Topic: Your Overall EURO 2012 thoughts

[Crixus]

Best players - Pirlo, Hummels, Arshavin, Alonso, Iniesta.

[Zlenpasha]

Don't think they are? One each day from 21st to 24th?

Sheesh, great.. You're right.
I obviously checked the fixtures on some poorly informed site and it rightly made no sense.

[Johnnowhite]

Spain played some lovely stuff last night and at only 3/4 pace. Alonso was the bedrock of all the good stuff coming from them. He locked it all up tight in midfield - he was immense.

With Spain on 4 points with a GD of 4, and Croatia close behind with a GD of 2 - it'll be an interesting battle for the two qualifying spots between Spain, Croatia and of course Italy.

I shouldn't think the Italians are particularly worried at having to win against the Irish who only have pride left to play for but the Italians would do well to regard Trappa's men with a high degree of seriousness. The Irish will doubtless be determined to go home on the back of a performance that has some resolute defending and will give them some semblance of honour. It could yet be interesting indeed in Group C.

[sinnermichael]

really enjoyed it so far, mainly because it's not been a tournament for vintage defending. it's a dying art in many ways but if it means more goals than that's fine with me.

[Bangin Them In]

Like the Euros, not so many shite games like the world cup, and seems to be up and running from the start with quality

[۩ Maximus ۩]

Spain played some lovely stuff last night and at only 3/4 pace. Alonso was the bedrock of all the good stuff coming from them. He locked it all up tight in midfield - he was immense.

With Spain on 4 points with a GD of 4, and Croatia close behind with a GD of 2 - it'll be an interesting battle for the two qualifying spots between Spain, Croatia and of course Italy.

I shouldn't think the Italians are particularly worried at having to win against the Irish who only have pride left to play for but the Italians would do well to regard Trappa's men with a high degree of seriousness. The Irish will doubtless be determined to go home on the back of a performance that has some resolute defending and will give them some semblance of honour. It could yet be interesting indeed in Group C.

Erm... you do know that if Spain beat Croatia and Ireland beat Italy then Ireland go through...

[Hazell]

Erm... you do know that if Spain beat Croatia and Ireland beat Italy then Ireland go through...

Erm... Ireland are out whatever happens.

[J_Kopite]

Erm... you do know that if Spain beat Croatia and Ireland beat Italy then Ireland go through...

No they don't - Spain and Croatia have 4 points...

[theartist]

Ireland it's the first team out of the tournament no matter what happens next round.

[Johnnowhite]

Speaking of vintage defending, was having a discussion with my old mate Tom who's in Texas (the discussion was via e-mail) about the shockingly poor refereeing we've seen to date. 5 of the buggers there are now and I've still to see one of the goaline-based bastards indicate any decision at all. In my view the addition of 2 extra bods is a complete farcical waste of time.

All 5 of 'em miked up to each other and in contact - with eyes like shithouse rats - and they still can't spot a con being pulled whenever a decently executed tackle goes in. These days it's an attackers game which is a disappointment for me. As a former defender the game had a number of other very important facets that made it a spectacle because attacking was only one of them. Great positioning, perfectly timed defender tackling, outstanding goalkeeping being among some of the others. 

Me and Tom concluded that the game is nowadays stacked against defenders challenging  for the ball with the nett result that the art of good, legitimate tackling is dying out. The game as a balanced contest is very much the worse for it.

[conman]

Ireland it's the first team out of the tournament no matter what happens next round.

whowhooo, first!

[۩ Maximus ۩]

No they don't - Spain and Croatia have 4 points...

I thought they had 2 for some reason. 

[Johnnowhite]

Maximus posted:- "Erm... you do know that if Spain beat Croatia and Ireland beat Italy then Ireland go through..."

Erm, Max, you do know that 4 points (Croatia have them) always beats 3 points (Ireland could only get this as a maximum ) don't you??

[redmark]

Speaking of vintage defending, was having a discussion with my old mate Tom who's in Texas (the discussion was via e-mail) about the shockingly poor refereeing we've seen to date. 5 of the buggers there are now and I've still to see one of the goaline-based bastards indicate any decision at all. In my view the addition of 2 extra bods is a complete farcical waste of time.

All 5 of 'em miked up to each other and in contact - with eyes like shithouse rats - and they still can't spot a con being pulled whenever a decently executed tackle goes in. These days it's an attackers game which is a disappointment for me. As a former defender the game had a number of other very important facets that made it a spectacle because attacking was only one of them. Great positioning, perfectly timed defender tackling, outstanding goalkeeping being among some of the others. 

Me and Tom concluded that the game is nowadays stacked against defenders challenging  for the ball with the nett result that the art of good, legitimate tackling is dying out. The game as a balanced contest is very much the worse for it.

How many penalties have been given? How many for a dive? I don't get how the point relates to this tournament at all.

[El Monjo Boig]

Speaking of vintage defending, was having a discussion with my old mate Tom who's in Texas (the discussion was via e-mail) about the shockingly poor refereeing we've seen to date. 5 of the buggers there are now and I've still to see one of the goaline-based bastards indicate any decision at all. In my view the addition of 2 extra bods is a complete farcical waste of time.

