Official UEFA European Championship EURO Cup 2020 that is happening in 2021 Thread

[GirlySports]

I think keepers should take more penalties. They can now smash a ball 80 yards, probably take the keepers head off from 12.

[CroFlames]

I think removing the medals was a really bad look, especially from the Captain.

First final in 55 years, and all of a sudden a medal isn't good enough? Very poor sportsmanship IMO. I hate when guys do that.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I think removing the medals was a really bad look, especially from the Captain.

First final in 55 years, and all of a sudden a medal isn't good enough? Very poor sportsmanship IMO. I hate when guys do that.

I never get that argument. These players just went through the biggest disappointment of their careers, I don't get why you even have them take those medals in that moment. It's easy to sit on a couch and go "meh, that's bad sportsmanship", but there's a lot of emotion involved and finishing second is simply not seen as an achievement in that moment. It's a completely human reaction.

also, it's been happening forever. Lothar Matthäus ripping it off in disgust after about 2 seconds is one of the images of the CL final 99 that has stuck with me.

[MegaErtz]

Originally Posted by cheevers

Is this serious? And people are liking it? I feel like I am taking crazy pills here. They are a solid young team that is arguably a top 3 team in Europe and they finished second. If they go all attack, I think they get stuffed by Italy. I agree with the subs, should have used them more, and I hate bringing on guys for the last 2 minutes to take a penalty. Have guys who have a feel for the game taking them. But at the end of the day the guy was a couple penalties away from winning.

I can totally get behind saying he made some mistakes, but there have been some crazy takes about him on here.

I say this as someone who is normally very critical of the media hype surrounding overrated England squads.

Make no mistake, this is a team of superstars. The top clubs in England are really only competing with about five other major European clubs for world class players when they come available. Look at the most expensive signings ever made and many of them are in this England team. Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell when they left Leicester, John Stones when he left Everton, Jordan Pickford when he left Sunderland, Kieran Trippier when he left Spurs, etc etc. Guys like Declan Rice, Jack Grealish, and Harry Kane are all being linked with moves this summer for figures between 60m and 200m. This isn't the usual collection of a couple of standout players and then a bunch of Premier League journeymen rounding out the squad that England normal trot out. Almost all, in fact I'd say every single one, of these players wouldn't look out of place at all playing for Barcelona. I'm not talking the starting XI here, I'm talking the entire squad!

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I think removing the medals was a really bad look, especially from the Captain.

First final in 55 years, and all of a sudden a medal isn't good enough? Very poor sportsmanship IMO. I hate when guys do that.

I don't get why they even make them do it. For most it's a once in a lifetime opportunity that slipped away, to parade them up to collect a second place medal is kind of heartless really. One of those traditions I'd be fine with them doing away with.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I think removing the medals was a really bad look, especially from the Captain.

First final in 55 years, and all of a sudden a medal isn't good enough? Very poor sportsmanship IMO. I hate when guys do that.

I love it! Making them put the medals on in the first place is pretty sadistic in my opinion, watching a hated enemy be humiliated? Oh man they dont make TV this good!

While their victorious opponents celebrate? Its torture!

The only real downside is that we've all seen so many sad Englishmen in our lives that the novelty has long since worn off.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by devo22

I never get that argument. These players just went through the biggest disappointment of their careers, I don't get why you even have them take those medals in that moment. It's easy to sit on a couch and go "meh, that's bad sportsmanship", but there's a lot of emotion involved and finishing second is simply not seen as an achievement in that moment. It's a completely human reaction.

also, it's been happening forever. Lothar Matthäus ripping it off in disgust after about 2 seconds is one of the images of the CL final 99 that has stuck with me.

We can agree to disagree. Keeping the medal on (IMO) is a sign of respect to the competition you were in, as well as the champion who just beat you. I understand bitter defeat (obviously was never a pro athlete, but played soccer & hockey growing up). Plus, Croatia losing in 2018 was a bitter pill since we likely are never going back to a final in my lifetime.

This is no different than an Olympic sprinter getting silver, and taking his medal off in disgust on the podium.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Locke

I love it! Making them put the medals on in the first place is pretty sadistic in my opinion, watching a hated enemy be humiliated? Oh man they dont make TV this good!

While their victorious opponents celebrate? Its torture!

The only real downside is that we've all seen so many sad Englishmen in our lives that the novelty has long since worn off.

