Euro 2016

[Põhja Konn]

Portugal is a very strong side, but one that is very frustrating to watch and impossible to support unless you're Portuguese or a die-hard Ronaldo fan. At this point thought they have every chance to win the tournament. Neither France nor Germany will find them an easy or comfortable opponent in the final. Another extra-time or penalties wouldn't suprise me at all.

In hindsight, Wales lost their chance with Ramsey's suspension. Without him their attack lost all its fluidity and invention which made it easy for Portugal to defend.

Still I'm strongly in favour of suspending players after collecting two yellows, and absolutely hate the decision to nullify them before semis. Why give an extra chance for players who have been too cynical and/or stupid during the rest of the tournament. Same goes for the so-called triple punishment for a last-man-foul in the penalty area denying a clear goal-scoring opporting. Red card, penalty and an automatic suspension is just about right punishment to work effectively as a deterrent for players. Given the highly cynical nature of top level professional football, reducing that would be an act of extreme stupidity.

 

[Flamin]

Re: Re:

And to make things even worse, Portugal in the finale. Though we might get to see Ronaldo cry again, that would upgrade the tournament to a Giro 2015.

So much bitterness. Portugal delivered one of the best matches this tournament against Hungary.



Good second half, we totally deserved it. Props to Wales for reaching this far.

Vamos!

No bitterness at all mate I don't care enough about football for that. I wasn't serious about the Ronaldo thing, was a bit of a joke.

I just meant that I'd rather see Portugal lose, because I simply don't like their players, both present and from recent history (Figo, C Ron, Pepe). On top of that, they mostly play negative football this tournament.

 

[Maaaaaaaarten]

Please France get your act together tonight and win so I have somebody to cheer for in the finale

 

[BullsFan22]

As long as Portugal don't win this tournament, I'll be satisfied. This has got to be one of the flukiest runs at a euro since Greece and ironically they beat Portugal in the final that year, in Lisbon. Germany are not playing that great, but better than the France and Portugal. If the Germans do end up winning, they'll have chance to be what Spain was 2008-2010-2012. Though if the Germans win this and WC in two years, it will be a WC-EC-WC, rather than a EC-WC-EC. Having said that, the Germans always make the latter stages at big tournaments, from the 1950's to the present, while Spain really broke through for the first time after the 2006 WC.

 

[DBotero]

Germany: Neuer - Hector, Howedes, Boateng, Kimmich - Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Emre Can - Ozil, Muller, Draxler

France: Lloris - Sagna, Umtiti, Koscielny, Evra - Sissoko, Matuidi, Pogba - Payet, Giroud, Griezmann

Hard game for Germany without Hummels,Gomez and Khedira.Time for Muller& Draxler to shine.

 

[Põhja Konn]

I would like French victory a bit more tonight. Nothing against Germany, but France in this tournament have been more unpredictable and exciting to watch, at least for me.

Hard to say who are the favourites. Germany has so far been more consistent, but the absences of Khedira and Gomez will hurt them. Their defence have been excellent, but haven't faced the attack of a quality close to that which France possesses. They have shown several ways to create and score their goals and have several individuals who can change the game at any moment. On the other hand, their defence can be a weakness.

 

[Red Rick]

I think the Germans benefit a lot from the Bundesliga clubs not going as crazy on buying foreign players for huge amounts, while still being a very high level competition. You can be in awe of the football that is played by the Spanish top clubs for example, but it's mostly not Spanish players who are making the difference there.

 

[BigMac]

Frenetic start.

 

[BigMac]

France totally outmatched so far. Only Griezmann's playing

 

[Red Rick]

France started well for about 5 minutes, just now Griezmann wastes a somewhat good chance

 

[Red Rick]

Worthless play by Giroux there

 

[BigMac]

Boateng again very sloppy, could have costed them but Giroud was on the same page.

 

[Red Rick]

Well that's dumb by Schweini.

Griezmann scores the penalty.

God his celebrations are tilting

 

[BigMac]

France find themselves winning at half-time not even knowing how.

 

[Flamin]

Goddamn again a very silly way to concede a goal big mental blow, just seconds before half time

 

[DBotero]

Wtf this is ridiculous Another dumb mistake from a German player.

 

[python]

i was not sure the penalty was warranted...will need to watch a slow motion later. anyways, the french will not win, imo

 

[Red Rick]

I other news, Bastian Scheinsteiger got selected for the German national volleybal team.

 

[BigMac]

Nowhere that foul by Draxler is worthy of a yellow. Not that bad and and the very start of France's midfield.

I think the ref will lose the plot in the final 20 minutes.

 

[killswitch]

Rizzoli's gonna dish out a red card if ze Germans start piling on the pressure.

 

[Red Rick]

Germans seem more and more agitated.

 

[DBotero]

*** me another gift

 

[Flamin]

Schade Deutschland, alles ist vorbei.

Terrible defending by Mustafi. How on earth could you fall for that move from Pogba?

 

[Red Rick]

Griezmann's dance pisses me off so much.

 

[portugal11]

Portugal!!!!! We will give a lesson to france. They will know how bad is to loose a euro in their home