Euro 2024

[ecc]

If he makes the correct changes we'll wipe the floor with the Swiss but I don't think he dares.

[LeadBelly]

Perhaps that's the problem. They spend so much time working on little details that that becomes all they can think about. Perhaps a bit more time is needed on other aspects of the game, such as putting the ball in the net.

I think there's something in this, I've often thought this about some England rugby (union) teams in the past 10 years.
Coaches should set up a team structure/ tactics etc but players should still be able to "play what's in front of them".

I spotted fairly early last night, some England player (cant remember which) picked the ball up unexpectedly (after a rebound or some such) left field 5-10 yards outside the pen area and there was a big space in front with no oppos right up to almost the half way line (and the defence wasn't organised). In stead of surging forward with urgency to take advantage of the situation, the player just dallied with the ball and then passed sideways.

[NottsClaret]

If he makes the correct changes we'll wipe the floor with the Swiss but I don't think he dares.

I'm not even sure about that. Shar and Akanji are better defenders than ours at this moment.

Xhaka actually knows how to play in midfield. I don't know how, but Shakiri just turns up for tournaments these days and pings the odd worldie in. Fair enough, any squad with Amdouni in it can't be great but they've some really good individuals in their first XI as well as being clever, slick and well organised.

[Tricky Trevor]

Bit of triv whilst the game is shaping up.
Germany as host country has 9 neighbours only Luxembourg didn’t qualify.
Clockwise:
Denmark
Poland
Chechia
Austria
Switzerland
France
Belgium
Holland.
Must be a record?

[kentonclaret]

Bit of triv whilst the game is shaping up.
Germany as host country has 9 neighbours only Luxembourg didn’t qualify.
Clockwise:
Denmark
Poland
Chechia
Austria
Switzerland
France
Belgium
Holland.
Must be a record?

Well spotted

I looked it up and Luxembourg finished 3rd in the group behind Portugal and Slovakia but, interestingly, 7 points ahead of Iceland in 4th place.

[4:20]

A bit card happy is this ref, stifling the game a bit.

[LeadBelly]

Some well known talent in the France v Belgium game but no big chances yet. Both teams moving the ball (/moving off the ball) about twice as fast as England did last night
France favourites at the bookies and I think they'll win this one- though may need e.t. Having said which- I'd like Belgium to win for Hercule Poirot.

[claretskeith]

Is anybody else on a bit of a comedown after the mental game yesterday?

[LeadBelly]

Is anybody else on a bit of a comedown after the mental game yesterday?

Blood Pressure has definitely come down today, almost normal now.

[South West Claret.]

Thought the French team looked more likely to score 1st half.

[claretskeith]

Blood Pressure has definitely come down today, almost normal now.

[claret2018]

This has been the worst tournament in ages. I don’t think I’ve seen a decent game yet.

[claretskeith]

This has been the worst tournament in ages. I don’t think I’ve seen a decent game yet.

Poor game but overall I've enjoyed it. If I wasn't enjoying it, I'd have stopped watching it by now.

[randomclaret2]

France into the Quarter Finals without having scored a goal from open play.

[Vegas Claret]

France into the Quarter Finals without having scored a goal from open play.

67 attempts on goal in the tournament, 2 own goals and one penalty

[South West Claret.]

This has been the worst tournament in ages. I don’t think I’ve seen a decent game yet.

You couldn’t have seen many games then, I thought just the opposite mind you I’ve seen most of them.

[Rileybobs]

Is Mbappe overrated?

[Mark the Claret]

Is Mbappe overrated?

Definitely

[RVclaret]

France and Deschamps are basically solid defence and rely on luck or individual quality to get them through games. Don’t think I’ve ever seen them play well (in terms of dominance). Kinda been Southgate’s default go to in tournaments too.

[Tricky Trevor]

Is Mbappe overrated?

Not as much as Lukaku. A proper school yard bully and he gifted the ball away for the winner.

[CoolClaret]

France and Deschamps are basically solid defence and rely on luck or individual quality to get them through games. Don’t think I’ve ever seen them play well (in terms of dominance). Kinda been Southgate’s default go to in tournaments too.

