Euro 2016

[Beorning]

I don't know if anyone noticed, but Euro 2016 started today :)

Anyone here excited? Me, I'm not really into football, so I'm not *very* excited. Still, I wonder how our guys will do this time around. Considering we have Lewandowski...  ;D

[Nico]

Excited is an understatement! ;D

I have three teams to cheer for.

On this note..

GO THREE LIONS!

[Beorning]

So, who are you cheerfing for?

[Nico]

England, Germany & Austria.

And a bit for Wales because I'm a Gareth Bale fan.

[The Lovely Tsaritsa]

Вперёд, Россия!  :D

[midnightblack]

I find stuff like the Rugby World Cup much more interesting, but I take a peek at events like Euro now and then. My boys had a decent stand yesterday against France, and yet I'm not very optimistic about them surviving the group.

[Kythia]

Did anyone catch the Wales/Slovakia game?  I was at work so only saw the highlights.  Did Wales deserve the win?

[Nico]

Did anyone catch the Wales/Slovakia game?  I was at work so only saw the highlights.  Did Wales deserve the win?

It's been a good game all in all. Both teams were giving their best but in the end it was luck. Slovakia was the more dominant team in the second half, though. Both teams would have deserved the win, imo. But yeah.. lucky is a part of the game.

[Beorning]

Poland's playing against Ireland right now!

[Nico]

Poland's playing against Ireland right now!

And it's been a good game thus far!

[Nico]

And soon...

Germany - Ukraine

Naturally so... GO GERMANY!

[Beorning]

And it's been a good game thus far!

And they won! Somehow, I suspect that it won't be that easy with Germans (our next game). Although... we actually won against them not too long ago, so... there is a chance.

Yup, sure there is  ;D

[Nico]

And they won! Somehow, I suspect that it won't be that easy with Germans (our next game). Although... we actually won against them not too long ago, so... there is a chance.

Yup, sure there is  ;D

I was a bit disappointed with Poland, though. They can do SO MUCH BETTER. I missed Lewandowski. He was kinda.. invisible.

[Beorning]

I was a bit disappointed with Poland, though. They can do SO MUCH BETTER.

You really think so? I'm not so optimistic...

I missed Lewandowski. He was kinda.. invisible.

Yeah, I admit that I'm a little surprised that it wasn't him who scored the winning goal. He's not the only good player on the team, but he's definitely the best.

[Nico]

You really think so? I'm not so optimistic...

Yeah, I admit that I'm a little surprised that it wasn't him who scored the winning goal. He's not the only good player on the team, but he's definitely the best.

Oh yes I do. Looking back at qualification, Poland wasn't bad at all.  Yep, there's many good players on that team, he was just a bit insivible this time, but there is always the next game!

[Deamonbane]

And Germany has the lead!

On a side note, would this be a good thread to talk about the Copa America that's happening now too? Or should I start another thread?

[Derwaysh]

Don't just be strong. Be Shweinstieger Stronk. 8-)

I'd also welcome a Cope America thread if this one's just for Euros. Go Argentina!, Brazil!, USA!!, err... lets have a wicked cup.

[Deamonbane]

Well, if we are discussing it in this thread, Brazil was eliminated in the first phase.

Granted, they played some pretty non-committal football, but the goal that sealed their fate (Brazil 0 x 1 Peru. A tie would have led Brazil to the next phase), was a blatant handball in which the Peruvian player all but volleyball served the ball into the goal. After about 5 minutes of deliberations, in which the referee team was completely lost and in which the big screen showed no replay of the goal from which they could make certain, he called it a goal.

In short, a disgrace.

[Derwaysh]

I have never seen Brazil go route one. Direct play/long ball is not their style of play. I also find it strange that someone of Neymar's caliber would be played in the Olympics team but not Copa America, of course the former may seem a bit more prestigious. The hand ball was controversial but their play was nothing like their game against Costa Rica.

In other news how about that Espana vs. Czech Republic? Just one goal but I'm seeing signs of a Spanish team that can go all the way to the finals. :o

[Nico]

I loved the Italians yesterday. Well done!

And today..

