Euro 2020/21 (more football, sorry Brian)

2456772

Comments

  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,599
    elbowloh said:

    Ahh Grealish, the greatest diver of the current era. He should be heading to the Olympics.

    Really? Every time I've seen him play, he's been absolutely clattered loads of times. He likes to take people on and goes for tight spaces, so does get fouled often (most fouled player in the PL I think).
    Falls over at the slightest touch, each and every time.
  • elbowloh
    elbowloh Posts: 7,078
    I think Kane is far worse. He initiates the contact and goes over.

    Also, everytime a long ball goes up and a defender jumps up, he backs into them and tricks the ref that he's been climbed on. He even looks round to see where the defender is before doing it, but the ref falls for it every time.
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • seanoconn
    seanoconn Posts: 11,699

    elbowloh said:

    Ahh Grealish, the greatest diver of the current era. He should be heading to the Olympics.

    Really? Every time I've seen him play, he's been absolutely clattered loads of times. He likes to take people on and goes for tight spaces, so does get fouled often (most fouled player in the PL I think).
    English player do not dive - the are "clever" and "draw fouls" Harry Kane is our best exponent
    Absolutely, stick your bum out, forcing the defender to brush your back, then go down like a ton of bricks. Or step into the path of the defender giving him no chance to avoid you, grabbing your ankle as you fall. 👍
    Pinno, מלך אידיוט וחרא מכונאי
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    edited June 2021


    Forza gli Azzurri

    Italy France Spain or Belgium to do it.


    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660

    I would say I think this England team are (at the moment anyway) just really likeable and after the 2010s where they were really unpleasant to watch, like trying to pass kidney stones and not succeeding, I'm really looking forward to watching them.

    it's also good that this England team has more players playing outside England than ever (I think). Bit more perspective is always a good thing.

    I think you are forgetting how functional (dour) we were in Russia when we played for set pieces. Can't believe we will see much different and will see little of the like of Grealish
    Yes but they were *fun*!

    I enjoyed it. I can enjoy gritty defensive performances - if anything I find really hard tough-to-break teams easier to watch than attacking but leaky.

    Ultimately for a national side all you want is for them to all pull together, play for each other and be positive about it all. I never felt the '10s teams really played together or were positive.
  • elbowloh
    elbowloh Posts: 7,078
    MattFalle said:



    Forza gli Azzurri

    Italy France Spain or Belgium to do it.


    Used to have an Italian gf. We had "follow my team" tickets for all of Italy's games at Euro 2004 I Portugal which meant we would have gone to the final if the team had. They didn't even get out of the group.

    For WC 2006 in Germany, we thought they'd do shoite, so only got group tickets and they only went and won the bloody thing.

    We got Italy tickets as they were easy to get (Italy fans don't seem to travel as much), almost guaranteed, whereas England tickets were like hen's teeth.
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,539

    France massive favourites - Mbappe, Kante, Benzema, Griezman, Pogba, Lloris, Sissoko, Dembele, Giroud and so it goes on - all great players in their prime (if not in form!)

    If England win their round of 16 game, all bets are off but, in all likelihood, they will have to play either France or Portugal - Portugal have to be one of the other favourites and Ronaldo is certainly not too old to grab any game by the scruff of its neck and drag his team through it.

    I can't bloody wait!

    Thing is, how often do these things get won by the best squad on paper? Germany don't tend to have that many massive household names but seem to gel well at international level.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    Pross said:

    France massive favourites - Mbappe, Kante, Benzema, Griezman, Pogba, Lloris, Sissoko, Dembele, Giroud and so it goes on - all great players in their prime (if not in form!)

    If England win their round of 16 game, all bets are off but, in all likelihood, they will have to play either France or Portugal - Portugal have to be one of the other favourites and Ronaldo is certainly not too old to grab any game by the scruff of its neck and drag his team through it.

    I can't bloody wait!

    Thing is, how often do these things get won by the best squad on paper? Germany don't tend to have that many massive household names but seem to gel well at international level.
    France did win the last world cup. And were easily the best team in the competition.

