Euro 2012

[Scheherazade]

Mick - 50

Paul - 50

Snow - 40

Papaya - 154

Scher - OUT

Doc - 500

Neely - 1980

Mark - OUT




Sunday

Spain v Italy



I am upset beyond words. Didn't bother to watch the last 20 minutes of the game. This is the World Cup 2010 all over again with Germany losing it at the last stage.

MM> I am afraid you are too late to take part in the game. It'd be unfair on others for you to join at this stage with a new batch of 100.

In 2014 maybe?

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

I'll mark my calendar!

[Scheherazade]

I'll mark my calendar!In that case, here are the exact details:

Begins on Thursday, 12 June 2014,and ends on Sunday, 13 July 2014.

It is even less than two years to go!

[papayahed]

In that case, here are the exact details:

Begins on Thursday, 12 June 2014,and ends on Sunday, 13 July 2014.

It is even less than two years to go!

When's the World Cup?

[Scheherazade]

When's the World Cup?It is 715 days from today. Or 1 year, 11 months, 16 days.

In other words:

■102 weeks approx.
■17,160 hours
■1,029,600 minutes
■61,776,000 seconds


Who's counting, anyhow?

[Paulclem]

Crap - I can't believe Germany lost. I just watched the highlights. Italy played well, but it looked as though Germany were disappointing.

Well - I can't bear to back Spain - they've been so so tedious. Italy it is for 50.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

So I picked the winning team? Wow. I don't know anything about soccer . . . or football. I'll go with Italy again.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Ha, ha. I was out fishing so I missed the bet but taped it and watched it when I got in. I fancied Germany but forgot to put my Litnet bets on! I think I would have gone for Germany too if I am honest even though I did have a few quid on Italy in real cash at the start of the tournament at 18/1!! So I am happy about that. Really, Italy should never be 18/1. It also makes England look slightly less bad, in a way, which is good. Italy and Spain will be very close. 1 -1 in their opening game.

[Alexander III]

Wow what an amazing performance by Italy , Baloteli Pirlo Buffon Casano Montolivo - all outstanding. That is how one plays the game.

[Mutatis-Mutandis]

So I picked the winning team again? I'm amazing.

[prendrelemick]

Italy were too quick and too clever last night. The Germans tried to man mark Pirlo early on, but there were plenty of others who stepped up and ran the game. Baloteli was the perfect target man and ran himself to a stand-still.

Can that cultured midfield operate against Spain ? I hope so.

This tournament has been one of the best. There was the joyfull enthusiasm of the Eastern European teams and their fans (who the British press branded as racist, in a pot and kettle way.) There were a few upsets and there were many good games. The four semi final teams all had different attributes and styles. The Spanish with their passing game, the Portuguese had their individuals, the Germans were irrisitable, Italy clever and incisive.

I hope the final lives up to it.

[Snowqueen]

Germany lost and I’m reduced to 40 Drachmas now imagine my excitement.



They played well in the 90 mins, but Spain improved in the extra time.

The penalties were a farce with Ronaldo not even taking one. The big wuss.

I’m not a fan of Ronaldo but I like Portugal as a team. They always try hard but remained the underdogs. They fought well under the captaincy of Luis Figo in Euro 2004 but France defeated them in the final.

[DocHeart]

I'm not surprised by Italy's win. They're a good team, and they could have got a result against the run of play, or even in a shoot-out (as they did with England). What I found surprising is the way they dominated. Even in the second half, with Germany coming forward in numbers, Italy were always the more likely side to score another.

Would anyone agree that Pirlo is probably the best player in world football right now? As for Balotelli, when he plays with confidence he can be devastating.

I'll back Italy to win the final, too, even though it's bound to be a completely different affair.

500 on Italy, please.

[Paulclem]

I’m not a fan of Ronaldo but I like Portugal as a team. They always try hard but remained the underdogs. They fought well under the captaincy of Luis Figo in Euro 2004 but France defeated them in the final.

I don't dislike Portugal on principle - just Ronaldo. As for Figo - have you seen that advert he's in?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rreLf5eqrHc

The big wuss.

Italy's win over Germany does reflect well on England as a defensive force. Ballotelli got away twice during the England match just as he did with Germany, but John Terry covered him well.

