Euro 2016 - Discussion Thread.

Group A:
1 Albania
2 France
3 Romania
4 Switzerland

Group B:
1 England
2 Russia
3 Slovakia
4 Wales

Group C:
1 Germany
2 Northern Ireland
3 Poland
4 Ukraine

Group D:
1 Croatia
2 Czech Republic
3 Spain
4 Turkey

Group E:
1 Belgium
2 Italy
3 Rep of Ireland
4 Sweden

Group F:
1 Austria
2 Hungary
3 Iceland
4 Portugal

The 24 teams have been divided into six groups with the top two from each section – as well as the four best third-placed teams – to progress to the knockout stage. The games will be played in 10 different stadiums across France.

I would have Germany as favourites but Spain can mount a serious challenge and I wouldn't be surprised to see the hosts France have a good tournament.

 

No major groups of death and you'd expect England to go through theirs. Hoping England and Wales both go through

 

Just what the Holy heck is Geoff Hurst on?

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36463955

This is our most exciting England squad in 50 years? Based on what... The fact they're quite young and haven't played much international football before?

 

It's a weird one.. because obviously 2004 was FULL of players who went on to win titles/Champions League medals etc.. but it was also a squad that lacked pace and lacked energy.

I like this 2016 Squad. No big names.. but some exciting young players.

 

I look back and France 98 was the squad that excited me the most.

 

Geoff Hurst needs to put the crack pipe down. We've definitely had better and more exciting squads.

 

Group Stage Qualifiers

Group A:
France
Switzerland

Group B:
England
Wales

Group C:
Germany
Ukraine

Group D:
Spain
Turkey

Group E:
Italy
Belgium

Group F:
Portugal
Austria

Lucky Buggers
Russia
Poland
Croatia
Rep of Ireland

 

http://euro2016.eurosport.co.uk/

Cool predictor - Germany beat Spain in the final

 

Used it and it came out as England winning the final against Germany... FAKT.

 

Cant help but think France are complete dummies not to take Benzema to the finals.

Chances are Giroud will fluff his lines when the pressure mounts.

 

What was the reason why they didnt take Benzema?

 

http://www.skysports.com/football/n...omitted-from-france-squad-to-maintain-harmony

I don't think the French wanted a) any other excuse for player unrest and b) didn't want Benzema making sex tapes of any other squad members for blackmail reasons!

 

There was a really good programme on Radio 5 Live last night about the England's Euro 96 competition. That team had Seaman, Adams, Neville, Pearce, Ince, Gazza, Platt, Sheringham, Shearer in it. It was basically a team of leaders and players at the very top of their game.

 

But it wasn't a squad that excited many in the run up to the tournament... They built up our the excitement as the tournament went on with their performances, especially the Scotland and Holland games. France 98 excitement was off the back of the Euro 96 adventure.

 

Yep France 98 was a great squad too, many of the same faces from Euro 96 and of course Michael Owen burst onto the scene. I often wonder how much further England might have gone had Terry Venables carried on. Hoddle was a decent enough manager, but I think Venables was the better coach.

 

I was listening to Ray Parlour earlier. Did the double with Arsenal 97-98. Parlour was Arsenal's player of the season. Hoddle didn't pick him for the squad. Don't remember that at all, but what a ****!

 

Croatia are the dark horses

 

Ok a few predictions..

1. Winners - I'm gonna go with Spain.
I'm tempted to pick England as I think we have the firepower to beat most sides. France have a good squad too as do Germany but both those sides lack a World Class CF (France have one with Benzema but they left him at home)

2. Golden boot winner - Harry Kane.

3. Dark horses. - Like Wenger says Croatia have a decent side.

 

Do you really think that England are going to create enough chances to a) utilise their attacking players and b) get one of their strikers to outscore every other striker in the tournament (including Lewandoski, Ronaldo, Gomez, Muller ect? Especially if Kane (and Vardy) are pushed out on the wings by Rooney playing out of position in the middle.

 

Well I just think Harry Kane looks sharp. England don't have as many creative players as some sides but Wilshere, Barkley, Sterling and Alli are all capable of having a big tournament. If they do Kane is going to score goals.

Lewandoski is an absolute animal but I'm not sure he can carry Poland on his own. Similar situation with Ibrahimovic.

Ronaldo is a good shout of course. I find it interesting that Germany, France and Spain are all struggling to work out there first choice CF.
Germany for example have an incredible defence and midfield but Muller isn't really a striker and Mario Gomez is old and slow.

Gonna be an interesting tournament for sure.