Euro 2024 - Group Stage: This format is bollocks

[Ian]

Euro 2024 Group Stage
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/26/UEFA_Euro_2024_Logo.svg/220px-UEFA_Euro_2024_Logo.svg.png

OPENING MATCH: Germany vs. Scotland - Friday 14th June

The Groups
https://i.ibb.co/1zZbvMc/image.png

The Knockout Bracket
https://i.ibb.co/PMDnyzf/image.png

So yeah, not a huge surprise but shoehorning extra teams in is a bit crap, innit? Not sure if I'm being a dimwit but from the bracket it's not clear to me how it's decided which 3rd placed teams end up facing who, and this whole thing meaning some runners up just get to play each other is rubbish. Runner up of group D in particular looks to get a particularly cushy number on paper. That on top of the presumably even higher rate of drama-free games. Group stages can be naff enough without lowering the stakes.

Also have another plug for this: Euro 2024 Competition - free to play (https://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/showthread.php?3197-Euro-2024-Competition-free-to-play)

Don't say I'm not good to you, Baz.

[Magic]

Best way to do it. :cool:

We're going to get absolutely thumped.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Something really bothers me about the middle two groups only having three flag colours between the eight teams. What are we doing here?

[Waffdon]

Even if by some miracle Scotland get 2nd we face either Spain, Italy or Croatia? Amazing. Belgium, Italy or Spain if we finish 3rd and go through.

Fuck me

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's the European Championship, pal, not Nations League B.

[Waffdon]

Of course but I was hoping with the sheer amount of teams going through the bracket might flip and they’d be dossing it up with the mongs in group E and F.

Runners up in France’s group loving life

[-james-]

Even if by some miracle Scotland get 2nd we face either Spain, Italy or Croatia? Amazing. Belgium, Italy or Spain if we finish 3rd and go through.

Fuck me

3rd place would be the winner of Group B, E, or F. The latter two could easily throw up a Ukraine/Turkey.

[Baz]

Also have another plug for this: Euro 2024 Competition - free to play (https://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/showthread.php?3197-Euro-2024-Competition-free-to-play)

Don't say I'm not good to you, Baz.

Cheers Ian. 217 responses so far. :youpi:


Got my wallchart up and permission slip signed to go the pub on Father's Day for England's opener.

Also if anyone fancies doing Fantasy Euros, how about a TTH league?

https://i.imgur.com/wjv6dpe.png (https://gaming.uefa.com/en/eurofantasy/leagues/3h6RAY/00540068006500200054006800690072006400200048006100 6C0066/Baz)

https://gaming.uefa.com/en/eurofantasy/leagues/3h6RAY/00540068006500200054006800690072006400200048006100 6C0066/Baz

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I assume Spikey will be cheering for Germany.

[Spikey M]

Only against Poland.

[Yevrah]

I hated the format going in last time but the group stages were pretty good, so whatever. It's probably one of the least objectionable tournament structures UEFA and FIFA have presided over lately.

[Baz]

Too many thirds go through.

[John Arne]

Excel tracker for those geeks. https://www.excely.com/football/uefa-euro-2024-schedule.shtml

[John Arne]

Futmob have a cool little predictor thing... https://predict.fotmob.com/euro2024

https://gyazo.com/8499dc3e4d27529907803aa3db88d3c7.jpeg

[niko_cee]

Does that have Denmark winning England's group? Look at the state of the bracket they end up in. Southgate should be summarily dismissed if they fail to win the group.

[Shindig]

I'm not sure about Germany making it that far. The goals can't all come from Leroy Sane.

[Ben]

Do an Ivory Coast and lift the trophy with Harry Maguire as gaffer.

[Waffdon]

I'm not sure about Germany making it that far. The goals can't all come from Leroy Sane.

Why would any of the goals come from him? He barely ever scores

[Magic]

Hoping Belgium finish with nil pois.

[Kikó]

The in laws are joining in a few days and the father in law is going to all three Scotland games. Unfortunately, my gran in law just died so it's thrown all the initial plans into the bin.

Next week Lee, Duke and I will be throwing chairs at England Denmark.

[Magic]

Sorry to hear. Is he still going to the games? My soon to be brother in law has cycled over lol.

[Kikó]

Yeah, he's having to now fly directly to Munich with my brother in law. Luckily the flights aren't crazy expensive from Lisbon.

