Euro 2024: The Knockouts

[niko_cee]

When we get the next penalty hopefully we have a plan for someone else to take it.

[Waffdon]

Not a penalty, but that said it was an idiotic challenge from Dumfries.

I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen a penalty for someone attempting to block a shot before. I’ve seen much worse where the players get clattered and they’re never given. I’m not even sure he touches Kane

[John Arne]

Every time Tripper appears on screen I feel physically sick.

[Dark Soldier]

I wonder what the reaction was in Magic's pub

[Magic]

I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen a penalty for someone attempting to block a shot before. I’ve seen much worse where the players get clattered and they’re never given. I’m not even sure he touches Kane

Correct take. Kane kicks him. Should be sent off for violent conduct.

[Spikey M]

He did touch him, but only because Kane kicked the bottom of his foot.

[Spikey M]

2 goals in 20 minutes. Someone check on Southgate.

[7om]

He did touch him, but only because Kane kicked the bottom of his foot.

That happens on the halfway line and it would be a foul.

[Magic]

I wonder what the reaction was in Magic's pub

The barman cheered which was weird, otherwise we all ignored it and started singing Horst-Wessel-Lied again.

[niko_cee]

How dare he put his foot there though.

[thommo]

As soon as he's put his studs up high and made contact, that's all VAR needs. The more and more they showed the replay, the more I thought it looked a penalty.

If that's in the middle of the pitch, attempting to block a pass, it'd be a foul 99 times out of 100.

[Yevrah]

It's one of the most ludicrous penalties I've ever seen, but as soon as those VAR cunts get involved the referee has every excuse he needs just to follow them and give it.

The luck Sir Gareth has is off the charts.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Foden :harold:

[Danny]

The timing for the woman saying it wasn't and the referee pointing for it was genuinely perfect.

They have Clattenburg on the US feed.

"Mark has said its not a penalty"
*Ref goes to monitor - lets bring Mark in*
"Its a penalty"

[Yevrah]

Low bar I know, but this is the best we've been by a mile in this tournament.

[niko_cee]

That happens on the halfway line and it would be a foul.

You know all those fouls that get given when a defender is shepherding the ball out of play?

Brilliant from Kane though he was selling it immediately.

Got them rattled here.

[Waffdon]

England look legitimately good here. They have space everywhere

Fuck sake

[Spikey M]

We've actually started playing football here.

[Spikey M]

Stop giving the ball to Walker please.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Dumfries is going to need to be hooked.

[John Arne]

How's the ref missed that foul on Foden?

[randomlegend]

Mainoo so good again. Look forward to the Liverpool and Arsenal retards telling us how he's bad again because United ruined their childhoods.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I don't like how England have responded to the first goal.

[Foe]

It’s never a penalty.

The idea that they’ve intervened on it in a semi final of a major tournament too is pretty shameful.

England should win this comfortably from here. But fuck me, how much luck can a team have?

[John Arne]

Rice is so immobile.

Stodgy as fuck.

[Spoonsky]

Mainoo so good again. Look forward to the Liverpool and Arsenal retards telling us how he's bad again because United ruined their childhoods.

As for United he's a diamond in a pile of shit.

[John Arne]

Mainoo so good again. Look forward to the Liverpool and Arsenal retards telling us how he's bad again because United ruined their childhoods.

He's been out best player in our last 3 games, and so far this game excellent, too. Who on here has been saying he's shit?

[Yevrah]

Hold me. If that had gone in.

[Magic]

What team is this please.

[Adramelch]

That's already close to being the best game in the knockouts.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Has Pep donned a Gareth Southgate body suit and headed for the touchline?

[Spikey M]

Maybe the Pundits really have gaslit them into being good

[Luke Emia]

For any Southgate apologists this is all people have been asking for. A bit of attacking intent and we look twice the team.

[randomlegend]

He's been out best player in our last 3 games, and so far this game excellent, too. Who on here has been saying he's shit?

Baz and (I think it was) Phonics.

[Yevrah]

If Mainoo sees Walker there it's either a goal kick or 2-1.

[John Arne]

Netherlands midfield non existent.

We have to keep this pace up.

[John Arne]

Baz and (I think it was) Phonics.

Well, yeah :D

[Magic]

What happened to MEMPHIS?

[Dark Soldier]

Non-believers in shock. Been telling ya all this time ya bunch of fucks. Ingerland.

[Adramelch]

Blessing in disguise that Depay injury I reckon. I know he had a part in their goal but he's been detrimental to their play throughout the tournament.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tactical change at 35 minutes from the bus conductor. Can't live with us at all.

[randomlegend]

Who have Holland beaten so far?

I'm working on the thesis that they are actually just shit and it's nothing to do with England being good.

[niko_cee]

Who have Holland beaten so far?

I'm working on the thesis that they are actually just shit and it's nothing to do with England being good.