All 5 of 'em miked up to each other and in contact - with eyes like shithouse rats - and they still can't spot a con being pulled whenever a decently executed tackle goes in. These days it's an attackers game which is a disappointment for me. As a former defender the game had a number of other very important facets that made it a spectacle because attacking was only one of them. Great positioning, perfectly timed defender tackling, outstanding goalkeeping being among some of the others. 

Me and Tom concluded that the game is nowadays stacked against defenders challenging  for the ball with the nett result that the art of good, legitimate tackling is dying out. The game as a balanced contest is very much the worse for it.

Should have known the Mancs were behind H&G the whole time... 

[Johnnowhite]

Redmark posted:- How many penalties have been given? How many for a dive? I don't get how the point relates to this tournament at all.
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I'm saying only this - and it applies to the Europa League competition too from what I've seen of it - if someone somewhere (FIFA/UEFA?) believed that discipline, decisions and offences would - in that order - be better, clearer and more detectable as a result of 5 officials fully involved in the active governance of a live game, then in my opinion it's a joke.
 
The cheats have still been cheating, the refs have been and are still being conned and the decisions I've seen given against FAIR tackling by refs who have demonstrably failed to consult with their extra watchers bedore whistling up are lamentable. As an attempt to improve the accuracy of decision-making it's failed miserably in my view.   

[Tomaldinho]

Redmark posted:- How many penalties have been given? How many for a dive? I don't get how the point relates to this tournament at all.
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I'm saying only this - and it applies to the Europa League competition too from what I've seen of it - if someone somewhere (FIFA/UEFA?) believed that discipline, decisions and offences would - in that order - be better, clearer and more detectable as a result of 5 officials fully involved in the active governance of a live game, then in my opinion it's a joke.
 
The cheats have still been cheating, the refs have been and are still being conned and the decisions I've seen given against FAIR tackling by refs who have demonstrably failed to consult with their extra watchers bedore whistling up are lamentable. As an attempt to improve the accuracy of decision-making it's failed miserably in my view.   

Why don't you use the quote function? Just asking like.

[Anywhichwayucan]

Why don't you use the quote function? Just asking like.

He has quoting difficulties, when abroad.

[WEST HAM PAUL]

Have to say I've been enjoying it is far. I've seen every game so far & rarely been bored watching any game.

I ask what is the record for a major championship for how many games into a tournament & we haven't had a 0-0 yet. If anyone knows be good

[Siannn.]

Enjoyed it about seventy billion times more than I enjoyed the World Cup, so far.

[Cochise]

I was wondering just after the 1st game what the odds would be on there not being a 0-0 in the entire group stage.

[RyanBabel19]

Been really enjoyable so far

Pirlo, Iniesta and Sneijder have been brilliant to watch

[Y2J]

Fantastic tournament so far, enjoyable football and some great games, particularly Denmark v Portugal and Sweden v England. Hope this carries out till the whole tournament. It is not much saying that I enjoy this way more than the World cup.

[killer_heels]

Its been good so far but I think it was World Cup 2006 which was also excellent in the group stage, only for the knockout stages to be slightly dull, bar the Italy - Germany game.

Hopefully the knockout stages are good as well.

At least though with the Euro's the group stages are worth watching. The World Cup is full of a number of poor teams so its ages until the better teams play each other.

[WEST HAM PAUL]

Its been good so far but I think it was World Cup 2006 which was also excellent in the group stage, only for the knockout stages to be slightly dull, bar the Italy - Germany game.

Hopefully the knockout stages are good as well.

At least though with the Euro's the group stages are worth watching. The World Cup is full of a number of poor teams so its ages until the better teams play each other.

Shame is with 24 teams in next Euro's it could diminish the quality in the groups as well

[MichaelA]

Shame is with 32 teams in next Euro's it could diminish the quality in the groups as well

True fact. There's a good momentum to this tournament, you don't have to wait too long for the next round of matches in each group. More teams will mean less suspense and a bit less engagement for people like me who have the attention span of a gnat.

[SMD]

Shame is with 32 teams in next Euro's it could diminish the quality in the groups as well

It's 24 and I disagree, I reckon they'll still be good.

[Sarge]

24 teams in 2016.

[WEST HAM PAUL]

24 teams in 2016.

Sorry yes 24 is what I meant ....Doh

[Y2J]

Sorry yes 24 is what I meant ....Doh

On top of my head, Turkey, Switzerland, Serbia, Belgium, Bosnia, Montenegro, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, & Bulgaria participating will never hinder the tournament IMO.

[WEST HAM PAUL]

On top of my head, Turkey, Switzerland, Serbia, Belgium, Bosnia, Montenegro, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, & Bulgaria participating will never hinder the tournament IMO.

I disagree all the games so far I've thought oohhh that looks good but I'm sorry , Slovenia v Bulgaria or Belarus v Romania won't do that.

It will be positive in maybe more goals when Spain or Germany play Montenegro such as 5-0 etc but when these lesser nations play they will be defensive to scared to attack against each other just like they do on the World Cup. It's rare the lesser nations play out a goal fest in tournaments.

