The Euro 2016 Thread

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Who will win Euro 2016?

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    104
fran-MLs little camera said:
People have very high expectations for the England football team despite tournament results....something they don't have for other sports. We have good rugby and cricket sides at the moment, but I don't think there would be major rending of shirts (outside the actual people involved) if we went through a dry spell. Tennis fans have survived a lifetime of failure...lightened occasionally by a few players. Murray is our first truly top male player in living memory....though we shouldn't underestimate Henman's career. And every four years we love our marginal sports and turn Olympic medal winners into heroes (possibly because we feel they are like the lad/lass next door). Football is just a bit different...I suggest that the enjoyment of NI, Wales and ROI is partly because of low expectations. Getting there was an achievement....whereas we'd be horrified if England didn't. There's just more fun to be had where every round is an achievement. And this is why the England managers job is no longer an honour....every incumbent ages a decade in four years.
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I've said a couple of times on this thread that the best thing for Wales has been the lack of expectation and pressure. The Welsh media has been behind the team 100% and any win has just been a bonus. If anyone had said 2 years ago that Wales would be through to the semi-finals it's possible that even Chris Coleman would have had a chuckle, whereas for England, not getting through to the semis is a major failure, not even considering the way they went out. What gets me though is that, come two years time, the expectations will still be sky high (especially from the media) and unless things change immensely within England's camp the disappointment will be just as deep and vitriolic.

By the way, don't forget that Andy Murray is Scottish :p
 
Osvaldorama said:
There is definitely some truth in that. But having said that, outside influence shouldn't matter if you have charismatic leaders building a strong team spirit.
I'll use Italy as an example. Their media is also tough on them, called this side the worst Italy side in ages, yet they have risen to the occasion massively.
You could also use Saints as an example! We meltdown in the media every year, but it doesn't matter because the club know what they're doing.
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I don't know about them, but if I was under pressure from the media and population, I'd want to prove them all wrong and tear it up. England players seem to crumble and hide instead. They lower their game, while everyone else raises theirs.
 
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Saint Helen said:
By the way, don't forget that Andy Murray is Scottish :p
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Not important in this discussion as he plays for GB....since tennis (unlike football, cricket and rugby) don't play as separate countries. And at the ceremony following his latest masters victory, he sang God Save The Queen....so in the context of tennis, he considers himself British. :) I have never been in the camp that consider him British when he wins and a Scot when he loses....I feel his pain.
 
fran-MLs little camera said:
Not important in this discussion as he plays for GB....since tennis (unlike football, cricket and rugby) don't play as separate countries. And at the ceremony following his latest masters victory, he sang God Save The Queen....so in the context of tennis, he considers himself British. :) I have never been in the camp that consider him British when he wins and a Scot when he loses....I feel his pain.
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Oh, I agree, I was only pulling your leg. If what Andy did to get GB to the Davis Cup finals then win it doesn't convince people that he consider himself British then nothing will...
 
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