Getting dumped out in the first round for failing to win a single match would've been a start, but the algorithm UEFA used to judge who the "best" third-placed teams were somehow failed to take into account one obvious idea: one win is superior to three draws, which frankly should have been the second criteria on the list after points - but instead they skipped straight to goal difference.
Why was the tournament organised so that France would have three extra days of rest for this game? Some very tired Irish legs out there at the end. The half-time substitution changed things completely, but France look less than the sum of their parts, to me. They're afraid of teams getting at their slightly dodgy defence and it restricts their attacking play.
Let us know when you hear the sound of cash-laden cases being shifted from Madrid city councils' finance dept to the Bernabau stadium.
Madrid City Councils Finance Dept. is IN the Bernebeu. It was moved there for convenience some years ago.
On the other hand, Slovakia had an extra day;s rest than Germany - and judging by the current score, they spent it down the pub. Of course, the real question is whether anyone carping about France getting three days rest more than the Irish will be mentioning England getting two days rest more than the Icelanders...
