I don't make up the stereotypes... I just read them. England fans chant about ISIS in Marseille before Euro 2016 begins | Daily Mail Online
The Daily Mail. Great goal by Payet to win what wasn't the best quality of opening games. France really laboured against a well organised but limited Romania side, they'll need to tighten that defence to win the tournament, crazy penalty for Evra to have given away.
LOL Reminds me of the movie Eurotrip where the English soccer hooligans go after that one guy walking home with the groceries in a France shirt. The Romanian defense was definitely well organized. According to the announcers the French haven't played a meaningful game in two years. I guess I always forget that part when they are automatically qualified as the host nation. Enland v Russia should be a good one tomorrow.
Indeed, congrats to France! They did well, but I still cannot see a clear favourite for the Championship. We'll have to wait and see. Should be interesting
I would say Germany would be the favorite but the rest of the field is wide open. England, you had that game. It's a shame that so much violence has been happening. One English fan is critical after fighting, a flare shot in the stands, local property destroyed, all of this making it more difficult for French police to be vigilant against real attacks.
I felt England played quite well against Russia. There was fluidity and fast passing that has been missing in recent tournaments. I meant no disrespect to Russia but IMO England were mugged right at the death. France were really labouring against Romania...their defence could be their downfall. I really can't predict about Germany's form because Lahm and a couple of other players have retired though. I think it will be one of the most open Euros in years because a lot of teams are rebuilding.
From the news reports it sounds like it was the Russian fans launching into England fans that has caused the chaos. You could see on the TV in shots of the Russian crowd through the game them wearing t shirts with English clubs names on them. Not defending the minority in the English fans but it does sound like so far they've been attacked by French and Russian fans which has caused much of the stupidity. I thought England played pretty well and were unlucky with to concede that late equaliser. Roy made a couple of ridiculous mistakes, like not bringing on Vardy for the clearly exhausted Kane, but it was an okay start.
Without the CAPS LOCK the Daily MAIL wouldn't have any HEADLINES. Anyhoo, hate football personally, but I have Italy in the work sweep so they'd best win.
About right. I have a couple of mates who do the England Travel thing out there who were bang-on about predicting how the "violence" would be prepared during the build up - Suspiciously Fit/Military Russian speakers with MMA Gear and Bane-style cycle masks AND Wolves/Sheffield/Bradford colours making random attacks on just about any group outside a bar - and then pathetic "segregation" within the ground that allowed a flashpoint that wouldn't have been allowed in Conference football let alone an international. Who will be threatening the French about their suspiciously pathetic arrangements? Not the Daily Fail that's for sure. All this faux outrage and sympathy for French Security.....they spent most of their time tear gassing groups of supporters who hadn't done anything and did their best to avoid actual fights until both sides had punched themselves out. Then baton charged the groggy. Just like the mid 80s all over again. If the French/Eufa want England out of their tournament so badly they could just wait till we crash out at the group stage and be done with it, the machinations aren't necessary. And somebody needs to remind Putin that sending his WhiteWolves abroad is pretty transparent these days, even FIFA can spot it. Luckily Russia won't get out of the group so the damage they can inflict will be limited - probably to targeting England/Ireland and maybe Wales next couple of games.
Absolutely right MT. I've got friends out there too, basically saying England fans are having a good drink and some banter, only for locals and Russians to basically gang and tool up. And there are families out there too that these thugs are starting trouble in the middle of. On the actual football typical England - play well, and then drop a clanged. It never changes.
I like the line by John Oliver ... "Russia: Earth's Death Star". Second Euro tournament in a row their 'organised firms' have caused chaos attacking shirts - bodes well for 2018. Some of our bell ends have been arrested and sentenced, mostly for throwing bottles at the police - but all the Russians have avoided the Clouseaus. And with security supposedly tighter than a nun's ... ahem, how exactly did the Russians get rockets and flairs into the ground? Onto the football - Belgium, and her Golden Generation, once again flatter to deceive, it might be an idea for them to try matching all that talent they have on the pitch with an equally talented coach. Rumours of Italy's demise may have been premature.
Yeah, IMO English fans have really, really toned down in recent years. Anyway, the Spain really struggled to break down the Czech Republic and their struggles to score really reminded me of their World Cup 2010 win...where despite their domination, they only won by the odd goal or so. Back then they had David Villa (goal scorer supreme) and Puyol's goal knocked out the Germans. Their last Euro win was won by their mid-fielders who were in their form of their lives. Don't get me wrong - I like Spain but four years on...do the old guard still have the 'legs' to carry on? IMO Spain's 'golden generation' was built mainly on Barcelona's team...where as many as 5-7 came from the latter. What can I say about Belgium...without Vincent Kompany, they are as fragile as Man City. Its such as shame that Kompany is so injury prone. I won't write off the Italians...they have always been a very technical and disciplined outfit. At the last World Cup, they old guards such as Pirlo (as brilliant as he was) simply ran out of legs in the heat of Brazil.
I would say on last nights showing the Italians have done their usual brilliant snow-job with expectations, they bossed Belgium with very little trouble and have a couple of real goal threats left in front of that hugely competent midfield. They will make life interesting in the later stages. Total arrests of Russian Ultras: 0. Now tell me how that's even possible in a Western European Nation on a high state of security alert with a marginally efficient Police Force?
I must agree on that, as much as I love the team! Spain is just not *a team* as much as it was during Puyol's times. They lack dynamism, and while generally they can get the job done with the old technique of the 'pass the ball until your opponent falls asleep or gets bored and accidentally leaves a hole in the defense', the wins are still too much 'on the edge' for my liking. I guess it's normal when one is trying to assemble a new team, when some of the good old guys start retiring and such, but I still have hopes we'll do better than the last Championship. Let's face it, none of the teams so far have been that bright either... (nothing of the old 6-0 business.)
Yeah, back then Spain had Puyol who was an absolute rock in defence and Xavi to share the midfield work-load. IMO Spain peaked at the last Euros and now Del Bosque is trying to find a solution. However, I think its difficult because players like Puyol and Xavi are players that don't appear often. Romania vs Switzerland match...I think the Swiss blew it. They really should have won that match but somehow, they didn't seem to 'gel' as a team. Credit to Romania...they had their moments but they like Russia...have no 'pace' upfront. France vs Albania. The underdogs actually did quite well and I was really surprised by their performance. I'm still not convinced by the hosts - they didn't dominate their opponents like their predecessors did i.e. the teams or Euro '84 or WC '98 and Euro '00 teams. Maybe if Benzema was playing, things would be better.
Another flare at their second game too. It's baffling. I was thinking the same thing as to what things will be like for 2018. I haven't had time to post some just some quick thoughts- I'm very please with Italy's play, mid field, their aggressiveness and creativity up front. Defense was at the right spots at the right time so pretty well organized but needs more. Nice win for N Ireland, great game between England and Wales and very impressed with Poland's defense. a few missed scoring opportunities for them, they could have won that game.
Not a soccer fan myself (Only sports I like are American Football, Pro Wrestling, and on very rare occasions, Baseball), but good luck to whoever wins.
IT was good to have the football shine through yesterday and damn what a shame Milik didn't finish that chance last night......Germany with a mountain to climb would be a pleasant change to witness
