Euro 2020 Thread (11th June-11th July)

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

Starts in under a week. Might be a fun summer of football to lift the gloom of the previous 12 months.

Groups:

Full Schedule:

Outright Odds:

Portugal to defend their title? France to go one better? Germany return to prominence? Belgium finally get it right? England bring football home? Or will Scotland shock the world?

[Galted]

Good on the Czechs. Thought they'd do it, though the red card definitely helped them along the way. Losing VVD was the killer blow to any serious hopes the Dutch had, but falling at this stage is still disappointing.

Czechs v Danes in the QFs.

England's minimum expectation is the final as Southgate gets an even dreamier draw than the 2018 WC. The way it's going for Southgate, Switzerland will probably be the team waiting in the final... if England get that far.

Hope the second half of your prediciton comes true, a tournament without Pepe and Ronaldo would be far more enjoyable.

[Guest]

Belgium 1-0 Portugal - T Hazard. Poor keeping from Rui, for me.

Portuguese just have to get Bruno Fernandes into this midfield.

[Duty281]

Tight, cautious effort from both sides, like a top-of-the-table clash where the two teams are happy to settle for a point.

Nice strike from Hazard, could be decisive. Agree that Bruno has to come on - his incisive passing could be crucial against a compact Belgian defence, and Ronaldo is completely isolated at the moment.

[Guest]

Belgium hang on, but were woeful in the second half. Portugal deserved an equaliser

Italy v Belgium QF

[GSC]

Great fun the end of this game but looks like Belgium will survive

[Duty281]

Good to see filthy Portugal dispatched. Rubbish tournament for them in defence of their crown.

Belgium v Italy is a proper heavyweight match-up. Will de Bruyne be fit for it?

[Pr4wn]

Glad to see the back of Portugal. Awful team.

[alfie]

Enjoyed that Belgium/Portugal game ... only one goal but plenty of action.  Can't agree with Just John that Portugal deserved anything though : if you can't beat the keeper despite having loads of chances is that bad luck or failure of execution ? Reckon Belgium were well worth the win - and hope their injuries don't derail them for the next round. Give them a very good chance of overcoming Italy but the fitness or otherwise of de Bruyne and Hazard could be crucial.

Portugal certainly gave it everything : their , shall we say , "very vigorous" style is not to everyone's taste ; but at least they didn't bore their way through the tournament's early stages this time around. Might that be it for Ronaldo in major tournaments ?  He certainly didn't look happy walking off...

So far I'm happy with these knock outs. Would have liked to see Wales progress but realistically they weren't at the races - and Denmark are excellent to watch. Czech too , if just to see what Schick will do next. Their victory over the Dutch wasn't any great shock really , was it ?

[Guest]

Can't agree with Just John that Portugal deserved anything though : if you can't beat the keeper despite having loads of chances is that bad luck or failure of execution ? Reckon Belgium were well worth the win -

Belgium had one shot on target and once they lost KDB, they stunk out the second half. Agree Portugal’s finishing was poor, but 23 shots on goal, hitting the post, and having Dias’ header cleared off the line, was more than enough to warrant an equaliser and extra time. Although it created a good spectacle, I was extremely disappointed in both sides, in all honesty.

I actually have to say that the standard in general has been disappointing. Think this tournament is reflective of how poor club and international football is right now. It’s in the doldrums. No real standout teams around nowadays.

As for Ronaldo, I think he will comfortably make the WC in 18 months.

[Soul Requiem]

I actually have to say that the standard in general has been disappointing. Think this tournament is reflective of how poor club and international football is right now. It’s in the doldrums. No real standout teams around nowadays, just sides relying upon individuals to win games.

I said this when Liverpool and Man City were achieving record points in the Premier League, it's indicative of an overall poor standard rather than certain teams being that good. Fernandes is a case in point, he's a good player yes but his start at Man Utd gave the impression he was world class when his control of matches is quite poor.

In real terms Stones and Maguire is a fairly poor international centre back pairing but in comparison to a lot of teams they're not that bad. The game at the moment is focused too much on the interplay between your attacking midfielders and seems to be ignoring the rest of the team.