    It's a problem for England that their first match is against the other finalist who also knocked them out.
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    Pross said:

    France massive favourites - Mbappe, Kante, Benzema, Griezman, Pogba, Lloris, Sissoko, Dembele, Giroud and so it goes on - all great players in their prime (if not in form!)

    If England win their round of 16 game, all bets are off but, in all likelihood, they will have to play either France or Portugal - Portugal have to be one of the other favourites and Ronaldo is certainly not too old to grab any game by the scruff of its neck and drag his team through it.

    I can't bloody wait!

    Thing is, how often do these things get won by the best squad on paper? Germany don't tend to have that many massive household names but seem to gel well at international level.
    apart from at the last WC....
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    27 unbeaten, 7 conceded, 75 scored.

    10/10 victories for qualification.

    those stats are kinda scarey.

    and its an, overall, young team

    next WC is going to be very interesting.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • skyblueamateur
    skyblueamateur Posts: 1,498
    elbowloh said:

    Ahh Grealish, the greatest diver of the current era. He should be heading to the Olympics.

    Really? Every time I've seen him play, he's been absolutely clattered loads of times. He likes to take people on and goes for tight spaces, so does get fouled often (most fouled player in the PL I think).
    He's already on his way down before there's any contact.

    Have at look at the 'fouls' on him. Heavy touch past defender, start to go down, drag trailing leg across defenders foot, foul.
  • laurentian
    laurentian Posts: 2,553
    Pross said:

    France massive favourites - Mbappe, Kante, Benzema, Griezman, Pogba, Lloris, Sissoko, Dembele, Giroud and so it goes on - all great players in their prime (if not in form!)

    If England win their round of 16 game, all bets are off but, in all likelihood, they will have to play either France or Portugal - Portugal have to be one of the other favourites and Ronaldo is certainly not too old to grab any game by the scruff of its neck and drag his team through it.

    I can't bloody wait!

    Thing is, how often do these things get won by the best squad on paper? Germany don't tend to have that many massive household names but seem to gel well at international level.
    Thomas Müller: "In Germany, we don't believe in superstars. We are taught from an early age to play as a team, not to shine alone. That's why you won't see many German players winning a Ballon d'Or, but that's also why you can see 4 stars on our jersey."
    Wilier Izoard XP
  • seanoconn
    seanoconn Posts: 11,699

    Pross said:

    France massive favourites - Mbappe, Kante, Benzema, Griezman, Pogba, Lloris, Sissoko, Dembele, Giroud and so it goes on - all great players in their prime (if not in form!)

    If England win their round of 16 game, all bets are off but, in all likelihood, they will have to play either France or Portugal - Portugal have to be one of the other favourites and Ronaldo is certainly not too old to grab any game by the scruff of its neck and drag his team through it.

    I can't bloody wait!

    Thing is, how often do these things get won by the best squad on paper? Germany don't tend to have that many massive household names but seem to gel well at international level.
    Thomas Müller: "In Germany, we don't believe in superstars. We are taught from an early age to play as a team, not to shine alone. That's why you won't see many German players winning a Ballon d'Or, but that's also why you can see 4 stars on our jersey."
    True this. They are brilliant at following and not questioning orders, I mean coaching instruction.
    Pinno, מלך אידיוט וחרא מכונאי
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660

    Pross said:

    France massive favourites - Mbappe, Kante, Benzema, Griezman, Pogba, Lloris, Sissoko, Dembele, Giroud and so it goes on - all great players in their prime (if not in form!)

    If England win their round of 16 game, all bets are off but, in all likelihood, they will have to play either France or Portugal - Portugal have to be one of the other favourites and Ronaldo is certainly not too old to grab any game by the scruff of its neck and drag his team through it.

    I can't bloody wait!

    Thing is, how often do these things get won by the best squad on paper? Germany don't tend to have that many massive household names but seem to gel well at international level.
    Thomas Müller: "In Germany, we don't believe in superstars. We are taught from an early age to play as a team, not to shine alone. That's why you won't see many German players winning a Ballon d'Or, but that's also why you can see 4 stars on our jersey."
    eugh, makes you sick in your mouth, doesn't it? :P
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    edited June 2021
    I would say generally the old stereotypes of how different countries play football seem to be really eroding away, tactically.

