[Archived] European Championship France 2016

[Audax]

Well Done Ireland!

[Gav]

They deserved that

[perthblue02]

Well done Ireland

[Mike Graham]

Brilliant for Ireland.

What fantastic celebrations.

That's Duffy probably sold then.

[Stuart]

Well done ROI. Work sweepstake lives on!

[perthblue02]

Well done ROI. Work sweepstake lives on!

So Quarter finals - Money or country ?

[BlueMonday]

Brilliant for Ireland.

What fantastic celebrations.

That's Duffy probably sold then.

Venkys will be rubbing their hands, ker ching!

[Baz]

Well done to Ireland. Hope you can beat the French, we beat Iceland, and set up a tasty quarter final.

That other half of the draw doesn't half look inviting though.

[Stuart]

So Quarter finals - Money or country ?

They've got to win the Euros for me to get anything. If it's England v Ireland in the final I'll have a real dilemma. There's £24 at stake!

[perthblue02]

At times like these in the last 16 of the Euros with close friends ,its always a good time to remember those that can not be with us

Ladies and Gentlemen please raise your glasses and laugh out loud

[roverandout]

This is a poor Italian side, yes they made changes but you need a big squad to win the tournament, I wouldnt have any of their players in the England team bar maybe buffon and bonucci, well done Ireland though, 4 home nations into the last 16

[Proudtobeblue&white]

ROI deserved it - Italy very cynical - poor ref, but the best team won. Can't help thinking if Woy had have gone full out to win the Slovakia match, we would have been on the right side of the draw. Missed opportunity. But, if we can't beat Iceland........

[BrisRover]

Full credit must go to Ireland for their win. What they lacked in quality they fully made up for it with endeavor.

As for my Azzurri, very poor display. It is true this side on paper is the worst Italian side in decades and tonight it showed. We have no depth to the squad whatsoever. Thiago Motta, Immobile, Storaro etc should not be in this squad. In saying this i don't blame Conte for playing them given our next game was Spain regardless of the result and the majority of the first team were rightly rested.

Win against Spain? I'm hopeful and think it will be a tight match but not confident.

[LewisF]

Delighted for ROI and their supporters, nothing less than they deserve

[McClarky]

The most enjoyable day of what has so far been a poor tournament yesterday. Saw 2nd half of Portugal game which was really exciting and then Ireland were brilliant.

Complete contrast between the 2 halves of the draw now with the most likely outcome in the top half being a semi between Croatia and Belgium with Wales as a good outside bet.

[K-Hod]

This is a poor Italian side, yes they made changes but you need a big squad to win the tournament, I wouldnt have any of their players in the England team bar maybe buffon and bonucci, well done Ireland though, 4 home nations into the last 16

Chiellini would walk into our defence. It's not about individuals though, it's a team game. If these Euros have taught us anything, it's that.

[oldjamfan1]

How did Shane Duffy do last night?

[AllRoverAsia]

How did Shane Duffy do last night?

Outstanding. Worth at least 7 million quid.

The most enjoyable day of what has so far been a poor tournament yesterday. Saw 2nd half of Portugal game which was really exciting and then Ireland were brilliant.

Complete contrast between the 2 halves of the draw now with the most likely outcome in the top half being a semi between Croatia and Belgium with Wales as a good outside bet.

I've watched loads of games so far and honestly there is nothing I've seen that England could not beat on a good day with a bit of luck and an honest referee. Time will tell.

Vardy should start against Iceland as his speed on the ground will counter a defence whose height is measured in metres.

[The Dart]

These tournaments are great craic! There should be one every summer!

France deserve a good beating after the Henry Handball. I am putting my dish in the fridge right now..

[frosty]

This is a poor Italian side, yes they made changes but you need a big squad to win the tournament, I wouldnt have any of their players in the England team bar maybe buffon and bonucci, well done Ireland though, 4 home nations into the last 16

Maybe Buffon and Bonucci? Chiellini, Barzagli and Bonucci are all streets ahead of any English centre back.

They'd be stronger in centre midfield too if Verratti and Marchisio weren't injured. The replacements and strikers aren't up to much though yeah.

[arbitro]

How did Shane Duffy do last night?

He did really well Andy. His one usual error per game was over hitting a back pass to his keeper but that aside he defended really well and was always a threat at attacking set plays.

[alexanders]

Was very impressed With Duffy. Solid at the back and offered a threat in front of Italy's goal.

Very enjoyable to have to Rovers players in the last 16. However is that a sign of the bad quality on display ?

[gumboots]

That's evans and Duffy on their way out.

[alexanders]

I agree gumboots. Both Northern-Ireland and Ireland will go now.

[A cup of beans]

I agree gumboots. Both Northern-Ireland and Ireland will go now.

You'd think so looking at form and the respective squads, but you never know (Particularly in a knockout tie).

Most games have been tight and hard fought, if Eire and NI can keep them close, who knows.

The unbalanced draw means backing Croatia / Poland to reach the final represents decent betting value.

On Italy, it is an awful performance. They may blame: the pitch, sloppy mind-set, saving themselves, but it really showed up the lack of squad depth and quality. Just not up to it. Poor set of players.

Horrendous Goalkeeping for Eire's goal too, IMO.