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Other Discussions => Other / General Sports => Revolution / Soccer => Topic started by: LatterDayCelticsfan on June 02, 2016, 01:37:21 PM

Title: Euro 2016
Post by: LatterDayCelticsfan on June 02, 2016, 01:37:21 PM
Starting later this month. Spain defending, Germany the world champs. Slovakia and Northern Ireland also there.



Who you got for the title?
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Who on June 02, 2016, 05:15:47 PM
I am going to go with France to win. Home soil advantage. I am going to go with Griezzman to be player of the tournament in leading France to the trophy.

I am interested to see how England do. I think they have a strong squad. I expect Roy Hodgson to find a way to screw it all up though. Probably something to do with Rooney.

I think Spain have the most talented squad. Not convinced they have found their groove yet post-Xavi though. Germany are strong but I don't think they'll win after the World Cup. Gotze hasn't had a good year. Reus is out again. Schweinstieger had a bad year. Ozil hasn't been doing so well over the last couple of months. They don't strike me as a team in top gear. Belgium are still figuring things out. I think it'll be the next tournament before they are ready to go all the way. Italy haven't been impressive although I am rooting for them to do well.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Rondo2287 on June 02, 2016, 05:51:57 PM
I got Belgium finally living up to their potential in this one. 

Also Love my hotspur making up 40% of the starting England squad.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Yoki_IsTheName on June 02, 2016, 06:20:02 PM
France seems to be the favorites coming in? That midfield with Pogba, Kante, Payet, Matuidi is a beast.

And they have plenty of pace with Griezmann and Martial up front.

That back line seems to be a little vulnerable though. What does Sagna and Evra got left? Koscielny will be good, but what about the other CB's?

I would pick France.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Sixth Man on June 04, 2016, 02:48:54 PM
France seems to be the favorites coming in? That midfield with Pogba, Kante, Payet, Matuidi is a beast.

And they have plenty of pace with Griezmann and Martial up front.

That back line seems to be a little vulnerable though. What does Sagna and Evra got left? Koscielny will be good, but what about the other CB's?

I would pick France.

Bacary Sagna was one of the top performers for City at age 33, despite playing nearly all the minutes this season.  He was easily the best backliner (not saying much!) for us, overall.  I continue to be amazed that Evra has managed to prevent Alex Sandro from claiming the LB spot full-time at Juve...
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: TA9 on June 04, 2016, 02:57:09 PM
I'm rooting for Italy as it's my homeland, but I don't think that they will win the title (I despise Conte as our coach...).

I think Spain might make a strong comeback after struggling the last couple of years (the recent friendlies have been promising), but obviously France is the favorite this year given the advantage of playing on homesoil.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Who on June 23, 2016, 08:32:48 AM
This is my bracket for the knockouts:

Last 16
Swiss vs Poland = Swiss 2-1
Croatia vs Portugal = Croatia 2-1

Wales vs Northern Ireland = Wales 2-0
Hungary vs Belgium = Belgium 1-0

Germany vs Slovakia = Germany 2-0
Italy vs Spain = Spain 1-0

France vs Ireland = France 2-0
Iceland vs England = Iceland 1-0

Quarter Finals

Swiss vs Croatia = Croatia 2-1
Wales vs Belgium = Wales 2-1

Germany vs Spain = Spain 2-1
France vs Iceland = France 1-0

Semi Finals

Croatia vs Wales = Croatia 1-0
Spain vs France = Spain 1-0

Finals

Croatia vs Spain = Spain 3-1
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Casperian on June 23, 2016, 10:10:12 AM
This is my bracket for the knockouts:

Last 16
Swiss vs Poland = Swiss 2-1
Croatia vs Portugal = Croatia 2-1

Wales vs Northern Ireland = Wales 2-0
Hungary vs Belgium = Belgium 1-0

Germany vs Slovakia = Germany 2-0
Italy vs Spain = Spain 1-0

France vs Ireland = France 2-0
Iceland vs England = Iceland 1-0

Quarter Finals

Swiss vs Croatia = Croatia 2-1
Wales vs Belgium = Wales 2-1

Germany vs Spain = Spain 2-1
France vs Iceland = France 1-0

Semi Finals

Croatia vs Wales = Croatia 1-0
Spain vs France = Spain 1-0

Finals

Croatia vs Spain = Spain 3-1

You're down on England, Who?

