All things Football (soccer) related

[shunwick]

Full time

England 2-1 Slovakia

Can’t comment on this now - emotionally drained from watching such turgid dross for 120 minutes (except 10 minutes when we actually tried to score).

Bad luck Slovakia, who will be gutted having thought they’d done enough and were almost home and hosed…..

Let’s be clear - Switzerland will not exactly be quaking in their boots at the thought of facing us.

You may be maligning turgid dross. This is what safety first, no risk football looks like. And once you are in that mindset, it is extremely difficult to get out of it.

Best wishes,
Steve

[warspite1]

You may be maligning turgid dross.

warspite1

You are right, and I would like to wholeheartedly and unreservedly apologise to turgid dross everywhere

[gamer78]

And for a question for shunwick. If football would be popular in USA how could any league in Europe survive. Including Pro UK and Commonwealth nations perspective. Even in British game Football Manager; Quatar and Saudi money needed a patch about transfers.

No idea what you have been smoking but do you seriously think that if football increased its popularity in the USA that football in Europe would collapse?

And what has Football Manager got to do with anything? The SI winter update had many changes (as is usual) one of which was to rebalance the transfers to Saudi Arabian clubs. They made that change because it was way too easy to offload unwanted deadwood to Saudi clubs for mega millions.

Best wishes,
Steve

Yes but new player will emerge. But be carefull with your wording. It won't be good for European football.

[gamer78]

Not that Im anti-UK or Pro UK like you. I think big national teams should compete in tournaments. If not Clubs>National teams. These cups should be somehow important. I Like Bellingham goal. Cheers.

[gamer78]

I think for Georgia post Warspite1 could understand better than you as it is joke&rumour somewhow. But at most 'believable' theory. But in theory at best I did I say I believe it?

[warspite1]

…….It won't be good for European football.

warspite1

Football essentially began in Europe and has circa 150 year old clubs with real history and support. You should have a look at average attendances in the lower tiers of English football.

The only thing that can harm European football is the greed and avarice of its own entitled clubs. The European Super League was one example, and the disgusting actions of Man City and others seeking to sue the Premier League is another. If European football dies, it will die at its own hands and not popularity from the outside.

[shunwick]

Results so far...

Euro 2024

England 2 Slovakia 1 AET
Spain 4 Georgia 1

Coming up...

France vs Belgium
Portugal vs Slovenia

Quarter-Final pairings so far

Spain vs Germany
England vs Switzerland

Best Wishes,
Steve

[RangerJoe]

I wonder if Vatican City is rooting for Switzerland or would just the military be rooting for Switzerland?

[gamer78]

…….It won't be good for European football.

warspite1

Football essentially began in Europe and has circa 150 year old clubs with real history and support. You should have a look at average attendances in the lower tiers of English football.

The only thing that can harm European football is the greed and avarice of its own entitled clubs. The European Super League was one example, and the disgusting actions of Man City and others seeking to sue the Premier League is another. If European football dies, it will die at its own hands and not popularity from the outside.

Definitely agree about English football. What is national will find a way somehow. I see too much enthusiastic people (Young and old) in stadiums when I watch them in TV.

[warspite1]

So what is going to happen in the Euros today - Part 3?

Off the back of 4/4 predictions over the weekend (that's a first!!), we now move to:

France vs Belgium

No shocks over the weekend (unless you count England scraping through.....) so will we have one today? France have not started well and Belgium's "Golden Generation" have come and (almost) gone so either could win this unpredictable encounter. I think that France will find a gear soon and if they do, then I don't see Belgium winning. That said, they do have some serious firepower and thus the capability to spring a surprise.

But ultimately I will go for a French win here.

Portugal vs Slovenia

There has to be at least one shock result in this round surely? Could Slovenia provide it? I am going for a no on that and I think Portugal will win this one quite comfortably.

[gamer78]

As Pepe have said after match we're mature team Turks are very emotional. It was true statement as he also played Besiktas. Portugal clear favorite.

For Belgium same generation and manpower problems like Serbia, Croatia. They are all football country. It is not about 'purity' and such nonsense. National teams like club teams better scouts and pool for players better success. France very much favorite I think.

[shunwick]

Results so far...

Copa America 2024

Jamaica 0 Venezuela 3
Mexico 0 Ecuador 0

Congratulations to Venezuela. Whatever happens next this team will return home as heroes. Topping the group with 9 points from 3 games is a fantastic achievement.

