Euros 2016

Bovidae

Croatia upsets Spain 2-1. Spain's prize is a round of 16 clash with Italy.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MiketheSnow" data-cid="590281" data-time="1466506106">
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Brilliant. Do you write for the Daily Mail? ;)
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Mike, I was being succinct with my statement. ;)
 
I agree with you 100%, and as a fan of Aaron Ramsey I was supporting Wales.

mariner4life

It's a funny tournament. The opportunity for the best 3rd place teams to qualify for the 2nd round has resulted in a change in tactics from the smaller teams. Suddenly, playing for 3 draws is a realistic way to qualify.
 
So where in the past the smaller teams may have had a crack, and left themselves open to giving up a couple, now they are sticking everything behind the ball, and waiting it out.
 
Mike i think you are being incredibly one-eyed in your viewing of England. Yes, it's clear they have struggled to score, but there is no doubt they have been the better side in all 3 of their games. They were incredibly unlucky to draw with Russia (yes, defensive blunder, but it was the Russians first chance of any note for ages). They were better than Wales for most of their game, and deserved the win. And the entire Slovakia game was played in one half of the field, with 10 white players defending 30m from goal. It's obvious they aren't good enough to win it, there a bunch of teams better than them in the comp. But they haven't been that bad. 
 
I don't know who is going to win it, Germany probably, but don't rule out either Spain, or Croatia, or even Italy or France. Poland have been alright as well. It's pretty open as no one is looking unbeatable.

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="590350" data-time="1466550498">
<div>Mike i think you are being incredibly one-eyed in your viewing of England. Yes, it's clear they have struggled to score, but there is no doubt they have been the better side in all 3 of their games. They were incredibly unlucky to draw with Russia (yes, defensive blunder, but it was the Russians first chance of any note for ages). They were better than Wales for most of their game, and deserved the win. And the entire Slovakia game was played in one half of the field, with 10 white players defending 30m from goal. It's obvious they aren't good enough to win it, there a bunch of teams better than them in the comp. But they haven't been that bad. 
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This is what I wrote
 
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England had the majority of possession, territory and shots on target against Russia, Wales, and Slovakia but failed to convert that superiority against Russia and Slovakia. Truth be told they were about two minutes and a lucky ricochet from drawing all three matches and sweating on progession to the last 16.
 
Wales on the other hand were worthy winners of two of their three group matches, and came within two minutes of going unbeaten despite being second best to England (see above).
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Which pretty much says what you were saying. But when the object of the game is to put the ball into the back of the net, overall England have to be judged on that.
 
And on that they have been poor and haven't 'been the better side', despite dominating all three matches.

mariner4life

That's fair, but soccer is harder to judge that way, given the paucity of scoring. 
This comp and its format is taking some stick now

hydro11

I was against the expansion of the Euros but I think the worst part of it is that it has lead to a lot of negative football. I don't know how the goals scored in this tournament compares to others but it seems like lots of small teams are just looking to take a point. England didn't really look like breaking down Slovakia. I can't see England winning too many games if they fall behind.

Bovidae

Ireland get a late winner over Italy to book their place in the last 16. 
 
The draw is:
Switzerland v Poland
Wales v Northern Ireland
Croatia v Portugal
France v Ireland
Germany v Slovakia
Hungary v Belgium
Italy v Spain
England v Iceland

Hooroo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="590607" data-time="1466629916">
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Ireland get a late winner over Italy to book their place in the last 16. 
 
The draw is:
Switzerland v Poland 1-0
Wales v Northern Ireland 2-1
Croatia v Portugal 2-0
France v Ireland 0-0 (France through on Pens)
Germany v Slovakia 4-1
Hungary v Belgium 1-2
Italy v Spain 1-1 (Italy through on Pens)
England v Iceland 2-0
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MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="590608" data-time="1466630029">
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="590607" data-time="1466629916">
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Ireland get a late winner over Italy to book their place in the last 16. 
 
The draw is:
Switzerland v Poland 1-0
Wales v Northern Ireland 2-1
Croatia v Portugal 2-0
France v Ireland 0-0 (France through on Pens)
Germany v Slovakia 4-1
Hungary v Belgium 1-2
Italy v Spain 1-1 (Italy through on Pens)
England v Iceland 2-0
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Very plausible

Hooroo

I might even back it up with a bet.

NTA

That looks fucking complex. How the hell do you bet on that? Like with an app?
 
I am a complete numpty when it comes to betting of any kind

Derm McCrum

Ireland were just destined to play France in France. 
Hopefully, Robbie Keane handles the ball in the last minute to cross the ball and Robbie Brady to score the winner. 
Makes for headlines for next day of the 'We Wuz Robb-ed' 'Ireland Robs France', etc etc variety.

mariner4life

How do you reckon the Scots feel? 4 of 5 home nations in the comp. 4 of 5 home nations in the 2nd round. Ouch.

Derm McCrum

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="590924" data-time="1466724290">How do you reckon the Scots feel? 4 of 5 home nations in the comp. 4 of 5 home nations in the 2nd round. Ouch.</blockquote> Ireland is not a home nation, it's a separate country/republic. There are only four home nations - Eng, Wal, Sco and NI. So they're only 3 of 4...

mariner4life

Sorry buds, everyone thinks the Irish are British.

Immenso Rapido

Didn't RoI play in the old Home Nations football champs? Maybe belated entry though IIRC?

MiketheSnow

Some good news finally today :)
 
Wales beat Northern Ireland 1-0 and head to a QF match against the winner of Hungary & Belgium on Friday.
 
First tournament in 58 years and we make the quarters.
 
#notinmywildestdreams
 
#nobrexitforwales ;)

MiketheSnow

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="590608" data-time="1466630029">
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="590607" data-time="1466629916">
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Ireland get a late winner over Italy to book their place in the last 16. 
 
The draw is:
Switzerland v Poland 1-0
Wales v Northern Ireland 2-1
Croatia v Portugal 2-0
France v Ireland 0-0 (France through on Pens)
Germany v Slovakia 4-1
Hungary v Belgium 1-2
Italy v Spain 1-1 (Italy through on Pens)
England v Iceland 2-0
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Snore Saturday is complete and Hooroo is 1-2
 
Poland 1 - 1 Switzerland (Poland go through 5-4 on penalties)
Wales 1 - 0 Northen Ireland
Portugal 1- 0 Croatia
 
So QFs on the 'easy' side of the draw are:
 
Poland v Portugal on Thursday 30 June 2016
Wales v winner of Hungary v Belgium (played tonight) on Friday 01 Jul 2016
 
Another big night in the Cardiff Fan Zone coming up

Bovidae

Belgium have got their mojo back and look the team to beat on the top side of the draw. Hungary were actually very good and the 4-0 scoreline was not a true reflection of the game. The commentators made the point that Belgium has the most expensive squad at the Euros - averaging â‚¬15M per man. That's more than the value of the entire Hungarian squad. The best game of the comp so far.
 
Just to prove how strong the other side of the draw is, look at the graphic below. A good chance for Belgium or Wales to make the final.
 
<img src="http://i.eurosport.com/2016/06/26/1884408.png" alt="1884408.png">

mariner4life

Some dreary shit in this round. Portugal v Croatia was awful, Croatia created all the "chances" but rarely looked like scoring from them.
 
Wales were shit but won. The Poles and the Swiss was very dour. 
 
Germany were pretty impressive though, and now looking like the team to beat. 
 
 
The whole tournament has been very short of quality on the pitch.

The Silver Fern

Euros 2016