Man, this tree looks crazy

(http://www.sportschau.de/uefaeuro2016/spielplan/achtelfinale-uebersicht-102~_v-gseapremiumxl.jpg)

all the favourites on one side, the other side full of underdogs. The conspiracy theorist in me thinks that, despite their disappointing performances in the group stage, Portugal could win it all.
Messi wins the Copa, Cristiano the Euro, both Nike and Adidas happy.

That aside, here's what I got

Last 16
Swiss vs Poland
Croatia vs Portugal

Wales vs Northern Ireland
Hungary vs Belgium

Germany vs Slovakia
Italy vs Spain

France vs Ireland
Iceland vs England

The toughest matchup to predict is obviously Italy/Spain. Italy may not have the individual quality, but they play really well as a team, and they're always exceptional when it comes to the small, tactical details. The other tough match is Croatia/Portugal. As I said, Portugal looked rather ordinary, and Croatia has a pretty darn strong team, but one inspired performance from Cristiano could change everything.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Who on June 23, 2016, 10:23:22 AM
Yeah, I am not a big fan of England.

They do not know what their best formation is. They do not know what their best forward combinations are. England do not know what their best midfield combinations are. They are still struggling to pin down a specific style of play. Because of all that uncertainty, I do not think they have developed enough chemistry / understanding of how to play alongside each other and how to create chances well enough against (1) high quality sides or (2) strong defensive teams.

That is why I like Iceland. They are a dogged defensive team and I think they can frustrate England's attacking play and to get lucky on a counter attack or set piece at some point.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Casperian on June 23, 2016, 10:35:48 AM
Yeah, I am not a big fan of England.

They do not know what their best formation is. They do not know what their best forward combinations are. England do not know what their best midfield combinations are. They are still struggling to pin down a specific style of play. Because of all that uncertainty, I do not think they have developed enough chemistry / understanding of how to play alongside each other and how to create chances well enough against (1) high quality sides or (2) strong defensive teams.

That is why I like Iceland. They are a dogged defensive team and I think they can frustrate England's attacking play and to get lucky on a counter attack or set piece at some point.

All good points. I like Iceland, it's always amazing what they can get out of their limited player pool, but I don't think England will lose just yet. Too much pride on the table. The thing about this England team is that they finally look like a bunch of players who want to be there, who want to have success with England, not just "grow their brand". They're not very good, but they're young and full of energy.
I don't think they'll give up so easily.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: LatterDayCelticsfan on June 24, 2016, 09:41:39 AM
Seeing portugal getting schooled in a big way. Just a hunch.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Who on June 27, 2016, 12:50:20 PM
Italy have been fantastic. Surprised by how lackluster Spain have been. Italy have completely taken the Spanish out of their game.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Yoki_IsTheName on June 27, 2016, 04:55:25 PM
So, England Brexit the Euros, courtesy of Iceland.

My oh my, how bad is this going to be for English football?


Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Casperian on June 27, 2016, 04:59:23 PM
TP, Who, you called it. Should've listened to you, what a pathetic performance. You think we'll live to see the day when England has an at least adequate goalie?

Best joke I've heard?
Rumor has it, Lagerbäck, the Iceland coach, told his team before the game: "Lads, it's Tottenham".  :laugh:

my gut feeling for the next round

Poland vs Portugal
Wales vs Belgium

Germany vs Italy
France vs Iceland
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: kozlodoev on June 27, 2016, 05:09:30 PM
So, England Brexit the Euros, courtesy of Iceland.

My oh my, how bad is this going to be for English football?
The British teams brought some of the most uninspired football to these Euros starting with game 1. I'm amazed England made it this far, frankly.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Casperian on June 27, 2016, 05:32:20 PM
So, England Brexit the Euros, courtesy of Iceland.

My oh my, how bad is this going to be for English football?
The British teams brought some of the most uninspired football to these Euros starting with game 1. I'm amazed England made it this far, frankly.

I never pick England. Why did I pick England? It makes no sense!

