UEFA EURO 2016

So England will play against someone from group F.

Point handout
Russia 0:3 Wales
Seha, Lenneth (0:2) +1
Calatilla, frenchman (0:1) +1

Slovakia 0:0 England
Calatilla, frenchman (0:2) +0
Seha (1:1) +2
Lenneth (2:1) +0

Frustrating but 5 points after playing 3 defence minded sides isn't too bad.

England are as ***as ever I see.

They're only defensive minded when they play us. Both Russia and Slovakia attacked when they played Wales and each other. Completely different game altogether.

That's something Hodgson needs to work on, breaking down teams that park the bus for the entire game.

I told that to a Welshie on Twitter and they blocked me, to be fair they looked about 12.

I'd say this explains perfectly Euro 2016 instead:

Today's games

Ukraine 0 - 1 Poland
Czech Rep 1 - 1 Turkey
N. Ireland 0 - 3 Germany
Croatia 2 - 3 Spain

Ukraine 0:3 Poland
(The awakening of Lewandowski against a Ukraine which has no chance at advancing already)

Northern Ireland 0:3 Germany
(Very hard to do a good Tipp. If the mind-set of NI focuses not on drawing, but on not to lose much of their goal-ratio they won't open up at all after being 1 goal behind, in order not to fall behind Albania. At least in Interviews Germany wants to try becoming the group's first, and that will depend on Poland's amount of goals against Ukraine. They'll get that info on the field.)

Czech Republic 0:0 Turkey
(Both teams weaker than usual. Not expecting anything at this point. And Czech Republic lost a key player last match as well...)

Croatia 1:1 Spain
(Both teams would be happy with a draw, Spain will most likely not use its best players.)

Ucraina - Polonia: 0-2
Nord Irlanda - Germania: 0-4
Repubblica Ceca - Turchia: 0-0
Croazia - Spagna: 2-2 (but I think it's no mystery I root for Croatia..also cause it's better for Italy to dodge that one)

I agree (I interprete that picutere as 'iiihh a ball!'), the new modus doesn't force the weak teams to participate properly in a match. The chance to advance with just 2 or 3 draws is too high. With that in mind Slovakia even played the ball back just to avoid possession. And that was even a team that could have played normally against England.

Can't wait for the Knock Out phase to start when teams are forced to give it their all once they are 1 goal behind.

Also Tipps saved.

Wasn't it simpler to have 8 groups and have the top two of each pass? And thus have a normal tournament like that?
I like to see more teams passing the qualifications, but this 24 system seems very random. Why not 32?

Ukraine - Pologne : 0-1
Irlande du Nord - Allemagne : 0-3
République Tchèque - Turquie : 0-0
Croatie - Espagne : 2-1
(I want to believe in Croatia this year)

Tipps saved.

@Seha While that would increase the dynamic within a group again to its old state, it also would lower the overall quality further. Making it easier for big teams to advance as they wouldn't be paired with other big teams anymore. Reducing the surprises like Netherlands 0-points drop out at Euro 2012.
Europes amount of countries isn't large enough to go with a qualification round + a tournament of this size.

Who would be your additional eight picks you would like to see at the tournament from those who didn't make it?
Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Israel, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Andorra, Belarus, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Scotland, Georgia, Gibraltar, Estonia, Lithuania, Slovenia, San Marino, Finland, Greece, Faroe Islands, Montenegro, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Bulgaria, Norway, Azerbaijan, Malta, Denmark, Serbia and Armenia.
I couldn't pick eight of them while keeping a straight face when thinking about how they probably perform. Maybe 5 or 6 at most. Based on a long gone history.

We have joke teams at this cup that are even performing better than you'd expect. Like North Ireland, Albania, Hungary, Iceland.
There are much better teams in the ones you listed such as Netherlands, Bosnia, Slovenia, Greece, Montenegro, Serbia, Denmark. And the remaining ones are neither better or worse than some of the ones we already have.
Besides, the quality of these teams varies greatly by generations.

I don't see quality dropping, just more spotlight for more nations.

That's the main reason why I'll stick with the opinion of a quality drop. NI won their qualification group while Greece's football is dead because of the long period of financial difficulties.

I'm not against more spotlight for more nations in principle, as long they create a way to make it fun to watch, but don't we have the qualification round for that already?

Then what is the point of 24? Just make 16. 4 groups of 4, 8 finalists.

Or better, let the thirds actually battle it out.

Watching Müller in the first half and I think I'm starting to understand what turns someone into a mass shooter.

The crossbar is the man of the match so far.

Woops didn't notice it was so late already. Guess I missed only one goal.

I'm pro-16.

The battle it out idea sounds good, but is it practical? unless it becomes its own group afterwards for multiple games or either add the two best 4th ranked (no thanks) we don't get number needed from 1 more game.

If we go 32, I barely see the point in a qualification round. Would roughly be the top 4 in a group of 6 advancing.
Could just let everyone participate inthat case, no groups, KO phase from beginning to the end.

To get back to the game,
young Kimmich replacing Hoewedes looks good so far! Way better option for attacking.

Edit: anyone watching the Poland game? Why didn't they score yet?

Lewandowski didn't bring his shooting boots again. They've had enough chances, but so have Ukraine to be fair.

The second half is so boring...

N Ireland were just on damage control once the goal went in. They'd rather lose the game 1-0 and have a chance in 3rd rather than get hammered trying to equalize.

Point handout
Ukraine 0:1 Poland
Calatilla, frenchman (0:1) +3
Seha (0:2) +1
Lenneth (0:3) +1

Northern Ireland 0:1 Germany
Calatilla, frenchman, Lenneth (0:3) +1
Seha (0:4) +1

Edit: Due to the similar Tipps, Seha will reign one more night

What's up with Spain's shirt? It's like they're mocking Croatia! *rips spanish shirts like they were swiss*

I think that shot just landed in my garden.

Dammitall!!

1-0 to Turkey as well.

OMG the bad luck on that lob.. *dies*

I can see Croatia scoring at least once, Ramos has made 2 mistakes that almost led to a goal and we're only 15mins in.