June: The Euro 2020-ish Group Stages

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That Hungary team talk :D

[Manc]

The crowd. :drool:

[Pepe]

A bit late to the party, but football was definitely better before (fuck off phonics). What I loved about my man Cuauhtemoc was how he got to move all over the pitch doing whatever the fuck he wanted, just putting lobbed through balls into the box over and over. You don't get to do that shit anymore. You had a ton of players like that. The big lumps who would just stand around waiting for a cross. The wingers that could do nothing but cross the ball. Midfielders only there to break legs. And on and on. You could tell how a team would play based on who their star player was. Players today might be even better technically, but they spend 95% of their efforts pressing, tracking back, etc. Tactical discipline is king.

Fwiw, it was probably even better in the 70s/80s. A few gifted players running circles around a bunch of hacks.

Then again, I don't watch football anymore, so what do I know.

[Pepe]

Who was the last luxury player? Pirlo?

[Manc]

Charlie Adam.

[Spoonsky]

Commentator calling Pepe 'Pep.' It might be technically correct in Portugese; but he's been called Pepe in English for the last decade, why suddenly change now?

[Spoonsky]

Whoa, those Hungarians behind the goal are packed. Has Hungary eradicated COVID? Should they have just hosted the whole thing in Budapest?

[Manc]

Jota having a shocker.

[Don]

Iraq-Iran is about to kick off lads and I don't just mean geopolitically :drool:

[Manc]

Jota having a shocker.

Possibly one of the worst performances I've ever seen.

[Spoonsky]

Absolute sitter for Ronaldo.

Hungary are so turgid.

[Ian]

I love Ronaldo immediately looking to the linesman after skying that sitter, desperately hoping for a flag.

[Max Power]

Possibly one of the worst performances I've ever seen.

Did you miss that O’Donnell character Scotland blessed us with yesterday? Never seen someone so out their depth.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Morata-esque from Ronaldo.

[Manc]

That's three times Danilo has flung himself to the deck. Pathetic. Such an unlikable side.

[Ian]

Also a big fan of that Hungarian lad being hit in the mouth/nose and clasping his eyes/forehead.

[Adramelch]

Portugal have been proper bad in the second half.

[Spoonsky]

Yep, and Hungary are actually growing into it.

They need to bring on the boy Joao Felix.

[-james-]

Lolled at ITV commentator referring to Viktor Orban as "somewhat controversial" there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hartson claiming "I don't know if that actually hit his hand" :lol:

It's not a penalty but it clearly did.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why the fuck is he that far offside?

[Adramelch]

I haven't been that disappointed by an offside in quite some time.

[Shindig]

Patricio showing some soft hands there.

[Manc]

Disgusting.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fucking bullshit.

[Spoonsky]

What a shit goal. :D

[Spoonsky]

That must be a red card if it's a penalty, no?

[Manc]

Imagine celebrating that hard. Italy has made him so small time.

[Adramelch]

That rule has changed I believe. You can't give a penalty and a red for denying a clear chance, unless the player doesn't make an attempt to go for the ball.
Manc: He's now the first scorer in Euro history. He would celebrate that hard regardless cause it's Ronaldo, but here it's at least justified.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

VAR isn't going to look at that?

[Waffdon]

That rule has changed I believe. You can't give a penalty and a red for denying a clear chance, unless the player doesn't make an attempt to go for the ball.
Manc: He's now the first scorer in Euro history. He would celebrate that hard regardless cause it's Ronaldo, but here it's at least justified.

The greatest there will ever be, Sir Don Ronaldo

[Adramelch]

Meanwhile Platini who was the previous record holder scored all 9 in one Euro. :D

[Spoonsky]

VAR isn't going to look at that?

I thought it looked offside as well.

That was some collapse from Hungary having looked solid for the whole second half. Especially given that goal difference is huge in that third place table.

[Offshore Toon]

Why is Nigel De Jong all over ITV's coverage? I don't remember him making much of an impact in English football except for some horrific tackles.

[Spikey M]

This Ronaldo kid looks good.

[Offshore Toon]

I've seen a couple of people mention a possible "upset" if Germany win, yet Bet365 have them as favourites. What's the narrative here?

[Lewis]

Germany are Germany and France are France.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hummels is a plum.

Cracking ball by Pogba.

[Adramelch]

That was a great finish by Hummels. Morata should take some notes.

