European Football Championship 2024

[rodinuk]

England were utter shite.

They again dominated possession in the first half and faced with a competent but Championship level team decided to pass it backwards and sideways in their own 18-yd box. Why you want to slow down the game to a crawl is beyond me?

As you say Southgate was too limp to substitute at half-time he only did it when forced to by the injury to Trippier and put Toney on with 2 minutes to go. While we’re at it Pickford who thinks he’s captain seems to want to direct operations but came out of his goal so far that Slovakia could have lobbed the winner.

Georgia excellent throughout, Spain too classy though and looking forward to what could be better than the eventual final when they play Germany.

[Stavros]

Austria looked a strong team, but Turkey had the passion, and one of the finest, and most crucial saves from the goalkeeper I have ever seem. The game was an object lesson in both attacking football and strong defence, which is why it was so good to watch. It was the kind of football England seem allergic to, unless something unexpected happens against Switzerland.

One thing that puzzles me is crowd control -numerous incidents of people running on to the pitch, the flares, which are surely a fire hazard?- and the cups -and worse- being thrown on to the pitch when a corner is being taken, something should be done about it but I am not sure what.

I also think reserves ought not to be so close to players at thrown in's, and I think the time has come to put a 1 minute time limit on goal celebrations, and to ban reserves and team officials from running onto the pitch.

One final thought -when Dupay passed the ball that led to Malen's first goal, half of him was not on the pitch -is this legal?

Turkey advance at Euros after epic goalkeeper save (nine.com.au)

[Stavros]

At one point near the end of the first half, England had a corner. It was taken short, the ball passed to a player on the edge of the penalty area. He passed it to another player, who turned round and kicked the ball all the way back to Pickford. How is England to win a game if it doesn't attack the opposing side's goal? On last night's performance, Saka scoring doesn't sound credible, a case of seeing is believing.

Maybe they can stifle the Netherlands and score a lucky goal, or grind it through two hours to a penalty shoot out, knowing that Pickford usually saves one or two -last night had he stood still instead of diving one side or the other, he could have saved at least three.

Boring football might win games, it doesn't win hearts.

[rodinuk]

I’m sorry but they won and the whole performance whilst not exactly perfect was far more convincing than all the previous outings put together.

I can’t understand why you’re needling Saka he was excellent:

https://www.arsenal.com/news/saka-en...r-england-goal

I think hearts are won by passion, perseverance and five damn good penalties.

Netherlands are a different kettle of fish though, they have strong players and endurance and were impressive in the previous match

[Stavros]

Yes on reflection I was a bit harsh on Saka. I just think he and the others need to press more, be more aggressive, and certainly take more chances.

Do you have a view on the commentary? If Shearer is commenting aside the main man, I turn the sound off, it's just too much, whereas Ally McCoist and Lee Dixon make fair comment. I don't watch the pre match chatter, as it is repetitive and uninteresting, and the post-match analysis is usually of little interest unless something controversial happened, though both Lineker and Pougatch are vastly superior to the Daily Mail style comperes of the past, notably Des Lynam and Brian Moore.

I leave for Germany this week, as it happens, for the music of course -I won't see whoever is in the final as I am in Bavaria for a concert on the 14th.

[holzz]

Felicitaciones, ESPANA. El campeon de Europa!

And southgate is GONE. GOOD!

[Stavros]

On the day it was a simple question: Wagner or football? I could always watch a repeat, whereas the musical evening was unique. Was it worth watching? Only to observe the strengths of Spain, and the weaknesses of an England team lacking an attacking strategy. Kane is popular here, Germans puzzled with Southgate for not using his skills where they work best. And yet, Southgate remains the most successful manager since Sir Alf Ramsay in 1966, but without the trophies.