I see Russia have been fined the massive sum of £28,000 for throwing flares for the 3rd time this tournament. Seriously what is the point in doing this? Not only is the amount tiny anyway but it mean's nothing to the fans. It won't stop because the fans don't have to pay it. Only simple way to stop them doing this is deduct Russia points for their next qualifying. That way if they don't qualify the fans only have themselves to blame. If they keep doing it, deduct more points until they learn it is stupid and affecting their team.
Spain and France tonight, that should be an interesting match up. Both have very good possession statistics. France could potentially win this, but I still favour Spain for the win. Both teams look like they have weaknesses at the back. Zingy: That was like a Carr joke. (Jimmy, BTW, not the terminally unfunny Alan!) I laughed and then went 'oooh!' Quality effort.
I'm probably going to get shot down for saying this but IMO this German side is flawed. When they gain the momentum they look good. However, when the opposition takes the initiative frailties are apparent in both their midfield and back 4. Portugal showed that for the last 20 minutes. The trick is to gain AND HOLD the initiative. Should England beat Italy then we would need to change our whole set up if we are to prevail.
Dissagree, but not with the fact they are flawed but the way we could beat them. Greece looked a real threat on the counter with pace upfront. They don't have any real holding midfielder either so if we do break on them we could exploit that fact.
France do not seem to have turned up to this match, yet. Spain, not surprisingly, in front 1-0. France need to pick it up a bit!
Must be boring to be a Spain fan. Yes you get to see you're team win everything but thats offset by just how Dull it is.
I know what you're saying, but I still quite like watching Spain. I must be a masochist, because I find it mesmerizing. Opponents know how they will set up, how they will play, and yet no one seems to be able to stop them. Impressive. Good header from Alonso, I thought. French look like a bunny in the headlights. They really need a kick up the arse from The White one at half time!
Schweinsteiger? Khedira? Thats two holding players that play every game who would walk into the England side
I wouldn't class Schweinsteiger or Khedira as a holding player than can break up play in the same way Parker / Lucas can for example. Neither are brilliant at defending and are better going forward in my opinion.
Slightly better half from France, but they still deserved to go out. Spain cruising through barely out of first gear ... a bit like the Germans, really. Any predicitons for the England-Italy match? I'm hoping for a 2-1 victory for England - but it could very easily go the other way. Anything but penalties, really. Don't think my heart or metal health could take that.
France were poor and didn't really create a decent goal scoring chance.I agree Spain are still in first gear,pacing themselves like true champions. England v Italy is the tightest to call out of the four quarters with the favourites going through so far. Would not be surprised at extra time tomorrow!
France played in the colour of their favourite flag tonight...the white flag of surrender. Which is pretty much what they did to the Spanish...surrender.
So you mean a DM that chases the ball like a dog...? Aka, Mascherano style. For me, positioning is just as much a part of playing DM as actually tackling or harrassing. Schweinsteiger and Khedira are always in position to make things difficult and then the 'team' work together to get the ball back. IMO, this is much more effective than having one dogged DM, it eliminates the need for the opposition to just beat the one (or possibly two) man...
I don't want penalties but maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing (so long as we win them) as it would give us some much needed practice prior to facing Ze Germans... PS - I'm going 2-1 to Italy
I do have to agree that France did little to diminish their The Simpsons appellation of "cheese-eating surrender monkeys". Tonight is going to very tight and I wouldn't be surprised with an England win, loss or draw (resulting in extra time and, possibly, the dreaded penalty shoot-out!). Bobby Charlton has said that if we beat Italy then we'll win the tournament. That's a little strong for me - as we'd meet Germany and then Spain / Portugal if, and it's a massive if, we beat the Italians - but I think I see where he's coming from. We would have finally beaten a 'major' world footballing force at a championship and removed yet another mental block in the English footballing pysche. The belief wave that would generate might be enough to carry us past the Germans. It is possible, after all. First things first, though, we need to defeat the Pirlo-driven Italy. Come on England!
Just put me money on: 1) Italy to win 2-1 @ 11-1 2) England to progress and Gerrard to at any time @ 5-1 3) Jolean Lescott to bag the first @ 25-1 The mrs opted for England to win 1-0 @ 6-1
Noel Gallagher may be a passionate Manchester City fan but he admits he has been captivated by Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard's performances at Euro 2012. please log in to view this image The singer has joined countless others in expressing his belief that the Huyton-born midfielder has been England's stand-out performer at the tournament so far. Captain Gerrard will lead the Three Lions out in Kiev tonight, where Cesare Prandelli's Italy will be waiting, hoping to beat them to a semi-final showdown against Germany. And Gallagher was full of praise for the way Gerrard has imposed himself on games in the tournament's group stage and the quality with which Liverpool's No.8 has created goalscoring opportunities for his teammates. "[The match against Ukraine] was the best I have ever seen him play for England," said Noel. "It just goes to show when he is the main man, he plays like the main man. "He has had a hand in all of England's goals so far. He has been brilliant, dictating play, taking free-kicks, running the show." http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/noel-gallagher-on-main-man-stevie
