Euro 2012

[pink_triangle]

Croatia diddy in population but not in the stature of the players. That team could have won the world cup if thuram hadn't decided to turn to a goalscorer. I would compare them more with Uruguay. Small but far from mediocre.

[The Nal]

Also, don't fuck with the Ruskies

[media=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaP9RenZ0gw

Edited June 9, 2012 by The Nal

[Donkey]

Croatia diddy in population but not in the stature of the players. That team could have won the world cup if thuram hadn't decided to turn to a goalscorer. I would compare them more with Uruguay. Small but far from mediocre.

[pink_triangle]

Yep would put sweden with turkey and south korea. Bulgaria are a difficult one as they were an average side pushed up by an amazing player. Cant remember Belgium getting to the semis so diffciult to say.

[Uncle Liam]

Tyldsley praising the Irish fans 'charm' whilst ignoring the pro IRA chants.

Classy.

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

Tyldsley praising the Irish fans 'charm' whilst ignoring the pro IRA chants.

Classy.

[Uncle Liam]

I dont really want to get into this, but would he praise the Ukrainian fans 'charm' if they launch into some racist abuse tomorrow?

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

I dont really want to get into this, but would he praise the Ukrainian fans 'charm' if they launch into some racist abuse tomorrow?

Edited June 10, 2012 by thesecretingredientiscrime

[Uncle Liam]

the loud and repeated "I R A" shouts during Fields of Athenry.

I'm not going to get into an argument on this. I think its horrendous they chanted that, and I think its disgusting that Tyldsley ignored it and continued to lavish praise on the very fans who were doing it.

If you think its ok, then fine. More power to you.

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

the loud and repeated "I R A" shouts during Fields of Athenry.

I'm not going to get into an argument on this. I think its horrendous they chanted that, and I think its disgusting that Tyldsley ignored it and continued to lavish praise on the very fans who were doing it.

If you think its ok, then fine. More power to you.

Edited June 10, 2012 by thesecretingredientiscrime

[The Nal]

Didn't hear any IRA chants myself. Never have at an Irish game actually. All I heard was the "free birds fly" bit chanted during the chorus but Im aware of the added bits. Idiots. Tiny minority though it has to be said.

Anyway, we were both shite and unlucky - have absolutely nothing to offer in midfield.

On a more positive note - only Spain and Italy to go. A doddle.

Edited June 11, 2012 by The Nal

[A-Rob]

Spain looked beatable yesterday, so I would not rule out a surprise in group C.

England v France should be a tough game for both teams, I hope Engalnd at least draw because if they lose it would be difficult to survive this group

[pink_triangle]

Spain looked beatable yesterday, so I would not rule out a surprise in group C.

England v France should be a tough game for both teams, I hope Engalnd at least draw because if they lose it would be difficult to survive this group

[The Nal]

Really looking forward to England/France later. That and Germany/Holland are two I'm really up for.

[A-Rob]

Agree.

In fact in this EURO there not many what you can call "weak" teams that you would like to target to face in the next round.

The weakest spot is maybe the 2nd in group A, but apart from that all quater finals will be very tough matches irelavant of who passes from the other groups

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

As others have said, looking forward to how England do tonight. I'd say areas for concern pre game are definitely the centre back partnership and the wings. It's a chance for Downing to do well, and England can benefit from France's centre backs being the weakest area of the team. However, the strongest area (and the area where they've had the most consistency) is midfield, and Parker and Gerrard will have to work hard to counter them attacking through the middle. I've got faith in Hodgson, so will be interested to see what he does.

With regards to the actual game yesterday, I wouldn't use excuses, because Ireland simply weren't good enough in places, and didn't work hard enough. However, it was another example of Uefa selecting bad officials for a tournament, something which has been evident throughout this tournament so far. Obviously he missed the stone wall, but from a technical refereeing point of view, he was awful, especially during the build up of some of the goals. He'd almost lost control in the final ten minutes. I'm pretty confident he'll have got a bollocking afterwards, but I'd rather they appointed better officials, than deal with it after it happens.

Got to agree with the fact it's a very hard tournament. Obviously the size means you get groups of death, but arguably the hardest part is the Quarters. While the World Cup has the second round to weed out some of the other teams, it's been shown anything can happen in the Quarters, and leaves some of the bigger teams very vulnerable.

Edited June 11, 2012 by thesecretingredientiscrime

[ste4_20]

Agree.

In fact in this EURO there not many what you can call "weak" teams that you would like to target to face in the next round.

The weakest spot is maybe the 2nd in group A, but apart from that all quater finals will be very tough matches irelavant of who passes from the other groups

[The Nal]

You can make an argument for any team to make it through (except maybe ROI now after last night).

Edited June 11, 2012 by The Nal

[pink_triangle]

Which is why the Euros is a better tournament than the WC for me. You can make an argument for any team to make it through (except maybe ROI now after last night).

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

We'll hammer Spain on Thursday. They only have Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso and Silva. We have Whelan and Andrews.

Edited June 11, 2012 by thesecretingredientiscrime

[ste4_20]

A better group phase for me but once the world cup kicks in to the last 8, i think it becomes the better tournament. Also the world cup final just feels a far bigger event. The europeans is probably less predictable but that can sometimes dilute the quality in the later stages. I like to see top teams win and you just dont see the likes of denmark or greece winning world cups.

As for extending the euros to 24, its a bad idea for the tournament. However as a Wales fan Im all for any extension, why not increase it to 32!!

[pink_triangle]

I don't think the entertainment factor is as big in the WC. I remember more Euros games (group and knock-out) fondly than WC games because there are more of those stories like Greece and Denmark. Chances of that in 4 years are reduced now.

[LondonTom]

I like to see top teams win and you just dont see the likes of denmark or greece winning world cups.

Edited June 11, 2012 by LondonTom

[The Nal]

Hart, Johnson, Terry, Lescott, Cole, Milner, Gerrard, Parker, The Ox, Young, Welbeck.

[A-Rob]

I'm happy The Ox gets the nod ahead of Downing