd have got out of that group with a central midfield of a 5 years past it Gerrard and Jordan 'I'm shit but I run around a lot' Henderson, he should have been given freedom of the country.

[SvN]

I see Roy playing the same old team (or similar) and therefore I have no reason for optimism due to him. I think we have the players who are only likely to play small parts who would be more exciting and give us more of a chance.

I hope I'm proven wrong though!

I'm worried about that too. I'm half expecting him to ask Gerrard to make a return. But I hope he continues the good work he's done so far and play the exciting team we saw against Germany.

[Josh]

And now the Golden Generation is dead and buried where it should be. Look at that team.

Who from that team was the Golden Generation apart from Gerrard!?

Edit - Just seen your edit!
That team was more than capable of getting out of the group stage. We all thought so at the time and only hindsight is making you think it would have been a miracle. The biggest issue with that team is him shoehorning Rooney in when better, more in form players were available which is VERY likely to happen this time. You've even stuck Rooney on the wing in your predicted team. He isn't a winger, inside forward, whatever you wanna call him.

[Josh]

I'm worried about that too. I'm half expecting him to ask Gerrard to make a return. But I hope he continues the good work he's done so far and play the exciting team we saw against Germany.

Yes, me too. However, too many times I've been burnt by Roy even though he is such a likeable guy.
I just cant see past him starting
Wilshere (hardly played all season and hasn't consistently performed before)
Rooney (well, we all know this one)
Milner (I'm not completely adverse to him starting, but he needs the right players around him, Roy's first XI will probably not)
Sterling (Been out of form for over a year now)

[SvN]

Sterling, Rooney and Wilshere should be nowhere near the first team. Milner, like you, I could live with, depending on the rest of the team.

Wilshere probably shouldn't even be in the squad, but Roy seems to love him.

[Josh]

Sterling, Rooney and Wilshere should be nowhere near the first team. Milner, like you, I could live with, depending on the rest of the team.

Wilshere probably shouldn't even be in the squad, but Roy seems to love him.

It sounds like your thoughts on the team are very similar to mine.

I really hope Roy goes with a vibrant, young, attacking team but I just don't think he will.

Prediction for Roy's selection:
Hart
Clyne, Cahill, Smalling, Rose
Milner, Wilshere
Alli
Rooney, Kane, Sterling

The midfield and attack is just shoehorned in to fit his favourites and those he 'trusts'.

[phonics]

Wilshere (hardly played all season and hasn't consistently performed before)


MOTM in every England game he's played since Woy swapped to that system. Came on yesterday for 45 minutes. Won more tackles than everyone bar Aaron Ramsey and had a 100% pass accuracy.

[Josh]

MOTM in every England game he's played since Woy swapped to that system.

I read this forum regularly and we are never ever going to come to an agreement on Jack Wilshere so I am completely out of this debate with you.

[niko_cee]

The adjusted database is like their graph.

[SincereTheRebel]

I dont think england are stupid enough to play wingers at this point. All the wingers, have had terrible seasons plus they have vardy and kane in strong form. Its a 442 diamond with rooney in the AMC if anything.

[Disco]

Wilshere's only been back for 5 minutes and, like any player to whom the phrase 'prove his fitness' can be applied, should not be anywhere near the squad.

Also lol at not wanting Newcastle players, they could be champions next year mate.

[Reg]

MOTM in every England game he's played since Woy swapped to that system.
It doesn't really matter what he did against Slovenia a year ago; it matters more that he won't do the same against Germany and Spain and that he's barely kicked a ball this season.

[Weaver]

Hart; Clyne, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Dier, Henderson, Alli, Rooney; Kane, Vardy. In a 4-4-2 diamond.

[phonics]

It doesn't really matter what he did against Slovenia a year ago; it matters more that he won't do the same against Germany and Spain and that he's barely kicked a ball this season.

Why won't he, out of interest? Xavi is still banging on about him years later after he bossed Barcelona (a long time ago).

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/11988686/Xavi-insists-Jack-Wilshere-is-the-future-of-English-football.html

[Weaver]

Wales were supposed to announce their 28 man squad for the Euros today, but they've postponed it until later because Joe Ledley got injured on Saturday.

[five time]

Bringing that match up again :lol:

You may as well call up Gerrard again based on the cup final performance against West Ham. Most of the time in between Wilshere has been average or injured. I'd rather bring Drinkwater.

[Reg]

Because Germany and Spain are better than Slovenia.

He'll be pressed more (than not at all, that is), and have to do more defending. If you're going to play him (I wouldn't), play him further up. Personally not convinced at all that he'll be able to play that role against good teams.