[Shindig]

Enjoying this. Really good tempo and it's very counter vs possession.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1404882413524713475

:D

Got caught on some camera cables.

[Shindig]

He's lucky he didn't kill someone. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He was close to taking someone out:

1404888711419080709

Something dropped by Deschamps too.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Pavard knocked the fuck out by Gosens.

[Bernanke]

That's MMA worthy.

[Adramelch]

That was such a sublime finish. Kinda shame it was offside.

[7om]

What’s the theory behind waiting so long for the linesman’s flag there? The flag will go up eventually so why not straight away?

[Manc]

There's definitely an alternate universe in which Higuain isn't a bottle merchant and Low is managing Frankfurt.

[Shindig]

Alright, Timo Time!

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I reckon I could beat Hummels in a race.

[Vercetti]

I'm looking forward to Low's alternative electro-pop band donning Eurovision once he's out.

Assuming he can hold off sniffing his fingers for more than twelve-seconds, the sinister fuck.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ref should book Rabiot for this.

[Ian]

STV briefly went to ads there as it went into stoppage time.

[Don]

Only Belgium and Portugal capable of stopping this France side.

[Shindig]

Germany having to really thump the Hungarians to stay in it could be fun.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Only Belgium and Portugal capable of stopping this France side.

Well it will be good to see any other team dump them out now.

[Manc]

Absoutley nothing to fear in my book. Italy coming out of round one on top.

[Baz]

1404726298237411331

Top lad.

[Mazuuurk]

Harry Kane has been to see Christian Eriksen in hospital.
“He looks a bit confused & his speech isn’t easy to understand but it was good to see him” Eriksen commented.


Made me laugh.

[Spikey M]

1404726298237411331

Top lad.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/57/97/05/5797053324747c620f79ca1ed89a9be4.jpg

[Baz]

No fixtures thread lads? Slacking.

Liverpool away to Norwich first game, similar to when they were last up. Easy win.

[Ian]

The new set of league fixtures is possibly the least interesting bit of football news of the year, which is some going when it's got two transfer windows for competition.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was looking at the fixtures on the Chelsea website, and they included this helpful line:


The table below shows Chelsea’s potential fixtures in all competitions (excluding the FIFA Club World Cup which is due to be held in December, as well as the delated 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which is scheduled for January). These are subject to change.

I'm not sure whether to be more surprised that the African Nations has been 'delated', or that Chelsea are apparently playing in it.

[Ian]

So that's why Roman wasn't into the Super League idea, he'd already got plans for Chelsea to take part in an additional competition.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Russia :harold:

Edit: Fuck sake.

[Adramelch]

Great finish, that one.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The PEDs have kicked in.

[Don]

Mon the motherland.

Imagine benching Miranchuk :face:

[Adramelch]

Finland seems a bit non-existent when it comes to aerial play, in both ends of the pitch.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This has been crap.

[Lewis]

Marko Arnautovic only getting one game smells like a UEFA plot to rattle our noncey players.

[Adramelch]

That was Morata-esque by Ramsey. Pretty good game so far with both teams basically needing a win.

[phonics]

Why are Wales dressed up as Australia?

[Manc]

BBC coverage is shot.

[phonics]

There must be some knowledge that Dan James is a cheating little shit. Just gets pushed into row Z and nothing.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Audio is out of sync now ffs.

[Don]

It's not a BBC issue, it's useless Azeri bastards.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

ffs.

Savage being on commentary makes this about a million times worse too.

[Waffdon]

Bale :drool:

[phonics]

There's no player in the world better at 'breaking the lines' than Ramsey. His peak was truly world class.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I see the pundits from the provincial celtic nations are allowed to say 'we'.

[Don]

I enjoyed Finland being painted as cute little blonde reindeer underdogs just doing their best earlier. Barely any positivity directed at the victors. I'd say it's political but most of these cretins are too thick to point at Russia on an atlas so it must just be natural appreciation of the sauna kings.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Russian football is about as likeable as sewage tbf. The pasty white faces with lemon-sucking expressions, the freezing conditions and 5pm kickoffs, the stupid horns, the racism and useless goalkeepers. Fuck them.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bale with one of those Ronaldo-esque "fouls".

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:lol:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I want Turkey to come back and win this just to hear Robbie Savage cry. What a ghastly man.

[CJay]

How can a player as apparently casual and confident as Bale turn into a hyperventilating mess when taking a penalty?

