Very interesting game. It's amazing how the momentum can change so quickly in football. It's one of the great things about the game as a spectator.
England XI: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Phillips, Mount, Sancho, Kane, Sterling. No Grealish start AGAIN
At half-time I almost wrote that England are going to face a tough task against the Danes because they seemed a cut above any of the opponents they've met so far, including the Germans. After the second half, they look beatable.
In many ways, the exciting games over the last few days have been a compliment to England, who have never really looked in any danger of losing their games. They've cruised to the last eight. England have been very dull to watch, but they've nullified every team they've met so far in a very effective way. The question is, is there a third and fourth gear when they face a side as good as Italy? For me, Southgate has done an excellent job in terms of tournament football. But would I want Norwich to be set up the way he sets up England? No thanks.
It's the nature of tournament football, you cannot afford a loss. In a league format, it can be worth it to be more expansive because 1 win 1 loss is better than 2 draws.
Well structured game, and all without reaching top gear. Not that it was needed. Posters complain that this player or that player should be starting but Southgate cannot be faulted so far. First manager to get us to the semis in both major competitions. 3am kick offs for me but I shall be watching on Thursday morning, and hopefully on Monday morning.
While that's true, it doesn't follow that the best strategy for any team playing in a league is to play expansive football. The question for each team is whether that particular team are more likely, or less likely, to gain most points by playing expansively. 1 win 1 loss is indeed better than 2 draws, but 2 draws is much better than 2 losses.
- Thank you captain obvious On other news if you score more than the opposition you win (unless you score own goals haha). If we get to the final I'll drag myself out of bed to watch it live, but I tend to watch it at about 6:30 before work, can't manage 3am. I make sure I haven't watched any news so it is as if it is live.
I'm the same, watching "as live" from around 6:30am. Just have to be sure to ignore my phone till full-time. If we end up winning this tournament, I'll be one of the last Englishmen in the world to know it.
Dutch referee Danny Makkelie is set to take charge of England's Euro semi-final clash with Denmark on Wednesday night. Makkelie, 38, was praised for his handling of the Three Lions' 2-0 victory over Germany in the last-16 – and will be back at Wembley as Gareth Southgate's men look to reach the fina Good ref