  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660

    elbowloh said:

    Ahh Grealish, the greatest diver of the current era. He should be heading to the Olympics.

    Really? Every time I've seen him play, he's been absolutely clattered loads of times. He likes to take people on and goes for tight spaces, so does get fouled often (most fouled player in the PL I think).
    He's already on his way down before there's any contact.

    Have at look at the 'fouls' on him. Heavy touch past defender, start to go down, drag trailing leg across defenders foot, foul.
    This is ideal for international games.
  • skyblueamateur
    skyblueamateur Posts: 1,498

    elbowloh said:

    Ahh Grealish, the greatest diver of the current era. He should be heading to the Olympics.

    Really? Every time I've seen him play, he's been absolutely clattered loads of times. He likes to take people on and goes for tight spaces, so does get fouled often (most fouled player in the PL I think).
    He's already on his way down before there's any contact.

    Have at look at the 'fouls' on him. Heavy touch past defender, start to go down, drag trailing leg across defenders foot, foul.
    This is ideal for international games.
    It is indeed.
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644

    Pross said:

    France massive favourites - Mbappe, Kante, Benzema, Griezman, Pogba, Lloris, Sissoko, Dembele, Giroud and so it goes on - all great players in their prime (if not in form!)

    If England win their round of 16 game, all bets are off but, in all likelihood, they will have to play either France or Portugal - Portugal have to be one of the other favourites and Ronaldo is certainly not too old to grab any game by the scruff of its neck and drag his team through it.

    I can't bloody wait!

    Thing is, how often do these things get won by the best squad on paper? Germany don't tend to have that many massive household names but seem to gel well at international level.
    Thomas Müller: "In Germany, we don't believe in superstars. We are taught from an early age to play as a team, not to shine alone. That's why you won't see many German players winning a Ballon d'Or, but that's also why you can see 4 stars on our jersey."
    eugh, makes you sick in your mouth, doesn't it? :P
    no, not at all.

    why do you say that?
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    edited June 2021
    MattFalle said:

    Pross said:

    France massive favourites - Mbappe, Kante, Benzema, Griezman, Pogba, Lloris, Sissoko, Dembele, Giroud and so it goes on - all great players in their prime (if not in form!)

    If England win their round of 16 game, all bets are off but, in all likelihood, they will have to play either France or Portugal - Portugal have to be one of the other favourites and Ronaldo is certainly not too old to grab any game by the scruff of its neck and drag his team through it.

    I can't bloody wait!

    Thing is, how often do these things get won by the best squad on paper? Germany don't tend to have that many massive household names but seem to gel well at international level.
    Thomas Müller: "In Germany, we don't believe in superstars. We are taught from an early age to play as a team, not to shine alone. That's why you won't see many German players winning a Ballon d'Or, but that's also why you can see 4 stars on our jersey."
    eugh, makes you sick in your mouth, doesn't it? :P
    no, not at all.

    why do you say that?
    Tongue firmly in cheek.

    Every country revels in their own cliches and stereotypes, especially in football, but sometimes I think Germany takes it to new levels and the rest of Europe nods sagely along and goes "ah but of course".

    Especially the case when it's like they're reading out a textbook answer for a player in team sport.

    The performance of the Germans in the last world cup suggests it's not all beer at breakfast and liver sausage.

  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    ah - gotcha #thumbsupemoticon
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • elbowloh
    elbowloh Posts: 7,078

    MattFalle said:

    Pross said:

    France massive favourites - Mbappe, Kante, Benzema, Griezman, Pogba, Lloris, Sissoko, Dembele, Giroud and so it goes on - all great players in their prime (if not in form!)

    If England win their round of 16 game, all bets are off but, in all likelihood, they will have to play either France or Portugal - Portugal have to be one of the other favourites and Ronaldo is certainly not too old to grab any game by the scruff of its neck and drag his team through it.

    I can't bloody wait!