[Waffdon]

The in laws are joining in a few days and the father in law is going to all three Scotland games. Unfortunately, my gran in law just died so it's thrown all the initial plans into the bin.

Next week Lee, Duke and I will be throwing chairs at England Denmark.

Hope he drops the Scot’s patter over there

[Kikó]

I don't think he's going to be mute.

[Spikey M]

Next week Lee, Duke and I will be throwing chairs at England Denmark.

Cheers for the invite lads. Nice one.

[Kikó]

It was in the group which you chose to mute.

[Kikó]

Also Mellin is waiting on his latest cash installment for the risk free investment scheme.

[Shindig]

Why would any of the goals come from him? He barely ever scores

I just picked a name at random, to be honest. :D I just can't see Germany going that far without someone having a revelatory tournament.

[Manc]

Germany hosting means they'll lose in the final as is tradition.

[Shindig]

Can't be that much of a tradition. They didn't even make the final in '88.

[Manc]

England, France, Portugal. Obviously you can ignore the smaller nations.

[Shindig]

I don't remember us getting to the final in '96 either.

[Spikey M]

I got France in the work sweepstake so that's them not winning.

[Baz]

I got France in the work sweepstake so that's them not winning.

Was it in a kinder egg thingy? What’s the prize(s)?

[Spikey M]

Nah, just paper folded and picked from a cup. Dunno what the prizes are. Only £2 to enter so won't be much.

[Waffdon]

Bet they still award prizes to the top 3 or 4 like my pathetic work. Should be all or nothing and none of this runners up nonsense

[Shindig]

There's a bottle of whiskey up for grabs and a half-day for ours.

[Dquincy]

Bet they still award prizes to the top 3 or 4 like my pathetic work. Should be all or nothing and none of this runners up nonsense

Should be top two and a wooden spoon prize for the worst team.

[Spikey M]

I'm with Waff. At £2 a pop, there's £48 up for grabs. That should just go to the winner, but at a minimum it will be first and second place splitting it. Possibly more than that, which would be bollocks.

[Shindig]

Ayoze Perez being in the Spain squad completely passed me by.

[Dan]

Dutchies falling apart before the tournament even starts - Frenkie de Jong was ruled out at the start of the week, then Koopmeiners picked up an injury & is out too, and now Bwian Bwobbey has gone down.

[Baz]

So long as Xavi Simons stays fit. :drool:

[John Arne]

I keep swinging from optimism to pessimism with England.

I think I'm going in the negative.
We face Serbia with a CB who ended this season pretty terribly and was dropped (Stones) alongside... Well, we don't know, probably a recently crocked Palace defender. Our left back is a right back and our right back is 33 and hasn't played well for England for a long time. Keeper has short arms.
Our midfield will feature a player who has started ZERO games for his club in that position last season (ex for 1 EFL cup game), but to be fair, Rice (I don't personally rate that much - way too immobile, but seems to be loved by everybody else) should be decent enough as a water carrier and Bellingham, who is class.
Front 3 are decent.
2-1 Serbia.

[Ben]

Piss off.

3-0 England. This is our year.

[Spikey M]

It had better be, because the next opportunity comes after 60 years of hurt and I'm not sure I can stomach another Three Lions reboot.

[John Arne]

Piss off.

3-0 England. This is our year.


https://youtu.be/va6nPu-1auE?si=D80P9-2MdDhkj4Wp

[Baz]

Jones is ill isn’t he? Guehi and Gomez.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I have no idea what Serbia have done since that pathetic game at the World Cup when they decided to draw 3-3 with Cameroon for absolutely no reason, and for that reason I think we will win 6-1.

[Shindig]

Well, I picked out Georgia and Switzerland for the work sweepstake. :moop:

[phonics]

I have no idea what Serbia have done since that pathetic game at the World Cup when they decided to draw 3-3 with Cameroon for absolutely no reason, and for that reason I think we will win 6-1.

All I know is I'm certain that even if you factored in 6000 years of tactical innovations that Serbia would still be doing near post flick ons on every corner.

[Lewis]

I got Poland in the work sweep. A pound wasted.

[SincereTheRebel]

What kind of french accent is this



https://youtu.be/Dh2mhimtPAU?si=UEqZ-E7MNHIMLt-9

[Adramelch]

Sounds Monegasque.