[GSC]

I think the big issue at this point is player burnout. Gonna be worse with a WC next year

[Galted]

I think the big issue at this point is player burnout. Gonna be worse with a WC next year

Maybe that's why Southgate wisely keeps all his best players on the bench.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Very poor performance from Wales. Only had the first 15 minutes then they were outplayed on every level. James and Moore totally anonymous, defence abysmal, Bale/Ramsey only present for the merest of flashes. Ends a hugely disappointing tournament for them where they only played well against a dismal Turkey.

It might have been 'hugely disappointing' by other countries' standards / expectations, but it's still a novelty for us to see the national side even qualifying for a major tournament! As poor as the performance was on Saturday, and we barely landed a blow, I think most Welshmen and women are extremely proud that we reached the last 16 again. I'll never take this relative success for granted. (I do wish we'd gone out with a bit more class than we did though.)

It was the first time I've really watched Denmark so far in the tournament and they're a very tidy side. I wouldn't put money on them winning the thing, but they're going to be motivated in a way that no other side will be, and who knows how far that togetherness will take them.

[RiscaGame]

Very poor performance from Wales. Only had the first 15 minutes then they were outplayed on every level. James and Moore totally anonymous, defence abysmal, Bale/Ramsey only present for the merest of flashes. Ends a hugely disappointing tournament for them where they only played well against a dismal Turkey.

It might have been 'hugely disappointing' by other countries' standards / expectations, but it's still a novelty for us to see the national side even qualifying for a major tournament! As poor as the performance was on Saturday, and we barely landed a blow, I think most Welshmen and women are extremely proud that we reached the last 16 again. I'll never take this relative success for granted. (I do wish we'd gone out with a bit more class than we did though.)

It was the first time I've really watched Denmark so far in the tournament and they're a very tidy side. I wouldn't put money on them winning the thing, but they're going to be motivated in a way that no other side will be, and who knows how far that togetherness will take them.

Agree with this.

It's easy to call it a disappointing tournament, but is it really? Even people like Gary Lineker were saying an achievement for Wales, would be getting out of the group. Wales have only played one side ranked below them the entire tournament, so I don't know what more can be expected?

It has felt like a lot of things have been against them, this tournament compared to five years ago. I would've liked to have seen us offer more against Denmark, but think that second goal was a killer, especially with the fact there was a foul in the build up. Add in the rubbish like the Moore yellow and it's not hard to feel like everything was against them. The late Wilson red would've done little to alter that too.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

It's also worth remembering that we weren't tearing it up in qualification either.

[Soul Requiem]

The Wales team are the not the team they were five years ago. Bale and Ramsey are not the players they were, Williams and Ledley have retired, while there has been no real break out players in that time. For a country the size of Wales with mediocre resources (they rely on the English national league) they've done fairly well and 2016 was not going to be repeated.

[Duty281]

Very poor performance from Wales. Only had the first 15 minutes then they were outplayed on every level. James and Moore totally anonymous, defence abysmal, Bale/Ramsey only present for the merest of flashes. Ends a hugely disappointing tournament for them where they only played well against a dismal Turkey.

It might have been 'hugely disappointing' by other countries' standards / expectations, but it's still a novelty for us to see the national side even qualifying for a major tournament! As poor as the performance was on Saturday, and we barely landed a blow, I think most Welshmen and women are extremely proud that we reached the last 16 again. I'll never take this relative success for granted. (I do wish we'd gone out with a bit more class than we did though.)

It was the first time I've really watched Denmark so far in the tournament and they're a very tidy side. I wouldn't put money on them winning the thing, but they're going to be motivated in a way that no other side will be, and who knows how far that togetherness will take them.

Shouldn't be happy just to qualify. Wales have a half-decent side on paper, with a few quality names, and to get outclassed so easily by Denmark, Italy B and Switzerland must be disappointing. I wouldn't expect Wales to defeat Denmark, but they should be getting closer than they did on Saturday.

Wales are now approaching the end of this good era of players they've had, and they may struggle to make tournaments in the future. Would be a shame. They really should have won Euro 2016, in all honesty.

[Luckless Pedestrian]

Why shouldn't we be happy just to qualify? It doesn't stop us hoping for more. I'm not sure you appreciate what a difference it makes for us to be participants in these tournaments.

