Euro 2016

[Jagartrott]

Its more a comment on the low quality of football here. I want to see good games between good teams. Can't get excited for teams that have never even qualified, and are only here because pretty much everyone is allowed in.

N-Ireland won their qualifying group IIRC, so they deserve to be there.
Iceland also ended in front of Turkey.

 

[djpbaltimore]

I think the worst part of the format change, rather than the inclusion of some of the minnows, is that it dilutes the drama of the group stage. In previous years, I watched all the group stage games, but this year I have paid more attention to the Copa America.

 

[portugal11]

Portugal is playing well. They almost have a dream team like in 2004

 

[Brullnux]

ISLAAAAAND!!!!!

 

[Cannibal72]

If Iceland win this, I'll be simply beside myself with joy.

 

[BigMac]

Only one team chased and deserved the win. 1-1 tastes sour. Teams who come seeking a draw and never really fight for the victory have no place at the final stage of these tournaments. That said, Portugal should have done more.

 

[Red Rick]

Nah, those teams fighting for every ball make championchips way cooler. Anyone remember the team that went unbeaten at the 2010 worlds?

 

[gooner]

That's Lagerback for you. He's a very good experienced coach at this level. I don't see what else he can do or how teams of similar ability can set up. He can't open up, it would play right into Portugal's hands. In a country of 330,000, their achievement should be applauded.

I had Portugal down as one of the favourites pre-tournament as they have a good balance between youth and experience and Santos has done well since taken over. I still do and it helps that it's an easy group. I think they will play their way in the form over the next couple of games.

 

[BullsFan22]

Re:

Only one team chased and deserved the win. 1-1 tastes sour. Teams who come seeking a draw and never really fight for the victory have no place at the final stage of these tournaments. That said, Portugal should have done more.

Iceland took their rare chance and converted beautifully. They defended well and had some fortune along the way. Portugal was the obviously better, but I with the predictable flopping coming from Portugal, I am glad this ended 1-1.

 

[Pricey_sky]

That's what football is all about. great result for Iceland!

It would be boring if the best team, or the team that deserves to win the game always does.

According to the radio if your a male aged between 20-35 in Iceland you have a 1 in 20 chance of playing for the national team, such is the small population

 

[jsem94]

CR7 had a bad game by his standards. Can't understand why they didn't start Quaresma who in the last match against Estonia scored 2 and assisted 2 goals.

Austria imploding too. Alaba and Arnautovic can't do everything alone, and when facing a team who have a proper team spirit they got worn down.

 

[portugal11]

Re:

CR7 had a bad game by his standards. Can't understand why they didn't start Quaresma who in the last match against Estonia scored 2 and assisted 2 goals.

Austria imploding too. Alaba and Arnautovic can't do everything alone, and when facing a team who have a proper team spirit they got worn down.

He was injured

 

[gooner]

Idiot.

And when asked by MirrorFootball if he saw any romance at all in the Iceland story, Ronaldo was unequivocal.

"I thought they'd won the Euros the way they celebrated at the end, it was unbelievable.

"When they don't try to play and just defend, defend, defend this in my opinion shows a small mentality and are not going to do anything in the competition."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/cristiano-ronaldo-blasts-icelands-small-8194136

 

[Pricey_sky]

Idiot.

And when asked by MirrorFootball if he saw any romance at all in the Iceland story, Ronaldo was unequivocal.

"I thought they'd won the Euros the way they celebrated at the end, it was unbelievable.

"When they don't try to play and just defend, defend, defend this in my opinion shows a small mentality and are not going to do anything in the competition."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/cristiano-ronaldo-blasts-icelands-small-8194136

Typical comment from Ronaldo, always the first to sulk when things don't go his way.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Typical big team mentality, "we want the minnows to come out and play expansive football that doesn't suit their strengths and gives us plenty of room to play in, so we can comfortably beat them but give them credit in the post-match interview".