[MarkBastable]

Italy's win over Germany does reflect well on England as a defensive force. Ballotelli got away twice during the England match just as he did with Germany, but John Terry covered him well.

I think that's a huge oversimplification. The reason Italy didn't score against us is that we defended with ten men for about eighty minutes. The Germans at least tried to attack. They had more shots against Italy in the first ten minutes than we had in our entire game. And more on target during that game than we had in the entire tournament.

So I don't think Italy's win over Germany does reflect well on England as a defensive force. I think it accentuates how totally negative we were as a team, and how our hopelessness as an attacking force compelled us to defend in numbers, hoping to get a 0-0 draw.

[papayahed]

All on Spain.

[prendrelemick]

All on Italy, not because I think they will win. Because I want them to win.

[prendrelemick]

So I don't think Italy's win over Germany does reflect well on England as a defensive force. I think it accentuates how totally negative we were as a team, and how our hopelessness as an attacking force compelled us to defend in numbers, hoping to get a 0-0 draw.


I also can't help noticing that after all that punditry about how we must learn to pass and keep the ball like Spain - Germany were undone by a quick ball over the top to a big strong centre forward.

[Paulclem]

I think that's a huge oversimplification. The reason Italy didn't score against us is that we defended with ten men for about eighty minutes. The Germans at least tried to attack. They had more shots against Italy in the first ten minutes than we had in our entire game. And more on target during that game than we had in the entire tournament.

So I don't think Italy's win over Germany does reflect well on England as a defensive force. I think it accentuates how totally negative we were as a team, and how our hopelessness as an attacking force compelled us to defend in numbers, hoping to get a 0-0 draw.

I think we were let down in the attacking arena - the number of times Ashley Young gave the ball away, and Rooney's ineffectiveness negated our threat. Italy's other strikers were often forced to shoot from distance, despite Pirlo's distribution. I maintain we'd have done a lot better with Carroll distributing the ball. We were lucky too, but I think it significant that Ballotelli breaks didn't come off as they did with Germany. Perhaps I've got a half full attitude, but I think the signs for development are encouraging.

[MarkBastable]

I think the signs for development are encouraging.

I think the potential for development is encouraging, but I'm not sure about the signs.

Although I was for some reason overlooked for the England manager job, I'm happy to pass my advice on to Roy - and it's this....

From tomorrow, don't select any one who'll be older than 23 by the end of the year. That means no more Rooney, Cole, Terry, Gerard. The objective here is to make a convincing attempt to reach the finals of the Euros in 2016 and the World Cup in 2018. The 2014 World Cup offers a good opportunity to blood that young squad.

I can't see any point at all in persisting with the players that were part of Erickson's squad. They might not be too old right now, but they will be in three or four years, and by then it'll be too late replace them for the next Euros.

[prendrelemick]

The tabloids will get Roy sacked long before then. They do have papers to sell you know.

[Snowqueen]

40 on Spain


I don't dislike Portugal on principle - just Ronaldo. As for Figo - have you seen that advert he's in?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rreLf5eqrHc



No, I haven’t seen it before.

[Paulclem]

40 on Spain




No, I haven’t seen it before.

I knew it. The big wuss. :biggrin5:


I think the potential for development is encouraging, but I'm not sure about the signs.

Although I was for some reason overlooked for the England manager job, I'm happy to pass my advice on to Roy - and it's this....

From tomorrow, don't select any one who'll be older than 23 by the end of the year. That means no more Rooney, Cole, Terry, Gerard. The objective here is to make a convincing attempt to reach the finals of the Euros in 2016 and the World Cup in 2018. The 2014 World Cup offers a good opportunity to blood that young squad.

I can't see any point at all in persisting with the players that were part of Erickson's squad. They might not be too old right now, but they will be in three or four years, and by then it'll be too late replace them for the next Euros.

I agree. I don't know why they considered Lampard this time round.

Funnily enough I was talking to a bloke on the bus today who was saying the selfsame thing. (He's known to my wife and I as n*bhead after we observed an argument he was having with another bloke last winter in the street,and that seemed to be the main name that he was known by. Not knowing him very well, and being unsure of which of the names to use, I go with mate. It's only polite. Anyway, I think the view valid.)