[SincereTheRebel]

Vim Are you taking totti?

[leedsrevolution]

Hart; Clyne, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Dier, Henderson, Alli, Rooney; Kane, Vardy. In a 4-4-2 diamond.

Yeah this would be my team but I'd swap Henderson for Wilshire. Couldn't care if he isn't fully fit, the lad is quality when on the pitch.

[Boydy]

Milner's been class recently and I really wasn't a fan earlier in the season. Just don't let him take corners.

[Reg]

A set piece taker is something we're missing actually.

[Giggles]

Is there an England graph?

[Mellberg]

Kane, Vardy, Ali and Dier all need to play. Outside of that I'm not too arsed so long as Rooney isn't shoehorned in at centre half or something ridiculous.

[SincereTheRebel]

Hart
Clyne Smalling Cahil Rose
Carrick
Henderson Ali
Rooney
Vardy KAne

[Mellberg]

Is there an England graph?

Don't see many predicting we'll win the thing, you daft paddy. Just that we can play some decent stuff and do okay if the right side is picked and the important players stay fit. Hardly a sign of a bleed on the brain.

[phonics]

Hart
Clyne Smalling Cahil Rose
Carrick
Henderson Ali
Rooney
Vardy KAne


That would get absolutely raped. Magic would be watching the games on liveleak.

[Sam]

Carrick? The mans legs fell off the side of cliff this season.

[Amigo]

We've just announced our squad:

Goalkeepers:
Hannes Þór Halldórsson (Bodö/Glimt)
Ingvar Jónsson (Sandefjord)
Ögmundur Kristinsson (Hammarby)

Defenders:
Birkir Már Sævarsson (Hammarby)
Ragnar Sigurðsson (Krasnodar)
Kári Árnason (Malmö)
Ari Freyr Skúlason (OB)
Haukur Heiðar Hauksson (AIK)
Hjörtur Hermannsson (Göteborg)
Hörður Björgvin Magnússon (Cesena)
Sverrir Ingi Ingason (Lokeren)

Midfielders:
Aron Einar Gunnarsson (Cardiff)
Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson (Swansea)
Emil Hallfreðsson (Udinese)
Birkir Bjarnason (Basel)
Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson (Charlton)
Theodór Elmar Bjarnason (AGF)
Arnór Ingvi Traustason (Norrköping)
Rúnar Már Sigurjónsson (Sundsvall)

Strikers:
Kolbeinn Sigþórsson (Nantes)
Alfreð Finnbogason (Augsburg)
Jón Daði Böðvarsson (Kaiserslautern)
Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen (Molde)

[Weaver]

Wales' 'Pre-Euro Training Camp' squad, which is minus Bale (presuambly as he'll still be with Madrid):
Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace), Danny Ward (Liverpool), Owain Fon Williams (no idea)

Ashley Williams (Swansea City), Ben Davies (Tottenham), James Collins (West Ham), James Chester (WBA), Neil Taylor (Swansea City), Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest), Ashley Richards (Swansea City), Paul Dummett (Newcastle), Adam Matthews (Sunderland), Adam Henley (Blackburn)

Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal), Joe Ledley (Crystal Palace), Joe Allen (Liverpool), Jonny Williams (Crystal Palace), Dave Edwards (Wolves), Andy King (Leicester City), David Vaughan (Nottingham Forest), Emyr Huws (no idea)

Hal Robson Kanu (Reading), Sam Vokes (Burnley), Simon Church (no idea), Dave Cotterill (Birmingham), G Williams (no idea), Bradshaw (no idea), Tom Lawrence (Blackburn), Burns (no idea)

[Vim]

Vim Are you taking totti?

I really hope not.

[Waffdon]

Hart

Clyne, Smalling, Cahill (sheeeesh), Rose

Milner, Drinkwater, Dier, Alli

Vardy, Kane

Just emulate Atletico's system, tbqh. 4-4-2 or just a diamond. They shan't bother with fast black men down the wings - enough pace through the middle. Team would do decent but the centre halves are tragic.

[SincereTheRebel]

Wasnt sure if it was Guðjohnsen but in looks like it is. I remember watching a post game interview where he was crying on camera talking about its his last game for iceland after the didnt qualify for some cup. He changed his mind?

[Amigo]

Wasnt sure if it was Guðjohnsen but in terns out it is. I remember watching a post game interview where he was crying on camera talking about its his last game for iceland after the didnt qualify for some cup. He changed his mind?

The coaches asked him to return for the qualifying which he did.

I dunno if he deserves to go (on current on form) but he's our best player of all time and takes a lot of media focus away from the team.

