Euros 2016

Catogrande

Commiserations to our ferning friends from west of the Taff. Time now to reflect on a great tournament for Wales football.

MiketheSnow

Played in too many matches like that. Their best player is better than your best player and that's the difference.
 
Fantastic run for Wales.
 
The Welsh team a credit to their nation and football.
 
Cymru am Byth
 
<img src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13620953_10153787724452183_3238826812437046508_n.jpg?oh=4adbea8ac13a14fcd889edd7e75d5a55&oe=57FE5465" alt="13620953_10153787724452183_3238826812437">

MiketheSnow

I fancy France to pip Germany 2-1 tonight for a France v Portugal final

Hooroo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="594774" data-time="1467899962">
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I fancy France to pip Germany 2-1 tonight for a France v Portugal final
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Just about bang on for a great save at the end

Billy Tell

Germany's big problem was MÃ¼ller. They really missed a proper striker. 
The most annoying thing about the whole tournament is that latching on to your opponent in the box just goes unpunished. Ronaldo shafted last night and the Germans tonight.

Tordah

well, that sucked. Well played France, they waited for the counter attacks and took some of their (few) opportunities. Unfortunately, we didn't convert any of ours, when there were loads. Gomez was missed very much.

Bovidae

I was surprised France kept the same team from the Iceland game but Sissoko and Umtiti both played really well.
 
Possession was all Germany but Loris didn't have to make too many saves until the last 5 mins. Two mistakes from Schweinsteiger and Kimmich/Neuer was all it took.
 
I hope France wins the final.
 
Billy Tell - there is always so much contact/holding/pushing in the box that it is hard for the officials to determine what should be punished and what let go. Players going down deliberately with minimal contact to win a free kick is my biggest annoyance.

Billy Tell

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="594809" data-time="1467928170">
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I was surprised France kept the same team from the Iceland game but Sissoko and Umtiti both played really well.
 
Possession was all Germany but Loris didn't have to make too many saves until the last 5 mins. Two mistakes from Schweinsteiger and Kimmich/Neuer was all it took.
 
I hope France wins the final.
 
Billy Tell - there is always so much contact/holding/pushing in the box that it is hard for the officials to determine what should be punished and what let go. Players going down deliberately with minimal contact to win a free kick is my biggest annoyance. 
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I agree, but frankly Ronaldo the night before was completely bear-hugged AND was in a great position to jump and header in a goal. It was a clear penalty IMO. Less convinced about last night. I would like to see players falling at the merest touch also given a YC.
 
Overall, I think the standard of reffing has been pretty good. Germany completely dominated the first half after about 10 minutes but their inability to find the net was a killer, I thought MÃ¼ller should have been pulled, but I have no idea if Germany had any viable alternatives.

Rancid Schnitzel

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tordah" data-cid="594798" data-time="1467925532">
well, that sucked. Well played France, they waited for the counter attacks and took some of their (few) opportunities. Unfortunately, we didn't convert any of ours, when there were loads. Gomez was missed very much.</blockquote>
 
Yeah it sucked, but it happened during the qualifiers as well. Dominate possession, create chances but no one to put it in the net. I think Gomez would have made a difference. Reus too, but he seems to break like Kahui. 
Damn shame. Imagine how good this team would be with a Klinsmann or Rummenigge.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="594945" data-time="1467954647">
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Damn shame. Imagine how good this team would be with a Klinsmann or Rummenigge.
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Or Klose.

dogmeat

I got both semi's wrong in KP's tipping comp despite having picked France to win at the outset.
I let heart rule head.
 
Go France - don't want that showboating smug prick Ronaldo winning anything

MiketheSnow

Well it all ends this evening.
 
France v Portugal.
 
Based on performances, France should walk it but I've got a sneaky suspicion that Ronaldo will put on a show tonight.
 
Portugal 3-2

infidel

France all the way for me, 3-1 or 3-0 France.

Billy Tell

Well done Portugal. Their defence was excellent. Still think the best team was Italy (except for penalties...). 
Heaps of Portuguese where I live, they are generally very solid.

Hooroo

Wow! So Potrugal win Euro 2016 dispite only winning one game in 90 mins?
 
Incredible

Bovidae

Ironically, Portugal did a Greece on France in the final. 
 
France created more chances in regulation time and Rui PatrÃcio made 2 excellent saves from Sissoko rockets, and one from a Griezmann header. France were the width of a goal post away from winning at the death. Better to be lucky than good! :)

MiketheSnow

I guess the weak side of the draw wasn't that weak after all ;)
 
Got the result and margin right, but not the score unfortunately.
 
Average match but great to see Portugal able to win it without Ronaldo and to see a new name on the cup.

MiketheSnow

The tournament may not have been the best but there were some great matches played.
The officiating was of the highest order, and there appeared to be far less backchat, diving and blatant 'professionalism' from the players.
With the exception of a small percentage of 'fans' the tournament was a happy party.
There were some monumental upsets.
Many of the matches were too close to call prior to kick-off, which differed from previous tournaments where many matches were a foregone conclusion.
It was great to see the emergence of the smaller countries - player base and/or population - and the remergence of forgotten countries like Hungary.
Great to see a different name on the trophy.
Overall a very enjoyable month or so. For some countries at least.
Roll on the World Cup qualifiers :good1:

The Silver Fern

Euros 2016