Cody Gakpo is their star player.

What more do you need to know?

[randomlegend]

Rice looks so confused when he has to pass the ball forwards.

[Magic]

Tactical change at 35 minutes from the bus conductor. Can't live with us at all.

Wow you're joking? Thought he was injured...

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wow you're joking? Thought he was injured...

He was injured but he then brought on a midfielder to add numbers there, leaving Donald Duck on his own up front.

[Spikey M]

Who have Holland beaten so far?

I'm working on the thesis that they are actually just shit and it's nothing to do with England being good.

It's not that.

Well, they might be shit, I don't know. But that has nothing to do with us looking good. We have managed to out shit pure shit before now.

[Adramelch]

He was injured, but the sub wasn't like for like. I think he took the opportunity to also change tactics a bit.

[Yevrah]

Non-believers in shock. Been telling ya all this time ya bunch of fucks. Ingerland.

Approach the first game in this way and there'd have been 10-20% of the complaints.

[Dark Soldier]

Mainoo is basically Modric, without looking like an anorexic.

[John Arne]

Walker needs to speed up. Every time he gets the ball he could pass to Saka, instead and fannies around then plays it backwards.

[Foe]

England are clearly miles the better team, perhaps the best team of the tournament performance wise, when they actually bother to attack like they have here.

The fans knew they would be, which is why all the stick for the manager. It’s proof Southgate is a piss poor manager and he’s been holding this team back. Bar Bellingham overhead kick miracle this team was out in the last 16 to Slovakia. Ted lasso would’ve done a better job.

[randomlegend]

I've just discovered Ajax have a player called Branco van den Boomen, which is unarguably the greatest football player name of all time.

[Magic]

Just got asked if I was Irish. Come on ye black and tans.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm a bit nervous about our shite defence now that we're in an open game.

[randomlegend]

It will be absolutely hilarious if we play well all game and get scammed in the 95th minute.

Southgate to come out after and teabag the nation with "I told you so" written in permanent marker on his balls.

[Yevrah]

That was a million miles better. 1-1 probably a fair reflection given the absolutely bullshit penalty, but having been given it and scored we really should have done so again. Not too fussed we didn't mind as that only would have lent itself to us dropping deep for the rest of the game.

Our defence looks shaky, will be interesting to see what happens when Wout comes on.

[Waffdon]

I'm a bit nervous about our shite defence now that we're in an open game.

Need big Wout to cause chaos

[Manc]

Watkins for Kane and we will win comfortably.

[Spikey M]

I'm a bit nervous about our shite defence now that we're in an open game.

Indeed. This could easily finish 3-1 either way.

[Magic]

Freund is 'commentating' on the replays as if it's real time. So annoying.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Changed my mind on the decision. It's a kick from the penalty mark.

[randomlegend]

Changed my mind on the decision. It's a kick from the penalty mark.

Moron.

[Adramelch]

For me the weirdest part is that it took the VAR 3-4 minutes to call him to review it. Clearly the "clear and obvious error" part of the rule isn't a factor anymore. I think based on the yellow he's mostly given it because he went studs up.

[niko_cee]

Kane clearly kicks him. It's fine if that is now the standard, I have long moaned about attackers getting absolutely cleaned out by lunging attempts to block the ball, but it clearly isn't, hence the FIFA bird in the booth saying no way José will this get VAR'd. Sorry love.

Not as bad, but it's like that time some West Ham guy managed to get his leg under Son's foot as he put it down and got him sent off, or was it the other way around? Son booting someone's studs after they'd kicked the ball?

[Manc]

Neville is such a misery. Right up there with Yev.

[Shindig]

If those are getting given, we should get Gordon on to make the most of it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Kane clearly kicks him. It's fine if that is now the standard, I have long moaned about attackers getting absolutely cleaned out by lunging attempts to block the ball, but it clearly isn't, hence the FIFA bird in the booth saying no way José will this get VAR'd. Sorry love.

Not as bad, but it's like that time some West Ham guy managed to get his leg under Son's foot as he put it down and got him sent off, or was it the other way around? Son booting someone's studs after they'd kicked the ball?

Kane doesn't kick anyone. Kane takes a shot at goal, gets it away, defender is late, makes contact and has no reason to be there, pen. High too and arguably reckless, hence the yellow card.

[Spoonsky]

Luke fucking Shaw. Yes.

[Lofty]

Mainoo so good again. Look forward to the Liverpool and Arsenal retards telling us how he's bad again because United ruined their childhoods.

He's a talent to be sure but his first touch swings between Paul Scholes and John Worboys.

[Spikey M]

Luke Shaw ffs. That left wing is about to be more open to marauding foreigners than Kents beaches.

[Yevrah]

Sir Gareth is doing well so far tonight.