[GSC]

To be honest, take Bale and Ramsey aside and it's a fairly ordinary group

[Riggs]

Why shouldn't we be happy just to qualify? It doesn't stop us hoping for more. I'm not sure you appreciate what a difference it makes for us to be participants in these tournaments.

They did well and to be honest their future could look bright.

[JDizzle]

When the big selection dilemma you face leading into the tournament is whether to start Kieffer Moore or Harry Wilson - two decent Championship players, I don’t think you can say anything short of the QF is a diappointment. What Wales would give to have the problem of not being able to fit Foden/Grealish/Sancho/Mount/Saka into the same side!

[Dolphin Ziggler]

Wales got to the knockouts, that's a good tournament for them. Scotland getting there at all is a big achievement. 

It's harder to define with England. Going out to Germany wouldn't be bad, going out in the first KO round is.

[GSC]

I think England should be disappointed to go out to this German side if they do, even if I think they are heading in the right direction overall.

[Soul Requiem]

Anything less than reaching the final will be disappointing for England, they should have too much for a distinctly average and slow German side. England are far from the finished article but if they lose then Southgate should move on.

[Duty281]

I think going out to Germany would be bad, especially seeing as how England have home advantage. If it's another limp offering and tame exit from a major tournament, possibly with Southgate playing 5ATB, it should be a no-brainer that Southgate departs.

[Duty281]

Why shouldn't we be happy just to qualify? It doesn't stop us hoping for more. I'm not sure you appreciate what a difference it makes for us to be participants in these tournaments.

Of course I do, Wales have only made two tournaments in 60-odd years. But qualifying for these expanded Euros, with 24 teams, should be the bare minimum for this Welsh side.

[Duty281]

All Spain so far...until the Spanish goalkeeper dozes off and concedes a bizarre and memorable own-goal.

[Guest]

Embarrassing

Apparently, that’s nine own goals during this tournament now

[Riggs]

The Croatian defence, omg.

[Riggs]

The Croatian comeback.

[Duty281]

That was a mad last few minutes. Looked like Spain were closing in on a routine win, then they completely switched off. Croatia transformed themselves from sluggish to inspired, Modric driving them forward.

Anyone's game now.

[Riggs]

Decent ball control by the spanish number 7.

[Duty281]

Fantastic finish from Morata, worthy of winning any tie.

Looks like it wound up a few morons behind the goal too.

5-3 Spain to finish. Mad game, but deserved for the Spanish who controlled it for the most part. France will expose their defensive frailties, however, presuming of course the French get through tonight,

[Riggs]

I admire the character shown by Croatia.

[Luke]

Fantastic game, best game of the euro's by far. Both sides creating enough chances for double figures. 
Spain become the first side to score 5 in consecutive games in the euro's ever.

[Riggs]

What an epic match. More please.

[Luke]

Switzerland go 1-0 up, great header.

[Riggs]

Is anyone else unable to watch the France match via itv?

[Luke]

France playing poorly, how come pogba wasn't booked for that. Switzerland really comfortable when in possession.

[Duty281]

Another flat, low-tempo, second gear effort from the French. And really poor defending for the goal - no one stopping the cross, no one contesting in the air.

45 minutes to save their campaign.

[Guest]

Pen for Swiss

Unbelievable

Rodriguez misses

They will regret that

[Guest]

They will regret that

And there we go

1-1 Benzema

[Guest]

Make that 2-1 to France.

[Duty281]

A brutal demonstration of how fast the game can turn. And the tournament.

[Guest]

Pogba just on another level for France

Wow 3-3

[Duty281]

Euro 2020's on acid today.

20 minutes of outstanding attack from the French after the Swiss miss, underlined by Pogba's amazing finish. The Swiss looked beaten. Then more terrible French defending and it's 3-3. Madness. Following the same pattern as the earlier game.

[Guest]

Pens

I’d rather France progressed, just for the sake of the tournament, in general. Can’t imagine Swiss repeating this performance, and Xhaka suspended going forward.

[Duty281]

Two good saves made by Sommer in ET. Pogba doesn't deserve to be on the losing side.

[Luke]

Agree Pogba has been fantastic, Mbappe not been great. But another great game, and credit to the Swiss for not only competiting but at times being the better side.

[Luke]

This is a showing on how to take penalties so far, Mbappe misses Switzerland win.

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