8 watercarriers and 3 magicians as he says.

Think you're being a tad harsh, they've not been at the races this tournament admittedly but have been exceptional over the past 6-8 years or so. Tactically very switched on, destroyed Croatia in the 2018 final.

[claretskeith]

You couldn’t have seen many games then, I thought just the opposite mind you I’ve seen most of them.

Me too. It's been a great tournament. No idea what I'm going to do with my life after the final.

[South West Claret.]

Portugal v Slovenia next up.

[Rileybobs]

Heading to extra time as things stand.

[Rileybobs]

That Ronaldo is a right whopper.

[BurnleyFC]

He looks a bit unhinged at the minute.

I hope for his sake he gets a goal otherwise he might have a breakdown.

[Rileybobs]

He looks a bit unhinged at the minute.

I hope for his sake he gets a goal otherwise he might have a breakdown.

All an act. He’s desperate to be centre of attention.

[South West Claret.]

Portugal have had most of the possession as expected but not having it there own way tho.

[boatshed bill]

I'm enjoying this one.

[Stonehouse]

Wouldn’t mind Roberto Martinez as next coach he seems willing to blend youth and experience ,he could happen persuade CR7 to have a season with us.

[Stonehouse]

All an act. He’s desperate to be centre of attention.

I think he’s earned the right to be the centre of attention I’d swap Foster for him any day of the week .

[4:20]

Ref's letting it flow, not giving in to the shenanigans. Good to see.

[Rileybobs]

Slovenia can’t put two passes together.

[claretskeith]

Both games have been poor. I want a penalty shoot-out to mix it up a bit.

[Rileybobs]

It’s all about me me me

[NottsClaret]

The Ronaldo cult isn’t helping Portugal.

[Mark the Claret]

It’s all about me me me

Exactly, I bet the rest of the Portuguese team can't wait for him to retire.

[Taffy on the wing]

Wouldn’t mind Roberto Martinez as next coach he seems willing to blend youth and experience ,he could happen persuade CR7 to have a season with us.

I hope you're joking.......he had years with one of the best squads ever & won sweet FA.

[RVclaret]

Ronaldo

The build up to him taking free kicks, which I don’t think he’s scored one for 5 years, is hilarious.

[Rileybobs]

Nailed on to score the winner though unfortunately.

[distortiondave]

In one of the earlier games he set a goal up instead of scoring himself, and I thought maybe he'd turned a corner in his footballing dotage.

But the biggest bellend on the pitch is Bruno Fernandes.

[Rileybobs]

Slovenia are absolutely honking on the ball.

[boatshed bill]

Ronaldo has contributed the sum total of FFFF all this half.

[NottsClaret]

Slovenia are absolutely honking on the ball.

It’s true but they are what they are. Got to admire their discipline and effort. Bridging some huge gaps in quality. Fair do’s.

[CoolClaret]

Ronaldo is undoubtedly harming Portugal being a starter but I can't help but love watching him play. I mean, he's nearly bagged 900 carer goals, which is just insane.

[distortiondave]

Portugal are rank 4 in UEFA, Slovenia rank 57.
England are rank 3, Slovakia 45.

So we're better than Portugal by whatever metric this is.

[Poulton-le-Claret]

I can't watch extra time, so boring.

[4:20]

Slovenia did well at the back for the 90. Frustrated the heck out of the Portuguese.

[Rileybobs]

It’s true but they are what they are. Got to admire their discipline and effort. Bridging some huge gaps in quality. Fair do’s.

Absolutely. It’s why I don’t think there are any easy games in this tournament as even the lesser teams are very well organised and disciplined.

It’s just disappointing that Slovenia offer absolutely nothing on the break as they can’t make three passes without losing the ball. A tiny bit of quality and they could pick Portugal off.

[Rileybobs]

Portugal are rank 4 in UEFA, Slovenia rank 57.
England are rank 3, Slovakia 45.

So we're better than Portugal by whatever metric this is.

It’s coming home.