Euros..2020 in ‘21

@HatterDon Just wished the Scots pressed for the winner instead of settling for a point. 3 Lions fans have to be asking a simple question...WTF?

 

For a large part of the match I kept expecting Scotland to convert one of their chances and walk away with the win.

 

The real German team showed up today!

The fans in Budapest cheering on Hungary 1-1 draw w/France we’re amazing today, and the Hungarian team spilled their guts for that point!

 

It’s been mostly fun to watch. Some very good underdog performances as noted by previous posters. The Hungarians were warriors against the French, and could very easily have gotten a “W” out of that match. They definitely outhustled them and deserved their result in front of their home crowd. Italy have been the most impressive side in the group stage, the English the most disappointing. I agree that Scotland should have been more adventurous against their rivals. They were ripe for picking. The Scots and a lot of
people, myself included, were surprised by the Czechs. Maybe we shouldn’t have been, but losing to them hurt Scotland a lot. Gonna be interesting to follow!

 

I agree Don. If the Welsh keep putting in shifts like that and can shake Bale loose for a few more decent chances, they could be this year’s Portugal.
Bale has issues for sure, but his offensive talent, while inconsistent, can be spectacular. He’s streaky, and if he gets on a roll, he’s capable of carrying a team on his back. He can suck for 89:30 and then BAM! he’s beaten you.

 

The Danes are going to be a tough out. Reminded of when the late great Hank Gathers collapsed for Loyola Marymount right before March Madness (thankfully Eriksen was able to be saved in this situation). Loyola’s players galvanized and every single player lifted their game/capabilities and they got to the Elite 8 before eventual champion UNLV beat them.

Crotia eliminates Scotland. Prime example of why when you have a chance to beat a superior team like the Scots did against England, you go for it instead of being happy with a point. Speaking of England, they won the group, but have to imagine the press is crushing Southgate, his tactics, and the performances.

 

I’m getting my first lengthy look at the Dutch today, and was not only stunned to see Maarten Stekelenberg between the sticks for them, but also learning he has started all of their Euro matches.
Irony can be pretty ironic sometimes.

 

It's a little scary that Spain have suddenly found their shooting boots, scoring ten goals in their past two matches. The way they can control possession, even eleven years down the road from 2010, is still very, very good. If they can keep up finishing like this, whoa. Tha' Anglish finally got the German monkey off their backs today at Wembley. The current German golden era may well be over. The Mullers, Krooses, Schweinsteigers, Kloses, Lahms, Boatengs and Hummels aren't walking through that door, or, in the case of Muller and Kroos, not for much longer. And the so-called most recent Three Lions golden era of Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, Beckham, Cole and Hart are being overshadowed by this group of relatively less heralded players. Collectively, they are arguably less talented than the previous core, yet they've begun more successfully than the group of superstars. I don't like his injury embellishments at all, but Grealish makes them so much better. His cross to Kane for the second was almost perfect. And what a bounceback from a subpar club season by Sterling. Citeh would be stupid to get rid of him. The biggest thing, though, is they're much more solid defensively than their elders were. No standouts, just excellent, hard working, team defending. It'll be interesting to see if they can keep it going against either Sweden or Ukraine in Rome. They should be favored, and if they can continue performing like they did today, or even better, they've got a decent chance to win the whole darn thing. After the next round, the semi-finals and finals are at Wembley.

 

Everything on a plate for England. Easy group, easy side of the draw, worst German team in awhile, Ukraine upsetting a solid Sweden team (3 Lions would’ve beaten them too to be fair), and now potentially 2 home matches from winning their first major trophy in 55 years.

Denmark’s run has been remarkable, but it’s time for it to end v England. Italy (the best team in the tourney thus far) v Spain in the other Semi should be fantastic to watch.

 

Italy vs. Spain on Tuesday and England vs. Denmark on Wednesday. I'll predict the Azzurri over La Roja and the Three Lions to end Denmark's unlikely run. This is usually where England get severe squeaky bums and blow it, but I think the new guard is just that...new. They don't play that. But it's not in the bag. All four are pretty darn even.

 

Roberto Mancini whining about the crowd rules. Umm, we’re still in a pandemic, despite all the vaccinations to date, thus the “unfair” crowd rules.
Just be glad you’re playing at all, especially with any appreciable number of eyewitnesses. So shut the (eff) up, ya’ ungrateful twerp.

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...-spain-face-unfair-crowd-situation-at-wembley