I am the only one who hasn't got a clue what's going on with the placings in the Euros? Goal Difference is so simple, and gives credit to teams who go out and try to play and score. I can't fathom the System they're currently using. Can anyone explain how before the Italy and Spain final goals (Ita 1-0 Ire and Cro 0-0 Spa), Italy was going through at Croatia's expense, When Croatia and Italy had previously played out a 1-1, making head to head worthless, and Croatia had a better goal difference (+2, Italy had +0), Croatia had scored more goals, (4 goals vs. 3 goals for Italy) and had conceded the same amount (Both had conceded 2). The only thing I can see different is that Croatia was drawing 0-0 with Spain, whereas the Italians had a 1-1. It that really it? This system is ridiculous. Fortunately there doesn't seem to be many permutations tomorrow night, only gets complicated if both England and France lose.
I agree. If it ain't broke don't fix it. GD is generally a very good indicator of who have achieved good results by playing really well and who have scraped a few games. This system is just incredibly confusing. I think the way it works is this: 1. Overall Points 2. Head-to-head points (by head to head, I mean you make a little mini-league out of the teams who are level on points, and look at who has the most points fom that mini-league) 3. Head-to-head GD 4. Head-to-head GS 5. Overall GD Or something like that. Frankly the order is just bizarre, if you want to use head to head (which I disagree with in the first place) using such a complicated order of rankings just makes things even more difficult and even the commentators who will have information in front of them are struggling to work it out.
I think it's 4. before 3. though isn't it? Because on Goal difference, Italy would still have been out when all three in group C were on five points. I can't get why they use this, because it seems to be against all of the other initiatives that have been "floated" in the past (an extra point for a win by more than four goals for example.) Given the way Russia and very nearly Spain tonight (had that penalty been given - which wouldn't have been a harsh call), the only teams to score 4 goals in a game, could have been dumped out of the tournament while teams like Greece have progressed, this seems to suggest that having a best defence and snatching a 1-0 is the most important thing. Like you say - if it isn't broke, don't fix it, but I guess we are talking about UEFA.
Just watching the highlights on ITV and I'm thinking why even show the goal difference on the tables. It's totally defunct with this system and confuses me further.
I heard yesterday that good old Sep Blatter wants 24 teams in the next Euros, also wants ALL teams to qualify, thinking of making no home nation countries by moving it OUT of Europe to make it a more International event! Could it be those nice people with oil & lots of money have come to our rescue? Or to Mr Blatters retirement fund?
I think it's already been decided that there will definitely be 24 teams at the next Euros. It's ridiculous, the big thing about the Euros is that unlike the WC you get 16 good teams qualifying and no pointless group games. Why would we want to change it? On top of that taking it out of Europe and making it more international, isn't that just another World Cup? What is the point? Blatter and these other French/Swiss/Belgian ****s who run football need to **** off and let us play the game the way we ****ing well made it in the first place. They're hell bent on changing pointless little rules every few years for no good reason but are totally reluctant to make changes that might actually improve the game like goal line technology.
yeh i am totally lost this year, was this announced a while back? I mean you'd think it would be a big deal. Just like the golden goal, you can't just ****ing change things one year and the revert back the next... otherwise winners will lose credibility. "oh you only won because there were fewer teams at the start" or **** like that. I fucing hate blatter and platini, is there no way they can be fired???!
the only real teams missing from this years Euros are Belgium & Turkey - you could argue that Rep Ireland/Ukraine are in their place so who would the other teams be without serving up totally dead games ? Hungary , Bulgaria , Slovakia , Romania and Scotland ?? they are all averagely poor
