June: The Euro 2020ish Knockouts!

[Ian]

With a mere 2/3s of the teams remaining, the chaff having been sorted from the slightly worse chaff, it's knockouts time. The first Round of 16 games are on Saturday with Wales/Denmark and Italy/Austria kicking us off and then we've got four days of that culminating in, er, Sweden / Ukraine? I jest, I think that could actually be fun.

Here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2020_knockout_phase#Round_of_16) are the fixtures, and here's the bracket:
https://i.gyazo.com/9509834e4294c5b391a6c77809e75ad5.png

Overall poll at the top but let's do some thoughts and predictions now we've all had the benefit of a head start:

PREDICTIONS
Semi-finalists will be....
Winner will be...
Will anybody overtake Cristiano Penalto for golden boot?

MID-TOURNAMENT REPORT CARD
My team:
How I thought we'd do:
How I think we'll do (if still in it)
Our player of the tournament so far:
Our worst player so far:
Overall comments:

GENERAL
Having now seen the groups, I would keep/change the 24 team format:
My favourite other team so far has been...
My breakout player of the tournament is...

Gives us something to talk about in the two dead days, innit.

[Ian]

PREDICTIONS
Semi-finalists will be.... Belgium (I'm just hoping not Portugal), France, Germany, Denmark
Winner will be... I guess I'll stick with my pre-tournament prediction of France but they don't look amazing and honest this has the feeling of one where enough teams are flawed that could see Cronaldo pout his way to glory once again.
Will anybody overtake Cristiano Penalto for golden boot? I think it'll be whichever of Cronaldo and Lukaku survives the longest at this point.

MID-TOURNAMENT REPORT CARD
My team: Ingerlund
How I thought we'd do: Get out of the groups but not so comfortably.
How I think we'll do (if still in it) Germany look the option of Germany/France/Portugal theoretically best suited for England to play and they're the most open I've seen them but I've been conditioned to assume that we lose to Germany in knockout games so I'm just gonna assume it's the end of the road for us. Which is a shame as you have to say you'd have chosen this end of the bracket.
Our player of the tournament so far: Sterling has been the one to actually score the goals but I'm gonna say Phillips, despite my marking down any performance of his by about 40% for that fucking hair. We've had flashes from other players but not much sustained over full games.
Our worst player so far: Okay so I initially wrote this: I don't think anybody's been a Walker-in-2018 level bombscare but Declan Rice seems entirely redundant. Phillips has got it basically covered on the defend 'n' hustle front and certainly in this team Rice offers bugger all else. I'd rather Bellingham or Henderson in there provided the latter under no fucking circumstances decides "This penalty's got my name all over it, lads, step aside." Then I remembered Harry Kane. Not all his fault but he's still been turd. You're not Pirlo you cunt, get in the penalty area.
Overall comments: I still haven't seen much to suggest we've got the goals to beat anybody good or that our defence can stand up against a proper attack but I will say that while it's left me pretty cold it is a little nice to see us sail through the group stage fairly serenely, barely even making the shit teams look like world-beaters as we normally do.

GENERAL
Having now seen the groups, I would keep/change the 24 team format: Either change it back to what it was or just pull the trigger on a full 32 teams. Yeah there'll be more dross in the group stages but weird draws/Groups of Death aside it should broadly sort itself out for the knockouts. There were a couple of fun last round sets of fixtures for the groups but broadly it hasn't really worked for me, Clive.
My favourite other team so far has been... I guess Denmark, not just for NARRATIVE purposes but they have been fun to watch for their last couple of matches too. Germany's matches have been unusually fun to watch as well but I'm sure my opinion of that will change drastically by Tuesday.
My breakout player of the tournament is... I'm gonna say Kieffer Moore purely because I can't not appreciate a proper big lumpy centre forward galloping about.

[Jimmy Floyd]

PREDICTIONS
Semi-finalists will be.... Italy, France, England, Denmark
Winner will be... England
Will anybody overtake Cristiano Penalto for golden boot? Probably not

MID-TOURNAMENT REPORT CARD
My team: England
How I thought we'd do: Quarters/semis
How I think we'll do (if still in it) If we beat Germany, we could and perhaps should then go on to reach the final.
Our player of the tournament so far: Jordan Pickford
Our worst player so far: Declan Rice / Harry Kane
Overall comments: We are shit, but other teams are worse, and the ones that are better are almost all in the other half of the draw.

GENERAL
Having now seen the groups, I would keep/change the 24 team format: I would scrap it and if they must have more than 16, go to 32. Basically the same thing as 24 but with more countries given the chance to participate and no brain-busting best 4 third placed sides equation that favours the groups finishing later.
My favourite other team so far has been... Italy and Holland best teams to watch, but Ukraine have been sneaky fun once you get past the fact that they are Ukraine. Enjoyed Hungary and Denmark too with the crowd behind them.
My breakout player of the tournament is... In terms of players I'd never heard of: Isak from Sweden looks class, as does Damsgaard from Denmark.

