The Euros 2024 Thread

[RustyBin5]

I'm detecting a certain amount of sour grapes in this case.

Absolutely not - I wish England all the best on Sunday. I just hate with a passion the inconsistency of VAR. Always have. Oh and for the record - having an opinion on a decision isn’t automatically sour grapes.

[ryanb741]

I'm relatively confident. Spain have played the best football but the best footballing team doesn't always win - witness Man City finishing ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool as an example in the PL.

Saka absolutely murdered Cucurella in the PL a couple of months ago and so either Spain double up on Saka which leaves space for Foden to weave his magic, or they don't double up on Saka, and Saka causes mayhem.

Spain do have the best midfielder in the world in Rodri, up front they are a bit light and their defence can be got at.

We'll need to make sure Kane actually enters the penalty box when we break instead of being 20 yards behind and someone can teach Foden the offside rule between now and Sunday. I think it's a 50/50 game I really do. Spain will cause us problems but I think the spaces in midfield that they will leave will allow us to counter at speed.

I do feel Kane, Rice and Bellingham are half cooked and really in need of a rest but one last push is all it needs and then they can go on holiday and I'm sure they will be able to miss part of their clubs' pre season tours to recuperate.

[stefmcd]

It could be argued England are due a good game and Spain a bad one but I wouldn't put much money on England. Spain have been in a class of their own this tournament, and given their harder route to the final, this says a lot.

[watchcollector1]

I think it’s pretty clear from the amount of professionals that are saying it’s never a penalty (including former England players) that the supposed foul on Kane wasn’t a clear and obvious error either. Anyway lots of people don’t agree either way so it’s a talking point. I just honestly think if a Dutch player had handled twice and then had a shot that kicked an English defender resulting in a Dutch penalty the views of quite a few would be the polar opposite- understandable of course.

Absolutely, there's a lot of doubt in there. I'm sure if it the other way round there would've been an outcry.

For me, it looks a clearer foul every time I see it though. Most professionals, including ex England players seem to disagree but even Roy Keane said it was a foul anywhere else on the pitch and pundits don't always seem to take into account the letter of the law.

I'm reminded of the ridiculous outcry over the Wolves "goal" last season, that was disallowed when the attacker was clearly blocking the keeper in an offside position. Most pundits said it should never have been disallowed and one even said the keeper should've moved away from the (offside) attacker so he wasn't impeded! Honestly I think some pundits just don't understand the rules and go with their gut feeling.

Kane didn't kick the defender, he was taking a shot and was impeded by the defenders failed atrempt at a tackle. If a goal keeper trips an attacker when he's knocked the ball past him we don't say that the keeper had a right to go for the ball regardless of whether he got the ball or not so not sure why the rules would be different for the defender here.


For Saka's handball he takes a shot and in a split second the ball ricochets off the defender and the ground within a couple of feet of him and brushes his right hand which is in a natural position. There's nothing he can do to avoid it. If it then hits his left arm which is up in the air that's hand ball but I'm not 100% sure it does.

[Hood]

Absolutely not - I wish England all the best on Sunday. I just hate with a passion the inconsistency of VAR. Always have. Oh and for the record - having an opinion on a decision isn’t automatically sour grapes.

Absolute nonsense Rusty.
Like every other Scotsman you hope England get pumped.
Own it.
It's okay being magnanimous in the early rounds but this is serious shit now.
Alcaraz and Spain for the double.
Viva Espana

[stefmcd]

Absolute nonsense Rusty.
Like every other Scotsman you hope England get pumped.
Own it.
It's okay being magnanimous in the early rounds but this is serious shit now.
Alcaraz and Spain for the double.
Viva Espana

I always want the best team to win. If England deserve it, then kudos to them. But I wouldn't fancy anyone against Spain. Can't get my head round how we beat them in qualifying. Maybe their defeat to us was the wake up call they needed, lol.

PS I still feel aggrieved for England losing to W Germany in '90. England deserved that tournament.

[RustyBin5]

Absolute nonsense Rusty.
Like every other Scotsman you hope England get pumped.
Own it.
It's okay being magnanimous in the early rounds but this is serious shit now.
Alcaraz and Spain for the double.
Viva Espana

Honestly not that bothered who wins. I prefer watching Spain play as they are pleasing on the eye when their tails are up but as I said in an earlier post Scotland stuffed Spain at Hampden purely by getting in about them and playing at tempo. What’s the phrase? They don’t like it up them.