See I thought we had come to a consensus in this tournament that it's only children we want to see crying and humiliated.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

See I thought we had come to a consensus in this tournament that it's only children we want to see crying and humiliated.

I'm all about equal opportunity.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

This is no different than an Olympic sprinter getting silver, and taking his medal off in disgust on the podium.

not a good comparison though because an Olympic medal is always an achievement. Losing a final in football will never be seen as one in that moment.

I get your point, but I just can't vilify players who are bitterly disappointed and take them off.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I just wish they'd wait until they're off camera and more than 5 feet away from the podium. Ripping it off before you even shake the guy's hand is a bad look.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

not a good comparison though because an Olympic medal is always an achievement. Losing a final in football will never be seen as one in that moment.

I get your point, but I just can't vilify players who are bitterly disappointed and take them off.

I get it.

I'd say that they should take them off later. Off camera.

Its a European thing. We see it in Hockey at IIHF tournaments where they basically force the defeated opponent to stand around having their faces rubbed in their defeat.

I dont pretend to understand why, maybe its the legend of Charlemagne. I dont know.

I mean....hell. You could have just tossed a box of medals at England, they'd get lost to their dressing room and drink (presumably warm) beer and that would have been the end of it.

But no. Nothing less than slow, methodical, public humiliation is required.

[GirlySports]

Yeah, but Matteaus had already won a World Cup. And he had the championshop ripped out of his hands by a stunning comeback. I can even understand the Swedes at the world juniors. Being second over and over again sucks. But England has never been second. They never even trailed in the final. They lost just like most other teams have lost.


You should go back and watch the Italians in Euro 2000 after France snatched victory from them. And this is after going through 90, 94 and 98. I think Albertini is still crying.

[Senator Clay Davis]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1414672529717964807

https://twitter.com/user/status/1414672590468227074

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

https://twitter.com/user/status/1414672529717964807

https://twitter.com/user/status/1414672590468227074

"Dont apologize for anything Marcus....Qatar 2022 its coming home!"

I'm so sorry for that child.

On a more serious note, you never, ever, blame a teammate for missing a penalty.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Locke

"Dont apologize for anything Marcus....Qatar 2022 its coming home!"

I'm so sorry for that child.

On a more serious note, you never, ever, blame a teammate for missing a penalty.

Did I miss something? Someone on the squad blamed Rashford?

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Yeah, but Matteaus had already won a World Cup. And he had the championshop ripped out of his hands by a stunning comeback. I can even understand the Swedes at the world juniors. Being second over and over again sucks. But England has never been second. They never even trailed in the final. They lost just like most other teams have lost.


You should go back and watch the Italians in Euro 2000 after France snatched victory from them. And this is after going through 90, 94 and 98. I think Albertini is still crying.

This was probably my first real sports heartbreak.

Was 12 years old and at about that age where you start to "Get" sports and really get more invested. I remember watching Baggio miss in 94 but was too young at the time to really get what it meant, and in 98 it sucked when they lost on penalties but it was still only the QFs.

But the fashion in which how Italy lost that game was painful. Totti has missed some wide open chances. Such a weak goal for France to tie it up in extra time too. Pretty sure I cried after Italy lost.

[MegaErtz]

Originally Posted by Locke

"Dont apologize for anything Marcus....Qatar 2022 its coming home!"

I'm so sorry for that child.

On a more serious note, you never, ever, blame a teammate for missing a penalty.

I don't know, what if someone tries to pull a Panenka in second half injury time when you're down by a single goal? Pretty sure teammates would have the right to be upset at that.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Keane alluded to this in the post match discussion, that you would have a 19 year old taking the 5th penalty.

Called out the more experienced players, the likes of Sterling and Grealish for not stepping up and having Saka take the penalty instead of them.

And then you have the likes of big ego Henderson who's willing to snatch the ball off Calvert-Lewin in meaningless friendlies to take penalties in order to be the man but when it came to the big stage and pressure won't put his name forward.

Just want to add that Grealish responded to this today on Twitter and said he wanted to take a penalty.

So yeah it wasn’t his decision. Those were the guys that Southgate picked.

[GirlySports]

There's a list floating around, of footage and people reading lips that Pickford was 6th, Phillips was 7th and Grealish was 8th. Still no Sterling (only Sterling, Shaw and Stones are left)