[Ian]

Yeah I've actually kinda enjoyed Ukraine too. They're not brilliant or anything but they've consistently had a go.

[Manc]

PREDICTIONS


Semi-finalists - Italy, France, England, Netherlands/Denmark (coin flip)
Winner - France
Golden boot - Depay/Benzema


MID-TOURNAMENT REPORT CARD


My team - England
How I thought we'd do - Semi-finals
How I think we'll do - Runner-up
Our player of the tournament - John Stones
Our worst player - Harry Kane


GENERAL


Keep/change the 24 team format - Keep
My favourite team - Italy
Breakout player - Dumfries

[Shindig]

Semi-finalists will be.... Italy, France, Sweden, Netherlands
Winner will be... Netherlands (!?)
Will anybody overtake Cristiano Penalto for golden boot? Maybe. He's only scoring penalties. Wijnaldum looks the most likely with the way he's involved in counters.

MID-TOURNAMENT REPORT CARD
My team: England
How I thought we'd do: Quarters
How I think we'll do (if still in it) It rests on a German side that has really hasn't got out the blocks. Win that and anything's possible.
Our player of the tournament so far: Luke Shaw
Our worst player so far: Declan Rice
Overall comments: It's hard to pick favourites. The players have done a job but very little else. Efficient but not exciting to look at. Grealish looks good when he's come on, Foden and Philips have had moments. Bellingham looks a spark but I'd like to see some variety beyond the Shaw and Sterling show down the left.
GENERAL
Having now seen the groups, I would keep/change the 24 team format: Keep. It's better than I was expecting, mainly for the last-16 lineup and how it came to pass. Very few teams had nothing to play for in the last game.
My favourite other team so far has been... Italy and Holland have been fantastic as they go forward. Sweden's been surprisingly efficient. Denmark's story has been decent to watch and I'm surprised they pulled it together after the first game. I hope this Hungary side has more tournaments in them.
My breakout player of the tournament is... Isak looks real good and has plenty of years ahead of him. He could make a big move in the summer. Darmsgaard looks impressive but he's got a tripe Danish forward line for comparison. Renato Sanchez has come on leaps and bounds, too.

[Shindig]

Out of interest, I've decided to see what a top 8 would be if they went straight to the Quarters from the groups.

Italy
Belgium
Netherlands
England
Sweden
France
Spain
Austria

Italy v Belgium
Netherlands v England
Sweden v France
Spain v Austria

Pairing up the best-placed second teams felt like the fairest way to do that last quarter. I think the last 16's given us a better set of games.

[Yevrah]

PREDICTIONS
Semi-finalists will be.... Portugal, France, Germany & Holland
Winner will be... Belgium. I know that makes no sense given the answers above, but neither does the world we're living in now and what better way to cement that than Roberto Martinez, the chancer's chancer, winning an international tournament, so there it is.
Will anybody overtake Cristiano Penalto for golden boot? No

MID-TOURNAMENT REPORT CARD
My team: England
How I thought we'd do: Reach the knockouts and lose to the first good team/team with historical standing we face.
How I think we'll do (if still in it) Lose to the first good team/team with historical standing we face.
Our player of the tournament so far: Phillips is a proper player and you have to give it to Sterling for being our only player who knows how to score.
Our worst player so far: Harry Kane. Appalling and you could see it from the first game. Now it may not be his fault, our style of play has been disgraceful, but he has been utterly useless.
Overall comments: We're absolutely horrible to watch and unless we go deep into the tournament that's just not on. I think our players are generally overrated and our foreign cousins fill in the gaps when they're playing for their clubs, but even then, two goals from a group of absolute dross is well below the level we should be operating at. Results have obviously been there in terms of dubs and draws, but there genuinely aren't many teams that have made it through while offering less excitement than we have.

GENERAL
Having now seen the groups, I would keep/change the 24 team format: Keep it for now, been surprisingly good.
My favourite other team so far has been... I mean, it's Italy, isn't it.
My breakout player of the tournament is... Isak. FUT for the win!

[Yevrah]

That's a fair point on the format Shinners. If the field hadn't been a sea of largely bang average it would have been horrible, but as there's so little between most sides it's worked wonderfully. Last night was absolutely brilliant, so props too to UEFA for employing the dumbest seeding system known to man.

[Serj]

PREDICTIONS
Semi-finalists will be.... Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands
Winner will be... I think France will bore their way to it
Will anybody overtake Cristiano Penalto for golden boot? I've gone conservative with my semi-final predictions, so I'll predict Gini Wijnaldum to take this. Seems to have his scoring boots on.

