A European semi - final...It wouldn't have looked out of place as a Northern division game of the Johnstone paint trophy
Calm down, stick, calm down. I have posted on this thread 20 times previously: #21, #30, #32, #38, #53, #56, #62, #74, #82, #86, #101, #104, #117, #121, #123, #126, #127, #138, #198, #212. Other than mentioning Portugal when making a score prediction for their games, I have mentioned them disparagingly twice (specifically the spoilt brat Ronaldo): #104, #123. So a little bit of an exaggeration. They have had an easy ride from me as I gather that they are being heavily criticised in the Portuguese media. The real reason your feathers were ruffled...
Brave effort by Wales and Bale gave it everything he had, and more. Solid performance by Portugal who controlled the game pretty well I thought. Ronaldo seems very unpopular with the masses, but he is one hell of a footballer. That headed goal, he just seems to suspend himself in mid-air until he makes contact with the ball, and then, goodnight! Portugal started off this tournament badly, but they do have a very good record in the Euros. You know, I enjoyed the game, not bad at all. Wales did sorely miss their two suspended players, as mentioned above.
Nope, I just ****ing love being right and this day I am. I said they would reach the final after the group stages and that is precisely where they are.
Would you care to tell me about that “very good record in the Euros”? As I recall, Portugal have only got past the semi-final once and on that occasion they were beaten in the 2004 Final on home turf by Greece.
As you know Swanny, I love it when Cindi bangs out a tune. You don't come remotely close to the major after timer on this board mate. Well done on being right mate, feels good huh.
Yep, Stick, it does. Didn't check the statistics, but I just seemed to think that Portugal nearly always put up a good show in the Euros, and it was Chris Coleman who said that it was Portugal's seventh semi-final? So that ain't at all bad at all, and is my answer to QMII's above enquiry. They do have some very talented players though, always have had.
Cannae sleep before this evening's match. First time I have been seriously worried about Die Mannschaft's progress to the final and ultimate victory in Euro 2016. Injury to Mario Gomez means the general formation will return to that utilised in Brazil 2014 ie without a recognised 'target man'. The big miss, in my opinion, will be Mats Hummels who has formed an excellent pairing with Jerome Boateng. Checked the available alternatives within the pool and nobody seems close to the class/ability/fit. Unfortunately this possible weakness clashes directly with the greatest strength of 'Les Bleus'; Giroud and Griezmann. Anyway, plenty of housework and shopping to complete to ensure I stay out of mischief (sober) until this evening. Will stuff my face with fried meals, sweeties, Pepsi and Irn Bru to remain 'strong' during the coming hours. I am afraid healthy eating has not reached this 'boy' yet! Silly me; forgot that the Newmarket July meeting starts today. Used to be one of our favourite meetings when my mum was fit and able to appreciate a trip to the Southernlands. We would always stay in Cambridge and either catch a special bus direct to the track or take the train to Newmarket. Quite enjoyed a visit to the town of Newmarket once every couple of years. Especially liked the pub at the head of the high street facing down towards the race track. Cannot recall the name of this establishment and cannot be bothered doing research at 03.30!
Quick rules question Ste. If you picked a team to be runners up do you get any points if they win the thing?
Stick you just get the points for runner up mlad but I take your point.I'll probably will just do outright winner only next time!
I think Mr Coleman might be right, if you go back to the inception of the competition in the 60s when it used to be a straight knockout over two legs and there were only a handful of teams in it. Portugal have been to the Finals competition quite a lot recently and have made the knockout stages often: best result losing Finalist in 2004, lost in the semi-final in 1984, 2000 and 2012 and lost in the quarter-final in 1996 and 2008. Some of those teams must have played more exciting football than the current bunch...
You know, Germany rarely lose a big game, but yesterday evening they did. Today, we now enter a two or three day period of pure flagellation by media and fans alike. The Erics are so like the Shia Muslims you wouldn't believe it. It really was their own fault last night, they left their scoring boots behind and missed at least a half a dozen golden scoring opportunities? They could have won a high-scoring game? France probably had 4 good chances and converted 2? So, out come the chains from the cellar, off with the shirts, and "let's beat the supreme **** out of ourselves", say the Deutsch! I cannot speak for my fellow countrymen, of course, but my personal feelings/attitude with the frequent failings of the England football teams, and managers, in the big ones are deep disappointment, then "****-it, I'm used to this", and "Carry On Regardless"! However, will admit to one thing, after last year's Rugby World Cup debacle, I damn nearly got the chains out from my cellar, really did. That was terrible.
My view was that Germany played as well as they have in the tournament, controlling long spells of the game. Who would have thought that 'we' would miss a resurgent thirty year old Mario Gomez. Not too despondent here in 'Kleine Bayern'! Carry On Joachim! Methinks it would be better to avoid self-flagellation a la Opus Dei! Anyway last night's loss may have saved me a fair few hundred Pounds/Euros as I had remembered a pub in Edinurgh which shows all important sports events on large screens in the open and on many smaller screens inside the premises. Visions of a'homer' bender or a trip to Turnhouse airport with passport, toothbrush and wallet might have ensued; ho hum!