    Thing is, how often do these things get won by the best squad on paper? Germany don't tend to have that many massive household names but seem to gel well at international level.
    Thomas Müller: "In Germany, we don't believe in superstars. We are taught from an early age to play as a team, not to shine alone. That's why you won't see many German players winning a Ballon d'Or, but that's also why you can see 4 stars on our jersey."
    eugh, makes you sick in your mouth, doesn't it? :P
    no, not at all.

    why do you say that?
    Tongue firmly in cheek.

    Every country revels in their own cliches and stereotypes, especially in football, but sometimes I think Germany takes it to new levels and the rest of Europe nods sagely along and goes "ah but of course".

    Especially the case when it's like they're reading out a textbook answer for a player in team sport.

    The performance of the Germans in the last world cup suggests it's not all beer at breakfast and liver sausage.

    There's also sauerkraut!

    Boooom!

    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • verylonglegs
    verylonglegs Posts: 4,023
    From an England perspective I'm looking forward to watching Foden play more than I am Grealish.
  • ballysmate
    ballysmate Posts: 15,996

    elbowloh said:

    Ahh Grealish, the greatest diver of the current era. He should be heading to the Olympics.

    Really? Every time I've seen him play, he's been absolutely clattered loads of times. He likes to take people on and goes for tight spaces, so does get fouled often (most fouled player in the PL I think).
    English player do not dive - the are "clever" and "draw fouls" Harry Kane is our best exponent
    One of the reasons I watch so little football now. We used to take the moral high ground regarding this form of cheating, but can no longer.
    Remember Jurgen Klinnsman, the mickey taking he got at Spurs? Rudi Voller, rolling around half the length of the pitch after he got 'fouled'? Old Trafford never did find that sniper who seemed to take pot shots at van Nistelrooy did they? But English players (Michael Owen against Argentina?) have more than caught up.

    One of the best players in the world, Ronaldo, allegedly embarrassed his MU team mates with his diving and had to be told to tone it down.
    There is a Ronaldo museum in Funchal, Madeira, with a statue of him outside. Even now, if anyone gets too close to the statue, it falls over.

    Won't go out of my way to watch any of it and honestly don't give a flying one who wins it.*

    * Not the French, obviously ;)

    **Nor the Sweaties, though I think I am safe there.




  • ballysmate
    ballysmate Posts: 15,996
    Glad to see that the usual tatt draped from people's bedroom windows and on their cars is absent this year. Hopefully we won't get the usual carnage in the pubs and town centres when England get knocked out or (longshot) when England win it.
  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,599

    Glad to see that the usual tatt draped from people's bedroom windows and on their cars is absent this year. Hopefully we won't get the usual carnage in the pubs and town centres when England get knocked out or (longshot) when England win it.

    I'd give it until Wednesday.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,708
    The whole thing seems rather muted this year. Have to say I did think it was for another month or so...
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • womack
    womack Posts: 566
    seanoconn said:

    If we take odds (and exclude england as everyone gets over excited and pile into them so the odds are shortened)

    France are heavy favourites at 9/2
    England at 11/2*
    Belgium 6/1
    Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain 8/1

    @rick_chasey What kind of shape are the Dutch in? Used to always have a decent team (serious question, not a football dig) Patrick Kluivert’s son is in the team now? I didn’t even know they’d qualified they were so low key.

    I’ll miss Arjen Robben at the tournament, absolutely brilliant player.

    Must admit not being a fan of a "big club" had never seen Robben in the flesh until a Wales-Holland friendly in Cardiff prior to Euro 2016.

    Would totally agree with you, an outstanding player, worth the entrance fee just to watch him, made our Gareth look almost non existent.
  • elbowloh
    elbowloh Posts: 7,078
    Italy looking really good, 3-0 up against Turkey. Had a bit of luck with the first goal, but have been totally dominant, with 24 shots on goal to Turkey's 1.
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • elbowloh
    elbowloh Posts: 7,078
    This is not your typical Italy side
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • MattFalle
    MattFalle Posts: 11,644
    We're going to win it.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.