[blackal]

[Hood]

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/CTw...ibextid=UalRPS

For clarity

[Peck]

I'm relatively confident

The ultimate kiss of death

[bwest76]

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/CTw...ibextid=UalRPS

For clarity

I wont be taking on board anything GL has to say, I resent him a lot.

I doubt there is any other country in a similar situation would be going on and on about something they had no control over nor made the decision.

Its not the blatant hand of god cheating its not cheating at all.

[Hood]

.

PS I still feel aggrieved for England losing to W Germany in '90. England deserved that tournament.

People in Cameroon thought their name was on it.
Another 2 bloody penalties lol.
Though those ones probably were just about.

[Martylaa]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Passenger]

The ultimate kiss of death

Made me smile when I read that from Ryan,,,

[hilly10]

Absolute nonsense Rusty.
Like every other Scotsman you hope England get pumped.
Own it.
It's okay being magnanimous in the early rounds but this is serious shit now.
Alcaraz and Spain for the double.
Viva Espana

I would not expect anything less that you want to see us beaten.

It’s like some people say are you supporting Scotland if England go out, no way I want to see Scotland trounced in every game, I always cheer when Andy Murray gets beat.

I love Scotland and the people but not when the footie is on

[Hood]

I would not expect anything less that you want to see us beaten.

It’s like some people say are you supporting Scotland if England go out, no way I want to see Scotland trounced in every game, I always cheer when Andy Murray gets beat.

I love Scotland and the people but not when the footie is on

Fair play Hilly
I endorse that view tbh.

I always wanted Henman to win right enough.
Really just rugby and football rivalry for me

[Dave+63]

It’s like some people say are you supporting Scotland if England go out, no way I want to see Scotland trounced in every game, I always cheer when Andy Murray gets beat.

I really don’t get that; I see the UK as a slightly disjointed family. Yes, we may bicker amongst ourselves but when the chips are down we stick together.

If Scotland (or Wales, NI or Ireland) are playing England then I want England to win but if any of those teams are playing anyone else then I’ll be supporting them.

It even goes for British clubs in Europe; I’ve even supported Manchester United and Liverpool in games and I’m a Leeds follower!

[hilly10]

I really don’t get that; I see the UK as a slightly disjointed family. Yes, we may bicker amongst ourselves but when the chips are down we stick together.

If Scotland (or Wales, NI or Ireland) are playing England then I want England to win but if any of those teams are playing anyone else then I’ll be supporting them.

It even goes for British clubs in Europe; I’ve even supported Manchester United and Liverpool in games and I’m a Leeds follower!

As far as British Clubs in Europe I wanted City to win the CL but as an Everton Fan I draw the line wanting both Red Shite teams to win anything.

[hilly10]

Fair play Hilly
I endorse that view tbh.

I always wanted Henman to win right enough.
Really just rugby and football rivalry for me

Murray lost a fair few fans South of the border with the quote, I do this for Scotland not for Great Britain.

[Dave+63]

Murray lost a fair few fans South of the border with the quote, I do this for Scotland not for Great Britain.

But still lives in Surrey!

[ryanb741]

I think a major difference is that many of our players look absolutely gassed. Players like Bellingham, Kane, Rice, Saka etc have played almost every minute for their clubs, aiming to be at peak levels for the May finish and now we are in July and their muscles are shot.

The Spanish side have in general played for fewer minutes. Rodri is probably the only exception but I think he's just made of iron.

So using subs early and tactically will be important. Take the rugby union approach of getting your starters to play at maximum intensity for 60/70 minutes and then bring the finishers on. Particularly as Spain are excellent at retaining and cycling possession and we could get absolutely exhausted chasing shadows unless we have full 'snap' when closing down.

[Kingstepper]

Fair play Hilly
I endorse that view tbh.

I always wanted Henman to win right enough.
Really just rugby and football rivalry for me

Difference is England/Scotland rugby/football teams. Tennis players are playing for themselves, not any country.

[hilly10]

But still lives in Surrey!

Exactly, when it suits.

[thegoat]

I'm relatively confident. Spain have played the best football but the best footballing team doesn't always win - witness Man City finishing ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool as an example in the PL.
.