[papayahed]

Who are those children that walked out holding hands with the players?

[prendrelemick]

looks like Spain have been keeping a little something in reserve. They are playing as though there is no other team on the pitch.




Who are those children that walked out holding hands with the players?


They're the mascots. Some will have won competitions to be there, and some Mummies and Daddies will have paid alot of money.

[Alexander III]

For ****s sake, we have as much poise as the Turks at Lepanto....

[prendrelemick]

For ****s sake, we have as much poise as the Turks at Lepanto....


:lol::lol: You really ought to get into sports commentry.

[Scheherazade]

Well, folks. This is it!

Neely - 1980

Papaya - 308

Snow - 80

Mick - OUT

Paul - OUT

Scher - OUT

Doc - OUT

Mark - OUT




Congratulations to smerdyakov, who predicted correctly Spain as the winner and Neely , who is 1980 Dr better off - even though he managed to avoid betting again. I think next time we will introduce a rule about that as well ;)

Thank you all for playing and, hopefully, we will do this again in 2014!

[Paulclem]

Spain definately outclassed Italy there. Some brilliant goals - though through the tournament they were pretty dull to watch.

Well - roll on the premiership in August. Woo Hoo!

[papayahed]

Isn't futbol in the Olympics?

[LitNetIsGreat]

Congratulations to smerdyakov, who predicted correctly Spain as the winner and Neely , who is 1980 Dr better off - even though he managed to avoid betting again. I think next time we will introduce a rule about that as well.

Thanks, I was cruising on Lake Windermere and then sampling the local ales, that's why I didn't bet. I would have had Spain anyway. 5 on Spain. :ihih:

I taped it and have just watched it. Spain were outstanding and clever throughout the tournament. They also had two key players out with injury as well. Best team ever?

[prendrelemick]

I will always go with the 1970 Brazilian team as the best ever, but I'm an old codger.

[Snowqueen]

I’m glad Spain won and now can’t wait for the world cup.

[Pensive]

I’m glad Spain won and now can’t wait for the world cup.

:nod:

[DocHeart]

What a game Spain had. It's almost like they flipped a switch and became this unstoppable force. Disappointing for Italy, who looked very tired.

Ah well, that's it, then. What a great Euro. It was fun watching it with you guys. Thanks, Sche, for organizing this, and congratz on your newly-acquired wealth of 1920 drachmae, Neely :)

Best regards to all,
DH

[MarkBastable]

I will always go with the 1970 Brazilian team as the best ever, but I'm an old codger.

Me too. It's not exactly being old now that does it. It's being young then. No team will ever evoke in us quite the sense of awe that you're capable of when you're young. Even the quality of the 1970 footage - that blurry smear of colour, and the crackly satellite commentary - is thrilling to me.

[LitNetIsGreat]

I don't know I never saw the team of 1970, only the goals and some of the play in recordings, so it is difficult to compare, but this Spanish side have now won three major tournaments on the trot and are perfect in every department. OK, they didn't play with attacking flair throughout, like perhaps the Brazil side of old, but they did enough in third gear before turning it up and destroying Italy in the final.

I can't imagine that Brazil had a better defence than this Spanish side either, which conceded just one goal throughout. The goalkeeper is solid and of course the midfield dominates completely and hell even Torres got the golden boot! We shall see, but if Spain win in Brazil or go very close, then maybe that would seal the argument? Spain might be even stronger then too as many of these players are still relatively young and they will have Villa and Puyol back to strengthen the side!

Aside edit: what is funny is that someone at work mentioned a 'team of the tournament' that was in one of the papers, featuring both Gerrard and Johnson! What a joke. As if either of those could get in the Spanish or German or even the Dutch or Italian side - well which Spanish players would you drop for Johnson and Gerrard? Some of these pundits just don't get how far behind we are.

[prendrelemick]

Like Mark said I was young and impressionable in 1970 so statistics and facts mean very little. I remember the joie de vivre and freedom those Brazilians played with, they were a team of individual gods, they were doing stuff we'd never seen before, the absolute antithesis of todays Spain.


Gerard and Johnson wouldn't get a look-in . I thought our best player was Lescott, and my man of the tournement was the German Ozil.