MID-TOURNAMENT REPORT CARD
My team: Austria
How I thought we'd do: Stink up the place, maybe luck into third place and crash out in the next round.
How I think we'll do (if still in it) Italy should be far too much for us. We might score one, but that's about as optimistic as I'm allowing myself to be
Our player of the tournament so far: I'm not sure we have one. Our star players Alaba and Arnautovic have shown flashes of brilliance but also made some glaring mistakes. Sabitzer has also disappeared somewhat after a good performance in the first match. I'm going to say Stefan Lainer. Scored a good goal, seems to be everywhere on the right flank and has not contributed to any defensive errors that I remember.
Our worst player so far: No one stands out here either. I'd say Xaver Schlager. He's one of those players that I think Jimmy mentioned whom coaches love because he gives everything. But he's also often imprecise when it comes to basic passing, adding an element of constant nervousness to our build-up
Overall comments: We haven't been as bad as I'd feared. Every match has featured good and bad, the worst being the second half against the Netherlands. But the formation switch for the Ukraine game really improved our build-up and I hope Foda sticks with it.

GENERAL
Having now seen the groups, I would keep/change the 24 team format: As others have said, might as well go for 32. This just seems a bit half-baked
My favourite other team so far has been... Denmark, I always root for them anyway because a good part of my family is Danish. And as usual, they're much more fun to watch than we are, even disregarding the special circumstances of this tournament. Beyond that, probably Hungary. Gave everyone in their group a good game whilst not being completely destructive. Unlucky to not progress, really.
My breakout player of the tournament is... In terms of players previously unknown to me: Attila Fiola looked good whenever I've seen him, as did Damsgaard. I'm also still hoping that Grillitsch puts in a standout performance against Italy, he certainly has the potential.

[CJay]

What does the qualifying look like for a tournament of 32 teams in a continent of 55 countries?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Quarter-finalists from last time get in automatically, as does the host nation(s). That gives you c.44 teams for c.22 places, 11 groups of 4, top two qualify. Nice and quick, too.

[Ian]

Just pick the 32 countries with the most social media engagements and who are worth the most money to UEFA.

[CJay]

Quarter-finalists from last time get in automatically, as does the host nation(s). That gives you c.44 teams for c.22 places, 11 groups of 4, top two qualify. Nice and quick, too.

Eww, think of all the extra opportunities created for pointless friendlies by that format.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The other 10 already qualified teams can play experimental formats to attract the new generation of fan.

- Lose a player every 8 minutes until it's 1v1
- 20 five-minute halves
- Two balls in play
- 4 teams in each match (with the goals in each corner) but only one ball in play

etc.

[Spikey M]

Eww, think of all the extra opportunities created for pointless friendlies by that format.

I think that's the first "eww" I've read on here and I'll tell you the same thing I told my daughter when she called sweets "candy"; No more YouTube for you. You can watch CBeebies but not Mr Tumble because he's a nonce.

[Don]

If they haven't done it yet, UEFA need to combine the qualifying for WC and Euros like AFC have.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

PREDICTIONS
Semi-finalists will be.... Italy, France, Germany and because I picked them as my dark horses Czech Republic (although I think Denmark is more likely)
Winner will be... I picked Germany and I'll stick with them even though I'm a lot less confident
Will anybody overtake Cristiano Penalto for golden boot? Five is usually enough but I don't think he'll score another and I think Schick or Lukaku will manage to take it.

MID-TOURNAMENT REPORT CARD
My team: Poland
How I thought we'd do: I thought we'd get out of the group. Spain are horseshit now and I didn't know too much about Sweden/Slovakia but I assumed we'd manage to scrape at least a top third place. From there I thought if the draw was kind we might have snuck into the Quarters before going home.
How I think we'll do (if still in it) We're not.
Our player of the tournament so far: You'd have to say Lewandowski after the goals but he never looked great until the last game.
Our worst player so far: It's between Szczesny and Bereszynski but I do think Zielinski needs a mention because he was really expected to step up after a great season in Italy as well as the injuries to Milik and Piatek.
Overall comments: I think the team expected to go through and as such struggled when shit didn't go their way. I think the formation used against Slovakia was poor and didn't provide enough support to Lewandowski. Against Spain we looked slightly better but decided to settle for a draw thinking we'd walk past Sweden where our defence crumbled.

GENERAL
Having now seen the groups, I would keep/change the 24 team format: I would. I think the group stage was really good, especially last night, and I'm going to attribute that to the format.
My favourite other team so far has been... Italy or Denmark.
My breakout player of the tournament is... Damsgaard. He looks like he could be a proper player.

[-james-]

PREDICTIONS
Semi-finalists will be.... Italy, Spain, England, Netherlands
Winner will be... You could make a case for any of the above. I think I said Spain pre-tournament so I'll stick with them.
Will anybody overtake Cristiano Penalto for golden boot? I hope to see him looking despondent at some point.

MID-TOURNAMENT REPORT CARD
My team: Scotland
How I thought we'd do: I was fairly optimistic that they would make it out of the group.
How I think we'll do (if still in it):
Our player of the tournament so far: Grant Hanley
Our worst player so far: Lyndon Dykes is simply not a footballer
Overall comments: I think Steve Clarke has done a good job and anyone calling for him to be sacked is an idiot. It's a promising core of players and I think they were pretty unlucky not to make it through. I thought they would be without a hope if they lost the first game, which they did and came pretty close anyway. Was really daft not starting Che Adams against the Czechs.

