Under 21 Euro 2015 thread

by Nakatomi Plaza Wed 17 Jun - 21:58

Tournament kicked off in the Czech republic today. Denmark came back strong to be the hosts 2-1. Pione Sisto, who's been touted as a potential star of the tournament scored the winner with an improvised to poke finish.

Championship favourites Germany were given a shock when Filip Djurcic gave Serbia the lead with a cool finish. Liverpool's Emre Can equalised soon after with a crisp strike from the edge of the box. Barcelona keeper Marc Ter Stegen tipped a long rang effort from Curcic onto the bar before half time.

Germany ended the match with ten men following left back Gunter receiving a second yellow card for diving.

by Nakatomi Plaza Thu 18 Jun - 18:56

Fantastic fightback from Sweden saw the overcome Italy 2-1. The Italians took the lead in the first half through a penalty, where Swede Milosevic was sent off. Berardi tuck away the spot kick.

Ex Man City forwad John Guedetti equalised, turning in a cross in the second half. Juventus' Sturaro got sent off for striking an opponent. Sweden were awarded a penalty with five minutes to go when the Italian keeper Bardi brought dow Isha. Thelin converted the spot kick for the win.

by Guest Thu 18 Jun - 21:05

England 0-1 Portugal - Mario

by Guest Thu 18 Jun - 21:39

England 0-1 Portugal FT

by Nakatomi Plaza Thu 18 Jun - 21:39

Portugal are the best team I've seen so far in the tournament. We wilted badly in the second half. Hughes coming on imbalanced the side. Ings was ineffective, and only Pritchard looked bright when introduced.

William Carvalho was impressive. Dominated the middle of the park, and played at his own pace. Star man for me was Bernardo Silva.

by Guest Thu 18 Jun - 21:51

that's the difference, william carvalho is a quality performer commanding £30m fees & Silva is one of the stars of Monaco & in the champs lge. We've got Carroll & Will Hughes types.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Thu 18 Jun - 22:50

Yes a tough game first up - although I didn't think we looked too bad in all honesty.

Especially when you consider we've lost two starters in Berahino/Stones in the last few days

by Fernando Thu 18 Jun - 22:53

But we have Super Harry? You know the next english hope and all.....

by Guest Thu 18 Jun - 23:20

good side that portugal one, throw in william carvalho, silva & a couple more into the main squad, along with nani, moutinho & ronaldo, then im sure what already seems to be a good tournament side, might end up being a real force in france next summer.

as for england, looking at the likes of chabolah, carroll, lingard, moore.....it's hardly a great side at all.

by Fernando Thu 18 Jun - 23:25

Not a surprise really when you leave your decent eligible players at home.

by Duty281 Sun 21 Jun - 15:35

En-ger-land kick off in about an hour and a half.

Victory is of the utmost importance, otherwise this talented bunch will be consigned to hurtful failure.

by Duty281 Sun 21 Jun - 16:17

Sweden U21: Carlgren, Lindelof, Baffo, Helander, Augustinsson, Khalili, Hiljemark, Lewicki, Tibbling, Guidetti, Thelin. Subs: Rinne, Hrgota, Zeneli, Ishak, Olsson, Holmen, Larsson, Quaison, Konate, Gustafsson, Linde.

England U21: Butland, Jenkinson, Moore, Gibson, Garbutt, Redmond, Hughes, Chalobah, Pritchard, Carroll, Kane. Subs: Bond, Forster-Caskey, Stones, Ward-Prowse, Keane, Lingard, Ings, Afobe, Chambers, Targett, Loftus-Cheek, Bettinelli.

Ward-Prowse and Lingard out; Hughes and Pritchard in.

by Nakatomi Plaza Sun 21 Jun - 16:39

I assume Ward-Prowse is injured, as I'm surprised Tom Carroll as retained his place on form. Pleased to see Pritchard come in on the left hand side, as he looked bright in his cameo role against Portugal.

by Fernando Sun 21 Jun - 16:51

Why are Stones & Chambers not playing at the back & Ings/Afobe ahead of Carroll. Erm

by Nakatomi Plaza Sun 21 Jun - 17:10

Stones is injured. He suffered a concussion in training.

by Nakatomi Plaza Sun 21 Jun - 17:48

0-0 at half time. England struggled early on. Half chance for Kane with a diving head from a great Jenkinson cross. Will Hughes should have scored with a chance from eight yards.

I think either Carroll or Hughes needs to get closer to Kane. Garbutt needs to improve his delivery from out wide, as its been poor.

by Duty281 Sun 21 Jun - 17:58

Kane isolated; wide players isolated; centre of midfield largely absent; defence seemingly incapable of coping with long balls; not enough players in the box; not enough pace.

Mind you, the Swedes are an insipid bunch, clamouring for a point.