Stop trying to be nice, Casperian!
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Who on June 27, 2016, 06:09:28 PM
Those celebrations by Iceland were awesome. Those overhead claps in unison between the fans and the players. They were fantastic. Thunderous. 

Scary stuff = Gareth Southgate is the bookie's favourite to replace Roy Hodgson.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: kraidstar on June 27, 2016, 06:22:32 PM
So, England Brexit the Euros, courtesy of Iceland.

My oh my, how bad is this going to be for English football?
The British teams brought some of the most uninspired football to these Euros starting with game 1. I'm amazed England made it this far, frankly.

I never pick England. Why did I pick England? It makes no sense!

Stop trying to be nice, Casperian!

i was in england about a decade ago, and i recall having some conversations with the fans there about their national team.

i said i liked their chances because of their toughness and defense.

they laughed at me, lol. they are a beaten-down lot there.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: LatterDayCelticsfan on June 29, 2016, 04:04:06 AM
Typical England of the 21st Century IMO. Make a pig's ear of getting out of the group stages and choke your way out of knock out stages in a way that one particular player can be made a scapegoat.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Who on July 01, 2016, 04:54:19 PM
Well done Wales!

They are going to miss Ramsey in the semi-final though. He is a very under-rated part of that Wales team. I would have picked Wales to beat Portugal if Ramsey was playing. Not sure which team to pick now.

Happy to see Belgium lose. I do not like how they play. All that talent but do not play together.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Who on July 02, 2016, 05:34:04 PM
Argh! I hate penalties.

I like Germany but I love Italian football so I am rooting for Italy here. C'mon Italy!

Update: Oh my goodness. That was nerve wracking. Lots of missed penalties followed by no misses. The tension before every kick was something else. Congrats to Germany.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Ogaju on July 02, 2016, 05:51:14 PM
Thanks for the post.... I thought the game was tomorrow

GO GERMANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: TA9 on July 02, 2016, 06:00:49 PM
Broke my heart to see Buffon crying.

Unbelieveable that Pelle and Zaza (for goodness sake he was brought on to kick) couldn't convert on their turns...

But I'm still proud of what we managed to do even though nobody believed in us. Forza Italia.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Who on July 06, 2016, 02:35:17 PM
I'll be cheering for Wales and Gareth Bale today to knock off C.Ronaldo's Portugal team.

Although I fear that Aaron Ramsey is too large a loss for the Welsh.

Edit: Ah well. Not to be. Wales had a good run and should be proud of what they have accomplished here. Well done to Portugal as well. Impressive to see them back in the Final again. Just two years ago it looked like the clock was winding down on C.Ronaldo's international career but Portugal have put together a good side here.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Casperian on July 07, 2016, 04:01:10 PM
Hard to watch.

It'd be nice if the german team could at least stop whining about every little decision by the referee, especially since they're the ones who commit lots of little fouls or lean into their opponent to get a foul called.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Who on July 07, 2016, 04:25:38 PM
Germans playing like Arsenal here in the 2nd half. Need to be more direct at times. Need to get into the box more often.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Who on July 07, 2016, 04:29:30 PM
You'd think the French would bring Kante on to reinforce that defense / midfield.

Edit: Ah, there he is. Payet off.


Edit Ohhh .... 2-0 France. Terrific play by Pogba to hold up the ball, beat the defender and put in a dangerous cross. Neuer gambled. Got a hand on it but not enough. Griezzman finishes. Oh on the replay, it looked like Giroud would beat the German to the header if Neuer left it. So good effort Neuer to stop that.
Title: Re: Euro 2016
Post by: Who on July 07, 2016, 04:38:33 PM
I thought Germany really missed Lahm in this tournament.

Muller combined so well with Lahm down that right side. Germany lacked that in this tournament. Several times in the group games you would see Muller look to combine down that right flank but clearly had no understanding with the RB and would fail to take advantage quickly enough. Lots of other times when the play was switched and the RB would fail to give a delivery like Lahm can give. Lahm has been a big loss to Germany's attacking play.

In today's game, playing Muller as a striker didn't work out so well. He wasn't involved enough in the game. Reduced one of their best players to a marginal figure.