GENERAL
Having now seen the groups, I would keep/change the 24 team format: Change. It has been entertaining but it's still bollocks. It's just incredibly un-aesthetic as a concept.
My favourite other team so far has been... Hungary were brilliant. Briefly wondered if they were going to end up doing a Greece yesterday.
My breakout player of the tournament is... Gilmour clearly just has *it*.

[Gray Fox]

Away goals removed from UEFA club competitions from this coming season.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Not a fan of that decision.

[Ian]

I'm not unhappy that it's gone but I thought if anything they'd just cancel it after extra time.

Surprised they've got rid of something that benefits the big boys more though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm trying to work out why they have got rid of it. Did a favourite club get knocked out that way and have a big whinge to the teacher? That's how most competition rules end up getting changed.

[-james-]

The big clubs are going to hate it because it means more chance of thirty minutes more football once every six months.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've thought of it now. TV like close finishes, and presumably they like the extra half hour of Gazprom ads too.

[niko_cee]

It's a massively outdated rule is probably why it has gone. It no longer makes sense, the circumstances that led to its adoption are long since passed.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm trying to work out why they have got rid of it. Did a favourite club get knocked out that way and have a big whinge to the teacher? That's how most competition rules end up getting changed.

Juventus lost to Porto on away goals after extra time but UEFA wont be bending over for them.

Shaktar out to away goals in 2017/18, Man City out in 2016/17, Arsenal & Chelsea in 2014/15.

Doesn't really seem like it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

"Atleti"/Simeone will love not having to attack at all in away games now.

[Don]

Empowering the proper sides and getting rid of the fear of conceding at home sounds positive.

[CJay]

Surely it just means that the 0-0 away from home that the likes of Mourinho always played for is more valuable than ever?

[Don]

Those terrorists now have the UEFA Conference League to play about in. Elite level football has largely cleaned up its act.

[Boydy]

Surely it just means that the 0-0 away from home that the likes of Mourinho always played for is more valuable than ever?
Yeah sounds like it'll just makes teams even more defensive when they play away from home. Sounds bad imo.

[Ian]

Then by extension home advantage is worth more and you won't have teams thinking a dreary 0-0 in front of their own fans is a cracking result to the same extent. And you're still going to have plenty of games where a team is playing catch up going into the away leg and have to attack. The amount of good and bad games will probably barely change.

[Ian]

https://www.nme.com/news/music/ed-sheeran-treats-england-squad-to-surprise-acoustic-performance-at-st-georges-park-2977482

Oh great, first being booed by your own racist fans and now this.

[Jimmy Floyd]

A propos of nothing, this is an excerpt from the BBC story about complaints to ofcom re the Eriksen incident:


Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was among those suggesting the BBC should have cut away from the stadium coverage sooner.

Commentator and former footballer Ian Wright, former heavyweight boxer Frank Bruno, and former Premier League player Jermaine Beckford also criticised the BBC's handing of the situation.

I love this sort of shit. Any news from Ainsley Harriott vis a vis his take on the whole situation?

[Ian]

Well I was on the fence about it but now I know what Frank Bruno thinks...

[Shindig]

Then by extension home advantage is worth more and you won't have teams thinking a dreary 0-0 in front of their own fans is a cracking result to the same extent. And you're still going to have plenty of games where a team is playing catch up going into the away leg and have to attack. The amount of good and bad games will probably barely change.

There's also the practical possibility of neutral venues still possibly being required whilst Covid is still a going concern.

Did the Nations League have some tie-in with the Euros or did it all just tie back into "next year's thrilling instalment of the UEFA Nations League of Nations."?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1408106912152014853

ffs he was one of the likeable ones too :(

[Ian]

It's called "Three Lions", dickheads, not Football's Coming Home.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://media3.giphy.com/media/lSU9acYTgltte/giphy.gif

Fuck Wales.

[Spoonsky]

Yep, all behind the cardiac kids for this one.

[Yevrah]

Bang up for tonight’s games.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57618624

The Football Association would "love" Gareth Southgate to continue as England manager beyond the end of his contract "regardless" of the result in Tuesday's Euro 2020 last-16 tie against Germany.

:lol:

[Ian]

It was clear as day before the tournament that unless we bombed out losing every game 3-0 or something he was definitely staying on. That semi final bought him far too much leeway.

I don't expect much from Italy/Austria but I've been really looking forward to this one all day.

[Mike]

Should hopefully be good this.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Quality goal that.

[Adramelch]

The Danes have scored quite a few bangers so far.

[niko_cee]

Considering they're so much in the ascendancy you'd think the Danes would stop falling over all the time. Such a bitty side.

[Don]

Yeah, sorry but neither of these sides are going to take down a good side so another pointless match.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Stick your house on the winner here to win the the whole thing.

[Don]

Mount announced ready to start :happycry:

Not playing Saka is such a shame.

Really tempted to unload on Germany but heading to the local for 4pm jagers so need to join in the vibes instead.

[Adramelch]

Yeah, sorry but neither of these sides are going to take down a good side so another pointless match.