GO AUSTRIA! ;D

[yobo]

I keep an eye on Euro 2016, and have watched a few games, but I don't have that much of an enthusiasm for it. If I get to watch some good games I'm happy, and so far the games I've watched have been good. And even though I didn't get around to see their game I'm hoping Iceland will make an impact, along with the other underdogs.

[Nico]

Iceland was totally awesome yesterday and so was Slovakia today!

[midnightblack]

My boys managed an equal score with Switzerland. They played decently enough for the first half but ran out of breath around the break and didn't really recover.

[Beorning]

This evening: Poland vs Germany!

... oh dear, that will not end well  ;D

[Nico]

The England vs Wales game was awesome.

Looking forward to the evening game now. ;D

[Derwaysh]

Hear them roar! ;D

So proud of Wales though. Amazing structure to their back and middle formation. And dat Bale... of course.

[Beorning]

So, has anyone watched yesterday's Poland-Germany game (I haven't)? What are your opinions, if so?

[Derwaysh]

One observation I have made for most of the 'competitive' teams (Germany, England, France, Italy, etc.) this cup is the lack of shape to their formation and how it hardly holds against the counter. Germany seemed to struggle with that to a great degree yesterday. Low swapped his front three constantly but to no avail. Gotze seems to be struggling no matter where he is put, however (and surprisingly for me) Ozil did wonders. He has been magnificent with both his challenges and runs, even though he still struggles creating chances and that I'm notching to the understanding (or lack of) one develops only after playing with their peers for awhile.

Overall they are not looking like the team that won the world cup and things may change but we'll see.

[Nico]

Agreed. Germany really wasn't at their best. ~grumps~ Pretty disappointing, in fact.

Spain on the other hand? Oh yes they were good at yesterdays game against Turkey. Italy as well, of course. They're one of my favourites so far, to be honest.

[Nico]

Wales rocks today! ;D

[Beorning]

Poland vs Ukraine in half an hour!

You know, I get the feeling we'll lose. Why? Because everyone here is already soooo certain we'll going to win... The universe will play a trick on us for this arrogance  ;D

[Beorning]

Poland - Switzerland 1:1, with Poland winning in the... what's that last part of a game called in English, actually?

Anyway, we've made it to one-quarter finals!!!  :o  ;D

[Nico]

Poland - Switzerland 1:1, with Poland winning in the... what's that last part of a game called in English, actually?

Anyway, we've made it to one-quarter finals!!!  :o  ;D

Win on penalties.

And yes, Poland was clearly the better team today! ~thumbs up~

I hope Wales makes it!

[Derwaysh]

Whilst Poland was super fetch today, that Shaqiri overhead goal took the cake for me!

So excited for games to come. ;D

[Nico]

Whilst Poland was super fetch today, that Shaqiri overhead goal took the cake for me!

So excited for games to come. ;D

Yes!

That was the most awesome goal in the tournament thus far!

[Beorning]

True... We were watching the game at work. Everybody was sad to see Switzerland score, but people did comment that the goal was quite spectacular.

[Deamonbane]

Looks like Bale and his Wales made it! WOOOO HOOOO!

[Beorning]

Poland's next game is against Portugal. Are they good? They have Ronaldo...

[Nico]

Poland's next game is against Portugal. Are they good? They have Ronaldo...

Well, Portugal isn't just Ronaldo.

They're a good team, but they didn't blow my mind in the tournament so far.

[Derwaysh]

Poland's next game is against Portugal. Are they good? They have Ronaldo...

But - ooh la la! - Poland's got Lewandowski. ;D

They're a good team, but they didn't blow my mind in the tournament so far.

+1. They are also too leaky in the back. I have always felt Portugal adjusts their style of play in contrast to their Iberian counterpart, who are always playing a patient, possession game. So if Spain's playing a possession game, Portugal would play an attacking brand with Nani and Ronaldo spearheading the offense and vice versa.

[Beorning]

Well, Lewandowski hasn't done anything noteworthy so far...

[summoner2183]

Did England win?

[Nico]

Did England win?

Thus far, yes. We will see what tonight brings when the Lions play against Iceland!