[Davgooner]

Wales must be fucking shit if they're still picking Aaron fucking Ramsey.

Lolled at the Wilshere talk. We're going for peak chav with him, Vardy and Alli, and we're going to fucking murder everyone.

[five time]

Sportsbible and whoever are showing a 'leaked' squad which has Shaw in instead of Rose. :lol:

[Spoonsky]

Platini's resigning.

[SincereTheRebel]

He stood down this morning said SSN. Signed him back up again. Funny FIFA

[Raoul Duke]

I'd genuinely rather have Milner in the team than Rooney right now.

-----
Hart

Clyne - Smalling - Cahill - Rose

Alli - Dier - Wilshere

Milner - Kane - Vardy
-----

Or something. Dropping back into a narrow 4-4-2 when defending

[Jimmy Floyd]

That team has ignominious defeat to Slovakia and down to nine men written all over it.

In fact, any feasible team does.

[Raoul Duke]

As long as 'Wazza' isn't involved then we've a shot.

Interestingly, my Mac autocorrected 'Wazza' to 'Gazza' :sherlock:

[Mellberg]

Is there no one else for wide right with Wellbeck missing?

[Mellberg]

Sturridge was always shit out there, wasn't he?

[Raoul Duke]

Milner or Sterling out there for me.

[CJay]

Townsend. :nodd:

[Waffdon]

You don't need to play with wingers. Just fight like fuck and let Vardy mong about up front and Kane finish everything off.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Townsend isn't the worst shout to have on the bench, you know. Probably more of a cup player than a league player. He only needs to get it right once.

[Spoonsky]

If you're going to play Kane you might as well have Albrighton in there as well.

Get Danny Simpson at right back. :cool:

[Vim]

Hart; Clyne, Smalling, Cahill, Rose; Milner, Dier, Henderson; Alli; Kane, Vardy.

[Baz]

When's the squad announced?

Is there any chance of Defoe going?

[John Arne]

Thursday.

I'd be surprised if Defoe wasn't on the reserve list.

[Giggles]

Keane was apparently watching some fella for Brentford at the weekend. It'll be a mockery if he gets included even on a standby list.

[leedsrevolution]

I hope Townsend is taken. I prefer him to Walcott for example.

[SvN]

Walcott is hopeless thesedays. He'll be at West Ham in a couple of years.

[Lewis]

He just needs a run of games up front.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There's a case for never capping an Arsenal player again.

[Lewis]

Alternatively, what about building the side around Oxlade-Chamberlain?

[Reg]

I'd take Defoe as a goal chasing sub, especially now Welbeck's injury has freed up a spot.

[phonics]

I'd take Defoe as a goal chasing sub, especially now Welbeck's injury has freed up a spot.

Fucking hell.

[Davgooner]

Walcott is hopeless thesedays. He'll be at West Ham in a couple of years.

This summer.

[Reg]

Fucking hell.
Care to explain?

[John Arne]

What's your problem? He the third top scoring Englishman in the Premier League and has been playing well for 18 months.

[phonics]

Care to explain?

We've been saying that about Jermaine Defoe since 2003 and it's never worked. Why go backwards now?

Wellbeck being out changes nothing as he plays on the wing anyway. You'd have to swap to a 4-4-2 which nowadays unless you're totally dedicated to it and have the midfield to cope (Atletico, Leicester, occasionally Juve) you just get overrun.

[Boydy]

Andy Carroll as goal-chasing sub.

[John Arne]

Isn't Sturridge the GCS?

[Boydy]

Nah, start him with Kane and Vardy. Milner, Dier and Alli in midfield.

4-3-3 :cool:

[Reg]

We've been saying that about Jermaine Defoe since 2003 and it's never worked. Why go backwards now?

Wellbeck being out changes nothing as he plays on the wing anyway. You'd have to swap to a 4-4-2 which nowadays unless you're totally dedicated to it and have the midfield to cope (Atletico, Leicester, occasionally Juve) you just get overrun.
His tournament stats:
World Cup 3 apps, 1 goal
Euros 1 app, 0 goals

So it's not Rooney we're talking about, where everybody watching knows the outcome.

Defoe plays up top on his own for Sunderland. Also Roy keeps switching between 4-4-3 and 4-4-2 diamond.

[Boydy]

4-4-3?!

No wonder England qualified easily.

[Reg]

:panda:

[Weaver]

Well Joe Ledley's either 'broke his leg' (Sky) or 'fractured his fibula' (Crystal Palace), so he's out of the Wales squad for sure.

One of the rumours on the BBC this morning was that Jesse Lingard will go in place of Welbeck, but I still can't see it not being Sterling.

