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Didn’t see the first game sadly - and only part of the second. Delighted Portugal lost - not because I have anything against Portugal or the Portuguese - but cannot stand - with a passion Fernandes, Barnado and especially Ronaldo….

So it’s a Spain vs France semi-final, surely France will find their form soon - and if they do then the semi could be a classic.

As for today, no idea if I’ll see either game as I continue to battle the wet and cold at Silverstone. But maybe missing the game at 5pm is a blessing in disguise

Results...

Copa America

Quarter-Final

Venezuela 1 Canada 1 and Canada win 3-4 on penalties...

Canada in the Semi-Finals. Magnificent achievement for the Canada.

Best wishes,
Steve

Go Big Canada Land!

Congratulations to Netherlands. Both teams did play without a striker at first half. Weghorst then Cenk come to play (both played Besiktas at the same time). But didn't like Netherlands tempo and play. Not as threatening as Austrian team about offense against Turkey. Turkish team XG was better in todays match. England should be a favourite here in semi finals.

Results...

Euro 2024

England 1 Switzerland 1 AET 5-3 on pen
Netherlands 2 Turkey 1

So the Semi-Finals will be....

Spain vs France
England vs Netherlands

The big questions are...

1. Will the misfiring French get their act together?
2. How much are the Spanish willing to gamble to pierce a tough French defence?
3. Can England take safety first, no risk football to the final on penalties?
4. How badly do the Dutch want to stuff the English?

These questions and many others will be answered in the coming days.

Coming up...

Copa America 2024

Quarter-Finals

Colombia vs Paraguay
Brazil vs Uruguay

Both these games looks quite tasty.

Best wishes,
Steve

For an observation I think Netherlands played cautiously even after they concede a goal at least in the first half. Because of opponents last Austria match. About "How badly do the Dutch want to stuff the English?" England have big name and all and perhaps extra motivation against but football is all about which team in form. Apart from that all the teams -perhaps not Switzerland- defense first strategy perhaps Spain in a bit more offense. It is not good all defense for football if it evolves to that tactical thinking in future about tournaments. But won't succeed in any league.

Brazil and Uruguay been a thriller! Another under bet won, too easy.

0-0

Results...

Copa America Quarter-Final

Uruguay 0 Brazil 0 and 4-2 on pens

Coming Up...

Euro 2024

Semi-Finals

Spain vs France
England vs Netherlands

On a personal level, I am praying to what ever Dark Gods are listening that we don't get a France vs England final. Chicken Kievs will be sacrificed over sacred keyboards to ensure this does not happen....

Copa America 2024

Semi-Finals

Argentina vs Canada
Colombia vs Uruguay

The top three CONMEBOL teams plus Canada make the semi-finals. Let's hear it for the Canadians!

There are a couple of rest days before the semi-finals begin.

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1 wrote: Sat Jul 06, 2024 8:01 am

gamer78 wrote: Fri Jul 05, 2024 10:31 pm Yes C. Ronaldo penalty also does need a rule change in UEFA. Goalkeeper already handicaped. Pause and move is not fair.

warspite1

I thought they outlawed this nonsense a few years ago - but it seems not……. The only penalty I’ve seen disallowed was by Son for Spurs - typical

This is what I have in my rulebook on this subject, but it is almost ten years old so it might have changed since then. Did not see the penalty itself so I have no comment on it.



Cut from Laws of the Game:
Authorised by the International Football Association Board

LAW 14 – THE PENALTY KICK

Procedure
Feinting in the run-up to take a penalty kick to confuse opponents is permitted
as part of football. However, feinting to kick the ball once the player has
completed his run-up is considered an infringement of Law 14 and an act of
unsporting behaviour for which the player must be cautioned.

Orm wrote: Sun Jul 07, 2024 11:56 am

warspite1 wrote: Sat Jul 06, 2024 8:01 am

gamer78 wrote: Fri Jul 05, 2024 10:31 pm Yes C. Ronaldo penalty also does need a rule change in UEFA. Goalkeeper already handicaped. Pause and move is not fair.

warspite1

I thought they outlawed this nonsense a few years ago - but it seems not……. The only penalty I’ve seen disallowed was by Son for Spurs - typical

This is what I have in my rulebook on this subject, but it is almost ten years old so it might have changed since then. Did not see the penalty itself so I have no comment on it.