[Lewis]

A black American French accent.

[Waffdon]

Sounds like a dodgy drake impression

[Jimmy Floyd]

He probably hasn't spoken to a white French person (including his team mates and coaches) for years.

[John Arne]

Most forriners nowadays learn English with Yank accents. Grating as fuck.

[SincereTheRebel]

Most forriners nowadays learn English with Yank accents. Grating as fuck.

Ah. That clears it up. So henry, vieira and the rest of them learned english from a french teacher

[SincereTheRebel]

He probably hasn't spoken to a white French person (including his team mates and coaches) for years.

:lol:

[thommo]

Romania in the work sweepstake. :moop:

[Ben]

Slovakia for me :thbup:

[SvN]

I've got England :baz:

[Manc]

Romania in the work sweepstake. :moop:

Matches your energy.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I got Portugal. Some controversy about the useless woman's entry, paid up on Wednesday, sacked on Thursday. She's only got Turkey so probably moot.

[Baz]

Did big nips get Italy?

[Waffdon]

Few boys from Dundee got off the plane and hired a car in Germany. None of them realised they were driving on the wrong side of the road and had a head on collision. :lol:

Probably shouldn't laugh as 2 of them are apparently in serious condition but still. Tits

[Baz]

Poland in my sweep. :moop:

[Manc]

Few boys from Dundee got off the plane and hired a car in Germany. None of them realised they were driving on the wrong side of the road and had a head on collision. :lol:

Probably shouldn't laugh as 2 of them are apparently in serious condition but still. Tits

Some boys.

[Waffdon]

No Billy Gilmour in favour of Callum McGregor :sick:

At least the best player in international football is back.

[Shindig]

I'm hoping one Scotsman has a massive game and gets a contract at Bayern off the back of it.

[Magic]

Ian Wright just said "Ched Evans" instead of Che Adams. :harold:

[Waffdon]

Can’t get over Tony Ralston starting in a game like this. Fuck me.

6-0 Germany.

A meaningful goal would be nice though.

[Giggles]

Christ, Chelsea might as well be playing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Never even slightly heard of 2 of the 11 German starters. Edging towards old age.

[Spikey M]

Just said similar to the wife. Massively out of the football loop these days.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why are the shorts the wrong way round. Tournament already ruined.

[Baz]

Virgin Media has chosen a great time to go down in my area. No TV and not internet until 4PM tomorrow, apparently.

[Shindig]

Never even slightly heard of 2 of the 11 German starters. Edging towards old age.

Max Town Centre's going to have a great future ahead of him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Get fucked Scotland.

Wirtz is quality.

[Adramelch]

That Wirtz lad looks a decent player.

[Yevrah]

Dogshit goalkeeping.

[Giggles]

Limp wrists.

[Spikey M]

Scloltland

[Luke Emia]

Rab C in goal really should have saved that.

[Magic]

Dogshit goalkeeping.

Harsh.

[Waffdon]

Brutal start. Set up all completely wrong. Typical Clarke in a tournament game.

Playing McTominay deep is just so fucking dumb. Has he not watched him at Man Utd? So narrow with a back 5 as well

[Lewis]

Julian Nagelsmann must be the biggest fanny German football has ever produced. An olden days German team would have bullied him into suicide within weeks.

[Adramelch]

Yeah he should have saved that for sure. You can blame me for that one, I turned it on right when Kimmich got the ball there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Twatterface mentioning that Nageslmann is younger than me has hit me hard.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This feels like Arsenal v Colchester in the FA Cup third round.

[Yevrah]

That was fucking lovely.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Could be a proper fisting here.

[Adramelch]

Twatterface mentioning that Nageslmann is younger than me has hit me hard.

I had a similar shocking moment a couple days ago when I learned that the Celtics head coach is about to win the NBA with back to back sweeps at the age of 35.

[Shindig]

Waff might be right on the scoreline. :D

[niko_cee]

Gubbed.

[Spikey M]

Sclololtland.

[Magic]

Lol what are these tactics. Clarke is a total clown.

[Waffdon]

Slightly regretting not putting -5 on now.

Our form since qualifying has been Craig Brown levels of bad. Another knock out tournament with fuck all goals incoming :D

[niko_cee]

There's a problem in front of the five and behind the four! :D

[Lewis]

Never even slightly heard of 2 of the 11 German starters. Edging towards old age.


