Wales managed that really well, never really just hanging in, so should qualify?
warspite1
Yes should do with 4 points. I've not studied what needs to happen for Wales not to qualify but, they are guaranteed 3rd place and with 4 points and +2 GD (subject to what happens against Italy) they should be okay.
Well done Wales - brilliant from Gareth Bale (ahem... penalty aside) but also the whole team.
The boys did well. Italy v Switzerland is going to be interesting.
The Italian commentator explained to us Berardi's strength (after his decisive cross to Locatelli). He has two solutions: either to pass with the right foot or to pass with the left foot. That's a player! Not like the others who can pass in ten different ways!
"Yes darling, I served in the Navy for eight years. I was a cook..."
"Oh dad... so you were a God-damned cook?"
(My 10 years old daughter after watching "The Hunt for Red October")
Burak miss only one chance that Turkey has and Turkish govt TV commentator explained Ronaldo also missed from the same spot. [:D] But they left Burak fighting alone against Welsh players in last minute fight in pitch. They are like foreign mercenaries -playing abroad- not united as a national team. But tactically Welsh were better. Qualifiers will be clear if Italy want to win all 3 games.
Well, I wasn't able to watch the match, only snippets (the GIGASCREEN is muted but I could catch snippets of the commentary too from the GIGATV we have in the kitchen). I liked how Italy was able to actually stop attacking if there wasn't an opening, and keep the ball and restarting instead of trying a random shot. I'm quite surprised to see that the ball possession was a perfect 50%-50% - I don't remember the Swiss doing anything remotely dangerous. And the Swiss goalkeeper was partially responsible on the third goal.
In a strange Jungian approach, the post-match commentary is more about how the Swiss were a strong team than about Italy's merits. That's Italian National TV for you [:D]
"Yes darling, I served in the Navy for eight years. I was a cook..."
"Oh dad... so you were a God-damned cook?"
(My 10 years old daughter after watching "The Hunt for Red October")
Very surprising for National TV. Swiss team full of Bundesliga players, squad of a German national 2nd team with full of foreigner players for a national team. I've watched until Chiellini's substitude. He was very confident even after substituted. I didn't have doubts for Italian victory.
The Italian commentator explained to us Berardi's strength (after his decisive cross to Locatelli). He has two solutions: either to pass with the right foot or to pass with the left foot. That's a player! Not like the others who can pass in ten different ways!
That commentator seems so brilliant that the mute option seems like a good idea. [:)]
Have a bit more patience with newbies. Of course some of them act dumb -- they're often students, for heaven's sake. - Terry Pratchett
A government is a body of people; usually, notably, ungoverned. - Quote from Firefly
In my opinion, she´s playing the best soccer in this Eurocup. But the surprise team is Wales, of course.
Turkey has been the great disappointment for me in this championship, I thought the turks had a good team this time, but they aren´t a team, they look like a band.
So the Dutch join the Italians in the round of the last 16 and the North Macedonians are the first country definitely out.
Dutch look promising but Austria..... are sooooooooooooo dull. Both Austria and Ukraine could qualify with 4 points if they draw in the last game, but a win for either would definitely see the winner though.
Now Maitland, now's your time!
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
Danes played a magnificient match against the Belgians, but lost 2-1. The Danes had most of the chances, but the Belgians made theirs count. There is a reason that Belgium is ranked number 1 in the world at the moment.
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I am sure that the Danes have something else on their mind as well. But Ericson is going to be implanted with a defibrillator which should help him out.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).” ; Julia Child
England best come second than first in their table if they get throughj. If they come first they play the runner up from Group F!!..far worse that than if they come second in table!
Danes played a magnificient match against the Belgians, but lost 2-1. The Danes had most of the chances, but the Belgians made theirs count. There is a reason that Belgium is ranked number 1 in the world at the moment.
warspite1
The Danes were superb in the first half and had a number of chances to be 2 or 3 up. As expected the Belgian began to get back in the game.... and then they brought on De Bruyne and Hazard. Sadly a couple of Danish chances at the end couldn't see them convert - but they gave it a good go. Danes now need to thrash Russia and hope for results to go their way. Based on their first half showing against Belgium, the Danes can beat Russia.
I think the pundit analysis was right. The Belgians, fully fit are one of the favourites, but their defence is looking old. Based on very early days (only one game for some) I'd say the favourites are:
1. France
2. Belgium
3. Portugal
4. Italy
5. Netherlands
Now Maitland, now's your time!
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
WOW Warspite you have it in for England. I'd rate their chances just as high as Holland, Portugal or Belgium. There is no reason with the team they have not to be rated so. The win against Crotia was a good sign. Now if we get to the Quarters who knows.
I so hope France doesn't win...boring..I'd even want Italy to win over them. I can't see Holland, Portugal or Belgium winning it to be honest. Don't discount Germany either.
Wodin No I don't have it in for England. I am English, I love my country I love football - I would love nothing more than England winning a football tournament. I've waited since 1972 - almost 50 years (my first international game I remember was the Euro qualifier defeat against Germany at Wembley that year).
BTW you also thought I was wrong about Spurs earlier in the season [;)]but.....
But unlike Spurs - who were rubbish because we have a rubbish squad - I repeat what I said earlier. England - unlike in many, many previous tournaments - DO have some decent players and they should be in for a decent tournament. BUT
The biggest problem with England down the years has been that our tactics have been rubbish - even with decent players.
If this team plays to its strengths then it can go far in the tournament. But, then we should have beaten Croatia in the last World Cup. What happened? We were the better team, we were 1-0 up, Croatia had an ageing team and towards the end of the first half one or two players were losing it and getting rattled.
So what happened? Did we keep our foot on the gas? Did we apply pressure to the Croatians who were losing it? Did we attempt to run them ragged to take advantage of their ageing squad? Did we pull their defenders out of position through clever balls over the top and runs into the channels?
Er, no... none of the above. Just as we did countless times under Erikson and others, we sat off, we went into our shell, we allowed Croatia to dominate the ball. As Croatian confidence grew, ours visibly melted away. It was pathetic and so predictable.
Foden, Mount, Grealish, Kane.... these players should strike fear into any team - and if Sterling is on form you can add his name to that list.
This time around its not the lack of players - its the tactics and the mental side that will determine whether we have a decent tournament or do the usual.
Yes, I agree about Germany. One should never write off the Germans. However, they were very poor against France and I've watched Hummels a lot this season and no way should he be playing. Emre Can (substitute against France) also had a dreadful year for Dortmund. Based on the game against France, and with Portugal to come, I would seriously have concerns the Germans will even get out of the group.
Now Maitland, now's your time!
Duke of Wellington to 1st Guards Brigade - Waterloo 18 June 1815
Warspite, deep down I agree with you, but surely one day it will come good. '96 was the last time I remember us playing superb and we should have won that tourney and the '90 world cup. SInce then...yeah right..
Just like in American baseball, the Red Sox and the Cubs finally won the World Series after many years - 71 year drought for the Cubs.
On any given day, any team can win, but will they? It takes more than the individual efforts, it takes a team and that includes the coaching and scouting staffs.
Seek peace but keep your gun handy.
I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing!
“Illegitemus non carborundum est (“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”).” ; Julia Child
Look at the Stats for the FRance vs Germany game and it looks like France was lucky to win it. Again I wouldn't write Germany off. I think Germany will beat Portugal and obviously Hungary.
; Julia Child
