The Euro 2024 Championship Thread

[didds]

We are still winning ugly. Will we be embarrassed holders of the trophy

No.

[Leothebear]

Yes I did and tell me how many shots did England have on target?

3, the same as Switzerland. If you include blocked shots even more (8 to their 2)

England also had more possession, more touches in the opposition box, fewer saves, fewer fouls and more corners than the opposition

How much time was wasted with pointless passing amongst the back 4?

In a low scoring sport time wasted is a difficult concept to deal with, but retaining possession and increasing the likelihood of scoring is measured against the possibility of losing possession, or conceding goals. The players and coaches (and others that understand the game and how it works) will be better placed than others to understand the importance of this.

When a keeper collects the ball after an opponent's attack his first priority should be to initiate a counter attack, that doesn't seem to be part of the plan.

No it isn't and no it shouldn't. Sign up for a coaching course or ask to attend a professional club training session.

I still think England can win this but it has to be the right blend, tactics and some passion from the team.

So do I. And I agree. And they have passion in spades, but its best put into affect within a context of professionalism and getting the job done. I have rarely seen a losing dressing room that wasn't emotional or passionate about having lost. Even rarer to have been in a winning one that is devoid of emotion or passion about the game just won.

If I rephrase as: When a keeper collects the ball after an opponent's attack his first priority should be to initiate a counter attack if possible

OK now? If not then I strongly disagree with you and the coaching manual.

[Leothebear]

3, the same as Switzerland. If you include blocked shots even more (8 to their 2)

Not sure how you get that one:

https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/match/203 ... tatistics/

[nimnarb]

All this back and forth crap. Play ugly and win. No, I don't think so. Remember what the Uruguayans used to do to us, play dirty and win, well they are still doing it at the Copa. If we do win and that's a very big if, especially getting past the Dutch(just like a home premiere league for those two) what on earth has Kane done, mostly floating around like a fairy(and yes he can still produce when it counts, but really hasn't this time)the same with Foden. Ok, Bellballs got us through, but mostly having a good scratch it would appear, and very lucky not to be suspended. Fact remains, England simply on paper, have the most talent of any team, anywhere, and yet they have played like scared headless chickens. Why? If you recall I begged someone to have a go from 30 yds and sure enough it was Saka who did the job, but why just him(not to mention he had to defend for us when those that mattered were nowhere to be seen?) Don't get me started on Southgate. If Cloughie was in charge, would have him guillotined or roasted over a hot spit and charged for playing backwards. And please stop telling me what he has achieved, semis, finals etc..so what? We have had the best team for years, but it's the Manager's job to utilize his players and also get them to put on a performance that not just his team, but us, the fans(the suffering) fans since 19 bloody 66, can be proud of, win or lose, but put on a show.

But then again, Zorro hasn't scored. Ronald neither(bye bye, apart from a penalty) nor has Messi(in the Copa) and Brazil knocked out, with many going to penalty kicks and apart from Columbia, nobody is playing well, and I don't think anyone has mentioned the fact that they are all just simply knackered. Kane for example 57 games played and scored 51 goals, that is ridiculous and to think in one month's time he and others will be back at it again.

So I do have some sympathy for the long season, but not for the dull way they have played. If England win this competition, nobody more pleased than I, provided that Southgate retires or takes on the American coaching job for 2026(don't care just leave) and let someone else take over for the World's, coming up in only 2 years. I was impressed with our penalties taken, considering our history, but more so with the way they were taken, a confidence not seen before, so now you lot, produce that on the field please on Tuesday and burn those oranges to an inedible crisp

[dealtn]

3, the same as Switzerland. If you include blocked shots even more (8 to their 2)

Not sure how you get that one:

https://www.uefa.com/euro2024/match/203 ... tatistics/

Because Uefa measure the number of your shots that were blocked as positives for the defending team under "attack". If you go to the defence section it shows the same. Odd I know. Alternatively

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/crgkevjm6zmt#MatchStats

There is a reason professional clubs use their own, or OPTA, and not use the media.

[Leothebear]

So the designated referee has a match fixing conviction. I'm all for rehabilitation but to have him referee at the highest level of the game?
I don't think so.

[Gerry557]

So the designated referee has a match fixing conviction. I'm all for rehabilitation but to have him referee at the highest level of the game?
I don't think so.

But surely we can afford to pay more

[Leothebear]

Spain v France best game of the tournament by a country mile. Worthy of the final. Fabulous.

[nimnarb]

The best team deservedly are in the finals.............................................Can we join them?

[monabri]

mind you...I will cheer on anyone who beats FRANCE (*)

(*) oooh...I'm doing it again! CESM!

Congratulations to Spain! We will meet them in the final.

[Tedx]

mind you...I will cheer on anyone who beats FRANCE (*)

(*) oooh...I'm doing it again! CESM!

Congratulations to Spain! We will meet them in the final.

nice on centurion.

[Tedx]

Helluva goal.

[monabri]

Ooo-err....England looking dangerous!

Not sure about the penalty though.

[kiloran]

Ooo-err....England looking dangerous!

Not sure about the penalty though.

Not sure????? Stonewall non-pen!

--kiloran

[nimnarb]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!! !!!

[Leothebear]

Lucky pen but a really good first half. I thought England had slipped back to negative mode in the 2nd half but for once GS subs of Watkins and Palmer paid off. Bellingham not on song and should also have been sub'd . Great Watkins goal. England getting better!

[the0ni0nking]

The question now is (given I'm in Spain for the final), where to watch it?

And what shirt to where - maybe my Swiss top suggesting my neutrality

[monabri]

I wonder if Kane is 100%?

[Leothebear]

I wonder if Kane is 100%?

Not sure where I heard it but he may have a back problem. He certainly isn't firing on all cylinders.

[nimnarb]

I wonder if Kane is 100%?

Not sure where I heard it but he may have a back problem. He certainly isn't firing on all cylinders.

Well, maybe the answer is to start Foden and Kane but take them off after 40 minutes, or indeed not have them start to begin with?

What do you think, and do we have(stand) a chance of beating Spain? As long as it's not penalties, and we lose on that basis, really would be too much to take. But credit where credit is due, we reached another final. Unbelievable innit?