Fortunately (or unfortunately ) Spain, like City , have botela in abundance.

[chrisb]

https://youtube.com/shorts/TVssFatFf10?feature=shared
Our local church bell ringers are getting in the mood.

[Peck]

https://x.com/paddypower/status/1812049326983479739

Paddy Power really enjoying themselves haha

[xxnick1975]

Murray lost a fair few fans South of the border with the quote, I do this for Scotland not for Great Britain.

Did he ever say that though? Doubt it.

Hes retired now so moot point, but English folk being anti AM just because he's Scottish tells you a lot about that person.

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[j17ykp]

I think a major difference is that many of our players look absolutely gassed. Players like Bellingham, Kane, Rice, Saka etc have played almost every minute for their clubs, aiming to be at peak levels for the May finish and now we are in July and their muscles are shot.

The Spanish side have in general played for fewer minutes. Rodri is probably the only exception but I think he's just made of iron.

So using subs early and tactically will be important. Take the rugby union approach of getting your starters to play at maximum intensity for 60/70 minutes and then bring the finishers on. Particularly as Spain are excellent at retaining and cycling possession and we could get absolutely exhausted chasing shadows unless we have full 'snap' when closing down.

Our best chance with making the game as physical as possible and hope for a lienent ref.

Going toe to toe footballing wise with Spain will only end up with one result.

Need walker and tripper to do a Neville vs Reyes ( make it physical as hell ) on Yamal and Williams that will stifle Spain big time.

The game will hinge on how effective Rice is at attempting to hinder Rodri controlling tempo.

[bwest76]

Our best chance with making the game as physical as possible and hope for a lienent ref.

Going toe to toe footballing wise with Spain will only end up with one result.

Need walker and tripper to do a Neville vs Reyes ( make it physical as hell ) on Yamal and Williams that will stifle Spain big time.

The game will hinge on how effective Rice is at attempting to hinder Rodri controlling tempo.

"making the game as physical as possible"

What with the VAR and the rules as they are.

[Franky Four Fingers]

Going toe to toe footballing wise with Spain will only end up with one result.


​It’s hopefully 90 minutes, 11 against 11, we have the ability to beat any team in the world, i don't think we should go in to it with that attitude. I cant see our current group not making the most of this opportunity to make their own history. I think the Spanish will find it a lot harder than most are clearly predicting.

[j17ykp]

"making the game as physical as possible"

What with the VAR and the rules as they are.

Obviously we can can’t kick lumps out of them all over the pitch but VAR won’t do anything against being aggressive with tackling and competition for second balls , harrying etc that would be down to the ref who will need to want to keep the game flowing rather than blowing up for anything and everything.

[ryanb741]

Worth noting that England are ranked 5 places higher than Spain in the FIFA rankings and in fact the game against 6th ranked Dutch was the hardest game we have had including the game vs Spain, based on rankings alone and was the game with the highest average ranking of both sides in the whole tournament.

[noTAGlove]

That press conference really stirred the emotion in me. Southgate and Kane really know how to push my buttons

[RustyBin5]

Murray lost a fair few fans South of the border with the quote, I do this for Scotland not for Great Britain.

Pretty sure he won double Olympic gold and the Davis cup for GB. I am 100% confident you would struggle to find a single Scot that cheers every time an English tennis player loses. That takes rivalry into hatred mode. Not healthy bud.

[Der Amf]

Murray lost a fair few fans South of the border with the quote, I do this for Scotland not for Great Britain.

I was following tennis quite closely from before Murray was in the top 500 until after his period of success, and I don't remember that quote - have you his exact words, please? Was it when he was giving his support for the independence referendum?

[Passenger]

Didn't ze Germans, some big lads on their team, adopt a hard physical play style against the Spanish, Germany were beat 2 / 1, with home advantage...just saying.

[j17ykp]

Didn't ze Germans, some big lads on their team, adopt a hard physical play style against the Spanish, Germany were beat 2 / 1, with home advantage...just saying.

The Spanish got a some would say fortuitous decision in that game too otherwise who knows.

[thegoat]

Our best chance with making the game as physical as possible and hope for a lienent ref.

Going toe to toe footballing wise with Spain will only end up with one result.

Need walker and tripper to do a Neville vs Reyes ( make it physical as hell ) on Yamal and Williams that will stifle Spain big time.