[simon]

Townsend. :cool:

[Reg]

Sterling would be going anyway, shirley.

[Weaver]

Danny Welbeck's out for nine months:

Danny Welbeck has had surgery to his right knee.

Specialists determined surgery was required after scans and tests revealed significant cartilage damage.

The 25-year-old was injured during Sunday’s match at Manchester City. Danny will miss the Euro 2016 Championship in the summer and his full recovery is expected to take approximately nine months.

Since returning to action in February after injuring his left knee in May last year, Welbeck’s impact has been telling - scoring five times, including the recent winner against Norwich City at Emirates Stadium.

Everyone at Arsenal will be working hard with Danny throughout his recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the pitch as soon as possible.

[Lewis]

It didn't look particularly serious when he came off, so would that suggest they have missed a longer-term problem?

[phonics]

It didn't look particularly serious when he came off, so would that suggest they have missed a longer-term problem?

Nah different knee. He's fucked his meniscus which from what I gather is the muscle that stops your kneecap from smashing into the socket.

[niko_cee]

It didn't look particularly serious when he came off, so would that suggest they have missed a longer-term problem?

These things can be quite innocuous when they first happen.

I'm sure Lucas played on for a bit (the whole match?) when he did his, and then was out for a year.

[Weaver]

The Belgium Squad
Goalkeepers: Mignolet (Liverpool), Gillet (don't know), Courtois (Chelsea)

Defenders: Alderweireld (Spurs), Boyata (Celtic), Denayer (Man City), Engels (don't know), Lukaku (don't know), Lombaerts (Zenit), Meunier (don't know), Vermaelen (Barca), Vertonghen (Spurs)

Midfielders: Dembele (Spurs), Fellaini (Man Utd), Naingolan (Roma), Witsel (Zenit)

Forwards: Batshuayi (Marseille), Benteke (Liverpool), Carrasco (Atletico), de Bruyne (Man City), Hazard (Chelsea), Lukaku (Everton), Mertens (Napoli), Origi (Liverpool)

Backups: Chadli, Ciman, De Bock, Gillet, T. Hazard, Sels, Mirallas.

[John Arne]

Has their ever been such a gulf in quality between a teams defence and attack.

City reserve, Celtic defender and a permacrock at the back, Hazard, KdB and Batshuayi going forward......

[SincereTheRebel]

Is Batshuayi nice? I hear a lot of things about him but i dont think ive ever seen him play. Not even youtube clips ive watched. The announced squads should also be the original post. Keep it organised.

[SvN]

I had no idea Lukaku had a brother who was a defender.

[Josh]

They have a very good first XI but you know they haven't got a chance.

[Davgooner]

Chadli. :lol:

[SvN]

Has their ever been such a gulf in quality between a teams defence and attack.

City reserve, Celtic defender and a permacrock at the back, Hazard, KdB and Batshuayi going forward......

Alderweireld & Vertonghen are good. It's the lack of depth that's an issue really. Lombaerts is probably just about good enough from what I've seen.

[Reg]

Not sure about the fullbacks but the rest of the XI is pretty damn good.

[John Arne]

Is Batshuayi nice? I hear a lot of things about him but i dont think ive ever seen him play. Not even youtube clips ive watched. The announced squads should also be the original post. Keep it organised.

OP updated to include squads.

[Giggles]

Has their ever been such a gulf in quality between a teams defence and attack.

City reserve, Celtic defender and a permacrock at the back, Hazard, KdB and Batshuayi going forward......

In fairness they're missing their best one through injury and the Tottenham pair are better than most in the tournament.

[Weaver]

France
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Benoit Costil (Rennes)

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Roma), Patrice Evra (Juventus), Christophe Jallet (Lyon), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Eliaquim Mangala, Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Jeremy Mathieu (Barcelona), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: Yohan Cabaye (Crystal Palace), Lass Diarra (Marseille), N'Golo Kante (Leicester), Blaise Matuidi (PSG), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle)

Attackers: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Tigres), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Martial (Manchester United) Dimitri Payet (West Ham)

Standby: Alphonse Areola (Villarreal), Hatem Ben Arfa (Nice), Kevin Gameiro (Sevilla), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon), Adrien Rabiot (PSG), Morgan Schneiderlin (Manchester United), Djibril Sidibe (Lille), Samuel Umtiti (Lyon)

Austria (24)
Goalkeepers: Robert Almer (Austria Vienna), Heinz Lindner (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ramazan Ozcan (Ingolstadt)