[Shindig]

He doesn't take many for Madrid.

[Alex]

I want Turkey to come back and win this just to hear Robbie Savage cry. What a ghastly man.

He's awful, isn't he? I feel like a might as well be watching it in a pub somewhere in the valleys with some local, half-cut gob shite chewing my ear off for the all the level of balance and/or insight he brings to the table.

[Waffdon]

He’s no different to any English co commentator when England are playing lol

[Alex]

I didn't say he wasn't.

[Bernanke]

I just read that Birmingham retired Bellinghams number when he moved to Dortmund. What on earth.

[Waffdon]

I didn't say he wasn't.

:console:

[Alex]

:console:

:moop:

Fuck off. :D

[niko_cee]

If Dan James could play football he'd be amazing.

[Spikey M]

If Dan James could play football he'd be amazing.

I just said those exact words to my wife.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Burak Yilmaz is pointless.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Good to see those cool Mediterranean heads in stoppage time again.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was all Ben Davies. He should have walked for that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Turkey are horseshit.

[niko_cee]

Also might need to revise quite how 'good' Italy looked against Turkey, seeing as Wales have absolutely battered the fuck out of them.

[Waffdon]

Bale being allowed to do the exact same thing twice was quite funny

[Vercetti]

These 'dark horses' ought to be sent to the Findus factory.

[Shindig]

Turkey have just been awful. Yilmaz looks feisty but he needs bodies doing the running for him. Wales are great. I know the format allows some dross to take part but Wales deserve to be on this stage.

[Manc]

If Dan James could play football he'd be amazing.

Bielsa would have sorted him right out.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why are the Swiss not in red here and why are Italy wearing black shorts? Some of the kit decisions at this tournament have been infuriating. Stop wearing fucking all white away kits, all of you.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Granddad Giorgi :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

VAR is ruining the game.

[7om]

I missed a few minutes of the game there, why did Chiellini go off?

[Manc]

Lovely.

[Adramelch]

That run by Locattelli was so good (and his pass obviously).
7om: Injury.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I missed a few minutes of the game there, why did Chiellini go off?

Hamstring went.

[Manc]

Switzerland feel like the Everton of international football. Utterly pointless.

[Jimmy Floyd]

At least Everton are in a decent rivalry. Switzerland are more Reading.

[Spikey M]

The Scouse Derby is the most tinpot Derby going. Liverpool only care about the Manchester clubs.

I am going to uphold the Everton comparison.

[Lewis]

Liverpool don't care about City. City just pretend they have a MASSIVE rivalry with them because after United their rivals are probably somebody like Oldham.

[Don]

Rafa at Everton :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sam Matterface talking about what Kane is watching in the England camp and how that somehow sort of relates to this game...

Fuck me he's dire.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This Italy side is very good.

Cracking strike.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That line about a goal forever remembered in the eternal city should have seen him sacked on the spot, as in, literally on the spot, with Dixon forced to limp through the rest of the game alone.

[Manc]

Barella puts in some shift. The Italian Mason Mount.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Italy are the only side at this tournament (although I've missed a lot of games) that seem to resemble a proper tournament team. They have players both heralded and unheralded who all seem to know their roles well, creating a team greater than the sum of its parts. They have a distinctive 'thing' going on with their wrong-footed full backs, mad forward runs and ancient centre backs. They have a livewire (Insigne), an honest plodder (Locatelli), a sharp frontman (Immobile). The backroom staff have a mix of old stars from 25 years ago and natty jackets that perfectly reflect their national stereotype. They are, and I hate to say this, deeply likable.

It ends in a crushing 3-0 reverse in the semis ('one step too far, but how they have thrilled us') by some fun sponge like France.

[Boydy]

Italy are the only side at this tournament (although I've missed a lot of games) that seem to resemble a proper tournament team. They have players both heralded and unheralded who all seem to know their roles well, creating a team greater than the sum of its parts. They have a distinctive 'thing' going on with their wrong-footed full backs, mad forward runs and ancient centre backs. They have a livewire (Insigne), an honest plodder (Locatelli), a sharp frontman (Immobile). The backroom staff have a mix of old stars from 25 years ago and natty jackets that perfectly reflect their national stereotype. They are, and I hate to say this, deeply likable.

It ends in a crushing 3-0 reverse in the semis ('one step too far, but how they have thrilled us') by some fun sponge like France.

Bit harsh on France.