[Yevrah]

Luke Shaw ffs. That left wing is about to be more open to marauding foreigners than Kents beaches.

If we actually have something down the left going forward I can live with that.

[Adramelch]

Dumfries on a yellow down that side as well.

[Spikey M]

The battle of the bombscares.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Mainoo very good so far (along with Bellingham and Foden) but it concerns me that Sir Henry Winter is out there on twitter praising his futsal skills. Someone wants some likes and RTs from the United mob.

[John Arne]

The banter on Five Live is insufferable. Shearer and some other bloke particularly.

[Magic]

Lol the Dutch being useless is turning Sideways FC back on.

[SvN]

Luke Shaw ffs. That left wing is about to be more open to marauding foreigners than Kents beaches.

Let it go, this is an awful take.

[Manc]

Rice blowing out of his arse already.

[Bernanke]

Rice blowing out of his arse already.

He looked cooked in 49th.

[John Arne]

Can we bring on a striker who is willing to do a bit of running?

[Yevrah]

How has Ally McCoist been around football all his life and got to the age he is without knowing that the Dutch are the tallest nation on average?

[7om]

Matterface: on average, the Netherlands are the tallest people on Earth.
McCoist: planet Earth?

Superb stuff.

[John Arne]

Tactical masterclass from Koeman here. Sit back, let England revert to norm and then his us on the break.

[Yevrah]

I'm smelling us going a bit wank again.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm picturing him out on the piss with Alan Brazil now.

Ye hear tha?
Wha?
The Dutch
Wha aboot them Ally
Tallest nation on earth
Yous kiddin me
Nae kiddin Al
Tallest nation?
Or was it smallest?
Aye
Smallest, aye
Unbelievable
Bahhhgs of experience
Aye

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just stick it on Wout's head lads.

[niko_cee]

Kane doesn't kick anyone. Kane takes a shot at goal, gets it away, defender is late, makes contact and has no reason to be there, pen. High too and arguably reckless, hence the yellow card.

Dumfries dangles the leg, Kane's kick takes his foot into it. He's not coming through with force with studs showing. I refer you once again to the FIFA booth lady. If it's given it stands, but if it isn't given it really ought not, that's not how it works now, apparently.

[Spikey M]

I'm smelling us going a bit wank again.

It's this:


Tactical masterclass from Koeman here. Sit back, let England revert to norm and then his us on the break.

And it's brutally effective. We have no KDB style playmaker to help unlock it.

[randomlegend]

England back to showing all the penetration potential of Jimmy in a room full of nuns.

Sir Gareth has clearly laid into them at halftime for their recklessness.

[Magic]

Tactical masterclass from Koeman here. Sit back, let England revert to norm and then his us on the break.

I actually agree with this.

[Yevrah]

It's this:

And it's brutally effective. We have no KDB style playmaker to help unlock it.

And no striker making runs.

[Spikey M]

And no striker making runs.

That too

[Yevrah]

Yeah, we're rapidly entering the territory where Sir Gareth needs to change something up front but he'll wait 17 minutes before taking Mainoo off instead.

[John Arne]

I trust in Gareth to bring on Watkins for Kane, 70th minute.

[randomlegend]

Fucking Rice

[Boydy]

What is the point of Harry Kane in this England team?

[Lewis]

I'm picturing him out on the piss with Alan Brazil now.

Ye hear tha?
Wha?
The Dutch
Wha aboot them Ally
Tallest nation on earth
Yous kiddin me
Nae kiddin Al
Tallest nation?
Or was it smallest?
Aye
Smallest, aye
Unbelievable
Bahhhgs of experience
Aye

I hope you at least typed that out on a keyboard.

[Adramelch]

Has Saka even touched the ball in this half?

[Yevrah]

The Dutch are warming up, please do something Gareth.

[John Arne]

Gareth make some subs so soppy cunt!!

[Spikey M]

Fuck sake

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just, I think. Thankfully.

[Lofty]

Yikes.

[Magic]

:harold:

[Adramelch]

Looks offside, but that was good football from England nevertheless.

[John Arne]

Foden instead of Bellingham is curious.

[Spikey M]

I'd prefer Toney, but finally.

[Yevrah]

Foden looks gutted. Feel for him in hitting the woodwork.

[Lofty]

How many shots on target has Foden had? 3? Gareth scared of Jude.

[Adramelch]

Foden instead of Bellingham is curious.

Don't think there's any chance of Southgate taking Bellingham off after his goal against Slovakia.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

How many shots on target has Foden had? 3? Gareth scared of Jude.

Two.

Post shot isn't on target.

[John Arne]

Awful second half. Absolutely no pressure or pace.

This Dutch team are bang average, and we've royally fucked this up.

[Spikey M]

They are causing so many problems from set pieces.

Tallest nation in the world, I understand.