Defenders: Aleksandar Dragovic (Dynamo Kiev), Christian Fuchs (Leicester City), Gyorgy Garics (Darstadt), Martin Hinteregger (Borussia Monchengladbach), Florian Klein (Stuttgart), Sebastian Prodl (Watford), Markus Suttner (Ingolstadt), Kevin Wimmer (Tottenham)

Midfielders: David Alaba (Bayern Munich), Julian Baumgartlinger (Mainz), Martin Harnik (Stuttgart), Stefan Ilsanker (Leipzig), Jakob Jantscher (Luzern), Zlatko Junuzovic (Werder Bremen), Valentino Lazaro (Red Bull Salzburg), Marcel Sabitzer (Red Bull Leipzig), Alessandro Schopf (Schalke)

Forwards: Lukas Hinterseer (Ingolstadt), Rubin Okotie (1860 Munich), Marc Janko (FC Basel), Marko Arnautovic (Stoke)

Sweden
Goalkeepers: Andreas Isaksson (Kasimpasa), Robin Olsen (Copenhagen), Patrik Carlgren (AIK).

Defenders: Mikael Lustig (Celtic), Martin Olsson (Norwich City), Ludwig Augustinsson, Erik Johansson (Copenhagen), Andreas Granqvist (Krasnodar), Victor Lindelof (Benfica), Pontus Jansson (Torino).

Midfielders: Kim Kallstrom (Grasshoppers), Pontus Wernbloom (CSKA Moscow), Oscar Lewicki (Malmo), Emil Forsberg (RB Leipzig), Jimmy Durmaz (Olympiacos), Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland), Erkan Zengin (Trabzonspor), Albin Ekdal (Hamburg), Oscar Hiljemark (Palermo).

Attackers: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Berg (Panathinaikos) John Guidetti (Celta de Vigo), Emir Kujovic (IFK Norrkoping).

[Baz]

Kevin Gameiro must be frustrated. What's a man gotta do?

[Lewis]

Patrice Evra still going. :cool:

[Bernanke]

Our squad is pretty much ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I guess if Guidetti can step up and become a really good player we can have something to look forward to, otherwise it's all about Zlatans final stand (ending in the groupstage).

Edit: Actually, I'm excited about Victor Lindelöf. He's been great at Benfica this year apparently, and is destined for even bigger things.

[Kikó]

He's a very assured centre back. Looks good but he's not having to defend against great players.

[Waffdon]

That France depth is ridiculous.

[Raoul Duke]

If Van Gaal wasn't a total bellend and actually played Schneiderlein he'd be in that squad (and Utd would be in a better position).

[Mellberg]

Weren't France a shambles about 6 months ago? Tasty squad, that.

Still, they're French, and without an Algerian leading the way they've no chance.

[John Arne]

It's kind of weird that so many managers are announcing their squads before the final weekend of fixtures.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Weren't France a shambles about 6 months ago? Tasty squad, that.

Still, they're French, and without an Algerian leading the way they've no chance.

They remain a shambles. Literally cannot wait for them to lose and everyone to cry.

[Andy]

Schneiderlin must be fuming. Lolz.

[SvN]

He might want to look at his performances this season before he starts pointing the finger.

[phonics]

My boy Barney Ronay coming out and telling the Wilshere haters to get fucked

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/may/13/jack-wilshere-england-arsenal-euro-2016?CMP=twt_gu

[Sam]

My boy Barney Ronay coming out and telling the Wilshere haters to get fucked

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/may/13/jack-wilshere-england-arsenal-euro-2016?CMP=twt_gu

Why is it considering to be disliking him when this weekend 'would be his first club start since almost a year ago, perhaps even to play his first full 90 minutes for Arsenal since September 2014.'

I think he's a brilliant player but being able to waltz back into the squad at this point is ridiculous considering he's barely completed a match for the best part of two years.

[John Arne]

Yeah, it's a weird attitude to take. I think Wilshere, fit and on form, is easily England a best player, and probably world class - I am a huge fan. However, it's obvious that he shouldn't be going to the Euros based on recent playing time alone. It's a no-brainer for me.

[Davgooner]

He's fit and playing, so you have to take him I think; he seems to always start him when he's available so I'd imagine he'll be going. It's not like we've got a shedload of other central midfielders he'd be depriving, especially with Henderson monged out.

I also reckon there's a very real chance he might take Walcott as well. :lol:

[John Arne]

Playing for who? He's made 1 sub appearance for Arsenal this season.

How many U21 games has he played?

[John]

France taking that haircut Coman over Ben Arfa is a bit of an odd one, unless there's a Ribery/Nasri style squad spirit reasoning behind it.