[Vercetti]

Vialli being there increases their likeability massively, for me. What a bloke.

[Shindig]

Turkey and Switzerland aren't getting out of this group. Their match has draw written all over it.

[Manc]

How refreshing to see an international side playing football.

[Don]

Big props to Mancini. You only have to look at their domestic sides and their lack of success in Europe to see how hard it is to get podgy midget Italians to succeed against humongous Africans.

But also, I thought Italy was rife with them (someone do the demographics research) so real props to the institutional racism that's keeping their game so white.

[Lewis]

They have less than us, but it's a more recent influx of thirty year old migrants so hasn't filtered into their football other than the ones pretending to be seventeen.

[Waffdon]

Wonder how many times we will see Gascoigne’s goal against Scotland before 8pm tomorrow

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'll have a nibble on over 5.5 please.

[Waffdon]

We must be over that since the Croatia game easily.

We also must be over 15k Scotland fans in London. Should be friendly.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Oh I thought you meant from now until tomorrow night.

If we're counting those that have already been on then over 12.5.

[Offshore Toon]

As a Scotland fan that will be watching in Wood Green tomorrow I can assure you I'll remain friendly.

[Adramelch]

Yarenchuk's sort of dibelief at not being offside there, sums up Macedonia's defense.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Assistant ref is a scumbag.

Pandev should be allowed to play offside.

[Ian]

Who thought Scott Brown the Pundit was a good idea?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why the fuck is Pandev not taking this ffs?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Alioski trying to increase the drama.

[Jimmy Floyd]

As someone with a little wager on loads of penalties being scored during the tournament, the complete fucking inability of anyone to convert one is getting on my tits. Think it's 1 scored from 5 or 6.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

As someone with a little wager on loads of penalties being scored during the tournament, the complete fucking inability of anyone to convert one is getting on my tits. Think it's 1 scored from 5 or 6.

lol.

[Ian]

As someone with a little wager on loads of penalties being scored during the tournament, the complete fucking inability of anyone to convert one is getting on my tits. Think it's 1 scored from 5 or 6.

:D

[Jimmy Floyd]

That is now 1 scored from 5 (normal conversion rate is around 75%).

[Waffdon]

Euro 96 relived tomorrow :D

[Waffdon]

Spurs are an absolute mess. Gattuso closing in on signing. Lolz

[Don]

Joe Jordan as assman.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What happened to Fonseca? Is Mendes shuffling his pack around?

[Baz]

What happened to Fonseca? Is Mendes shuffling his pack around?

He heard I stuck a fiver on at 1/5, thinking it was a free quid

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Poulsen :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Denmark have started really well.

[Lewis]

Both teams should be eliminated for this.

[Bernanke]

The ESPN called it "unprecedented scenes". I'm fairly sure I've seen this before.

[Waffdon]

Belgium’s defence is properly honking, even more so with having Hazard tracking back down the left. Might have worked when Vertonghen and Alderweireld were decent

[niko_cee]

Both teams should be eliminated for this.

Aye, absolutely pointless shite. And the trauma of being behind meant the stupid Belgians forgot their part of the deal and had to have the ref intervene. No thanks. Just do it before the game.

Big Sam will be busy trying to work out the potential marginal gains of you giving all of your less healthy looking players numbers in the late 80s so any form of tokenistic adulation can coincide with and assist a backs to the wall hold out job

[Adramelch]

Belgium were mediocre at best in their first game too, they were just against a truly horrible Russia.

[Waffdon]

Belgium were mediocre at best in their first game too, they were just against a truly horrible Russia.

Hazard to save the day :cool:

[niko_cee]

When they were talking about Italy's unbeaten run or whatever it is last night I was wondering how have they gone that many games without losing and not won the nations league? Have they just drawn a load of matches?

[Adramelch]

Last finals were in 2019 no? I think they are top of their group currently or however that works.

[Boydy]

Aye, absolutely pointless shite. And the trauma of being behind meant the stupid Belgians forgot their part of the deal and had to have the ref intervene. No thanks. Just do it before the game.


What happened?

[Adramelch]

They stopped the game in the 11th minute for Eriksen, but the Belgians forgot that would be a thing and the Danes "complained" (for lack of a better word) to the ref.

[Jimmy Floyd]

These kits are all wrong as well, another team in all white, and Denmark should never have red shorts. Have UEFA put in an edict about all clothes being one colour? It's hideous.

