Euro 2012: Day 8 Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

Ukraine v France (17:00, ITV 1)
Sweden v England (19:45, BBC 1)



Current Group Standings

Ukraine - 3
England - 1
France - 1
Sweden - 0

Group D for Day 8 of the tournament then. At 5, the co-hosts Ukraine will be looking to notch their second win of the competition by causing a shock against the French but in reality, France are strong favourites and will probably win. Then at 7:45, England will look to build on the foundations they've laid on Monday and get 3 points against a team they haven't beaten competitively in years. For Sweden, 3 points is near essential to them staying in the competition after a narrow defeat on Monday. My predictions:

Ukraine 1-2 France
Sweden 0-2 England

En-ger-land, En-ger-land, En-ger-land...

[Steffan]

WE ARE GOING TO WIN THE EUROS

Now this is what I what I love during these tourneys. It makes it all the more sweet when the inevitable happens

[Duty281]

Duty281 and mystiroakey...you are free to support whichever country you want in football or any other sport. I really didnt care when all the English were supporting France last October in the RWC semi-final and if by some miracle Wales qualified for a tourny and England didnt I really wouldnt take any offense at all to you lot cheering on our opponents. Get over it

Bit of a generalisation. As already established, I wanted Wales to win that Semi.

[mystiroakey]

Duty281 and mystiroakey...you are free to support whichever country you want in football or any other sport. I really didnt care when all the English were supporting France last October in the RWC semi-final and if by some miracle Wales qualified for a tourny and England didnt I really wouldnt take any offense at all to you lot cheering on our opponents. Get over it

steffan i was supporting you and on here as well! and so were loads of us(wales RWC). Just because we dont understand your victim mentality and question it dont get all funny about it. I am happy to share banter with you..

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

WE ARE GOING TO WIN THE EUROS

Now this is what I what I love during these tourneys. It makes it all the more sweet when the inevitable happens

Mate I am having a joke

[Duty281]

Sorry Stefan, you just said Wales were better at rugby than England

[azania]

gerrard should have finished it

He should have left to the Arsenal Player Ox

[Gibson]

I'm Welsh, and find the "anyone but england" stance embarassing. Really embarassing.

When we get drawn against them in the qualifiers, and Welsh fans are acting like its the biggest game in the world, then you look over at the England fans who couldn't give a crap, its just another game - that's embarassing.

What Roy Keane said yesterday about Ireland is a cap that fits for Wales too. Let's worry about our own game, and our own deficiencies, and start questioning why Croatia can qualify for every tournament with a population of 3 million but we can't even get close, rather than worrying about England losing in tournaments.

Its the only thing I hate about being Welsh
That and bilingual road signs

[GG]

Reality

England poor but they won. Shocking Sweden team with no pace whatsoever, Hodgson should of played Walcott from beginning it was inevitable that he would run rings around their OAP's. That said, Walcott is still poor in my opinion, if he didnt have pace he wouldnt be in the squad. Against quality teams Milner will always play as he defends and suits Hodgson's tactics. Young was dreadful as was Johnson. Terry's pace was shocking.

Much difficult last game than france will encounter, expect both to win but France to win group on GD. Likely to face Spain in QF and we will be out.

Agree?

Being half Swedish myself, I can confirm that this is the worst Sweden side in my lifetime. We've got Svensson who's 35 playing for Elfsborg for the last 7 years, clearly not up to standard. Then we have Wilhelmsson who plays for Dubai FC or something like that. The only young talent we have coming through is Elm who's being played out of position. Ukraine dominated us completely, it was a great achievement qualifying in the first place. We no longer have Ljungberg, Larsson, Andersson, Mjallby and Linderoth. Now we have Seb Larsson, Elmander, Granqvist, Olsson and Svensson. Sigh.

[Steffan]

Sorry Stefan, you just said Wales were better at rugby than England

You know it to be true

[Duty281]

Sorry Stefan, you just said Wales were better at rugby than England

You know it to be true

Don't think I do, sorry.

[mystiroakey]

GG it doesnt really make any difference to england as you allways cause us problems but we beat teams like ukraine much easier- its all about styles this game. Swedish players are very honed to countering our football- beating you lot in a competitive game is something we havent done since 68!! yet just check the teams we have beaten in that time.

Reality is needed here. Sweden are a good team v england. England are a good team v teams like ukraine

[Postie]

Am quite looking forward to the highlights on ITV (at 11.35) safe in the knowledge we we actually won !

[Steffan]

Sorry Stefan, you just said Wales were better at rugby than England

You know it to be true

Don't think I do, sorry.

Wales - WC Semi Finalists. Grandslam winners and 6N Champions

England - WC Quarterfinalists and 6N runners up

Il leave it on that note

[mystiroakey]

steffan your a decent rugby team- and i support you lot in all games bar v england- however just step the fkup and beat an SH opponent for once!!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Sorry Stefan, you just said Wales were better at rugby than England

You know it to be true

Don't think I do, sorry.