Oh, Mexico.... Not that I am totally happy with the way Ecuador played.

This means Venezuela top the group, Ecuador finished in 2nd place on goal difference, and Mexico and Jamaica go home.

Coming up...

Euro 2024

France vs Belgium
Portugal vs Slovenia

Copa America 2024

USA vs Uruguay
Bolivia vs Panama

It's crunch time for the United States. USA need to beat Uruguay. Most American commentators are sacrificing chickens in the hope that Marcello Bielsa will field a weakened team. Good luck with that...

Best wishes,
Steve

[gamer78]

Sorry to interrupt topic but.

The SI winter update had many changes (as is usual) one of which was to rebalance the transfers to Saudi Arabian clubs. They made that change because it was way too easy to offload unwanted deadwood to Saudi clubs for mega millions.

Best wishes,
Steve

I think Prime time La liga and Premier league younger&star players were also joining Saudi clubs. It will certainly create havoc(not the best wording, 'change' would be better) if USA interested in football, it is not ? at least in game.

[warspite1]

Sorry to interrupt topic but.

The SI winter update had many changes (as is usual) one of which was to rebalance the transfers to Saudi Arabian clubs. They made that change because it was way too easy to offload unwanted deadwood to Saudi clubs for mega millions.

Best wishes,
Steve

I think Prime time La liga and Premier league younger&star players were also joining Saudi clubs. It will certainly create havoc(not the best wording, 'change' would be better) if USA interested in football, it is not ? at least in game.

warspite1

I may be wrong but I can think of no young players or players in their prime that have left the Premier League for Saudi. I think anyone who has ambition and talent will steer well clear of this league until they reach the stage where money is more important than career. Could that change? Well yes, never say never, but based on what is happening at the moment, in terms of the number of players wanting to return, the poor crowds and atmosphere, and the effect on international call ups, then such a possibility is many many many years away - and frankly even then I don't think it would happen.

[gamer78]

Sorry to interrupt topic but.

The SI winter update had many changes (as is usual) one of which was to rebalance the transfers to Saudi Arabian clubs. They made that change because it was way too easy to offload unwanted deadwood to Saudi clubs for mega millions.

Best wishes,
Steve

I think Prime time La liga and Premier league younger&star players were also joining Saudi clubs. It will certainly create havoc(not the best wording, 'change' would be better) if USA interested in football, it is not ? at least in game.

warspite1

I may be wrong but I can think of no young players or players in their prime that have left the Premier League for Saudi. I think anyone who has ambition and talent will steer well clear of this league until they reach the stage where money is more important than career. Could that change? Well yes, never say never, but based on what is happening at the moment, in terms of the number of players wanting to return, the poor crowds and atmosphere, and the effect on international call ups, then such a possibility is many many many years away - and frankly even then I don't think it would happen.

Sorry to be lost in translation. I mean in game not real life. Football manager is religiously played in UK and the rest of the world.

For real life I can give Talisca as example. China to Saudi League but yes they are not football country at all.

[gamer78]

UEFA rule change about referee - only captains can argue or yellow card straight- great decision. France had yellow card straight because of that. Belgium started to play some offensive football. 20 mins was all about playing defensively.

[RangerJoe]

UEFA rule change about referee - only captains can argue or yellow card straight- great decision. France had yellow card straight because of that. Belgium started to play some offensive football. 20 mins was all about playing defensively.

I don't know when or where this happened, but the player has a "Reverse" card from a UNO game.

[warspite1]

Full time

France 1-0 Belgium

A relatively dull game and settled unsatisfactorily by an own goal from poor Super Jan Vertonghen

One more chance today for a last-16 shock as Portugal take on Slovenia.

[warspite1]

Full time

Portugal 0-0 Slovenia AET
Portugal win 3-0 on pens

Heartbreak for Slovenia who defended brilliantly. They should have won it just before the end but Sesko couldn’t convert when one on one with the keeper.

Football is heartbreaking……

[RangerJoe]

Full time

Portugal 0-0 Slovenia AET
Portugal win 3-0 on pens

Heartbreak for Slovenia who defended brilliantly. They should have won it just before the end but Sesko couldn’t convert when one on one with the keeper.

Football is heartbreaking……

Pojdi Slovenija!