[Lewis]

Good to see Taz on the panel.

[niko_cee]

How does Vermaelen still get a game for 'ranked 1 in the world' (at some point) Belgium? Hasn't he been shit for about 5 years?

[Baz]

Having retired from international football at around age 12 due to seeing England playing in white shorts, I’ve now recently purchased a pair of white shorts. Gonna risk it when I’ve gotta dress up as a Ken doll as part of stag do shenanigans, I reckon.

[Baz]

How does Vermaelen still get a game for 'ranked 1 in the world' (at some point) Belgium? Hasn't he been shit for about 5 years?

You’re asking that when Jason “that shit Sunderland defender with dreadlocks” Denayer is in the same lineup?

[Waffdon]

What a lovely goal that is

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Great goal but Denmark :(

[Waffdon]

A Play Station goal :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why the fuck is he diving there?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

ffs :(

[Waffdon]

Another unreal goal

[Manc]

Dullest day of the tournament thus far.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I disagree completely.

Ukraine/Macedonia was fun and this game has been great.

[Manc]

Confirmed.

[Shindig]

It's been alright. Ukraine's actually looking pretty handy. I'd love to see Denmark squeak through but they just don't look right up front. Russia can handle them.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They missed Eriksen badly. A lot of the final balls were crap and Braithwate is shit.

[Shindig]

Yeah. Finland are plucky in their own way but you sense, had Erikson not hit the deck, they would've went on to win that match. Belgium's shown a soft centre today but they could iron that out as the tournament goes on.

[Waffdon]

Dullest day of the tournament thus far.

Wot. It’s been the best day so far.

[Baz]

Kevin de Bruyne won be some good money there. Bet 365 only allowing me £14 at 7/1 before half-time is annoying though. Was also on them from the start at practically evens so cheered his goal like a Liverpool equaliser.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Brathwaite is one of those players who managers think is great because he runs a lot and works hard, but in reality is shite, there's no precision to anything he does.

[Shindig]

3 in 40 for Barca's #9. Oof.

[Baz]

Even someone like Callum Wilson would hit double figures.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

lol at De Vrij diving.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

How is that not a free kick to the Austrians for De Vrij diving?

[phonics]

I’ve really struggled to get into this so far. Games every day doesn’t hit quite as hard when there’s been a football match every day of the week for the last 12 months.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Austria being AUS on the BBC scoreline has ruined the entire tournament. Get it right ffs.

[phonics]

Agreed but I am loving Orange v Black. That's a football tournament.

[niko_cee]

What should it be? AUT? ÖST?

[phonics]

I think Koeman could have genuinely taken this lot to the final. I understand why he did it but it was such a bad decision to go to Barca.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Austria is always AUT. AUS is the cobbers down under.

[Serj]

It's AUT in our broadcast as well, don't know what the BBC is playing at.

In other news, we're actually putting in a better performance compared to the majority of the first match (bar Alaba), but if there's no goal threat, it doesn't really matter. The Dutch should be able to see this out, but they always seem to have a wobble in them, so who knows.

[Don]

1 elite ball-playing player (Marko being suspended obvs) and you play him at CB? :face:

[Serj]

We tried him in central midfield, which didn't really work out. He apparently doesn't want to play left back, even left wing-back, so CB it is. It's been his position at Bayern this season as well, as far as I know.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Should be straight reds for the whole Austrian back four for having the temerity to appeal for offside after chucking that line in.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This high line is horrific.

[Lewis]

We tried him in central midfield, which didn't really work out. He apparently doesn't want to play left back, even left wing-back, so CB it is. It's been his position at Bayern this season as well, as far as I know.

He should just do a Ryan Giggs and skive half the internationals.

[Serj]

I'm honestly not sure if it would be that bad for us. He's obviously our best player, but we have never found a way to play to his strengths, bar a short period in the run-up to the last Euros.

(Hopefully he thumps one in from 40 metres now).

[Serj]

Ever since I praised our performance even our build-up play has come to a halt. No attempts on target so far. :D

[Adramelch]

Any chance we are heading into a gentleman's agreement for a Ukraine-Austria 0-0?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Any chance we are heading into a gentleman's agreement for a Ukraine-Austria 0-0?

Might well see that in several groups. No reason for Italy/Wales or Belgium/Finland to have a match either.