Cut from Laws of the Game:
Authorised by the International Football Association Board

LAW 14 – THE PENALTY KICK

Procedure
Feinting in the run-up to take a penalty kick to confuse opponents is permitted
as part of football. However, feinting to kick the ball once the player has
completed his run-up is considered an infringement of Law 14 and an act of
unsporting behaviour for which the player must be cautioned.

They've changed the rule already before but just like fake falling in penalty area or&and perhaps third area of the pitch. (should be yellow card) Refs doesn't seem to follow the rule. But still difficult to judge the intention of the player sometimes. Goalkeepers one foot should be in goal line touching (like learning dancing) while penalty takers free to take penalty how they like. I think abusing penalty area before the penalty taker shoot they look the most especially for the team taking penalty. It could change league to legue.

Oddsmaker pointing to 1-1, game which goes to OT/shootout.

ideas?

So, the first of the Semi-Finals are upon us...

Euro 2024

Semi-Final

Spain vs France

Copa America 2024

Argentina vs Canada

Best wishes,
Steve

Gamble-gamble.

I'm betting the under, yet again, no one ever scores.

shunwick wrote: Tue Jul 09, 2024 8:59 am So, the first of the Semi-Finals are upon us...

Euro 2024

Semi-Final

Spain vs France

Copa America 2024

Argentina vs Canada

Best wishes,
Steve

warspite1

Good luck to the Canadians - let's hope they can spring a surprise.

As for Spain vs France, based on the form book so far, there is only one winner. However, the French can't be this bad for this long can they? Surely they must find their mojo soon - and if so then they can beat anyone.

On balance, I'll go for a Spanish victory

Euro 2024

Result

Spain 2 France 1

Thank God the Spanish are through to the final. Doesn't matter who they play but at least it will be entertaining. It would appear that sacrificing a Chicken Kiev over the sacred keyboard works! Que Viva España!

The French struggled to score goals in this tournament. For all their undoubted skills, goals win games and the French simply had no functioning cutting edge.

Best wishes,
Steve

Result...

Copa America 2024

Semi-Final

Argentina 2 Canada 0

O Canada! The Canadians had a very good game but their lack of clinical finishing did them. The reigning World Champions were made to work for it but with a goal in each half and superior finishing, the Argentinians proceed in an orderly fashion to the Copa America Final.

Congratulations to Argentina for making it to another international final. And congratulations also to a Canadian team that have done their nation proud.

Best wishes,
Steve

Coming up...

Euro 2024

Semi-Final

Netherlands vs England

Winners play Spain in the final.

Copa America 2024

Semi-Final

Colombia vs Uruguay

Winners play Argentina in the final.

Best wishes,
Steve

shunwick wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2024 4:06 pm
Euro 2024

Semi-Final

Netherlands vs England

warspite1

Well France failed to ignite and played as they have been all tournament. Unsurprisingly they left the competition with a whimper. So will England go the same way and do as France did?

Much has been made of England's defence - totally ignoring that we've not exactly been playing the footballing greats. But against the Netherlands, they can expect a proper test with Gakpo, Maalen, Simons, Bergwijn and Depay to choose from, the Dutch have some serious pace in the attack.

So as much as it saddens me, I'm afraid that England are going to get found out tonight and the Dutch will win by at least two clear goals. Of course key England players could always try and avoid this outcome by...you know... actually try to play football like they do for their clubs.

How about some balls in behind the defence; skilful, progressive triangles; quick movement of the ball; taking defenders on; actually crossing accurately into the box? - all the things England simply haven't been bothered to trouble themselves with - and combined with this, how about not retreating to their own penalty box after they take a lead or wait until we go a goal down before making a substitution? All far out ideas I know......

warspite1 wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2024 4:55 pm

shunwick wrote: Wed Jul 10, 2024 4:06 pm
Euro 2024

Semi-Final

Netherlands vs England

warspite1

How about some balls in behind the defence; skilful, progressive triangles; quick movement of the ball; taking defenders on; actually crossing accurately into the box? - all the things England simply haven't been bothered to trouble themselves with - and combined with this, how about not retreating to their own penalty box after they take a lead or wait until we go a goal down before making a substitution? All far out ideas I know......

Never figured you for one those paint-chip eating radicals. Whatever next?

Best wishes,
Steve