Just said similar to the wife. Massively out of the football loop these days.

On a related note, I watched that documentary about Greece 2004 last night, and I found that I could still name nearly every player just off their shape and a split second of their face. I couldn't pick Ivan Toney - say - out of a bookies' queue.

[Ben]

We went for a couple of pints at the golf club after work and one of the lads said he fancied Scotland and whacked a tenner on at 12/1. :D

[Pepe]

Lol a player laying down behind the wall is still a thing.

[Spikey M]

That's a penalty

[Jimmy Floyd]

That's carton rouge isn't it? Off his feet.

Why is Janet Jackson the ITV ref expert?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's a bonkers tackle.

[Magic]

Lol red card pen. Absolute lunacy.

[Luke Emia]

Pen and red card surely.

Who’s this Yank doing the Peter Banks impression?

[Waffdon]

That’ll be a red card and penalty then

[Yevrah]

Even by Scotland's appalling tournament performances this is horrific.

[Giggles]

Might be no harm going a man down and just getting the backs to the wall.

[Spikey M]

Sclolololtland.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Matterface is always a fucking terrible commentator, but dropping 'goal involvements galore' during the first half of a major tournament opener just sums up his craft. A man who is appalling at his job.

[Magic]

Might be no harm going a man down and just getting the backs to the wall.

That would require tactical nouse and organisation.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Matterface is always a fucking terrible commentator, but dropping 'goal involvements galore' during the first half of a major tournament opener just sums up his craft. A man who is appalling at his job.

Suggesting that Scotland might as well just go for it in the second half now too.

[Adramelch]

And all of a sudden Waff's 6-0 prediction seems kind of optimistic.

[Lewis]

That's carton rouge isn't it? Off his feet.

Why is Janet Jackson the ITV ref expert?

Can't even watch the footie without some compliance lady pecking your head. I hope Nigel bans it.

[niko_cee]

Quite unlucky that.

They need to fuck this VAR woman off pronto.

[Waffdon]

Even by Scotland's appalling tournament performances this is horrific.

Based on line ups alone Germany should be winning this by 3 or 4 every single time. We have an awful championship goalkeeper with more championship and Saudi league shite in front of him.

[Waffdon]

And all of a sudden Waff's 6-0 prediction seems kind of optimistic.

I was being deadly serious when I said the other week we’d be one of the worst teams in history. I think we’ll be -10 or worse GD after the 3 games

[niko_cee]

Yeah, Gunn looks dreadful. Like super nervous and super shit.

[Dquincy]

Matterface is always a fucking terrible commentator, but dropping 'goal involvements galore' during the first half of a major tournament opener just sums up his craft. A man who is appalling at his job.
Or just a sign of the times.

[Waffdon]

We’re gonna see Grant Hanley come on in the second half. Maybe extend the 6-0 to 8-0.

[Magic]

We’re gonna see Grant Hanley come on in the second half. Maybe extend the 6-0 to 8-0.

Hoping for League One Liam cameo.

[Pepe]

Only 16 teams should qualify.

[igor_balis]

Lol a player laying down behind the wall is still a thing.

Why wouldn't it be lol, it makes perfect sense

[Raoul Duke]

Don't know how you can play 3-4-3 and still look like you have no width

[Pepe]

Also, these single color uniforms need to go.

[Lewis]

McTominay strolling back whilst a goal is being scored fucking hell every single game.

[Magic]

I thought that was Christie lolling back?

[Spikey M]

I'm not sure we'd come out much better off against this Germany side with our woeful defence.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Small things but terrible opening ceremony and guaranteed-sacking stuff from the host broadcaster to manage not to show the referee showing the red card even though there was a massive set-piece lead in to it. Very amateurish start for the tournament.

[Waffdon]

You’d score a goal or two. Theyre pretty rank defensively

[Waffdon]

McTominay strolling back whilst a goal is being scored fucking hell every single game.

He only ever looks good ‘crashing the box’. Playing him where he needs to be an actual footballer is dumb. He’s been playing off the front for the past year and scored for fun.

[Magic]

We’re gonna see Grant Hanley come on in the second half. Maybe extend the 6-0 to 8-0.

Oh my god he is as well.