Schneiderlin can get fucked though. Kante. :cool:

Are Spain the only side in the tournament with a decent pair of full backs? France have Clichy and Sagna, which is toss, Germany have none, Belgium have none, Austria have one who they play in midfield. Who else is there?

[phonics]

Spains fullbacks are so good they could donate 2 to other teams and still have the best fullback pairing in the tournament.

[John]

Well, obviously. They're not going to donate their best ones, are they?

Who do they have beyond Alba and Bellerin?

[bruhnaldo]

I don't know where else to put this but holy shit David Alaba is 23 years old?

I feel like he's played football forever.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Dave the Rave, Juanfran and that one at Villarreal. Oh, and that undercover one at Bayern.

People underestimate how far ahead La Liga is of everyone else.

[John]

There's Mallo at Celta, Carvajal, and Gaya of Valencia too. I'd have thought you would spot Goonerbait a mile away, Floyd.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't spot anything on my phone in Korea at 4pm Friday.

[Amigo]

https://vimeo.com/160099580

Overly dramatic trailer for a documentary on Iceland's qualification for the Euros.

[Spoonsky]

They remain a shambles. Literally cannot wait for them to lose and everyone to cry.

It's still hard to believe that you were actually backing them in Brazil.

[Magic]

They remain a shambles. Literally cannot wait for them to lose and everyone to cry.

Exactly. They're going to bomb.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It was probably ironic, like when all those people voted for Anne Widdecombe to win Strictly Come Dancing.

Added 'oooh, haven't they got lots of good players!!!' idiocy makes them surefire certainties to come crashing down into a pit of gallic shrugs and massively overrated red wine.

[Magic]

I'm hoping for a sex video to emerge after the opening game of one of them shagging a team-mate's bird or some sort of RACISM SCANDAL involving Algeria.

[Giggles]

Paddy Power have 5/1 on 0 points and 9/1 for 0 goals for us :drool:

[Waffdon]

France will get to the semis at the minium if Griezmann is up front.

[Browning]

The England squad is supposedly being announced any minute now.

Edit- Rashford, Wilshere and Townsend confirmed.

[Waffdon]

No mark Noble. West Ham fans are on suicide watch.

Rashford and Townsend are the only real surprises.

[SvN]

Walcott left out. Surprised at that, but it's the right decision.

Delph surely won't make the cut.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Browning]

No Carrick is a weird one.

[Davgooner]

As expected.

Fuck off Theo.

[Josh]

You'd think the 3 cut will be 3 from Delph, Townsend, Rashford and Drinkwater unless someone gets injured.

[SvN]

I'd throw Wilshere in that group too.

[Ian]

Rashford and Delph should both be out. No idea who the third will be. Wilshere should be considered for it but I suspect he's safe so it'll probably be Drinkwater, sadly.

[Josh]

I'd throw Wilshere in that group too.

No chance Hodgson is dropping Wilshere unless he loses a leg.

[Byron]

No Noble or Cresswell is shit. If they're taking players who have suffered with injuries they might as well have taken Carroll as well.

Fuck off 'Jack'

[SincereTheRebel]

So allegedly rooney and the manager have had a conversation and rooney is going to be playing on the left side of a front three. He would prefer however, to be playing as the deepest position in a midfield diamond.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11065/10284250/wayne-rooney-wants-holding-midfield-role-for-england-at-euro-2016

[Baz]

There was talk of Antonio getting in. :harold: Just to rub salt into Noble's wound.

[Weaver]

I like the look of the squad... I'm guessing Kyle Walker's injury isn't too serious, then? He went straight off after Mitrovic tried to murder him yesterday.

Rashford, one from Delph/Drinkwater and one from Townsend/Sterling to be cut.

[niko_cee]

So allegedly rooney and the manager have had a conversation and rooney is going to be playing on the left side of a front three. He would prefer however, to be playing as the deepest position in a midfield diamond.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11065/10284250/wayne-rooney-wants-holding-midfield-role-for-england-at-euro-2016

Hard working left wing is the logical role for him (if he has to have one).

Playing Rooney at the base of a midfield diamond would be just about the least Hodgson thing imaginable, thankfully. The horror.

Can't see Woy going with anything other than the tried and trusted 4-3-3 anyway. The diamond would be interesting, but probably disastrous.

[Davgooner]

Love the seethe when squads are announced. Everyone associated with West Ham seems to have taken it particularly well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There's still a massive big club bias. If Rashford had come in and got 7 in 15 for Southampton, would he be in the 26? Would he fuck.

[Giggles]

Noble should have just pretended he wanted to play for us.

[Browning]

Is there some kind of joke with all the tweets asking why Iheanacho isn't in the squad, or are people just that thick?

