And it only took the first knock out stage for England to stink the place out. Now our press' use of the word 'disgrace' goes into meltdown and we have the usual national debate over what went wrong. I'd say well done to Iceland but they really didn't have to do that much because we were that shit. How can an international defence concede a goal from a throw in? You wouldn't see that in a pub league. Anyway now that the wheat is starting to get separated from the chaff Italy, Germany and Belgium are all purring. I can't see past two of those three being in the final and I'd like to see Belgium eventually win, it just depends on whether they can get all that individual talent to gel against seasoned campaigners like Germany and Italy.
Thoughts on the last 2-games: 1. Italy vs Spain (2-0) The Spaniards look very listless and displayed none if their earlier forms. They couldn't even string their passes in any consistent manner. Its just as I suspected...they were really dependent on Puyol (defensive leadership) and Xavi for controlling the midfield. 2. England vs Iceland (1-2) What more can I say other than the English looked devoid of ideas in the final 3rd of the opponents' area and lacked Iceland's passion.
I hope Italia goes threw but holy Cow what a path. Spain Germany France/Iceland and thats not including the finals. I dont know if they will have legs left. Man I love soccer.
The moment I saw how Italy lined up and saw Conte's tactics...I knew the Italians were no pushovers. To a certain extent, its kinda old-school...give it your all physically and the defense mustn't switch off. Add to the fact that Italian players are technically very competent. I'm eagerly waiting for the Germany- Italian quarter-finals because the former have never beaten the latter in any competitive match...as long as I can remember? Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Here's a thought, Greece were Euro Champions back in 2004, basically because the Euro tournament favours physicality and strength (as opposed to technical skill) so you never know, maybe Iceland could win it now? But yeah, England got spanked. Tsk tsk. Shabbaaaaaaaay.
England deserve all they get. The media and large parts of the support are so arrogant, they seem to believe their beloved "Ingerland" have a divine right to win everything just because they won a World Cup 50 years ago which in itself says it all. They've won nothing since and for good reason, they just don't produce enough good players and always go into competitions with no idea what their best system is. Whilst they continue to rely on overpaid fuckwits like Wayne "I only ever play well when Man Utd mention a new contract" Rooney nothing will change. I think the winner of Germany Vs Italy will probably win the whole thing but the chances of Wales or Iceland doing a Leicester City and shocking everyone aren't entirely out of the question either.
Remember Greece were totally disregarded to win 2004, and yet they did (Olympic year!). Who knows? Maybe Iceland just getting this far, is enough to give them super unvincible belief in themselves so they can do it?
I think Ronaldo's comments have played a part, it's like they want to stuff his words down his throat. It's a shame that he doesn't understand why it means so much for a tiny country like Iceland to even qualify but not too surpising, he's been a superstar for so long that the little people just don't register. Current front runners for the England job are Gareth Southgate and Glenn Hoddle. So a guy who's defining moment as a player was missing a penalty against the Germans and another who's previous run as national team manager involved a faith healer and some dubious comments about disabled people that caused him to be sacked. What could possibly go wrong?
My dad and I were just discussing how technically sound the Italian team is and were comparing the culture of Spain, Italy and Germany versus England. Those teams know their identity and what they want to be. And correct, Germany has never beaten Italy in a competitive match, as unbelievable as that sounds.
A bit salty, you Scottish by any chance? Some more names thankfully have started to be mentioned for England, Benitez and Bilic – both preferable to Southgate and Hoddle, who hasn’t managed for a decade and the last time he did he was a failure at Wolves. That Greek side was more than a bunch of bruisers, their manager was a canny old soul and amongst the strong players like Dellas and Charisteas they also had some technicians like Zagorakis and Karagounis. Mostly their strength was in their teamwork, which is something England never seems to get right, once again we’re hearing stories of players sulking and falling out behind the scenes. The whole problem with the ‘Golden Generation’ was that the players stayed in their individual camps of Chelsea, Man U and Liverpool, and new members to the squad were ostracised and treated with hostility, even by Mr England himself Beckham. We’ve also got a team half made up of Spurs, so it’s no real surprise when they play ‘Spursy’. Kari Arnason, the Icelandic centre back, who I saw playing for Rotherham in the fourth division just a couple of years ago, looked like a world beater because he was in a team that was set up pragmatically, all knew their roles and were all playing for the team and not themselves. Our lot were just a badly coached rabble.