[Adramelch]

Yeah but at least in Italy/Wales they are both essentially through. As is Belgium. Meanwhile a draw between those two (effectively) sees them both through while if one loses it's a decent possibility they are out (either will be on a negative goal difference).

[Jimmy Floyd]

Both get shit draws as well (one gets Italy and the other likely Portugal/France) so 0-0 makes perfect sense.

[Manc]

Great banter from JP & JJ.

[Don]

This is all just such a chore until the tournament actually starts Saturday after next.

[Mazuuurk]

You miserable. It's glorious. Fans sharing the covvie in the stands, players like Goran Pandev appearing on the biggest stage. Try to see the positives.

I'm loving it.

[Shindig]

Also, any match where there's a full house has a proper atmosphere about it. Not quite that special tournament atmosphere (screaming Koreans, Vuvuzelas) but it's better than nowt.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There has just been an office discussion here (among non football fans) about how shit the Euros and football in general are. A lot of this is men, too; I don't know why, but none of the men here like football or sport in general, they're all into comic films and 'tech'. I'm horribly outnumbered.

Anyway, the main thrusts of the argument were:

- It's all sideways, no one goes forward
- It's so boring
- Why do games kick off at 11am when everyone's at work?
- The statisticians have taken over, they just want the best 'passing rates' at the end of the game
- My son doesn't want to watch it, he's more into Youtube

All in all, a big win for the Agnelli and Florentino Perez worldview.

[Shindig]

"I don't want to watch this. The games are on at the wrong time." Pick one, lads.

[Ian]

It's near impossible to care about people, even groups of them, not liking a thing I like but said people talking about it at great length is one of the most tedious things going.

[Manc]

I find it bizarre. This goes beyond football, it's about supporting your country. Do these same people find the Olympics a faff?

[Jimmy Floyd]

A lot of non sports fans like the Olympics more, I find, because a lot of the sports are gentler and more aesthetically decided. It's the hard competitive element of team sports that they don't understand and can't handle. They don't get why people get so up for it and are willing to crash into each other / shout all night.

[Raoul Duke]

I've enjoyed this tournament quite a lot so far. Still don't think we've many football-related standout moments (the chip against Scotland maybe) but the games have been been decent without any real shitters.

[Waffdon]

3 points could still get through quite easily atm so a 1-0 loss wouldn’t be the end of the world. It’ll be about 6 though.

[Spikey M]

It's near impossible to care about people, even groups of them, not liking a thing I like but said people talking about it at great length is one of the most tedious things going.

My last job was like that. There were 6 men in an office of 30 and we became the unelected football representatives of the office for every tournament.

"I just don't understand how you can find it interesting!?"

OK?

"It's just a load of men kicking a ball around!"

Yep.

Another victory for working from home. They just keep adding up.

[Baz]

3 points could still get through quite easily atm so a 1-0 loss wouldn’t be the end of the world. It’ll be about 6 though.

…everywhere they go

[Waffdon]

:cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

3 points will only work if you beat Croatia 3/4 nil. You need a point tonight.

[Waffdon]

How? Group A could quite easily be 2 points for 3rd or Turkey with 3 points with - goals. Group B will 3 points with - goals unless Finland get a point and even then Russia/Denmark could be on 3 points. Group C you’ll have a team on - goals with 3 points if Ukraine/Austria don’t draw.

Still possible even if they lose tonight albeit unlikely.

[Lewis]

The Euro 96 match is on ITV4 and it is League One-level shit.

[Lewis]

And he's saved it. :cool:

[Lewis]

What a goal.

[Lewis]

There are more brown people in the current side than there were in this entire crowd.

[Jimmy Floyd]

How? Group A could quite easily be 2 points for 3rd or Turkey with 3 points with - goals. Group B will 3 points with - goals unless Finland get a point and even then Russia/Denmark could be on 3 points. Group C you’ll have a team on - goals with 3 points if Ukraine/Austria don’t draw.

Still possible even if they lose tonight albeit unlikely.

It's possible, but relies on a fairly specific series of happenings involving deeply untrustworthy teams like Belgium reserves, Turkey etc.

What you want is Croatia to lose today and then you'll be in a nice spot if you get something from England, or in a slightly better spot even if you don't.

[Boydy]

There has just been an office discussion here (among non football fans) about how shit the Euros and football in general are. A lot of this is men, too; I don't know why, but none of the men here like football or sport in general, they're all into comic films and 'tech'. I'm horribly outnumbered.