[Pen]

There was talk of Antonio getting in. :harold: Just to rub salt into Noble's wound.
Had no idea he's English. He has had a good season to be fair and I'd probably had him over Townsend.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I can't believe Nigeria have left out Steve Sidwell.

[Samadini]

Townsend is going to win the whole thing for England.

[Lewis]

It's a decent-looking squad. Has anybody ever taken two 'keepers to a tournament, or do you have to take three?

[SvN]

You have to take 3

[Jeet]

Drinkwater is overated, just do shitty sidewards passes, whenever I have seen him try and play a forward pass he fails, prob why Leicester have a poor passing rate - Yes I know they won the league.

Is Roy going to Play Sturridge, Vardy wide and Kane through the centre, or diamond?

West Ham fans having a mare saying should have picked Antino, if anything Cresswell has been class

[SincereTheRebel]

Townsend in an england shirt, from what ive seen its like watching a 2009 robben

[Samadini]

Had no idea he is 24. His hairline makes him look like he's only got a couple of years left.

[Lee]

Drinkwater is overated, just do shitty sidewards passes, whenever I have seen him try and play a forward pass he fails, prob why Leicester have a poor passing rate - Yes I know they won the league.

Is Roy going to Play Sturridge, Vardy wide and Kane through the centre, or diamond?

West Ham fans having a mare saying should have picked Antino, if anything Cresswell has been class

We have a shit passing rate because we don't play to keep possession.

Drinkwater is a very good player.

EDIT: For fuck's sake, I didn't notice it was Jeet I was replying to.

[Ian]

EDIT: For fuck's sake, I didn't notice it was Jeet I was replying to.

:D

[Shindig]

Townsend is going to win the whole thing for England.

"Andros with the cross ... and there's Sissoko! What a sensational own goal."

[Weaver]

Croatia (27)
Goalkeepers: Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Lovre Kalinic (Hajduk Split), Ivan Vargic (Rijeka), Dominik Livakovic (NK Zagreb)

Defenders: Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Leverkusen), Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk), Sime Vrsaljko (Sassuolo), Gordon Schildenfeld (Dinamo Zagreb), Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Domagoj Vida (Dynamo Kiev), Duje Caleta-Car (Red Bull Salzburg), Ivan Strinic (Napoli)

Midfielders: Marko Rog (Dinamo Zagreb), Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter), Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Domagoj Antolic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ante Coric (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivan Perisic (Inter), Alen Halilovic (Sporting Gijon, on loan from Barcelona)

Forwards: Marko Pjaca (Dinamo Zagreb), Mario Mandzukic (Juventus), Nikola Kalinic (Fiorentina), Duje Cop (Malaga, on loan from Dinamo Zagreb), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim, on loan from Leicester City)

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Poor Kevin Pressman, he must be taking the news badly.

[Giggles]

If the quotes aren't made up then Noble really isn't taking his omission well.

[Jeet]

We have a shit passing rate because we don't play to keep possession.

Drinkwater is a very good player.

EDIT: For fuck's sake, I didn't notice it was Jeet I was replying to.

Feel foolish now that you know I am right.

[niko_cee]

What has Lovren done to fall out with Croatia's manager (I read that he had)?

[Pen]

He was demanding to be a guaranteed starter.

[phonics]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cim1vgjWsAEvZv9.jpg:large

Big news

[Giggles]

I wouldn't mind a gawk at Kate's royal box.

[CJay]

Our cleaner buys the Daily Star every day. I read it at lunchtime. I've never been so consistently exposed to such drivel, but it's irresistibly inane.

[Manc]

JT is seething.

[Raoul Duke]

Our cleaner buys the Daily Star every day. I read it at lunchtime. I've never been so consistently exposed to such drivel, but it's irresistibly inane.

How much does it cost? Might look into picking it up.

[CJay]

I'm not sure, they don't advertise the price very well.

[Vim]

Phwoar phwoar two? Really?

Still,

http://media.balls.ie/uploads/2014/01/york.gif

[Pleb]

Amazing :D

[Disco]

This always bears a reposting.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OQT1psCoAc

[phonics]

How much does it cost? Might look into picking it up.

My favourite thing about that? Look at the P, there's a drop shadow on it but they've put it round the whole box too by accident :D

[SvN]

First thing I spotted too. Fucking amateurs. They love their outer glows and bevels on text. The entire front page is straight out of 1998, even down the to grungy typeface in the top right.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why would you ban sex in the first place? Afraid Milner will pull a hamstring in the throes of passion?

[wullie]

I can't speak for the pros, but I definitely play better with an erection.