Wales - WC Semi Finalists. Grandslam winners and 6N Champions

England - WC Quarterfinalists and 6N runners up

Il leave it on that note

Why have you got the Ukraine flag as your pic thingy?

[Postie]

Why are people discussing rugby ?

[Gibson]

England should fill their team with mostly black players. Just to pish off the Ukranian racists in the crowd. Plan. All the best players there tonight, were black anyway.

The Civilised World would be on your side.

Even Wales.

[Steffan]

steffan your a decent rugby team- and i support you lot in all games bar v england- however just step the fkup and beat an SH opponent for once!!

Lets hope it happens tomorrow aint it. And for the record I dont mind England in rugby and being as my English misses is a rugby fan I dont really have much choice but to support them when they are playing (apart from Wales ofcourse)

[Liam]

Wales should have drawn with wales the last time except earnie didn't realise you had to put the ball in the back of the net..

But the point is england's defence for the 2 goals were awful and were really on the ropes when sweden went in the lead but to their credit, and Roy's, he changed the game and brought on Walcott. I have always said, Walcott isn't good enough from the start, defenders will work him out. If though, you have him coming on after 60-70mins, then he will cause problems.
Rooney has to come in next week, and because of his partnership with Welbeck this season, Carroll should make way. He will be a good impact sub to bring on and will be chomping at the bit to prove that he should be starting.

Against a top side, England would have gotten well beaten. They will need to improve but I think everyone knows they aren't good enough to win it. Its a must win next week not only to confirm their position as one of the two teams to go through, but also important to top the group. I believe that if England finish 2nd, they play Spain if they top the group. That could be ugly.

[mystiroakey]

Gibbo Alot of welsh rugby fans do actuyally support england football team(or at least dont support against us) so i do find steffans stance a bit odd

[Steffan]

Why have you got the Ukraine flag as your pic thingy?

Cos im supporting them in their next game

[GG]

Reality is needed here. Sweden are a good team v england. England are a good team v teams like ukraine

Sweden are not a good team. Not anymore, not vs England or anyone else. 10 years ago I would have agreed with you. And the way England defended today I feel Shevchenko and Voronin may cause problems. Defense way too static.

[Gibson]

Fair enuff Mysti. Just winding...

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Why have you got the Ukraine flag as your pic thingy?

Cos im supporting them in their next game

Still why? No need to be a wind up about it is there

[azania]

Reality

England poor but they won. Shocking Sweden team with no pace whatsoever, Hodgson should of played Walcott from beginning it was inevitable that he would run rings around their OAP's. That said, Walcott is still poor in my opinion, if he didnt have pace he wouldnt be in the squad. Against quality teams Milner will always play as he defends and suits Hodgson's tactics. Young was dreadful as was Johnson. Terry's pace was shocking. Yes, Rooney coming back is going to add something but he hasnt played 90mins for over a month. He's a player that needs games, I can see him performing the way he was in South Africa.

Much difficult last game than france will encounter, expect both to win but France to win group on GD. Likely to face Spain in QF and we will be out.

Agree?

What a stupid comment. If Lomu wasn't so big, he wouldn't be as effective. Its part of what made him unstoppable. Pace is part of Theo's game. That's what makes his so dangerous. Opponents will put 2 guys on him leaving space for others. He's never going to be a Messi, but his impact was the difference maker. Watch his impact when Arsenal played Barca last year.

[mystiroakey]

Reality is needed here. Sweden are a good team v england. England are a good team v teams like ukraine

Sweden are not a good team. Not anymore, not vs England or anyone else. 10 years ago I would have agreed with you. And the way England defended today I feel Shevchenko and Voronin may cause problems. Defense way too static.

so you think englands defence is bad because of a bad 10 mins! ermmmm strange that.. Engalnd may not be a great team at the moment but are defensively one of the best in world football. Btw i think you have missed the point i am making. England have allways played much better v the better teams than sweden. Its just swedens style hurts england more than other teams on the same level

[Steffan]

I think England football are bit like Man U to a non-English person (without the success ofcourse)...your either support them or hate them. Take it as a compliment I would

[azania]

Reality is needed here. Sweden are a good team v england. England are a good team v teams like ukraine

Sweden are not a good team. Not anymore, not vs England or anyone else. 10 years ago I would have agreed with you. And the way England defended today I feel Shevchenko and Voronin may cause problems. Defense way too static.

No they wont. Shev and Voronin are past their best. Voronin was never that good anyway.

[GG]

Voronin was good, but not for Liverpool. Don't care how old Shevchenko is, he's a lethal finisher.