The game will hinge on how effective Rice is at attempting to hinder Rodri controlling tempo.

That wasn’t being ‘physical’
That was trying to deliberately injure a fellow pro aided and abetted by a one eyed snake oil seller of a referee.
I’d be disgusted if any England player went out with that intention.

[ryanb741]

Didn't ze Germans, some big lads on their team, adopt a hard physical play style against the Spanish, Germany were beat 2 / 1, with home advantage...just saying.

A blatant handball for Germany wasn't given. I'm racking my brain to remember what nationality the referee was that day.....

[Hood]

2010 world cup final Holland got very physical.
Still lost.
This Spanish team are not on that level though.
England will get chances they just need to take them.
It's no foregone conclusion.

[Passenger]

May the best team win, preferably in 90 minutes, plus injury time of course.

[walkerwek1958]

May the best team win, preferably in 90 minutes, plus injury time of course.

I`d like to see England win fair and square in normal time with no contentious decisions to take the shine off the win. Winning in a penalty shootout is a somewhat hollow victory in my opinion, I guess it's better to win than lose but it's not the same and it never will be.

Penalty shootouts have to be used to decide knockout matches, but I think there's an argument for not using them in finals, I`d prefer to see the trophy shared with both sides declared joint winners but I guess that would go down like a lead balloon.

As for marginal offside VAR decisions, I think the benefit should go to the attacking player unless there's 30cm in it, or the player's torso is in front. Current interpretation of handball seems crazy too, defenders running around with their hands behind their backs just looks wrong. Overall, VAR's a good thing but football's making a bad job of using the technology, other sports do it better.

I'm old enough to remember England winning the World Cup in 1966, that was proper football played by proper blokes........and yes, the ball definitely DID cross the line (probably)!

[Toad monitor]

May the best team win, preferably in 90 minutes, plus injury time of course.

Yes,same here.

[watchcollector1]

Penalty shootouts have to be used to decide knockout matches, but I think there's an argument for not using them in finals, I`d prefer to see the trophy shared with both sides declared joint winners but I guess that would go down like a lead balloon.

Game theory means both teams would play for a draw, why risk going away with nothing if you lose, better to draw and guarantee winning something. Would teams really care that much that there is another European Champion at the same time?

We've seen that in high jump competitions, where the last 2 competitors are offered to share the gold rather than carry on they (don't) jump at the chance (pun intended). It's not just sportmanship to decide to share, as why would either athlete risk getting a silver when they can be guaranteed a gold?

I'm with you on penalty shootouts though, they are the worst aspect of tournament football. They test a skill that is normally only allocated to one player in the team, the penalty taker, so it's an odd way to decide a match.

Penalties are also the least exciting way to score a goal, there's a reason we never see compilations of the best penalties of the season or tournament, as nobody cares. Only Panenka penalties generate any kind of wider interest beyond those fans who were originally invested in the outcome of the game.

We need a way to decide games that involves more skills of the actual game of football beyond just taking a penalty. MLS was ridiculed in the 90s for having shootouts that involved the attacker starting from the halfway line and the goalie being allowed to come out of his goal to stop him but I think a variation of that could be a lot more satisfying and exciting way to end a drawn cup game.

[gorrie]

As for marginal offside VAR decisions, I think the benefit should go to the attacking player unless there's 30cm in it, or the player's torso is in front.

Kind of agree, however all that would do in reality is move the demarcation point for VAR. so you’d still end up with the tape measures out and line being drawn… albeit 30cm away from where it used to be.

[j17ykp]

That wasn’t being ‘physical’
That was trying to deliberately injure a fellow pro aided and abetted by a one eyed snake oil seller of a referee.
I’d be disgusted if any England player went out with that intention.

Maybe not the best example in hindsight admittedly

But a level of disruption to the Spanish tempo will be needed in order for England to win

[catflem]

[Pitfitter]

5th time lucky?

I’ll just be glad when this football thingy is over, bring on Wednesday night, rugby under 20s.

[thieuster]

Letexier is the referee. According to sporza.be (the Belgian sport channel) an 'inexperienced referee'. But was is 'inexperienced'? He was the ref. already for CRO-ALB.; DEN-SER.; and SPA-GEO.

[tixntox]

I've just checked the score on the BBC:-



:)