[7om]

Unless Foden is absolutely knackered, it should’ve been Bellingham subbed off.

[randomlegend]

The best player Wafflez has ever seen shanking it like a gimp.

[Yevrah]

Awful second half. Absolutely no pressure or pace.

This Dutch team are bang average, and we've royally fucked this up.

The reality is that this is about as good as a Sir Gareth Southgate England team can play.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bollocks.

[Yevrah]

Oh yes. What a fucking goal.

[Spikey M]

Get the fuck in!!

[randomlegend]

That is brilliant from Watkins to score from there.

[Waffdon]

Some goal

[Shindig]

Woah.

[Adramelch]

Incredible.

[Boydy]

Class goal. Amazing what happens when you have a striker who actually gets into the box.

[John Arne]

Yeeeeeeeees

[Magic]

Sir Gareth.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That is such a good finish.

[Jimmy Floyd]

OK, I lost my shit there. First time in fucking who knows when, watching England.

[Dark Soldier]

In Southgate we trust.

[Spikey M]

Blow the whistle ref.

[7om]

Southgate has donned this tournament. It’s time to admit it.

[Dark Soldier]

The reality is that this is about as good as a Sir Gareth Southgate England team can play.

Hawk tuah that D Yev INGERLAND

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hawk tuah that D Yev INGERLAND

:D

ffs.

[Pepe]

In Southgate we trust.


Southgate has donned this tournament. It’s time to admit it.

:cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fuck you Ronald Koeman. 31 years you've had this coming. Cunt.

[Spikey M]

Tallest Shitest nation in the world.

[Yevrah]

Hawk tuah that D Yev INGERLAND

That was the first time in the tournament I can recall us being one on one with the final defender.

[Waffdon]

Watkins has scored that type of goal so often. They’d be better off starting him in final regardless of that goal. Gives so much more

[Shindig]

Oh, Matterface is like a pig in a thesaurus. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Spain, please, I beg.

[7om]

Me and DS held steady. We never stopped believing.

[Yevrah]

That was comfortably Sir Gareth's best showing as manager. Genuine 8/10+ stuff.

[Yevrah]

Oh, Matterface is like a pig in a thesaurus. :D

:lol:

[thommo]

Fuck you Ronald Koeman. 31 years you've had this coming. Cunt.

:nod:

Deserved it to just to right that wrong.

[phonics]

Look I think everyone has to be objective now and Sir Gareth Southgate of not a fraud. Harry Kane is holding him back.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Spain, please, I beg.

Plenty of flights out from Luton, suggest you get on one.

[SvN]

WHat a goal that was.

[Yevrah]

It has to be said though, Harry Kane can absolutely not start in the final. It was very good to bring Watkins on (I'd have gone for Toney, 1-0 Sir Gareth) but he simply can't persist with playing him. He's actively killing our attacks.

[Magic]

Some 4ft 10" Lish cunt giving it large. He forgets we hate the Dutchies more.

[Dark Soldier]

Spain are a paella of shit and Sir Gareth is gonna tapas on their footballing grave fucking have it up ya Europe Brexitland is back

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Plenty of flights out from Luton, suggest you get on one.

Surely they can't get Southgated?

[Adramelch]

It has to be said though, Harry Kane can absolutely not start in the final. It was very good to bring Watkins on (I'd have gone for Toney, 1-0 Sir Gareth) but he simply can't persist with playing him. He's actively killing our attacks.

I thought he was generally ok in the first half. I don't mind him starting but he needs to get subbed off way faster if he plays like he did after the 30th minute or so.

[7om]

Kane 100% will start the final.

[Magic]

Sir Gareth and Sir Kier carrying the British Empire back to glory.

[Shindig]

He'll start. There are six tied on 3 goals for top scorer. Harry is one. Dani Olmo is another.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We fucking deserved that. We played well for the first time in the tournament. Holland were fucking shit and deserved to lose.

[Yevrah]

I thought he was generally ok in the first half. I don't mind him starting but he needs to get subbed off way faster if he plays like that.

Even if it's only tactical (it isn't) you'd imagine we're going to be soaking up a lot of pressure against the Spanish and other than briefly holding the ball up only to lose it again I've no idea how Kane is going to help with that.

[7om]

One thing is for certain, Rodri is going to be all over Foden like a fucking rash on Sunday. We’re going to have to create space for him somehow.

[Yevrah]

Kane 100% will start the final.

Yeah, he won't drop him, but it looks like this might be the beginning of the end. He'd been un-sub-able up to this tournament.

[Dark Soldier]

Sir Harry Kane will smash in a hat trick in the final.

[Spikey M]

For the last 5 years Kanes game has been dropping deep and "quarterbacking" for the wingers.

He did it at Spurs with Son under Mourinho, and they had 50+ goals and assists each that season. He did the same for England with Sterling, and he's done the same in Germany this year, top of the pops for goals and assists again.

