Euro 2016 Thread

[Senator Clay Davis]

Fellaini is an even easier target now with his new hair colour. Lukaku was worse than Fellaini today, consistently poor touches. If he can't find his game they could crash out in the group stage.

[devo22]

yup Lukaku had a terrible game. De Bruyne and Hazard too.

[Locke]

That Italian back 3 was fantastic, but make no mistake, if something happens to one of them, and two of them drew cards today, if one goes down or gets suspended, especially Bonucci, that team is screwed.

Its the definition of thin.

[Locke]

And I'll admit to not having seen much of Alderweireld this season so this was the most of his play that I've seen and the dude was lost.

And come on, no one can defend Fellaini. He was terrible.

[devo22]

again, De Bruyne and Hazard offered no creative spark, Lukaku had no impact and a poor touch and their defense was shaky. Singling out Fellaini just seems weird. We all know he lacks skill and simply can't be a cornerstone player, it's not his fault that Wilmots apparently can't see it. He did okay today in comparison to most of his teammates.

I can't believe you actually make me defend Fellaini.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by devo22

again, De Bruyne and Hazard offered no creative spark, Lukaku had no impact and a poor touch and their defense was shaky. Singling out Fellaini just seems weird. We all know he lacks skill and simply can't be a cornerstone player, it's not his fault that Wilmots apparently can't see it. He did okay today in comparison to most of his teammates.

I can't believe you actually make me defend Fellaini.

And I'm quoting you so you can never deny it! Haha! Mission Accomplished!

Seriously tho, he sucks. Hes the suckiest suck that ever did suck. Just bad. And he should feel bad.

[Locke]

A senior Russian police official has claimed his French counterparts were unable to handle Russia's "normal" football fans in Marseille this weekend because they are more used to policing "gay parades."

Vladimir Markin, a spokesman for Russia's equivalent of the FBI, made the comment on his verified Twitter account.

http://www.espnfc.us/russia/story/28...to-gay-parades

Wow. Just....I dont even know what to say.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Locke

http://www.espnfc.us/russia/story/28...to-gay-parades

Wow. Just....I dont even know what to say.

Going to the WC 2018? Should be good times.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Locke

That Italian back 3 was fantastic, but make no mistake, if something happens to one of them, and two of them drew cards today, if one goes down or gets suspended, especially Bonucci, that team is screwed.

Its the definition of thin.

Yeah, having to resort to the likes of Ogbonna, or playing Thiago Motta as a CB will be devastating.

Not sure why Conte didn't take more CBs.

[Senator Clay Davis]

That's actually the theory behind the massive spike in hooliganism, that because next two World Cups are in Russia and Qatar this is the last chance to hooligan it up for a while. Obviously no one is doing anything to end up in a Russian or Qatari jail, so go wild in France where at worst you'll get kicked out of the country.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Slava

One thing that soccer needs to get together on though is the idea that a purely cynical foul ought to be a straight red card. Its just lame that a player can have daylight ahead and get taken down by what would be a high tackle in rugby, let alone soccer, and its a yellow.

The GAA in Ireland have been trialing with decent success the concept of a black card for that very reason. A cynical foul that isn't necessarily red card worthy but cynical nonetheless and worse than your average yellow.
Black card = You're gone but a sub can replace you.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by devo22

Darmian is a really good full-back when there's a competent manager on the sidelines. Who knew?

Grumblings he might be sold too

[GirlySports]

yellow is still pretty steep in a short tournament like this. in the league you need 5(?) to get suspended? only 2 here.

I never liked that the yellow cards got wiped out after the group stage and especially after the quarters. Turns the semifinal into a hackfest. Yes i understand it's for tv and the final but a team who gets too many yellows should be handicapped for the final.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I never liked that the yellow cards got wiped out after the group stage and especially after the quarters. Turns the semifinal into a hackfest. Yes i understand it's for tv and the final but a team who gets too many yellows should be handicapped for the final.

Completely disagree.

Best move ever getting rid of the yellows for the semis. Let the teams go at and have the best players available for the final.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Completely disagree.

Best move ever getting rid of the yellows for the semis. Let the teams go at and have the best players available for the final.

ok but then having yellow cards is pointless. The 2012 Portugal-Spain semifinal was 0-0 and had 9 yellows. A shambles.

Theoretically Chiellini could get a yellow today, one in the quarters and one in the semis and they could all be cynical fouls like the one today and not get suspended. Nobody wants to see that.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

ok but then having yellow cards is pointless. The 2012 Portugal-Spain semifinal was 0-0 and had 9 yellows. A shambles.

Theoretically Chiellini could get a yellow today, one in the quarters and one in the semis and they could all be cynical fouls like the one today and not get suspended. Nobody wants to see that.

Those two teams would've had 9 yellows regardless of when during the tourney.

[Delthefunky]

Just finished watching all 3 games. Sweden looked poor, so got lucky with the point. They could still find a way, but it's going to be a tough task to beat one of Belgium or Italy. Ireland was good, I love Martin O'Neill and I think he's a great manager. Wouldn't rule them out yet either. Spain looked really good to me, while I think Messi is the worlds best, sometimes I wonder if it's just because he plays with Iniesta, because he is amazing. Italy looked really good too, best match of the day for me, Belgium actually looked good too, so it scares me a bit as a Sweden fan. I thought it was pretty clear Italy was playing a 4-3-3, but I guess it actually varies and depends when and how you look at it.

Iceland play tomorrow!!

[devo22]

Suspended disqualification for Russia. If there are any more attacks, they are out.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/...ssia-punishm2/

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by Itse

Mostly a reference to the fact that England is the one country that has been banned for this specific reason before, so it was not so much a comment on which countries should be banned.

Although I think mentioning Germans and French is a bit ridiculous. There are troublemakers in every country, but it's obvious some countries stand out in a bad way, and England is still the #1 exporter of football hooligans.

Russia, Serbia and Croatia are the serious competitors that I can think of right now.

(EDIT: And I think Serbians and Croatians have mostly caused trouble fighting with other former Yugoslavians.)

Germany pretty recently organized their own World Cup, which went just fine.

"England is still the #1 exporter of football hooligans".

I think that statement is the biggest pile of bull excrement I've read on this thread.

But if you can find evidence to back up that assertion, I'm all ears.

[Barnet Flame]

Originally Posted by troutman

Maybe Ireland or Sweden can knock off Belgium too.

If the form of the first games continues then I reckon Ireland and Sweden will beat Belgium. The most worrying thing for me though is Ireland's lack of efficiency in front of goal.

That said, I'm really pleased at how well Ireland played.