Thing is, there's not been all that many good sides so far.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Wales :harold:

Get fucked.

[Waffdon]

Denmark to the final :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Savage is seething.

[Spoonsky]

"But it's a foul. But they've got to defend better. But it's a foul!" :D

Wales look such a weak team mentally, from Bale to Robbie Savage. And oh Neco...

[Don]

Neco really needs to be binned ASAP by us, such a liability.

[Waffdon]

Their team is dreadful. They overachieve all the time, I’m not sure they’re mentally weak.

[Spoonsky]

Bale knicking that off Kieffer Moore's head sums them up.

[Browning]

Moore is just big but offers nothing else. Not sure why they act like he is good.

[Foe]

Who decided neco Williams was good? Because every time I’ve seen him playing he’s either been a liability, sent off, or both.

Nat Phillips at least looked competent, if limited. Neco Williams seems to have to have escaped the youth team into senior football without much in the way of talent.

[Spoonsky]

Yeah, sorry but neither of these sides are going to take down a good side so another pointless match.

Denmark look tidy. Them vs Netherlands is such a nice match and they’ve put it in fucking Baku.

[Spoonsky]

Dolberg and Damsgaard are both properly weird looking. Benjamin Button vibes.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://4.cdn.ekm.net/ekmps/shops/simply/images/turin-grande-single-lamppost-in-die-cast-aluminium-finished-in-black-ip54-norlys-tg5-black-2489-p.jpg?v=1

Just as agile as Kieffer Moore but a lot taller.

[Don]

Ooof, Andersen in. They may have a chance yet of doing something in this tournament.

[Spoonsky]

This Cornelius is a don.

[Waffdon]

Mæhle has been great every single games. Just runs at folk for fun

[Spoonsky]

Their team is dreadful. They overachieve all the time, I’m not sure they’re mentally weak.

That foul just now by Bale is exactly what I mean.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Mæhle has been great every single games. Just runs at folk for fun

He's brilliant.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Welsh thugs.

[Adramelch]

That's a red card that should be a red every single time, but most refs don't have the guts to do it.

[Waffdon]

How’s that a red card :D

[Shindig]

Not for the first time, Wales has disappointed me.

[Adramelch]

How’s that a red card :D

The ball is long gone and he just flat out kicks him.

[7om]

That was never a red. Joke of a decision.

[Spoonsky]

It's idiotic but not a red card.

[Adramelch]

It looked a lot stronger on live play, not sure on the replays though.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It wasn't a red which makes it a lot funnier.

Especially as Bale sarcastically claps at the ref a minute later.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Even Braithwate can score against these shitheads.

[Adramelch]

You know you played like shit when Braithwaite gets to score.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Show some Welsh tears in the crowd please :drool:

[Lewis]

Are they are any with/without statistics for Denmark without having to carry their [former] designated luxury player?

[Spoonsky]

This is so silly :D

[Waffdon]

Eriksen really did take one for the team. Given the players extra motivation and finishing 2nd has blessed them with the easy bracket.

Another great goal

[Waffdon]

Are they are any with/without statistics for Denmark without having to carry their [former] designated luxury player?

They’ve been good for years to be fair. Not really a dark horse, only lost to Belgium in 90 mins prior to the tournament in about 3 years

[Manc]

Lovely team to watch. Looking forward to seeing Jensen & Norgaard in the top flight.

[Spoonsky]

Denmark are proper finishers. Brilliant at kicking the football, as Jimmy used to say.

[7om]

Show some Welsh tears in the crowd please :drool:

Do you have to be spiteful twat all of the time?

[Magic]

Loved that. Horrible Welsh cunts.

[Waffdon]

Do you have to be spiteful twat all of the time?

Everything okay at home, sir?

[Spoonsky]

"It's not an excuse, but..."

So many times in this broadcast. Loser's mentality.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Do you have to be spiteful twat all of the time?

Cameras were quick to show them crying during the anthem, why not now?

[Adramelch]

Denmark are proper finishers. Brilliant at kicking the football, as Jimmy used to say.

The main thing for me is that they are always looking to play football, instead of just playing 11 people in their box after a goal.

[Waffdon]

Gosens and Maehle at wing back. No wonder Atalanta score for fun

[Don]

Locatelli on the bench is big dick energy from Roberto the don. Time to watch some proper football with that midfield 3 :drool:

[Spoonsky]

Atalanta have quietly hoarded all the best and most underrated players from central Europe. :nodd:

[igor_balis]

The ball is long gone and he just flat out kicks him.

Agreed

Like I don't think it is a red by, er, check my notes, stare decisis cus they never give a red for it. but if you're just petulantly going into someone with zero intent to win the ball it should be a red.

Guess it's hard to judge intent, but when I saw it, it looked pretty obvious he was making zero attempt to win the ball. I feel the same about 'taking a yellow for the team'

[Lewis]

Like I don't think it is a red by, er, check my notes, stare decisis cus they never give a red for it.

*tips fedora*

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1408850232436310019

:D

Sheep shagger.

