Euro 2012

[RobVarak]

Anybody seen XXXIV around lately? Just wanted to say "Hi".

[XXXIV]

Anybody seen XXXIV around lately? Just wanted to say "Hi".

Hiya

I am glad I had to work.

[RobVarak]

This about sums it up.

[JRod]

Those pesky Danes. Part 2.

[RobVarak]

Those pesky Danes. Part 2.

...seem to have spared us the indignity of looking at Niklas Bendtner in the knockout stages.

Ronaldo clearly has the yips when it comes to the national team.

[10spro]

Was trying to think who missed more chances to score today. Ronaldo or Balotelli.

[rhymes450]

Spain were just too strong for Ireland, as expected. Croatia did really well to turn the tide against Italy and give themselves a fighting chance. They could have even sneaked a winner in that match and they have a good team as far as I can see. The matches on Monday look very interesting, given how the group is poised.

[10spro]

Exciting game between the Swedes and England.

[rhymes450]

Maybe time for England to start believing in themselves. Quality players throughout the team, though they might have paid the price for being a bit conservative after going ahead. Walcott can trouble any defence IMO. Ibrahimovic was disappointing with his overly casual passing and he also could have closed Gerrard down after the Englishman had slightly lost control prior to making the cross for the first goal. Brilliant header from Carroll. Fernando Morientes, commentating on Spanish TV, wasn't sure that Wellbeck actually meant to finish with that backheel. I think he probably did. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, it was a hell of a goal. Interesting match for England against the Ukraine now.

[JRod]

Maybe time for England to start believing in themselves. Quality players throughout the team, though they might have paid the price for being a bit conservative after going ahead. Walcott can trouble any defence IMO. Ibrahimovic was disappointing with his overly casual passing and he also could have closed Gerrard down after the Englishman had slightly lost control prior to making the cross for the first goal. Brilliant header from Carroll. Fernando Morientes, commentating on Spanish TV, wasn't sure that Wellbeck actually meant to finish with that backheel. I think he probably did. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, it was a hell of a goal. Interesting match for England against the Ukraine now.

It really looked like Wellbeck meant it. Superb goal.

[GB_Simo]

Still trying to wrap my head around the idea that Theo Walcott came on and changed our night for the better. For all that there aren't many fans of Hodgson in this thread, am I safe to assume his instructions on defending set pieces probably didn't run, "Defend as deep as you like, don't worry about the second ball, oh, and Ashley? Yeah, you just stand still..."?

[JRod]

Still trying to wrap my head around the idea that Theo Walcott came on and changed our night for the better. For all that there aren't many fans of Hodgson in this thread, am I safe to assume his instructions on defending set pieces probably didn't run, "Defend as deep as you like, don't worry about the second ball, oh, and Ashley? Yeah, you just stand still..."?

I think Theo played well because speed could hurt Sweden. No way Theo impacts a game against speedier and stronger teams.

I'm optimistic in England's future seeing Wellbeck and Oxlade-Chamberlin. I'm not saying they both have been outstanding but they also don't appear to be one trick ponies like Michael Owen, an they appear smarter on the pitch than Rooney.

Even Carrol looked like he was more committed playing for the national team.

However, I think England's midfield looks in shambles. Gerrard goes missing and doesn't really command the game like he used to do at Liverpool. Parker has been okay in defense but going forward he seems out of place.

Say what you want about Hodgson but this isn't your typical England side. It's more a no-name squad that I think could grow into a strong team for Brazil 2014.

[GB_Simo]

I think Theo played well because speed could hurt Sweden. No way Theo impacts a game against speedier and stronger teams.

The right substitution at the right time, absolutely. It's just a bit baffling that he seems incapable of doing that more often. It can't all be down to the opposition - we haven't played many speedy, strong sides lately.

Gerrard goes missing and doesn't really command the game like he used to do at Liverpool.

He's less dynamic than he used to be, but even Gerrard himself admits he can't play that game any more. With the system we're playing just now, the sort of discipline and (relative) self-control he's displaying so far this tournament is a decent fit for how we're playing, but no, it's not the Steven Gerrard of old. In saying that, is he the Steven Gerrard of old for his club these days? Genuine question, because I don't watch much Premier League action these days and really don't know...