Anyway, the main thrusts of the argument were:

- It's all sideways, no one goes forward
- It's so boring
- Why do games kick off at 11am when everyone's at work?
- The statisticians have taken over, they just want the best 'passing rates' at the end of the game
- My son doesn't want to watch it, he's more into Youtube

All in all, a big win for the Agnelli and Florentino Perez worldview.

They sound like a bunch of fucking nerds.

[Spikey M]

How? Group A could quite easily be 2 points for 3rd or Turkey with 3 points with - goals. Group B will 3 points with - goals unless Finland get a point and even then Russia/Denmark could be on 3 points. Group C you’ll have a team on - goals with 3 points if Ukraine/Austria don’t draw.

Still possible even if they lose tonight albeit unlikely.

This attitude is disgusting. You should be in full Robert The Bruce mania by now. Unable to even speak to a member of the old enemy, never mind carrying out a quantitative assessment of progression routes.

Get some Bucky in and do your country proud ffs.

[Lewis]

Was David Seaman the last proper bloke to play for England? I bet he could re-wire a plug in his sleep.

[Waffdon]

This attitude is disgusting. You should be in full Robert The Bruce mania by now. Unable to even speak to a member of the old enemy, never mind carrying out a quantitative assessment of progression routes.

Get some Bucky in and do your country proud ffs.

I couldn’t get today off work as was off until yesterday for the past week. Billy Gilmour starting tonight apparently with McTominay as the 3rd centre half. Tasty

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I have a feeling that Southgate will go all defensive and the Scots wont bother too much (as they'll fancy their chances more against Croatia) and we'll get a crap 0-0.

[Adramelch]

3 points could still get through quite easily atm so a 1-0 loss wouldn’t be the end of the world. It’ll be about 6 though.

You'd need a massive win against Croatia though to get the GD to like 0. I can't see Switzerland not beating Turkey for starters.

[Manc]

Talk of Kyle Walker getting benched. I'm wet at the very thought.

[Baz]

Talk of Kyle Walker getting benched. I'm wet at the very thought.
The squad is


Pickford
James Stones Maguire Shaw
Rice Phillips
Sterling Mount Grealish
Kane

[Lofty]

I havent caught much of the tournament outside of the England matches, currently watching Sweden - Slovakia. Has all the commentary been this stale? I watched Denmark - Belgium on an exercise bike last night so didn't hear that one.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm pretty sure the commentators they employ are those who are cheap/need the work (Danny Murphy is well known for doing this for the money due to bankruptcy) rather than those who are good.

It's only the Clive / McCoist partnership that brings any joy to anything.

[Spikey M]

(Danny Murphy is well known for doing this for the money due to bankruptcy)

How has he managed that?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bad investments / scammed into dodgy investments while a player. Happens to a lot of them.

[Lofty]

I think I preferred Lawrenson hating every second of it to this.

[Bernanke]

We're gonna do 3x 0-0 aren't we.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

And this is why allowing most third placed teams through is shit.

Neither want to lose.

[Manc]

Has Hamsik ever delivered for Slovakia?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Jack Grealish :face:

[-james-]

I seem to be the only person in the country who doesn't enjoy McCoist. Cheerful but clueless Scottish dad down the pub schtick.

[Spikey M]

Jack Grealish :face:

U wot m8

[Don]

Western infidels didn't tempt me but I may strap a ting and go end Micah. Fucking hell.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

U wot m8

Were you not watching the half time coverage?

They showed Jack Grealish singing Robbie Williams as some karaoke thing for a podcast then they went back to the studio and Ashley Williams sang some Sean Kingston with Micah blasting out some Usher...

It was so much worse than this game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1405540750054629377

Here was Grealish's effort.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1405888886463729670

And then it got so much worse.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I seem to be the only person in the country who doesn't enjoy McCoist. Cheerful but clueless Scottish dad down the pub schtick.

Scottish accent alone makes you a good co-commentator, a bit like how a French accent qualifies you to narrate any cooking show.

[Vercetti]

Grealish does look a fanny, but I wouldn't have had him down as a Robbie Williams fan.

[Spikey M]

1405540750054629377

Here was Grealish's effort.

Jesus. :face:

[Bernanke]

The fact that Jimmy's bet still looks good despite all the misses is insane.

[Manc]

Western infidels didn't tempt me but I may strap a ting and go end Micah. Fucking hell.

His NRG cannot be matched.