[7om]

Everything okay at home, sir?

Sorry?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Locatelli on the bench is big dick energy from Roberto the don. Time to watch some proper football with that midfield 3 :drool:

With Jorginho in there?

[Serj]

Arnautovic already begging for a red. Great start

[Lewis]

How come Austria are historically (post-war) so crap at football? Ireland and Scotland might be crap now, but they have produced plenty of good players over the years with the help of the English system, so why hasn't Austria been half-decent owing to Germany doing likewise for its talent?

[Lewis]

It might be a mentality thing. This kit looks like something out of a League Two play-off final.

[Shindig]

I can only think of Andreas Herzog as a post-war world class Austrian. Are the Swiss stealing their passports and/or women?

[Adramelch]

Insigne hasn't done a single correct pass so far.

[Serj]

We've really been shit for as long as I can remember and so have our kits. All our sporting resources seem to go into skiing. And the Swiss seem better at making their Balkan immigrants into footballers.

[Shindig]

Also, my mind is blown Herzog only got the one year at Bayern. Blame CM2 for ruining my brain.

[Waffdon]

With Jorginho in there?

He’s brilliant for Italy

[Reg]

It might be a mentality thing. This kit looks like something out of a League Two play-off final.
I was thinking it looks like an Arsenal kit and therefore not like an international one. Given that plus Italy’s dark shorts, I’d like to join Jim’s Rallying Against Modern Kits club.

Decent first half that.

Loved the 5pm game. Disappointed for Wales but so impressed with Denmark and just a fun, action packed game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Italy would have been out of sight by now if Locatelli was starting.

[Adramelch]

It honestly feels like Verratti's presence just changes Italy's playstyle to something that doesn't work. It was the same against Wales (although I only watched the first half of that one admittedly).

[mo]

Felt like that was coming.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Well then, game fucking on.

[Serj]

:cool: Won't last, but good showing.

edit: Shame.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Might just be offside.

[Magic]

Lollll.

[Adramelch]

Ye looked slightly offside there. Austria have been the better team this half though.

[Adramelch]

Taylor happy that was offside cause it looked like a tough-ish call.

[Manc]

Are Austria yet to make a change? Bonkers.

[Shindig]

Maybe they've got five penalty takers on the bench.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's summed up Berardi's day so far.

[Adramelch]

Spinazzola never seems to go down without at least two pirouettes.

Also Hinteregger seems to be everywhere on the pitch.

[ScousePig]

It might be a mentality thing. This kit looks like something out of a League Two play-off final.

There's an element of Burnley about it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That is fucking beautiful from Chiesa.

[Adramelch]

Ye that was a great recovery from a mediocre control. Spinazzola's pass was also a beauty.

[Serj]

Been coming, still a pity after a good showing. I think they'll be too exhausted to put up much of a fight from here on in.

[Lewis]

They should never have canned Golden Goal.

[Foe]

What a goal, by the way.

[Lofty]

Top goal but keeper should have maybe covered that angle.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Pessina took that really well.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I did like him doing the "dead fish" celebration too.

He must play FIFA.

[Spikey M]

I can't think of much more pathetic than footballers that play Fifa.

[Manc]

Belting save that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Chiesa has been brilliant since coming on.

[igor_balis]

I can't think of much more pathetic than footballers that play Fifa.

I bet a few even watch those ultimate team pack opening videos, which is a distressing thought.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a smart header that is.

[Adramelch]

That one is also a great goal even if not spectacular.

[Serj]

Proper precision work, that.

[Adramelch]

Bellotti came on when Italy needed goals, but he's been incredible at holding/winning the ball ever since they got said goals.

[Manc]

Throw Italy into the small time camp.

[Don]

Russia and their 2 lanky freaks pissed me off for it and Austria were about 10 mins too slow to realise the route 1 to Sasa gifted them an opening almost every time.

[Serj]

Far, far closer than I'd have expected. Good performance and the setup in the Ukraine game and this one really brought out the best in most of the players.

We're way too reliant on Arnautovic to create things up-front, though.

[Foe]

He’s an absolute liability too.

Italy looked very ordinary in the first 90 mins, so that against Portugal or Belgium and you won’t have extra time to make up for it.

I’m pretty confident England are going to win this now. None of the teams have really shown dominant class. The french in the final is probably the best I can hope for.

[Yevrah]

Everyone is clearly bang average, which will make it even more painful when we cunt it up. Which I suspect will be on Tuesday.

[Waffdon]

Perisic tested positive for Covid. Must have got it from a Scottish player

[Shindig]

Nice to see flying home between games paid off for them.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57629385

"Every nation had fans wherever they went," Gunter wrote on social media.

"[But Wales did not] apart from the 350 who broke government rules and bank accounts to be there.

"You and us deserved more from this joke set-up of a tournament, but who said life was fair.

"Have a cry, but then smile that we were dining at the top table yet again."

:lol:

[Waffdon]

The format is an absolute joke, to be fair.

[Adramelch]

Oh yes, it's definitely garbage.