Say what you want about Hodgson

I will. I think he's got a good handle on what the current squad is capable of and they've clearly taken on board his ideas and methodologies pretty quickly. I like the bloke, but then I'm not a Liverpool supporter.

[RobVarak]

Gerrard isn't half the player he was 3 seasons ago. Neither he nor LFC seem to have figured this out yet, but he needs to have his responsibilities limited. Either you peg in the hole behind the striker and shoot him if he tracks back across midfield, or you play him in a holding role and do the same if he goes forward.

He's still technically sound enough to be quality player, but he can't cover enough ground to play the way that made him great.

[RobVarak]

As usual, great analysis at ZM

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/06/16/ ... defending/

[10spro]

England relies a lot on their scoring chances of course on set pieces and that's when the accuracy and experience of Gerrard comes into place. He may not play up to his old self past the 70 minutes mark due to his advanced age and coming up streak of 3 games in less than 10 days, butI think he's quietly taken the captaincy role with aplomb. His vision on Carroll's header was superb.

[Feanor]

If England just had one Modric-type player who could hold possession and run the midfield they would be dangerous.

[Jimmydeicide]

So now we are all in the right thread (your welcome db) Roll on Ukraine an the catastrophic fall of a Footballing nation.

Woy will drop Carroll for Rooney play a 4-4-1-1 with Heskey up top and have Gary Neville listening to the radio for a goal from another team so he can tell England "oh now we need to attack".

[rhymes450]

I'm optimistic in England's future seeing Wellbeck and Oxlade-Chamberlin. I'm not saying they both have been outstanding but they also don't appear to be one trick ponies like Michael Owen, an they appear smarter on the pitch than Rooney.

I'd describe Owen as a sensational player who achieved a great deal despite constant injury problems and I think Rooney would possibly be in, or very near the starting line-up, of pretty much any team in the world. On Spanish TV, they were talking about him possibly playing behind Carroll. Is he actually available for the Ukraine match?

[XXXIV]

AWESOME WIN!!!!

Not all is well though as a disgusting yellow issued by a COWARD for what was clearly NOT a dive on what should have been a penalty keeps a good man out of the next game.

f*** YOU ALL!

[rhymes450]

AWESOME WIN!!!!

Not all is well though as a disgusting yellow issued by a COWARD for what was clearly NOT a dive on what should have been a penalty keeps a good man out of the next game.

f*** YOU ALL!

Fair dues to the Greeks. They were obviously just taking a breather in 2008

Amazing turnaround to the group! After the first match Russia looked like a good outside bet for the tournament. Sorry to see Poland out but when the Czech Republic realised that a draw wouldn't be enough, they turned up the heat in impressive style. It's very possible that Greece did the Czechs a favour by dragging them out of what could've been a costly defensive strategy.

[wco81]

Have there been more accusations of racist behavior than normal?

http://espnfc.com/us/en/news/1103740/ue ... an-fc.html

The game seems to reinforce the worst tribalist instincts in at least some segments of the fan bases, as demonstrated by violence as well as the racist incidents.

[XXXIV]

AWESOME WIN!!!!

Not all is well though as a disgusting yellow issued by a COWARD for what was clearly NOT a dive on what should have been a penalty keeps a good man out of the next game.

f*** YOU ALL!

Fair dues to the Greeks. They were obviously just taking a breather in 2008

Amazing turnaround to the group! After the first match Russia looked like a good outside bet for the tournament. Sorry to see Poland out but when the Czech Republic realised that a draw wouldn't be enough, they turned up the heat in impressive style. It's very possible that Greece did the Czechs a favour by dragging them out of what could've been a costly defensive strategy.

Was a pretty kick ass day for the tournament as a whole.

Sure you can never be rid of all of the low life malcontents but I think its been a a good day for football.

[10spro]

Congrats on the win 34. Now, the real tourney begins. Good luck against the tough Germans.

[XXXIV]

Congrats on the win 34. Now, the real tourney begins. Good luck against the tough Germans.

Thanks but I have no illusions. This is not a very good team. They made up for a big talent gap against the Russians with superior balls and will to win.

Dont see that vs a strong willed German side. Especailly with the Greek teams heart pulled out of this match by an incompetent fifa clown. If the boys dont lose by 5 that will be a major accomplishment.

Win or lose. We are happy with what the boys did. Very!