The thing about Italy is that they're method of playing is so system-based and is based on defence and counter-attacking at its finest. Each time, Spain had the ball, the whole team would fall back into "lines". Conte is very old school and played in a time when Italian soccer was arguably at its peak. Some would say its the 60s but for me it was the mid 80s to late 90s. I got to agree with you and your dad...England has got no 'identity'. Do they want to play long-ball? Short-quick passing? The worse thing for me is the last few English teams seems to lack the hunger and grittiness that the '86 to '96 teams had. The Golden Generation had all the skills but they really blew it. IMO the WC of 2002 and Euros of 2004...especially the latter. I think they were leading 1-0 against France only to let Zidane score TWICE in the closing minutes of the game.
Lol. You made me think of something funny. England was persistent about "attacking" the right side (if I remember correctly) in the second half. Too much that they seemed to ignore playing the other side of the field. Also, the announcers were very critical of Hodgson's choices such as having Kane take set pieces, which were atrocious, when he is one of their best playing the ball in the air. Sorry don't mean to pile on England. England is someone I like to follow from afar because of the talent in the EPL. Again, as I said before, it just baffles me. Iceland deserves all the credit.
I'm English, but I tired of the same old cycle of hype, plastic patriotism and disappointment several tournaments ago. 3 of the biggest mistakes every single England manager seem to make are, 1.Not preparing properly. ( Teams that do consistently well in tournaments do so because they have a solid system in place and all the players know their roles within it. England are guaranteed to still be "experimenting" in the final warm up games before tournaments start so it's no wonder the players look so bewildered. ) 2.Picking players on past reputation instead of recent form. ( Rooney is the biggest culprit at present but is far from the first. Most successful nations drop players when they decline, England still cling to what they did in the past. ) 3.Picking players who don't really care about the national side. ( Look at both Ireland squads or Iceland, they look like they'd run through fire for their country. England always look like they'd sooner be elsewhere. ) I also think there's a larger issue with the way the game is taught here from a grass roots level, we've still got this prehistoric mentality of preferring the big, physical type over someone with more technical ability. It's not just technique that most English players lack in comparison to many of their foreign counterparts, it's a proper footballing brain, that ability to read situations and adapt, we're way too rigid in our coaching style. Until that whole approach is changed nothing will improve for the national side.
Portugal is the FIRST team I can remember in the Euros to reach the semi-finals without winning a SINGLE game in regulation time! It's like they are the new Greece! Unbelievable!
England. The psychology is just wrong. Plus we just naturally don't seem to want to build a "Team" especially when we actually have one or two world class players around that should be the basis of that "team." And what is it about the Manager's role that takes previously solid - even dull but sound - technicians and makes them piss about with experimenting until it's pretty much impossible to have a unified team? I'm at a loss to explain how somebody with Hodgeson's international experience and reputation built on creating frugal, solid teams on a thrifty background can so badly lose the plot when given a bunch of multi-millionaires. No collection of individuals could have been a Team when they have barely, if ever played together for more than 30 mins, let alone stuck to a role that made sense. Kane taking corners? Yes, that makes perfect fucking sense. To no one. Including Kane. We would do better sending a League One team in their entirety through a qualifying campaign and letting them have a crack at a Tournement. You would effectively have Iceland. And it couldn't actually do any worse. I actually hope we don't qualify for a couple of future tournaments just so that the pressure comes off and somebody somewhere could perhaps put a building strategy in place that may stick. Knowing our useless FA......probably not. Somebody please just shoot Portuagal, I can't take any more of their shit progressing any further. Italy or Germany should win this.
Fantastic from Wales, they had a bad start but didn't crumble and turned it around with some great goals. I think they've got a great chance against Portugal.
That will turn this whole downbeat, lopsided excuse for a Tournament around if Wales fronts up like that against the 'Geezers. Ronald & Co are due a kicking and it will be hilarious if Bale is the one to do it.
Full credit to Wales for beating Belgium but from what I watched Wales are are effective at counter attacking. Belgium were creating chances but couldn't finish them. I'm currently watching Germany vs Italy and the game is very tense. I'm curious if Germany can overcome their 'jinx' team i. e. Italy.
What a tense game. Germany is dominating possession. I thought the stutter run to a penalty is an automatic yellow now. Edit: never mind, it's a full stop that's illegal.