[Shindig]

It is but Wales have benefited from it.

[Adramelch]

I mean, obviously mentioning it as a player after a 4-0 loss is ridiculous to say the least.

[Waffdon]

Dumfries is great fun. That run right there was funny as fuck to see even from him.

Wing backs have been the best players this tournament. 3 at the back really is elite when you have proper wing backs

[Adramelch]

The Czechs really have Netherlands' number in this first half. Game seems to be going like they want it to.

[Manc]

Similar game to Italy v Austria. Hoping for penalties.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fucking hell Malen.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That should be red for de Ligt.

[Adramelch]

There's a decent case for a red there, although it's not the clearest goalscoring opportunity.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

De Ligt should be walking.

[Adramelch]

Even looks intentional on the replay.

[-james-]

That's England in the final then.

[Bernanke]

Good call.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He knew it as well. Really sneaky and cynical.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's England in the final then.

:lol:

[Adramelch]

Second consecutive final for England then after the one in the World Cup. :harold:

[Waffdon]

Think that red card might actually suit Netherlands. Czech’s will open up and they’ll get broken onto much easier

[Jimmy Floyd]

UEFA's policy of going back to a predominantly bald referee lineup at this tournament really has paid dividends. Excellent VAR face and 'I'm in control' gesticulations from this fella.

[randomlegend]

There's a decent case for a red there, although it's not the clearest goalscoring opportunity.

I don't think it should matter. If he'd tried to make a tackle and fouled, fine go by "clear goalscoring opportunity" but that was just a blatant attempt to cheat and should be a red all day.

[Adramelch]

Ye it wasn't as obvious on live play, but there was clear intent.

[Waffdon]

Why are the Dutch playing this fanny in goal?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Loving the scenes in the Czech end there. Football is 1000% better with crowds.

[Bernanke]

Going down to 4-4-1 when you go a man down when you're the "better" team doesn't seem that clever.

[Manc]

The Dutch appealing for every challenge as if they've been greatly wronged. Stick to darts.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why are the Dutch playing this fanny in goal?

Cillessen got the rona pre-tournament.

Their other options are Tim Krul or Marco Bizot.

[Bernanke]

Guess I'll eat my own words in the end when Denmark go all the way.

[Adramelch]

Guess I'll eat my own words in the end when Denmark go all the way.

After beating you in the semis of course.

[Bernanke]

At least we'll stop it from coming home on the way there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Frank de Boer has Schteve McClaren energy. Wout Carthorse on for the clincher.

[Adramelch]

At least we'll stop it from coming home on the way there.

But England won't be on your way.

[Yevrah]

That's England in the final then.

There really is little excuse for failure now. If we do our shitness is further cemented.

[Adramelch]

There really is little excuse for failure now. If we do our shitness is further cemented.

I know "Germany lol" and all, but it's still Germany.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a lovely goal that was.

[niko_cee]

Czech's putting England's donning of the real group of death in perspective here.

[Waffdon]

He’s a proper striker.

[Yevrah]

I know "Germany lol" and all, but it's still Germany.

Oh we’re losing on Tuesday. I’ll await the gymnastics explaining how we really could have won this tournament.

[niko_cee]

Just leave it to Taz mate, he's the negative jinx king and is already fully committed.

[Manc]

Frankie de Jong reeking of Barca energy.

[Adramelch]

Frankie De Jong reeking of Barca energy.

To be fair to him, the whole Dutch team reeks of that.

[Manc]

46 hours to go and Yev is about to climax. Settle down sweetheart.

[Spikey M]

What happened to The Netherlands? They were a genuine contender once.

[niko_cee]

Turns out Johan Cruyff was actually Belgian.

[Lewis]

Jose Mourinho is going to town on his next weird little webcam pundit outing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What happened to The Netherlands? They were a genuine contender once.

They've not been the same since the media stopped calling them Holland.

[Yevrah]

46 hours to go and Yev is about to climax. Settle down sweetheart.

Ffs. I want us to win.

[Lewis]

Holland would presumably be an entirely different prospect with Virgil van Dijk fit.

[niko_cee]

Holland would presumably be an entirely different prospect with Virgil van Dijk fit.

They're still not that good, but yeah, he'd help. It's their forward players that are the problem though, they're mostly a bit rubbish (hence Gini Wijnaldum being their goal-scoring linchpin).

[Shindig]

I know "Germany lol" and all, but it's still Germany.

Yep. They found a way. They'll find again. This is anyone's tournament, though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Denmark name on the trophy.

[Adramelch]

In 2004, the Czechs beat Netherlands (albeit in the groups), then Denmark, only to lose to Greece who eventually won the Euro. Thus, it's all but certain that Sweden is going to win it. Possibly beating Portugal in the finals.

[Waffdon]

That Fraud Fernandes dropped again I see

[Don]

Right, fuck off with your dogshit sides and laughable 'ENGLAND ARE GONNA DO IT' chat, it's time to watch the first proper match of this dogshit tournament.