[Boydy]

Are there any decent fantasy football things for this?

[Weaver]

Spain (25)
Keepers: Iker Casillas (Porto), David de Gea (Man Utd), Sergio Rico (Sevilla)

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Marc Bartra (Barcelona), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao), Juanfran (Atletico), Bruno (Villarreal?)

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), , Pedro (Chelsea), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Koké (Atletico), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern), David Silva (Man City), Isco (Real Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea), Saul Niguez (Atletico)

Forwards: Nolito (Celta Vigo), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid)

So they've managed to build that squad and leave out Javi Martinez, Mata, Cazorla, Torres, Diego Costa and Alcacer, who was their top scorer in the Qualifiers.

[SincereTheRebel]

Leaving Alcácer and taking 30 year old nolito who hasnt ever scored for spain is a strange. Costa was never spanish anyway. Turning his back on brazil.

Also thought jesus navas would have got in given he is the only real wide man they have.

[Serj]

Germany's squad:

Goalkeepers: Neuer, Leno, Ter Stegen

Defenders: Boateng, Can, Hector, Howedes, Hummels, Mustafi, Rudy, Rudiger

Midfielders: Bellarabi, Brandt, Draxler, Gotze, Khedira, Kimmich, Kroos, Muller, Ozil, Schweinsteiger, Weigl

Forwards: Muller, Podolski, Reus, Sane, Schurrle, Gomez

Löw really doesn't like proper full-backs, does he? Germany to get raped down the wings (hopefully). :nodd:
EDIT: Apparently the Mail thinks that Mario Gomez is a midfielder. Corrected that.

[Lewis]

Miroslav Klose must still be better than Lukas Podolski.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rg_teqyLNOs

[John]

That Germany squad looks a bit crap.

[-james-]

Perhaps it's them getting mugged off by Hendo and the boys, but I'm getting a real no further than last 16 vibe from Germany.

[Reg]

Löw really doesn't like proper full-backs, does he? Germany to get raped down the wings (hopefully). :nodd
They did pretty well at the World Cup.

[John]

They did pretty well at the World Cup.

They played two sides who bothered going at them down the wings. Ghana drew with them and Algeria nearly put them out. It's a major weakness, although Hector actually is a proper full back I'm sure so maybe he is trying to address it.

[Serj]

They did pretty well at the World Cup.

Yes, but it took Ghana giving them a run for their money and Algeria almost throwing them out before Löw stopped using a centre-back as right-back (I think the original guy also got injured) and started using Lahm there - they got considerably better after that, as far as I remember.

EDIT: Damn you, John.

[Reg]

Yeah admittedly there was acres of space at times and Neuer had to come to the rescue, but I still think they'll be one of the strongest teams.

[Lewis]

Writing Germany off over questionable full-backs must be a world first. Especially when the rest of the squad is more than decent.

[Serj]

I don't think anybody wrote them off, I was expressing a wish that their major (/only?) weakness somehow brings 'em down. Minority complex as an Austrian etc.

[Baz]

Are there any decent fantasy football things for this?

Yeah.

http://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/showthread.php?1024-Euro-2016-Predictor&p=92142&viewfull=1#post92142

Make a league (& thread?)

[Baz]

Also no Pasalic for Croatia? :(

[Waffdon]

Spain are taking one striker? :face:

[niko_cee]

The BBC have made a right borking of their "People's England XI".

[Ian]

Dunno what you're getting at, Niko.

You think the PEOPLE don't want Walker as one of three centre-backs?

[niko_cee]

Reading down, the more alarming thing in that is the midfielder selections.

Barkley 5th choice, Sterling 6th (not to mention Waznaldinhiessi 3rd). Ah yes, international tournament drawing near.

[Manc]

Morata will the do the business for Spain. The midfield talent is sickening.

[Weaver]

Portugal
Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Dinamo Zagreb), Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Rui Patricio (Sporting CP)

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco), Eliseu (Benfica), Jose Fonte (Southampton), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient), Pepe (Real Madrid), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)

Midfielders: Adrien (Sporting CP) William Carvalho (Sporting CP), Danilo (Porto), Adrian Gomez (Valencia) Joao Mario (Sporting CP), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Renato Sanches (Bayern Munich), Rafa Silva (Braga)

Forwards: Eder (Swansea City), Nani (Fenerbahce) Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid).

[CJay]

Does Portugal have a higher ratio of current international players wasting time in Turkey than any other country? Meireles didn't even make the cut.

[Luke Emia]

Liverpool legend Mikel San Jose in that Spain squad. I often wonder what happened to all those young Spaniards Rafa used to sign.