He is deadly. But, it isn't working in this team. Saka and Foden don't make those kinds of runs for him. It's not their game. So yeah, sadly, he has to go for the sake of team cohesion.

[Yevrah]

We fucking deserved that. We played well for the first time in the tournament. Holland were fucking shit and deserved to lose.

Yeah, the Dutch were wank, but I'm taking nothing away from Sir Gareth even with that in mind. No England manager has beaten a nation of anything like the calibre of the Dutch on foreign soil, let alone in a semi-final, so kudos. He's earned a free swing against the Spanish as a result with the full support of the nation behind him.

[Yevrah]

More proof from the mouth of Watkins that the subs are pre-planned. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah, the Dutch were wank, but I'm taking nothing away from Sir Gareth even with that in mind. No England manager has beaten a nation of anything like the calibre of the Dutch on foreign soil, let alone in a semi-final, so kudos. He's earned a free swing against the Spanish as a result with the full support of the nation behind him.

Not the full support...

[Jimmy Floyd]

One Dutchman is of course absolutely delighted:

https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2161529136/photo/netherlands-v-england-semi-final-uefa-euro-2024.jpg?s=1024x1024&w=gi&k=20&c=pjb2zf61Iy-cE9Dtz0Ul-NkjcRF81OSiR7rGc-E5uIA=

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah, the Dutch were wank, but I'm taking nothing away from Sir Gareth even with that in mind. No England manager has beaten a nation of anything like the calibre of the Dutch on foreign soil, let alone in a semi-final, so kudos. He's earned a free swing against the Spanish as a result with the full support of the nation behind him.

Yep. Donned us all.

Come from behind in all three knockout games too.

[Shindig]

He has really broken some old stigmas.

[Yevrah]

Yep. Donned us all.

Come from behind in all three knockout games too.

A mate and I were chatting in the week and wondering whether on that score he's 4-D chess'd us all, realising that England are bollocks when we go ahead and deciding that it's not worth doing that as a result. Maybe the next phase of the masterplan is playing like 1970s Brazil.

[Raoul Duke]

Great result and he changed the game with the subs.

I guess now Shaw has played a full half he can hopefully start the final

[niko_cee]

You would think Watkins for pace on the break against Spain would make sense, so hopefully we can grind until whenever he comes on.

This is it isn't it, payback for 40 years plus of absolute bullshit in major tournaments. The hand of god, Chris Waddle hitting the post, Gazza being one inch shorter than he needed to be, Beckham's red card, Sol Campbell's disallowed header, was there a goal disallowed against Argentina in '98 as well, Rooney's broken foot, Lampard's non goal, the whole Roy Hodgson thing, banking it all.

[Dark Soldier]

Absolute backtracking in here. Arses pulsating. If we don the final, Yev put on the Sir Gareth mask I'm taking you to a bank machine on a lead.

[Yevrah]

I still can't get over the shock I felt at seeing our striker up against the last defender inside the box. Made the goal all the more special.

[Yevrah]

Absolute backtracking in here. Arses pulsating. If we don the final, Yev put on the Sir Gareth mask I'm taking you to a bank machine on a lead.

It's not backtracking, it's being fair. That's all I ever am DS.

[Lewis]

One Dutchman is of course absolutely delighted:

https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2161529136/photo/netherlands-v-england-semi-final-uefa-euro-2024.jpg?s=1024x1024&w=gi&k=20&c=pjb2zf61Iy-cE9Dtz0Ul-NkjcRF81OSiR7rGc-E5uIA=

Thought that was the end of his cock just above his knee.

[Dark Soldier]

It's not backtracking, it's being fair. That's all I ever am DS.

£200 in fivers mate. Kiss each one as you hand it over.

[Spikey M]

You would think Watkins for pace on the break against Spain would make sense, so hopefully we can grind until whenever he comes on.

This is it isn't it, payback for 40 years plus of absolute bullshit in major tournaments. The hand of god, Chris Waddle hitting the post, Gazza being one inch shorter than he needed to be, Beckham's red card, Sol Campbell's disallowed header, was there a goal disallowed against Argentina in '98 as well, Rooney's broken foot, the whole Roy Hodgson thing, banking it all.

https://i.ibb.co/dPDBw0z/Screenshot-20240710-221651-Brave.jpg

[niko_cee]

Edited in after the fact. :checkit:

[Yevrah]

https://i.ibb.co/dPDBw0z/Screenshot-20240710-221651-Brave.jpg

That one doesn't count as we'd have definitely lost anyway.

[Lofty]

Gareth Southgate could don Spain senseless with tactics but it won't be enough to overcome the Kane trophy curse whilst he is on the pitch.

