Official 2024 UEFA Euro Cup Thread

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Thing about Portugal is that no matter how stacked they are if things start going against them they collectively lose their ####. This started to happen but got derailed by the lucky own goal.

Czechia was never gonna win that game, even when they were up 1-0. Portugal always had a goal in them. Yeah, the equalizer was lucky, but Portugal showed good fight to respond after surrendering on the first shot on target from Czechia. They were a fraction of an inch from going ahead before injury time. They were clearly the better team. Lacked a push in the final third, but Czechia defended very well up until the winner.

Portugal will be just fine. This was their toughest test of the group stage in their cupcake of a group.

They'll find their groove.

Forca Portugal!

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by Beninho

Can’t say Portugal were all that impressive but a win is a win. After the first round of games it seems that the usual France, Spain, and Germany are a head above the rest. Hard to not put France with the other 2 even with a bad first game, they go deep in almost every major tournament since 2016. Looking forward to Italy-Spain on Thursday

They weren't impressive, no. Martinez used a formation they've never used before. Doing it in a tournament opener is a weird time to do so.

They'll make plenty of changes to formation and deployment on Saturday.

Oh and yes, Germany looked strong in their opener(Scotland was horrendous) but the "usual head above the rest" term shouldn't apply to them. They've been quite poor the last three major tournaments. They're not the Germany of old.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Czechia was never gonna win that game, even when they were up 1-0. Portugal always had a goal in them. Yeah, the equalizer was lucky, but Portugal showed good fight to respond after surrendering on the first shot on target from Czechia. They were a fraction of an inch from going ahead before injury time. They were clearly the better team. Lacked a push in the final third, but Czechia defended very well up until the winner.

Portugal will be just fine. This was their toughest test of the group stage in their cupcake of a group.

They'll find their groove.

Forca Portugal!

For sure. Soccer is such a capricious game. Portugal dominated but both goals were effectively own goals.

The offside ruling that nullified Portugal’s first second goal was stupid (even if correct).

[Locke]

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

They weren't impressive, no. Martinez used a formation they've never used before. Doing it in a tournament opener is a weird time to do so.

They'll make plenty of changes to formation and deployment on Saturday.

Oh and yes, Germany looked strong in their opener(Scotland was horrendous) but the "usual head above the rest" term shouldn't apply to them. They've been quite poor the last three major tournaments. They're not the Germany of old.

Yeah. It was a nice win and all, but I agree that I dont think we can draw any meaningful conclusions from it. Scotland were awful.

[troutman]

Maybe I’m a bad person but I can’t listen to Caldwell’s brogue. That’s a channel changer.

[lazypucker]

Originally Posted by troutman

Maybe I’m a bad person but I can’t listen to Caldwell’s brogue. That’s a channel changer.

I don't watch a minute of the TSN commentators talk, I just watch the games themselves....

[Locke]

Alright kids! Another major Matchday!

Croatia vs. Albania - This one hurts me. I was cheering hard for Albania last go around but I also really like and respect the Croatians so I may have to stay neutral on this one.

Germany vs. Hungary - Obviously Deutschland Uber Alles. But the Hungarians are going to be Hungry and aggressive and frankly, we cant really draw any meaningful conclusions about the Germans from their prior match. But I fully expect Hungary to give the Germans a tougher fight than the Scots.

Bratwurst > Goulash

Scotland vs. Switzerland - I'm kind of pulling for the Scots but man, they're going to have to be way better than they were against Germany. That was abysmal. Realistically, I'm pulling for the Scots but my head knows better. This should be a Swiss win.

Chocolate tends to triumph over Haggis!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by troutman

Maybe I’m a bad person but I can’t listen to Caldwell’s brogue. That’s a channel changer.

Its like he's doing a cartoonish voice but I know its genuine.

That being said, I grew up with a Scottish neighbour and pour a couple drinks into him and he was completely incomprehensible.

There was a lot of smiling and nodding and 'yes I'll have another' and then laughing.

Damn. I miss that guy.

[Locke]

Is that a 'Leading Light' of the Albanian Mafia?

[Locke]

Albania!! Are you kidding me with this??

[Locke]

And those Albanian jerseys are slick. I like them.

[Locke]

That was nearly 2-0 Albania. That was a huge save!

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Kramaric with a Matthew Tkachuk level dive there

[Locke]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

Kramaric with a Matthew Tkachuk level dive there

That was pretty shameful. VAR should have shown that there was absolutely no contact. Luckily nothing came of it.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Albania could have 3. Croatia has yet to show up in this tournament and as it stands their tournament is virtually over

[Locke]

Originally Posted by M*A*S*H 4077

Albania could have 3. Croatia has yet to show up in this tournament and as it stands their tournament is virtually over

Yeah, if they lose this one they're boned. But as you said, Croatia have yet to show up.

[Ozy_Flame]

This is fun, Croatia is a declining soccer empire. Excellent news.

[Locke]

They might be in decline right now, but they'll be back.

Besides...who do you cheer for?

[Locke]

Croatia!!

[Ozy_Flame]

Booooooooooooooo