[Archived] European Championship France 2016

[alexanders]

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.

Made a bet on Croatia reaching the semifinals before the Euros

[perthblue02]

That's evans and Duffy on their way out.

Out of Rovers , do you mean?

[Audax]

Croatia is a juggernaut right now.

Though England have the tougher bracket, Croatia seems to be the team to beat.

Italy had 8 changes in their roster; Ireland winning also eliminated Turkey.

Also, I saw that disallowed goal per Sweden, "high boot"; a bit questionable to not let it count.

This is actually in Dutch I think, I hope no one minds me posting it.

[oldjamfan1]

Made a bet on Croatia reaching the semifinals before the Euros

My pre-tournament 150/1 each way fiver on Slovakia (1/4 odds for a semi final place or better) doesn't look as stupid as some of my work colleagues thought it was at the time.....

[Audax]

'He was nearly dead six years ago´ - Coleman full of admiration for Duffy

Republic of Ireland defender Seamus Coleman expressed his pride at the performance of Shane Duffy against Italy, just six years on from a near fatal accident.

The Blackburn Rovers man was handed his first competitive start by Martin O'Neill in Wednesday's crucial Euro 2016 clash in Lille, and excelled at the heart of the defence.

Duffy's performance was all-the-more remarkable given that, in 2010, a freak collision in a training session caused an artery connected to his liver to be severed, prompting emergency surgery to save his life.

And Coleman, who has played alongside the 24-year-old for Everton as well as Ireland, was amazed by his display in the vital 1-0 win.

"Shane Duffy was incredible, in his first competitive game," he said. "Let's not forget he was nearly dead six years ago. He's such a good lad, we've been together since Everton, and I'm so proud of him."

Read More At: http://uk.soccerway.com/news/2016/June/23/he-was-nearly-dead-six-years-ago---coleman-full-of-admiration-for-duffy/n804912/

England should have won the group but in saying that, Slovakia might park the bus vs. Germany and go to a penalty shootout, that's the way knockout games are. I wouldn't sell Slovakia short on this match.

[roverandout]

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.

I agree but barzagli is 35 chiellini 30 odd, their defenders have no pace and there are no up and coming defenders coming through in the class of nesta or canavaro, never rated veratti and marcisio is injury prone, I still wouldn't have any of them ahead of alli or dier, or even Wayne Rooney. Italy are pretty rotten at the Mo, the days of pirlo are long gone, I would still have John stones ahead of their centre backs, the pace in our team, especially our fullbacks would kill them.

[BrisRover]

I agree but barzagli is 35 chiellini 30 odd, their defenders have no pace and there are no up and coming defenders coming through in the class of nesta or canavaro, never rated veratti and marcisio is injury prone, I still wouldn't have any of them ahead of alli or dier, or even Wayne Rooney. Italy are pretty rotten at the Mo, the days of pirlo are long gone, I would still have John stones ahead of their centre backs, the pace in our team, especially our fullbacks would kill them.

Veratti is a quality player. Italy have some very promising defenders coming through like Romagnoli (AC Milan) and Rugani (Juventus) but this tournament was a bit too soon for both of them. They also have a ready made replacement for Buffon in Donnarumma who is an exceptional talent at such a young age. The real concern is the attacking talent. It seems as though unless some players like Berardi develop rapidly we are going to go through a dry spell in this regard. Insigne is a talent as is Bernadeschi but both need to be more consistent. Hopefully this comes with age.

[Audax]

I personally think Italy look strong for that bracket, Croatia in the other bracket.

The Germany 2002 team was not suppose to be that good but they still reached the finals of the World Cup.

[Guest]

The Germany 2002 team was not suppose to be that good but they still reached the finals of the World Cup.

Germany were up against the following teams before coming up against Brazil:

Group stage

Republic of Ireland

Cameroon

Saudi Arabia

Round of 16

Paraguay

Quarter-finals

United States

Semi-finals

South Korea

OK, you can only beat what is put in front of you, and they did that, but I doubt you could find many easier routes to a major tournament final than that! In fairness to them, they possibly performed better than Brazil in the final, but in areas that didn't matter, i.e. putting the ball in the back of the net.

[Audax]

Germany were up against the following teams before coming up against Brazil:

Group stage

Republic of Ireland

Cameroon

Saudi Arabia

Round of 16

Paraguay

Quarter-finals

United States

Semi-finals

South Korea

OK, you can only beat what is put in front of you, and they did that, but I doubt you could find many easier routes to a major tournament final than that! In fairness to them, they possibly performed better than Brazil in the final, but in areas that didn't matter, i.e. putting the ball in the back of the net.

Thanks for the work you did 2 years during the World Cup!

[Gav]

The Euros are back today

Its been a long couple of days with no footy

[ABBEY]

The Euros are back today

Its been a long couple of days with no footy

i got browny points ...told mrs she could catch up with her telly as i was all footyed out for a couple of days.

[Husky]

Thank @#/? the football is back on.

Though I'd rather it was England playing at five as I'd have been down the pub. #WoyRuinedTheWeekend

[roverandout]

Didn't realise the Iceland players played at such a low level, we should be beating them comfortably

[RibbleValleyRover]

Cracking end to end game this, both teams going all out because they have to unlike the group games.

Expecting Poland to finish Switzerland off on the counter at some point.

What a goal by Switzerland!

[Husky]

Extra-time.

That's changed the dinner plans somewhat.

Pizza time.

[AllRoverAsia]

Really enjoying the Euros. I didn't think I would watch many games so low was my enthusiasm for the game of football but It's been a blessing.

Only downer is having to listen to Murphy and try not to puke up the beer.

[donnermeat]

Absolutely stunning goal. Goal of the tournament.

[K-Hod]

Absolutely stunning goal. Goal of the tournament.

Beat me to it El, real finish that.

[Husky]

Poland have looked gone. Holding out for penalties now - where they'll have a chance with a fair decent keeper.

[K-Hod]

A bit classless celebrating in front of the Swiss fans from the Poles was that.

[Stuart]

A bit classless celebrating in front of the Swiss fans from the Poles was that.

I thought that at first but I'm not sure it wasn't a mistake, you know. They all ran off to their own fans once things started being thrown at them!

[Husky]

A bit classless celebrating in front of the Swiss fans from the Poles was that.

Everyone was in red.

Fabianski ended up being useless during the shoot out. But it doesn't matter if someone donkey's it wide and your players put them all in.

THIS SHOULD BE ENGLAND ON NOW. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[K-Hod]

Everyone was in red.

Fabianski ended up being useless during the shoot out. But it doesn't matter if someone donkey's it wide and your players put them all in.

THIS SHOULD BE ENGLAND ON NOW. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Polish fans wouldn't lob bottles at their own celebrating players though would they?!

[Husky]

Just when you thought you'd had enough of Championship football:

Along comes Wales v Northern Ireland