All set for tonight ? If you haven't already seen it and have a few spare minutes, take a look at this video. It's not so much what Hodgson and Gerrard say (although that's pretty good - straight answers not cliches) but the 'comfort zone'; with themselves, each other, the audience. What a difference to the recent past when England put themselves under pressure because they lacked just those things. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18565207
I'm looking forward to this game massively. If we win, it'll be incredible, and my local is going to be noisy tonight! If we lose, no big deal. We've done well as it is and going out to Italy would be nothing to be ashamed of. If it goes to penalties... well I don't think I can handle that.
I think its going to be very tight and am hopeful we will get through. Like Bidley says if we go out I'm not going to be pi55ed off or (like the last few international tournaments) feel let down by the players. I think Roy has done a great job, I was concerned if we didn’t have a good tournament the papers would all be "It should have been Harry" but I think 99% of people are please with the Job he is doing - even the press. Unlike Bindley with Heart in goal I think if it goes then penalties I think we might pull it off.
Interesting game tonight so far. Generally, I feel that we started really well, first 15 minutes were arguably our best in the tournament. However, Italy have controlled the rest of the half. Rooney HAS to start putting in a shift, he is walking around and needs to realise e abit of effort is required. Dare I say it, I would put Andy Carroll up top, if nothing else to put a couple in on Pirlo. Rooney does not fit. We can win this game, if we Believe. COYE
Terry and Johnson - Terrific. Rooney and Young - Terrible. Of course Italy deserved to win on the night. Still it's rotten to go out that way. However as Roy said, "we went out without losing a game"
Still believe there have been more positives than negatives. Roy can only work with what he's got and considering injuries, the rio/terry affair, our inability to keep the ball and having only been in the job for 2 months then we have done ok. Carroll, Wellbeck and the Ox have all looked promising while Wilshere and Cleverley can offer us a bit of variety and control in possession when they return to full fitness. Would also like to see the likes of Walker, Smalling and Jones get more game time, although our defence hardly needs rejuvenating. Terry and Johnson in particular have been outstanding, as has Gerrard and Hart. Considering how outplayed we were I think our defence should be getting more credit than it has, holding out a team with that much possession for 120 mins.
Roy defends Rooney's fitness - just ! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/9355812/Euro-2012-England-manager-Roy-Hodgson-says-Wayne-Rooney-did-not-meet-expectations.html
I know this is off the beat and not related to Euro 2012 but what do you guys make of Beckham being left out of the Team GB squad for the Olympics? I thought it was very harsh to be honest.
I take it that Stewart Pearce is out to win the Gold Medal, not simply please the PR guys. Hope so anyway - I've got tickets.
But with all Becks has done in trying to get the Wc and Olympics I thought he deserved a place, plus his experience could have been vital.
Well done the Italians. Love him or hate him Balotelli is some player, when he wants to be. His second goal was a killer - her it is on video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYVuqymJ3Gw
I know he did a lot to help win the vote, but so did Seb Coe and nobody is calling for him to run the 800 metres! I think's Pearce's decision was entirely a footballing one, which is as it should be. You can debate whether it was the right decision on footballing terms, but all Beckham's ambasadorial work should be irrelevant. Yes, Beckham's experience would have been good, but Giggs is hardly wet-behind-the-ears. I haven't seen the full squad yet, so I don't feel able to say if its a good or bad one, but I think the criticism I've heard Pearce getting this morning is appalling and misplaced.
Spain have won me a bit of monies this tournament so I'd prefer to see them win over Italy who have lost me money twice, but for footballing reasons I'd like Italy also. Would be nice to see Pirlo go out on a high like Cannavaro did at the WC.
Me and 7 of my mates put 20 quid into a pool at the start of the tournament and got two teams each. I got Spain and Italy so I really don't mind who wins. All of a sudden the Irish performance at Euro 2012 doesn't look so bad considering the two finalists were in our group.
Ah! That's why Ireland did so badly - you used all of your country's luck up on the sweepstake! With your winnings, you can afford to keep AJ in tubigrip for at least a couple of days.
Fed up of seeing Spain and Spanish teams winning everything and everyone fawning over them. In other news, my greatest accomplishment was getting half my local singing "stand up if you still believe" after Italy beat us on penalties.
I suppose the Spanish-loving bandwagon will carry on for at least another couple of years then. Roll on the Olympics.