[mystiroakey]

Is anyone gonna contemplate about rooney coming back!!

forget about our defence.

would anyone be surprised if rooney scored a hatrick v ukraine- i wouldnt!!

We gotta try and top the group

[azania]

Voronin was good, but not for Liverpool. Don't care how old Shevchenko is, he's a lethal finisher.

If you give him the space. Deny the supply and he will be as good as he was at Chelsea.

[Liam]

Can I just say for the record, I'm Welsh but have always supported England when Wales aren't playing, as with the other home nations also.

[Steffan]

Can I just say for the record, I'm Welsh but have always supported England when Wales aren't playing, as with the other home nations also.

Good on you. Who knows if England win it you can put up a big poster of them lifting the trophy in your living room to celebrate it

[Gibson]

A hungry Rooney will give England that bit extra. Along with Walcott & Carrol, they could really do some damage. But lose Young.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Can I just say for the record, I'm Welsh but have always supported England when Wales aren't playing, as with the other home nations also.

Good on you. Who knows if England win it you can put up a big poster of them lifting the trophy in your living room to celebrate it

Why do you have to be such an idiot about it?

[Crimey]

I can't believe that John says that Johnson was awful, he was easily England's best defender this game. Made at least two goal-saving tackles, and was extremely unlucky to not make a goal-line clearance.

The biggest disappointment so far for England has been Ashley Young I thought, anonymous versus the French, brought into his favoured left side and he was disappointing then.

I felt England's best players were probably Johnson, Walcott, Carroll in that order. Welbeck grew into the game as well, Gerrard seemed to thrive in the comeback.

[azania]

Is anyone gonna contemplate about rooney coming back!!

forget about our defence.

would anyone be surprised if rooney scored a hatrick v ukraine- i wouldnt!!

We gotta try and top the group

People know his game now. He wouldn't be able to score playing for Barca.

[Steffan]

Can I just say for the record, I'm Welsh but have always supported England when Wales aren't playing, as with the other home nations also.

Good on you. Who knows if England win it you can put up a big poster of them lifting the trophy in your living room to celebrate it

Why do you have to be such an idiot about it?

Why cant he put a poster up in his room for? He wants Egnland to win so surely he would be happy about it

[mystiroakey]

Steffan will they give you a refund on the swedish poster you bought earlier today??

[Crimey]

Is anyone gonna contemplate about rooney coming back!!

forget about our defence.

would anyone be surprised if rooney scored a hatrick v ukraine- i wouldnt!!

We gotta try and top the group

People know his game now. He wouldn't be able to score playing for Barca.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Can I just say for the record, I'm Welsh but have always supported England when Wales aren't playing, as with the other home nations also.

Good on you. Who knows if England win it you can put up a big poster of them lifting the trophy in your living room to celebrate it

Why do you have to be such an idiot about it?

Why cant he put a poster up in his room for? He wants Egnland to win so surely he would be happy about it

Just stop being sarcastic and trying to wind people up
It's not funny

[azania]

Get Carrol away.

[Steffan]

Steffan will they give you a refund on the swedish poster you bought earlier today??

I actually want Germany to win it so if I was gonna buy a poster it would be of them

[mystiroakey]

Is anyone gonna contemplate about rooney coming back!!

forget about our defence.

would anyone be surprised if rooney scored a hatrick v ukraine- i wouldnt!!

We gotta try and top the group

People know his game now. He wouldn't be able to score playing for Barca.

he is abit better than that pal! lol

[GG]

Can I just say for the record, I'm Welsh but have always supported England when Wales aren't playing, as with the other home nations also.

I'm half Welsh, half Swedish and usually neutral regarding England. But not tonight!

[azania]

Rooney is over hyped and not as good as many claim him to be. Good player but wouldn't have made it into Arsenal's Invincibles, or play in Real or Barca. I'd rather have Drogba to be honest.

[azania]

Is anyone gonna contemplate about rooney coming back!!

forget about our defence.

would anyone be surprised if rooney scored a hatrick v ukraine- i wouldnt!!

We gotta try and top the group

People know his game now. He wouldn't be able to score playing for Barca.

he is abit better than that pal! lol

I meant 30 goals for Barca seeing as they score for fun.

[mystiroakey]

rooney is not overrated pal. quality player.

[Crimey]

I think the double standards from England's critics is baffling.

On the one hand, England are arrogant to assume we should beat Sweden who are just as good as the English side, as the England side is all hype.

But on the other, apparently England should be easily beating Sweden and it's embarassing that we conceded two goals.

The same thing happened with the French game. On the one hand England were stupid to think they could beat a young, talented French side.

Yet, it's accepting mediocre to draw with France because they're only ranked 14th in the FIFA rankings (which are all correct bar England of course!).

It's utterly boring to read.

[mystiroakey]

he scors 30 goals at united- for barca he would be getting approx 40 plus mate..

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