The Official 14/15 Various National Soccer Team News Thread - Page 16 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Locke · 09-08-2015, 12:55 PM

Alaba converts a penalty for the Austrians to take a 1-0 lead.

Kind of disappointing, it was a penalty, good call, but what the hell was he thinking making that challenge in the box?

SuperMatt18 · 09-08-2015, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Italy trashes another team 1-0. 8 matches 11 goals and in 1st place

No strikers and limited creativity up front.

The last class of Italian strikers that was supposed to be great busted as world class players (Giovinco, Balotelli, Borini, etc)

They have some decent working type strikers (Immobile, Zaza, Pelle) but those guys aren't world class.

Really they have relied on Pirlo to create offensively since 2006, and now that he is past his best before date they are struggling to create offense.

cam_wmh · 09-08-2015, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

No strikers and limited creativity up front.

The last class of Italian strikers that was supposed to be great busted as world class players (Giovinco, Balotelli, Borini, etc)

They have some decent working type strikers (Immobile, Zaza, Pelle) but those guys aren't world class.

Really they have relied on Pirlo to create offensively since 2006, and now that he is past his best before date they are struggling to create offense.

Am I delusional to think, if England & Italy were drawn to same pool again, that England could finally out come ahead?

SuperMatt18 · 09-08-2015, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Am I delusional to think, if England & Italy were drawn to same pool again, that England could finally out come ahead?

IMO it would be close but England's attack is very inconsistent as well.

Italy has the better coaching, defense, and Buffon is still great.

If England can score they probably win, but they might not get a goal.

Also in a short tournament you never know where a goal scoring hero comes from. Italy doesn't have a proven world class talent right now, but if any of Pelle, Destro, Immobile, Berardi, or Gabbiadini can take the next step this year or get hot during the tournament then Italy takes it.

devo22 · 09-08-2015, 01:24 PM

2-0 Austria. FRANCE, HERE WE COME!!!

Locke · 09-08-2015, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

No strikers and limited creativity up front.

The last class of Italian strikers that was supposed to be great busted as world class players (Giovinco, Balotelli, Borini, etc)

They have some decent working type strikers (Immobile, Zaza, Pelle) but those guys aren't world class.

Really they have relied on Pirlo to create offensively since 2006, and now that he is past his best before date they are struggling to create offense.

The era of the 'False 9' really thinned out the talent pool for outright strikers all over the place.

d_phaneuf · 09-08-2015, 02:09 PM

Our Messiah scores

1-0

cam_wmh · 09-08-2015, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Our Messiah scores

1-0

Our Messiah scores

1-0

FTFY

d_phaneuf · 09-08-2015, 02:22 PM

not saying it's definitely going to happen but... Kane to break Charlton's record before Rooney?

Locke · 09-08-2015, 02:23 PM

This is a good Austrian team, they've been really entertaining.

d_phaneuf · 09-08-2015, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

not saying it's definitely going to happen but... Kane to break Charlton's record before Rooney?

I meant non-penalty goals obviously....

Locke · 09-08-2015, 02:58 PM

I was really impressed with Dragovic, he handled Ibra with ease for most of the night and made a few really impressive tackles.

devo22 · 09-08-2015, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I was really impressed with Dragovic, he handled Ibra with ease for most of the night and made a few really impressive tackles.

yeah he's great, it still pisses me off that United didn't sign in January when there were a lot of rumours. I think he's definitely good enough to play for a top team and Smalling/Dragovic would have made a fine CB duo in my opinion.

simply outstanding result today, could have been an even higher win. I was optimistic that Austria would get the one point that was needed to qualify, but scoring 4 goals in Sweden is something I wouldn't have dared to dream of. This is without a doubt the best Austrian team I have ever seen!

Locke · 09-08-2015, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devo22

yeah he's great, it still pisses me off that United didn't sign in January when there were a lot of rumours. I think he's definitely good enough to play for a top team and Smalling/Dragovic would have made a fine CB duo in my opinion.

simply outstanding result today, could have been an even higher win. I was optimistic that Austria would get the one point that was needed to qualify, but scoring 4 goals in Sweden is something I wouldn't have dared to dream of. This is without a doubt the best Austrian team I have ever seen!