[Shindig]

Southgate is one game away from a statue.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Speaking of Hasselbaink, that Watkins finish was absolutely reminiscent of one of his. I've watched it about 50 times already and it's probably my favourite England goal, alongside maybe some of those from the Munich 5-1.

[niko_cee]

Pretty sure I saw Hasselbaink score one of those on the opening day at Anfield one year.

[Foe]

Shoved a tenner on England to win the tournament at 5.5 before it started to cover this scenario but I could not be more willing to lose than bet than I am now.

England shitting their way to the trophy is worst possible outcome for me. I’d have rather you lot and put goals galore past everyone and blown the tournament away as it would be easier to take.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The bad news is that Spain owe England one for us robbing them blind at 1996. Haven't played them at a tournament since, I don't think.

[niko_cee]

One of the great robberies that one.

Have that Julen Guerrero.

Could do with drafting Rashford in to mug them on the break again.

[Shindig]

The bad news is that Spain owe England one for us robbing them blind at 1996. Haven't played them at a tournament since, I don't think.

Direct the Spanish fury at Uri Geller and his goalmouth magnets.

[Spikey M]

My mate had just messaged - I presume, very, very drunk - saying he's put a grand on England to win the final and if he wins he's he's spending the lot on booking a villa in Spain and taking us all.

Now, I'm not convinced he's costed this properly, but I now can't lose either way. I'm either going to Spain next month or taking the piss out of him for the rest of his life (and beyond if he dies first).

[Jimmy Floyd]

Got a few car horns and the like going here. Never had that before in my lifetime.

[Serj]

Thought the ref had a bit of a mare in the second half, particularly at the end when he was seeing all the 50/50 challenges as free-kicks for England.
Doesn't make much of a difference though, this Dutch team is pretty terrible for their standards and were second best for most of the evening.

I'd much prefer it if the Spanish won the final. That first half from England was such a reminder of what could be possible with this squad, and then, of course, they stopped (tactical tweaks from Koeman probably also worked, to give him some credit). The Spanish just consistently play in a much more entertaining way with mostly inferior players - who apart from Rodri would walk into the English starting eleven?

Despite Spanish performance at the tournament so far I'd still say England are favorites to win it.

[niko_cee]

It's fine, as Gary Neville said, as long as we don't let Ruiz and Rodri run the midfield on Sunday we'll piss it.

[Spikey M]

My mate had just messaged - I presume, very, very drunk - saying he's put a grand on England to win the final and if he wins he's he's spending the lot on booking a villa in Spain and taking us all.

Now, I'm not convinced he's costed this properly, but I now can't lose either way. I'm either going to Spain next month or taking the piss out of him for the rest of his life (and beyond if he dies first).

He's bottled placing it. Pussy.

[wullie]

Koeman being screwed by the ref and a Villa player scoring the winner, Graham Taylor's smiling down on us and Phil Neal agrees.

[Magic]

Got a few car horns and the like going here. Never had that before in my lifetime.

Tinpot underdog behaviour.

[randomlegend]

Yev put on the Sir Gareth mask I'm taking you to a bank machine on a lead.

:lol:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Southgate already going around the media repeatedly telling everyone that Spain have been the best team in the tournament and have had an extra day to prepare. A genius at work.

[Yevrah]

Given I'd resigned myself in 2010 to us never reaching a final, to do it twice in three years but still potentially end up potless might be enough to finish me off.

[Pepe]

who apart from Rodri would walk into the English starting eleven?

Dani Olmo is better than any English player (or anyone in this tournament, for that matter). Yamal is at least as good as Saka and Williams is better than Foden.

Morata or Kane? :eyemouth:

EDIT: and Cucurella is a left back, at least.

[Pepe]

I think that the final has the potential to be a good match. It is a final, so it will probably be shit, but one can dream.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Regardless of individuals, Spain are the only team from those in the last four who have attempted to play well throughout the tournament. Germany were the only other one in the last eight. England, France, Holland and Portugal have all played to avoid mistakes.

[Manc]

How often has the best team actually won an international tournament?

[Yevrah]

I’d put money on more often than the pervasive myth suggests.

[Adramelch]

Italy were the best team for the most part last time around and Spain were the best team in the two that they won 10-15 years ago. That's 3 out of the last 4, but then you have Portugal in 2016 and Greece in 2004 stinking the place up and I don't remember France in 2000 being that good either, though that's too far back for me to properly remember (I vaguely remember the Dutch being really strong in that one).

[Lewis]

The France and Italy teams in 2000 were obscene. Proper footballers as well, not just mongs running NFL lines.

[Adramelch]

Roster-wise they were immense, I just remember them slogging it out in a few of their games, so I'm not sure if they were the best performing teams in the tournament, can't quite recall.