[Deamonbane]

Iceland wins!

[yobo]

What a game by Iceland! It's not often I enjoy a football match as much as I did today.

It was also fun to see the former Viking-players Birkir Bjarnason and Jon Dadi Bödvarsson play today.

[Nico]

Oh yes, that was a great match, indeed! Iceland won, totally deserved. The Lions played like kids tonight and deserved the loss.

[gaggedLouise]

Brilliant comment tweet on England getting kicked out by Iceland, in their first ever major tournament:

The England players chose to play badly as a protest against the establishment. A great strategy but now they are out of Europe

;D

https://twitter.com/adammeggido/status/74753257190761267o

By the way, the England-Iceland game was also a showdown between two Sweden-related captains.  Roy Hodgson is well known on the Swedish football scene, he coached two top-division teams to several championship wins and had a good deal of influence on tightening up the gameplay in the league, by his own example with those teams. And Lars Lagerbäck, the co-manager/trainer of the Iceland team, used to have the same post in his native Sweden.

[Amelita]

Àfram Ìsland!

What a thrill. I lost my voice both today and when we played Austria.
Can't belive we're in the quarter finals in the first major tournament we play in!

(Have a feeling we'll get our asses handed to us by France, though.)

[summoner2183]

Whaddya know.. i expected England to at least make the Quarter Finals. Any ideas who their next manager would be?

[Derwaysh]

A real pity on England's part today... as much as I wanted them to go at least to the quarter finals, Iceland deserved to win and who knows what wonders they might pull!

Whaddya know.. i expected England to at least make the Quarter Finals. Any ideas who their next manager would be?

I was really hoping for Brendan Rogers but he's just started working for Celtic! XD

Though honestly? It doesn't really matter who takes the reins. A lot of these players need to grow up mentally before we can bring any international cup success into the equation.

I am really beginning to miss Ferdinand and Terry in the back.  :-(

[yobo]

Brilliant comment tweet on England getting kicked out by Iceland, in their first ever major tournament:
   ;D

The England players chose to play badly as a protest against the establishment. A great strategy but now they are out of Europe.

This one really tickled my funny bone.  ;D Great comment indeed.

[Nico]

I am really beginning to miss Ferdinand and Terry in the back.  :-(

Not only you.

[Beorning]

Poland vs Portugal in two hours!!!!

[Beorning]

My God, penalties *again*???  :o

Well, even if we lose it now, it'll show we gave Portugal very hard time. And to think that we completely blew Euro only four years ago...

[Deamonbane]

Sorry Beorning... :(

[Beorning]

Oh, there's no need to be sad! We may have lost, but it's the best our team has made for years. Finally, we achieved something!

Of course, it'd have been ever better if we won, but really - I'm very satisfied with our team's performance this time around.

[Nico]

Agreed. Poland was excellent! ~thumbs up~

[Deamonbane]

Portugal has been half-assing and tying their way to the semi-finals.

Wales and Belgium are at it!

[Derwaysh]

Phenomenal play on Wales part today. Goes to show cohesiveness and teamwork will always trump individual gameplay.

If I was part of the Portugal squad, I'd be really, really worried right about now. XD

[gaggedLouise]

Iceland have done an amazing first international tournament, but they're being pushed down on the ground by the inspired French team. 4-0 at half time!

[Amelita]

France is bulldozing us. Fantastic team, we don't stand a chance. One goal is all I ask... One goal...

[Nico]

France is bulldozing us. Fantastic team, we don't stand a chance. One goal is all I ask... One goal...

And you got it!

Still, respect for Iceland. That's one fantastic team.

[Amelita]

Two goals against a much better team, and finishing with pride over being in the quarter finals at all! Sucks to lose but I'm super proud of the boys. And great game, France!

[Deamonbane]

*mourns the loss of Wales* Well, now all the underdogs are gone.

[Nico]

Allez les bleus!

[Derwaysh]

Well there it goes. Congrats to Portugal!

This is however a third international cup in a row where I've seen the winners consistently parking the bus and then doing the smash and grab at the final stages. May not be pretty football but valid tactic, that.