European Championship

[warspite1]

Well just how appalling were Austria? Wow [X(]

Right as much as I want the minnows to do well, Ronaldo is in my fantasy team so a hat-trick in a 3-0 win would do very nicely thank-you [;)]

[Orm]

As long as there is a good, fair, referee that is not fooled by diving players, then I will be happy.

I am so tired of cheating both on and off the pitch.

[RFalvo69]

Being Italian I'm obviously happy that our team is doing better than expected. However, I also feel that the news about Italy having already won the EuroCup (you should read the newspapers who dissed the team what are writing now [:D]) are a bit exaggerated. Specifically:

- Against Belgium, Italy made the same mistake that England did with Russia: failing to close the match on the 1-0. Belgium attacked for the best part of the second half, and with a bit of luck they could have scored an equalizer.
- Hazard is a controversial player, but the Italian defense failed to block him properly. He built a lot of opportunities for Belgium, almost unmolested. Why he was allowed to play almost freely over and over is beyond me.
- More worryingly, Italy spent the last 10 minutes out of breath: another opportunity that Belgium failed to capitalise on, but they could have. Maybe we need to adjust a bit the training regime.

Anyway, a very good tournament all around. And I'm glad to see the Azzurri now being upgraded from "speedbump" to "the humble team that maybe will" [:D]

[Orm]

Italy should, never, ever, be underestimated. Especially when there are no "stars" in the team.

Well deserved win by Italy.

[TulliusDetritus]

ORIGINAL: Franciscus

Well, didn't see the game but I think that was the first result that noone predicted...the return of the Magyars ?

But now finally good soccer will begin shortly [:D] (hopefully [8|])

I wish you good luck [:)] but as for our predictions competition, may you (in fact the lot of you) grab 0 points [:D]

I think I am going to try and watch the match (Port vs Ice). Let's see if it works.

By the way what are your predictions for this Euro 2016? To me it's either France or Germany. If I must say one, my money is on Germany. Not very original but that's how I see it.

[warspite1]

Well Group F really F'd up our predictions [:D]

Well done to Hungary and Iceland [:)]

[Franciscus]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Well Group F really F'd up our predictions [:D]

Well done to Hungary and Iceland [:)]

Yep, indeed. Funny how no-one of us scored anything for the first time in a match day...[:D]

Nice wake up call (as usual) to my country's team. We were beginning to believe we could win this championship, but of course that will not happen, not with the lousy football we played tonight.

Amazingly (or not) our midfield sucked. We don't have a "brain" in the mid, and some players should not be playing (Moutinho was never that good and is past his prime, Danilo is second-class, Vieirinha can be pathetic sometimes). IMHO we have better players in the bench (William Carvalho, Adrien), to create a thinking midfield. The coach took too long to make replacements, and messed things up, João Mário should have stayed, and Renato Sanches should have been called much earlier.

Of course we may yet reach quarters (in fact it would be scandalous if we don't), but we will probably not go further...

Congratulations to Iceland and their supporters, great play and amazing support (I didn't knew their "viking" warchant, but it's amazing ! - probably some of Portugal's players wetted their pants...[:D])
Respect !!


PS: Ronaldo's teeth look good [8|]...

PPS: Who will win at the end ? Germany, of course...[8D]

[Orm]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

Well Group F really F'd up our predictions [:D]

Well done to Hungary and Iceland [:)]

Indeed. I thought Iceland was a sure winner. Portugal surprised me. [:)]

[loki100]

ORIGINAL: TulliusDetritus

...
By the way what are your predictions for this Euro 2016? To me it's either France or Germany. If I must say one, my money is on Germany. Not very original but that's how I see it.

I have a sneaking suspicion about Italy. They will either win the thing or get knocked out early but they have been the best team I have seen so far.

[warspite1]

The Battle of Britain 2016

May the best team win*










*So long as its England [;)]

[warspite1]

And later......

Good luck to Northern Ireland against the Ukraine

[warspite1]

Gareth Bale!!!

Outstanding [&o].

England? Getting exactly what we deserve. What did I say about Belgium the other day? No speed, no determination, no passion and in England's case no skill. Sterling? It's not rocket science Roy. Kane? He's knackered - and had been since a month before the end of the season. Everyone else? Just like against Russia, Walker and Lallana and Dier are trying. The rest? Pathetic. Look at the difference in passing and movement between England and the decent teams.... [:(]

[VPaulus]

Probably you're right, he should have picked Vardy instead of Kane.

[warspite1]

Hard luck on the Welsh to concede so late, but it was a fair result over 90 minutes.

We just looked so much better 2nd half - still a work in progress but at least our destiny is in our hands.

[warspite1]

Well after a great first few rounds my prediction radar seems to have fallen off the scale somewhat [&:]

Still, early days.....[:D]

[warspite1]

NORTHERN IRELAND!!!!

[&o][&o][:)][&o][&o][&o][&o][:)][&o][&o][&o][:)][&o][&o][&o][&o][:)][&o][&o][&o][&o][:)][&o][&o][&o][&o][:)]

[Orm]

A well deserved win. [:)]

[warspite1]

ORIGINAL: VPaulus

Probably you're right, he should have picked Vardy instead of Kane.

warspite1

....and left Sterling at home.

[warspite1]

Well Germany vs Poland was disappointing. Poland really should have won too.....

[Dixie]

ORIGINAL: warspite1

ORIGINAL: VPaulus

Probably you're right, he should have picked Vardy instead of Kane.

warspite1

....and left Sterling at home.

You could see the confidence leave Sterling as soon as he missed that easy shot.

Vardy is a good option from the bench for England, when he's using his pace against a tired defence. If England played the same way as Leicester then he should start, but they don't so he shouldn't. But he's going to start the next game I expect.

Still, as Mr Vardy once said, "chat shit get banged". Lesson there for Gareth Bale [:'(]

I missed most of the match as the boss seems to think we should have been doing 'work' as we were at work [&:]