[Shindig]

That counts as hate speech. I hereby sanction you to never, ever build a nuclear enrichment facility. That's just like a homebrew kit, I assume.

[niko_cee]

That Fraud Fernandes dropped again I see

The sort of thing England would literally never do.

Got to love a bit of Roy Keane. On Saka; he's come through in a poor Arsernal side . . .

:D

He can't help himself.

[Manc]

Hazard. :happycry:

[Waffdon]

Not putting McCoist on this game out of the two is a disgrace.

[SincereTheRebel]

Vermalean still part of the belgium 11 despite playing in less than 80 league games over the past 8 years.

[Manc]

Sam Matterface is woeful.

[Disco]

And yet Lee Dixon somehow manages to be worse.

[Waffdon]

This has been been fucking horrendous

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Are commentators required to talk about how good Ronaldo is at free kicks?

His conversion rate these days is shocking and I was stunned that he even hit the target yet they were blathering on as if it was going to be a guaranteed goal.

[Baz]

Right, fuck off with your dogshit sides and laughable 'ENGLAND ARE GONNA DO IT' chat, it's time to watch the first proper match of this dogshit tournament.You've done it again.

[Waffdon]

How’s that not been given as a yellow card never mind a foul on Lukaku? :D

[Waffdon]

How bad has Joao Felix been that he can’t get into the team ahead of Silva/Jota?

[Manc]

Sanches is some athlete.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a goal from Hazard prime.

[Adramelch]

Yes, but Rui Patricio should have done better it felt like.

[Waffdon]

There’s been some brilliant goals at this tournament so far. Hopefully this opens the game up

Never mind, I thought that was in the corner. Keeper is a mess

[igor_balis]

Woof.

[Manc]

Portugal certainly have the bench to turn this around.

[niko_cee]

How bad has Joao Felix been that he can’t get into the team ahead of Silva/Jota?

Probably doesn't put the defensive yards in (no idea if those two do).

This pitch has Simon Jones style serious injury written all over it.

[Don]

Renato Sanches is the Gini replacement we could do with. KDB is obviously a joy but watching Lukaku bully defenders like little kids is the real treat here.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ian Wright actually talking the truth about Ronaldo's free kicks.

[niko_cee]

Ian Wright. :cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

What's little known in football savvy circles is that the best two pundits in the country are Ian Wright and Chris Kamara.

Why aren't they using one of the two perfectly good actual football stadia in Seville?

[Waffdon]

These Belgians turn into glass when they reach their late 20s if De Bruyne, Vermaelen, Alderweireld and Hazard are anything to go by

[Don]

Aaaaand that's the trophy to France.

[Manc]

Renato Sanches is the Gini replacement we could do with.

Does he fit the Edwards algorithm?

[Ian]

What's little known in football savvy circles is that the best two pundits in the country are Ian Wright and Chris Kamara.

For all that he's the butt of the joke on Soccer Saturday I always really like Kamara on the Sunday show.

[Don]

Lukaku about to run riot now on the break.

[-james-]

Both of these sides are so slow. I do enjoy Lukaku but Belgium need to get in the sea.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Jota is shit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

For all that he's the butt of the joke on Soccer Saturday I always really like Kamara on the Sunday show.

He's an expert disguised as a clown. The opposite of Gary Neville.

[Manc]

Jota is shit.

Needs to pulled for Andre Silva asap.

[Ian]

He's an expert disguised as a clown. The opposite of Gary Neville.

I saw him in a pub in London once. Decided to leave him alone as he probably gets endless UNBELIEVABLE JEFFs when he gets recognised.

[Lewis]

'UNBELIEVAB-ALE JEFF!'
'Sorry?'

[Ian]

"BELGIAN HEARTS MUST BE THUMPING!!!!!!"
*free kick is spaffed into the wall, entirely predictably*


'UNBELIEVAB-ALE JEFF!'
'Sorry?'

Fuck's sake, it's years too late now. :(

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Pepe :lol:

[Lewis]

Wahey here we go.

[Ian]

100% Pepe.

[Bernanke]

This is kicking off :drool:

[Waffdon]

Pepe :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

That was a proper 'he is that sort of player'.

[7om]

Ronaldo’s a twat when Portugal are behind. His body language is awful and he designates himself to every set piece and he’s shit at them.

[-james-]

They'd have done better at this tournament without him.

[-james-]

They'd have done better at this tournament without him.

Sweaty ten minutes to come for this take.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They do feel like (unlike at Euro 16) they have a lot of good players they are wasting in order to build it around him.

[Waffdon]

They have too many ‘10s’. Jota, Fernandes, Felix and Silva are all the same sort of players. Severe lack of pace at times too.

Hazard’s first touch has either been comically bad or beautiful

[Bernanke]

There's like 3 players joining the Portuguese attack at times. Dreadful.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why is Ole willing to spend £30-40m on Trippier as backup for AWB when Dalot can do that job?

[Waffdon]

He’s broken. :(

Jack Grealish will probably be the same. That’s what happens when you’re the most fouled player every single year 2 times over