EURO 2012
- Thread starter Jax
- Start date
They're great supporters. Unlike England fans who start booing their own players if they haven't scored within 10 minutes.
Yeah, I feel sorry for them. They were so happy that they'd made it to the tournament and their fans are great.
On the other hand, the tournament is even more brutal to Holland. They have zero ponits, too, just like Ireland, and unlike Ireland, just being there certainly isn't a reward in itself for them.
I'm also a little surprised by Italy being on the brink of elimination, too. They did look good in their games and they have great players but somehow they aren't very successful, either.
I can't feel sorry for Ireland, we need to win to pass. Nothing personal, just business.
Now the biggest risk for Italy is that of an mutual satisfiatory arrangment between Spain and Croatia in their last game together. A draw of 2-2 or more will let them both pass, regardless of Italy eventual victory over Ireland. It happened before in 2004 between Sweden and Denmark. It can happen again.
Not that we have anyone to blame for that except ourselves. We should have won over Croatia. Now the ball is out of our hands.
Now the biggest risk for Italy is that of an mutual satisfiatory arrangment between Spain and Croatia in their last game together. A draw of 2-2 or more will let them both pass, regardless of Italy eventual victory over Ireland. It happened before in 2004 between Sweden and Denmark. It can happen again.
Not that we have anyone to blame for that except ourselves. We should have won over Croatia. Now the ball is out of our hands.
I'm hoping Italy get through, they've been the most entertaining team to watch so far (for me anyway) other than Germany. Poor old Ireland though, but what can you expect with Simon Cox and Paul Green vs the best team in the world?
That is one hell of a storm in Donetsk right now. Can't see this game being put back on today!
That is one hell of a storm in Donetsk right now. Can't see this game being put back on today!
2-0 for the moment. I'm starting to feel better
Well, the delay gave the French players some more time to wake up at least. They usually need an hour before they start running anyway.
Theo Walcott, national hero. Don't think I've ever seen him hit a ball like that. And Welbeck's goal was superb. England march on!
What a rollercoaster!
Thought we deserved to be ahead at HT - a great cross from Gerrard and a fantastic header from Carroll.
In the second I thought we started too slowly and went too deep, too soon. Thought Young was at fault for the equalizer, and Hart for the second goal - he should have been more commanding with his defense and come for the cross.
Great save from Isaksson from Terry, a fortunate hit from Walcott and a great finish from Welbeck.
I think overall we deserved it, although I wish we'd learn to retain the ball and make short passes a little easier.
A draw will do in the final but I hope we go for the win. England are at their worst when they're trying to hold out for a draw.
Thought we deserved to be ahead at HT - a great cross from Gerrard and a fantastic header from Carroll.
In the second I thought we started too slowly and went too deep, too soon. Thought Young was at fault for the equalizer, and Hart for the second goal - he should have been more commanding with his defense and come for the cross.
Great save from Isaksson from Terry, a fortunate hit from Walcott and a great finish from Welbeck.
I think overall we deserved it, although I wish we'd learn to retain the ball and make short passes a little easier.
A draw will do in the final but I hope we go for the win. England are at their worst when they're trying to hold out for a draw.
I honestly think that was the most exciting game of football I've watched in ages. Especially because I particularly like Walcott and seeing him bring us back into the game was just... *.*
I do feel for Sweden now, because I like them as a nation, I was hoping they'd get through the group with us but obviously that can't happen now, I just hope they get something against France so they don't walk out completely humiliated.
I do feel for Sweden now, because I like them as a nation, I was hoping they'd get through the group with us but obviously that can't happen now, I just hope they get something against France so they don't walk out completely humiliated.
Dumber than a box of rocks fringe soccer fan American here -
In the grand scheme of things, how big is this tournament?
Is it just for bragging rights or is it some kind of Olympic or World Cup qualifier?
I've watched a few games, but am not following it that closely. I have a crappy baseball team that takes up most of my sports viewing, and the NBA playoffs.