Easily the best Austrian team, very well drilled but I'd like to see how they stack up against some of the bigger teams. I think a Belgium vs. Austria game would be intense.

Is that their first choice goalkeeper though? He flails a lot and seems to prefer to punch out than catch and hold, that could bite them against more opportunistic teams.

SuperMatt18 · 09-08-2015, 03:37 PM

I feel like this is going to be one of those Euro's where a darkhorse wins.

Germany is the only traditional powerhouse that has a top tier squad right now but even they are facing a bit of the World Cup hangover and are struggling to find top form.

Italy, England, & Spain are playing alright football but IMO are in a transition phase and are not at their top end right now. (Although If Spain fully transitions to the younger guard by 2016 then they are likely fine).

France has done well on home soil in the past, but they are fairly young and inexperienced.

Portugal doesn't have much after Ronaldo, and the Netherlands are unlikely to even qualify at this point and are in disarray.

If we saw a team like Belgium, Austria, Poland, or maybe even Wales sneak through into the finals I would not be shocked at all.

cam_wmh · 09-08-2015, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

not saying it's definitely going to happen but... Kane to break Charlton's record before Rooney?

He looks great next to Wayne.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/34061844

d_phaneuf · 09-08-2015, 03:48 PM

Yep I think the field of 24 is going to lead to a lot more upsets and interesting matchups

even the so called lesser teams all have match winners who can create something out of nothings

its not like the world cup where the bottom teams just dont stand a chance

Locke · 09-08-2015, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I feel like this is going to be one of those Euro's where a darkhorse wins.

Germany is the only traditional powerhouse that has a top tier squad right now but even they are facing a bit of the World Cup hangover and are struggling to find top form.

Italy, England, & Spain are playing alright football but IMO are in a transition phase and are not at their top end right now. (Although If Spain fully transitions to the younger guard by 2016 then they are likely fine).

France has done well on home soil in the past, but they are fairly young and inexperienced.

Portugal doesn't have much after Ronaldo, and the Netherlands are unlikely to even qualify at this point and are in disarray.

If we saw a team like Belgium, Austria, Poland, or maybe even Wales sneak through into the finals I would not be shocked at all.

I agree, obviously theres a lot that has to happen between then and now, especially when you consider teams like Portugal, Sweden, Wales etc, their talismanic players are going to be another year older.

But taking your example of the up-and-comers of Belgium, Austria, Poland, Wales, I could see them making some noise, Wales less so because being a one-trick-pony doesnt work well at major tournaments.

The thing with England, Italy, Spain, France is that if they get it together they can do some damage, but they're also just as likely to implode.

Obviously I really want the Germans to win this, and they're the odds-on favourites, no argument there, but anything can happen.

devo22 · 09-08-2015, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

Is that their first choice goalkeeper though? He flails a lot and seems to prefer to punch out than catch and hold, that could bite them against more opportunistic teams.

yeah he is, goalkeeper is a position where we don't have a lot of depth and quality. But Almer is at least decent, he just broke a national record with over 600 consecutive minutes without conceding a goal.

cam_wmh · 09-08-2015, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I agree, obviously theres a lot that has to happen between then and now, especially when you consider teams like Portugal, Sweden, Wales etc, their talismanic players are going to be another year older.

But taking your example of the up-and-comers of Belgium, Austria, Poland, Wales, I could see them making some noise, Wales less so because being a one-trick-pony doesnt work well at major tournaments.

The thing with England, Italy, Spain, France is that if they get it together they can do some damage, but they're also just as likely to implode.

Obviously I really want the Germans to win this, and they're the odds-on favourites, no argument there, but anything can happen.

Wales one trick pony? I hate Arsenal as much as the next logical, sane person, but Aaron Ramsey?

To put into perspective, he'd be Liverpools' best player.