Euro 2016 Thread

[d_phaneuf]

impressed with Poland

they have such a good system and set up I think they are a real dark horse, could see them in the SF easy

Germany are going to get hurt on the counter at some point this tournament, that is their biggest weakness, the fullbacks arent very good and Hummels is looking slow. Boateng was unreal today breaking up plays

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Historically Germany doesn't fare well in the second match of a major tournament. Hopefully they're able to regroup and figure it out going forward. Diane_phaneuf is right, someone is going to kill them on the counter as it currently stands

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I saw the Welsh/Slovak game, not the Russian/Slovak game.

They are a decent side, could've drawn the Welsh. Nobody stands out for me, and felt the Welsh were the better side, because their best players were the best on the field.

Is there more skill and class on England? I'd have to say so.

Did I miss Slovak domination of the Russians?

Easily, no question about that in my mind.

This is the thing that gets me about England, they typically blow smoke up their own asses about the quality of their team when in reality it usually isnt very good.

This tournament though I think they've got a very good team, but its jut poorly set up and mismanaged. They've got excellent players.

Slovakia are almost the opposite, they dont have the same amount of talent or class, but they're getting results.

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

impressed with Poland

they have such a good system and set up I think they are a real dark horse, could see them in the SF easy

Germany are going to get hurt on the counter at some point this tournament, that is their biggest weakness, the fullbacks arent very good and Hummels is looking slow. Boateng was unreal today breaking up plays

Agreed on Poland, I thought their defence would be their undoing but it seems they've gotten on the same page, their defence today was excellent.

However, their plan has flaws. At the moment it seems as though they're going for the stalwart defence and banking on Lewandowski and Milik to get them goals. Thats well and good but as we saw today Milik is fallible and Lewandowski has 0 shots on goal over 2 games.

[VladtheImpaler]

Well, both of my homeland teams eliminated already, so I guess it's back to cheering for the Germans. Really disappointed in Ukraine - I thought they looked really sharp against Germany and could have won based on the quality of chances created. Shocked at their performance against a crap team like NI. The less said about the Russians the better.

[Locke]

We knew about the Russians, they're undergoing a revolution. Well...maybe just a change. Whatever it is, they're bad. The best players that they have are well past their best before date and the best players in their system arent there.

The Ukraine is pretty much as advertised. They should have going along a similar strategy as Poland, dont forget when Poland and Ukraine hosted this tournament they were the two worst teams in it, so improvements have been made.

They should have done better against Ireland but in fairness, the Irish played their game plan to perfection. I'd wager that the Ukrainians had better overall talent but poorer work-ethic and discipline and when the margins are as thin as they are that counts for a lot.

The Poles will likely be in trouble when the rubber hits the road, but in all fairness I havent really been impressed with any team in this tournament. I'd say the best game I've seen was Italy/Belgium and Italy was the best team I've seen play and most of that is credit to excellent tactics and disciplined adherence to the game plan as well as a custom-made back-line.

[VladtheImpaler]

Yeah, I agree - Italy looks like Italy looks when they are about to win something. Not to say they are perfect, but all the rest look deeply flawed in one way or another. A team like Croatia has a real shot I think because all the monsters look beatable. I have not checked the brackets, so don't know if this is even possible, but my early wager is on a Croatia-Italy final...

[Locke]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Yeah, I agree - Italy looks like Italy looks when they are about to win something. Not to say they are perfect, but all the rest look deeply flawed in one way or another. A team like Croatia has a real shot I think because all the monsters look beatable. I have not checked the brackets, so don't know if this is even possible, but my early wager is on a Croatia-Italy final...

Very possible, I'd agree with you other than I havent checked the brackets either, but the statement 'all of the monsters look beatable' is one I'd agree with.

There does not seem to be a team thats clearly superior.

But again, in a tournament like this that doesnt mean much either, experienced teams know that you have to start slow and peak at the right time rather than come rushing out of the gates and stumble.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Locke

Very possible, I'd agree with you other than I havent checked the brackets either, but the statement 'all of the monsters look beatable' is one I'd agree with.

There does not seem to be a team thats clearly superior.

But again, in a tournament like this that doesnt mean much either, experienced teams know that you have to start slow and peak at the right time rather than come rushing out of the gates and stumble.

Yeah, I am just concerned the Germans seem to be lacking the sharp end of the spear on the attack. Mind you, after they beat France 7-1 in the semis, I am sure everything will be ok.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Yeah, I am just concerned the Germans seem to be lacking the sharp end of the spear on the attack. Mind you, after they beat France 7-1 in the semis, I am sure everything will be ok.

And we always knew that was going to happen, they really needed a fit Reus, but I'm hoping Low puts Sane in at some point.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Spain are going to be there again as well. I have to agree with diane_phaneuf, England have looked pretty good so far and even if Hodgson had to figure out it through desperation, he surely saw that he needs two strikers out there and probably the two who came on the second half today. England's problem as always will be going England at the worst times.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Yeah, I agree - Italy looks like Italy looks when they are about to win something. Not to say they are perfect, but all the rest look deeply flawed in one way or another. A team like Croatia has a real shot I think because all the monsters look beatable. I have not checked the brackets, so don't know if this is even possible, but my early wager is on a Croatia-Italy final...

brackets are impossible to guess right now because of the 3rd place teams and what groups they come from effect what round of 16 matches they get right now

[White Out 403]

Chiellini has such a punchable face

[CroFlames]

[QUOTE=Locke;5793064]Very possible, I'd agree with you other than I havent checked the brackets either, but the statement 'all of the monsters look beatable' is one I'd agree with.

There does not seem to be a team thats clearly superior.

But again, in a tournament like this that doesnt mean much either, experienced teams know that you have to start slow and peak at the right time rather than come rushing out of the gates and stumble.[/QUOTE]

Ain't that the truth. Croatia in 2008 basically dominated their group. Then lost to Turkey in the quarters on penalties. Hopefully they gained some experience from that to say the least.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

This commentary is just the worst. So annoying! Annoying for the spectators!

[GirlySports]

If croatia and italy win their groups they cant meet til the final. If croatia 1st italy 2nd they cant meet til the semis. If croatia 2nd italy 1st they would meet right away which would be a shame.

[SuperMatt18]

Italy needs to figure out their strikers - Eder and Pelle have no chemistry and look lost.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

If croatia and italy win their groups they cant meet til the final. If croatia 1st italy 2nd they cant meet til the semis. If croatia 2nd italy 1st they would meet right away which would be a shame.

If Croatia and Italy meet in the finals things will likely be very awkward between me and friend of mine for quite some time. To say we're dedicated fans of our teams is an understatement.

[White Out 403]

Why isn't that a red card on Chiellieni?

Not even a foul?

You can just UFC style take down someone 30 yards from the ball now??

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

This commentary is just the worst. So annoying! Annoying for the spectators!

The guy whining about things being annoying is himself annoying. The way he says annoying is annoying. Soccer's Glen Healy.

Originally Posted by Resurrection

Chiellini has such a punchable face

You misspelled Ibrahimovic.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Resurrection

Why isn't that a red card on Chiellieni?

Not even a foul?

You can just UFC style take down someone 30 yards from the ball now??

Lol they ran into each other calm down.