[Y2J]

I disagree all the games so far I've thought oohhh that looks good but I'm sorry , Slovenia v Bulgaria or Belarus v Romania won't do that.

It will be positive in maybe more goals when Spain or Germany play Montenegro such as 5-0 etc but when these lesser nations play they will be defensive to scared to attack against each other just like they do on the World Cup. It's rare the lesser nations play out a goal fest in tournaments.

But Slovenia won't face Bulgaria and Belarus (which is very doubtful they'd make it to the playoffs let alone the tournament) won't face Romania since they are both in the same tier and therefore won't be put in the same group.

Spain vs Montenegro won't finish 5-0 or 6-0, Montenegro is a good team, just like Romania caused a lot of troubles for France & Italy in 2008 and Slovakia only lost 2-1 to Holland in the World cup, etc, these teams aren't bad, its just the case that you don't know much about them.

[thegoodfella]

Iniesta is the holy ghost of the Messi, Xavi trinity

[WEST HAM PAUL]

But Slovenia won't face Bulgaria and Belarus (which is very doubtful they'd make it to the playoffs let alone the tournament) won't face Romania since they are both in the same tier and therefore won't be put in the same group.

Spain vs Montenegro won't finish 5-0 or 6-0, Montenegro is a good team, just like Romania caused a lot of troubles for France & Italy in 2008 and Slovakia only lost 2-1 to Holland in the World cup, etc, these teams aren't bad, its just the case that you don't know much about them.

I can see your point & I hope your right. But it will slightly diminish the overall quality of the tournament . This Euro's has been better in quality than the last world cup group stage.

But the reason teams like Slovenia or Romania won't get beaten easily is because they will play defensively against the better nations & try to be well organised as they won't have the quality to get past the group stages probably .

Hopefully the other good nations will qualify like Belgium, Turkey, Switzerland etc

[exiledintheusa]

Been some cracking games, Inesta and Pirlo are top, top players.  Andy Carroll is gonna be buzzing all summer long - roll on the Premier League.

[SwedenRed]

This racism thing... Whilst being here in Kiev, I have not once experienced any racism of any kind shape or form.

Shame the hooligan thing has popped its head up again though. It's kicked off twice from what I saw even here with England and Sweden fans... Shame but is only a very small minority thankfully.

[BEAST]

I don't have a problem with watering down the group stages with 24 teams - sides like Belgium, Turkey, Switzerland, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Montenegro, etc can hold their own.

I do have a major issue with what happens to the round of 16 ...... you will have 4 of the 6 3rd place side make it to the KO round, and that's always annoyed the hell out of me from old WC's.  It's just so awkward and also creates an unfair playing field as the groups that play their last game later get more information on what they might need to make it as a 3rd place qualifier.

[Dirk18Kuyt]

Been really good, better than the world cup and I don't want the 24 team structure. Been really entertaining and it's only in the group stages!

[Y2J]

I don't have a problem with watering down the group stages with 24 teams - sides like Belgium, Turkey, Switzerland, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Montenegro, etc can hold their own.

I do have a major issue with what happens to the round of 16 ...... you will have 4 of the 6 3rd place side make it to the KO round, and that's always annoyed the hell out of me from old WC's.  It's just so awkward and also creates an unfair playing field as the groups that play their last game later get more information on what they might need to make it as a 3rd place qualifier.

Yeah that's the thing about making it 24 teams, the best 3rd placed teams, in 1994 you had a team like Italy qualifying as one of the best 3rd placed teams and they almost won the tournament. For me, the problem won't be in the group stages, rather the knockouts because by this, some weaker sides will qualify from the group.

[Morgana]

Some really good teams you mentioned there who I think would enhance the tournament... I remember Slovakia having a really great match in the WC and causing a massive upset. Romania has produced some fantastic players over the last 3-4 decades... Like Haggi (hope am spelling it correctly cuz I can't remember). Switzerland were also one of those great "dark horse" teams in tournaments. Also Bulgaria. In fact Croatia for me right now seem like the Bulgaria of the 1990s: gritty, determined, fearless, attacking team, but also solid in defence. It's only since the days of Davor Suker that people have started really noticing Croatia and taking them seriously as a top footbally nation. More power to them but I'd also like to see a resurgence of the Bulgarians and Romanians.

I was also skeptical about the additional teams for 2016 but at the end of the day it's just 8 more teams =2 new groups. More crucially... Two extra days for players to recover and more groups to spread out the " seeded" teams so the top sides have a better chance of making it to the knockout stages. Because quite frankly I think it's a travesty that either Spain, Italy or Croatia will miss out on the knock outs. All three would make the next round in a system where there were more groups.

Still this has been a really great tournament and long live the excitement. I hope there are no 0-0 games.

Also think the ref who messed up in the first match, sending off the agreed player for 2 non-existent fouls, has been duly sidelined. And for the most part the refereeing since then has been sensible. Howard Webb made one or two bad decisions but was ok for the most part. So well done to the organisers and refs as well. Their performance has helped this free-flowing attacking football to thrive. Long may it continue.