[Lewis]

He only ever looks good ‘crashing the box’. Playing him where he needs to be an actual footballer is dumb. He’s been playing off the front for the past year and scored for fun.

The white Marouane Fellaini.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Or just a sign of the times.

Didn't see Brian Moore or Clive getting involved with 'signs of the times' when they were ITV lead commentator.

[Waffdon]

https://i.ibb.co/vxCf0rW/4d1462f6-9822-40a6-953c-d54841ba5ea5.jpg

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why is Twatterface calling him Zanay?

[Magic]

Jesus what the hell was that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a finish.

[Spikey M]

Sclololololtland

[Jimmy Floyd]

I like Fullkrug. Proper number nine, none of this poncy cunt stuff.

[Waffdon]

How weak are Angus Gunn’s wrists. Bloody hell

[niko_cee]

I can't quite work out whether they've done well to make VAR even worse with the inclusion of this rules analyst woman or they've done well trying to make it as bad for the viewer at home as the fan in the ground.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I can't quite work out whether they've done well to make VAR even worse with the inclusion of this rules analyst woman or they've done well trying to make it as bad for the viewer at home as the fan in the ground.

It's an utterly bizarre choice. Like asking Siri to read you sections from the last IFAB minutes during a game.

[Baz]

Imagine if Musiala chose England instead.

[Dquincy]

Didn't see Brian Moore or Clive getting involved with 'signs of the times' when they were ITV lead commentator.

They probably did, but you were a young whipper snapper back then and embraced it all. Where as now, you're really old.

[Dquincy]

Haven't seen Germany run through a European nation so easily since 1940.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Imagine if Musiala chose England instead.

Then Waistcoat would have wasted him and he'd be wank.

[randomlegend]

Wafflez and Magic both being Scottish really is a treat.

[Ian]

They probably did, but you were a young whipper snapper back then and embraced it all. Where as now, you're really old.

Don't be taking Sam Matterface's side, he's fucking shambolic and clearly desperate to generate a famous Moment.

[Magic]

Ahahaha.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The comeback is ON.

[Spikey M]

Rluldiger.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Seven Nation Army played for that goal is why Brexit happened.

[Adramelch]

Class finish by Rudiger that.

[Spikey M]

Oh just give them the goal you tossers

[Spikey M]

Can I mute this Yank twat with the red button or something?

[Dark Soldier]

That's basically a win for the Scots what a team what a nation haha scottish bants get it up ya

[Waffdon]

That's basically a win for the Scots what a team what a nation haha scottish bants get it up ya

Nice eyes, dickheed

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Nice eyes, dickheed

:D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Scotland GUBBED.

[Dark Soldier]

Best in the world mate

[Waffdon]

This goalkeeper :D

[Dquincy]

Don't be taking Sam Matterface's side, he's fucking shambolic and clearly desperate to generate a famous Moment.

Fair. Although always nice to have McCoist on the commentary.

The yank siri VAR lass is not needed though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That will be very costly in the third place table if they get there.

[Waffdon]

That will be very costly in the third place table if they get there.

Doubt there are more than 4 teams that get to 4 points which is what you’d be hoping for.

Maybe he’ll actually try to play a little more expansive on Wednesday now. Doubt.

[Waffdon]

Scoring without a shot on target. Clarke will be delighted

[Lewis]

Why is Twatterface calling him Zanay?

He called Zaire 'Zayer' as well.

[Shindig]

The bloke who does the Bundesliga youtube matches for Sky calls him Zanay as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It would be Zanay in German, but on that basis he should do the whole commentary in German, which tbf might be more bearable.

[Lewis]

Sit-down punditry was obviously keeping Roy Keane relaxed. This talking shit in the kitchen format is going to end with him shitting his pants.

[niko_cee]

I quite like looks like he might be on something skinny mad Keane.

[Shindig]

The pitch-side punditry is the stuff that gets me. You're asking for a ball to the face. All because they didn't get the women a seat in the studio.

[niko_cee]

I've just noticed that the funky format causes unnecessary elongation of the tournament. I was doubting in my mind whether the final was July 14, figuring logic might say it was a week earlier for Sir Keir to walk into the ultimate national high, but it seems it is. Were the euros historically three weeks versus the four week world cup? A multi-day gap between the end of the group phase and the last 16 games is just terrible. I guess this happened last time.

