[Archived] European Championship France 2016

[Gav]

Caps are given out like confetti these days, Johnjo Shelvey England class?? and let's face it we're not very good and he's not good enough to clean the boots.

The national side is shadow of its former self, and has been for 15yrs+ now. Something needs to change, to many foreign imports because they're cheaper than average homegrown players.

Money rules, and until money stops running our game the national side will continue to suffer.

We'll get humiliated in France next year, as soon as we come up against a decent side we'll get stuffed. Roy will be sacked and repeat over and over again for the next 20yrs.

Poor do really.

Look what this clueless idiot wrote at the start of this thread back in 2015

[A cup of beans]

Lallana is arguably slower than Trevor Brooking and that takes some doing. He is neat and tidy but very rarely has a positive impact on the game, always has to check back as he can't beat a man.

Trevor Brooking!!!!!!!! One for the teenagers!

[Husky]

Look what this clueless idiot wrote at the start of this thread back in 2015

I don't know. If we beat Iceland the first 'decent team' will be France in the Quarter-Final.

[AllRoverAsia]

Hodgson going for a Brexit double?

Has the team he has selected with its six changes ever played together before?

This Iceland outfit are probably lower half of the Premier League class while would this English selection be certain of qualification for the Champions League if it were playing in the PL? Of course in that context England should win but equally an Iceland victory is entirely possible.

[AllRoverAsia]

I cant handle listening to Murphy - sound off

[Audax]

This to me, Italy/Spain looks like a draw but should be a classic, they are off.

Italy does not do that well in shootouts as well; so they should want to win it in regulation.

When Italy don't play that cynical way, I actually enjoy their style of play.

Raining heavily.

[arbitro]

I have been looking forward to Italy against Spain all day but having heard oxygen thief Murphy as 'expert' summariser it will be 5live commentary now so I don't have to hear his whiny, pseudo scouse accent.

[Gav]

Italy working really hard getting men behind the ball when Spain attack, good tactic if they can keep it up for 90mins.

Its a bit of a dive fest, both sides hit the deck so easily, think someone will get sent off.

[Audax]

1-0, Italy on the board, goalkeeper blocked the ball off a free kick, Italy were able to punch in the loose ball. So, could the goalkeeper have handled it better? I think someone from the defence should have been nearby.

[Gav]

1-0, Italy on the board, goalkeeper blocked the ball off a free kick, Italy were able to punch in the loose ball. So, could the goalkeeper have handled it better? I think someone from the defence should have been nearby.

The Spanish just stood and watched the goal, keeper unlucky he deserved more help from his defense.

[Husky]

Well this is more like a game.

The worst Italian team since forever aren't looking so bad are they?

[Audax]

The announcers say there was something between Eidur and Sergio Ramos and the whole Italian bench were up complaining about it, so??

Italy with a few good other chances, so there lead may well be deserved, DeGea saved a goal surely there at the end.

Yes, and I do see a bit of diving out there.

The announcers said 5 Italy players had yellow cards going into this game, that would explain why they made those changes vs. ROI.

The Spanish just stood and watched the goal, keeper unlucky he deserved more help from his defense.

COME ON ENGLAND!

[K-Hod]

Italy are absolutely ruthless. They defend so well as well, it's going to be a big ask for Spain to get back into this.

[BrisRover]

De Gea has kept Spain in this game. Forza Azzurri!!

[BrisRover]

De Gea has kept Spain in this game. Forza Azzurri!!

[Salgado Is Still A Hero]

Well this is more like a game.

The worst Italian team since forever aren't looking so bad are they?

Never write off the Germans or the Italians. If they haven't learnt that by now, they never will.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Well this is more like a game.

The worst Italian team since forever aren't looking so bad are they?

They are winners, never count out the Azzurri. Loved the De Rossi nutmeg on Iniesta.

[Audax]

Never count out the Germans (or whomever is playing for them under those foreign names) or the Italians for dirty play as well.

Furia Roja!

[adopted scouser]

This ref has played a blinder.

If you're gonna get play acting it's when Spain play Italy

[AllRoverAsia]

Neither team has any pace.

[arbitro]

Neither team has any pace.

Whilst pace is undoubtedly an asset there are more important aspects to the game which Italy have in abundance. For me they have a system which is extremely difficult to play against and the back three look impenetrable. They press when they have to and can kick when they have to. I thought they would win it after the first game and this performance has reinforced that opinion.

[Salgado Is Still A Hero]

Neither team has any pace.

They're possession teams, and very good ones at that.

[G Somerset Rover]

(I can't remember who said it, but whoever it was) do you still think only Bonucci from the Italians would make the England side? As I said; masters of tournament football.

On a side note, Del Bosque must go. Obviously an absolute Spanish legend but massively underachieved in the last two tournaments.

[K-Hod]

Italy are the ones to watch. At least 4 from their squad would get into ours. They're a proper TEAM if nothing else. That back 3/keeper have played together for years for club and country and gel so well. They are a bit light up front, but they keep on winning....

[frosty]

(I can't remember who said it, but whoever it was) do you still think only Bonucci from the Italians would make the England side?.

.

John Stones better than all that defence apparently!

Superb effort, would fancy them against Germany too.