So England can take 'em - might need Ings on by the hour mark, though!

by Nakatomi Plaza Sun 21 Jun - 18:00

Southgate's rolled the dice straight away. Hughes off, Ings on.

by Nakatomi Plaza Sun 21 Jun - 18:41

Lingard, 1-0. Get in there

by Duty281 Sun 21 Jun - 18:41

The English! Yahoo

Sweet strike.

by Duty281 Sun 21 Jun - 18:52

Numerous improvements need to be made, Lingard and Loftus-Cheek need to start, and Southgate's team are so far off replicating the form they have showed for the majority of the last two years....but England are still in it!

by Nakatomi Plaza Sun 21 Jun - 19:07

Stones will come back in for certain. I'd definitely start Loftus-Cheek, probably in place of Chalobah, who's been disappointing. Lingard's a tougher decision as both him and Pritchard have looked better coming from the bench then starting.

by Duty281 Mon 22 Jun - 12:58

I think Moore, Chalobah and Carroll all have to be dropped - for Stones, Loftus-Cheek and Lingard, hopefully.

Kane was atrocious yesterday, looking lost in the fundamental basics of ball control and sensible positioning...but his reputation and prior form will probably ensure he remains in the side.

A draw might be enough to get through, against Italy, but the win would make it a guarantee.

by Nakatomi Plaza Mon 22 Jun - 20:58

Pritchard's tournament's over, with a knee ligament injury. Lingard's nailed on to start now.

by Nakatomi Plaza Tue 23 Jun - 21:40

Denmark have won their group. Germany drew against the hosts Czech Republic meaning they'll take second place.

by Duty281 Wed 24 Jun - 9:44

So if England do qualify tonight, it is likely that they shall do so as runners-up, thus meaning they will play Denmark, rather than the more-favoured Germans, in the semi-final.

A nice little upturn of fortune.

England have been making small improvements in the first two games; one would think they need to take a much bigger step if they are to qualify tonight. Hope Southgate gets the selection right, and that he doesn't persist with Moore and Chalobah.

by NickisBHAFC Wed 24 Jun - 18:46

JFC starting. What you doing Southgate?

by Duty281 Wed 24 Jun - 18:46

Well I stumbled upon a pretty poor omen for tonight - it's exactly three years since this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18355305

Still a 0-0 draw might be enough if the Portuguese avoid defeat against Sweden.

U21s line-up v Italy: Butland (c), Jenkinson, Garbutt, Forster-Caskey, Stones, Gibson, Kane, Redmond, Chalobah, Ings, Lingard

Ings set to play behind Kane, I believe. Slightly irritated that Chalobah has retained his place, but at least Stones starts. And no Carroll cheers me up as well.

I think England will edge it 1-0.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Jun - 19:53

Ben Gibson all at sea so far

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Jun - 19:58

What a miss from Ings

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Jun - 20:01

Forster Caskey and Chalobah in midfield will be our downfall here - probably the two worst CM's in the squad

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Jun - 20:10

Atrocious defending

by Nakatomi Plaza Wed 24 Jun - 20:11

1-0 Italy - Belotti. Shocking marking from England

by Nakatomi Plaza Wed 24 Jun - 20:11

Damn it. Benassi 2-0. We're coming home.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Jun - 20:12

Olly wrote:Atrocious defending

X2

Midfield is non existent

by NickisBHAFC Wed 24 Jun - 20:13

As predicted Forster Caskey starting is a complete shocker. But England have been awful this tournament - like every sporting tournament!

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Jun - 20:17

Every five yard pass from Chalobah/Forster Caskey is off target, literally every one

by NickisBHAFC Wed 24 Jun - 20:20

You sound surprised. Have you seen them both play? There both awfully bad.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Jun - 20:28

Tbf we've been decent going forward

by compelling and rich Wed 24 Jun - 20:32

we haven't got any cm or cb who can play football! could probably say the same for the senior side as well

by Duty281 Wed 24 Jun - 20:35

Centre of midfield wholly non-existent thus far (directly responsible for the Italians second), both in an attacking and defending sense. Loftus-Cheek must replace Chalobah, who has been woeful all tournament.

Kane is displaying excellent confidence, and is linking up well with Ings. Redmond and Lingard probably need to be a little more direct when on the ball.

Getting two goals isn't that outlandish for the English, they've created two good chances thus far, but a serious improvement has to be registered in the centre of midfield.

(Oh and these commentators are woeful. Singing a bloody national anthem is no indicator of performance, only a moron would think so!)

by NickisBHAFC Wed 24 Jun - 20:39

I'm at work listening on the radio and Lawro has been on fine form once again.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Jun - 20:46

No changes at half time....truly baffling

by compelling and rich Wed 24 Jun - 20:47

doubt i can see two goals duty, the italians will just shut up shop here and we havent got enough creativity in the team to unlock them. the crossing of the whole team is awful, head down just lump it in

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Jun - 20:51

Earth to Gareth...

by Fernando Wed 24 Jun - 20:57

What was anyone expecting. England sail through qualifying then get knocked early on. Just wait til next year Laugh

be more of the same.

by **Good Golly I'm Olly** Wed 24 Jun - 21:01

Seriously still no subs

by NickisBHAFC Wed 24 Jun - 21:05

With a Brighton player in this team, there was never chance of success in this tournament. Never.

by Duty281 Wed 24 Jun - 21:07

England have had enough chances to win this game - they simply haven't taken them.

by Guest Wed 24 Jun - 21:12

Really not sure what people were expecting, squad is woeful because all the talent has been stolen for the main squad. We will never learn anything. Forster caskey is dog poo, chabolah is dog poo, Hughes dog poo, Moore dog poo, Ings dog poo, Redmond dog poo, Carroll dog poo.

You can go on & on. As for Gareth picard

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