The Dutch squad was also bonkers. Van der Sar, Stam, the De Boers, Davids, Kluivert, Bergkamp, Overmars and the list goes on. They've gone from Kluivert as their starting striker and Makaay as the backup to fucking Depay and Weghorst.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not sure about 2004 or 2014, but other than that I think every tournament in my watching lifetime (1996-) has been won by the best team in it.

Actually 2006, dunno. Italy were scabby for most of that.

[Adramelch]

Germany were the heavy favorites in 2006 both on paper and based on actual performances, but they got done by the Italians in the semis after extra time.

[Lewis]

Weren't Brazil the heavy favourites in 2006 with all of their ace attackers? I actually tipped Italy in the sixth form competition we had (and won nothing), which I think was the last time I correctly predicted an international tournament winner.

[Danny]

Munoz :harold:

Got “pinched” by Ugarte and swings an elbow. Gets a second yellow. Stood there showing the ref his side like it justifies swinging an elbow.

[John Arne]

Nunez clouted at the 0:12 mark :D

I like his comical stick 'em up routine stance. It's all a bit childish, isn't it?

1811223444463215019

[Serj]

Dani Olmo is better than any English player (or anyone in this tournament, for that matter). Yamal is at least as good as Saka and Williams is better than Foden.

Morata or Kane? :eyemouth:

EDIT: and Cucurella is a left back, at least.

In the context of the tournament, sure. But before that? Olmo, Yamal and Williams are great players, but I don't think they have done enough (yet! Will probably change in at least two out of three cases) to be picked over the English alternatives.

Cucurella :D not that he's been terrible, but that's just an illustration of the extreme shortage of good left-backs in both countries.

Anyway, hope I'm wrong and the Spanish three behind Morata waltz (or rather flamenco) their way around the English backline.

[Baz]

There was a bloke stood on his own (everyone else had seats) in the pub yesterday, with number 40 on his England shirt (didn’t catch what name he had with it, any guesses?) who was desperate for interactions last night. Not sure if I pity or admire him. When Watkins scored he grabbed my mate who went with the moment but he tried to do it again at full time (literally 90 seconds later) and it was a bit strange. Hope he’s there again on Sunday.

[Shindig]

I've been impressed by Cucurella this tournament. He's got pace in both directions.

[Magic]

In the context of the tournament, sure. But before that? Olmo, Yamal and Williams are great players, but I don't think they have done enough (yet! Will probably change in at least two out of three cases) to be picked over the English alternatives.

Cucurella :D not that he's been terrible, but that's just an illustration of the extreme shortage of good left-backs in both countries.

Anyway, hope I'm wrong and the Spanish three behind Morata waltz (or rather flamenco) their way around the English backline.

I get this reference now, Wienfriend. :cool:

[Adramelch]

Yeah Vuvuzela has been surprisingly good this tournament. Not game-changing by any means, but solid on both ends.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jul/11/var-breaks-football-ronald-koeman-euro-2024-semi-final-netherlands-england?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Do I not like that.

[Kikó]

Yesterday was fantastic. I've never seen the father in law so angry. I'm heading to Manchester for the final to avoid any potential murder suicide.

[niko_cee]

Can you tell the VAR he's just got me the sack.

:cool:

[Waffdon]

Yesterday was fantastic. I've never seen the father in law so angry. I'm heading to Manchester for the final to avoid any potential murder suicide.

:D

Just clocked it was Palmer who played the through ball for Watkins. Shouldn’t really be a surprise, the only player in an England shirt who passes forward

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'll tell you what's winding me up at this tournament, and it's English clubs and club fans trying to promote their players for things that are happening in a national game. There's enough of it in this thread, but let's say the official Chelsea twitter when the goal goes in last night: PALMER ASSIST! No, you wankers, it's an England goal.

Then there was a nice virally retweeted post by a Brentford fan absolutely fucking SEETHING when Ollie Watkins came on instead of Ivan Toney. Just embarrassing stuff.

[niko_cee]

Is anyone keeping tabs on how many times Phil Foden has hit the post for England? Feels Nunez-esque at this point. #clubref

[Magic]

I'll tell you what's winding me up at this tournament, and it's English clubs and club fans trying to promote their players for things that are happening in a national game. There's enough of it in this thread, but let's say the official Chelsea twitter when the goal goes in last night: PALMER ASSIST! No, you wankers, it's an England goal.

Then there was a nice virally retweeted post by a Brentford fan absolutely fucking SEETHING when Ollie Watkins came on instead of Ivan Toney. Just embarrassing stuff.

Supporting Cucurella instead of England.

[niko_cee]

Maybe this should be in the transfer thread, but how did PSG manage to get Ruiz from Napoli for £20m? Seems like a weird nexus of a mega rich club prone to overpaying and a club notorious for driving a hard bargain that's gone all wrong.

[Adramelch]

Had only one year left in his contract and knowing Napoli, they were probably offering him a pay decrease (as they did with Lozano a year later) and he told them to shove it. 20m still low, even under these circumstances, mind you.