In the grand scheme of things, how big is this tournament?
Is it just for bragging rights or is it some kind of Olympic or World Cup qualifier?
I've watched a few games, but am not following it that closely. I have a crappy baseball team that takes up most of my sports viewing, and the NBA playoffs.
Think of it as kind of like the World Cup, but limited to just Europe rather than the whole world. It's organized by UEFA (the European football governing body) rather than FIFA (the international body), which organizes the World Cup. It determines the champions of European football. And since Europe is pretty much the center of the football world, it's a pretty prestigious tournament. It doesn't have anything to do with the Olympics or the World Cup, IIRC.
Of course, since I'm not actually European, I might have gotten some of that wrong.
Of course, since I'm not actually European, I might have gotten some of that wrong.
That sums it up quite nicely Skywalker.
In terms of prestige it's only really second to the World Cup.
The championships are held every 4 years, and are staggered with the World Cup so that we have a major tournament every 2 years. Nothing to do with the World Cup or the Olympics though.
In terms of the Olympics, this is the first time in a long time that Britain's actually got a team entered. The other home nations (Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) oppose a Team GB football side as they think that FIFA will suddenly turn around and say that seeing as they compete in the Olympics as Britain that we should also play the World Cup and European Championships as Britain too.
In terms of prestige it's only really second to the World Cup.
The championships are held every 4 years, and are staggered with the World Cup so that we have a major tournament every 2 years. Nothing to do with the World Cup or the Olympics though.
In terms of the Olympics, this is the first time in a long time that Britain's actually got a team entered. The other home nations (Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) oppose a Team GB football side as they think that FIFA will suddenly turn around and say that seeing as they compete in the Olympics as Britain that we should also play the World Cup and European Championships as Britain too.
I understand why Wales, NI and Scotland are opposed to a Team GB at the Olympics, but I really doubt it's an issue that's high on FIFA's agenda seeing as neither Wales nor Northern Ireland have even a remote chance of qualifying for anything these days, and the Scottish national team doesn't look likely in the foreseeable future either.
The Olympic football tournament has almost no prestige whatsoever though. I'm sure it's cool for the players, but it's hardly even on anybody's radar. Iraq (!!) almost got a medal in 2004 for fuck's sake, I think that says everything about how seriously the "big" football nations take it.
The Olympic football tournament has almost no prestige whatsoever though. I'm sure it's cool for the players, but it's hardly even on anybody's radar. Iraq (!!) almost got a medal in 2004 for fuck's sake, I think that says everything about how seriously the "big" football nations take it.
I don't blame Wales and Scotland for not wanting to be a part of the Team GB for the footie. It's a farce, especially since we're wheeling out geriatric Beckham for a Under 23 tournament, all for commercial reasons and to satisfy Beckham's vanity. Football should not be an Olympic sport, and Beckham has no business in representing GB at any sporting level.
Each team's allowed three overage players in their squad, even though it's an U23 tournament. Beckham's not a bad choice to be fair. Bags of skill, and he'll be a great 'old pro' to guide the younger players. Bellamy's one of the other overs as well, and possibly Giggs.
FIFA have given the home nations their reassurance that they have no intentions of using 'Team GB' as any kind of excuse to readdress their individual status within FIFA. FIFA have been very consistent with that message since day one but Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland still don't believe them.
Wales and Scotland will have a decent shot of qualifying for the next Euros - the format's expanding from 16 finalists to 24. Both Scotland and Wales would at least have a chance of finishing in the top two of their qualifying groups. Well, certainly a better chance than trying to finish top!
FIFA have given the home nations their reassurance that they have no intentions of using 'Team GB' as any kind of excuse to readdress their individual status within FIFA. FIFA have been very consistent with that message since day one but Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland still don't believe them.
Wales and Scotland will have a decent shot of qualifying for the next Euros - the format's expanding from 16 finalists to 24. Both Scotland and Wales would at least have a chance of finishing in the top two of their qualifying groups. Well, certainly a better chance than trying to finish top!