[Shindig]

Yeah. I went to check the Euro 96 schedule and that was 3 weeks. I also forgot how a group game at Old Trafford went ahead a day after the IRA bombed the shopping centre. :|

[randomlegend]

Antonio Rüdiger is now joint top scorer for Scotland in the history of the European Championships.

[igor_balis]

Wafflez being Scottish really is a treat.
You could say he's a blue waffle tonight!!

[Dquincy]

Antonio Rüdiger is now joint top scorer for Scotland in the history of the European Championships.

At least post the twitter link.

[-james-]

Scotland are obviously quite shit but I think the bigger takeaway from tonight is that Germany are probably an excellent side.

Will see how this stacks up in a week but I think you've got England, Spain, Germany, France, Portugal as more or less equally likely to win it.

[Yevrah]

Will see how this stacks up in a week but I think you've got England, Spain, Germany, France, Portugal as more or less equally likely to win it.

Here we go again. :D

[-james-]

I don't think that's the controversial statement that you think it is.

[Yevrah]

I know you don't, we do this every tournament.

[Kikó]

Scotland had no idea how to deal with the high press last night and just looked ridiculous. No out ball which just lead to being completely exposed all over the place. That lunge for the penalty was absolute filth, should be a 5 game ban minimum.

[niko_cee]

Scotland are obviously quite shit but I think the bigger takeaway from tonight is that Germany are probably an excellent side.


Germany had a bit of an Italy last time round feel.

Whether they can get away with that guy in the middle just fouling everything that moves against better opposition might be a question.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Think they will leak against decent teams. Scotland offered literally nothing and they still scored.

[-james-]

I would argue that limiting a team (even a hopeless one) to about two touches in the box and zero shots is a more useful indicator than conceding one flukey ricochet own goal.

[Shindig]

Like Kiko said, Scotland had no outlet. Where was the threat really going to come from?

[Waffdon]

Not having a competent right back fit really showed up yesterday. I’m going to presume that’s why they were all shuffling over and leaving huge gaps for Kimmich every time.

Yesterday’s game was always a bit irrelevant. Tournament was always coming down to the Wednesday and Sunday games. Let’s hope Clark actually learned a thing or two.

[-james-]

Munich is proper good btw. Spent yesterday at the Augustiner Keller, what a place.

[Baz]

Hard to guess what’ll be the biggest scoreline between last night, Albania later or Poland tomorrow.

[Waffdon]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Albania get a draw tonight. Wouldnt fancy Italy at all.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hard to guess what’ll be the biggest scoreline between last night, Albania later or Poland tomorrow.

Fuck you.

[Lofty]

Sit-down punditry was obviously keeping Roy Keane relaxed. This talking shit in the kitchen format is going to end with him shitting his pants.

I think he gets wound up by Souness too, remember the world cup opener they were nearly having a dust up at half time about that penalty decision.

[Shindig]

He got a CBE or something in the honours list. We won't hear the end of it in the preamble.

[Lewis]

I think he gets wound up by Souness too, remember the world cup opener they were nearly having a dust up at half time about that penalty decision.

I reckon Souness is the gaffer and spends all day making little digs about Ireland.

[Magic]

He kept mentioning Celtic players rather than Scotland so you're probably right.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That looked onside.

[Shindig]

Perfectly timed. I'm surprised that was flagged.

[Waffdon]

Terrible decision from the linesman. Looked miles onside

[Magic]

These two look miles better than we do.

[John Arne]

This is pretty turgid.

[Magic]

Yeah Hungary don't look great actually. Turned it off now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah Hungary don't look great actually. Turned it off now.

Still better than your lot.

[Magic]

Still better than your lot.

I agree, maybe a chance of a point against them but no chance against the Swiss.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I agree, maybe a chance of a point against them but no chance against the Swiss.

That's how I see it.

Really can't see you getting 4 points.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's a really nice finish.

[Shindig]

Canny finish. Hungary like to chase everything down but they haven't got the defence sorted.

[Waffdon]

Aebischer has looked good this half. Was a lovely pass for the opener as well.

Genuinely never heard of him but makes sense he’s in that Bologna team

[Lewis]

Fucking hell proper punditry sixth string here. I wonder if they level with them and say you're only getting the shit games, or whether they dangle promotion to the games people actually watch.

