Match Day Thread England vs Russia 8pm 11th June

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ENGLAND VS RUSSIA

Date: 11 June 2016
Kick Off: 8pm
On TV?: ITV 1

It's time!

The first match of UEFA EURO 2016 for England.

England will be hoping to kick-start their Euros campaign with a win, although we all know it will be a cagey affair.

Will Kane and Vardy start together, up front? Will Rooney start - and if so where? Is Smalling injured? Super Roy's tactical nous will certainly come under scrutiny.

Possible England lineup:

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Bench: Forster (Southampton), Stones (Everton), Clyne (Liverpool), Henderson (Liverpool), Alli (Tottenham), Vardy (Leicester)
Reserve: Heaton (Burnley), Bertand (Southampton), Sturridge (Liverpool), Barkley (Everton), Wilshere (Arsenal)

A bit about the Russians
From the Telegraph:
"An organised but ageing outfit which might struggle for goals after their brightest attacker was ruled out. Their coach Leonid Slutsky - whose playing career ended when he fell out of a tree trying to rescue a neighbour's cat - is also in charge of domestic champions CSKA Moscow, and he is heavily reliant on their defence."

Danger-man: Star player Alan Dzagoev will miss the tournament through injury, so look out for the 33-year-old Berezutski twins, Aleksei and Vasiliy, and record appearance-maker Sergei Ignashevich, who is 36.

Officials
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (World Cup Final 2014)
Linesman:
Linesman:
4th Official:

Me and me mum and me dad and me gran...

Prediction: 2-1

 

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

England always start with a disappointing draw. But not positive enough so am going for a 5-1 victory. Come on, England!!!

 

2 days to go! Let's have it boys, come on England!

Stoked doesn't even begin to describe it...

Where on Earth are you from, we're from England, where you come from, do you put the kettle on?!

 

If they weren't playing England I might root for them just because Mr Slutsky saved a cat (although from experience the cat would have come down eventually). Had to check his name really was Slutsky

Come on Engeeerlaaaaand! 2-0

 

No cat ever starved up a tree....just like dogs rarely drown. Leave them to it and don't take risks.

 

The England team picks itself, but Hodgeson will go for something completely different.

 

I want us to do really well but also would find it really funny if we finished bottom of the group.

 

That's just sick.

 

I just can't muster any enthusiasm for this championship. Dunno why. Maybe I'll get into it once it gets going...

 

@ saintkitch & LTL....

BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Think Jaidi should edit and make this a super positive match thread

 

Fairly confident we'll be to strong for these lot.

 

Don't get as excited about these tournaments as I used to, but a few decent results and I will settle in. I think we will need occupying....going to be a long summer.

 

That takes some real talent...

 

You are our resident happy clapper!

 

I haven't watched a full england game since the shambles in Brazil. I look at our squad and its very poor compared to our 2006 world cup squad which i thought on paper was really strong. The good thing about this group of players and the way they are managed is expectation is so low that any progression will be a bonus.

 

I'm getting excited now! COYR(W)!!!! Not sure what colour we are actually [emoji3]

 

Yeah, I mean I usually get excited about tournament football even minus England, but this year, just nothing.

As I say, I'll watch it though and will probably get into it as we go along.

 

Was he half of the Russian duo Slutsky and Hartch?

 

I agree if we get through to the quarters then i will be cheering along as if i was at a saints game. The best thing is i'm off to Majorca on sunday so can watch the Wales game without the worry of work.