[Ben]

100% we are winning this tournament. We were great when Holland played open for the first half hour. No way will Spain sit back.

Bellingham is going to be public enemy number 1 in Spain when he does a Ronaldo.

[Yevrah]

Went back through all tournaments since 1990 with a mate to test the hypothesis about the best team not winning and all we could point to where the best team hadn't won the tournament were the 2016 Euros and the 2014 World Cup, with France being the best team in both but losing to Portugal and Italy respectively.

There are a couple beyond that where you can have debate (which we did) but you quickly realise that it's so close that you have to give it to the team that won it being the best as they, you know, won it.

Every other one is a slam dunk for the winners.

[Jimmy Floyd]

1998 I think Brazil were probably better than France up until the point when they poisoned Ronaldo, but like you say, can't really discount final wins in such things.

[Boydy]

Who was the best team at the 2014 world cup?


And what about the 2004 Euros?

[Jimmy Floyd]

The more time goes on, the more I think Greece might have been the best team at 2004, but in 'football' terms it was probably Czech Republic, Holland or Portugal.

[Lofty]

Starmer hinting at a bank holiday if victorious, made more amusing since the guy I work with who is a staunch Tory actually complains about them already as enforced time off and doesn't used his legally entitled holidays as it is, he'll be pissing blood if it comes to pass.

[niko_cee]

England were the best team in 2004.

[Spikey M]

Starmer hinting at a bank holiday if victorious, made more amusing since the guy I work with who is a staunch Tory actually complains about them already as enforced time off and doesn't used his legally entitled holidays as it is, he'll be pissing blood if it comes to pass.

People like that want putting down.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If anything we should cancel a forthcoming weekend, to make up for the time people have taken off watching England soccer.

[Magic]

Starmer hinting at a bank holiday if victorious, made more amusing since the guy I work with who is a staunch Tory actually complains about them already as enforced time off and doesn't used his legally entitled holidays as it is, he'll be pissing blood if it comes to pass.

Oh really? Mon the 'lish.

[niko_cee]

Only in England, like Boxing Day.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Hopefully Scotland and Wales too. We should also do additional trophy parades in Edinburgh and Cardiff. We're one United Kingdom and the trophy will belong to us all.

[Lewis]

1998 I think Brazil were probably better than France up until the point when they poisoned Ronaldo, but like you say, can't really discount final wins in such things.

With the benefits of hindsight there was an awful lot of stodge in that 1998 Brazil team, and the French - particularly defensively - looked a lot stronger.

[Yevrah]

Who was the best team at the 2014 world cup?

We had France.




And what about the 2004 Euros?


It was manifestly Greece. Ok, so it wasn't very easy on the eye but it was disgustingly well organised and incredibly effective.

[Yevrah]

And as was pointed out earlier in the thread, they came through a group with Portugal and Spain in it (when only the top 2 qualified) and then beat France, a decent Czech Republic side and Portugal, without conceding a single goal in the knockout stages. Not really sure what else they needed to do to be considered the best team in it.

[SvN]

Are you sure you're remembering the 2014 World Cup correctly?

[Boydy]

We had France.




It was manifestly Greece. Ok, so it wasn't very easy on the eye but it was disgustingly well organised and incredibly effective.
I can't remember the French team of 2014 all that well but I feel like smashing Brazil, who were the hosts, 7-1 probably earns you "best team".

[Yevrah]

Are you sure you're remembering the 2014 World Cup correctly?


I can't remember the French team of 2014 all that well but I feel like smashing Brazil, who were the hosts, 7-1 probably earns you "best team".

Yeah, my bad. Was confusing it with another tournament where France were the best but didn't win (the headbutt loss to Italy). Germany definitely the best team in 2014.

[Yevrah]

We talked through them all but I didn't write anything down before I posted it on here. :cab:

France at the 2006 World Cup and the 2016 Euros were the two we had.

[Adramelch]

The more time goes on, the more I think Greece might have been the best team at 2004, but in 'football' terms it was probably Czech Republic, Holland or Portugal.

I think it was by quite some margin the Czechs. They were also the only team we played against where we were actually very lucky, as they battered us until Nedved got injured.

[Boydy]

Pretty sure I remember Germany being the "best team" in 2006 as well.

[Manc]

1998 was a strange tournament. The final really should have been Croatia v Holland.

[Gray Fox]

It's going to come home. Southgate will get knighted. All of the squad made OBE/CBE. Big summer party on the new bank holiday.

[Giggles]

Hopefully Scotland and Wales too. We should also do additional trophy parades in Edinburgh and Cardiff. We're one United Kingdom and the trophy will belong to us all.

You'll get to parade it in Dublin in September.

[Dark Soldier]

We really are the best nation ever. Bring the election back round I wanna vote Reform.