[Magic]

Fucking hell proper punditry sixth string here. I wonder if they level with them and say you're only getting the shit games, or whether they dangle promotion to the games people actually watch.

Why wasn't Clive on with Ally last night instead of that cunt Shatterface.

[Waffdon]

Switzerland winning by 2 or 3 sets up Scotland fairly well. Blind faith and all that but you’d imagine Germany batter Hungary midweek so Scotland could potentially be playing a team with fuck all to play for. Obviously that doesn’t take Switzerland battering Scotland into account but you’d imagine they wouldn’t be totally against a draw

[Adramelch]

Why would Hungary have fuck all to play for in that scenario? A win against Scotland could still see them through.

[Adramelch]

That didn't look offside. Horrendous finish.

[Waffdon]

Why would Hungary have fuck all to play for in that scenario? A win against Scotland could still see them through.

If they’re on 0 points going into the final game they’ll have a decent idea as to whether or not 3 points and presumably negative goal difference will go through. I think all the teams going through will be on 4 points based off the groups

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Could be on for a quality ending here.

Switzerland have really switched off.

[Adramelch]

If they’re on 0 points going into the final game they’ll have a decent idea as to whether or not 3 points and presumably negative goal difference will go through. I think all the teams going through will be on 4 points based off the groups

You're the first group to play so they will go for the 3 points in the off-chance it's enough. In 2016 and 2020, three teams went through on 3 points for what it's worth. Obviously a big negative goal difference would make it unlikely, but it's not nothing to play for.

Hungary's response has been very good in the second half so far.

[Magic]

I agree, maybe a chance of a point against them but no chance against the Swiss.

I take it back. Nil pois.

[Waffdon]

Broadcasters aren’t half obsessed with this Swiss manager

[Baz]

lol at Cucurella getting the nod ahead of Grimaldo.

[Waffdon]

lol at Cucurella getting the nod ahead of Grimaldo.

That Spain defence looks very mid. And tiny.

[niko_cee]

Is every game on ITV?

[Adramelch]

I've always just assumed Grimaldo was portuguese.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I haven't watched much of Williams and Yamal admittedly but they have no one better?

Especially Yamal who I thought was just hyped because BARCA MATE.

[Baz]

Is every game on ITV?

Italy is on BBC tonight.

[Lewis]

Croatia are due a punishment for all the shit they've inflicted on us in recent tournaments.

[niko_cee]

Especially Yamal who I thought was just hyped because BARCA MATE.

Never seen much of him but he looks insanely one footed so far.

Hoping for some good process from the VAR today.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Never seen much of him but he looks insanely one footed so far.

Hoping for some good process from the VAR today.

So evident a few minutes ago when he was put through and he was DESPERATE to put it on his left foot.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I liked it more when Morata was in Donkey mode for Spain.

[Bernanke]

I liked it more when Morata was in Donkey mode for Spain.

That first touch was great to give himself time.

[Adramelch]

Ruiz doing whatever he wants on the pitch.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was a class goal.

Lovely feet from Ruiz.

[niko_cee]

Maybe put a tackle in at some point lads.

[Bernanke]

Jesus that's glorious.

[Shindig]

This might be the end of the 400-year old Croatian squad.

[Lewis]

Waaay can't play for penalties in the group you tramps.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Maybe there's a reason why the incredibly one footed Yamal is playing.

[niko_cee]

Was it the last world cup or the last euros where Spain spannered someone in the opening game and then basically lost every game thereafter?

[Shindig]

7-0 against Korea and then a point against Germany and a defeat to Japan. Went out to Morocco on penalties in the last 16.

[Spikey M]

I though Modric retired from international Football at the last World Cup? I'm sure they made a big song and dance of it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

How have they not scored there?

[niko_cee]

Yamal really should be playing on the left as a proper winger all the time, rather than on the right as the modern inverted winger shite.

[niko_cee]

You have to blast that high Germany style.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm really glad Lee Dixon keeps reminding us that Yamal is 16.

I seem to forget every minute.

[niko_cee]

I'm not convinced by Spain having those two taking all their freekicks.

[Magic]

I just adore Modric. What a player.

[Spikey M]

How the fuck is that only a yellow?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That should be a red for Rodri.

[Lewis]

It should be a booking for the diving cunt.

[Adramelch]

It's a stupid challenge from Rodri. Just let it go, it changes nothing.