 

[BigMac]

He is right, y'know. It is not any different from the approach we often see in cycling with riders riding conservatively without taking any risks. I don't like his persona but I can see when he's telling the truth, no need to have a prejudiced interpretation of his words just because he is Ronaldo. Only one team deserved to win and it was Portugal. I cannot sympathize with the underdog when they do zilch to deserve it. Take the Spain game for instance - I've said before the tournament started that I hoped they wouldn't win it, but it would have been a travesty had they not beaten the Czech Republic, because at no point during the game did the latter chase the win. A 0-0 would have been unjust.

 

[hrotha]

There's a world of difference between the way Iceland played and what the Czechs did. Iceland tried in accordance with their capabilities, they didn't simply park the bus and hope for the best.

Iceland chased the win, they were simply outclassed for much of the game. Because hey, they're not as good as Portugal. And that's fine.

 

[BigMac]

Re:

There's a world of difference between the way Iceland played and what the Czechs did. Iceland tried in accordance with their capabilities, they didn't simply park the bus and hope for the best.

Iceland chased the win, they were simply outclassed for much of the game. Because hey, they're not as good as Portugal. And that's fine.

They didn't chase the win. They got a goal because the Portuguese defense had a brainfart and after that they did park the bus. They 'fought' for the draw. Did we watch the same match?

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Re:

There's a world of difference between the way Iceland played and what the Czechs did. Iceland tried in accordance with their capabilities, they didn't simply park the bus and hope for the best.

Iceland chased the win, they were simply outclassed for much of the game. Because hey, they're not as good as Portugal. And that's fine.

Exactly. Great match and a well deserved result for Iceland

 

[BigMac]

Re: Re:

There's a world of difference between the way Iceland played and what the Czechs did. Iceland tried in accordance with their capabilities, they didn't simply park the bus and hope for the best.

Iceland chased the win, they were simply outclassed for much of the game. Because hey, they're not as good as Portugal. And that's fine.

Exactly. Great match and a well deserved result for Iceland

Not exactly. Wrong, actually. See above.

How one can call it ''well deserved'' is beyond me.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Re:

Portugal is playing well. They almost have a dream team like in 2004

No problem exxxxcept for the Vikings in iceland have decided. NO you get dream team 1. Iceland and volcanoes 1.

 

[hrotha]

I don't think they parked the bus. I think they were outplayed towards the end, but still tried.

Maybe you should consider whether you're being objective, since you're more emotionally invested than the rest of us.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

He is right, y'know. It is not any different from the approach we often see in cycling with riders riding conservatively without taking any risks. I don't like his persona but I can see when he's telling the truth, no need to have a prejudiced interpretation of his words just because he is Ronaldo. Only one team deserved to win and it was Portugal. I cannot sympathize with the underdog when they do zilch to deserve it. Take the Spain game for instance - I've said before the tournament started that I hoped they wouldn't win it, but it would have been a travesty had they not beaten the Czech Republic, because at no point during the game did the latter chase the win. A 0-0 would have been unjust.

No side deserved to win at all EVER. It is up to the Karma and guess what The Volcano F-ued up the wet dream with Rolando and the Portuguese. Maybe make bread NO? Because today you Draw.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Re: Re:

There's a world of difference between the way Iceland played and what the Czechs did. Iceland tried in accordance with their capabilities, they didn't simply park the bus and hope for the best.

Iceland chased the win, they were simply outclassed for much of the game. Because hey, they're not as good as Portugal. And that's fine.

Exactly. Great match and a well deserved result for Iceland

Not exactly. Wrong, actually. See above.

How one can call it ''well deserved'' is beyond me.

Need to hav3 a few more Brews brah. Relax and take the Bus?

 

[BigMac]

Re:

I don't think they parked the bus. I think they were outplayed towards the end, but still tried.

Maybe you should consider whether you're being objective, since you're more emotionally invested than the rest of us.

I think I'm being objective, or at least consistent. I'm not just saying this because it involves Portugal. I've been very critical of our team before and sometimes went as far as cheering for the opposition. I'm not some blind nationalist. On the other hand, I could say the general hate towards Ronaldo and people's natural inclination to support the underdogs could be clouding many a judgement. I for one don't think this kind of tactics are ever justified.